India, 1914. Maddy Bright, after finishing her school in England, returns to Bombay, where her father is stationed. Upon her return, she meets Luke Devereaux, who now occupies her thoughts constantly. He encourages her to explore the city by sending her a quidebook as he is away at first. Once, he is back, they explore the city together.

Luke is stationed in India to guide mobilizing the Indian troops for war in Europe, if ever required. He hopes not, but it turns out otherwise. The war separates them.

France, 1915. The story intertwines with a wounded soldier at hospital, who doesn’t remember anything at first.

Maddy is a flat character. It comes across as her expectation is of her father to hand her over a position after college. She is a pretty dreamy person. If not for Luke, I don’t think she’d care to explore Bombay.

Luke, on the other hand, is a much more interesting character. He loves the natural beauty of the country, its cultural colors and raw life. He shows respect and appreciation for another culture.

I enjoyed the exploration of Bombay, but this is rather short. And that’s what I was looking forward to in this story. I wanted more of that.

The separation of two young people by war, who are deeply in love, is deeply-touching and heart-breaking. This comes through very vividly. I think that’s a part that distinguishes this story and if you like romance stories, this might be a book for you.

Overall, I wished Maddy was a much more interesting character. The style of writing is descriptive, progressing the story slowly. At the same time, I can see this story being turned into a movie. With the colorful background of India and enchanting music, the contrast of beauty vs drama, this could be a movie of epic proportions.

A lovely story about a couple in early 1900s Bombay. I enjoyed the unique setting and loved the romance. Great book!

Many thanks to NetGalley, the publisher, and the author for my ARC. All opinions are my own.

Meet Me in Bombay is a well-written story about two British lovers in early 1900s India. Within this story is a time jump to a soldier recovering from amnesia due to a war injury. I don't mind this narrative structure but I didn't care for it in this story. In the "current" story about the solider, it quickly became clear who the character was, even though it's not explicitly stated in the beginning. Once the who and why was clear to me, I lost interest in this part of the story. I was also never invested in Luke and Maddy's relationship. I can't quite put my finger on why, but since I didn't feel myself heavily rooting for them, it was hard to keep myself interested.

Though this book fell short for me, it still transported me to Bombay and I enjoyed the descriptive imagery of the city. Ultimately I give this book 3.5 stars and recommend it to historical fiction lovers who might be looking for a new setting and time period to read about.

Thank you to NetGalley and St. Martin's Press for the opportunity to read and review this eARC.

**I received a complimentary copy of Meet Me in Bombay by Jenny Ashcroft from NetGalley. Opinions expressed in this review are completely my own.**

While this book was set during WW1, it was more focused on the love story between Maddy and Luke. The war served to keep them apart, but the focus was always on their relationship, and the war acted as a backdrop for this. I found myself really invested in their relationship and often exclaiming out loud when things happened to keep them apart. I liked how Luke's heart was able to remember even when his mind could not. It made me feel hope for love.

I did not like how Maddy's mother kept pushing her at Guy, but I'm sure that mothers were doing during this time period. I went between liking and not liking her the entire book. Overall, I enjoyed the characters and storyline.

All I can say is what a wonderful Historical romance love story set in Bombay during WWI
It about Maddy and Luke who where meant to be together but the the war prevented that, will they finally find peace and the love they kept for each other through it all.
Be prepare to shed some tears.
Really enjoyed the story and characters.
Voluntarily reviewed.

A lush, lovely, and often gut-wrenching historical romance about two lovers torn apart by WWI. Set in Bombay (so exotic) and the terrible trenches on the front, this sumptuous story kept me rapt throughout.

So compelling is the love between Luke and Maddy that when he disappears after being injured, we wonder if they will ever be reunited. But Maddy keeps hope alive through the twists and turns, and I clung to her belief that he could somehow be found. An arresting tale filled with joy and tears. I loved it!

5 of 5 Stars

Pub Date 19 Jan 2021   

Thanks to the author, St. Martin's Press and NetGalley for the review copy. Opinions are mine.

#MeetMeInBombay

I loved everything about this book. It’s a wonderful book that draws you into another place and time..I was hooked from the first chapter.. Moving and beautifully written. An enchanting story of love and loss touched my heart.
You will not be disappointed with this book!

Wow! Simply wow! The author weaves a masterful tail of a young British girl as she returns to India pre-WWI as she falls in love . But the plot turns around the war, other suitors, her parents, her friends. And just when you think you know the climax of the plot, you're in for a surprise that you will never have guessed.

Well done, Ms. Ashcroft. Please let us know when you write your next suspensful, exciting novel full of characters that one can relate to!

Rush, do not delay to read Meet Me in Bombay!

This was a wonderful historical romance set during and after WW1. I loved the deep connection and love that Luke and Maddy felt for each other and felt such a sense of urgency during their journey back to each other. I wasn’t sure how it was going to turn out in the end and spent a few anxious chapters wondering how on earth they’d get their happy ending.

Thanks to NetGalley and the publisher for the arc!

I must confess. The first thing that appealed to me about this book was its title. "Bombay" is not just a word, it is a feeling. I have never been able to feel as close to the word "Mumbai" because I have grown up in Bombay. So when I saw the ARC of this book listed on NetGalley, I had to have it, irrespective of its genre. It has been ages since I've read a romantic drama, but I am glad that this time lapse was rectified by this book. It is such a gem!
Maddy Bright and Luke Devereaux meet in the British-governed Bombay of 1913. Head over heels in love from the moment they see each other, they start making plans for the future, which has different plans for them. The First World War brings in its wake an unexpected upheaval in the lives of the young couple and their families.

Jenny Ashcroft has a firm grasp over her plot at all times. With a deft use of varied timelines, she creates a narrative that sustains the interest of the reader from the first page to the last. Rather than succumbing to plain old mushy romance, Meet Me in Bombay creates a fabulous blend of romantic moments along with adequate drama and thrills to interest even a mature reader. Her tendency to hint at a change in the characters' destinies with appropriately-placed suspenseful statements creates an stimulating atmosphere that doesn't allow the reader to relax.

In spite of not being in a mood for romantic dramas, and in spite of not having read romantic dramas in almost a decade, Meet Me in Bombay kept me hooked. It was wonderful to see my Bombay from the eyes of a outsider. Initially, I thought this book might have certain similarities with "East of the Sun" by Julia Gregson due to the timelines of both the books, but thankfully, it doesn't go that way and is a much better read.

If I had read this book in my teens of early twenties, I have no doubt that this would have been an emotional read with a 5/5 rating. But with middle age comes a little rigidity and stinginess in giving ratings to books. I really enjoyed this book and would recommend it to all lovers of historical fiction or romantic dramas. I'd rate it 4.5, thereby still giving me the pleasure of putting a 5 star rating on Goodreads.

Thank you to NetGalley and St. Martin's Press for the ARC in exchange for an honest review.

Meet Me In Bombay shows that romance between two soulmates can truly go the distance through time and war.

In Meet Me In Bombay, Maddy Bright and Luke Devereaux meet for the first time, their hearts beating fast and every second of their thoughts are consumed by each other. Their love showed no boundaries and every second they spent with each other their love only seemed to get stronger.

But while Luke and Maddy have their bliss, Luke is called away on duty to the front line after Britain officially joins the Great War. While things start out steady with nerves of the war, tragedy strikes for Maddy when she discovers that Luke has died.

In a military hospital in Surrey, we are given the perspective of a young man who is recovering from injuries after being in the front line, suffering amnesia and other injuries. He doesn’t recall who he is or who the woman that constantly appears in his dreams is but is always out of reach.

Can this man find his way back? Can Maddy learn to recover after the death of her soulmate?

I gave Meet Me In Bombay four stars, loving the sparks and romance and the struggles that both Maddy and Luke had to go through while reading. Maddy fought for her husband, believing that he didn’t die in the front but rather survived and was perhaps looking for her. She never stopped to look for him, not until years after his death and the birth of their daughter, Iris, when she was pushed to let go and move on. But even then, Maddy never truly stopped looking.

Maddy was an amazing character and she grew splendidly throughout the book. You could see the way she fights for what she loves and even makes amends with her loved ones that she is a truly magnificent main character. She believes in things that sometimes people tell her it’s useless to believe in and that is what I loved about her character, her determination, hard work, and the strength of her love really shined throughout the book.

Our second character, the man with amnesia, you can really see the way he fights to remember and gain his memories back. He is always in reach to this woman in his dreams, getting hints and the haunting of this memory but when he is so close to grabbing on, the memory runs away and he is left in the mystery all over again. His plot when trying discover who he is and what his true purpose throughout the book was such an important plot line and I found it amazing because you never truly read from the perspective of someone with amnesia trying to gain his memories back.

I thoroughly enjoyed this read and while I did find there were some plots that could have been dived deeper into, this was definitely a great read to have and I had a pleasant time reading this.

Thank you to NetGalley for an ARC in exchange for an honest review.

I LOVED this book. It’s just the kind of book I crave ; historical romance, but a literate romance and not a bodice ripper. I was on the edge of my seat worrying that Luke and Maddy somehow wouldn’t find each other, and then so relieved when they did. I also appreciated that the setting and time period were not World War ll Europe, which is so prevalent in this genre. I enjoyed getting a sense of India, and was completely transported by the story. I am already looking forward to the author’s next book.

Meet me in Bombay by Jenny Ashcroft is a historical fiction romance, set in colonial Bombay during the period of 1914 and thereafter covering the major World War 1 events elaborately. This book is perfect for people who like Love at first sight or Star Crossed lovers or even if you have a thing for tragedies.
The Female MC, maddy visit her family in Bombay for short period of time from London. She longs to be back there soon. The first few days in India, all she or anyone else has to talk about was how "baking" Indian temperature is. It gets repeated over and over again to the point of annoyance (Because come on! Its a well established fact after all!)
When she runs into male MC Like, it is love at first sight for either of them and just because Luke doesn't want her to feel homesick but enjoy what Bombay has to offer, she is suddenly appreciative of the city and it's lifestyle.
Soon both of their lives get tangled and when world war 1 looms over everyone, Luke had to lead Indian Troops in Western front line. There after the whole world comes between Maddy and Luke.
This book is unbearably sad and dragging but the thing that kept me from abandoning it is the parallel timeline story set in future. It gives the glimpse of what is about to happen and only the anticipation of how the events will play out kept me going.
I must say that am rather impressed by the climax though. It was so fitting and I did not see it coming which made this entire reading experience better in the end. Like any historical fiction, this book has done total justice telling the story of common people against the extraordinary world events. It is only because of the climax am giving it 4 ⭐

Jenny Ashcroft's Meet Me in Bombay is a frustratingly immersive love story. Young Maddy Bright has just moved from England back to her childhood home in colonial Bombay, where her father is stationed. Struggling to re-adjust to India, a chance encounter on New Year's 1914 with a soldier named Luke Devereaux draws the two together. He sends her an annotated guidebook, and she sets out across the region seeking out his suggestions first alone and then side-by-side. They fall instantly in love, only to be torn apart by the start of WWI and his summoning to the front.

Meanwhile, a man with amnesia so severe that he has forgotten his own name checks into a hospital for wounded soldiers in France. We know he is Luke, and that Maddy is back in Bombay waiting for him, but he has no memories besides the vague vision of a woman that appears only in his dreams. This part is agonizing to read; both main characters are separated by grief, war, and loneliness, unaware that the other is looking for them.

Ashcroft's writing is engaging, her rendition of colonial India evocative. All I wanted was for Maddy and Luke to be reunited, to rediscover the happiness that they first found on the first day of 1914. Ultimately, their story provides a mere glimpse into the immense loss felt throughout the world during WWI.

[4/5: The torturous dramatic irony drove me slightly up a wall. I did enjoy it, though, once I reached the end. A read-alike I instantly think of is Atonement -- fans of the novel/film will almost certainly enjoy this book, along with readers who seek out star-crossed love stories.]

Many thanks for the ARC to the publisher and NetGalley for a copy (of the impending U.S. edition) in exchange for an honest review!

I have preface by saying I do NOT read romance novels but darn it that cover is so beautiful AND it takes place in Bombay. The descriptions were incredible. I could feel the heat and picture the busy markets. Jenny Ashcroft does an amazing job of bringing the reader into the story. She also really got me with that opening chapter. I still don't love romance type stories but with all the other elements this one was a winner for me! Thank you so much St. Martin's Press and NetGalley for providing me with this ARC.

For fans of historical romances: 5 stars.
The story itself seems easy at first: they meet, they fall on love, they got seperated - whether they'll find each other again I won't tell.
It's no easypeasy love story, be assured.
The writing is very good, the characters you'll like or even love. It' s kind of a war story, so be prepared that this isn't an easy read. But worth a read!
My personal complain: sometimes it dragged along a bit too much, therefore my personal rating: 4 stars.

Thanks to the publisher and Netgalley for giving me the opportunity to read and review.

This story is absolutely beautiful!! A perfect love story for me. I fell jn love with India while visiting & truly felt I was there

Thank you to Net Galley and St. Martin's Press for the chance to read and review this book.
I thought this book was fantastic! The story just got better and better and I couldn't wait to find out what happened to the main characters. The ending was very good because I wasn't sure how it was going to turn out. I don't want to give the story away-I will just tell you to read it. If you like a story about timeless love, with a little history thrown in, you will like this book as much as I did!

This was so good. I was skimming the last quarter just to find out how it was all going to work out. I love the characters. The character development itself was amazing.

Maddy returns to India after completing school. When she sees Peter's friend for the first time, she becomes desperate to meet him. The following day, he has sent her a guidebook to Bombay and an item she had dropped. Unfortunately, he has had to go away on business. Thus begins their romance. When events in Europe erupt into what is now referred to as World War I, they are separated.

You'll have to read this to find out what happens next. Will they find each other again? Will that be enough? I'm excited for you. Because you haven't read this yet.

I love reading about the British Raj in India so I decided to give this one a try. The first two-thirds of this story were really good including the main characters and great descriptions of Bombay. Ashcroft really captured the atmosphere of a particular time and place and I enjoyed that quite a bit. However, I did find that the last third of the story dragged a bit for me. I'm not usually impatient and love a great anticipatory plot but this one seems to be a little too slow and tortuous for my taste. It was also hard to relate to some of the characters' motivations and actions. Anyway, I ended up skimming to the end..

So, 3 stars for the first 2/3 and 1 star for the last 1/3.

I obtained this free ARC from the "Read Now" section on NetGalley. Thank you, NetGalley! This did not influence my review.