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The Return Present: An exhilarating and emotional read
‘A beautiful and raw tale of a family in India that will make you laugh, break your heart and make you root hard for these women.’Two sisters. One contention. The price of being right at all costs.
Perfect for fans of Vikram Seth, Arundhati Roy, Elif Shafak and…Jane Austen, this is an unforgettable 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…?
Readers LOVE The Return Present★★★★★ WOW....echoes of "A Suitable Boy" by Vikram Seth and a touch of Austen....You are drawn into the lives of these women, with guts, personality, needs and ambition. I didn't want it to end!
★★★★★ What an amazing debut book. Think Vikram Seth meets Arundhati Roy but still with Lakshman’s own unique style. I was truly blown away!
★★★★★ 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!
★★★★★ A rollercoaster of heart and humour!
★★★★★ This book has it inventive storytelling, beautiful language, all the emotions you care about. A masterful debut. Read it.
★★★★★ Raw, bold, and unexpectedly tender. It dances between humor and heartbreak with such ease. Worth every page!
★★★★★ A masterclass in storytelling, Isabelle Allende meets Elif Shafak with a bit of Jeannette Winterson thrown in! A ravishing read.
★★★★★ Deeply poignant, joyously spirited, superbly written. Pure gold!
★★★★★ Warm, sensuous, tragic, funny and full of passion and pathos. This is a book to truly savour!
★★★★★ Absolutely loved this book … could barely put it down. Plenty of laugh out loud moments amongst all the intrigue and drama. A beautifully written page turner!
★★★★★ Magical! I loved it! Devoured it in one sitting and immediately want to read it again!
★★★★★ Amazing. Truly captivating writing…a rich and beautiful piece of work.
★★★★★ Something special has come our way.
Perfect for fans of Vikram Seth, Arundhati Roy, Elif Shafak and…Jane Austen, this is an unforgettable 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…?
Readers LOVE The Return Present★★★★★ WOW....echoes of "A Suitable Boy" by Vikram Seth and a touch of Austen....You are drawn into the lives of these women, with guts, personality, needs and ambition. I didn't want it to end!
★★★★★ What an amazing debut book. Think Vikram Seth meets Arundhati Roy but still with Lakshman’s own unique style. I was truly blown away!
★★★★★ 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!
★★★★★ A rollercoaster of heart and humour!
★★★★★ This book has it inventive storytelling, beautiful language, all the emotions you care about. A masterful debut. Read it.
★★★★★ Raw, bold, and unexpectedly tender. It dances between humor and heartbreak with such ease. Worth every page!
★★★★★ A masterclass in storytelling, Isabelle Allende meets Elif Shafak with a bit of Jeannette Winterson thrown in! A ravishing read.
★★★★★ Deeply poignant, joyously spirited, superbly written. Pure gold!
★★★★★ Warm, sensuous, tragic, funny and full of passion and pathos. This is a book to truly savour!
★★★★★ Absolutely loved this book … could barely put it down. Plenty of laugh out loud moments amongst all the intrigue and drama. A beautifully written page turner!
★★★★★ Magical! I loved it! Devoured it in one sitting and immediately want to read it again!
★★★★★ Amazing. Truly captivating writing…a rich and beautiful piece of work.
★★★★★ Something special has come our way.
301 pages, Kindle Edition
Published April 9, 2025
About the author
Sonia Lakshman
1 book10 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 37 reviews
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!
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✨
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!
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.
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.
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 .
July 14, 2025
What a suspenseful read! I was immediately drawn into the lives of these incredibly strong, lovable, willful female characters. Enjoyed it from the first page to the very last. The story drew me in and kept me on the edge of my seat right until the end. Written lyrically and beautifully with humor, drama, and romance - something for everyone. Highly recommend.
October 12, 2025
Lakshman weaves a fine, fast paced, tale of a family caught up in the social mores of India in an earlier age. A coterie of strong women is brought alive through story telling at its best ... at once funny, passionate, poignant and elegantly resolved as we follow the sisters through the tempest of love and living. The dialogue sings ... The Return Present cries out to be made into a film.
March 28, 2026
The Return Present was a delight from start to finish. I happened to read it just after I spent a month travelling in India, so it resonated with me in an extra special way. The descriptions were truly evocative of the sights, sounds of smells of this beguiling country.
Very well done Sonia for your first novel, looking forward to the second.
Very well done Sonia for your first novel, looking forward to the second.
April 16, 2026
What an endearing and provocative read. Laskman is a wordsmith. As the Kingfisher Kalina swoops around Balthazar house ,the keeper of all the things, seeing all things watching all things.
A gem of storytelling, it's heartwarming, humorous and painful yet so very tender.
l adore this read and l'm so looking forward to another book of hers
A gem of storytelling, it's heartwarming, humorous and painful yet so very tender.
l adore this read and l'm so looking forward to another book of hers
May 13, 2025
An enticing read; you are invited in to witness the lives of these women. You journey through decades of generational trauma and heartbreak, but also resilience, resolve, and love. Resplendent with imagery, this book deserves a read
May 19, 2025
This is a book to truly savour! It's warm, sensuous, tragic, funny and full of passion and pathos. If you are looking for a warm and rewarding read, then this is the book for you. It's thoroughly enjoyable page after page.
May 28, 2025
It was about or exactly 5 minutes ago that I finished this book…
My gosh I loved it! I loved the characters, the observation of lives & I loved most of all the descriptions. The descriptions of places, buildings, nature & scenery were exquisite. I read an Arundhati Roy book last year & the descriptions were so like hers. With both books I felt transported to a place I’ve never visited, a wonderful feeling of familiarity. My best read of the year so far.
My gosh I loved it! I loved the characters, the observation of lives & I loved most of all the descriptions. The descriptions of places, buildings, nature & scenery were exquisite. I read an Arundhati Roy book last year & the descriptions were so like hers. With both books I felt transported to a place I’ve never visited, a wonderful feeling of familiarity. My best read of the year so far.
June 6, 2025
An incredible read!
Reviewed in the United Kingdom on 7 May 2025
A wonderful tale, providing a charmed insight into aspects of Indian culture through the lives and loves of the strong female characters.
I hope there’ll be a sequel to this fabulous love story.
Reviewed in the United Kingdom on 7 May 2025
A wonderful tale, providing a charmed insight into aspects of Indian culture through the lives and loves of the strong female characters.
I hope there’ll be a sequel to this fabulous love story.
June 9, 2025
Fantastic story. This is a wonderful book about the relationships and tribulations of a respected family in India is so fascinating. I got completely pulled into the story and was genuinely sad when the book was finished.
June 11, 2025
Terrific novel. A moving story of love and loss, stubbornness and forgiveness, control and heartache. All the characters were so well written, i didn't want the book to come to an end. An easy read, I highly recommend it. Sagari S
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