A debut novel by Ekta Shah

Better Than Almost

A Quiet Love Story

A slow-burn, second-chance romance about a woman who rebuilt her life after loss — and the steady, uncomplicated man who finally feels safe enough to choose.

Meet the author
Second Chance RomanceSlow Burn RomanceContemporary RomanceQuiet Love StoryHeartbreak and Healing
Better Than Almost book cover by Ekta Shah

What happens when the love you once prayed for arrives at the wrong time?

Isha rebuilt her life from loss — carefully, quietly, and entirely on her own terms. She learned how to stand without leaning. How to move forward without depending.

Then Aarav enters her world. Steady. Present. Uncomplicated. He offers something she never expected — a love that doesn't demand, doesn't rush, doesn't break.

But love after loss asks difficult questions. Can trust exist without surrender? Can intimacy survive without sacrifice? And can a heart that learned to leave alone find the courage to choose someone again?

Sometimes, the quietest love feels the loudest.

Amazon Readers

Quietly devastating. Quietly hopeful.

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A quiet storm of feelings

“Better Than Almost is the kind of book that doesn't demand your attention — it earns it, slowly, page by page. Isha's journey feels honest and lived-in. I cried in the most unexpected places.”
— Verified Reader · Amazon

Healing in book form

“Ekta Shah writes with a tenderness that's rare. This book reminded me that love doesn't have to be loud to be life-changing. Highly recommended for anyone rebuilding after loss.”
— Reader from Mumbai · Amazon

Second chances done right

“Aarav is the kind of man we all hope exists. Steady, patient, and present. The slow burn is gorgeous. The ending is everything.”
— Verified Reader · Amazon

Soft and meaningful

“A debut that reads like it was written by someone who has actually felt these things. The prose is calm and uncluttered. I underlined so many lines.”
— Avid Reader · Amazon

Bookstagram says

Readers and reviewers, in their own words.

@shreyaprosea
Book Review 📚 ✨ — 'Better Than Almost' by Ekta Shah (@author_ektashah) What do you do when love finds you again… but you've already learned how to live without it? “Better Than Almost” is a quiet, deeply emotional story that stays with you. Isha feels real from the very first page. She carries heartbreak, overthinking, and years of staying silent just to keep things peaceful. You don't just read her story, you can feel it. The way she slowly starts understanding herself and choosing her own voice feels honest and close to real life. Then comes Aarav. He's calm, patient, and emotionally steady. He doesn't try to change her or rush her. He simply stays. Their connection grows in a way that feels safe and genuine. This book is about learning that love should not take away your peace. It should give you space, respect, and a sense of comfort. If you enjoy stories that feel real and quietly powerful, this one is worth your time.

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@noorthebookworm
look how this ~ 240pg book has swelled up after reading, highlights & annotations & drinking up, buckets 🪣 of tears 😭! I LOVEd 😍 IT!! Patahai sabse zyada mazaa kab aata hai, when something surpasses your expectations! This book being a self published, debut novel & a love story, I had very low expectations of it (yes, I am guilty of prejudice) & expected a cute love story. Never in my wildest imagination had I expected such a beautiful story. I wouldn't say it's a love story — love is a part of it. This book is a story of a girl next door 🚪 named Isha who fought her fears, her past, her conditioning, the society & someone who chose herself — from being just enough, being almost, being aware, being safe to being courageous, being strong, being better than almost. I loved the first half of the story, then came Aarav & I kept expecting a heartbreak till Isha met his parents & I believed he's truly a green forest but then tragedy strikes. Dear author @author_ektashah you didn't have to do this, I cried like crazy.. but difficulties come in our life 🧬 to make us stronger 💪🏻 then again you made me cry buckets, this time happy content tears with your ending. It has everything — a relatable girl next door character, amazing friendships, a heartbreak, a past, wise words worth highlights, a patriarchal father, a homely submissive mother, a silent but supportive brother, loss, grief & a love that feels unreal. Hence proved, simple can be just so beautiful. #betterthanalmost a quiet love story. Beautiful. 🌻

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@glowinkbypari
✨ Some love stories don't arrive to fix you — they arrive when you've already learned to heal yourself. ❤️ 📖 Better Than Almost by Ekta Shah is a tender story about loss, trust, second chances, and the kind of love that feels safe. ⭐ 5/5

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Goodreads

A book that respects the reader.

“If you've ever wondered whether you can trust love again, this book holds your hand through the answer. Quietly devastating, quietly hopeful.”
— Goodreads Reader · Goodreads
“The kind of romance that respects the reader's intelligence. No theatrics. Just real, careful love between two real people.”
— Goodreads Reader · Goodreads
“Perfect for fans of slow-burn contemporary romance with emotional weight. Reminded me of It Ends With Us in its honesty.”
— Goodreads Reader · Goodreads
Ekta Shah, author of Better Than Almost

About the Author

A housewife. A mother. And finally, an author.

For many years, my world revolved around caring for my family. Somewhere along the way, I realised it's never too late to return to the things that once made your heart feel alive.

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Read Better Than Almost

Available in paperback and Kindle across India and worldwide.

Better Than Almost

A Quiet Love Story

A debut novel about second chances, slow love, and the courage to choose someone again.

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