Can You See Me Now? By Trisha Sakhlecha

‘Can You See Me Now?’ is the latest book by Trisha Sakhlecha.

Fifteen years ago, three sixteen-year-old girls meet at Wescott, an exclusive private school in India. Two, Sabah and Noor, are the most popular girls in their year. One, Alia, is a new arrival from England, who feels her happiness depends on their acceptance. Before she knows it, Sabah and Noor’s intoxicating world of privilege and intimacy opens up to Alia and, for the first time, after years of neglect from her parents, she feels she is exactly where, and with whom, she belongs. But with intimacy comes jealousy, and with privilege, resentment, and Alia finds that it only takes one night for her bright new world to shatter around her. Now Alia, a cabinet minister in the Indian government, is about to find her secrets have no intention of staying buried.

‘Can You See Me Now?’ is a taunt and suspenseful story about the dynamics and complexities of teenage girl relationships.

The story is written in the past and present tense seen from the narrative of former friends, Sabah and Alia, as they reflect back on their old friend Noor, who took her own life when they were teenagers. Now on the anniversary of her death, Sabah is creating a documentary on Noor’s death and is dredging up old ghosts and wounds. Alia is now a successful government minister, who’s past has never been revealed but fears that with Sabah raking up the past, her career could possibly be in jeopardy.

I really enjoyed this story, the dual narrative makes for gripping reading, particularly in the past and present tenses. I found the narrative from Alia as a teenager fascinating as it really explored the dynamics of teenage girls relationships. The rivalry, the bitchiness as well as the peer pressure as Alia tries to fit into her new secondary school. Coming from England to India, she makes up a new life for herself to impress her friends Noor and Sabah who take her under their wings. The pair are a popular duo that girls want to be seen with and boys wants to date and Alia is in awe when want to hang out with her. But Alia feels like a third wheel in the friendship and wants Sabah out of the way and will do anything to come between the friends. So much so that the Sabah and Noor come to loggerheads with secrets revealed that put lives at risk.

Alia is the only character who has a past and present narrative in the story whilst Sabah’s insight is all in the present tense as she returns to her home and begin research into the supposed suicide for her documentary.

Set against the backdrop of high school where jealousy is rift and being the most popular is vital, this book makes for fascinating reading as it explores female relationships. The present tense angles gives an interesting slant to the story, as Alia is a prominent figure in the Indian government and is trying to get further in her career, all whilst wanting to piece the last few moments of Noor’s life before she dies.

Cleverly written with dramatic twists throughout and set against the backdrop of Delhi culture, this book is a multi layered story about gossip, rivalry and power. ‘Can You See Me Now?’ Is a powerful psychological thriller set in the ruthless world of teenage girls and games of truth or dare.

‘Can You See Me Now?’ is a taunt and suspenseful story about the dynamics and complexities of teenage girl relationships.

The story is written in the past and present tense seen from the narrative of former friends, Sabah and Alia, as they reflect back on their old friend Noor, who took her own life when they were teenagers. Now on the anniversary of her death, Sabah is creating a documentary on Noor’s death and is dredging up old ghosts and wounds. Alia is now a successful government minister, who’s past has never been revealed but fears that with Sabah raking up the past, her career could possibly be in jeopardy.

I really enjoyed this story, the dual narrative makes for gripping reading, particularly in the past and present tenses. I found the narrative from Alia as a teenager fascinating as it really explored the dynamics of teenage girls relationships. The rivalry, the bitchiness as well as the peer pressure as Alia tries to fit into her new secondary school. Coming from England to India, she makes up a new life for herself to impress her friends Noor and Sabah who take her under their wings. The pair are a popular duo that girls want to be seen with and boys wants to date and Alia is in awe when want to hang out with her. But Alia feels like a third wheel in the friendship and wants Sabah out of the way and will do anything to come between the friends. So much so that the Sabah and Noor come to loggerheads with secrets revealed that put lives at risk.

Alia is the only character who has a past and present narrative in the story whilst Sabah’s insight is all in the present tense as she returns to her home and begin research into the supposed suicide for her documentary.

Set against the backdrop of high school where jealousy is rift and being the most popular is vital, this book makes for fascinating reading as it explores female relationships. The present tense angles gives an interesting slant to the story, as Alia is a prominent figure in the Indian government and is trying to get further in her career, all whilst wanting to piece the last few moments of Noor’s life before she dies.

Cleverly written with dramatic twists throughout and set against the backdrop of Delhi culture, this book is a multi layered story about gossip, rivalry and power. ‘Can You See Me Now?’ Is a powerful psychological thriller set in the ruthless world of teenage girls and games of truth or dare.

You can buy ‘Can You See Me Now?’ from Amazon and is available to buy from good bookshops.