When the Past Comes Calling: A Stirring Journey of Love, Loss, and Rediscovery in The First Connect By Pooja Misra Khaitan W.

What would you do if your first love walked back into your life after eighteen years?

That is the hauntingly beautiful question at the heart of Pooja Misra Khaitan W.’s debut novel, The First Connect: Moment of Magic. Waves of Whisper (Penguin Enterprise). A poignant, emotionally rich new adult romance, this novel is more than just a love story—it is a deep meditation on identity, timing, and the persistent echoes of a love once lost.

Set against a quiet emotional backdrop where memory and reality frequently blur, the First Connect introduces us to Kareena, a woman navigating the delicate balance between the life she has built and the life that could have been. When her first love reappears unexpectedly after nearly two decades, Kareena is forced to confront unresolved emotions, buried desires, and the complex versions of herself, she’s tried to leave behind. Her present collides with her past in a way that feels both unsettling and liberating.

We also meet Mouni, a teenager beginning to grasp the meaning of love. Through her perceptive gaze, the story reveals two distinct yet equally profound forms of love—one driven by pursuit, the other by quiet chance. Her coming-of-age journey mirrors Kareena’s more mature emotional struggle, creating a poetic parallel that highlights how love, in all its forms, leaves a mark on us throughout life.

Pooja Misra Khaitan W.’s writing is quiet yet powerful, marked by emotional honesty and lyrical introspection. There is a delicacy in her prose that captures the fragility of human connection—the magic of a single glance, the ache of unspoken words, the confusion of desire unmoored by time. The narrative flows gently, like waves lapping at the shore, leaving behind traces of memory and questions that linger.

One of the novel’s greatest strengths is its ability to navigate the inner emotional landscapes of its characters with nuance and restraint. Kareena’s internal conflict is rendered with authenticity; the push and pull between loyalty and longing feels deeply real. The arrival of a mysterious stranger further complicates her emotional journey, not only blurring the lines between her past and present, but also between who she is and who she wants to become. Is love something that happens by fate, or something we must choose and fight for?

This central theme recurs like a refrain throughout the book, asking us to reflect on our own stories of connection. Have we let go too soon? Have we held on too tightly? And what does it mean when a love from the past still holds power over us?

The novel also touches upon broader themes—of identity, womanhood, and emotional resilience—without ever straying from its intimate tone. Mouni’s parallel journey brings a fresh perspective to the narrative, allowing the reader to see the cyclical nature of love and the lessons that carry across generations. Her innocence and curiosity contrast beautifully with Kareena’s weathered introspection, creating a layered storytelling experience that feels both grounded and universal.

What makes The First Connect particularly special is its refusal to offer easy answers. It doesn’t promise happily-ever-afters, but rather invites us to dwell in the questions. Love here is not perfect; it’s messy, painful, tender, and unpredictable. Yet within that imperfection lies its beauty. It’s in the quiet waves of whisper, in the moments of magic, that we begin to understand that love—true love—is not always about certainty, but about connection.

For a debut novel, this is an impressive, emotionally intelligent work. Khaitan W. brings a mature and introspective voice to the genre, proving that romance can be as much about self-discovery as it is about romantic reunion. A former editor and passionate advocate for consumer rights, Khaitan W. brings the same dedication to her storytelling, creating characters that feel both personal and profoundly relatable.

In The First Connect, she delivers a novel that is not only moving but memorable—a story that lingers like the scent of rain on dry earth, long after the final page is turned.

Final Verdict:

The First Connect is a heartfelt exploration of lost love and second chances—a poetic, powerful reminder that some connections never truly fade, no matter how much time has passed.

About the Author

Pooja Misra Khaitan W, a devoted homemaker, is the former editor-in-chief of The Aware Consumer and led Consumer Online Foundation's complaints redressal for a decade until 2020, driven by her passion for consumer rights and community service.
As chairperson of Ladies Circle 17, she spearheaded philanthropic initiatives, earning national recognition across all award categories. A deep-thinking romantic with a playful spirit and keen intuition, she holds a degree in economics from Hindu College, Delhi University, yet finds joy in technology, design, and the arts.

~StoryBerrys