The cover. 🥰

Multigenerational book, rich with family dynamics and culture.

So this book was kinda like we are just following people along w their lives. I’m not exactly sure what the point is. I loved hearing about the family dynamic but I did need a little more juice as I never really felt connected to what was going to happen.

3.5 stars rounded up.
I really loved the multigenerational women in this story. I loved their love, their support of each other, and that they are very close and yet have a complicated relationship sometimes! They were the heart of the novel and the most believable relationship in it. I enjoy a tech world setting and I was really invested in the career storyline for Cullie. I also liked the old/new Bollywood storyline, and that each woman was on a self-actualization journey to find themselves, believe in themselves, and find a potential belief in love again.

Some of the misses for me were that the setup was a little slow. I think we could've started with the women together in Florida and then done the discovery bit for why they are all there. Some of the dialogue was awkward - slow, too heavy, or too perfectly phrased. Some of the misunderstandings or fights were doused in literally the next sentence which didn't seem realistic. I also didn't really buy or get invested in the largely skipped love storylines with Ash and Lee.

Highly recommend this for a quick and light read, especially for those who maybe like movies like Mamma Mia.

I adored this book! 3 generations of women releasing all their secrets. You could feel the love they have for each other. Lots of twists and turns.

This was a meh read for me. Slow to start and interesting, I don't tend to like books that switch between that many characters and I found three perspectives to just bog the book down. Enjoyable book for some, just not me.

I've read and enjoyed Sonali Dev's romances, and I was excited to read this newest book from her. This was a fun, heartwarming read, and I enjoyed seeing the relationships between the three women develop and change. Bindu, the grandmother, moves into a retirement community and quickly gets on the bad side of the HOA. Aly, Bindu's daughter-in-law who lives with Bindu, is pushed into finding her own independence. Meanwhile Cullie, Aly's daughter and Bindu's granddaughter, is struggling to develop an app she promised to her investors. They all come together to support and help each other, and of course learn more about themselves along the way. This was a fun, quick read and a wonderful book to read during the dreary winter! Sonali Dev continues to impress me with her writing, and I loved her focus on the three generations of women in this family.

Loved it!

This is one of those sneaky type reads. You think it might be a slice of women’s fiction, a bit of humour thrown in once in a while but perhaps more of the same that you’ve read before. This was exatly the opposite for me. Instead it was a joy to read! One of those stories that just gets better, page after page after page. Yes, at the heart were women. A grandmother, a mother and granddaughter. Each at different stages of their lives yet sharing the same experience at the same time. They were figuring things out. Time, and things, had changed…

A widow, A divorcee. A single woman. A condo in the wilds of Florida where the bullies were crazy and the dating – well, that wasn’t too far behind. Speaking of dating, this story provided some of the funniest (and heart-stopping) scenes I’ve read on the topic. I laughed out loud even as my heart went out to them. What was life without laughter and tears after all…

There were twists and turns, secrets slowly unfolding, bullies, friends and lovers. It was all here in a story I still think about. Let me tell you, a bit of bonding happened over these pages between the characters and this reader. It happily did…

One of the top (unexpected for me) reads of the year and firmly on my ‘pick up for a pick me up’ re-reading shelf!

This is a must read. I loved all the characters and the way they all connected and loved each other. Usually I’m not that big a fan of multigenerational books but this one was fun and kept me engaged. Bindu and Cullie were my favorite characters but I liked how they all supported one another. It was such easy read that I was sad when it was over. This is definitely one to check out.

Thanks to NetGalley and the Publisher for the ARC

I loved getting to know these three generations of strong women. In particular, the way they used their strength to empower one another was especially empowering. My main criticism is that the novel appeared to be plot-driven at first, but later switched to being more focused on character development. The plot(s) felt like they were left hanging until the very end.

3 stars- While this had elements I really enjoyed, I don't think I would pick this up to read it again. Thanks netgalley & the publisher for the ARC, in exchange for an honest review.

𝐓𝐇𝐄 𝐕𝐈𝐁𝐑𝐀𝐍𝐓 𝐘𝐄𝐀𝐑𝐒 is the first book from Mindy Kaling's new imprint “featuring romantic comedies, suspenseful dramas, and coming-of-age stories by a diverse range of emerging and established voices"

I fell for Sonali Dev's writing in her Raje series and it continues in this stand alone. What I appreciate about Dev's writing is her ability to blend light & dark into a wholly satisfying story. This novel is an intergenerational story about Bindu, Aly and Cullie- three Indian American women at different stages of life. I love stories about strong women, and you get all three POV in this story of relationships, secrets, second chances and romance. It deals with all those everyday, real-life things: pesky emotions, familial expectations, love, and insecurities.

What a wholesome and funny read!! The characters in this book were some of the most fun and big personalities I’ve ever read about and I loved every second. There was romance and family bonding and just the usual funny rom-com interactions between characters.

It was pretty much about the three main characters each on a path of self-discovery, while also strengthening their relationships with each other. There was great character development and none of them were punch-in-the-face annoying. The writing was beautiful and it had some great quotes, especially from the grandma to the granddaughter. Definitely a feel-good lowkey romance that I would recommend :)

If you're looking for a multigenerational story with solid character arcs and a healthy serving of romance, you might enjoy this! Women power generation after generation is a major theme. The vibrant years tells the story of Bindu, Aly and Cullie, three desi women living in Florida.
When Bindu inherits 1 million Dollars she moves into a luxury retirement village. After an unexpected ending to a date, Aly and Cullie visit Bindu and the three generations set about on a journey of self-discovery and love. I does have it's heartwarming moments, and obstacles. I really enjoyed the sense of family and the way each woman struggled to overcome obstacles.
Thank you netgalley and the publisher for an advanced copy!

The Vibrant Years is the story of 3 generations of women whose lives are shared with us. The main characters, Cullie, Ally, and Bindu give us a great view into the culture of the women and how it has changed with each generation. My favorite was Bindu - she was the most "vibrant" of the family. I look forward to more books from Sonali Dev.

The Vibrant Years is the story of 3 generations of women, Cullie, Ally, and Bindu as they undergo change and discover that maybe their dreams are wider than than they anticipated. I really enjoyed the voices of these women and especially how Bindu was written as the elder but most vibrant member of the family. This is an engaging read that I read in a single day and I look forward to reading more by this author.

Thanks to NetGalley and the publisher for an advance copy of this book in exchange for an honest review.

Sonali Dev has never missed for me and this a beautiful fun romance that I can't wait to read again. Thanks to Amazon pub.

I absolutely adored The Vibrant Years, it was such a refreshing and original story and features three generations of powerful and unique women navigating life in their own ways. There were moments that made me laugh and cry, honestly providing everything I wanted from this story!

🎬 THE VIBRANT YEARS by Sonali Dev 🎬

★★★★★

🫖 Drink Pairing: Iced chai with raspberry vanilla cold foam - this book had me CRAVING a homemade lemongrass ginger chai 😭 Unfortunately I didn’t get that but I decided to put a fun spin on my iced chai and made it pink (!!) to match this adorable book

Thank you so much to Mindy's Book Studio / Amazon Book Publishing and NetGalley for the gifted copy!

🌟 Review: This ended up being a spontaneous end of the year read for me and I am SO glad I did - literally this is one of the best books I’ve read this year!!

Do you ever read a book and just feel so understood, and so happy and satisfied after? Because literally this story is the epitome of that feeling.

Getting to read this crazy journey of three generations of feisty and independent women was everything my heart needed as 2022 comes to a close and it healed a little something inside of me tbh.

I don’t want to go into too much detail to not give anything away - but I can’t recommend this one enough - add this to you TBR!!!

The Vibrant Years was such a refreshing and original story, with three generations of women- all powerful in their own ways. I loved that Aly and Bindu shared such a close relationship as in-laws, and the influence they each had on Cullie. The whole novel was a beautiful blend of humor and emotional depth. It was truly vibrant!

An insightful read featuring three generations of women trying to determine what it means to live on their own terms. Bindu, Aly and Cullie are there to support each other but each tries to find happiness and success in their own way. A touching story filled with hardships but also many moments of humor.

THE VIBRANT YEARS - SONALI DESAI
4.5⭐
PLOT - 65 yr old Bindu Desai inherits a million dollars being absolutely unaware but it could expose her shameful mistake from rhe past.
She quickly spends it to buy a condo in a posh retirement community on Florida.
This decision comes asa shock to Ally her daughter in law whom she shares her home with post Allys divorce with her son. Ally is fighting for her segment at the local news station after worked for many years.
Allys daughter Cullie is at the brink of loosing her business which made her a tech star and inorder to save it she has to come up with a new idea.
The 3 generation of Desai women now hv to support each other and come out triumphant.

MY THOUGHTS
I loved this character driven story where these women face real lufe problems , how they hv each others back and face the challenges ahead.
I love sonalis writing style it sucks you in the story..there is great character development, enough family drama along with a hint of mystery ,great humour with her Bollywood reference and in this case a special mention to Goan food.
Highly recommended this one. Available in KU.