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The Return Present
Two sisters. One contention. The price of being right at all costs.
In Balthazar House– a once regal family mansion - a battle of wills erupts. Ferangiz, the formidable matriarch and her excitable sister Farida go head-to-head in a fierce fight over the fate of Mehnaz – their home’s collective and beloved daughter.
So begins a love story of a very different kind. Superstition encounters conviction, independence counters devotion, rivalry rules the roost, grief finds its rage.
Who will triumph, what will be lost, what will the stars foretell…?
This is a novel about desire, dominance and enduring love. Most of all, that not everything precious can be owned.
In Balthazar House– a once regal family mansion - a battle of wills erupts. Ferangiz, the formidable matriarch and her excitable sister Farida go head-to-head in a fierce fight over the fate of Mehnaz – their home’s collective and beloved daughter.
So begins a love story of a very different kind. Superstition encounters conviction, independence counters devotion, rivalry rules the roost, grief finds its rage.
Who will triumph, what will be lost, what will the stars foretell…?
This is a novel about desire, dominance and enduring love. Most of all, that not everything precious can be owned.
299 pages, Paperback
Published March 31, 2025
About the author
Sonia Lakshman
1 book11 followersSonia Lakshman grew up in India to an English mother and Indian father and an irreverent DNA, coming to live in the UK aged 19 where she has lived ever since.
She started out working in the media, then sailed the stories of the soul as a career and leadership coach, now devoted to the mission for climate and nature – animals in particular.
She prefers dogs to cats, dancing over debating, likes salad and chips. One of her favourite words is
‘cosmos’ – you have to agree it’s a wondrous word.
This is her first novel.
She started out working in the media, then sailed the stories of the soul as a career and leadership coach, now devoted to the mission for climate and nature – animals in particular.
She prefers dogs to cats, dancing over debating, likes salad and chips. One of her favourite words is
‘cosmos’ – you have to agree it’s a wondrous word.
This is her first novel.
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 47 reviews
June 7, 2026
4.5 stars.
Sonia Lakshman kindly sent me a GIFTED copy of her novel, The Return Present, and what a wonderful gift it proved to be.
This compelling intergenerational novel transports its readers to India, as an emotional and entertaining tale of family dynamics plays out, with two, very different sisters, one widowed with three children, share the faded grandeur of the family home, Balthazar House.
Fiercely intelligent, formidable, and stubbornly independent, Ferangiz, is a teacher, and a woman with exceptionally rigorous standards and high expectations for her students and family members alike, whilst her sister, Farida, tiptoes round her trailing a permanent air of appeasement. She rather reminded me of Mrs Bennet in Pride and Prejudice, preoccupied with the inconsequential, seeking only to marry off as advantageously as she can, Mehnaz, her eldest child.
The only problem is, the role of mother to Mehnaz is very much a job share for Ferangiz and Farida, and Ferangiz's ambitions for Mehnaz are far more substantial than Farida’s. A clash between the sisters is inevitable, and the fallout is ferocious, when Mehnaz, equally as strong and stubborn as her mother and aunt, becomes blinded by first love.
Ferangiz is disappointed by Mehnaz's choices, but these two wome actually have more in common than they think, especially when it comes to being young and falling in love, hard and fast.
This is a story about dominance and rivalry; disappointment and rage; grief and loss; resilience, and a love which endures. It is beautifully written, with vivid imagery and gorgeous descriptions, which create a rich sense of place, and the characters are gloriously and realistically realised.
I especially enjoyed the narrator, with their truly distinctive and unforgettable voice, as they address the reader directly - rather like an actor breaking the fourth wall - with their little asides, and their cheeky, playful and perceptive commentary on events, as the novel's timeline rolls backwards and forwards between the late 1980s and earlier decades.
This beautiful, poignant, gently funny novel is satisfying, entertaining and refreshing, and I loved the moral that shines through its pages: that the really precious things in life cannot be owned, that we have to let themgo, and if we're meant to have them, they will make their way back to us...as a return present.
I can't wait to see what Sonia Lakshman will write next, and I, for one, shall definitely be reading it. In the meantime I wholeheartedly recommend this wonderful debut.
Sonia Lakshman kindly sent me a GIFTED copy of her novel, The Return Present, and what a wonderful gift it proved to be.
This compelling intergenerational novel transports its readers to India, as an emotional and entertaining tale of family dynamics plays out, with two, very different sisters, one widowed with three children, share the faded grandeur of the family home, Balthazar House.
Fiercely intelligent, formidable, and stubbornly independent, Ferangiz, is a teacher, and a woman with exceptionally rigorous standards and high expectations for her students and family members alike, whilst her sister, Farida, tiptoes round her trailing a permanent air of appeasement. She rather reminded me of Mrs Bennet in Pride and Prejudice, preoccupied with the inconsequential, seeking only to marry off as advantageously as she can, Mehnaz, her eldest child.
The only problem is, the role of mother to Mehnaz is very much a job share for Ferangiz and Farida, and Ferangiz's ambitions for Mehnaz are far more substantial than Farida’s. A clash between the sisters is inevitable, and the fallout is ferocious, when Mehnaz, equally as strong and stubborn as her mother and aunt, becomes blinded by first love.
Ferangiz is disappointed by Mehnaz's choices, but these two wome actually have more in common than they think, especially when it comes to being young and falling in love, hard and fast.
This is a story about dominance and rivalry; disappointment and rage; grief and loss; resilience, and a love which endures. It is beautifully written, with vivid imagery and gorgeous descriptions, which create a rich sense of place, and the characters are gloriously and realistically realised.
I especially enjoyed the narrator, with their truly distinctive and unforgettable voice, as they address the reader directly - rather like an actor breaking the fourth wall - with their little asides, and their cheeky, playful and perceptive commentary on events, as the novel's timeline rolls backwards and forwards between the late 1980s and earlier decades.
This beautiful, poignant, gently funny novel is satisfying, entertaining and refreshing, and I loved the moral that shines through its pages: that the really precious things in life cannot be owned, that we have to let themgo, and if we're meant to have them, they will make their way back to us...as a return present.
I can't wait to see what Sonia Lakshman will write next, and I, for one, shall definitely be reading it. In the meantime I wholeheartedly recommend this wonderful debut.
August 25, 2026
Sisters, daughters, love, family, heartbreak, and betrayal. It's all here wrapped up the gorgeous package that is Sonia Lakshman's debut novel THE RETURN PRESENT.
In Balthazar House–-a once regal family mansion in Poona, India--a battle of wills erupts. Ferangiz, the formidable matriarch and her excitable sister Farida go head-to-head in a fierce fight over the fate of Mehnaz, their home’s collective and beloved daughter. Menhaz falls in love and wishes to marry, as her biological mother Farida had hoped. But Ferangiz knows that love is fleeting and can break your heart. She dreams greater dreams for Menhaz--becoming a doctor.
Told from a third person, omniscient narrator, the story unfolds over months, then years. Superstition encounters conviction, independence counters devotion, rivalry rules the roost, grief finds its rage.
This is a beautifully written story filled with luscious imagery and loving descriptions, creating a strong sense of place and a rich atmosphere. The characters are well developed. We gradually uncover their past lives, what has brought these sisters together, and what Menhaz's future holds in store. The narrator is nearly its own character in the story with a distinctive voice and sly sense of humor.
My heart broke for the sisters, their sacrifices and their ultimate desire for Menhaz to be a whole woman no longer tied to the house. But as in life, the story doesn't offer easy resolutions to difficult questions.
I thoroughly enjoyed my time spent with this book and highly recommend it to readers for richly developed and nuanced character and strong women willing to for what they want and believe. It is not a propulsive, plot driven story if that is more to your liking.
Thank you to author Sonia Lakshman for my free copy of this amazing story!
In Balthazar House–-a once regal family mansion in Poona, India--a battle of wills erupts. Ferangiz, the formidable matriarch and her excitable sister Farida go head-to-head in a fierce fight over the fate of Mehnaz, their home’s collective and beloved daughter. Menhaz falls in love and wishes to marry, as her biological mother Farida had hoped. But Ferangiz knows that love is fleeting and can break your heart. She dreams greater dreams for Menhaz--becoming a doctor.
Told from a third person, omniscient narrator, the story unfolds over months, then years. Superstition encounters conviction, independence counters devotion, rivalry rules the roost, grief finds its rage.
This is a beautifully written story filled with luscious imagery and loving descriptions, creating a strong sense of place and a rich atmosphere. The characters are well developed. We gradually uncover their past lives, what has brought these sisters together, and what Menhaz's future holds in store. The narrator is nearly its own character in the story with a distinctive voice and sly sense of humor.
My heart broke for the sisters, their sacrifices and their ultimate desire for Menhaz to be a whole woman no longer tied to the house. But as in life, the story doesn't offer easy resolutions to difficult questions.
I thoroughly enjoyed my time spent with this book and highly recommend it to readers for richly developed and nuanced character and strong women willing to for what they want and believe. It is not a propulsive, plot driven story if that is more to your liking.
Thank you to author Sonia Lakshman for my free copy of this amazing story!
June 10, 2026
‘And because life has a way of bringing us things we least expect at the moments we least expect them, and because too what may seem like a death may in fact be a birth, it being necessary to leave what we know behind to make way for what we need to arrive…’
This family saga transported me to late 1990s India. I was engulfed by vivid descriptions and unapologetic use of metaphors, capturing the depth and detail that this plot deserves.
The story depicts grief, love, and pain on so many levels, focusing on each character in turn, making me feel like I’d gotten to know them personally. I’d find myself laughing over Manoj and Mehnaz falling in love, and aching for Ferangiz as she isolated herself from her family, the world and her tragic past.
For me the women were the pinnacle of this book- they were simultaneously powerful and fragile, and the plot highlights the struggles that women have been facing for centuries within south asian cultures. These characters were fierce in their differences yet blind to their interdependence. Witnessing the fractured relationship of the sisters Ferangiz and Farida was emotionally heavy and very moving. The dialogue was tense but the things left unsaid were deafening.
Grateful to have been gifted and experienced the journey within this book 💙
April 17, 2026
It’s 1988 in Poona, India and match making is on the minds of the two matriarchs of the all female household of Balthazar House. Farida and her older sister Ferangiz have lived in the crumbling large house since they were small children. They now live there with Farida’s daughters.
A meal is organised to introduce Farida’s eldest daughter to an eligible young man but a chance meeting at the house gates between the two young people before they’ve officially been properly introduced, means that the sparks of attraction are already well and truly alight.
This was a story of intergenerational family dynamics, of first love, loss, passion, grief, survival, anger and resilience.
A transporting and engaging book with a cast of strong female characters and I particularly enjoyed how in parts the narrator seemed to be speaking directly to me, the reader.
A very entertaining read.
Thank you so much for your generosity Sonia in sending me this beautiful book and the gorgeous writing set that accompanied it.
A meal is organised to introduce Farida’s eldest daughter to an eligible young man but a chance meeting at the house gates between the two young people before they’ve officially been properly introduced, means that the sparks of attraction are already well and truly alight.
This was a story of intergenerational family dynamics, of first love, loss, passion, grief, survival, anger and resilience.
A transporting and engaging book with a cast of strong female characters and I particularly enjoyed how in parts the narrator seemed to be speaking directly to me, the reader.
A very entertaining read.
Thank you so much for your generosity Sonia in sending me this beautiful book and the gorgeous writing set that accompanied it.
May 2, 2025
A little jewel of a book about everything that matters.
The most human of stories, shot through with laugh-out-loud, culturally-rich anecdotes. 🫶
The most human of stories, shot through with laugh-out-loud, culturally-rich anecdotes. 🫶
May 25, 2025
This wonderful book is beautifully written, capturing every detail. It is as if you are there, in India alongside the characters. It is an immersive and unforgettable read. I felt sad when I finished it.
May 6, 2025
A beautifully written page turner! Absolutely loved this book … could barely put it down. Plenty of laugh out load moments amongst all the intrigue and drama. The writing and voice is unique and so expressive and it made me feel I was right there with the characters in hubbub of India. Couldn’t wait to see how it all unfolded but sad when I finished it. Might just have to read it again! Highly recommend.
April 28, 2025
Magical! I loved it!
A beautiful story of love and loss, of lust and longing. You’re transported to India, giving the story a vivid and vibrant backdrop. Generations of women take centre stage - sisters, mothers, daughters, aunts - with all the complexity and tenderness that those relationships bring.
It’s got everything - love, sex, laughter, heartbreak. And it strikes this beautiful balance of being grounded and relatable, whilst also being a touch ethereal.
I devoured it in one sitting and immediately want to read it again!
A beautiful story of love and loss, of lust and longing. You’re transported to India, giving the story a vivid and vibrant backdrop. Generations of women take centre stage - sisters, mothers, daughters, aunts - with all the complexity and tenderness that those relationships bring.
It’s got everything - love, sex, laughter, heartbreak. And it strikes this beautiful balance of being grounded and relatable, whilst also being a touch ethereal.
I devoured it in one sitting and immediately want to read it again!
July 14, 2026
💬”Love isn’t complicated. Don’t believe it when anyone says that. It’s us, that complicate it. Love, love is simple.”
🪷
Poona, India. Welcome to the Balthazar House where your senses are awakened by the clanging sounds of the iron gate, the rhythmic swooshing sounds of Raju sweeping the floors, the delectable juice of fresh mangoes dripping down your arms, the tasty warmth of Hema’s freshly made chapatis, the sensual tingles of that first encounter that made butterflies flutter inside you, and the familiar hum of conversations inside this home shared by two sisters, Ferangiz and Farida, and Farida’s three daughters, Mehnaz, Almaz and Shanaz.
🪷
Ferangiz is the alpha sister, with steel doors drawn around her heart after suffering the heartbreaking loss of her first love. Farida is the softy yet with a steely determination to marry off her daughters to ensure they escape the curse of this home that seems to leave women widowed and alone.
🪷
A battle of wills ensues when Farida seeks to make a match for Mehnaz which Ferangiz vehemently opposes. Hurtful words are exchanged as each sister is intractable about their respective superstitions and what they believe is best for Mehnaz.
🪷
When Mehnaz chooses to marry, a silence envelopes the home with each sister retreating to their corner of the fighting ring, and one going to extreme lengths to prove she is right. Will their deep familial love survive their egos and be restored?
🪷
This is storytelling at its finest! What I loved most about this book was Sonia’s ever present narrator with perfect timing, magnificent metaphors, and much needed humor to break up the building drama. Shall I compare thee to a Persian tapestry, a 24 Karat Golden Delicious apple, or a plump grape?😂
🪷
All of the characters are carefully drawn and well-developed, portraying their often well-intentioned yet faulty humanness. You will swoon, grieve, cry, laugh, and deeply miss spending time with this family when the last page is read. 💕
🪷
Poona, India. Welcome to the Balthazar House where your senses are awakened by the clanging sounds of the iron gate, the rhythmic swooshing sounds of Raju sweeping the floors, the delectable juice of fresh mangoes dripping down your arms, the tasty warmth of Hema’s freshly made chapatis, the sensual tingles of that first encounter that made butterflies flutter inside you, and the familiar hum of conversations inside this home shared by two sisters, Ferangiz and Farida, and Farida’s three daughters, Mehnaz, Almaz and Shanaz.
🪷
Ferangiz is the alpha sister, with steel doors drawn around her heart after suffering the heartbreaking loss of her first love. Farida is the softy yet with a steely determination to marry off her daughters to ensure they escape the curse of this home that seems to leave women widowed and alone.
🪷
A battle of wills ensues when Farida seeks to make a match for Mehnaz which Ferangiz vehemently opposes. Hurtful words are exchanged as each sister is intractable about their respective superstitions and what they believe is best for Mehnaz.
🪷
When Mehnaz chooses to marry, a silence envelopes the home with each sister retreating to their corner of the fighting ring, and one going to extreme lengths to prove she is right. Will their deep familial love survive their egos and be restored?
🪷
This is storytelling at its finest! What I loved most about this book was Sonia’s ever present narrator with perfect timing, magnificent metaphors, and much needed humor to break up the building drama. Shall I compare thee to a Persian tapestry, a 24 Karat Golden Delicious apple, or a plump grape?😂
🪷
All of the characters are carefully drawn and well-developed, portraying their often well-intentioned yet faulty humanness. You will swoon, grieve, cry, laugh, and deeply miss spending time with this family when the last page is read. 💕
June 9, 2026
“𝙇𝙤𝙫𝙚 𝙞𝙨 𝙨𝙞𝙢𝙥𝙡𝙚. 𝙇𝙤𝙫𝙚 𝙞𝙨 𝙙𝙞𝙧𝙚𝙘𝙩. 𝙇𝙤𝙫𝙚 𝙞𝙨 𝙪𝙧𝙜𝙚𝙣𝙩. 𝙀𝙫𝙚𝙧𝙮𝙩𝙝𝙞𝙣𝙜 𝙚𝙡𝙨𝙚 𝙞𝙨 𝙬𝙝𝙞𝙩𝙚 𝙣𝙤𝙞𝙨𝙚.”
I can’t thank the author Sonia Lakshman enough for so generously sending me this gorgeous book all the way from the UK, with a beautiful handmade paper journal (👈).
Synopsis-
Ferangiz and Farida are sisters, but they couldn’t be more different. Living in the once-opulent but now dilapidated Balthazar House in Pune, India, they’re at loggerheads over the future of Farida’s daughter, Mehnaz. With a beautiful love story at its core, The Return Present explores fierce loyalty, independence, grief, destiny and what is written in our stars.
Review-
What an exquisitely written novel! Its most unique feature is the narrator, who guides us through every cresting wave of emotion: love, hate, joy, sorrow, anguish, rage and relief, while infusing the story with humour, gentle sarcasm and profound wisdom. Sonia’s writing has a magical quality that pulls you deeper with every page.
The sisterhood dynamic is unlike any I’ve read before. Ferangiz and Farida are brilliantly characterised: one reaching for the cosmos through its geometry and alignments, the other firmly grounded in worldly pleasures, yet both bound by generations of family tragedy.
Ferangiz especially earned my admiration. What a woman! A force to be reckoned with. Blow after blow comes her way, yet she rises every time, teaching, helping and always striving to do what’s right.
Sonia’s evocation of time and place is another highlight. She perfectly captures the zeitgeist of independent India from the 60s to the 80s, family mindsets, Parsi culture, food and traditions.
And the ending? As satisfying as it is awe-inspiring, with the mystery of the “Return Present” unveiled in spectacular fashion.
Highly recommend!
I can’t thank the author Sonia Lakshman enough for so generously sending me this gorgeous book all the way from the UK, with a beautiful handmade paper journal (👈).
Synopsis-
Ferangiz and Farida are sisters, but they couldn’t be more different. Living in the once-opulent but now dilapidated Balthazar House in Pune, India, they’re at loggerheads over the future of Farida’s daughter, Mehnaz. With a beautiful love story at its core, The Return Present explores fierce loyalty, independence, grief, destiny and what is written in our stars.
Review-
What an exquisitely written novel! Its most unique feature is the narrator, who guides us through every cresting wave of emotion: love, hate, joy, sorrow, anguish, rage and relief, while infusing the story with humour, gentle sarcasm and profound wisdom. Sonia’s writing has a magical quality that pulls you deeper with every page.
The sisterhood dynamic is unlike any I’ve read before. Ferangiz and Farida are brilliantly characterised: one reaching for the cosmos through its geometry and alignments, the other firmly grounded in worldly pleasures, yet both bound by generations of family tragedy.
Ferangiz especially earned my admiration. What a woman! A force to be reckoned with. Blow after blow comes her way, yet she rises every time, teaching, helping and always striving to do what’s right.
Sonia’s evocation of time and place is another highlight. She perfectly captures the zeitgeist of independent India from the 60s to the 80s, family mindsets, Parsi culture, food and traditions.
And the ending? As satisfying as it is awe-inspiring, with the mystery of the “Return Present” unveiled in spectacular fashion.
Highly recommend!
July 16, 2026
At the heart of this wonderful and engaging novel are two sisters, Ferangiz and Farida. With very different personalities, circumstances have kept them together in Balthazar House, the old family home. When Menaz, beloved by both sisters, falls in love as the result of her mother Farida’s match making, a war of wills erupts and spills out across days, weeks and years. As the battle rages, the author explores what has brought these sisters to these entrenched positions, and where love really lies.
I read this with a friend. We left voice messages for each other every day sharing our delight, our favourite quotes and our pure joy in this beautiful book. I cannot compare this novel to anything else, I haven’t read anything quite like it. However, the narrative voice with its gentle humour, wry commentary, and observations felt not dissimilar to my beloved Trollope who i was reading alongside this. The author has such a gift for characterisation. I really felt I came to know the aloof and intimidating Ferangiz and the warm and family- centred Farida. I absolutely loved the determined and loving Menaz who so wants to heal the family rift. The author has a wonderful lightness of touch which steers us through tragedy and comedy, through the heartache of untimely death, and a marriage to a rather hairy man! And I rarely talk about the stuff which goes on under the covers, but boy can Sonia write about sex! The chemistry absolutely fizzles and her references to certain male anatomy made me howl with laughter!
This was a totally 5 star read for me. I was drawn into the world of these sisters, I could see Ferangiz’ verandah and I sat down to the family meal each evening and I so wanted to get these sisters in a room and attempt some mediation! Reading this was an absolute joy.
I read this with a friend. We left voice messages for each other every day sharing our delight, our favourite quotes and our pure joy in this beautiful book. I cannot compare this novel to anything else, I haven’t read anything quite like it. However, the narrative voice with its gentle humour, wry commentary, and observations felt not dissimilar to my beloved Trollope who i was reading alongside this. The author has such a gift for characterisation. I really felt I came to know the aloof and intimidating Ferangiz and the warm and family- centred Farida. I absolutely loved the determined and loving Menaz who so wants to heal the family rift. The author has a wonderful lightness of touch which steers us through tragedy and comedy, through the heartache of untimely death, and a marriage to a rather hairy man! And I rarely talk about the stuff which goes on under the covers, but boy can Sonia write about sex! The chemistry absolutely fizzles and her references to certain male anatomy made me howl with laughter!
This was a totally 5 star read for me. I was drawn into the world of these sisters, I could see Ferangiz’ verandah and I sat down to the family meal each evening and I so wanted to get these sisters in a room and attempt some mediation! Reading this was an absolute joy.
April 11, 2026
What a poignant family saga this was, and one which I thoroughly enjoyed reading.
It’s set in India, where two sisters are sharing a house - and their lives. We soon see that the sisters are very different from each other - with one ‘ruling’ the household, and the other tiptoeing around her. They both think they know what’s best for Mehnaz - but one is her mother, and the other is her aunt.
I loved getting to know the sisters - Farida and Ferangiz - and learning about their lives in Poona, and how they came to be living in Balthazar House together. One of them met the love of her life, one of them was married, one became a teacher and astrologer, and one stayed at home and looked after her children. Both of them suffered losses, but one of them bore immense sorrow which affected the way she lived her life from thereon in.
I liked that the narrative was divided into seven parts, initially beginning in the 1980s and moving from there to the 1960s and back again as the story unfolds. It’s such a bittersweet moment when Mehnaz makes a life-changing decision which tears the family apart. It’s a story of love, of loss and what happens when your own stubbornness gets in the way of your happiness.
The story was full of beautiful descriptions and simmering with imagery which I do love to see as it transports you to the setting, and makes it so much easier to picture the characters in your mind. I think it’s an engaging and moving debut novel.
It’s set in India, where two sisters are sharing a house - and their lives. We soon see that the sisters are very different from each other - with one ‘ruling’ the household, and the other tiptoeing around her. They both think they know what’s best for Mehnaz - but one is her mother, and the other is her aunt.
I loved getting to know the sisters - Farida and Ferangiz - and learning about their lives in Poona, and how they came to be living in Balthazar House together. One of them met the love of her life, one of them was married, one became a teacher and astrologer, and one stayed at home and looked after her children. Both of them suffered losses, but one of them bore immense sorrow which affected the way she lived her life from thereon in.
I liked that the narrative was divided into seven parts, initially beginning in the 1980s and moving from there to the 1960s and back again as the story unfolds. It’s such a bittersweet moment when Mehnaz makes a life-changing decision which tears the family apart. It’s a story of love, of loss and what happens when your own stubbornness gets in the way of your happiness.
The story was full of beautiful descriptions and simmering with imagery which I do love to see as it transports you to the setting, and makes it so much easier to picture the characters in your mind. I think it’s an engaging and moving debut novel.
April 24, 2026
𝓣𝓱𝓮 𝓡𝓮𝓽𝓾𝓻𝓷 𝓟𝓻𝓮𝓼𝓮𝓷𝓽
𝓑𝔂 𝓢𝓸𝓷𝓲𝓪 𝓛𝓪𝓴𝓼𝓱𝓶𝓪𝓷
⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️
𝒯𝓌𝑜 𝓈𝒾𝓈𝓉𝑒𝓇𝓈. 𝒪𝓃𝑒 𝒸𝑜𝓃𝓉𝑒𝓃𝓉𝒾𝑜𝓃. 𝒯𝒽𝑒 𝓅𝓇𝒾𝒸𝑒 𝑜𝒻 𝒷𝑒𝒾𝓃𝑔 𝓇𝒾𝑔𝒽𝓉 𝒶𝓉 𝒶𝓁𝓁 𝒸𝑜𝓈𝓉𝓈. 𝐼𝓃 𝐵𝒶𝓁𝓉𝒽𝒶𝓏𝒶𝓇 𝐻𝑜𝓊𝓈𝑒- 𝒶 𝑜𝓃𝒸𝑒 𝓇𝑒𝑔𝒶𝓁 𝒻𝒶𝓂𝒾𝓁𝓎 𝓂𝒶𝓃𝓈𝒾𝑜𝓃 - 𝒶 𝒷𝒶𝓉𝓉𝓁𝑒 𝑜𝒻 𝓌𝒾𝓁𝓁𝓈 𝑒𝓇𝓊𝓅𝓉𝓈. 𝐹𝑒𝓇𝒶𝓃𝑔𝒾𝓏, 𝓉𝒽𝑒 𝒻𝑜𝓇𝓂𝒾𝒹𝒶𝒷𝓁𝑒 𝓂𝒶𝓉𝓇𝒾𝒶𝓇𝒸𝒽 𝒶𝓃𝒹 𝒽𝑒𝓇 𝑒𝓍𝒸𝒾𝓉𝒶𝒷𝓁𝑒 𝓈𝒾𝓈𝓉𝑒𝓇 𝐹𝒶𝓇𝒾𝒹𝒶 𝑔𝑜 𝒽𝑒𝒶𝒹-𝓉𝑜-𝒽𝑒𝒶𝒹 𝒾𝓃 𝒶 𝒻𝒾𝑒𝓇𝒸𝑒 𝒻𝒾𝑔𝒽𝓉 𝑜𝓋𝑒𝓇 𝓉𝒽𝑒 𝒻𝒶𝓉𝑒 𝑜𝒻 𝑀𝑒𝒽𝓃𝒶𝓏 - 𝓉𝒽𝑒𝒾𝓇 𝒽𝑜𝓂𝑒'𝓈 𝒸𝑜𝓁𝓁𝑒𝒸𝓉𝒾𝓋𝑒 𝒶𝓃𝒹 𝒷𝑒𝓁𝑜𝓋𝑒𝒹 𝒹𝒶𝓊𝑔𝒽𝓉𝑒𝓇.
I absolutely loved this book and got so caught up in the story I didn’t want to put it down. The writing is so beautiful and the detailed descriptions draw you in and make it easy to conjure the images in your mind. I particularly liked how the narrative was divided going between the 1960s-1990s as we delve into each of the characters story. I easily felt connected to everyone in this book.
This was such a poignant story about familial love, romantic love, first love but also loss, heartbreak and grieving. It was such a thought provoking read for me. It made me think of how the decisions we make may not always appear to some in our lives to be the right ones at the time. But in fact these decisions are sometimes necessary as they allow us to grow and realise what’s really important to us. Also, peoples perspective’s can be so different depending on what they’ve experienced in their life, and each can think they are right due to what they’ve gone through.
This is an amazing debut and I found it so moving I even shed a tear✨
𝓑𝔂 𝓢𝓸𝓷𝓲𝓪 𝓛𝓪𝓴𝓼𝓱𝓶𝓪𝓷
⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️
𝒯𝓌𝑜 𝓈𝒾𝓈𝓉𝑒𝓇𝓈. 𝒪𝓃𝑒 𝒸𝑜𝓃𝓉𝑒𝓃𝓉𝒾𝑜𝓃. 𝒯𝒽𝑒 𝓅𝓇𝒾𝒸𝑒 𝑜𝒻 𝒷𝑒𝒾𝓃𝑔 𝓇𝒾𝑔𝒽𝓉 𝒶𝓉 𝒶𝓁𝓁 𝒸𝑜𝓈𝓉𝓈. 𝐼𝓃 𝐵𝒶𝓁𝓉𝒽𝒶𝓏𝒶𝓇 𝐻𝑜𝓊𝓈𝑒- 𝒶 𝑜𝓃𝒸𝑒 𝓇𝑒𝑔𝒶𝓁 𝒻𝒶𝓂𝒾𝓁𝓎 𝓂𝒶𝓃𝓈𝒾𝑜𝓃 - 𝒶 𝒷𝒶𝓉𝓉𝓁𝑒 𝑜𝒻 𝓌𝒾𝓁𝓁𝓈 𝑒𝓇𝓊𝓅𝓉𝓈. 𝐹𝑒𝓇𝒶𝓃𝑔𝒾𝓏, 𝓉𝒽𝑒 𝒻𝑜𝓇𝓂𝒾𝒹𝒶𝒷𝓁𝑒 𝓂𝒶𝓉𝓇𝒾𝒶𝓇𝒸𝒽 𝒶𝓃𝒹 𝒽𝑒𝓇 𝑒𝓍𝒸𝒾𝓉𝒶𝒷𝓁𝑒 𝓈𝒾𝓈𝓉𝑒𝓇 𝐹𝒶𝓇𝒾𝒹𝒶 𝑔𝑜 𝒽𝑒𝒶𝒹-𝓉𝑜-𝒽𝑒𝒶𝒹 𝒾𝓃 𝒶 𝒻𝒾𝑒𝓇𝒸𝑒 𝒻𝒾𝑔𝒽𝓉 𝑜𝓋𝑒𝓇 𝓉𝒽𝑒 𝒻𝒶𝓉𝑒 𝑜𝒻 𝑀𝑒𝒽𝓃𝒶𝓏 - 𝓉𝒽𝑒𝒾𝓇 𝒽𝑜𝓂𝑒'𝓈 𝒸𝑜𝓁𝓁𝑒𝒸𝓉𝒾𝓋𝑒 𝒶𝓃𝒹 𝒷𝑒𝓁𝑜𝓋𝑒𝒹 𝒹𝒶𝓊𝑔𝒽𝓉𝑒𝓇.
I absolutely loved this book and got so caught up in the story I didn’t want to put it down. The writing is so beautiful and the detailed descriptions draw you in and make it easy to conjure the images in your mind. I particularly liked how the narrative was divided going between the 1960s-1990s as we delve into each of the characters story. I easily felt connected to everyone in this book.
This was such a poignant story about familial love, romantic love, first love but also loss, heartbreak and grieving. It was such a thought provoking read for me. It made me think of how the decisions we make may not always appear to some in our lives to be the right ones at the time. But in fact these decisions are sometimes necessary as they allow us to grow and realise what’s really important to us. Also, peoples perspective’s can be so different depending on what they’ve experienced in their life, and each can think they are right due to what they’ve gone through.
This is an amazing debut and I found it so moving I even shed a tear✨
July 21, 2026
Some stories quietly draw you in, and this one was one of them. It took me a few pages to find my footing, but once I settled into the world of Balthazar House in Poona, India, I was completely invested in this family and their lives.
At its heart, this is a beautifully written family saga centred around two sisters, Farida and Ferangiz, who are raising Farida’s daughters at their once-grand family home. The story focuses on the eldest daughter, Mehnaz, and the different ideas each sister has about what is best for her future. Through multiple points of view, Lakshman gives every character depth and humanity, allowing us to understand their complexities, struggles, dreams and heartache.
Woven throughout are themes of grief, resilience, tradition, love and the unbreakable bonds of family. It’s an emotional and thoughtful novel that doesn’t shy away from difficult choices or the weight of expectations.
What stayed with me, after I turned the final page, was that no matter how much we love someone or believe we know what’s best for them, everyone has to live their own life and learn their own lessons.
Thank you so much to @sonialakshmanauthor for this beautiful book.
At its heart, this is a beautifully written family saga centred around two sisters, Farida and Ferangiz, who are raising Farida’s daughters at their once-grand family home. The story focuses on the eldest daughter, Mehnaz, and the different ideas each sister has about what is best for her future. Through multiple points of view, Lakshman gives every character depth and humanity, allowing us to understand their complexities, struggles, dreams and heartache.
Woven throughout are themes of grief, resilience, tradition, love and the unbreakable bonds of family. It’s an emotional and thoughtful novel that doesn’t shy away from difficult choices or the weight of expectations.
What stayed with me, after I turned the final page, was that no matter how much we love someone or believe we know what’s best for them, everyone has to live their own life and learn their own lessons.
Thank you so much to @sonialakshmanauthor for this beautiful book.
May 6, 2025
I have not read such a good book in a very long time. I loved it for its story, the setting and telling, for its depth and variety, for its characters, for the author’s astute grasp of Indian and specifically Farsi traits and mannerisms.
I was engaged from page 1 and was hoping against hope that it would maintain that level until the end. I was not one bit disappointed as it only kept getting better with frequent twists and turns. I could not wait to get to the next page given the intrigue created in the previous page. If I have to think of anything that was wrong with this book, it was 200 pages too short.
Hats off to the author for writing such a wonderful first novel! Felt so real throughout with her total grasp of the storyline and its characters combined with an effective writing style which was easy to read, engaging and enjoyable with appropriate and never over the top use of the English language!
This is the author’s first book and I think she deserves instant recognition and success. I cannot wait to read her next book!
I was engaged from page 1 and was hoping against hope that it would maintain that level until the end. I was not one bit disappointed as it only kept getting better with frequent twists and turns. I could not wait to get to the next page given the intrigue created in the previous page. If I have to think of anything that was wrong with this book, it was 200 pages too short.
Hats off to the author for writing such a wonderful first novel! Felt so real throughout with her total grasp of the storyline and its characters combined with an effective writing style which was easy to read, engaging and enjoyable with appropriate and never over the top use of the English language!
This is the author’s first book and I think she deserves instant recognition and success. I cannot wait to read her next book!
August 21, 2026
A moving and emotional debut novel. Combining two things I love in a novel- a house that’s almost a character and an intergenerational family saga. Sonia’s writing style is lyrical, she brings to life Poona in India and Balthazar House. I could taste and smell the roti cooking in the kitchen and tea brewing. I enjoyed the narration and how it felt like the narrator was breaking the fourth wall to speak to me directly.
At is heart is the two story of two very different sisters Ferangiz, a teacher high expectations for those around her and Farida, a widow with three children who is trying to marry her daughter Mehnaz to set her up for life. Ferangiz has helped raise Mehnaz over the years and has other ideas for her and the two sisters clash. Mehnaz however also has ideas of her own and finds her own love. Exploring grief, love and cultural expectations for women. I’m glad I had a chance to visit Balthazar House and meets amazingly strong women residents.
At is heart is the two story of two very different sisters Ferangiz, a teacher high expectations for those around her and Farida, a widow with three children who is trying to marry her daughter Mehnaz to set her up for life. Ferangiz has helped raise Mehnaz over the years and has other ideas for her and the two sisters clash. Mehnaz however also has ideas of her own and finds her own love. Exploring grief, love and cultural expectations for women. I’m glad I had a chance to visit Balthazar House and meets amazingly strong women residents.
March 11, 2026
I absolutely loved this book! It is a beautifully written story about Ferangiz, her sister Farida and Mehnaz the daughter bought up by both of them. A family saga about three strong, resilient, feisty, relatable and likable women.
It is a story about familial love, romantic love, first love, loss, grieving and heartbreak and it takes the reader through a range of emotions - I was laughing one minute and welling up the next.
I was totally drawn in right from the first page - I read the prologue three times because the writing was so beautiful - poetic and descriptive. The style felt unique with the author, at times, speaking directly to the reader which was really engaging.
The vivid imagery transports you to India and there is a sprinkling of subtle humour throughout.
This is an amazing debut which was an absolute pleasure to read
It is a story about familial love, romantic love, first love, loss, grieving and heartbreak and it takes the reader through a range of emotions - I was laughing one minute and welling up the next.
I was totally drawn in right from the first page - I read the prologue three times because the writing was so beautiful - poetic and descriptive. The style felt unique with the author, at times, speaking directly to the reader which was really engaging.
The vivid imagery transports you to India and there is a sprinkling of subtle humour throughout.
This is an amazing debut which was an absolute pleasure to read
May 12, 2026
I received a gifted copy of this beautiful book and can safely say, I absolutely loved it. Totally in love with this cover too!
The Return Present is a beautiful family saga exploring themes like love, family, grief and traditions and the idea that the things that happen and the people we meet are, for better or worse, destined to be part of our journey.
I loved all the characters but in particular, Mehnaz and also really liked Farida and enjoyed seeing their relationship change and grow as a result of what happened during their lives.
This was an emotional read. It was heartbreaking in parts and had me in tears, it was hopeful in parts and had me smiling and laughing. I really liked the ending, felt like it brought everything full circle.
I loved learning more about India and felt fully immersed in the culture. Highly recommend this book.
The Return Present is a beautiful family saga exploring themes like love, family, grief and traditions and the idea that the things that happen and the people we meet are, for better or worse, destined to be part of our journey.
I loved all the characters but in particular, Mehnaz and also really liked Farida and enjoyed seeing their relationship change and grow as a result of what happened during their lives.
This was an emotional read. It was heartbreaking in parts and had me in tears, it was hopeful in parts and had me smiling and laughing. I really liked the ending, felt like it brought everything full circle.
I loved learning more about India and felt fully immersed in the culture. Highly recommend this book.
June 27, 2025
This book gets a ten out of ten. It is as good a story of human emotions as I can remember reading. And this is a guy talking about a book that is 90% about female family relationships. The characters are intensely real. You feel like you know them and that you are a fly on the wall of their lives, experiencing the emotions with them. In addition the prose and writing style is lyrical. It flows beautifully almost like poetry. The author takes a chance and weaves in some unorthodox phrasing and style, but it all works and enhances the enjoyment. The sexual descriptions are very graphic. For me it would have made no difference if they had been left out or toned way down. Congratulations a home run first novel. I cannot believe a major publishing house did not publish this book.
July 21, 2026
✨Book Review ✨
The Return Present by Sonia Lakshman
This is a gorgeous story about two sisters Farida and Faringez who have a special bond since childhood enduring so much in their life from loss of their parents and other events that take an unexpected turn.
The story centres the future of Mehnaz, Farida’s daughter which creates a lot of tension between all the women in the family.
I loved Sonia’s writing, there was so much I could relate to and how’s Indian cultures believe In astrology to determine the fate of a persons future from career, marriage, business and exert aspect of life. Themes of relationships, family, marriage are explored.
Thank you Sonia for sending me a copy of your book! Thoroughly enjoyed it.
The Return Present by Sonia Lakshman
This is a gorgeous story about two sisters Farida and Faringez who have a special bond since childhood enduring so much in their life from loss of their parents and other events that take an unexpected turn.
The story centres the future of Mehnaz, Farida’s daughter which creates a lot of tension between all the women in the family.
I loved Sonia’s writing, there was so much I could relate to and how’s Indian cultures believe In astrology to determine the fate of a persons future from career, marriage, business and exert aspect of life. Themes of relationships, family, marriage are explored.
Thank you Sonia for sending me a copy of your book! Thoroughly enjoyed it.
June 17, 2025
The best book I’ve read/listened to in a very long time.
Within five minutes of pressing play I was hooked.
Listening to this at home in Australia I was quickly transported to India, surrounded by the characters I felt I’d known a lifetime. The author (and narrator) has a voice that simply pulls you in and makes this absolutely addictive. She also has sprinkles of the best humour thrown in when you least expect it and beautifully navigates you through a fantastic storyline (which I’m now convinced is based on a true story it was so realistic).
I’m left hoping the next book is imminent and that we see a lot more from Sonia Lakshman. Amazing debut novel.
Within five minutes of pressing play I was hooked.
Listening to this at home in Australia I was quickly transported to India, surrounded by the characters I felt I’d known a lifetime. The author (and narrator) has a voice that simply pulls you in and makes this absolutely addictive. She also has sprinkles of the best humour thrown in when you least expect it and beautifully navigates you through a fantastic storyline (which I’m now convinced is based on a true story it was so realistic).
I’m left hoping the next book is imminent and that we see a lot more from Sonia Lakshman. Amazing debut novel.
March 17, 2026
A magnificent story with beautiful prose and marvelous female character.
I just can not express in the words the beauty of relationships and feelings I experienced while reading. I am amazed at the author's ability to create such admirable characters.
Writing is gorgeous and appeals to each of our senses with passion and heartbreak weaving together. I felt connected with everything and everyone in this book. Each word and line has importance, and you can not help but love them.
A truly commendable debut. Highly recommend.
Many thanks to the author for connecting and sending the book to me. I am honored 🙏
I just can not express in the words the beauty of relationships and feelings I experienced while reading. I am amazed at the author's ability to create such admirable characters.
Writing is gorgeous and appeals to each of our senses with passion and heartbreak weaving together. I felt connected with everything and everyone in this book. Each word and line has importance, and you can not help but love them.
A truly commendable debut. Highly recommend.
Many thanks to the author for connecting and sending the book to me. I am honored 🙏
July 12, 2025
I saved The Return Present as my holiday treat read and wow!! I can honestly say I was truly blown away, what an amazing debut book. Gorgeous lyrical, poetic text, the story had me rapt, I didn’t want it to end. This book has heart, humour and naught bits!! Let’s hope there’s a sequel on the horizon! I felt and smelt India in each and every page - think Vikram
Seth meets Arundhuti Roy but still with Lakshman’s own unique style. A fabulous read and one that will stay with me for a while. Thank you Sonia Lakshman and blimming well done!!
Seth meets Arundhuti Roy but still with Lakshman’s own unique style. A fabulous read and one that will stay with me for a while. Thank you Sonia Lakshman and blimming well done!!
October 1, 2025
A fantastic first novel, capturing, strength, desire, ambition and relationships.
A first novel, WOW.....The writing and story telling grips you from the beginning.It has echos of "A suitable Boy" by Vikram Seth and a touch of Austen....You are drawn into the lives of these Indian women, not as downtrodden ,obedient housewives but women with guts, personality ,needs and ambition.I didn't want it to end.I hope the author brings us more adventures of this delightful family.....Congratulations you have written a truly beautiful novel.
A first novel, WOW.....The writing and story telling grips you from the beginning.It has echos of "A suitable Boy" by Vikram Seth and a touch of Austen....You are drawn into the lives of these Indian women, not as downtrodden ,obedient housewives but women with guts, personality ,needs and ambition.I didn't want it to end.I hope the author brings us more adventures of this delightful family.....Congratulations you have written a truly beautiful novel.
October 5, 2025
A ravishing read from a masterful storyteller - 'The Return Present' blew me away. From the opening pages the author draws her readers into her confidence, creating the sort of intimacy that is usually only possible off the page. Her voice carries a sense of urgency and premonition which makes this an irresistible page-turner. The story is imbued with a sensuality of character and incidental detail - kind of Isabelle Allende meets Elif Shafak, with a bit of Jeannette Winterson thrown in! I loved it.
May 6, 2025
A rare gem: irreverent, heartwarming, and lasting.
This book took me on a ride I didn’t see coming.
It made me laugh out loud, tear up without warning, and cheer for characters that felt so real, I half-expected them to step off the page. Sometimes, all of that happened in the same sentence.
The tone is unlike anything I’ve read before. Raw, bold, and unexpectedly tender. It dances between humor and heartbreak with such ease.
Worth every page!
This book took me on a ride I didn’t see coming.
It made me laugh out loud, tear up without warning, and cheer for characters that felt so real, I half-expected them to step off the page. Sometimes, all of that happened in the same sentence.
The tone is unlike anything I’ve read before. Raw, bold, and unexpectedly tender. It dances between humor and heartbreak with such ease.
Worth every page!
May 7, 2025
What a wonderful book. I found it impossible to put down. It was so beautifully written, I haven't read a book like this in a long time. It made me laugh out loud and cry a few times, the characters felt so alive. Set in India, where I grew up, the writing brought back such vivid memories of my childhood, I was just sad that it had to end.
May 17, 2025
Really enjoyed reading this book. It’s an easy read, excellent use of language to convey emotions & nuances of relations, bold & yet sensitive. Had me teary eyed at the most unexpected moments and lots of laughs along the way.
To the author - Really well done! Take a bow, can’t believe this is your first book and can’t wait for the next one. Hope we readers don’t have to wait too long.
To the author - Really well done! Take a bow, can’t believe this is your first book and can’t wait for the next one. Hope we readers don’t have to wait too long.
June 11, 2025
I absolutely loved this story about strong, determined and still feminine women. I had tears at times and laughed out loud at others - but kept quiet when reading the saucy bits ! A quick read for me because I needed to know the outcomes, I wasn’t disappointed when I got to the end - I felt thoughtful and satisfied.
June 17, 2025
A delightful read of a Parsi family set in Pune ,India . Couldn’t put it down once I got started and wished it could have carried on more . Sonia Lakshman writes with great skill and a subtle humour which is fast paced adding twists and turns to a simple plot . I look forward to reading more of her books as I understand this is her first .
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