I struggled to get into this book - I can't put my finger on why but I barely made it past the first couple chapters. I will try again!

A decent debut. I was expecting a lot more unique plot & character development than I got. The premise of the book was exciting, and it is definitely a decent debut attempt. However, I feel like the topic/situation on hand could have taken this book to another level, but instead it tried to do too many things and didn't quite manage them all.

This was a pretty good little family drama. Parents and two grown children, each going through their own problems, trying to make it seem like they have everything all figured out. It will all come to the surface and they will need each other to get through it all.
I enjoyed this one quite a bit. It's relatable and wholesome with some great moments. I just don't know how memorable it will be. I hope it is because I enjoyed it!

This book was alright, but I had trouble getting through it. The writing was quite literal and I just don't like first-person POVs in general. I felt like it really played into stereotypes, especially in the beginning, and while it does give a great set-up for character development, I didn't feel like the characters developed all that much. But caveat: I'm not South Asian, this book did not touch on themes that are close to home, and I'm definitely not the target audience.

An arranged marriage that has lasted 36 years has produced a lovely family, but when this marriage breaks apart all hell breaks loose. Secrets, love and loyalty are the cornerstone in this one. I would love to see it as a tv series!
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Thank you #randomhouse and #NetGalley for an advanced copy in exchange for an honest review

The captivating story and well-developed characters kept me engrossed, making it impossible for me to put the novel down. I managed to finish it in just two days, staying up late because I couldn't resist finding out what happens next!

Late Bloomers tells the story of an Indian-American family consisting of a mother, father, son, and daughter. After 36 years of marriage, the parents divorce, leaving the son and daughter struggling to come to terms with this significant event. Both parents venture into the world of dating, with the father exploring online dating while the mother, for the first time, finds a job and makes new friends who may or may not have romantic interests in her. As for the eldest daughter, Priya, she finds herself caught in a complicated romantic situation and remains unmarried, which causes her distress. On the other hand, the son, a successful lawyer in New York City, is happily married and a proud father. But there is more beneath the surface.

The novel beautifully explores the themes of appearances and hidden depths, incorporating traditional Indian motifs and cultural norms. However, these themes are relatable to people from all walks of life, making it easy for readers of any background to connect with the story. I appreciated the way Indian culture was woven into the narrative, creating a unique blend that resonates universally.

Varadarajan's writing style is seamless and authentic, breathing life into the characters. Their emotions, including irritation and love, are palpable and relatable. The characters stumble and fumble through their lives, trying to make sense of the changes they face, which makes them endearing and lovable.

Late Bloomers is a delightful read for those who enjoy family dramas, comical moments, and satisfying endings. It offers a fantastic blend of entertaining storytelling and genuine emotions that will leave readers of all backgrounds feeling connected to the characters and their journey.

Thank you, NetGalley, for an e-ARC of Late Bloomers by Deepa Varadarajan.
This book was a lighter read dealing with family drama, but throwing in humor and outrageous circumstance to keep the reader engaged. Told from the perspectives of all the family members, the reader is able to gain insight into the thoughts and feelings of each character. I found it interesting how each character had different opinions about life events, which is so often true in real life.

I have so many thoughts with this book and they all begin with: WHAT A FUCKING PLOT!!!!
it did not disappoint!
I will be suggesting it and purchasing a finished copy!
Each character was hatable and lovable in their own ways..

I love stories that center around multiple people in a family facing a common shock. I found each of the characters to be deeply flawed and extremely human. I loved it.

Thank you to NetGalley for this ARC. All opinions expressed in this review are my own.

Late Bloomers is a charming story about an Indian-American family living in Texas and each having their own problems. I loved that each member of the family got their own story line and each of them were given good and bad qualities that made it sometimes hard to root for them. It was definitely character-driven more than plot-driven, and it was an interesting study into how this semi-broken family interacts with each other.

I loved the messy family drama and the character flaws -- despite everything, I was always rooting for them and hoping for only the best for each character. It was also fast-paced enough that I would consider it a quick read despite some of the heavier topics like divorce and family problems.

This was such a great read! I love that this book highlighted a story in South Asian culture that we just don’t get to read about often. The family divide is showcased in such a unique way here, and the struggles between identity and desire are beautifully portrayed. The story flows from one character to another with really great transitions and I felt like I could root for each member of the family. I especially appreciated the portrayal of the pressure to be successful in relationships as it was contrasted again the pressure to “look” successful to society. Would highly recommend!

what a treat! LATE BLOOMERS made me laugh & cry. I adore how vividly the characters come to life. The messiness and chaos is reminiscent of THE FORTUNES OF JADED WOMEN. A heartwarming & not too serious read for the summer :)

Really enjoyed this family story where everyone is having some issues haha! I love the message of never late than never and the multiple pov. I want to see this as a movie.

I absolutely loved reading this book! The story and the characters, wanting to see what happens next, what happens to them, and how the family members reconcile their differences, drove me to finish this novel in two days — only because I could not forestall sleep!

Late Bloomers is a novel about an Indian-American family: Mom, Dad, Son, and Daughter. Mom and Dad are immigrants from India, and after 36 years of marriage, they divorced. Son and Daughter are still trying to wrap their heads around that event, and accept that both parents are now exploring the world of Single Dating. Dad, in fact, is exploring the world of online dating, while Mum has gotten a job for the first time and is making new friends who may or may not have more romantic interests in her. Meanwhile, their eldest, Daughter Priya, is unhappily single-ish and caught in a tangled romantic loophole — and (horrors!) remains unmarried. Their son, a super successful lawyer in NYC, is married, partnered to an incredible woman, and the father of a bubbling infant. But, maybe that’s just the surface.

Indeed, surfaces and the depths they disguise is a major theme in this deliciously contemporary family drama. It revolves around traditional Indian motifs and cultural norms, but really, anyone can relate to the sentiments, concerns, emotional upheavals Late Bloomers brings to the fore. I loved that this focused on Indian-Americans, and the trials of living with a foot in two worlds. Indian culture was infused into the book, but in such a way as to tap into the universal experiences of people all over the world. Readers of all ethnic backgrounds will be able to relate to this novel and easily.

Varadarajan’s prose is smooth and natural, the characters live and breathe as if just inches away from us. We can feel their irritation, recognize it as an emotion we often feel – and often about those closest to us. Likewise, Varadarajan makes their love for one another palpable. These are people stumbling, bumbling, grasping at themselves and each other in the most lovable ways, trying to make sense of change in their lives.

For readers who love a bit of family drama, hilarious nonsense, and good endings, Late Bloomers is a fantastic read.

A lovely — and sometimes very funny — novel about second chances and what it means to be a family. Though I didn’t connect with the characters that much and I had a hard time liking most of them, I could see how they all were each struggling to find a “new normal” that was different than how they expected life to turn out for them.

Thank you to NetGalley and the publisher for this ARC!

This book made me laugh and cry. Dealing with a later in life divorce, the characters find themselves navigating the dating scene and let the judgement and jealousy commence! Their children have their own issues, one dealing with infidelity and the other, a child out of wedlock...all things that are not normally and universally accepted in Indian culture. The writing is so good and I really wanted to like this book more, but I found the characters to be so self-centered and unlikable. It is a modern day family mess, but the characters attitudes made this one fall flat.

I absolutely couldn’t imagine starting life again after being married for over thirty years! I’d probably just hide in my room for the rest of my life. This study came right on time for me, because I saw a lot of myself in some of the characters. Starting new, learning things about yourself and accepting truths can be hard but it’s necessary.

Lata and Suresh are recent divorcees with two adult children, Priya and Nakeesh. They are navigating finding new companionship while their children struggle with their own relationship problems. This story is infused with just the right dose of humor and made me laugh out loud numerous times. But it is also serious while tackling separation and divorce , aging, and cultural differences. It tells the story of these Late Bloomers.

My only complaint is that it was a bit long and wanted a little something more to happen.

This book had all the emotions - humor, sadness, family drama. The characters were pretty well-written and flawed which I appreciated.

I really struggled to get into this one from the beginning. I wasn't connecting or even caring what happened with the characters, so I am moving on and won't be posting about the book on my platforms. Thank you for allowing my the chance to read it, and I'm sorry it didn't resonate with me.