Leave and Come Back

by Lavanya Lakshmi

Family drama meets romantic comedy when a young woman’s new boyfriend accidentally shows up to a two-week-long family wedding, kicking off a comedy of errors in this funny, vibrant, and heartwarming debut

You’re invited to the most romantic, chaotic wedding of the season

For the first time, Simran Gopal is living out her own swoon-worthy romance to rival the beloved Bollywood films of her childhood... until she receives her cousin’s wedding invitation. Now, Simran finds herself returning to the family home she’s been avoiding for the last seven years to take part in a two-week long Indian wedding.

Family drama is already at a high when Leo Bridgers, Simran’s new boyfriend, accidentally crashes the engagement party. To avoid full crisis mode and provoking the ire of Veena perima, Simran’s aunt and judgmental family matriarch, the cousins need to rally. Operation DDLJ.

Following the lead of their favorite Bollywood movie, they need to trick Veena into adoring Leo. In a mess of misdirection and chaotic hijinks, Leo must prove himself to be the most charming, helpful wedding guest imaginable, and he certainly can’t give away that he’s ever met—let alone is currently in love with—Simran.

For Simran, being back with her family also brings memories of the difficult years after her parents died. As old grievances and new secrets arise—along with nosy aunties—will Simran be able to finally have her own love story, and find the closure she’s been looking for on her past?

Charming, tender, and hilarious, Leave and Come Back asks what it means to open up to love, what makes a family, and how to honor the past while embracing the present.

Genres: Romance, Contemporary, Adult, Fiction, Contemporary Romance, Canada, India

320 pages, Hardcover

Expected publication June 16, 2026

About the author

Lavanya Lakshmi is a third culture kid who has lived in nine cities across India, China, the US, and Canada. One of her many childhood homes was a suite on the 37th floor of a luxury hotel. Her claimed hometown is New York City, where she lived for nine years after getting her Master’s degree from NYU. She has worked in and around book publishing her whole career and currently resides in Toronto. Leave and Come Back is her first novel.

Reviews

[veerali · Rating 4 out of 5]

thank you netgalley and viking penguin for the eARC—all thoughts are my own!
✦ publication date: june 16, 2026

DDLJ MEETS TWO STATES

simran gopal finally has a boyfriend, leo, and her life feels like a romantic bollywood movie. but everything gets complicated when she gets an invitation to her cousin’s wedding. she has to return to her family home, a place she hasn't visited in seven years because of painful memories. to make matters worse, leo accidentally crashes their engagement party. simran is terrified that her strict and judgmental aunt, veena, will be furious. to keep the peace, simran and her cousins come up with a plan. they decide to trick aunt veena into loving leo. leo has to pretend he doesn't know simran and act like the perfect guest. if he messes up, the family drama will be huge. while trying to pull off this secret mission, simran has to face the ghosts of her past, including the sadness of losing her parents. amidst the chaos of the wedding and the prying eyes of her aunts, she must find a way to make peace with her family and finally decide if she can have her own happily ever after.

this story feels very honest. it captures the complicated parts of family life perfectly. if you have ever felt like an outsider in your own family, you will really connect with the simran. i love the way the book portrays different wedding traditions especially the mix of tamil and punjabi traditions, family expectations, and the mix of languages is amazing. it feels very authentic and grounded in real life experiences. it's so amazing to see this kind of representation.

it starts off a little bit slow, so you have to be patient. but once the wedding festivities begin, the story picks up speed and becomes impossible to put down. i also teared up a bit because it deals with some heavy themes, but the ending is incredibly satisfying and hopeful.

i absolutely love simran and leo. they're so layered and i love how leo does everything to prove himself.

pick this book as soon as it's out! ya'll won't regret it 💗

⤿ rom-com family drama
⤿ indian wedding shenanigans
⤿ immigrant experience
⤿ if he wanted to, he would
⤿ ddlj x two state vibes
⤿ complicated family dynamics
⤿ grief

[joni ౨ৎ]

MY COUNTLESS EMAILS WORKED YESSS!!! THANK U 100X PRH CANADA FOR THE ARC!!!!!!!!

[Mai H.]

Valentine's Day TBR

📱 Thank you to NetGalley and Pamela Dorman Books

[Sara☽༊‧₊˚ (semi-hiatus)]

― JA SIMRAN JA JI LE APNI ZINDAGI (if yk yk)

[Lochi's Library · Rating 5 out of 5]

Thanking Lavanya for sending me a digital copy. I met Lavanya earlier this year at an influencer event in Toronto. She was kind, welcoming, and calmed my nerves. I can’t believe I’m reading this (VERY EARLY) and I can't wait to see her shine next year basking in the celebrations for her debut, it's going to be the best treat.

Do yourself a favour and add it to your tbr list. Trust me, you won't regret it.

[Tara]

This book was a delight to read. I am always here for more Indian-American romances and especially loved the way this one touched on very relevant themes of belonging. Also, as a half Tamilian, every time I looked at the title it made me smile, conjuring memories of my family participating in the same ritual Sim talks about.

[carthi ♡]

messy indian family dynamics + wedding season + DDLJ vibes? oh bollywood is so back in books 🙂‍↕️✨ ⋆˙⟡ — 14/11/2025: ˙⊹

[Luv2TrvlLuvBks · Rating 4 out of 5]

#LeaveandComeBack #NetGalley

A well thought out plot showcasing the multiple elements celebrated in a Tamil wedding.

From the beginning, the author sets the tone with the wedding invitation prominently displayed. As a reader, unfamiliar with the customs and traditions featured in the book, this thoughtful addition did a wonderful job to set the stage. Given that each chapter acted as a countdown to the final event and reflected each part, the reader gets invested in the characters from the bride and groom, extended family, and, our main characters, Simran and Leo.

The title chosen by the author is an apt one mirroring both the physical and emotional journey Simran experiences. The hook of why Simran fled from the US to Toronto after being nestled in the warmth of her extended family's embrace is one that the reader is teased about. There's definite hints of betrayal, judgment, and sadness which the author draws out. The reader is rewarded at the end of the reasons why.

Liked that this was both Simran and Leo's story. The latter's relationship with his sister was strong and his voice was distinct from hers.

Felt what downgraded this from a five to four story read was the almost insta-love of Leo and Simran, despite knowing their connection thru her sister. More development on their romance while in Toronto would have certainly elevated this read.

This ARC was provided by the publisher, Viking Penguin | Pamela Dorman Books, via NetGalley in exchange for an honest review.

[Jenn (burlingtonbiblio) · Rating 4 out of 5]

Book Review
Leave and Come Back by Lavanya Lakshmi
New to Me Debut Author
⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️✨ 4.25

What Its Got
✅ Romcom fam dram
✅ Bollywood fandom
✅ Messy family dynamics
✅ Wedding
✅ cousin/sister meddling shenanigans
✅ Tamil culture ( food, tradition, language)
✅ Death of a parent (off page)
✅ Need to find your place in the world,
to belong

Quote
“The world spins on and time moves forward. But goodbye is not the end. The hope for another meeting is infinite “

“Its like the Tamil word for goodbye. Poitu varen”
“We’ll leave now- and we’ll come back”
“To each other? Always”

Thoughts
✏️ I annotated like crazy- quotes, 90s references, Canadian content , the title moment …
📖 there’s so much to love about this book-
The writng is incredible, the descriptions, the visuals, the sublte shifts in the Simran’s diologue btw family vs friends vs Leo- you would never know this is a debut
📖 I felt like I was learning about Tamil culture along with Leo, I love books that expand my worldview and build a deeper understanding and appreciation for diversity
⁉️I need Kavitha to find love- next book?
❤️Closed door but the stolen moments befween Leo and Simran were filled with chemistry

‼️ Recommended Reading!!

Thanks to the publisher and author for my physical ARC. Opinions expressed are my own.

[Rae Leslie · Rating 5 out of 5]

Thank you Netgally for providing me with an ARC for review!

This book truly surprised me. I went into it only knowing it was advertised as a rom-com, but was pleasantly surprised with the family drama that came with it.

This is a very character driven story and I was pleasantly surprised by how fleshed out each and everyone character was. They felt tangible and real no matter how much page time they got.

This book on grief and new love and stressful family dynamics wrapped itself up beautifully with this layer of hope for a better tomorrow while still honoring those who sadly cannot be there with us.

Love this book! I’m excited to read more from the author in the future.

[Rebecca · Rating 4 out of 5]

3.75 ☆ a “rom-com-fam-dram” filled with love and loss over a weeks long wedding celebration. i felt this leaned closer to romantic lit fic which had me craving more time spent with simi + leo prior to the beginning of the novel, if only to squeeze out a bit more romance and yearning before the hijinks ensue. this book has such a cast of characters, all dealing with their own issues and secrets, trying to become the best versions of themselves despite the obstacles they face. we learn that, when dealing with loss, those who have left us will always come back so long as we continue to remember them in all the ways we do with the ones we love.

[Anjali Chanda · Rating 5 out of 5]

Oh, the things I could say about this book. Thank you so much to Viking Penguin and NetGalley for this ARC, and to Lavanya for writing it. I absolutely adored LEAVE AND COME BACK.

I read this book in one sitting, right after I received the notification that I was approved for the ARC. LEAVE AND COME BACK follows our main character Simran returning home after seven years away for her cousin’s wedding. Right before the wedding, she starts dating Leo, a longtime friend, but Simran doesn’t want to tell her aunt Veena that she has a boyfriend for fear of judgment and provoking her aunt’s ire. But things start to go awry when Leo accidentally crashes the engagement party. To avoid any sort of crisis, Simran enlists her cousins’ help to trick Veena into loving Leo…aka DDLJ.

This book has swoonworthy romance, laugh-out-loud lines, but a deep, profound heart. Simran’s strained relationship stems from grief, as the unexpected deaths of her parents forced her to move from India to New Jersey when she was a teenager. But grief still shows up in small ways, most impactful for me with the character of Rishi.

Rishi is the groom-to-be, marrying into Simran’s family. He is goofy, playful, and a great foil to the tense family dynamics. But the reason he struck me so much was because of a conversation he had with Leo in the middle of the book. Rishi jokes that he is a “coconut” because he’s “brown on the outside, white on the inside.” Rishi then goes on to explain he has never felt Indian enough. His parents spoke English to him and let him eat American food, and he never cared because when he was growing up, being Indian wasn’t cool.

This was the first time I had ever seen a character like this in any media, and reading this made me cry because it was exactly how I felt. This was a small part of the book, but it felt so vastly important and loud for me, which I think is a function of this book. It’s representative of so many types of Indian people, and there is something in here for everyone to love. There’s romance, there’s comedy, but there’s an undercurrent of tragedy that makes the book feel so unapologetically human. This is why I read, and it’s the same reason why I write. I am so grateful that I was able to read this book in advance, and I cannot wait until it comes out in June.

Get LEAVE AND COME BACK from your local bookstore or library, and be prepared to feel everything it offers.

[Lenae C · Rating 5 out of 5]

This “fam com rom dram” is one of the best books I’ve read this year. Lavanya Lakshmi’s debut novel follows Simran Gopal as she returns home for her cousin’s two-week Indian wedding after years of avoiding her family and the painful memories tied to her parents’ deaths. When her new boyfriend, Leo, accidentally crashes the engagement party, the family scrambles to convince Simran’s intimidating aunt that he belongs there—leading to chaos, secrets, and romantic comedy-style mishaps inspired by Bollywood films. Along the way, Simran and Leo must navigate family expectations, unresolved grief, and growing feelings while discovering what love, forgiveness, and family truly mean.

This story has an amazing cast of friends and family who are all so fully realized; there are no flat characters dragging down the narrative, and I was always interested to learn more about the intricacies of Simran’s family. Lavanya’s prose style really does the heavy lifting of bringing the reader into the room with the characters: the bright colors and soft fabrics of saris, the spicy scent of chai and dal, and the familiar chaos of a big family gathering. This book is as sensorial as it is funny and heartfelt. I can’t wait to read more from Lavanya in the future.

[Marianne · Rating 3 out of 5]

Leave and Come Back is a delightful tale about Simran, a woman of Indian descent, who falls in love with Leo, her Canadian boyfriend. When Simran returns to her estranged family’s home in New Jersey to attend a wedding, she and her cousins hatch a plan to ingratiate Leo into her family by taking inspiration from her favorite Bollywood movie. Scheming and high jinks ensue, bringing the cousins together once again.

The story was cute and the descriptions of the wedding, outfits, food and ceremonies were vividly described. The book was enjoyable, unfortunately, I just didn’t connect with it. I didn’t care for Simran and found her to be aloof and obstinate. I also really didn’t like her aunt and found it hard to believe that Leo would go to such lengths to curry favor with her. But, then again, I think it’s mostly just me unable to relate to the culture and family dynamics.

Thank you to NetGalley and Viking Penguin for the eARC in exchange for an honest review. 3.5 stars

[Lysandra · Rating 5 out of 5]

Thanks to NetGalley and HarperCollins UK for the arc! All opinions are my own.

5/5

I will start the review by stating that until I actually opened the ebook, I had no idea whatsoever that this is Lavanya Lakshmi’s debut novel. I was skeptical for no more than two seconds, for when I started reading the first page of the first chapter, the prose immediately caught my attention — I rarely begin a review by discussing the author’s writing style, however, Lakshmi’s prose stands out, even more so because this is her first published novel. The writing is captivating, humorous, encompassing of many emotions and states of mind, while still maintaining a sensible gracefulness towards the more delicate situations. I already look forward to how Lakshmi will evolve as an author in the future. The difference in writing style being the two main characters’ points of view is also particularly entertaining, but I will evolve upon that a bit later in my evaluation.

That being said, “Leave and Come Back” is a novel of manners, focusing on domestic affairs and encompassing all its aspects from psychological depth and character growth and evolution, to relationships development and complex family ties, to a romance being tested by societal expectations. The private sphere consists of the heroine’s Indian family, part of the Indian diaspora of New Jersey. Simran, who had finally established a relationship with her long time crush, Leo, has to go from Toronto to New Jersey for her cousin’s wedding, which will last for two weeks. Simran and Leo had known each other for several years, had flirted for a while, and finally took a chance on one another on Simran’s birthday. They begin their journey as a couple who already knew one another, being quite close and rather intimate friends. Simran however has a lot going on with her family, having a rather complicated history with them, and doesn’t open up to Leo about everything going on from the very start. There’s several layers to unpack, as the novel’s setting is quite complex.

First of all, there is Simran’s psychological arc. She is part of the Indian diaspora, but has distanced herself from them, moving from New Jersey to Toronto. Being back for her cousin’s wedding, she falls into old patterns of behaviour, finding the rather conservative bearing of her aunt quite old fashioned compared to both the American society and the Indian society (often comparing her aunt’s scale of values to her own parents’). I mentioned this issue especially because it is quite quintessential to any diaspora — they are often times much more conservative towards traditional values than the people from the country they’re from. I enjoyed this aspect and how vividly it is represented in the novel very much. Simran, as well as her aunt, are stuck in a grey area — belonging to both sides but, at the same time, neither here nor there. Simran’s journey is about finding her place, but also accepting whom she is and her belonging to that grey area. Her sense of belonging (or not) is a beautiful leitmotif throughout all the novel.

”Life is not a straight line, it’s not even a circle. It’s a spiral, up, down, and all around. Sometimes, you might even pass the same places as before.”

Secondly, there is the other point of view character and Simran’s boyfriend, Leo. Contrary to how Simran feels internally, Leo finds that she shines most when around her family, and he is the one who needs to integrate into their community, feeling rather lost at first, but very passionate and dedicated towards getting into the good graces of all the Indian aunties. His devotion to Simran is unyielding and passionate, and it is his plotline which gives the most humour to the novel. His mistakes, while endearing, are also filled with sheer hilarity — the fact that he is white also adds another layer of comic situations, for he has to learn the habits and customs of an entirely different culture. His perspective also serves as an external lens into the Indian community, proving itself quite informative and entertaining at the same time.

“Simi, Rishi! Look at this! Some strange white boy has gotten into our house.”

Thirdly, the relationship between Simran and Leo is absolutely beautiful — the delicacy with which it is handled by the author shines throughout the entire novel. They’re stable and ironclad about their feelings towards one another, but the external conflicts challenge their early relationship, putting it to the test. Again, funny situations arise, and oftentimes the solutions are equally amusing.

At a different level, the secondary characters also challenge traditions and the community’s conservative behaviour in different ways, paralleling not only the relationship of Simran and Leo, but also their internal conflicts. The structure of the novel is layered and intricate, nonetheless the prose lightens the heavy sentiments, making it easy for the reader to both understand and relate to all characters and situations.

The cultural references aren’t difficult to understand — granted, I am a fan of Indian movies and have read a fair share of Indian authors; nonetheless I don’t believe the book is difficult to comprehend at a societal level. If anything, it can prove educational for someone who doesn’t know much about the Indian culture.

I would place this work in a high place, right next to “My Big Fat Greek Wedding” and “Crazy Rich Asians”. At times, it also made me think of the movie “Bride and Prejudice”, perhaps though because we also see a contrast in that movie between the Indians from India and the ones from the diaspora. Overall, the novel was extremely fun and as entertaining as any of these works! I would recommend it to any fan of this sort of societal frescos.

Poitu varen, Lavanya Lakshmi!

[svea.reads · Rating 5 out of 5]

Thank you to NetGalley, Viking Penguin, and Lavanya Lakshmi for the eARC. This is a personal and honest review.

Frankly, when I first read the synopsis of the book, I had certain expectations. A young woman who returns home after years away to attend her cousin’s wedding and is confronted with her past—it’s a story I’ve heard so many times before. While I was still interested, I was prepared for a typical second-chance romance or a love interest from the past. But I’m happy to say that I was absolutely wrong. This isn’t the run-of-the-mill romance story I’ve read so many times before in different variations. It’s not a story that just jumps from one trope to the next—instead, it completely breaks the mold.

For a while now, I’ve been longing for a standalone romance or a first-in-a-series book about an established couple. Every single time a main character is in a relationship at the beginning of a story, you can be certain it’s not going to last. I’ve been wondering why we never read about couples who actually stay together—maybe they go through hell (because we still need a romance-focused plot), but their foundation is strong enough to keep them together. Guys, what can I say? Lavanya pulled it off. And how she did it!

In a quick chat, she admitted how nervous she was to introduce a couple who were new but already established by the start of the first chapter. He’s her best friend’s younger brother, and they’ve known each other for 13 years, but their first kiss only happened off-page the night before the first chapter (and it was just a first kiss).

They’re both already in love at the start of the story, which changed the dynamics of the book in so many ways and felt like such a fresh twist. But even though they’re together, there’s still a lot of longing and work to be done. For once, kudos for doing the famous fake relationship trope in reverse! Instead of pretending to be in a relationship, we get a “fake strangership” here, where the MCs act as if they’ve never met before to win over her Indian family after the very white MMC breaks some of the most important rules (like wearing shoes in the house and crashing a wedding).

What’s even better is that all of this unfolds without any unnecessary drama and without a huge blowup when the scheme is uncovered. If you’ve been following my reading journey for a while, you know how important realistic and honest narratives are to me when reading contemporary novels, and this is definitely one of them. Without a forced third-act breakup or drama designed just to fit a three-act structure, this story felt completely authentic and spoke directly to my heart.

It also deals with grief and the cultural and generational differences in how it’s handled in ways I could only admire. Lavanya captures these struggles so well that I felt them deep in my bones. The reasons behind the estranged family situation resonate on so many levels, which is one of the many reasons why I love the book’s title, “Leave and Come Back”—which has deeper roots than you might expect—so, so much.

Another reason is the Indian setting and the origin of the story. The heart of this book is India, and it was such a fun, educational, trilingual, and multicultural journey! You get to experience the Indian immigrant community as if you were actually living their lives, and I can only imagine that this is thanks to the author’s personal experiences. As a white, Western European person who loved Slumdog Millionaire as a kid and dreamed of doing a gap year in Indian schools afterward, I can’t help but feel a tiny bit called out by one particular comment, but at the same time, it made me laugh so hard. It perfectly captured the essence of how misrepresented India is in the Western world, and it is brilliantly executed that in this story, the perspective is flipped, with only one white person in an American-Indian community.

If you’re looking for a great read for Immigrant Heritage Month in June, I highly recommend this book. It also explores how LGBTQIA+ issues are addressed within Indian culture, which makes it even more fitting for June since it’s also Pride Month (though it’s important to note that this is a subplot involving secondary characters).

Ultimately, Leave and Come Back is hands down the best contemporary romance novel I’ve read so far this year, and I can’t wait to see what this debut author comes up with next. Personally, I’m hoping she’ll write the stories of the cousin-sisters next. I am wholeheartedly rooting for Geeta and Rhishi to get their own book, especially after reading about their fourteen-day Indian wedding. It was a pure delight to experience a celebration full of surprises and revelations, yet refreshingly free of any dramatic blowups or falling-outs. I would absolutely love to learn more about their life before and after the wedding.

This novel is rumored to be the pick for the Afterlight July box, and I can’t wait to see the story come to life through the beautiful illustrations and to add this special edition to my bookshelf. No matter which edition, I highly recommend everyone pick this up just in time for June.

Rating: ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐
Vibe: emotional, funny, and the heart of a close-knit community
☀️ Summer Read
💍 Indian Wedding
💔 Estranged Family
❤️‍🩹 Grief and Healing
🔒 New, but established couple
👦🏼 Best Friend’s younger brother (She’s older!)
🎭 Reverse Fake Relationship (Fake Strangership)

[Kelly · Rating 4 out of 5]

Unless you liked the movie Bend it Like Beckham purely for the soccer storyline, you would probably enjoy Leave and Come Back. There are definitely differences, like protagonist Simran being older and having left the aunt, uncle, and cousins that took her in after her parents were killed when she was a teenager, but some of the major elements of the story including Indian (specifically Tamil) cultural and familial traditions, the protagonist falling for a white man, and a wedding taking place are all present.

Because it doesn’t include dreams of making it as a soccer player as part of the storyline, it allows more of the focus to be on relationships and how they’re perceived from both sides, as well as Simran and her struggles to process the loss of her parents, have their loss be acknowledged by others, and feel like she as a person and her own wishes are valued by the family she still has.

The disconnect for Simran is what causes her to leave in the first place, but a desire to reconcile her relationship with her cousin Kavitha leads her back to her aunt and uncle’s home as the family prepares for her other cousin Geetha’s upcoming nuptials.

Predictably, Simran begins clashing with Kavitha, who’s angry she left, and with her aunt Veena perima, who wants her to fall in line with tradition (and has lined up some acceptable men she could marry). Making matters more complicated is the arrival of Leo, the man she loves who doesn’t fit any of Veena perima’s requirements as a good match for her. Simran, Kavitha, Leo, Geetha, and Geetha’s fiancé Rishi cook up a scheme to endear Leo to Veena perima, and the expected hijinks ensue.

While this provides some of the lighthearted moments in a book about generational differences and processing grief, for me it wasn’t the most powerful part of the book. Leo is almost too good to be true, too understanding when Simran continues to push him away; though his presence as the single white person in a community of Tamil and Punjabi families gives Lavanya Lakshmi an opportunity to showcase to people how isolated people like Simran can feel surrounded by white people that not only don’t understand her traditions, culture, and food but often belittle or criticize it. Leo handles being an odd man out with a tremendous amount of ease and grace, and Simran’s family and community are much more accepting of him.

The wedding preparations gives Lakshmi the opportunity to introduce readers to some of her language and culture, and it’s very interesting (and I now know the correct way to pronounce namaste!) but at points this part of the book felt too drawn out. It did however make Simran’s heart-to-heart conversation with Veena perima towards the end of the book feel that much more rewarding. Without giving too much away, it’s a beautifully done exploration of the desire of immigrants to hold onto traditions and values that are not predominant in the community they move to, and how it can create conflict with their children who are raised in an environment that is very different outside the home that leads them to value different things.

There is definitely a romance storyline here between Simran and Leo, but the most powerful storylines for me were the love of family and balancing culture and tradition over different generations.

A complimentary copy of this book was provided by the publisher. All thoughts and opinions are my own.

[Tammy · Rating 5 out of 5]

📚Leave and Come Back
✍🏻Lavanya Lakshmi
Blurb:
Family drama meets romantic comedy when a young woman’s new boyfriend accidentally shows up to a two-week-long family wedding, kicking off a comedy of errors in this funny, vibrant, and heartwarming debut

You’re invited to the most romantic, chaotic wedding of the season

For the first time, Simran Gopal is living out her own swoon-worthy romance to rival the beloved Bollywood films of her childhood... until she receives her cousin’s wedding invitation. Now, Simran finds herself returning to the family home she’s been avoiding for the last seven years to take part in a two-week long Indian wedding.

Family drama is already at a high when Leo Bridgers, Simran’s new boyfriend, accidentally crashes the engagement party. To avoid full crisis mode and provoking the ire of Veena perima, Simran’s aunt and judgmental family matriarch, the cousins need to rally. Operation DDLJ.

Following the lead of their favorite Bollywood movie, they need to trick Veena into adoring Leo. In a mess of misdirection and chaotic hijinks, Leo must prove himself to be the most charming, helpful wedding guest imaginable, and he certainly can’t give away that he’s ever met—let alone is currently in love with—Simran.

For Simran, being back with her family also brings memories of the difficult years after her parents died. As old grievances and new secrets arise—along with nosy aunties—will Simran be able to finally have her own love story, and find the closure she’s been looking for on her past?

Charming, tender, and hilarious, Leave and Come Back asks what it means to open up to love, what makes a family, and how to honor the past while embracing the present.
My Thoughts:
Leave and Come Back is a grounded tale of love and loss and how familial bonds can both break and shape us. My Big Fat Greek Wedding, with the blend of humor and emotional storytelling around family, culture and the importance of acceptance. The characters are all really lovable, especially Leo, who is so sweet and supportive. From going on walks with Simran’s uncle to help him get in shape, to learning Hindi and Tamil, to attempting to make chai,Adorable romance aside, the relationships between friends and family are also fantastic. Leo and Rishi become pals almost immediately and their banter is just so fun. Simran and Kavitha are more like sisters than cousins. They go through a few rough patches and there’s some hurt on both sides stemming from Simran’s years-long absence, but they’re able to work things out. Kavitha eventually shares something personal with Simran that she’s mostly kept to herself, and Simran’s steadfast acceptance of her cousin is wonderful to see.
Overall, Leave and Come Back is an amazing book and a most impressive debut. I’ll be on the lookout for Lavanya Lakshmi’s work in the future!
Thanks NetGalley, Pamela Dorman Books and Author Lavanya Lakshmi for the advanced copy of "Leave and Come Back" I am leaving my voluntary review in appreciation.
#NetGalley
#PamelaDormanBooks
#LavanyaLakshmi
#LeaveandComeBack
⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️

[Sona · Rating 5 out of 5]

Thank you to Viking Penguin for providing me with an e-ARC!

Simran is thriving in her fresh new relationship with Leo, but what happens when she gets a sudden invite to her cousin’s wedding, back at a place that she chose to leave behind years ago? And what is she supposed to do when her very new boyfriend (who is supposed to be a secret) shows up at the engagement? Thus hatches the most filmi plan to ever exist: have Leo and Simran pretend to be strangers while Leo does his best to win over Veena perima, the woman whose blessing they’ll need if they are to keep seeing each other. And so begins a story full of joy, family drama, wedding fun, and heart.

What an amazing debut novel! I think this might be the first book I’ve read with a South Indian, specifically Tamil, character and family front and center, and it made my heart so happy. I truly love being Indian and this book just made me feel that love even more.

Lavanya Lakshmi has done a fantastic job of not only having lighthearted fun shenanigans when it comes to Leo being thrown into Indian wedding festivities and him learning the culture, but also delving into the conflict between Simran and her family in New Jersey, and how grief can fester and drive a wedge between people, especially when you decide not to talk about. I also loved how this story touched on generational differences, and how truly sometimes our parents are just doing what they know best when it comes to raising kids in a foreign country.

And yeah, I need Leo to be a real man immediately, because wow my standards have been raised. He was obsessed with Simran in the best way and how he carried himself through each challenge was just proof of that.

There are so many parallels between this book and the movie “Dilwale Dulhania Le Jayenge (DDLJ)”, so if you are a fan of that movie, this has to be a must read. But I truly do recommend this story to everyone who is a child of immigrants because I felt like a lot of the conversations are relatable across ethnicities.

I have to get my hands on a physical copy immediately, because this is an absolute need for my personal collection.

[Sonal · Rating 4 out of 5]

Simran lives in Toronto with her best friend, Liz. She's also head over heels for Liz's brother, Leo. She and Leo had been dancing around their feelings for each other for a long time, and now they're finally together. Simran hasn't felt so happy in a long time. When she recieves an invitation to her cousin's wedding, she has no plans to attend. She lived with her aunt, uncle, and cousins (the Iyers) for several years after the death of her parents. Seven years ago, she left their home, tired of clashing with her judgmental aunt, Veena. Although she deeply missed her cousin, Kavitha, the thought of going back is too difficult. When Kavitha calls, demanding she come, Simran has a hard time saying no.
Kavitha was her saving grace after her parents' death. They were practically inseparable and shared a love for Bollywood movies, one in particular (DDLJ). This is her chance to finally make amends with Kavitha and hopefully convince Veena to give her the keys to her parents home in India.
When Leo unexpectedly shows up at the Iyer house, Simran is shocked. Her aunt cannot find out she is with a non-Indian guy. Instead of letting him leave, her cousin's device a plan, based on their favorite film, to help Leo win over the family, especially Veena.
I wasn't sure I was going to like this book, I'm not usually a fan of retellings of stories. I do love Bollywood though, and DDLJ is a classic from childhood. I'm so glad I gave the story a chance! While the premise of bringing Leo into the family is based on DDLJ, the story is pretty different. The chaos and drama of an Indian wedding, mixed with past grievances, generational conflicts, and long withheld emotions was so well done!
There were definitely parts that were a bit "extra" but that's pretty much a Bollywood movie! Although, this book dealt with some deeper feelings and relationship dynamics.
I really enjoyed this book and look forward to reading more by this author!
Thank you to Netgalley and Viking Penguin for the ARC of this book in exchange for my honest review.

[seher · Rating 3 out of 5]

2.5 / what i liked:

- this book had its charming moments, humor, occasionally fun or interesting relational dynamics.

- on average, i found the dialogue more engaging than the narrative sections. i tended to enjoy dialogue that didn’t included the main character, interestingly.

- the final 20% of the book had some of the most insightful moments of the entire book— for my taste, i wish there had been a bit more of that in some fashion earlier on.

- i thought the book investigated some interesting south asian family dynamics that i think a lot of 2nd gen kids can relate to. i appreciated the empathy shown for elders and why they act the way they do, while showing the contrast of different ways 2nd gen kids react to that (kavitha vs. simran)

that said, about 20% in, i considered DNF and for decent portions i ended up skimming because i just didn’t find the characters or narrative compelling enough.

several things didn’t work for me personally. here are a couple of the main things:

- simran felt somewhat flat. i was just unmoved by her, in either direction almost. other characters are aware she is closed off and obstinate, but the narrative could have worked harder to dimensionalize her and make her not seem so opaque and without personality. i agree with another reviewer that she was hard to connect with. from jump, leo was obsessed with her but i never figured out why— her personality felt kind of one-dimensional. maybe it was her looks.

- the narrative writing, especially in the first 1/4 or so, would ramble for long sections and lose my attention. and even later as dialogue picked up, anytime too much narrative writing returned, i’d find myself having a hard time paying attention. there was just certain drift to it that i can’t fully place. maybe over-describing without enough consequence to character, atmosphere, or plot? maybe all the description is to cater to the white gaze?

[Sruthi TheUncreditedChapter · Rating 4 out of 5]

Thanks to the publishing team and the author for providing me with an ARC copy. This is my honest and spoiler-free feedback.

I was not expecting Leave and Come Back to hit me like this.

At first glance, it feels like a fun, DDLJ movie inspired rom-com set at a chaotic 2-week long Tamil-Punjabi wedding m, with fake dating vibes, dramatic judgemental aunties, cousins plotting, you know, all the good stuff.

But this book? It’s not just romance. It’s rom-com meets family drama in the best way.
We follow Simran, who goes back home after years of avoiding her family, and of course, things immediately spiral when her boyfriend Leo shows up unannounced. And now the cousins have to pull off “Operation DDLJ” to make him look like the perfect guest.
It’s messy. It’s funny. It’s chaotic.

This story dives into grief, especially around losing parents, and what it means to come back to a family you’ve distanced yourself from. The grief is handled in a real, gentle way.

Also, can we talk about the representation?
The wedding traditions like Uunjal and Kanayadanam, the love ther perima and peripa bestow on their kids, the multilingual moments of writing in Tamil-Hindi-English it felt so specific and so familiar in a way we don’t usually see in mainstream stories.

As someone who grew up around this culture, this one hit home.

I will say it starts a little slow. But once the wedding events kick in? I was all in. And that last 20% of the book gives you a strong heart-warming, emotional finish.

If you’re going into this thinking it’s just a fluffy romance… it’s not. It’s about love in every form, romantic love, family love, and the kind that stays with you even through grief.

Just check content warnings if you’re sensitive to themes around loss.

Overall, heartwarming, emotional, and deeply personal. I’m really glad I read it.

Who is this book for?
People who want to explore South Asian South Indian authors, writing, and plot-lines.

[Mikayla Mann · Rating 4 out of 5]

The word vibrant comes to mind when thinking about this fun, heartwarming, “rom-com-fam-dram.” Simran is our 20-something leading lady, living in Toronto with her best friend Liv and newfound love interest, Leo. She receives a wedding invitation for her cousin Geeta’s wedding and, feeling lost, realizes that she has to return to Iyer house to find herself again. She was orphaned as a child and moved from Chennai, India, to New Jersey to live with her aunt, uncle, and two cousins. The only problem is she has been estranged from her family for many years. As a teen, she was desperate to escape her aunt’s rules and the painful memories associated their house. In order to get access to her childhood family’s home in India, their belongings, and untold memories, she has to return home and make peace. She returns for the wedding preparations and myriad cultural celebrations with a newfound mission of winning her family over, with the added complication of her new love interest staying next door, also hoping to win favor.
I honestly loved this book. I could see, smell, hear, and even taste so many of the scenes. The descriptions of the outfits, the marriage celebrations, the CHAI. Just such a fun read. Some bouts of predictability, but I don’t read a romcom to be completely shocked—I go to it for the formula and HEA and stay if the story is enjoyable. All told, I would absolutely recommend this for those of you interested in a romcom that will have you groaning occasionally from the relatability of family expectations.
Thanks to NetGalley and Viking Penguin for the advanced e-book copy in exchange for my honest review!

[Nessa Velez · Rating 5 out of 5]

I absolutely devoured this book! I am a lover of books with complicated family dynamics and I come from a very culturally rooted family myself so it makes me relate so much with stories like this one. It just hits different.

There are so many aspects that work in this novel. That I will do my best to outline.

1. The theme of grief is handled beautifully and with such real grace to what it means to loose a parental. We see the pain written perfectly through our main female character and you are clearly able to understand her imperfect reaction to many moments in the book. It made her so real and relatable.

2. My favorite character is the matriarch in the book, I absolutely loved how her character developed and progressed through the book. Her exterior shell cracks slowly and deliberately with the simplest motivations of life: love.

3. The Indian culture is displayed so naturally throughout the story. The food, the colors, the traditions and the protective nature of mothers towards their children. I could feel like I was really there at all of the wedding events with how they were written so open to understand.

4. The sisterhood between the cousins was such a gorgeous thread, woven through the book, even in the moments of hurt you could see how clearly they loved each other.

5. Both main male characters are such green flags, I loved how they were written. I love the layers of understanding, of communication and of simple support for their other halves.

This is to me a nearly perfect book, honestly I could go back into this story over and over again. How it deals with family, themes of love, loss, identity and hope for the future is just chef’s kiss.

[♡ Anna Katalina ♡ · Rating 5 out of 5]

Thanks NetGalley for giving me an ARC.

I adore this rom-com-fam-dram novel! Simran is such a nuanced female character. At times, I felt that Simran was drowning in her emotional baggage, yet she found the strength to pull herself through, not without help from her golden-retriever boyfriend Leo and her mischievous, fun-loving cousins. I wish Leo had been fleshed out a bit more. The book is filled with such strong characters such as Kavitha, Geeta, and Veema, who stand out so much (in a spectacular way) that Leo’s character feels slightly overshadowed. Yet, actions speak louder than words; you can feel the way Leo adapts to the chaotic situation reflect how he is willing to do everything for Simran and how open-minded he is trying to integrate with her culture. I am all for books that have strong and sassy female characters. Each of the characters then has their own HEA which I am so happy for them.

I loved the concept of family that the author explores in this book. Family stands at the center of who we are, but it can also cause pain. Generational differences often lead to misunderstandings, as elders try to teach the younger how to survive the world in the ways they know, sometimes in a misguided way, but ultimately driven by love.

A wonderful debut from author Lavanya Lakshmi. She skillfully weaves romance, grief, family drama, culture, humor, and love together, making you feel gut-wrenched one moment and laughing the next, all set against the gorgeous backdrop of an Indian wedding. I will be rooting for her and can't wait to see her next work.

[Emily · Rating 4 out of 5]

An excellent debut from Lavanya Lakshmi. This novel is a truly enjoyable read, rich with culture, humor, and both romantic and familial love. While the plot centers on Simran and Leo and her efforts to win over her hard-to-please Tamil family, the heart of the story lies in Simran’s journey back to her family.

After losing her parents suddenly at a young age, Simran has long felt a sense of distance from her adoptive parents, who are also her aunt and uncle, and has struggled to express her feelings to them. The novel beautifully explores this emotional gap while immersing readers in the vibrant traditions of an Indian wedding and the nuances of family dynamics in Indian culture while balancing traditional values with more modern perspectives.

One of the most compelling aspects is the evolution of the relationship between Simran and Veena perima, her aunt and de facto mother. What Simran initially perceives as controlling and stifling gradually reveals itself as Veena’s way of expressing love and wanting the best for those she holds closest. It was so satisfying watching them grow toward greater understanding and communication.

Overall, I wished there was a little bit more backstory about Simran and Leo's relationship, but I understand that the real story here is about Simran and her family. I loved seeing her grow close with her sisters again and figuring out a way to be in touch with her family while also being independent.

Thank you to NetGalley and Pamela Dorman Books for the ARC!

[Midnights With Meg · Rating 2 out of 5]

I ended up DNFing this a little over a quarter of the way through, which is always disappointing—especially because there were things I genuinely appreciated.
The imagery is undeniably beautiful, and at times the writing felt lush and immersive. That said, some of the descriptions leaned a bit too ornate for my taste, while other details—like character appearances—felt underdeveloped in comparison. I found myself wanting a better balance.
I also want to acknowledge that this book draws heavily from Indian culture and includes a lot of Bollywood references. As someone who isn’t familiar with many of those elements, I sometimes felt a bit lost. I actually went in hoping to learn more through the story, but it didn’t fully bridge that gap for me. Because of that, I think readers who are more familiar with the culture may connect with it much more deeply.
One of my biggest struggles was with the main character. I had a hard time connecting with her, particularly in how she treated her boyfriend. The initial conflict between them felt glossed over, and I was hoping for more emotional depth and tension there—not just within the family dynamics.
There were moments where the writing flowed naturally, but others where it felt a bit forced, which made it harder for me to stay engaged. It also didn’t help that I read this right after The Paradise Problem, which completely pulled me in and set a high bar.
Overall, this just wasn’t the right book for me—but I can see it resonating with readers who connect more with the cultural context and storytelling style.

[Laila · Rating 4 out of 5]

Leave and Come Back is one of those books that feels both entertaining and deeply personal. On the surface it’s a story filled with humor, wedding chaos, and the warmth of a big South Asian family, but underneath it explores the kind of emotional wounds that linger long after we’ve grown up and moved away.

Simran returns home for a two-week wedding she would have preferred to avoid, and watching her navigate relatives who judge more than they listen felt incredibly familiar to me. The author captures the experience of being part of a culture where elders insert themselves into every corner of your life, even when they have no business doing so. If your choices don’t line up with their worldview, they believe you’re living wrong. That part hit hard because I come from a similar background, and I saw so much of my own family dynamics reflected in Simran’s story.

I loved how the book balances that heaviness with humor, especially through “Operation DDLJ,” which brings levity without dismissing the pain underneath. The writing is warm, sharp, and full of heart. Simran’s journey toward understanding herself, setting boundaries, and opening up to love felt honest and hopeful.

This is a story about family pressure, healing old wounds, and learning that coming back doesn’t mean losing yourself. It stayed with me long after I finished, and I’m so grateful I got to read it.

Thank you to NetGalley for the eARC in exchange for my honest review.

[Terri (BooklyMatters) · Rating 4 out of 5]

A wonderful debut from a new author, which manages to be sweet, funny, and engaging, while also facing complex issues — grief, family obligations, less than useful coping mechanisms, and trauma — head on.

Laced with a charming romance that is just beginning for long-time friends Simran and Leo, the story captures the tingly, crazy, out-of control feelings of new love, along with the heavier, deeper pull of secrets and shame, on a collision course that cannot be avoided.

When Simran receives an unexpected invite to an extravagant multi-day Indian family wedding, her simmering issues can no longer be simply avoided.

Will Simran manage or even resolve her decades long bottled-up angst, rooted in an estranged family situation which may or may not reflect her best interests at heart? Or will it destroy her (and Leo’s) chance for happiness?

Will Leo manage to meet the deeply embedded traditional expectations of a South Indian family — with both Tamil and Punjabi roots — as they continue to swirl and shape the world-view of Simran, a haze of complex feelings encompassing both family belonging and an always striving need for independence?

A terrific read, I devoured this book and these characters, and the Indian wedding centered plot-line (both madcap and romantic) captured so beautifully by the author.

A great big thank you to Netgalley, the author and the publisher for an ARC of this book. All thoughts provided are my own.

[Danna · Rating 3 out of 5]

“Everything is not big enough of a word for what you’ve given me.“

Leave and Come Back is a sweet, Bollywood-style romance with lots of family drama and fun. Simran moved to New Jersey from Chennai when she was orphaned as a teenager. While Simran bonded with her cousin, née adopted sister, she always felt a little out of place with the rest of her family and left for Toronto as soon as she could. Simran didn’t look back, not calling or texting for almost 7 years. Now, her cousin is getting married and Simran makes her way back to New Jersey for the wedding.

Everything has changed and nothing has changed. Will Simran stand up to her pushy aunt/adoptive mother? Will she reconnect with the family she left behind? Will her new boyfriend, Leo, figure out how to blend in with their Indian culture?

This is a romp of a book. Recommended. 3.5 stars. Thank you to the publisher and NetGalley for an ARC in exchange for an honest review.

Favorite quotes:

Leo wears his heart on his sleeve in a way that baffles—and terrifies—her. It’s pretty much the worst place she can imagine keeping your heart, right out in the open.

“Der aaye, durust aaye,” Kavitha says. Simran’s breath hitches at the familiar words. “I remember your dad used to say that all the time and I always thought it just meant ‘better late than never.’ But it means something different: Even if it’s late, it’s still the right time.”