Set in the 1930s in colonial India, the storyline for the book is intriguing, relevant, and had so much promise... It’s about Sona, an Anglo-Indian nurse who despite being born and living in India is not fully accepted since she’s “half-caste” - her father is British (and long gone) and her mother is Indian. One of her patients is a famous painter, Mira Novak, who she connects with over a six-day period, which sets in motion the bulk of the “plot” of the book. I liked the concept of the book, but I definitely wasn’t wowed by the execution of the storyline. The book raised several issues/themes that could have been delved into that would have made the book so much stronger and enjoyable. The storyline didn’t quite hang together. It skimmed the surface, and floated along very conveniently, sometimes unbelievably so. The book was disappointing, given that I enjoyed The Henna Artist (the other two in the trilogy not as much), but this book fell far short. Overall, I rated it 2.75 rounded up to 3 stars and wished I could have given it a higher rating. Many thanks to the author, publisher, and NetGalley for the opportunity to read and review this book.

It was fun to read an indian fiction after some time
It does drag a bit but overall I liked the themes of growing up and forgiveness
I especially loved the epilogue
This was my first book by Alka Joshi and i want to read more

Something that is super consistent with Alka Joshi is her stunning world building. So easy to become immersed in the world that she is describing.

I didn't like this one as much as her Henna Artist series but it was still a very well written book.

It's hard to say what rubbed me the wrong way. I guess I find Sona's naivety was a little much.. if I had to guess certain situations that happened in Prague, Paris and Florence aren't strictly just in those cities. Thieves, men who take advantage etc. happen any and everywhere. She cycles home at night and has never encountered situations like that before? Just doesn't seem super realistic to me.

I understand Mira was there to catapult Sona's character but I didn't really connect with the scenes between the two of them. As well as Sona traveling to give these paintings to Mira's past friends/lovers it read a bit like Eat Pray Love.

Dr. Stoddard and Sona's relationship was incredibly heartwarming. He filled in the spot of her missing father so effortlessly and never let her down. He would give sage advice but also be there to comfort her if needed. Him cheating at card games and all around being a sassy old man made him my favorite character.

I wouldn't buy this book myself but I would recommend it to others!

New York Times bestselling author Alka Joshi has returned with the standalone novel, Six Days in Bombay. Before knowing its premise, I knew this would be a must-read. I was utterly absorbed by her previous work, The Jaipur Trilogy. In The Henna Artist, The Secret Keeper of Jaipur, and The Perfumist of Paris, readers are transported to 20th century India to experience a setting which is wholly unfamiliar to much of western society. Her writing is superb, and I was completely engrossed in her characters’ world. My experience with Six Days in Bombay was no exception. Set in the spring of 1937, the story begins in the titular Bombay, where we are introduced to Sona Falstaff, a 23 year-old nurse. Through her friendship with an artistically remarkable and ailing patient, Sona is set on a globetrotting journey. She is introduced to a gallery of colorful characters and also grows as a young woman. With English and Indian parentage, she has struggled to understand her place in society. Her insecurity and pragmatism confine her, keeping her from stretching beyond the boundaries of her life with her mother in their small flat in Bombay.

Sona also wrestles with unresolved anger toward her absentee father. A married Englishman with a family in his home country, Owen Falstaff abandoned those he loved in India in 1917, returning to his first wife and fatherhood abroad. Sona is left with the pain of losing him, as well as the travails of a “half-half.” In some circles she is considered “too English”, and in others she is “too Indian.” The pain of a derelict parent and the social struggles she faces intermingle within her heart, causing much turmoil.

After the death of the talented and enigmatic artist Mira Novak, Sona undertakes the task of delivering items in her patient’s stead, pieces bequeathed to significant figures in her life. As Sona embarks on this international journey, her perception begins to broaden. She remarks in chapter three, “When I'd first met her, I'd thought Mira's ways were too big for the world I inhabited. But like breath, my life seemed to expand whenever I was around her." Sona’s quest on behalf of Mira certainly did that. She becomes more aware of the ways of European society, grows more confident, and allows herself to love. Sona blossoms as a young woman, and also begins to heal from past hurts. Her path is not free of calamity and uncertainty. Things are not always as they seem, and her eyes are opened to both the beauty and ugliness of humanity. Her transformation is realistic, captivating, and thoroughly relatable, even across cultural and generational divides.

For those who might want to be aware of content issues, Six Days in Bombay has little to no foul language, but the narrative confronts issues that may be troublesome for certain readers. The subject of abortion is addressed. There is a bit of sexual content, but Joshi keeps the details limited and does not draw out those scenes for an extended period of time. Romantic relationships are not kept within the borders of traditional marriage. However, as a conservative reader, I was still able to enjoy the story from the standpoint of an outside viewer. Although I do not endorse all the choices of these characters, I found their stories to be compelling, heartbreaking, and full of the same longing that many feel for love and acceptance.

Just as many yearn for emotional satisfaction, another common desire is to inhabit a life of significance. Six Days in Bombay examines this trait in Sona Falstaff. She is a timid, sheltered young woman, living a small existence and wanting so much more. Because of insecurity or social restrictions, she has hesitated to step out into the world. After a mere six days with Mira Novak, she begins a journey beyond Bombay which opens her mind and heart to more than she ever could have imagined.

While I believe humility is an aspirational quality, I also hold that we are all worthy of love and living out our God-given talents. Self-assurance does not need to be equated with arrogance. We can be steadfast in who we are, and also pursue our life purpose with grace. For some, that may mean quiet work that goes unseen by many, yet is fulfilling and serves the community. For others, this could be high-profile contributions that overtly benefit society at large. Regardless of the position of our birth, be it of any country or any racial combination, all should feel strong in their inherent worth. Sona Falstaff comes to see this over time, with those six special days as catalyst for that transformation. Alka Joshi’s latest offering is beautiful, fascinating, and hopefully will inspire many to step outside a space of comfort into the great unknown. Six Days in Bombay encourages us to have confidence, take a deep breath, and step into an expansive life of adventure.

Another great story by Alka Joshi. She is an incredibly talented storyteller, weaving a detailed and descriptive story that takes place in India, Prague, Florence and London. We follow Sona, a nurse in India, as she travels after the loss of a patient. The experiences that Sona has in different countries and the beautiful way that Joshi writes transports the reader all over the world. The story is heartbreaking and beautiful. My biggest complaint is that the start of the book moves slowly. It doesn’t start to pick up until Sona starts to travel and see the world. Meeting different friends and starting to experience life for the first time. If you have enjoyed Alka Joshi’s books on the past, definitely read this one.

Thank you NetGalley for my advanced reader copy.

Six Days in Bombay by Alka Joshi is a historical fiction of drama, loss, mystery. In true Alka Joshi fashion this story teaches as well as reaches the audience- i adored this story!!!

A young half British, half Indian nurse, Sona, befriends famous painter Mira Novak over six days in a Bombay hospital where she's staying following a miscarriage. Fired after being held responsible for the painter's accidental death, Sona gets tasked with delivering four of her paintings to the people Mira wanted them left to, leading to a cross Europe adventure that sees Sona discovering both love and herself.

Set in the 1930s, this was a moving coming of age/historical romance that did drag in places but overall had a unique take on a period of history I didn't know much about and was loosely based on real life people. While I wouldn't say this latest standalone from fav author Alka Joshi was my favorite of hers, it was still worth the read and good on audio. Many thanks to NetGalley and the publisher for an early digital and audio copy in exchange for my honest review.

An enjoyable historical fiction novel, I really enjoyed the descriptions of life in 1930s India and Europe. The various settings were really lovely and a strong point of the book.

I found the first half of the novel to drag somewhat at times, but after Sona gets going on her journey the novel picks up quite a bit. Sona herself can be a bit frustrating with how naive she is, but it's understandable considering the sheltered life she lived.

I liked the themes of growing up, taking chances, and forgiveness. This was a solid read.

Thank you to NetGalley and the publisher for this ARC!

Thanks to NetGalley for the ARC in exchange for my honest review.

This was my first ARC where I'd read and loved the author's books before. I recommend "The Henna Artist" often so I was eager to read a new novel set in an earlier, pre-Independence India. Sona was our first-person narrator, caught between worlds. She's half-Indian and half-English, raised by her single mother, and working as a nurse at a private hospital.

We get plenty of time living in Sona's world with her loving mother and meeting a potential suitor. However, the main focus is on Sona's favorite patient, the famous painter Mira Novak. I learned in the Author's Note that Mira was inspired by a real artist so I love that level of research. I liked how Sona had to reconcile both her small life with the larger world, along with her perceptions of people and their nuances. This is a lesson she learns the hard way, more than once.

I had to put myself in Sona's 1930s shoes when thinking about the timelines of this story (ie. she'd known Mira for 6 days) and Joshi did a great job of showing Sona's emotions and motivations. This was a great balance of telling and showing, especially for a first-person POV. I got hungry many times while reading and learned a bit about art at the same time.

In good time this becomes a travel story. I've traveled around Europe as a solo woman (not all the same places) and while times have changed, you still need to be wary. Sona was able to get far through her language skills as well as her steadfast honesty (okay, honesty wasn't always for good). The story's setting was perfectly poised on the edge of WW II as well as India's War for Independence which lent a tenseness and urgency that I appreciated. You could tell the author had visited each European city and did her historical research (as she notes in the Author's Note).

There is one brief, spicy scene that is important to the plot so y'all can deal. I loved the "epilogue" to give closure to our wonderful heroine. Of all of Alka Joshi's books so far, I think this would do best as a movie or miniseries.

Six Days in Bombay by Alka Joshi was absolutely stunning.
I loved this book! It's well-written, enjoyable, and a great read. The author did a great job of writing in a way that captures the readers attention, and makes you not want to put it down until you're finished! I would highly recommend it!

India on the cusp!

As India moves towards independence so does Sona Falstaff. Sona is a nurse in the Wadia Hospital in Bombay. Europe is galloping towards war, India towards freedom from the British Raj, Sona finds herself also on the cusp, taking steps into the unknown.
Sona is a compassionate and dedicated nurse with a lively sense of humor. Amongst her patients number a vivacious painter, Mira Novak and a charming elderly rascal, Dr. Ralph Stoddard. Both will figure into Sona’s search for herself.
Sona is an Anglo-Indian. At a time when India is looking to govern itself, that mixed heritage becomes a barrier for her. She’s neither fish nor fowl.
As usual, Alka Joshi draws us into the colors of life in late 1930’s India. The emotions are all captured, brimming with reality.
Sona’s journey from the hospital in Bombay to Europe, on a quest for her painter friend, is a journey of self awareness, of independence, and of choices.
Empathetically written, a searching novel from Alka Joshi exploring what it is to belong, to take steps towards freedom, to unshackle from the past and to confront one’s personal history.

A Harlequin Trade ARC via NetGalley.
Many thanks to the author and publisher.
(Opinions expressed in this review are completely my own.)

Book review: 4.25/5 ⭐️
Genre: historical fiction
Themes: identity, colonialism, otherness, coming of age
📖 Read if you like: The Vanishing Half, Burning Heart of the World

Happy PUB-Day! This was one of my most anticipated books of the year, so I was thrilled to receive an eARC thanks to Harlequin Trade Publishing and NetGalley. Once again Joshi displays a quiet mastery of storytelling that will shed light on stereotyping and the struggles of women rooted into the fabric of society.

At its heart, this is one women’s struggle with identity. Sona is a mixed race nurse living in Bombay with her Indian mother having been abandoned by her English father. Hers is a small sheltered existence defined by her otherness. She never quite fits in anywhere, and yet she benefits from the lighter colour of her skin and her parentage under colonial governance. When the enigmatic artist Mira Novak is admitted after a miscarriage, she is put into Sona’s care as her night nurse. Turning into fast friends, Sona idolizes Mira’s easy way of being and seeing the world. When what should have been a simple recovery turns into a tragic ending, Sona will be thrown into a world she has only dreamed of. Tasked with a seemingly impossible journey, she must confront her own walls and discover the person she wants to be.

As Sona looses everything - her job, her family, her home she will finally be forced into action and growth. It is a journey that reflects a geopolitical maelstrom as India seeks her independence and the shackles of colonialism. More than that it is a story of the masks we wear and select truths. How identity can be defined both by an observer and by the observed. You can see her naivety on display ripe for the picking, yet those setback don’t seem to weigh her down. As her innocence is stripped away, she discovers that Mira wasn’t quite who she thought she was, nor is she herself.

I realize I have become more and more fascinated with the concept of identity in a landscape where you will always be other, so this was the perfect book for my current mindset. The way you see yourself and the way the world sees you are at odds and finding the strength to be yourself requires courage and discernment to carve out your own space. So this was thought provoking and would make a great option for book club!

Thank you to NetGalley, the author and publisher for an advanced copy of this novel
It followed a young nurse’s journey from a young impressionable nurse through adulthood. After being terminated for something she didn’t do, she set off on a trip to deliver paintings to friends of her deceased patient. The story ran a little slower than I normally like, but it’s a beautiful story well worth your time.

A luminous portrait of friendship, art, and identity set against the shifting landscapes of colonial India and pre-war Europe.

From the humid streets of 1930s Bombay to the dusky alleys of Paris and the golden light of Florence, this novel follows Sona, a young nurse whose quiet life is upended when she meets Mira—an enigmatic patient and gifted artist. What begins as a deep, almost fated friendship turns tragic when Mira dies suddenly, and Sona is left under suspicion—and with a final, life-altering request from her friend.

At its heart, this is a coming-of-age story steeped in atmosphere. India, under British rule, pulses with political tension, and Bombay is more than a setting—it has a pulse of its own. The novel distills a moment in time, where history brushes up against the lives of women forging their own paths.

Sona’s journey to honor Mira’s last wish leads her across Europe. What she uncovers is more than a mystery…it’s a quiet reckoning. A story of love, legacy, and learning to carry what’s left behind. A story about women, about discovery, about what we owe each other and what we owe ourselves. Just a beautiful and thought provoking read!

I loved the Jaipur trilogy (even though I still need to read the last one!) and couldn’t wait to dive into Alka Joshi’s newest. In Six Days in Bombay, Joshi’s rich writing style creates an immersive reading experience. Her ability to transport readers to the vivid world of 1930s India truly brings the story to life.

The story follows nurse Sona’s as she befriends a famous painter Mira. Because of their friendship Sona is given the opportunity to go to Europe and embarks on a journey of self-discovery.

I went into Six Days in Bombay completely blind and was really glad I did!

If Alka Joshi writes it—I’m reading it! Thank you to NetGalley and Harlequin Trade Publishing for the advanced copy.

3.75……..I have wanted to read the Henna Artist for so long but never got around to it. I received an ARC of Six Days in Bombay and was excited to delve into a book written by Alka Joshi.

Sona was born to an English father and a Hindu mother. She grew up in Bombay in the 1930’s as a half-caste a blackie-white. She is a nurse, who has led a secluded life. She becomes very attached to Mira Novak, a famous painter. Mira sends her on a mission to Prague, Florence and Paris to deliver paintings to people from her past, allowing Sona to explore, venture out and see the world.

There were so many things I enjoyed about the book, the writing style, the relationship between Sona and Mira and the opportunity Mira gave Sona to travel and explore, the male relationships Sona had, especially the one between her and Dr. Stoddard. I enjoyed watching Sona’s character grow throughout the book by taking risks and stepping out of her comfort zone. While the chapters were long, at times I felt they ended abruptly. I wished Joshi delved deeper into the mixed race issues during that time. When I read the last word I turned the page expecting to read more, I was surprised it was the end.

Thank you NetGalley and Harlequin Trade Publishing/MIRA for an ARC of this book in exchange for an honest review. I am going to move up The Henna Artist on my list, and read it soon.

The main character of Alka Joshi's latest novel is a half Indian/half British nurse at the local hospital named Sona. The story is set during the 1930s while the British still occupied India. One of her patients is the famous painter Mira Novak who is admitted after a miscarriage. She is also biracial and the two become fast friends. Worldly Mira tells sheltered Sona of her of her exciting travels and encourages Sona to come with her. Sona does end up traveling the world, though now with the company she'd hoped. Along the way she meets Mira friends, and learns about the world around her and also herself.

I enjoyed this book, but not as much as I did The Henna Artist trilogy. The settings and descriptions were spot on. The historical tidbits made the setting come to life, but didn't overshadow the story. But poor Sona was so innocent it seemed like she lived under a rock when she wasn't at work. And even at work she didn't see what was in front of her. Many of the things that happened to her seemed a little too convenient.

Don't get me wrong, I was rooting for her the entire time, and I'm happy things worked out for her as they did. The story just seemed to plod along at its measured pace. When the climax came, it seemed a much simpler answer despite all the effort Sona had put in. I'm glad she found what she was looking for.

Six Days in Bombay was a tad slow for me, but also steady-paced, filled with fascinating sights explained throughout the book. The audiobook narration added a to the journey and experience, making the characters and settings quite interesting. It was like taking a trip to all the places along with the characters. While the story took its time to unfold, the topics it explored kept me intrigued too.

The book dives into themes of identity, friendship, and the search for belonging, all set against the beautiful backdrop of Bombay and beyond. It touches on the complexities of cultural intersections and the struggles of women navigating societal expectations. The narrative also weaves in a bit of mystery and self-discovery, which creates emotions and revelations.

Though the pacing wasn’t as up to speed as I would have liked, the depth of the story and the thought-provoking themes made me continue to explore the journey. If you’re in the mood for a reflective and collective tale, this one might just be for you.

Alka Joshi does it again! 5 glowing stars! I am incredibly familiar with this author, as I have read and dearly loved the entire Jaipur Trilogy (which I highly recommend if you have not read it yet). Six Days in Bombay is a sweeping, emotional novel of mystery, adventure, and self-discovery. Once again Joshi’s incredible storytelling does not disappoint!

Sona is a young Anglo-Indian nurse living with her mother and working at a hospital in Bombay in the 1930’s. Her new patient is the infamous painter named Mira Novak who is admitted after having a miscarriage. Mira is also half Indian and the two develop a close friendship over the course of a week while Mira is in hospital under Sona’s care. Sona is enraptured by Mira’s stories of her exciting, salacious travels through Europe. After an unspeakable tragedy occurs, Sona finds herself in trouble and must set off on an unexpected solo quest across Europe to seek answers to a mystery and attempt to clear her name. Along the way, Sona encounters many characters, learns of political unrest throughout Europe, experiences the first potential romance of her young life, and tries to come to terms with her own Anglo-Indian identity and history of her English father who deserted her and her mother in India when she was a small child.

I absolutely LOVED this book! It was incredible to learn that the character of Mira Novak was inspired by a real painter of Indian Art from the 1930’s named Amrita Sher-Gil. Alka Joshi’s rich, vivid descriptions and miraculous storytelling transport the reader in both time and place. The authentic history and politics weaved throughout the book really help set the scene, showing a different perspective of the 1930’s without becoming the main focus. It felt as if I were right there with Sona as she experienced the most joyful and tragic moments of her life in such a short time frame. I really connected with Sona as a character and felt deeply for her. The relationships she had with both Mira and her mother felt genuine and loving. It was fun, although stressful at times, to watch her grow and venture out into the world. I was really hoping she would get the happy ending she deserved. However, I never would have guessed this ending and it very much caught me by surprise – absolutely in a good way!

Alka Joshi is one of my favorite authors of all time and I could not be more thrilled to have read this book in advance. I highly recommend it to anyone and everyone! Thank you to NetGalley, Alka Joshi, and Harlequin Trade Publishing for the gifted ARC in an exchange for an honest review.

“…a famous painter, a quest across 5 cities, a journey of self discovery.”

Personal review: ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️

If Alka Joshi writes it - I’m buying it! I had the absolute pleasure of seeing her speak a few years ago at the @leelibraryfest when she was in the early stages of Six Days in Bombay, and while I wanted to continue the Henna Trilogy and live in that work with Laksmi, it was easy to slip into Sona and Mira’s timeline! Alka has such a fabulous way with words, creating atmospheric and immersive novels, that are true escapism. There is a huge plot twist that I wish they would have left out of the summary, and while I know it drives the plot, I would have loved to been blind to this, so go in blind! I loved seeing Sona’s journey through self discovery and honestly felt like this book was a trip for me around the world! Alka Joshi is simply the best, and the literary world is better because of her!

Synopsis: When renowned painter Mira Novak arrives at Wadia hospital in Bombay after a miscarriage, she's expected to make a quick recovery, and her nurse, Sona, is excited to learn more about the vivacious artist who shares her half-Indian identity. Sona, yearning for a larger life, finds herself carried away by Mira's stories of her travels and exploits and is shocked by accounts of the many lovers the painter has left scattered throughout Europe. When Mira dies quite suddenly and mysteriously, Sona falls under suspicion, and her quiet life is upended.

The key to proving Sona's innocence may lie in a cryptic note and four paintings Mira left in her care, sending the young woman on a mission to visit the painter's former friends and lovers across a tumultuous Europe teetering toward war. On the precipice of discovering her own identity, Sona learns that the painter's charming facade hid a far more complicated, troubled soul.