I’m always excited when I discover a debut desi author and when I first saw this book being promoted, I instantly fell in love with that cover. And despite it belonging to the women’s fiction genre (which I don’t read a lot), I decided I wanted to give it a try. And here I am after finishing it in a single sitting because I couldn’t put it down.

This is essentially a story about a mother and her daughter, both trying to understand each other and themselves better and also trying to make the right choices for the next phase of their life. The writing in this book is so accessible and easy to get lost in, that I didn’t even realize how much time had passed before I even took a break from my reading. The way the author captures the feelings, emotions, guilt, self hatred, confusion, ambition, and so much else about these two women - (who are the products of a very specific Indian patriarchal society that burdens the women to give their all for the sake of their families at the expense of their own needs and desires )- is thoughtful and poignant and very relatable. To be honest, I was frustrated and angry most of the time while reading the book, not because there was anything wrong with the story or characters but because of the exact opposite. It was too realistic and I felt like I was being shown a mirror of my own life (and future) and those of many women I know, and I frankly wasn’t ready to face it. And I have to commend the author for getting such a strong reaction out of me.

You may be thinking why is my review so short which is kinda unusual for me, but as I said, this book was brilliantly written and was too realistic in a way that made me uncomfortable and I didn’t want this review to become a personal rant. If you are someone who loves reading books about complicated women, their dreams, fears, ambitions and relationships, then I would definitely recommend this book to you. I loved the message that sometimes, it’s important for us women to standup for ourselves and being ambitious or indecisive, both are okay.

Thank you to NetGalley and Berkley Publishing Group for sending me a copy of this book in exchange for an honest review.

Simran felt like her family would never understand her. Her writing was just a silly hobby to them and it was her degree in psychology that would make them proud. Meanwhile her mother, Nandini, feels that she has done everything she could to make her family's life easy and care-free. She has kept her mouth shut and often sacrificed her own time and energy for the well-being of her family. Mimi, failed her daughter, Nandini, but she has the chance to make things right with Simran.

I really liked this book. I appreciated the diverse read and insight into Indian culture. While culture played a large role in the plot as the three women figure out life as Indian women, it was done in a way that felt entirely natural. I was reading a book about Indian women, not reading a book that featured Indian women for diversity. This is something I truly appreciate about #ownvoices work.

I enjoyed the complexities of the women's relationships. Each have their reasons for doing things and each feel as thought they cannot be fully understood. What was fascinating was seeing the sacrifices they make for their family and the internal struggles they go through to find themselves while doing everything for their family.

This was a great read that will touch anyone as they contemplate their own sacrifices and what they've had to do to find themselves.

I loved this novel so much. It’s really well written.

After seven years of dating Kunal behind their parents’ backs, Simran and Kunal are engaged, right on schedule. Kunal is in medical school and Simran is almost finished with her master’s degree in psychology. Her parents think it’s cute but not impressive that she got a collection of her essays published by a small press. Writing is not a real career to her India-born parents, who’s coupling was the result of an arranged marriage. The fact that Simran got to choose her own mate should mean she has nothing to complain about.

But when she meets another writer she admires, she’s instantly drawn to him, and everything she thought she wanted from her life is called into question.

One of the great things about reading books is that you get to learn about other cultures—what is great about them and what you’re grateful is not part of your culture. The expectations of Simran’s mother Nandini would have driven me into an insane asylum—she’s a doctor, but she was forced to be a family physician with regular hours. She never has enough time for her patients, especially because she has to be the doctor to all of her family members and all of her in-laws while her husband got to be a surgeon with his own practice.

Simran travels to India where many girls stop their education when they begin to menstruate, sometimes getting married because their parents can’t afford her. The parents stress about coming up with a dowry. In America, Nandini and her husband are paying for everything, which in no way stops Kunal’s mother from demanding a whole heck of a lot.

This is a book about the ways women of all ethnic backgrounds sometimes don’t get to fully follow our dreams. There are complex characters and situations and no easy answers. Recommend.

Thanks so much to NetGalley for the opportunity to read this novel, which RELEASES July 14, 2020.

Very entertaining and an eye-opening look into Indian culture. I personally love reading books about different cultures. I like to learn about different customs and traditions. It is fascinating to me! This book was very well-written and was engrossing. I was interested immediately in the plot. The book didn't take long to get 'good'. After the first few pages I was hooked! I would definitely read this author again. Great title and one I will definitely be recommending to customers.

Absolutely amazing representation of how complicated mother and daughter relationships are and can be but, each woman has their own story to tell .I was sad when it ended. I wanted more but I'm looking forward to seeing more from this author.

I appreciated this book and felt that the characters were extremely well-developed and complex. The author did a fantastic job of depicting the fraught and delicate balance between two distinct cultures, something I think a lot of readers will relate to regardless of their background.