4 stars

This book is an unexpected treat: unassuming but unwaveringly engaging.

Durga arrives in Ireland from India to take a new job and - more importantly - blaze a trail for her family...especially her three siblings. She comes with minimal expectations but finds herself grappling with romance, loss, friendship, and especially herself throughout her experience. A shocking event coincides with a trip home, and when Durga reunites with her family, she finds that they know her less than ever and that maybe she can have an unexpected impact on every one of them.

This book is billed first as romance, and while there are romantic relationships, they are not the star of this show. Durga's growth and the coming-of-age aspect are the clear joint standouts. I really enjoyed reading about Durga's journey, her evolving relationship with Joy, and especially her changing relationships with family. I'm a sucker for sibling-centered narratives, and this one delivers in a fulfilling way.

This is my first book by this author, and it will not be my last. With just this one read, Bose is now on my you write it/I'll read it list. I recommend this one to folks looking for a strong character in an unassuming package.

“I Will Blossom Anyway” by Disha Bose
Expectations Everywhere
For me this was not an entertaining read. It seemed like everyone was living with the pain of expectations. The expectations of culture, family, friends, self, in a changing world. This story has the possibility of being the basis of a very lively book club discussion. Happy Reading ! !

** spoiler alert **

⭐️⭐️⭐️

I Will Blossom Anyway is a heartfelt and inspiring read that clearly comes from a place of vulnerability and resilience. The author’s voice is genuine, and the message of pushing through adversity is powerful and relatable. There are several moments that really shine and offer encouragement to anyone feeling stuck or struggling.

At times it felt like Bose threw too many different topics in to the story which made it feel cluttered and overwhelming

That said, parts of the book felt a bit repetitive, and some sections could have benefited from tighter editing or more structure. While the rawness is part of its charm, there needs to be a trigger warning with this book. Sudden loss is a big part of the story and it totally caught me off guard.

Overall, it’s a meaningful read with an uplifting message, even if it doesn't fully bloom on every page.

I received an ARC of this book from NetGalley and the publisher in exchange for an honest review. All thoughts and opinions are my own.

Thanks to NetGalley for the ARC. I Will Blossom Anyway was a decent read for me. It was a bit slow, but overall I mostly enjoyed it. It was a story of self-discovery more than a romance.

The author did a great job showing life for a young Indian woman who agrees to be transferred to a job in Cork, Ireland. The contrast between her life in Ireland and her home in India was fascinating. In Ireland, she has clandestine relationships with men, and her best friend is a gay woman. At home in India, she wants to rebel against arranged marriages, suspecting that her sister's upcoming arranged marriage is doomed. There is little privacy and a lot of family interference. I enjoyed reading about how Durga decides what she wants to do with her life, and I was surprised by how the book ended for both her and other members of her family. It was also interesting to see her family's reaction to her decisions and how she was advised by them. I think this could be a good choice for book discussion groups.

Thank you so Netgalley and Penguin Random House for the ARC.

This is my first Disha Bose.
This book is a beautiful coming of age read.

This book will remind you that family is family no matter what.

After reading this book, I want to eat KFC chicken and watch Runaway Bride.

Oh...and this book really makes me want to take a trip to Ireland!

3.5 stars rounded up. A subtle, reflective novel about an Indian woman living in Ireland while trying to create her own identity. Torn between her Indian roots and perceived familial expectations, Durga is trying to experience the freedom her life in Ireland brings. As she navigates through various situations, she realizes she never had to choose one over the other and she isn’t the only person who has grown - her family has too.

Thanks to NetGalley and the publisher for the arc.

Thank you to @netgalley for the advanced copy!!

I would give I Will Blossom Anyway 3⭐️s. I liked the characters and the settings in Ireland and India. I loved learning more about Indian food and wedding culture. The story was a little all over for me. I felt like there wasn’t a connection with some parts. Overall, I liked the story and how Durga came to know herself.

A young girl from India living in beautiful Ireland. Living with her best friend Joy, in a two year relationship with Jacob Joys brother. Durga should be happy with her new life.. it all changes for Durga with her sisters wedding coming up she is taking her friend joy to the wedding instead of a boyfriend Jacob.Durga has never told her parents that she has been seeing Jacob for two years. He is not Indian. He is a mixed race, Irish and black, and she feels her family would not understand. With that being said and pushing the issue and being a coward to her they break up, really hard thing Durga to get over because not too long after they break up Jacob dies suddenly. This turns not only .Durgas life upside down, but it also causes friction between her and Joy. Durga does go home for Sister’s wedding only to be caught in the middle of where do I belong? Feeling she has lost everything in Ireland she is considering going to India permanently. Should she do this? She is really at a crossroads and must decide what she’s going to do without her life.

I did so enjoy this book. I love the way. It was written the character and what she went through to find her herself. There was a real struggle for. Durga because she didn’t want to tell her family about Jacob yet she couldn’t stand the thought of her parents trying to set her up and get her married off like her sister. I also like this book is that it gave you so many views about life back in India. How marriages are reached and why they are done this way. There is always a fairytale ending for many.Durga finally does tell her father about Jacob. She realizes she must do some soul-searching for herself.
I like that she did not just settle that. She wanted to live her life on her own terms and not make everybody happy. She needed to be happy for herself to be on her own and make Ireland home and finally belong someplace.

I would definitely recommend this book to my friends. It’s a great story of someone looking for the good in themselves and being able to respect themselves and make a life for themselves. Thank you. NetGalley and Random house Publishing for the ARC. Thank you Disha Bose for beautiful written story.

I Will Blossom Anyway is the second book from Disha Bose that I've read. Centered around an Indian woman living in America, the story brings to light the concept of arranged marriages, freedom of choice, and the impact of circumstances outside your control. While more on the gentle and humorous side, there is a lovely poignancy that reflects throughout the pages. Death can surprise you. But so can a slowly burgeoning love that may not be what you expected but is what you needed. Imagine feeling different yet struggling with how to meet the expectations of many people in your life whom you've possibly let retain too much control? A memorable trip home to India. Blind dating humor. And tests to the bonds of friendship. I loved the reality of all the relationships, some good and some bad. It was a little slow-moving at times, and a few of the scenes felt forced to fit the overall plot rather than the natural actions of characters. I didn't like the early death one of person who had more story to tell - perhaps it was a one-sided narration and so it was meant to be that way... kind of like life taking someone from you without understanding why. So in that case, it's spot on... but it was just missing a few things to move to 5 stars for me. Still a recommended read.

This book was good, but kind of wrongly marketed? It's much more of a "coming of age" story than a romance. It's definitely good either way; I just want to save people the trouble, lol. 3.5 stars rounded up!

Durga, a young woman from India, left her family for a job in Ireland. She finds herself stuck between 2 the two worlds, her feet not firmly planted in either. In India, she had the comfort and familiarity of her family and their culture but in Ireland she finds love and friendship and a life firmly her own. As in real life, things don't always go according to our plans and there are bumps in the road but ultimately, I Will Blossom Anyway is a story about find your way and place in the world.

Thank you to NetGalley and the publisher for the arc. This is a coming of age story, not quite a romance. It was just fine, but I found it incredibly hard to get through and didn't get invested.

This booked had romance vibes, but was more so a "coming of age" despite Durga being an adult. Durga beating things to death got on my nerves, but I guess that's part of her character growing and maturing.

An easy and enjoyable book when you are looking for something that is somewhat lightweight, yet contains just enough meat to keep you interested all the way through to the end. A cross cultural story involving Durga, a single Bengali woman who has struck it out on her own in Ireland while her family weaves through life with their own intrigues. Durga interacts and becomes close to several Irish locals who themselves have their own cultural mixes adding to a melange of traditions and beliefs. It never gets too heavy and weighty even though there are several serious matters they all must contend with. I really appreciate that the author addresses all of these situations as conflicts and celebrations that belong to the characters without trying to preach to the reader or throw some sort of a guilt trip our way. If anything, these are not just facets of what the characters are experiencing, but a fascinating glimpse for us who might not be so familiar with them to learn a little about traditions. Traditions that are still somewhat a part of these families, yet we get to see them evolve as various circumstances force everyone to look at other perspectives.

There's plenty of romance in this story and it's tastefully presented. The relationships and how they intertwine with other various characters is what's important here. While Durga's relationships take centerstage, there are several others we get to see evolve and sometimes dissolve. Basically, the story is about how Durga goes out on her own and blossoms into her own true being.

An interesting book when you want something lighter that will still capture your interest. Would make for a good beach read. I like something like this between two heavier works. It allows my mind to be entertained and involved without weighing me down or exhausting my brain.

Oh, and this book made me hungry! Yes, there's food involved and it all sounded to tempting.

Thanks to NetGalley for a copy of the eBook in lieu of a review.

Durga leaves her family in India to move to Ireland. She hopes to find a life very different from what her family wants and expects from her. And though she loves them dearly and misses them,, she also loves her new independence. She finds love and friendship and a life very different than she expected.

Ms. Bose has written a lovely story that really touched my heart. Her book is well written and I hope it finds the audience it deserves. I highly recommend it.

THIS BOOK. I loved it so much. It’s a quiet book. Even though there’s big life events, there were no twists, turns, build ups etc. It felt like I was listening to a new friend tell me the familiar story of their lives and it warmed my heart. I would read it again, which is rare for me, the same way I’d listen to my friends tell me a childhood story again. The writing is beautiful, simple but emotional. I can’t wait to read more books by Disha Bose.

I Will Blossom Anyway has a bit of a Sally Rooney vibe.Durga is a young Indian woman who has left her family for a job in Ireland. She is somewhat stuck between 2 worlds, not quite comfortable in either one. In India, she has the comfort of family, food, and maids. In Ireland she has found love and a best friend, although her family does not know about the love. There are surprising plot twists along the way, but the book is mostly focused on Durga's journey to find where she belongs and who she is.

Disha Bose’s I Will Blossom Anyway is an evocative and deeply moving novel that explores the intricate balance between family expectations, self-identity, and the unrelenting pressures of modern life. With relatable, dynamic characters and exquisite sensory details, Bose crafts a narrative that feels both personal and universal, leaving readers reflecting on their own journeys of self-discovery and self-love.

At the heart of the novel is a protagonist who embodies the struggles of many—juggling societal norms, familial obligations, and personal aspirations while attempting to carve out her own space in the world. Bose masterfully develops her characters, making them feel like close friends or even reflections of ourselves. Their triumphs and failures resonate on an emotional level, allowing readers to connect deeply with their stories.

One of the novel’s strongest elements is its use of sensory details and lush descriptions. Whether it’s the scent of fresh rain on a quiet morning, the chaotic hum of a family gathering, or the internal tug-of-war between tradition and independence, Bose’s writing pulls readers into each scene with immersive, vivid prose. Every setting, emotion, and conversation feels alive, making the book difficult to put down.

Beyond its poetic storytelling, I Will Blossom Anyway is a testament to resilience and self-acceptance. It offers a compelling exploration of how to handle the expectations of family while nurturing one's own dreams and identity. Through heartbreak, growth, and moments of profound realization, the novel emphasizes that true happiness starts with loving oneself. The theme of self-love is seamlessly woven into the narrative, serving as a powerful reminder that we must embrace our flaws, celebrate our strengths, and acknowledge our worth.

For readers who appreciate stories about personal transformation, family complexities, and the courage it takes to bloom in one’s own way, I Will Blossom Anyway is a must-read. It’s a beautifully written novel that stays with you long after the final page—a love letter to anyone who has ever struggled to find their place in the world but dared to flourish nonetheless.

I would not qualify this as a romance book but one about self discovery. Durga lives in Ireland after leaving her large family in India. She is shy and has social anxiety. She is attracted to one of her co-workers, Jacob, and ends up renting part of her apartment to his sister, Joy. Joy becomes her best friend and she enters a two year relationship with Jacob. This is not what the novel is about though. The novel starts with her break-up with Jacob. They broke up because she is embarrassed to tell her family about Jacob since he is mixed race. I don't want to spoil the novel but then something shocking happens and the rest of the novel is about Durga trying to find her way.

This was only OK to me. It felt very slow and honestly I really didn't want to read about someones break up. The book did get better near the end. I really like the Durga at the end of the story and I enjoyed reading about her sister Tia. I just wish this book wasn't as sad as it was for the majority of the book because the ending was good.

Thank you to Ballantine Books and NetGalley for this ARC.