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Anagram Destiny
Fans of Namrata Patel’s Scent of a Garden will melt for Grishma Shah’s characters as they confront their pasts and must find a way to both the Indian and the American Dream under the shadow of terrorism.
When Aanya arrives in India, ready for a new beginning, she is in awe of the glitz and glamour of expat living. But on her very first day, in the still of her apartment, tears salt her welcome cake. The cake is supposed to be a celebration, a symbol of her career accomplishments, a salute to her triumphs—and yet she has never felt more alone, not even on her darkest days.
Luckily, when she pitches her work to Abhimanyu, the self-made, down-to-earth Director of Events at the Taj Palace Hotel in Mumbai, he is charmed. But before Aanya can find the strength to reciprocate, she is thrust into reconciling her a coming of age at a roadside motel in Georgia, where her Indian-immigrant parents and their best friends manifest the American dream by turning over a thirty-four-room motel as their children, Aanya and Ayaan, develop a bond and fate as entwined as their anagrammed names. Now, in Mumbai, thousands of miles from home, can the fear of another loss help Aanya move forward?
When Aanya arrives in India, ready for a new beginning, she is in awe of the glitz and glamour of expat living. But on her very first day, in the still of her apartment, tears salt her welcome cake. The cake is supposed to be a celebration, a symbol of her career accomplishments, a salute to her triumphs—and yet she has never felt more alone, not even on her darkest days.
Luckily, when she pitches her work to Abhimanyu, the self-made, down-to-earth Director of Events at the Taj Palace Hotel in Mumbai, he is charmed. But before Aanya can find the strength to reciprocate, she is thrust into reconciling her a coming of age at a roadside motel in Georgia, where her Indian-immigrant parents and their best friends manifest the American dream by turning over a thirty-four-room motel as their children, Aanya and Ayaan, develop a bond and fate as entwined as their anagrammed names. Now, in Mumbai, thousands of miles from home, can the fear of another loss help Aanya move forward?
- GenresFiction
320 pages, Paperback
Published September 3, 2024
25 people are currently reading
122 people want to read
About the author
Grishma Shah
2 books10 followersGrishma Shah was inspired to write this story not only as a daughter of Indian immigrants who spent part of her childhood growing up in motels/convenience stores but also as an expert on culture and globalization. After spending years as an academic in New York City publishing, researching, traveling, and teaching, she believes that nothing educates, enlightens, informs, or propels us forward like a good story, which is why she moonlights as a storyteller. Shah works in New York City and lives in Monroe Township, New Jersey, with her husband and two daughters.
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 38 reviews
June 18, 2024
Grishma Shah writes an achingly beautiful story of lost love, written in dynamic tension with the unfolding of a new one. Shah writes Aanya’s story with wisdom and compassion while deftly guiding us through Indian culture. Her bright and visceral descriptions make the novel sing.
The story skillfully threads a narrative of immigrant families and a homage to parents who sacrifice their homeland for the possibility of something more. Shah artfully weaves the tension of old culture and new culture in thought-provoking detail.
While Anagram Destiny takes us on a journey through loss and grief, it is ultimately a compelling story of hope and of second chances.
The story skillfully threads a narrative of immigrant families and a homage to parents who sacrifice their homeland for the possibility of something more. Shah artfully weaves the tension of old culture and new culture in thought-provoking detail.
While Anagram Destiny takes us on a journey through loss and grief, it is ultimately a compelling story of hope and of second chances.
June 30, 2024
I loved this book! Aanya is such an interesting protagonist and I loved learning more and more about her past through the book. My favorite character is definitely Ayaan. His humor makes him so lovable. By far my favorite parts of the book were watching him and Aanya grow up. Abhi was also a great character—I loved his charisma. Overall, this book is excellent. I recommend it!
June 29, 2024
It was such a good book. Well written and smart plotline!!! Absolutely perfect!!!
January 17, 2025
This was beautiful
November 19, 2024
This book is a page turner! You will fall in love with Aanya and Ayaan and smile through their love story and cry as well. Beautifully weaves in parts of history through their lives. Definitely read this book!!
February 23, 2025
Anagram Destiny is a deeply moving debut exploring love, loss, and resilience. Rich cultural heritage and quiet moments of understanding and compassion propel the characters on an endearing journey of self-forgiveness, healing, and the possibility of finding love and happiness in unexpected ways. A breathtaking tribute to the power of human connection.
September 16, 2024
What an incredible story! What I love most about this book is how vividly the characters come to life. Aanya’s purity and determination, Ayaan’s loyalty and gratitude, and Abhi’s charm and grit all left a lasting impression on me. While I have deep love and appreciation for these main characters, it’s the remarkable secondary characters that truly give the story its heart and soul. Aanya and Ayaan’s parents, in particular—hardworking, stoic, and close-knit—were among my favorites.
Though it’s the kind of story you can completely lose yourself in, I found myself pausing often—beautiful moments where I cried, reflected, or whispered a prayer. This is a love story with layers, filled with unexpected twists and turns that kept me wanting more. The themes of grief, guilt, friendship, immigration, and true love were handled with such care and depth.
As a white American with limited knowledge of Indian traditions, I also deeply appreciated the cultural immersion. I learned new words, gained insights into historical events, and felt connected to a rich cultural experience. This is a book that will stay in my heart forever, and I encourage everyone to read it.
Though it’s the kind of story you can completely lose yourself in, I found myself pausing often—beautiful moments where I cried, reflected, or whispered a prayer. This is a love story with layers, filled with unexpected twists and turns that kept me wanting more. The themes of grief, guilt, friendship, immigration, and true love were handled with such care and depth.
As a white American with limited knowledge of Indian traditions, I also deeply appreciated the cultural immersion. I learned new words, gained insights into historical events, and felt connected to a rich cultural experience. This is a book that will stay in my heart forever, and I encourage everyone to read it.
September 26, 2024
Great book that beautifully captures the immigrant experience.
May 1, 2024
Aanya and Ayaan are endearing characters who immediately grab your heart and attention. Yet theirs is more than a simple love story; woven across continents and decades, it encompasses the real-life impact of terrorism, the nuances of cultural identity, the arc of grief, and the possibility that one can reinvent oneself. A book you won’t quickly forget.
September 30, 2024
In a complex, often dark, sometimes terrifying world, it is good to know we can take comfort in new love, that the heartaches of adulthood have roots in tender youth, and that there are storytellers, like Grishma Shah, ready to capture both the hard reality of our world and the sweet bonds that hold us together.
October 28, 2024
Anagram Destiny was read by my book club and everyone agreed that it was an excellent read. It was a heartfelt, suspenseful love story told amidst the backdrop of life changing historical events. This book gives a glimpse into the life of a Second Generation Indian immigrant woman and how she navigates success, loss and love during the late twentieth century. I highly recommend this book!
October 9, 2024
This is such a beautifully written story! Light hearted at times, and deep and emotional at other times. As a daughter of immigrant parents, this was a very relatable story and I loved how the author blended the two cultures together!
November 13, 2024
An engrossing tale of love, loss, hope and the human spirit skillfully told through interwoven stories in an ode to the Indian American dream. I loved it.
January 21, 2025
Anagram Destiny, by Grishma Shah, is both a beautifully written debut novel and a much needed story at a time when immigrants, people of color, and other marginalized communities are coming under increasing pressures and prejudices, largely due to ignorance. Shah lyrically weaves a tale of love and tragedy, struggle and triumph, survival and healing. It’s not only about the immigrant experience, but about second chances.
Aanya, the female protagonist, is the daughter of Gujarati immigrants who run a motel along the I-95 in Georgia. She grows up in this motel in the 80s, side by side with her best friend, Ayaan, whose name is an anagram of hers. In 2008 Mumbai, Aanya has just moved overseas for a job opportunity and we watch that part of her story unfold as we learn of her coming of age in the earlier timeline. As the novel progresses, we slowly see how the two timelines are interconnected, as her life plays out against a rapidly globalizing world and is overshadowed by terrorism.
In many ways, this book is also an immersive lesson for readers about Indian culture and the Indian immigrant experience in the United States. Shah has helpfully included a glossary of Gujarati and Hindi words in both the ebook and hardback editions, and the audiobook is beautifully and authentically narrated by Sutheshna Mani. She also sings the traditional mantra and songs included in the story, and I found them so lovely. Additionally, Shah provides historical context and book club questions at the end of the book. As someone who knew precious little about this culture before reading the book, I enjoyed leaning on these extras and learning more. I was reminded just how truly universal our humanity is and how pervasive cultural misunderstanding is. I highly recommend this book to all readers, teenage and up, and give it 5 grateful stars. ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️
Thank you to the author for the audiobook and ebook in exchange for an honest review. 🙏🏻🙏🏻🙏🏻
Aanya, the female protagonist, is the daughter of Gujarati immigrants who run a motel along the I-95 in Georgia. She grows up in this motel in the 80s, side by side with her best friend, Ayaan, whose name is an anagram of hers. In 2008 Mumbai, Aanya has just moved overseas for a job opportunity and we watch that part of her story unfold as we learn of her coming of age in the earlier timeline. As the novel progresses, we slowly see how the two timelines are interconnected, as her life plays out against a rapidly globalizing world and is overshadowed by terrorism.
In many ways, this book is also an immersive lesson for readers about Indian culture and the Indian immigrant experience in the United States. Shah has helpfully included a glossary of Gujarati and Hindi words in both the ebook and hardback editions, and the audiobook is beautifully and authentically narrated by Sutheshna Mani. She also sings the traditional mantra and songs included in the story, and I found them so lovely. Additionally, Shah provides historical context and book club questions at the end of the book. As someone who knew precious little about this culture before reading the book, I enjoyed leaning on these extras and learning more. I was reminded just how truly universal our humanity is and how pervasive cultural misunderstanding is. I highly recommend this book to all readers, teenage and up, and give it 5 grateful stars. ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️
Thank you to the author for the audiobook and ebook in exchange for an honest review. 🙏🏻🙏🏻🙏🏻
May 17, 2024
Aanya is a smart and savvy main character of Indian heritage, who grew up in the American South, where her parents worked a series of motels. Her family isn’t wealthy, but they use what they have to support a community of other recent immigrants. They’ve taught Aanya many values around community and resiliency that will prove much needed.
Anagram Destiny is a dual-timeline tale of Aanya’s two great romances, both timeless and somewhat tragic, sweeping across two continents.
Spanning decades, Anagram Destiny interweaves past and present with the heartbreaking reality of the terrorism on our fragile lives. The novel tackles tough topics of loss and grief, what we owe our parents, and how culture and family forms our perspective through key life moments.
The novel opens with the main character in her early thirties, arriving for an assignment from her tech company based in Gurgaon, India. She’s an American who’s never lived in India, and she’s surprised to find this fancy part of Delhi to be full of upscale hotels, apartments, and glamour. But she’s also running away — from an untold heartache. When she feels a connection with Abhimanyu, a hotel manager based in Mumbai, she questions whether she’s ready for love.
As the story unfolds, the author weaves together narratives of earlier immigrant generations and their different journeys to the US. She captures well the nuances of the sacrifices, the pain and the joy those parents experienced, seeking a better safer future for their kids.
Complex, thought-provoking, original, and unpredictable, Anagram Destiny is a testimonial to the struggle, resiliency, and triumphs of a generation of immigrants.
The novel also effectively raises a key question. In this life, can have more than one true soulmate?
Anagram Destiny is a dual-timeline tale of Aanya’s two great romances, both timeless and somewhat tragic, sweeping across two continents.
Spanning decades, Anagram Destiny interweaves past and present with the heartbreaking reality of the terrorism on our fragile lives. The novel tackles tough topics of loss and grief, what we owe our parents, and how culture and family forms our perspective through key life moments.
The novel opens with the main character in her early thirties, arriving for an assignment from her tech company based in Gurgaon, India. She’s an American who’s never lived in India, and she’s surprised to find this fancy part of Delhi to be full of upscale hotels, apartments, and glamour. But she’s also running away — from an untold heartache. When she feels a connection with Abhimanyu, a hotel manager based in Mumbai, she questions whether she’s ready for love.
As the story unfolds, the author weaves together narratives of earlier immigrant generations and their different journeys to the US. She captures well the nuances of the sacrifices, the pain and the joy those parents experienced, seeking a better safer future for their kids.
Complex, thought-provoking, original, and unpredictable, Anagram Destiny is a testimonial to the struggle, resiliency, and triumphs of a generation of immigrants.
The novel also effectively raises a key question. In this life, can have more than one true soulmate?
January 20, 2025
This captivating novel masterfully intertwines a poignant love story with a profound exploration of the immigrant experience, paying homage to a generation that sacrificed so their children could soar. At its heart, it’s a tale of reconciling the past and finding the strength to embrace the future.
When Aanya, a high-achieving professional, arrives in Mumbai, the allure of her new life as an expat is quickly undercut by an overwhelming sense of isolation. The contrast between her glittering surroundings and her inner loneliness sets the stage for a deeply emotional journey.
Her encounter with Abhimanyu, the charming and grounded Director of Events at the iconic Taj Palace Hotel, offers a glimmer of hope. Yet, before she can fully open her heart, Aanya is pulled back into memories of her childhood, where her immigrant parents’ sacrifices and the bonds forged in a Georgia roadside motel shaped her identity and her fears of loss.
Through vivid storytelling and richly drawn characters, the novel captures the duality of immigrant life: the longing for belonging and the resilience required to navigate two worlds. Aanya’s journey is as much about love and healing as it is about honoring the struggles and triumphs of those who came before her.
This soul-warming tale beautifully balances the glitter of Mumbai’s high society with the grit and dreams of a working-class immigrant family. It is both a tribute to the American and Indian Dreams and a reminder of the enduring strength of the human spirit. A must-read for anyone who loves stories that blend heart, history, and hope.
When Aanya, a high-achieving professional, arrives in Mumbai, the allure of her new life as an expat is quickly undercut by an overwhelming sense of isolation. The contrast between her glittering surroundings and her inner loneliness sets the stage for a deeply emotional journey.
Her encounter with Abhimanyu, the charming and grounded Director of Events at the iconic Taj Palace Hotel, offers a glimmer of hope. Yet, before she can fully open her heart, Aanya is pulled back into memories of her childhood, where her immigrant parents’ sacrifices and the bonds forged in a Georgia roadside motel shaped her identity and her fears of loss.
Through vivid storytelling and richly drawn characters, the novel captures the duality of immigrant life: the longing for belonging and the resilience required to navigate two worlds. Aanya’s journey is as much about love and healing as it is about honoring the struggles and triumphs of those who came before her.
This soul-warming tale beautifully balances the glitter of Mumbai’s high society with the grit and dreams of a working-class immigrant family. It is both a tribute to the American and Indian Dreams and a reminder of the enduring strength of the human spirit. A must-read for anyone who loves stories that blend heart, history, and hope.
June 13, 2025
“This was what she wanted-a new beginning in a new place, a challenge unfettered by the prickling pain of the past.”
- Grishma Shah, Anagram Destiny
Aanya relocates to Gurgaon as TechLogically sent her to India on a company assignment to expand its operations. Abhimanyu, the charismatic Director of events, Taj Mahal Palace Hotel makes her feel instantly comfortable in a land that made her stomach churn with uneasiness. Destiny has not been kind to her in the past. But will it give Aanya a second chance in life or will she be a yet another face of an unforgettable tragedy?
Grishma illustrates the cultural nuances and sense of identity gently embodying them into her characters. The story is firmly rooted in the Indian soil coloured by personal and social tragedies that changed the course of events. The flashbacks that portray the backstory of Aanya and the male protagonists adds a layer of intrigue in the minds of the readers. The intersecting narratives reveal the hidden connections between the characters, gradually building a tapestry of shared histories and emotional depth. The well-crafted interactions built around the emotion of love, incite a deep sense of connection, vulnerability and trust that lingers long after the transient moment has passed. The sense of displacement and yearning for belonging felt by an immigrant in a foreign land has been delicately interwoven in the plot.
'Anagram Destiny' is a poignant exploration of love, loss and often overlooked moments that go unnoticed in the upbeat urban cities amid the rigorous grind of life. The core of the story is not terrorism but spirituality that is synonymous to the resilience of human spirit.
- Grishma Shah, Anagram Destiny
Aanya relocates to Gurgaon as TechLogically sent her to India on a company assignment to expand its operations. Abhimanyu, the charismatic Director of events, Taj Mahal Palace Hotel makes her feel instantly comfortable in a land that made her stomach churn with uneasiness. Destiny has not been kind to her in the past. But will it give Aanya a second chance in life or will she be a yet another face of an unforgettable tragedy?
Grishma illustrates the cultural nuances and sense of identity gently embodying them into her characters. The story is firmly rooted in the Indian soil coloured by personal and social tragedies that changed the course of events. The flashbacks that portray the backstory of Aanya and the male protagonists adds a layer of intrigue in the minds of the readers. The intersecting narratives reveal the hidden connections between the characters, gradually building a tapestry of shared histories and emotional depth. The well-crafted interactions built around the emotion of love, incite a deep sense of connection, vulnerability and trust that lingers long after the transient moment has passed. The sense of displacement and yearning for belonging felt by an immigrant in a foreign land has been delicately interwoven in the plot.
'Anagram Destiny' is a poignant exploration of love, loss and often overlooked moments that go unnoticed in the upbeat urban cities amid the rigorous grind of life. The core of the story is not terrorism but spirituality that is synonymous to the resilience of human spirit.
December 20, 2024
Anagram Destiny by Grishma Shah is nothing short of a masterpiece. This soul-warming love story weaves together the dreams and struggles of generations, paying homage to the immigrant experience with an authenticity that moved me to tears and laughter in equal measure.
Grishma's writing is as vibrant as it is heartfelt, painting vivid portraits of her characters and their journeys. Aanya's story, from the roadside motels of Georgia to the glitz of Mumbai, captures the essence of resilience, identity, and love in a way that feels deeply personal and universally relatable. The themes of family, loss, and rediscovery are handled with such nuance that I found myself savoring every page.
What sets this book apart is its ability to resonate on multiple levels. It’s not just a tale of finding love but also of finding oneself amidst the challenges of globalization and cultural identity. Grishma’s background in globalization and storytelling shines through, making this book as enlightening as it is engaging.
I wholeheartedly recommend Anagram Destiny to anyone looking for a story that stays with you long after the last page. This is a book that deserves to be read, cherished, and shared.
Grishma's writing is as vibrant as it is heartfelt, painting vivid portraits of her characters and their journeys. Aanya's story, from the roadside motels of Georgia to the glitz of Mumbai, captures the essence of resilience, identity, and love in a way that feels deeply personal and universally relatable. The themes of family, loss, and rediscovery are handled with such nuance that I found myself savoring every page.
What sets this book apart is its ability to resonate on multiple levels. It’s not just a tale of finding love but also of finding oneself amidst the challenges of globalization and cultural identity. Grishma’s background in globalization and storytelling shines through, making this book as enlightening as it is engaging.
I wholeheartedly recommend Anagram Destiny to anyone looking for a story that stays with you long after the last page. This is a book that deserves to be read, cherished, and shared.
January 31, 2025
Super easy read, but the inconsistencies in contraction use really annoyed me. The book flow could have been better. 75% of it was just ayaan and ayana's relationship. I think the love story of fifth graders was something I could have done without. I don't think they wrote realistic letters to each other, and I would much rather have read about how they sustained that love through high school and college. I do appreciate Shah showing us diverse upbringings of Indian Americans and Indians in general through the Gujurati motel families and Uganda. I also did not know about the Idi Amin expelling Indians from Uganda and have not read up on the Taj attacks either, so it was interesting to read fictional accounts of those incidents. I also appreciated learning about the Taj Group's practice of recruiting employees from villages and small towns-great way to find potential and revive economies.
July 1, 2024
Such an amazing book. Loved reading thro. the various important event in the 21st century that changed the world and shaped so many human lives. As a immigrant, this book struck a code with the experiences I had and how our lives changed with one event that shaped destiny of so many.
Loved the character of Aanya as a lead protagonist. She is such a strong and passionate character. I cried with her, felt the depth of her love and her suffering as if it was mine. Grishma has done such a wonderful job shaping her character, making her both strong and vulnerable at the same time. I was rooting for her thro. out the book and even though I felt there could not have been a better partner for her than Aayan, Abhi stole my heart with his grit and strong character strength.
Beautifully written book with strong characters. Will definitely recommend it.
Loved the character of Aanya as a lead protagonist. She is such a strong and passionate character. I cried with her, felt the depth of her love and her suffering as if it was mine. Grishma has done such a wonderful job shaping her character, making her both strong and vulnerable at the same time. I was rooting for her thro. out the book and even though I felt there could not have been a better partner for her than Aayan, Abhi stole my heart with his grit and strong character strength.
Beautifully written book with strong characters. Will definitely recommend it.
November 8, 2024
When I got my hands on the book, the size of it seemed incredibly daunting...And then I started reading.
I breezed through this book in a single day (would have taken less time, but it was a work day) and it had me hooked from the first sentence.
The book is heartbreaking, yet life-affirming, and I still cannot believe that this is the debut novel by Grishma Shah. The story is told in two time-periods about two separate love stories that carry similar narrative beats. But combined, they form one spellbinding narrative about love, loss, trauma, healing, and finding love again. A glorious emotional rollercoaster that takes you high, low and ends in a weird way back where it started.
HIGHLY recommend.
I breezed through this book in a single day (would have taken less time, but it was a work day) and it had me hooked from the first sentence.
The book is heartbreaking, yet life-affirming, and I still cannot believe that this is the debut novel by Grishma Shah. The story is told in two time-periods about two separate love stories that carry similar narrative beats. But combined, they form one spellbinding narrative about love, loss, trauma, healing, and finding love again. A glorious emotional rollercoaster that takes you high, low and ends in a weird way back where it started.
HIGHLY recommend.
July 29, 2025
Tbh the ending broke my heart and I would have rated this 5 stars without it, even though obviously not a perfect book. I think my biggest problem (that wasn’t gonna change my rating but still was unideal to me) was that the dialogue was just so clunky. It reminded me of Robin Cook’s characters dialogue where they sounded like robots and never used contractions. Yet the story of the childhood love woven throughout was so gripping and sweet that I viscerally felt it, to the point that I literally went and cried in the hospital hallway lol. I already miss this book now that it’s done, and I know the ending is “correct” and maybe it’s wrong of me but it felt unforgivable and devastating. I will cry again if I even think about it.
June 1, 2024
An extremely wholesome and heart warming novel. I grew attached to the main character Aanya and felt as if I was living alongside her throughout her journey. The storyline switched between present day and Aanya's childhood which left me yearning for more information as I was reading. But this also made the story uniquely unpredictable; as soon as I thought I knew how the novel would end, a curveball was thrown my way. I was at the edge of my seat and found myself teary eyed towards the end. I ended up finishing this book in three days!
January 3, 2025
I loved this book for so many reasons. It highlighted a part of history that is often untold. I found myself not only researching more about this part of history but also opening up conversations with my parents about their immigrant experience. The part I appreciated the most was the depth of emotions I felt for each character. It is rare to finish reading a novel and still think and talk about the characters as if they were real. Any book that can make me smile, laugh, and cry all in the same chapter is a keeper and one that I plan to have on my bookshelf for years to come.
May 22, 2025
Just finished Anagram Destiny by Grishma Shah and wow—what a beautiful, thought-provoking read. The way she weaves in identity, culture, and language is so powerful. The characters really stayed with me, especially how honestly the Indian immigrant experience is portrayed. It reminded me a bit of Jhumpa Lahiri, but with this really unique voice and concept around names and destiny. If you’re into books that make you reflect on who you are and where you come from, definitely add this to your list.
June 15, 2025
What a heartfelt and insightful story of love, loss, and resilience. I’m not of Indian descent, but I love exploring other cultures through historical fiction. This novel offered a glimpse into one family’s immigrant journey. The central love story is powerful on its own, but what really moved me was how it also traced the relationships of the main character’s parents and grandparents across generations.
I bought this book directly from Grishma Shah after hearing her speak at a women entrepreneur event, and I’m so glad I did. Highly recommend!
I bought this book directly from Grishma Shah after hearing her speak at a women entrepreneur event, and I’m so glad I did. Highly recommend!
June 14, 2024
Anagram Destiny is a poignant immigrant story that delves into the deep-seated pains prompting people to seek refuge in a new land. Through its vivid storytelling, I was transported to India, experiencing its rich sights, scents, sounds, culture, and architecture from the comfort of my living room. This novel is a profound exploration of love and grief, offering a heartfelt and immersive journey that stays with you after the last page is turned.
December 20, 2024
I really enjoyed this book. It is a story about love and loss, and the resilience to endure. And, a story about migrants who leave their past behind so they can build a new future for their children.
I thought the plot was well conceived, and I liked that the author didn't embellish the events in the novel - it gave them an authenticity and allowed the emotions to feel raw.
A beautiful first book that I highly recommend!
I thought the plot was well conceived, and I liked that the author didn't embellish the events in the novel - it gave them an authenticity and allowed the emotions to feel raw.
A beautiful first book that I highly recommend!
January 13, 2025
Grishma Shah has written a poignant, life-affirming love story. She has also composed a fascinating narrative that shines a beacon of light on an immigrant Indian-American community that runs roadside motels. Each portion of the novel is gripping and absorbingly told. Combined, Shah has created a brilliant novel that should appeal to all readers who enjoy great stories that celebrate characters you care about.
February 18, 2025
Good to read while traveling to India. The book starts off like a cheesy romance story but I soon loved the characters and the story. It provides good lesson on indian-hindi-american culture and several tragic events. I cried while reading a lot. Historical events are detailed and seem to be portrayed realistically. An important read. Could do without the cringe lovey stuff but bought into it so it was done well.
Displaying 1 - 30 of 38 reviews