[Absolutely loved it]

As always, this was another terrific read by this author! I love her storytelling so so much, she just has the ability to make you feel apart of that world. The characters were all so vivid and unique. I absolutely adored this book from start to finish. Very well done! The narration of the audiobook was also excellent and highly recommend. I read in tandem of the audio and it was perfection. Highly recommend.

Thank you to the publisher and NetGalley for providing a free advanced copy of this ebook and audiobook in exchange for an honest review.

Thank you HTP Hive for inviting me to read and review (thanks also to Park Row Books, HTP Books, HTP Audio for the advanced readers copies via Netgalley). I’ve yet to read The Henna Artist so this was my first by Joshi!

The title is misleading as Sona goes from Bombay to Prague to Paris to Florence to London over the course of weeks so it’s not as if the story takes place over the course of only six days in India. We go on this journey with her through her inexperienced eyes as she also wrestles with her mixed identity, dreams, and desires. While it’s mentioned here and there I wish there was a bit more on Sona’s grief that contributes to the push for her to leave India (I won’t give any spoilers here). The chapters are lengthy (by audio some chapters are an hour long) and it took a while for it to gain any kind of steam for me. It’s written in a way that is introspective: here is Sona, a young mixed-race Indian nurse, who while naive to the world embarks on a cross-continental journey of self-discovery after an eccentric patient, Mira, also mixed race, she cared for suddenly dies and leaves in Sona’s care her final few paintings to deliver to those from Mira’s past. Despite this, I never felt like we get to know Sona as well as we could’ve.

It was okay but not what I was expecting and there were a lot of brief side characters to keep track of. Still, I know many enjoy her The Henna Artist and I’d like to give that one a chance at some point. Content includes mentions of infidelity, an attempted sexual assault, and a brief detailed sex scene. I give it a lackluster and generous 3/5

Another one of my favorite authors has written an emotionally absorbing story, loosely based on a real Indian artist, Amrita Sher-Gil. The year is 1937, a time when the world was undergoing many threats, from fights for workers rights, to Mussolini and Hitler. Sona is a nurse at a small hospital in Bombay, where she encounters Mira, an artist who instantly befriends her in the six days she is in hospital. Sona has not seen much of the world, and feels responsible for the well being of her mother. As an Anglo-Indian, her identity is always at issue, too Indian to be accepted as British, but made fun of by her Indian classmates. There was so much to unpack in this book, and it was hard to put it down. I highly recommend to everyone, as Joshi has again written an unforgettable novel. Thanks to NetGalley for the ARC.

Six Days in Bombay by Alka Joshi is an engaging and beautifully written story set in 1930s India. It follows Sona, a nurse who gets caught up in a mystery after a brief friendship with an artist named Mira. The story takes her from Bombay to Europe, and along the way, she learns a lot about herself and her roots. The writing is vivid, the characters feel real, and the historical setting adds so much depth. It’s a thoughtful and emotional read that fans of historical fiction will really enjoy.

I discovered Alka Joshi’s writing with her debut book, The Henna Artist. It was a trilogy of books that kept me spellbound while imagining it was me in the vividly rendered areas of India where the series took place. Naturally I jumped at the chance to explore another place in India, this time under British occupation.

One of my biggest fears with reading a new book by an author whose writing I love is that the story or characters aren’t going to be as captivating as previous books. With that, I shouldn’t have worried. Joshi tackles British occupation, the societal views on Anglo-Indians, and the very different personal experiences of two Anglo-Indian women.

Sona has an Indian mother and an English father who had returned back to England after siring two children, leaving the three in poverty. Their mother is a talented seamstress, but it’s not enough to provide more than the bare minimum. Sona is trained as a nurse, and works in a hospital in Bombay. Their combined income doesn’t afford them any safety net, yet Sona has big dreams. She doesn’t want to stay confined to Bombay forever, and dreams of exploring the world, having new experiences, and meeting all kinds of interesting people. So far, the only interesting people that she had met are patients at the hospital.

We are quickly introduced to the different strata of society in Bombay under British occupation, where British people were at the top, and Indian people were at the bottom, leaving no clear place for people like Sona. In some cases, they were able to benefit from their mixed background, but for the most part, people like Sona were looked down on by both the British and the Indians.

While working her usual night shift, we get to see who Sona really is in how she cares for her patients, and she’s a genuinely good, sweet, and smart woman who devotes her life to helping others and doing the right thing. She is always watching and trying to help, even outside of work, as demonstrated by her devotion to her mother and a friend who is in an abusive marriage with no way out. Yet her efforts backfire at times.

Despite being repeatedly told not to socialize with the patients, Sona finds herself drawn to Mira, another Anglo-Indian woman, but one who has lived a vastly different life than her own. Mira is a famous painter, who grew up in Europe and India, and makes it a habit to flaunt social customs. In today’s society, Mira wouldn’t stand out for her affairs with men and women, and a subsequent miscarriage, but in India in the 1930s, she was absolutely scandalous.

Sona and an Indian doctor both express concerns about Mira’s condition, but are scornfully dismissed by the British doctor. However, they were right, and Mira shows back up in the hospital in even worse condition. It shows a lot about how Indian people were treated as second-class citizens in their own country by the British, and how little value was assigned to their care. This wasn’t one of those situations where doctors care for all patients the same, and it ends up costing Mira her life, in a preventable tragedy.

Readers get to hear Sona’s thoughts, and if you want to hear the story in a beautiful, soft Indian-accented English, I highly recommend the audiobook, which I listened to for part of this. The book is slow-moving; the first half of this character-based story moves at a glacial pace, but Mira’s death around the midpoint of the story really catapults Sona into the more adventurous part of her journey when she’s tasked with keeping four of Mira’s favorite paintings safe and delivering them to three people who meant a lot to her—her first love Petra, her art agent Josephine, and her art tutor Paolo. Each of them live in different places, and Sona takes her promise seriously, after she is fired from the hospital in disgrace.

A fortunate coincidence finds Sona a friendship with someone who winds up serving as a sort of fatherly stand-in on her travels, and she is suddenly catapulted from thinking that she can’t possibly leave Bombay and her mother, to making plans to travel the world and leave home for the first time in her life. No matter how confining she finds Indian society, it’s a huge shock when she realizes that she will be leaving the comforting arms of her mother, who she has never been without before.

Sona really grows a lot over the course of this story. She goes from being sheltered and naïve to seeing the world, and for the most part, doing so on her own. I can’t imagine the bravery it takes to leave everything you know behind, but Sona does it beautifully and with grace. I loved seeing how much she changes and grows as her world continues to expand. A huge part of her change is getting to know more about who Mira was, and her growing sense of disillusionment as she uncovers aspects of Mira’s life that leave her frustrated and confused.

Even with the slower pace, this is a book that I thoroughly enjoyed. It’s kind of like how you can snarf down fast food, but want to savor a really nice meal. That’s how I look at it, and this was the same. I never found myself getting bored or feeling unmotivated to pick it up—rather, I was taking the time to see a version of Bombay, Prague, Paris, and Florence that I can never see in real life. There were good things and bad things that occurred over the course of the story, but we get to see how Joshi chooses to address the plight of both Anglo-Indians and Indian people colonized by the British, miscarriage, and how women who live outside the norm (and within the norms) dictated by society are viewed and treated.

Another great read by Alka Joshi. I always love her character development and feel like I am right there in the scenes as I am reading them. Her atmospheric descriptions really sets the tone for her books, especially this one. I felt like I was traveling along with the main character.

I am a huge fan of Alka Joshi and have enjoyed all of her previous books. I did not feel that this one hit the mark for me or was as compelling as her other books. It seemed to me to be more of a travel log of the cities that she visited and her relationships with some of the other characters seemed a bit forced actually. I wanted to warm up to the main character however, I did not find her particularly engaging. The book kept my interest till the end but fell short in captivating me.

NetGalley ARC review.

Loved this story. This is about a nurse in Bombay around the 1930s who has lead a very sheltered life. She is half Indian and half English which many people look down on in this age especially when India is trying to gain independence. Sona is just trying to provide for her mother but a chance encounter leads to Sona exploring her constant struggle between tradition and modernity.

After losing her job and an unexpected task to do she travels to Paris, Florence and Prague to return paintings to the indexed people and along the way she learns who she truly is.

She also learns how to accept and open herself up to love in the most unexpected and unconventional way but also healing from the past and the stain she thinks she carried all this time.

I loved this book as not many authors focus on India during this time period.

I always look forward to Alka Joshi's new books. This was a compelling story that also included some twists and turns. Some unexpected character developments. A story of complex people and some unexpected outcomes. Definitely a book to recommend.

This novel starts in a Bombay hospital in 1937 where an Indian nurse cares for an internationally know artist for six days after a miscarriage. The artist, Mira, tells stories of her friends and lovers, and her travels. However, when she dies, Sona is released from her job. However, Mira has left her 4 paintings for Sona to give to people who have touched her life.
Sona has lived a sheltered life with her mother after her British father abandoned them, and her income helped them survive. When Sona returns to their apartment, she finds her mother has had a heart attack and died, leaving Sona alone in the world.
She sets out on the journey and with the help of another patient, who is released as she begins her journey, she makes her way across the continent to Prague, Florence, Paris and London. Along the way, Sona finds herself, and her identity. She ends up in London and seeks her father- where she finds forgiveness, and eventually love.
The author developed Sona beautifully and her writing described Sona's thoughts and dreams, fears, and joys in a way that made me want her to find happiness and resolution. She described the poverty that she and her mother lived in and the love and respect they had for each other.
I received and ARC of Six Days in Bombay from NetGalley and the publisher. The opinions expressed are my own.

This was a slow dance. At times I wish it would go faster, it then I fell more deeply into it, the characters, and the story of a young woman finding herself thanks to an artist. In finding herself, she travels to some of my favorite cities in Europe, with places that I recognize as having been to, and others that I hope one day to visit. As I write this, I am reminded of “Eat, Pray, Love” and that journey and how I find parallels. It’s a slow dance, but it’s worth it.

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𝙎𝙞𝙭 𝘿𝙖𝙮𝙨 𝙞𝙣 𝘽𝙤𝙢𝙗𝙖𝙮 𝙗𝙮 𝘼𝙡𝙠𝙖 𝙅𝙤𝙨𝙝𝙞 had all the ingredients I usually love: 1930s Bombay, a cross-continental journey, themes of identity and legacy. But while the premise was full of promise, the pacing dragged, and the emotional depth didn’t quite land for me. The protagonist Sona’s transformation, sparked by a brief connection, felt rushed, and I never fully connected with her journey.

It’s beautifully written. The author captures time and place with elegance, and the descriptions of 1930s Bombay and Europe are transportive. I also appreciated the ambition behind the story, but it left me wanting more substance and urgency.

Thanks to Netgalley and the publishers for sending a digital ARC in exchange for an honest review.

Sona is a nurse working at Wadia Hospital in Bombay. She is of mixed heritage – a British father and an Indian mother – grappling with her “half-half” identity. She harbors anger and hatred towards her father, who abandoned his family in India and returned to Britain to his British family, leaving her family in poverty. Sona lives a small life in 1937 within the confines of hospital and home with her aging mother. Kind and empathetic to all her patients, she develops friendships with some, and one, Mira Novak, in particular. Through the stories Mira tells her, Sona’s eyes are opened to the possibilities of life beyond Bombay. Mira is a famous artist known for her paintings of India’s rural life populated by Indian women and men. Joshi loosely based Mira on the prodigy artist, Amrita Sher-Gil, the youngest admitted to the Paris Salon in 1933, also of mixed heritage.

Mira dies, leaving behind a note bequeathing four of her paintings – one to Sona and the other three to former friends throughout Europe who impacted her development as an artist. This leads her on a journey through Europe to deliver the paintings to the other beneficiaries and a search for her father in London to answer her questions, hopefully to bring her peace. As she travels, Sona sees the political unrest brewing in this time leading up to WWII.

Alka Joshi has created a commendable character in Sona. It took more courage than she realized she had to embark on her journey which becomes one of self-discovery and growth. We watch her gain strength and confidence as she blossoms from her closed, insular life to a changed life with new friends and new experiences. She learns forgiveness as understanding and bitterness of the past fall away. A heartwarming story of love and redemption.
--The Historical Novels Review, May 2025

I adored Alka Joshi's the Jaipur trilogy, so I was delighted to receive an advance copy of Six Days in Bombay. Her ability to bring readers into a richly-described world is unparalleled. This stand-alone novel that introduces many readers to painter Amrita Sher-Gil, the "Frida Kahlo of India," and takes us and nurse Sona on an international journey.

Many thanks to the author, narrator, publisher, and NetGalley for sharing this book with me.

Six Days in Bombay was my second book from Alia Joshi (first one was The Henna Artist; one of my all time favorites). This book took place in various parts of Europe and India. Her writing always transports me to these locations that are so beautifully described. I really enjoyed this book. 4/5 stars!

I was excited to read this book after enjoying the Jaipur Trilogy. And, just like the other books, I enjoyed Six Days in Bombay as well.

The narrative and plot of the story kept me intrigued and wanting to know know more about the characters and how everything would turn out for the protagonist. I did however feel that the novel may have wrapped up quickly, certain events did not need to happen for the story to progress, and I also felt like the ending of Mira's mystery wasn't as I'd hope it would be (but that is just a personal opinion).

What I really love about the novel is that it was inspired by the life and work of Indian-Hungarian artist, Amrita Sher-Gil. Alka Joshi does a wonderful job writing South Asian stories and characters by introducing her readers to culture and history, many of us are not aware of.

Alka Joshi vividly portrays India as a young woman takes an unexpected journey to self-discovery. Joshi expertly weaves social commentary into an engaging storyline. While it cannot compare to The Henna Artist, this is still an entertaining read.

Good, inspiring story. A little hard to get through. Ended up being a mystery that is resolved to satisfaction in the end. ⭐️⭐️⭐️

Alka Joshi crafts a rich, sensory journey that transports readers through the vibrant streets and cultures of Bombay, Istanbul, Florence, Paris, Prague, and London—seen through the eyes of Sona, a half-Indian, half-British nurse whose sheltered upbringing leaves her unprepared for the emotional and physical voyage ahead. After being unjustly dismissed from her job, Sona decides to deliver three paintings to friends of a recently deceased, renowned artist. Along the way, she discovers profound lessons in trust, forgiveness, self-awareness, and love.

As one of my favorite authors, Alka Joshi once again delivers a moving and beautifully written story that did not disappoint.

Thanks to NetGalley & Harlequin Trade Publishing for a digital advanced readers copy. All comments and opinions are my own.

I’ve read all three of Alka Joshi’s novels, so this fourth was a must-read for me and I was not disappointed. The story starts out leisurely as we are introduced to nurse Sona Falstaff in 1937 Bombay. She befriends renowned painter Mira Novak, a new patient who fascinates Sona. They are both young and of mixed heritage (English and Indian). But Mira is everything Sona is not – sophisticated and worldly, confident and wealthy.

Sona spends six days with Mira in the hospital while she recovers. Mira encourages Sona to take risks and accept challenges in all areas of her life. After Mira dies unexpectedly from complications of a miscarriage, Sona is accused of carelessness. She is dismissed from this hospital and decides to follow the request in Mira’s note to her. Mira sends her on a journey that will open up her world, leave her sheltered life, and take chances.

Despite having never been outside of India before, Sona travels to Prague, Florence, Paris and London, to deliver Mira’s paintings to her friends. She also decides to search for the father who abandoned her many years ago. During her travels Sona learns that not everyone is who they appear to be, which is one of the novel’s themes.

Sona “struggles with her identity – with an English father and a Hindu mother, she is Anglo-Indian and neither fully English nor fully Indian.” The concept of identity continues throughout the novel, as well as the half-half and in-between themes that refer to several characters as well as India’s fight for independence from British rule at the time. Even the fact that the story takes place in between the two world wars contributes to that theme.

I liked the character of Sona, even though I occasionally wanted to shout out warnings to her when I could see what was likely to happen and usually did. Despite being an adult, I consider this a coming-of-age novel as Sona was young and unexperienced. Fulfilling Mira’s request actually helps Sona to grow up, learn about herself, and satisfy her dream of a larger life.

I enjoyed this satisfying and well-written novel and highly recommend it.