This was a fine continuation to the author's The Henna Artist. In it we meet once again, Lakshimi, the natural healer who is now married to Dr Jay Kumar. Lakshimi's protege, Malik has finished his private school education and is ready to embark on a career. He meets and falls in love with a mountain girl, Nimmi, who is a widow with two young children, who can't read or write. Lakshimi is somewhat disappointed in his choice, but comes to realize Malik is his own person.

Meanwhile, there is a tragedy as the balcony of the new constructed Royal Jewel Theater flls to the ground and people are injured and killed. Malik had been hired at the Facilities Department, a part of the Royal Palace, so he is sent to assess the damages. He discovers something amiss, something he believes caused the tragic collapse of the balcony. He and his family are placed in danger as his discovery has several hidden agendas that involve the illegal transportation of gold, a much sought after commodity in India, and perhaps a very wealthy family in Jaipur. Will the guilty be punished or will all of this be swept away because of power and money?

Once again, Alka Joshi has filled her story with vivid scenes of India, ones that encompass the beauty of the country as well as ones who show the poverty and class structure that seems to still be in effect. Her words transport the reader into the sounds and smells of the Indian culture and even includes some recipes at the end for the Indian foods she incorporates into the book.

I very much enjoyed this second book in The Henna Artist series, and hope to read more of this family and its love and care for one another. A definite recommendation for this one.
Thank you to Alka Joshi, Mira Books, and NetGalley for a copy of this story due out June 22, 2021.

Thank you Mira books, Net Gallery and Alka Joshi for a chance to get an advanced copy of this novel in exchange for an honest review. I was SO excited when I saw I was approved for this. I actually cried a little bit.

Spoiler alert: It did not disappoint.

If you haven’t read The Henna Artist yet, I would advise you to pick that one up first before reading this, as this one is the sequel and we continue on Lakshmi’s journey. The collapse of a theatre in Jaipur weaves multiple stories together when trying to uncover what went wrong in this tragedy.

I almost don’t want to say too much about this as I’m afraid to spoil it but we revisit other characters that I loved in the first novel as well as having the chance to be introduced to new characters. The novel is writing from multiple POVs, which ties together perfectly.

This book makes you want to travel though. Alka writes so vividly and beautiful that you honestly feel like you are in India tasting and smelling the food that she talks about or seeing the henna and clothes on the woman.

I loved it, it’s a 4.5 for me! However definitely read The Henna Artist first if you plan to pick up this one.

Hello! I ABSOLUTELY LOVED THIS BOOK!
I interviewed Alka for THRIVE GLOBAL
https://thriveglobal.com/stories/writing-and-rewriting-during-covid-with-alka-joshi/

During COVID, I have been reading books to make me feel like I am traveling. After reading The Henna Artist, I reached out to author, Alka Joshi, and spoke to her about her book and about India. She has spoken to over 400 book clubs. I asked her about how did that happen…..

Alka Joshi: I responded to every direct message I received, every direct message on Facebook, everyone that I received on Instagram. I remember being a reader and writing to authors, you know, with that sort of star gaze in my eye, and just thinking, “Oh, I loved your book so much. And here’s what I loved about it. And just hoping for your response back.” I really wanted to connect with people, and I think everybody else was hungry for connection too. And you know what the Buddhists say?

Lisa Niver: What?

Alka Joshi: They say, “You are exactly where you’re supposed to be right now at any given moment.”

Lisa Niver: That is a beautiful thought during this challenging and uncertain time. The thing that I was drawn to when I wrote about The Henna Artist for Ms. Magazine is, I really felt like I was back in India. Your book has so much sensory information, like the taste of the cooking or the smell of the women dressed up at the party, or how did the henna look on the hands. I felt like I could almost touch India again.

First off, this was so good! Getting to read about Lakshmi and Malik again was wonderful .I do think you do need to read The Henna Artist before this, to get a better understanding of the characters and the plot that revolves around them. The reason for a 4 star rating instead of 5 is: I wished we got to see more involvement between Malik and Nimmi instead of just the brief glances we got. Also wished Nikhil would've questioned why him and Lakshmi had the same colored eyes when they first met.

This is the second book in the series, and although I had not read 'The Henna Artist', this book could stand on its own easily. The story was told in several points of view, and gave a view of life in India with its rich culture and politics.

The story involved sheep herding, architecture/building, and gold smuggling. It involves people from many stations in life from the royal maharanis, to middle class, to lower caste. There's definitely a mystery to be solved and the unwinding of the tale reveals hidden secrets and deception.

The characters are rich and believable. I really liked Lakshmi who seemed to be trying to help everyone. I was impressed by Malik for his moral character and his intelligence and curiosity. I admired Nimmi for her strength and courage. I enjoyed this book and will try to pick up The Henna Artist and read that as well, to provide the background - I've heard good things about it.

Thanks to Mira and HARLEQUIN – Trade Publishing through Netgalley for an advance copy.

It was so great to hear more about the wonderful characters from The Henna Artist! The story picks up twelve years later with many of the same well-developed characters and a few additional characters. When a catastrophic event happens in Jaipur, a very tangled web of corruption starts to unravel.

https://www.goodreads.com/review/show/3991495113

Thank you to NetGalley and MIRA Books for the digital advanced reader's copy.

This is the sequel to last year's phenomenal "The Henna Artist."

I strongly suggest that if you haven't already read "The Henna Artist" that you begin there. First, I happen to think it's the better of the two books. Second, "The Secret Keeper of Jaipur" relies quite a bit on the characterizations built in the first book, and understanding the characters will better your enjoyment of the second book.

Set in 1969 India, "The Secret Keeper of Jaipur" takes place 12 years after "The Henna Artist." Lakshmi has left the pink city of Jaipur for the mountains of Shimla and marriage to a doctor. She uses her talents for healing now.

The collapse of a theater in Jaipur, however, draws her, her husband, and her now 20-year-old former assistant Malik into the tragedy and drama of the investigation into why the theater failed.

Joshi continues to do an incredible job of creating history and place for the reader by placing you into the middle of the world of her characters - 1960s India. You feel what is happening through the characters and through them live through a moment in history. Jaipur and Shimla come alive.

However, overall, I found this second book less absorbing than the first.

Is it fair to compare the two?

Not sure, but in any case, I found the building of the characters to be too fast or too reliant on what happened in the first book, particularly with Nimmi. I didn't feel like I understood what drew her and Malik together, nor was enough time given to her to understand her motivation. It felt much more like there needed to be a connection to the mountain tribes in order for the plot to move forward, so here's Nimmi to fill that hole. Personally, I think Nimmi could have her own book, and I'd read that, too.

I also didn't find the storyline of this book as compelling. Perhaps because it wasn't focused on the struggles of women in this world as much as the first? Perhaps because it felt much more straightforward than the complications of the first? I'm not entirely sure, but the plot felt a bit too predictable.

All in all, if you read and loved "The Henna Artist," don't miss this one. It's worth the read to return to this setting and these characters. It may not have been a home run, but it's still a wonderful read.

If Joshi continues the saga, I'll be there to read it.

*adult situations, sex

I want to be clear that this three stars means I thought this was a good book - it just didn't blow me away. One of my favourite things about the first book was how fast-paced it was, and I did find this one a little bit slower especially since the major 'conflict' was spoiled in the prologue.

I did love the new characters, especially Nimmi, but I thought it was a bit odd that we didn't actually get to see any of Nimmi and Malik's relationship develop as they were separate through much of the book.

Regardless, I learned a lot and I was transported back to Jaipur and Shimla - places I have actually been and adored!

Thank you to Netgalley and the publisher for an advance copy of this book!

The Secret Keeper of Jaipur is rich with Indian culture, and the complex familial relationships drive the plot.

Delighted to be reconnected with the characters from The Henna Artist again, each of whom I feel I connected with deeply in the first book. I absolutely adore the visual descriptors that Alka Joshi gives us in The Secret Keeper of Jaipur. I love how much more we learn about Malik in The Secret Keeper of Jaipur. Seeing him sprout into a young wise man. A mature, sensible, generous, and humble being. Malik is never forgetful of where he’s come from and always grateful to those who have giving him the opportunities he's received. Questions, questions, questions. The Secret Keeper of Jaipur is bursting at the spine with secrets and unanswered questions. Engaging, enthralling, and captivating, Alka Joshi has done it again. Another winner, and another fabulous future book club pick. Readers will be catching this vibrant blue cover proudly displayed on shelves everywhere in the months to come. This book left me with a hole in my heart for the characters I would miss, and an empty stomach with a craving for some spiced chai, chapati, and chana dal.

Many times I find myself slightly dissatisfied with the sequel to a novel I truly loved - but this was not the case with this fabulous follow-up to The Henna Artist! I was delighted to delve into the world of Lakshmi and Malik once more, and the conflicts with other characters as well as Lakshmi's internal conflict about her relationship with Malik, sparked by Malik's new love, Nimmi, really hit the mark.

It's been twelve years since Lakshmi and Malik left Jaipur following the events of the Henna Artist. Malik is a grown man now, and Lakshmi fears he will be drawn into smuggling rings. She sends Malik back to Jaipur to learn the construction business under the wing of her old friend's husband, Manu. But there are fishy goings-on in Jaipur surrounding the construction of the new cinema that is sponsored by the palace, and Lakshmi finds herself dragged into the dangerous smuggling world when Malik's lady friend, Nimmi, finds out that her brother has given in to the temptation to join.

This novel kept me riveted from start to finish, and readers will be delighted to share in Lakshmi and Malik's lives once more.

Thanks to Alka Joshi, Harper Collins & NetGalley for an advance readers digital copy. All comments and opinions are my own.

This book picks up 12 years after The Henna Artist ends, with the same characters. But if you haven't read the first novel, don't worry - you will not be confused as Joshi provides plenty of backstory as well as a glossary at the beginning listing the characters and their relationships to each other. And there is also a brief dictionary of Indian terms and words to refer to so you never feel lost. As an added bonus you'll find a couple of tempting recipes, too.

This is a story of family, loyalty, love, and integrity. I especially liked how Joshi convincingly describes the various Indian cultures and lifestyles from the nomadic shepherds to the royal families, those who ran the medical clinic and those involved in the construction industry. Juxtaposing rich with poor, educated with illiterate, honest with deceitful, Joshi builds an engaging story that kept me turning the pages. She provides suspense, danger, and tragedy, as well as sweetness and bravery. I felt attached to various characters, and invested in their stories.

The writing is expressive. Not only is the food vividly descriptive, but also flowers, scents, clothing, and sounds are depicted authentically. There are more than a few secrets to be revealed in this novel, but the plot and mysteries are peeled away in layers so the reader is part of the discovery along with the characters.

Be sure to put this one on your "To Read" list, and I heartily encourage you to also read The Henna Artist if you haven't already done so.

Another gorgeous story from Alka Joshi!💜Book two was a welcomed revisit while at the same time, a fresh story and perspective. I waited too long to be back with my friends from the Henna Artist and eagerly dove in to reading about Lakshmi and Malik! I was quickly enraptured again at Joshi’s descriptions of India. This time with both the larger cityscape of Jaipur and the mountains of Shimla. We pick up where the last story left off and have a new character, Nimmi, introduced. The three tell us the story through alternating chapter POVs, a personal favourite of mine for reading.

Malik is interning in Jaipur so we get to see many of our favourite supporting characters from The Henna Artist and I was pleased to see Joshi show both familiarity and change in the characters. The plot starts off with a major event and then we are thrown back in time in a ‘how did we get here tale’. Although this was method of plot progression, I enjoyed that it wasnt the entirety, as the time lines merged, the story kept proceeding and much of the book also focused on the aftermath of the event as well.

This book also lets us know these characters inside out until they are like an old friend. I loved reading about the choices they make and how they right themselves while they proceed down life’s pathways, but this time, we have a few mysteries and a few puzzles to sort out as well, which was a different twist from the last book and I really enjoyed it!

Set in the late 1960s, The Secret Keeper of Jaipur gives us:
🌱beautiful well rounded characters
🌱romance
🌱incredible food descriptions 🤤
🌱mystery
and so much more!

Pour a cup of chai (or a gin and tonic) and get ready to be immersed and captivated again by our Indian friends💜

I cant wait to get my herbal healing garden growing again, it will have to help me spend time waiting for book 3 to come...

The Secret Keeper of Jaipur publishes June 22nd so if you haven’t already read The Henna Artist, what are you waiting for? And mark your calendars for this follow up book’s debut!

Thank you so much for giving me the opportunity to review this book. Another reviewer from our site will be doing the write up for this book, so I didn't download it. Again, thank you for the opportunity.

The Secret Keeper of Jaipur by @alkajoshi
Rate 5 ⭐️

Q: Did you ever read the book and gave 5⭐️ then you wrote some critics?

*Before you start reading this review if you find some grammar mistakes I am sorry! English is not my mother tongue and I am trying to be better at writing!*

Through the courage, bravery and intelligence of Malik and Lakshmi, the author creates a beautiful story and now in this sequel, the story of Malik is catching the reader’s attention!

Malik is now twenty years old, and after graduating from the private school at Lakshmi's request he goes back to Jaipur for an internship to learn more about construction, the structure of buildings and designs. But the hardest part for Malik is that he is leaving the love of his life Nimmi, in a peaceful place Shimla (I thought that it’s peaceful but you will need to see it by yourself)!
**I love how Malik is proud to know and have knowledge on design and art from history class from private school. In one letter he wrote to Lakshmi: “Boss, aren’t you proud I learned something in my art history classes at Bishop Cotton?” (83 Alka Joshi)
While working there, Malik discovers some mistakes and some holes which will change the whole story.

The author also included Lakshmi's life here which is great. I was expecting the whole book about Malik but it was half/half.

Lakshmi is enjoying her life working in Healing Garden in Shimla and helping other people and she just wants to have safe life for herself and her family.
I love how Lakshmi again is finding and seeing the best in other people, how she can read the people from just looking them in the eyes!
Lakshmi is: “A born politician....if you’d been born into our family, you’d be in Parliament by now, my dear!” (352 Alka Joshi)
She is a very intelligent and strong person!
For every female person that is planning to read this book, I suggest that you start with The Henna Artist then with this book. You will learn a lot about Indian culture and you will see how one female character can be strong!

Overall the book is excellent. I enjoyed reading this book because I find that my life has similarities with Malik’s life. I was surprised when I read in the book that Malik is learning about buildings and construction because I was studying Civil Engineering back home and hopefully, I will find myself on the same path again here in Canada.
Like I said in a previous post:” Alka Joshi got me in ❤️.”

Even I enjoyed the book I have few critics.
The first one is that the book was a simple read but it was enjoyable! Only I was expecting more details in Malik’s life(like the relationship between Nimmi I want more details).
And Yes, I predicted some things while reading the book, but while reading The Henna Artist I did not.
The second is that the first book has more details about Indian culture than this one. But I am glad that I learned about the Himalayas tribes.

I agree with the person on Goodreads Robin when she/he wrote: “we caught on quickly, we understood the problem, we watched as the problem was resolved and then we closed the book.”
And this person has similar critics like me but that is just our opinion.

These few critics didn’t stop me to love this book! The book is incredibly good and reading the book I found myself inside the book working on Royal Jewel Cinema with Malik and because of that, I am giving 5⭐️!
I can’t wait to hold a physical copy in my hands! Plus, I am very excited about the third book next year!

I highly recommend this book to everyone!
Thank you @Netgalley and @HarperCollins for this ebook ARC.

PS: Message for author: I can’t wait to read your third book about Radha! I hope that we will enjoy your description of Paris and Indian culture(you have a talent for describing something).
I am also hoping to see a different cover for the third book. Maybe with Lakshmi in front and everybody in the background. The cover from the second book is amazing, but it would be more awesome (to me) to see Malik on it 😂.
Thank you,
Mario

I loved The Henna Artist and was so excited to get my hands on this sequel by Alka Joshi. Thank you to Net Galley for the digital ARC and Alka for more of Malik and Lakshmi.

The story continues with Malik. Now a 20 year old young man just finishing his private school education, Malik is almost unrecognizable as the street child of his past. His mentor, Lakshmi, has obtained an internship for him to work at the Jaipur Palace on a new cinema project. He reluctantly leaves his newfound love, Nimmi, in Shimla and travels back to the city of his childhood.

I would definitely recommend reading the first book, The Henna Artist, before starting this sequel. While this second novel can stand on its own and the author has filled in the gaps, it is much easier to follow the various characters and history behind their relationships if you have read the first. I really enjoyed getting to hear Malik’s perspective as a young man and seeing the representation of strong female characters continue in this sequel. The author’s prose provides a rich illustration of the atmosphere, culture and characters. I can’t wait to get more of Malik and Lakshmi in the next novel!

Thanks to NetGalley for giving me the opportunity to read this book. I loved the first book, The Henna Artist, and was thrilled to have the opportunity to read another gem from Alka Joshi. I wasn't disappointed, and was delighted to catch up with the lives of all of the characters.

Although a good story it was too simple, too many missing moments for it to be a five-star work of art (for me.) gave it four stars because to me it just didn't compare to The Henna Artist. The Secret Keeper of Jaipur wasn't as rich in the culture, didn't explore or explain the culture, and just let the reader observe the story rather than becoming a part of the story. There was no unravelling or peeling of the onion; it had no layers to be unfolded. It was simple, we caught on quickly, we understood the problem, we watched as the problem was resolved and then we closed the book. I think the story was disjointed because we had two parts of the whole taking place; one part of the story is with Malik and former characters of the book in Jaipur with Lakshmi, Jay and Nimmi in Shimla. Radha is barely mentioned and then reintroduced in the end as an afterthought which was okay but not satisfying. There wasn't any real tension in the story, nothing to make me sit at the edge of my chair in anticipation. You may be shaking your head in wonder; did I like it or not? I enjoyed it, read it from cover to cover. I just wasn't overwhelmed or overly impressed. Enjoyed is a good thing but I wanted more from this author.

I would still recommend this as a beautiful, simple read but would warn readers that after reading The Henna Artist they may want more than what this book offers.

[REVIEW] The Secret Keeper of Jaipur by Alka Joshi

Recommend Yes/No: Yes

My rating: ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️ [4/5]

My second book by Alka Joshi and once again I devoured this!

Thank you Alka, Harlequin publishing and NetGalley for an advanced copy of this book. I was lucky enough to read the Henna Artist shortly before so I didn’t have to wait long to get my fill of Lakshmi and Malik again!

Generally, I find the sequel in a series never lives up to the first book and I always come away disappointed. This did not disappoint at all! A great plot, the same charming characters with the addition of some interesting new ones. This flowed so nicely and was a great follow up to the The Henna Artist. More importantly, Alka filled in all the gaps for anyone who hasn’t read the previous book.

I loved hearing Malik’s point of view and also being reunited with Lakshmi. The introduction of the character of Nimmi further reinforces the role of strong women, a theme that continues in this book. More trials and tribulations and Lakshmi and her family put to the test once again. It was great to see how the characters turned out and how their past shaped them.

A brilliant sequel and as usual, I’m left wanting more! I can’t wait for the third book in the near future!

When I started my bookclub 6 months ago, I wanted to begin with a highly recommended book pick. I chose ‘The Henna Artist’. I gave this book a 5 star review, along with many other readers, and couldn’t contain the excitement when I heard that ‘The Secret Keeper of Jaipur’ was on the way!

Not only is this book TERRIFIC, but it lives up to the standard of ‘The Henna Artist’, and believe me, that’s a powerful comparison.

I truly enjoyed each and every page; the character development, the emotions, the path we are taken down along the way and so much more.

I would like to applaud the incredible Alka Joshi for not only writing yet another masterpiece, but for interacting with her readers, for attending bookclubs as a guest speaker, for engaging with every post/message and for always ensuring to not only empower, but to promote women around the world.

When I found this book, which picks up 12 years after The Henna Artist left off, I was eager to read it. The Henna Artist is a recent favorite of mine. The lives of Lakshmi, Malik, Dr. Kumar, and others continue, while new characters are introduced.

When Malik returns to Jaipur to learn the building & design industry, he uncovers a secret that is sure to permanently alter the lives of the characters. In the meantime, he has left behind his new love, Nimmi, in Shimla, where he has been living, along with Lakshmi & her husband, Dr. Jay Kumar. In Shimla, gold-smuggling is pervasive, and is a threat to all those involved.

I enjoyed becoming lost in the world of the characters, and there was just enough suspense to keep me invested in the story and characters. Even some of the characters whose integrity was questionable possessed admirable qualities. The vivid descriptions of clothing and food found in India provided a rich reading experience and enhanced the sense of time and place. Readers also might enjoy the definitions and recipes at the end of the book.

Although this novel could be read on its own (the author references events from The Henna Artist), I highly recommend reading Henna first. Not only was it a fabulous read, but it will also add more depth to the reading experience of this novel.

Thank you NetGalley, the publisher, and the author for an advance e-book reader’s copy of this novel!