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Some People
Win a free print copy of this book!
21 days and 02:22:02
50 copies available
U.S. only
A man on the brink of divorce is forced to care for his injured future-ex-mother-in-law in this powerful, heartfelt novel from the nationally bestselling author of
The Bandit Queens
.
Malti Patel is absolutely fine. Concussed and bruised, maybe, but fine. Certainly fine enough to not need her daughter's soon-to-be-ex-husband, Nathan Whitlock, playing nurse in her home while she recuperates. And yet, that's exactly the quandry in which she finds herself. Her doctor insists on in-home supervision for seven days, and with her daughter, Kavya, abroad at grad school in India, Nathan proves too much of a do-gooder to let Malti rehabiliate alone. Seven days of Nathan, the man divorcing her daughter for all manner of cultural misunderstanding, emotional walls, simmering hostility...most of them having to do with Kavya's scars from her childhood with Malti.
They want nothing to do with one another. But over the course of the week, as Malti grapples with the shadows of her past and Nathan ponders the wreckage of his marriage, they learn that they are the two people who know Kavya best—and the ones who have hurt her so deeply that she's left them both entirely.
Rich with emotional depth, Some People paints a nuanced portrait of love, forgiveness, and our timeless quest for understanding and acceptance.
Malti Patel is absolutely fine. Concussed and bruised, maybe, but fine. Certainly fine enough to not need her daughter's soon-to-be-ex-husband, Nathan Whitlock, playing nurse in her home while she recuperates. And yet, that's exactly the quandry in which she finds herself. Her doctor insists on in-home supervision for seven days, and with her daughter, Kavya, abroad at grad school in India, Nathan proves too much of a do-gooder to let Malti rehabiliate alone. Seven days of Nathan, the man divorcing her daughter for all manner of cultural misunderstanding, emotional walls, simmering hostility...most of them having to do with Kavya's scars from her childhood with Malti.
They want nothing to do with one another. But over the course of the week, as Malti grapples with the shadows of her past and Nathan ponders the wreckage of his marriage, they learn that they are the two people who know Kavya best—and the ones who have hurt her so deeply that she's left them both entirely.
Rich with emotional depth, Some People paints a nuanced portrait of love, forgiveness, and our timeless quest for understanding and acceptance.
304 pages, Hardcover
First published July 7, 2026
About the author
Parini Shroff
5 books801 followersParini Shroff received her MFA from the University of Texas at Austin, where she studied under Elizabeth McCracken, Alexander Chee, and Cristina García. She is a practicing attorney and currently lives in the Bay Area. The Bandit Queens is her debut novel.
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 56 reviews
July 8, 2026
I really enjoyed Parini Shroff’s debut novel, The Bandit Queens, so I was excited to receive an early copy of Some People. While it’s a very different story, it still has the same warmth and wit and is very much a feel-good story.
Nathan, whose marriage to Malti’s daughter Kevya is falling apart while she’s away in India for graduate school, ends up staying with his soon-to-be ex-mother-in-law after Malti suffers a concussion and needs someone with her during her recovery. They don’t see eye to eye on many topics but it’s interesting to see their evolving relationship. We don’t hear much from Kevya herself but she is a central presence.
I really liked Nathan’s character—both strong and vulnerable. He’s genuinely trying to understand how his marriage unraveled, and his reflections on love, marriage, and divorce felt honest and insightful. Malti is equally compelling. Through her stories, we learn why she left India, raised Kevya in California, and built a new life despite the prejudice and hardships she faced as an immigrant and single mother. She’s fiercely independent, slow to trust, and determined not to be seen as someone who needs looking after. And it seems Nathan is more concerned for her health than she is.
Shroff does a wonderful job bringing together two people separated by age, culture, and perspective, allowing them to gradually open up to one another. Their conversations are awkward, funny, and unexpectedly moving, and through their growing relationship they each come to better understand each other. Their interactions felt authentic, with humor woven in at just the right moments to balance the emotional weight. It’s a moving story about family, resilience, guilt, forgiveness and the unexpected connections that can quietly change us.
Thanks to NetGalley and Ballantine for an advance ebook for review.
Nathan, whose marriage to Malti’s daughter Kevya is falling apart while she’s away in India for graduate school, ends up staying with his soon-to-be ex-mother-in-law after Malti suffers a concussion and needs someone with her during her recovery. They don’t see eye to eye on many topics but it’s interesting to see their evolving relationship. We don’t hear much from Kevya herself but she is a central presence.
I really liked Nathan’s character—both strong and vulnerable. He’s genuinely trying to understand how his marriage unraveled, and his reflections on love, marriage, and divorce felt honest and insightful. Malti is equally compelling. Through her stories, we learn why she left India, raised Kevya in California, and built a new life despite the prejudice and hardships she faced as an immigrant and single mother. She’s fiercely independent, slow to trust, and determined not to be seen as someone who needs looking after. And it seems Nathan is more concerned for her health than she is.
Shroff does a wonderful job bringing together two people separated by age, culture, and perspective, allowing them to gradually open up to one another. Their conversations are awkward, funny, and unexpectedly moving, and through their growing relationship they each come to better understand each other. Their interactions felt authentic, with humor woven in at just the right moments to balance the emotional weight. It’s a moving story about family, resilience, guilt, forgiveness and the unexpected connections that can quietly change us.
Thanks to NetGalley and Ballantine for an advance ebook for review.
July 7, 2026
I wish I had a physical copy of SOME PEOPLE, just so I could hug it.
We see lots of mother-daughter stories, but this is the first time I’ve read a story from the perspectives of a mother-in-law and almost-ex son-in-law. What I loved, more specifically than everything:
➛Beautifully written
➛Powerful statement about relationships, the way we perceive people, and the way our assumptions can prevent us from seeing the truth
➛Thoughtful look at cultural and generational differences, and what they can mean in any relationship
This was a fun, deep, emotional read, and I loved every word.
*Thanks to Ballantine Books for the free eARC, provided via NetGalley.*
We see lots of mother-daughter stories, but this is the first time I’ve read a story from the perspectives of a mother-in-law and almost-ex son-in-law. What I loved, more specifically than everything:
➛Beautifully written
➛Powerful statement about relationships, the way we perceive people, and the way our assumptions can prevent us from seeing the truth
➛Thoughtful look at cultural and generational differences, and what they can mean in any relationship
This was a fun, deep, emotional read, and I loved every word.
*Thanks to Ballantine Books for the free eARC, provided via NetGalley.*
Review of advance copy received from NetGalley
Thank you, NetGalley and Ballantine Books, for an advance e-copy of "Some People" by Parini Shroff. Expected publication date: July 7, 2026.
I loved this book. Why? Because it's about a Millennial man taking care of a Boomer woman who absolutely does not want to be taken care of.
Malti wants no fuss. No hovering. No help.
Nathan, her soon-to-be ex-son-in-law, only enters the picture because Malti's daughter, his estranged wife and Malti's emergency contact, is in India and unreachable. When the hospital can't locate her, they call Nathan, blissfully unaware that the marriage is ending. Thus begins one of the most entertaining and unexpectedly heartwarming alliances I've read in quite some time.
After offering cash to an unhoused man, Malti receives an emotional hug that accidentally sends her sprawling onto the pavement. The fall leaves her concussed and in need of stitches. Malti is fiercely independent (I can relate) and determined to recover on her own (I can relate to that, too). Nathan, however, is conscientious to a fault and refuses to leave her alone until he's convinced she's safely through the concussion and has her stitches removed. Since he works remotely, he simply packs up his laptop, moves into Malti's house for a few days, and brings along his inherited cat, Shadow, who nearly steals the show.
Malti immigrated from India to California in her thirties, where she struggled to build a life and raise her daughter as a single mother. Through Malti's story, Shroff thoughtfully explores the immigrant experience while using humor to soften difficult truths. I already consider myself empathetic toward immigrants (both of my children are married to immigrants), but Shroff gave me perspectives I had never considered. I came away with a deeper understanding and appreciation for challenges that often go unseen.
The novel also shines in its portrayal of the generational divide. Through Nathan's eyes, I found myself laughing at the ways Millennials perceive Boomers. Some of his observations are hilariously on point, even when they're aimed squarely at my generation. It's often easier to understand another perspective through fiction than through real-life disagreements, and Shroff uses humor so deftly that even uncomfortable truths land with grace.
As Nathan stays with Malti, he gradually learns about her childhood, her marriage, and the sacrifices she made for her daughter. Shroff beautifully illustrates how often we judge people without ever knowing their story. Nathan begins to understand why Malti made certain parenting decisions that his wife, Kavya, had long misunderstood. At the same time, Malti discovers a side of Nathan she had never taken the time to see. As cultural misunderstandings give way to compassion, both characters soften, and so did I.
That's ultimately why I loved this novel. It made me want to be better. To listen more. To judge less. To appreciate the complexities of immigration, family, and generational differences with a little more grace and a lot more curiosity.
And Parini Shroff accomplished all of this with humor, my favorite way to learn.
Kudos to Shroff. I laughed. I learned. I reflected. What more could I ask from a novel?
I loved this book. Why? Because it's about a Millennial man taking care of a Boomer woman who absolutely does not want to be taken care of.
Malti wants no fuss. No hovering. No help.
Nathan, her soon-to-be ex-son-in-law, only enters the picture because Malti's daughter, his estranged wife and Malti's emergency contact, is in India and unreachable. When the hospital can't locate her, they call Nathan, blissfully unaware that the marriage is ending. Thus begins one of the most entertaining and unexpectedly heartwarming alliances I've read in quite some time.
After offering cash to an unhoused man, Malti receives an emotional hug that accidentally sends her sprawling onto the pavement. The fall leaves her concussed and in need of stitches. Malti is fiercely independent (I can relate) and determined to recover on her own (I can relate to that, too). Nathan, however, is conscientious to a fault and refuses to leave her alone until he's convinced she's safely through the concussion and has her stitches removed. Since he works remotely, he simply packs up his laptop, moves into Malti's house for a few days, and brings along his inherited cat, Shadow, who nearly steals the show.
Malti immigrated from India to California in her thirties, where she struggled to build a life and raise her daughter as a single mother. Through Malti's story, Shroff thoughtfully explores the immigrant experience while using humor to soften difficult truths. I already consider myself empathetic toward immigrants (both of my children are married to immigrants), but Shroff gave me perspectives I had never considered. I came away with a deeper understanding and appreciation for challenges that often go unseen.
The novel also shines in its portrayal of the generational divide. Through Nathan's eyes, I found myself laughing at the ways Millennials perceive Boomers. Some of his observations are hilariously on point, even when they're aimed squarely at my generation. It's often easier to understand another perspective through fiction than through real-life disagreements, and Shroff uses humor so deftly that even uncomfortable truths land with grace.
As Nathan stays with Malti, he gradually learns about her childhood, her marriage, and the sacrifices she made for her daughter. Shroff beautifully illustrates how often we judge people without ever knowing their story. Nathan begins to understand why Malti made certain parenting decisions that his wife, Kavya, had long misunderstood. At the same time, Malti discovers a side of Nathan she had never taken the time to see. As cultural misunderstandings give way to compassion, both characters soften, and so did I.
That's ultimately why I loved this novel. It made me want to be better. To listen more. To judge less. To appreciate the complexities of immigration, family, and generational differences with a little more grace and a lot more curiosity.
And Parini Shroff accomplished all of this with humor, my favorite way to learn.
Kudos to Shroff. I laughed. I learned. I reflected. What more could I ask from a novel?
Review of advance copy received from NetGalley
3.5 stars
I have a copy of Parini's book The Bandit Queens, but haven't read it yet so I went into this blind.
It's an easy going book, and whilst there are some difficult topics, it is generally quite a positive, uplifting story.
The chapters are a bit on the long side, and I prefer short chapters, but I know that's more of a personal thing rather than a problem with the book itself.
I found the writing...fine. It wasn't anything standout. The dialogue was also a little ropey from time to time. I mean, I am rubbish at writing dialogue so I can't really comment, but I like my dialogue to sound natural rather than like I'm reading a book (I know that's exactly what I'm doing) and this went from natural to stilted a few times.
The characters are okay. It's really a two-person story for 99% of the book, and they're completely different. They're not always the easiest to get along with but I did enjoy following their heart to hearts. They were, at times, sickly sweet but interesting all the same.
It is VERY dialogue heavy and VERY plot light, which is not how I usually like my books but I didn't mind it so much in this.
I liked the multicultural element. We have the comparisons between the American way of life and the Indian, and I found that well done. I apologise to Parini if I'm wrong but I think she has Indian heritage but lives in the States, so it's clear to see where this multicultural aspect came from and it's done with respect. Was it a bit much at times? Possible. But I don't feel I have a right to comment on discussions around race and related matters.
I also liked the generational element - this man in his 40s caring for his mother-in-law in her 70s, and I enjoyed their interactions.
I admit there is not much going on at all, the plot is very thin, which isn't necessarily a negative as long as the characters are good. Like I said, they're not perfect, but I did enjoy reading about them.
It's a genteel book with a genteel pace, a lot of conversation, a lot of soul searching and reminiscing, rather than 'stuff' actually going on but it makes for an easy and quick read that I read in a few hours. Books that are predominately dialogue can have a tendency to be slow and drag out but this was so easy to read.
Now...the ending. I liked what was there, but it feels quite open ended so the reader can decide how it ends and that annoys me slightly. I want to know I've finished a story and it's all wrapped up - in a positive or negative way - and I often feel a bit short-changed. Like I said, I liked the ending that was on the page but I'd prefer if she'd completely tied it all up.
Overall, it's not the best book I've read and there are some flaws. The characters weren't perfect but they were endearing. There are lots of difficult topics but they are handled well. It's quick and easy to read, and I enjoyed the multicultural and multigenerational aspects.
I have a copy of Parini's book The Bandit Queens, but haven't read it yet so I went into this blind.
It's an easy going book, and whilst there are some difficult topics, it is generally quite a positive, uplifting story.
The chapters are a bit on the long side, and I prefer short chapters, but I know that's more of a personal thing rather than a problem with the book itself.
I found the writing...fine. It wasn't anything standout. The dialogue was also a little ropey from time to time. I mean, I am rubbish at writing dialogue so I can't really comment, but I like my dialogue to sound natural rather than like I'm reading a book (I know that's exactly what I'm doing) and this went from natural to stilted a few times.
The characters are okay. It's really a two-person story for 99% of the book, and they're completely different. They're not always the easiest to get along with but I did enjoy following their heart to hearts. They were, at times, sickly sweet but interesting all the same.
It is VERY dialogue heavy and VERY plot light, which is not how I usually like my books but I didn't mind it so much in this.
I liked the multicultural element. We have the comparisons between the American way of life and the Indian, and I found that well done. I apologise to Parini if I'm wrong but I think she has Indian heritage but lives in the States, so it's clear to see where this multicultural aspect came from and it's done with respect. Was it a bit much at times? Possible. But I don't feel I have a right to comment on discussions around race and related matters.
I also liked the generational element - this man in his 40s caring for his mother-in-law in her 70s, and I enjoyed their interactions.
I admit there is not much going on at all, the plot is very thin, which isn't necessarily a negative as long as the characters are good. Like I said, they're not perfect, but I did enjoy reading about them.
It's a genteel book with a genteel pace, a lot of conversation, a lot of soul searching and reminiscing, rather than 'stuff' actually going on but it makes for an easy and quick read that I read in a few hours. Books that are predominately dialogue can have a tendency to be slow and drag out but this was so easy to read.
Now...the ending. I liked what was there, but it feels quite open ended so the reader can decide how it ends and that annoys me slightly. I want to know I've finished a story and it's all wrapped up - in a positive or negative way - and I often feel a bit short-changed. Like I said, I liked the ending that was on the page but I'd prefer if she'd completely tied it all up.
Overall, it's not the best book I've read and there are some flaws. The characters weren't perfect but they were endearing. There are lots of difficult topics but they are handled well. It's quick and easy to read, and I enjoyed the multicultural and multigenerational aspects.
July 7, 2026
This is a tough review because this book is about nothing. There's no plot, no real ending, and no final conclusion on its themes. Yet, I went through a journey in these pages. My emotions jumped all over the place, but always ended on empathy for Malta and Nathan.
The story starts with Malta unable to live on her own while recovering from a concussion. Since Kavya, her daughter, is in India visiting her father, the only one who can help during her recovery is Nathan, the soon to be ex of said daughter. From that humble beginning, the narrative opens up to explore the relationship between Kavya and these two most important people in her life.
Malti feels enormous guilt over how she raised Kavya, even though she says repeatedly that motherhood is hard and she did the best she could. I relate to this experience so deeply and I didn't have to do it alone. Nathan can't understand what he did wrong in their marriage, so he has no idea how to fix it. I can understand that too. Even when most things in a relationship are great, the little cruel things add up over time if they're never addressed. Malti is traditional with the sensibility of an immigrant, while Nathan is modern with the privilege of a white man. You would think the two couldn't possibly have a common ground to stand on. Yet, they're both remarkably alike, from their uncompromising stubbornness to the way they tackle adversity. And no one with a soul could walk away without feeling deeply for both of them.
Which is why this novel is so good. Malta and Nathan should be entirely unlikeable. And yet, Shroff made them so human, it felt like you were learning something about yourself. You know when people talk about books with no plot where there's just people talking and nothing gets resolved? Usually they call that kind of an experience a"quiet book". Well, there's nothing quiet about this one. It's loud and in your face and holds no punches. Yet, just when you're ready to curl up in an existential crisis of your own, Shroff throws humor into the mix. And I don't mean, an off-colored joke to put you at ease. Every bit of humor, even the laugh out loud moments, felt completely natural to the setting and from these characters.
Even though I'm nothing like these two people, either in background or essence, I felt seen. There were clear messages about relationships and our society that were presented in such a realistic way that it made me pause at each revelation. But I didn't feel preached at or talked down to. Forget Socrates and Goethe. This is the book that should be brought into philosophy class. I'm so glad we read this for a buddy read ARC because I NEED to talk about it.
Also, I think this should be a play. It's a genius back and forth within a limited setting. I must see this on a stage.
The story starts with Malta unable to live on her own while recovering from a concussion. Since Kavya, her daughter, is in India visiting her father, the only one who can help during her recovery is Nathan, the soon to be ex of said daughter. From that humble beginning, the narrative opens up to explore the relationship between Kavya and these two most important people in her life.
Malti feels enormous guilt over how she raised Kavya, even though she says repeatedly that motherhood is hard and she did the best she could. I relate to this experience so deeply and I didn't have to do it alone. Nathan can't understand what he did wrong in their marriage, so he has no idea how to fix it. I can understand that too. Even when most things in a relationship are great, the little cruel things add up over time if they're never addressed. Malti is traditional with the sensibility of an immigrant, while Nathan is modern with the privilege of a white man. You would think the two couldn't possibly have a common ground to stand on. Yet, they're both remarkably alike, from their uncompromising stubbornness to the way they tackle adversity. And no one with a soul could walk away without feeling deeply for both of them.
Which is why this novel is so good. Malta and Nathan should be entirely unlikeable. And yet, Shroff made them so human, it felt like you were learning something about yourself. You know when people talk about books with no plot where there's just people talking and nothing gets resolved? Usually they call that kind of an experience a"quiet book". Well, there's nothing quiet about this one. It's loud and in your face and holds no punches. Yet, just when you're ready to curl up in an existential crisis of your own, Shroff throws humor into the mix. And I don't mean, an off-colored joke to put you at ease. Every bit of humor, even the laugh out loud moments, felt completely natural to the setting and from these characters.
Even though I'm nothing like these two people, either in background or essence, I felt seen. There were clear messages about relationships and our society that were presented in such a realistic way that it made me pause at each revelation. But I didn't feel preached at or talked down to. Forget Socrates and Goethe. This is the book that should be brought into philosophy class. I'm so glad we read this for a buddy read ARC because I NEED to talk about it.
Also, I think this should be a play. It's a genius back and forth within a limited setting. I must see this on a stage.
Review of advance copy received from NetGalley
This is an interesting, beautifully written book that is character driven and full of introspection.
Malti Patel has an accidental fall one day, and has a concussion. She lives alone, so her soon to be ex-son-in-law, Nathan, begrudgingly temporarily moves in to help with her care for a week. Malti's daughter, and Nathan's soon to be ex, Kavya, is in India at college getting her masters and getting to know her father. Malti does not want this either! The two have a prickly relationship.
I really loved these two characters. Both are struggling with their relationship with Kavya. Nathan is still analyzing what went wrong in the marriage and what he could have changed. Malti is dealing with mother's guilt. She divorced her cheating husband and left India when Kavya was still little. She worked hard and made many sacrifices for Kavya. However, the relationship between the two burns hot and cold. They love each other, but Kavya is struggling to find herself and Malti has kept secrets that would help Kavya understand her better.
As Malti and Nathan spend more time together, they begin to have deeper discussions with each other, learning the others history, perspective, and even forming a bond. There is one that Malti shares that is particularly heartbreaking, for both me and the character Nathan. It is during this time that we really get to know Kavya, and so do Malti and Nathan.
There were so many things I could relate with in Malti. A mother dealing with grown children and redefining her role, Kavya's perspective of the world based on her childhood, and even Nathan's awakening to the people around him. This is a novel that is character driven through introspection and conversation. Their history is slowly revealed. I will admit there were a few times that I wished for a little action to happen! However, the reader gets to know these characters with a depth that is wonderful, and you find that you want to know the whole story, and what happens.
The themes that it tackles are societal racism, marriage, connection, forgiveness, and discovery. These are heavy subjects, but there is also humor that had me chuckling out loud. Although there were a few times I felt it got a little "preachy", it is still a beautiful story that will have you thinking about the issues it addresses, and doing a little self examination of yourself!
Thank you to NetGalley and Ballantine Books for the ARC. This is my honest and voluntary review.
Malti Patel has an accidental fall one day, and has a concussion. She lives alone, so her soon to be ex-son-in-law, Nathan, begrudgingly temporarily moves in to help with her care for a week. Malti's daughter, and Nathan's soon to be ex, Kavya, is in India at college getting her masters and getting to know her father. Malti does not want this either! The two have a prickly relationship.
I really loved these two characters. Both are struggling with their relationship with Kavya. Nathan is still analyzing what went wrong in the marriage and what he could have changed. Malti is dealing with mother's guilt. She divorced her cheating husband and left India when Kavya was still little. She worked hard and made many sacrifices for Kavya. However, the relationship between the two burns hot and cold. They love each other, but Kavya is struggling to find herself and Malti has kept secrets that would help Kavya understand her better.
As Malti and Nathan spend more time together, they begin to have deeper discussions with each other, learning the others history, perspective, and even forming a bond. There is one that Malti shares that is particularly heartbreaking, for both me and the character Nathan. It is during this time that we really get to know Kavya, and so do Malti and Nathan.
There were so many things I could relate with in Malti. A mother dealing with grown children and redefining her role, Kavya's perspective of the world based on her childhood, and even Nathan's awakening to the people around him. This is a novel that is character driven through introspection and conversation. Their history is slowly revealed. I will admit there were a few times that I wished for a little action to happen! However, the reader gets to know these characters with a depth that is wonderful, and you find that you want to know the whole story, and what happens.
The themes that it tackles are societal racism, marriage, connection, forgiveness, and discovery. These are heavy subjects, but there is also humor that had me chuckling out loud. Although there were a few times I felt it got a little "preachy", it is still a beautiful story that will have you thinking about the issues it addresses, and doing a little self examination of yourself!
Thank you to NetGalley and Ballantine Books for the ARC. This is my honest and voluntary review.
July 8, 2026
This is quite the departure from this author's prior book, the dark feminist comedy, 'Bandit Queens'.
Parini Shroff takes a quieter but no less affecting approach in Some People. Trading murder and dark satire for intimate family drama, Shroff delivers a deeply compassionate novel about forgiveness, cultural identity, and the complicated bonds that endure even when relationships appear beyond repair.
The result is a character-driven story that finds remarkable emotional depth in an unlikely premise. The novel follows Nathan Whitlock, a man in the midst of divorcing his wife, Kavya, who unexpectedly becomes the caregiver for his injured future ex-mother-in-law, Malti Patel, after she suffers a concussion while Kavya is overseas. Forced to spend a week together under one roof, the pair must confront not only their mutual resentment. but also the painful truths surrounding the woman they both love.
Malti is one of the novel's greatest achievements. Proud, stubborn, fiercely independent, and often hilariously blunt, she resists every attempt at sympathy while simultaneously forcing readers to reconsider the choices that shaped her life. Rather than presenting her as either villain or victim, Shroff crafts a fully realized woman whose flaws are inseparable from her resilience. Nathan proves an equally compelling foil. His emotional reserve and unwavering sense of duty mask the insecurities that gradually surface, making him far more than a good guy caught in an unhappy marriage.
Though Kavya is not in the picture, throught the memories of her mother and husband, readers can visualize a portrait of a woman shaped by generational trauma, cultural expectations, and the impossible burden of reconciling competing identities. This is particularly effective, underscoring how the people we love are often understood only in fragments.
Shroff's writing balances humor with emotional precision. She has an exceptional ear for dialogue, allowing even mundane conversations about meals, chores, and everyday routines to evolve into revealing examinations of family dynamics.
The comedy never undermines the novel's more serious themes; instead, it highlights the absurdity and tenderness that often coexist within close relationships. We all know someone like Malti, an initially abrasive character, who then becomes endearing. You end up rooting for her and Nathan to help Kavya repair her family.
Parini Shroff takes a quieter but no less affecting approach in Some People. Trading murder and dark satire for intimate family drama, Shroff delivers a deeply compassionate novel about forgiveness, cultural identity, and the complicated bonds that endure even when relationships appear beyond repair.
The result is a character-driven story that finds remarkable emotional depth in an unlikely premise. The novel follows Nathan Whitlock, a man in the midst of divorcing his wife, Kavya, who unexpectedly becomes the caregiver for his injured future ex-mother-in-law, Malti Patel, after she suffers a concussion while Kavya is overseas. Forced to spend a week together under one roof, the pair must confront not only their mutual resentment. but also the painful truths surrounding the woman they both love.
Malti is one of the novel's greatest achievements. Proud, stubborn, fiercely independent, and often hilariously blunt, she resists every attempt at sympathy while simultaneously forcing readers to reconsider the choices that shaped her life. Rather than presenting her as either villain or victim, Shroff crafts a fully realized woman whose flaws are inseparable from her resilience. Nathan proves an equally compelling foil. His emotional reserve and unwavering sense of duty mask the insecurities that gradually surface, making him far more than a good guy caught in an unhappy marriage.
Though Kavya is not in the picture, throught the memories of her mother and husband, readers can visualize a portrait of a woman shaped by generational trauma, cultural expectations, and the impossible burden of reconciling competing identities. This is particularly effective, underscoring how the people we love are often understood only in fragments.
Shroff's writing balances humor with emotional precision. She has an exceptional ear for dialogue, allowing even mundane conversations about meals, chores, and everyday routines to evolve into revealing examinations of family dynamics.
The comedy never undermines the novel's more serious themes; instead, it highlights the absurdity and tenderness that often coexist within close relationships. We all know someone like Malti, an initially abrasive character, who then becomes endearing. You end up rooting for her and Nathan to help Kavya repair her family.
Review of advance copy received from NetGalley
“Some People” is narrated by Malti, an elderly Indian-American woman, and her soon to be ex-son in law, Nathan. After Malti suffers a concussion, she is (much to her chagrin) released into the care of Nathan.
During this week of forced proximity, we learn about Kavya, Malti’s daughter and Nathan’s soon to be ex-wife (who has left her marriage and traveled to India for graduate school). The mother/son in law pairing is an interesting and effective conduit to learn about Kavya. I can understand its purpose. From Malti’s point of view, we see how her choices and brand of nurture molds her daughter from the innocent and trusting child she was into the wary and vulnerable woman she becomes. From Nathan, we see how Kavya was as a partner (lonely, misunderstood, frustrated), based on the environment of her childhood and the erosion of her marriage.
I enjoyed seeing the frostiness of Malti and Nathan’s relationship evolve from playful (though at times, mean-spirited) banter, into a guarded camaraderie. The brightest parts of the story were Nathan’s reflection of a fond memory or a misunderstanding in his marriage. With Malti’s insight, he was able to see why Kavya acted or reacted the way she had. This pattern was repeated with Malti. Because of Nathan’s intimations of Kavya, Malti was able to see and understand her daughter in a new light.
The parts of the book that didn’t work for me was some of the dialogue I found preachy. Malti constantly uses Nathan’s skin color and race as a pejorative. Even Kavya felt the need to edify him on his privilege. The first time it’s cringeworthy, but it went on and on. The argument of racial and cultural differences was belabored and hard to believe that it would still be such a point of contention after ten years. I considered not finishing the book, but did because I don’t leave reviews on a DNF book. The other thing is that even though there are only three characters, I struggled to find anything affable or sympathetic about any of them. The story also moved at a glacial pace and was, for much of the book, tedious.
It’s disappointing because “Bandit Queens” was one of my favorite books of 2023 and I felt that the bar was set really high for Parini Shroff’s follow up novel.
Thank you to Random House and NetGalley for the eARC in exchange for an honest review.
During this week of forced proximity, we learn about Kavya, Malti’s daughter and Nathan’s soon to be ex-wife (who has left her marriage and traveled to India for graduate school). The mother/son in law pairing is an interesting and effective conduit to learn about Kavya. I can understand its purpose. From Malti’s point of view, we see how her choices and brand of nurture molds her daughter from the innocent and trusting child she was into the wary and vulnerable woman she becomes. From Nathan, we see how Kavya was as a partner (lonely, misunderstood, frustrated), based on the environment of her childhood and the erosion of her marriage.
I enjoyed seeing the frostiness of Malti and Nathan’s relationship evolve from playful (though at times, mean-spirited) banter, into a guarded camaraderie. The brightest parts of the story were Nathan’s reflection of a fond memory or a misunderstanding in his marriage. With Malti’s insight, he was able to see why Kavya acted or reacted the way she had. This pattern was repeated with Malti. Because of Nathan’s intimations of Kavya, Malti was able to see and understand her daughter in a new light.
The parts of the book that didn’t work for me was some of the dialogue I found preachy. Malti constantly uses Nathan’s skin color and race as a pejorative. Even Kavya felt the need to edify him on his privilege. The first time it’s cringeworthy, but it went on and on. The argument of racial and cultural differences was belabored and hard to believe that it would still be such a point of contention after ten years. I considered not finishing the book, but did because I don’t leave reviews on a DNF book. The other thing is that even though there are only three characters, I struggled to find anything affable or sympathetic about any of them. The story also moved at a glacial pace and was, for much of the book, tedious.
It’s disappointing because “Bandit Queens” was one of my favorite books of 2023 and I felt that the bar was set really high for Parini Shroff’s follow up novel.
Thank you to Random House and NetGalley for the eARC in exchange for an honest review.
Review of advance copy received from NetGalley
Nathan has never met a person more in need of therapy than Malti Patel. Malti just happens to be his future ex-mother-in-law. Unfortunately, when she suffers a concussion and her daughter Kavya is overseas, she is also his responsibility for a few days while she recuperates.
The problem is Malti is filled with regrets about her mothering of her grown daughter, and suspicious of Nathan– and for that matter, all men. She’s also not too fond of modern technology, being told what to do, unusual food, s-e-x, and doctors who talk down to her. As if that’s not bad enough, she’s harboring some deep-seated secrets.
As far as Nathan, he has his regrets as well. He’s a big likeable sort of guy, but his wife is now studying in India with the father who abandoned her and her mother years ago and their divorce is looming. He doesn’t quite know how his marriage has gotten to that point. He’s always been dutiful and nice, but that hasn’t gotten him anywhere. He reflects: “We give what we give when we want, and think what more could anyone possibly want? Now I know the answer is everything.”
Nathan meets his match with Malti. Both characters are flawed, crusty, and outspoken. Both love Kavya but feel they have failed her in elusive ways they sometimes get but don’t totally understand. They have a grudging respect – even love – for each other, but also a suspicion that keeps seeping in just when a breakthrough is almost there. But slowly and surely, as they begin to tiptoe around the big questions in life – what it means to love fully, connect wholly, work toward redemption, face up to societal imbalances – they find themselves bonding. And with the bonding comes a true awakening.
There is an authenticity in this novel that I loved, and humorous moments that made me laugh out loud. There is also poignancy and an examination into the courage it takes to face who we are and what it takes to commit to positive change. This is – I daresay – a sweet novel that made me feel I had just spent time with two characters whom I had gotten to know and liked enormously. I owe thanks to Ballantine Books and NetGalley for enabling me to be an early reader in exchange for an honest review.
The problem is Malti is filled with regrets about her mothering of her grown daughter, and suspicious of Nathan– and for that matter, all men. She’s also not too fond of modern technology, being told what to do, unusual food, s-e-x, and doctors who talk down to her. As if that’s not bad enough, she’s harboring some deep-seated secrets.
As far as Nathan, he has his regrets as well. He’s a big likeable sort of guy, but his wife is now studying in India with the father who abandoned her and her mother years ago and their divorce is looming. He doesn’t quite know how his marriage has gotten to that point. He’s always been dutiful and nice, but that hasn’t gotten him anywhere. He reflects: “We give what we give when we want, and think what more could anyone possibly want? Now I know the answer is everything.”
Nathan meets his match with Malti. Both characters are flawed, crusty, and outspoken. Both love Kavya but feel they have failed her in elusive ways they sometimes get but don’t totally understand. They have a grudging respect – even love – for each other, but also a suspicion that keeps seeping in just when a breakthrough is almost there. But slowly and surely, as they begin to tiptoe around the big questions in life – what it means to love fully, connect wholly, work toward redemption, face up to societal imbalances – they find themselves bonding. And with the bonding comes a true awakening.
There is an authenticity in this novel that I loved, and humorous moments that made me laugh out loud. There is also poignancy and an examination into the courage it takes to face who we are and what it takes to commit to positive change. This is – I daresay – a sweet novel that made me feel I had just spent time with two characters whom I had gotten to know and liked enormously. I owe thanks to Ballantine Books and NetGalley for enabling me to be an early reader in exchange for an honest review.
July 8, 2026
***I received an ARC from Net Galley in exchange for my honest review
Malti Patel goes to give someone in need some money at the doors to her pharmacy, and he accidently knocks her over. She hits her head, and when she wakes up, discovers she is surrounded by police and EMS. She tries to resist going with them to the hospital, but her head was bleeding copiously and she had a concussion, so they didn't give her a choice. When it came time to be discharged, they wouldn't just let her leave on her own - they had to contact her next of kin. Which normally wouldn't be a problem - her daughter could come get her if she wasn't in India right now for grad school. Which leaves....Nathan Whitlock, her daughter's soon-to-be-ex-husband, and the last person she wants to see. To make matters worse, the doctor insists on in-home supervision for seven days, so Nathan gives her the choice of his house or hers. Well of course she wants to go home. Surely she can somehow survive seven days of Nathan, the man divorcing her daughter for all manner of reasons: cultural misunderstanding, emotional walls, simmering hostility...most of them having to do with Kavya's baggage from her childhood. Over the course of the week Malti grapples with the shadows of her past and Nathan ponders the wreckage of his marriage. They each discover how the other person's misunderstanding of a situation can change everything, that moat of their dislike for each other comes from miscommunication & they really don't , mind each other after all, they learn that they are the two people who know Kavya best, & the ones who have hurt her so deeply that she's left them both. This book had so many funny parts that kept me laughing. I adored Malti - she was a feisty little spitfire, but she sure was fun! I think Nathan had to be on the spectrum because of his communication patterns., & his bluntness was definitely off-putting if you didn't know better. I thoroughly enjoyed watching them grow closer day by day, learning more about each other, and understanding each other better. Each day I was hoping that when his wife came home from grad school, that she would call off the divorce & they could start fresh. I highly recommend this one!
Malti Patel goes to give someone in need some money at the doors to her pharmacy, and he accidently knocks her over. She hits her head, and when she wakes up, discovers she is surrounded by police and EMS. She tries to resist going with them to the hospital, but her head was bleeding copiously and she had a concussion, so they didn't give her a choice. When it came time to be discharged, they wouldn't just let her leave on her own - they had to contact her next of kin. Which normally wouldn't be a problem - her daughter could come get her if she wasn't in India right now for grad school. Which leaves....Nathan Whitlock, her daughter's soon-to-be-ex-husband, and the last person she wants to see. To make matters worse, the doctor insists on in-home supervision for seven days, so Nathan gives her the choice of his house or hers. Well of course she wants to go home. Surely she can somehow survive seven days of Nathan, the man divorcing her daughter for all manner of reasons: cultural misunderstanding, emotional walls, simmering hostility...most of them having to do with Kavya's baggage from her childhood. Over the course of the week Malti grapples with the shadows of her past and Nathan ponders the wreckage of his marriage. They each discover how the other person's misunderstanding of a situation can change everything, that moat of their dislike for each other comes from miscommunication & they really don't , mind each other after all, they learn that they are the two people who know Kavya best, & the ones who have hurt her so deeply that she's left them both. This book had so many funny parts that kept me laughing. I adored Malti - she was a feisty little spitfire, but she sure was fun! I think Nathan had to be on the spectrum because of his communication patterns., & his bluntness was definitely off-putting if you didn't know better. I thoroughly enjoyed watching them grow closer day by day, learning more about each other, and understanding each other better. Each day I was hoping that when his wife came home from grad school, that she would call off the divorce & they could start fresh. I highly recommend this one!
July 8, 2026
I picked this up because I loved The Bandit Queens and wanted to read more from this author. One of my favorite things about that book was how well the author captured different perspectives, and that was one of the strengths here too.
The story follows a strong, independent Indian mother and her soon-to-be ex-son-in-law, who are forced to spend a week together after she suffers a concussion and needs someone to stay with her. They are connected by one woman they both love and have both hurt in different ways, and over the course of the week their conversations slowly unravel years of family history, marriage, misunderstandings, trauma, expectations, and the things people need but don't always know how to ask for.
I appreciated that there wasn't a clear villain in this story. Everyone had flaws, everyone made mistakes, and everyone carried their own pain. The author does a great job showing how two people can experience the same events completely differently while both believing they're right. It made the characters feel complicated and very human. I also liked how the novel explored the different ways men and women move through the world and how those experiences shape the assumptions they make about each other.
My biggest issue with the book was the vocabulary. It honestly felt like the author intentionally chose unusually complex words throughout the novel. I found myself stopping to look up words over and over again, including one that appeared four separate times. I have a pretty solid vocabulary, so constantly having to stop pulled me out of the story. I don't remember having this experience with The Bandit Queens, so it was surprising.
Overall, I still enjoyed the book for its nuanced characters, thoughtful discussions about family and marriage, and the empathy it extends to everyone involved. While I didn't connect with it quite as much as The Bandit Queens, I'll definitely continue reading whatever this author writes next.
Thank you to Ballantine and NetGalley for providing this ARC for review consideration. All opinions are my own.
The story follows a strong, independent Indian mother and her soon-to-be ex-son-in-law, who are forced to spend a week together after she suffers a concussion and needs someone to stay with her. They are connected by one woman they both love and have both hurt in different ways, and over the course of the week their conversations slowly unravel years of family history, marriage, misunderstandings, trauma, expectations, and the things people need but don't always know how to ask for.
I appreciated that there wasn't a clear villain in this story. Everyone had flaws, everyone made mistakes, and everyone carried their own pain. The author does a great job showing how two people can experience the same events completely differently while both believing they're right. It made the characters feel complicated and very human. I also liked how the novel explored the different ways men and women move through the world and how those experiences shape the assumptions they make about each other.
My biggest issue with the book was the vocabulary. It honestly felt like the author intentionally chose unusually complex words throughout the novel. I found myself stopping to look up words over and over again, including one that appeared four separate times. I have a pretty solid vocabulary, so constantly having to stop pulled me out of the story. I don't remember having this experience with The Bandit Queens, so it was surprising.
Overall, I still enjoyed the book for its nuanced characters, thoughtful discussions about family and marriage, and the empathy it extends to everyone involved. While I didn't connect with it quite as much as The Bandit Queens, I'll definitely continue reading whatever this author writes next.
Thank you to Ballantine and NetGalley for providing this ARC for review consideration. All opinions are my own.
Review of advance copy received from NetGalley
Thank you to Ballantine Books and NetGalley for providing an advance copy of this book in exchange for my honest review. The book will be published on July 7th, 2026.
Loved this book. Nathan — a crusty, hyper rational type with “minimal emotional amplitude” — is called to the bedside of Malta, his soon-to-be-ex mother-in-law (no love lost there!) when a bad fall lands her in the hospital. While neither is particularly happy with the new arrangement, Nathan has committed to moving in to help until Malta can care for herself as Kavya, Malta’s daughter (and Nathan’s soon-to-be ex-wife) is in India on a two year study program.
What follows is humorous, insightful, and almost like an unraveling mystery — but the kind of mystery based on the more difficult question of how to really understand another person (dead bodies are easier to deal with!). While untangling the relationships is the primary theme, I also enjoyed the constant cross-cultural commentary. Malti is outspoken and somewhat acerbic as she expresses her (usually negative) judgement of others. A common refrain at the end of several conversations is “Some People...” I found myself (of course) judging each of them as they worked through their mutual misunderstanding and was quite surprised by some of the perceptions. As an example, Nathan is great at fixing things and wants to fix the (many, many) broken things around Malta’s house. But Malta tells him that she takes this as an implicit criticism of her and the way she lives. To me that is crazy, but how interesting that someone could actually feel that way! Plenty more of that kind of perception war in the pages.
The writing is expressive, with clear descriptions of abstractions that aren’t always easy to articulate. I ended up appreciating and understanding all three of the characters, though it is very clear (to me) which I could be long term friends with.
Loved this book. Nathan — a crusty, hyper rational type with “minimal emotional amplitude” — is called to the bedside of Malta, his soon-to-be-ex mother-in-law (no love lost there!) when a bad fall lands her in the hospital. While neither is particularly happy with the new arrangement, Nathan has committed to moving in to help until Malta can care for herself as Kavya, Malta’s daughter (and Nathan’s soon-to-be ex-wife) is in India on a two year study program.
What follows is humorous, insightful, and almost like an unraveling mystery — but the kind of mystery based on the more difficult question of how to really understand another person (dead bodies are easier to deal with!). While untangling the relationships is the primary theme, I also enjoyed the constant cross-cultural commentary. Malti is outspoken and somewhat acerbic as she expresses her (usually negative) judgement of others. A common refrain at the end of several conversations is “Some People...” I found myself (of course) judging each of them as they worked through their mutual misunderstanding and was quite surprised by some of the perceptions. As an example, Nathan is great at fixing things and wants to fix the (many, many) broken things around Malta’s house. But Malta tells him that she takes this as an implicit criticism of her and the way she lives. To me that is crazy, but how interesting that someone could actually feel that way! Plenty more of that kind of perception war in the pages.
The writing is expressive, with clear descriptions of abstractions that aren’t always easy to articulate. I ended up appreciating and understanding all three of the characters, though it is very clear (to me) which I could be long term friends with.
Review of advance copy received from NetGalley
Some People is that rare book that manages to be both deeply heartwarming and genuinely funny, often in the same scene. I found myself laughing out loud while also getting misty-eyed, which is the sweet spot for this kind of character-driven story.
Nathan is on the brink of divorcing Kavya when he gets trapped caring for her mother, Malti, who's recovering from a head injury. Neither of them wants this arrangement. Nathan is exhausted by his failing marriage. Malti is independent, practical, and would prefer to recuperate alone. They actively dislike each other.
What unfolds over the course of a week is genuinely touching. These two people who've been on opposite sides of Kavya's life discover they're the only ones who can actually talk about her honestly. They've both hurt her. They've both tried to love her. And they're both grappling with their own failures in ways that gradually make them less defensive with each other.
The humor comes from the clash of their personalities and how they navigate basic domestic situations. Malti is no-nonsense and stubborn. Nathan is earnest and slightly bumbling. Watching them negotiate cooking, caregiving, and gradually lowering their walls is funny because it feels real, not because anyone's being ridiculous.
What impressed me most was how the author doesn't rush their understanding of each other. It builds slowly, grudgingly, through small moments and honest conversations. By the end, you believe they've genuinely seen each other differently, and that shift matters.
It's tender without being sentimental, funny without being mean-spirited, and deeply satisfying.
Disclaimer: I received an advance reader copy of this book from NetGalley in exchange for an honest review. All opinions are my own.
Nathan is on the brink of divorcing Kavya when he gets trapped caring for her mother, Malti, who's recovering from a head injury. Neither of them wants this arrangement. Nathan is exhausted by his failing marriage. Malti is independent, practical, and would prefer to recuperate alone. They actively dislike each other.
What unfolds over the course of a week is genuinely touching. These two people who've been on opposite sides of Kavya's life discover they're the only ones who can actually talk about her honestly. They've both hurt her. They've both tried to love her. And they're both grappling with their own failures in ways that gradually make them less defensive with each other.
The humor comes from the clash of their personalities and how they navigate basic domestic situations. Malti is no-nonsense and stubborn. Nathan is earnest and slightly bumbling. Watching them negotiate cooking, caregiving, and gradually lowering their walls is funny because it feels real, not because anyone's being ridiculous.
What impressed me most was how the author doesn't rush their understanding of each other. It builds slowly, grudgingly, through small moments and honest conversations. By the end, you believe they've genuinely seen each other differently, and that shift matters.
It's tender without being sentimental, funny without being mean-spirited, and deeply satisfying.
Disclaimer: I received an advance reader copy of this book from NetGalley in exchange for an honest review. All opinions are my own.
Review of advance copy received from NetGalley
3.5 Stars- I loved this author's first novel and I was really looking forward to this book. This book took me awhile to get into. However it did grow on me and I enjoyed the relationship between Malti and her son in law.
In this novel Malti suffers a concussion so her son in law, Nathan, comes to stay with her until she is feeling better. The catch is that her daughter, Kavya is currently in India and Kavya and Nathan are in the process of getting a divorce. To say that the relationship between Malti and Nathan is strained in an understatment. Over the course of the novel, the two of them learn many things about each other, come to new understandings, and grow personally especially when it comes to Kavya.
When first reading this I wondered if there was going to be more than just the back and forth between Malti and Nathan. I honestly didn't think this storyline would hold my attention. However as the novel progressed, I really enjoyed their two personalities and their interactions with Kavya. There were moments when I found myself laughing or shaking my head because I could completely relate. As time went on I wanted so much for the them to find a way to have a happy ending.
This is one of those books that really makes you look deeper into your own life and how you treat other people. I feel like I learned a little more about myself from reading this novel. I do wish there was a little more to the ending. I was really getting into it and liked where the ending was going I just wished there was more.
Thank you to Ballantine Books and NetGalley for this ARC. All thoughts and opinions are my own.
In this novel Malti suffers a concussion so her son in law, Nathan, comes to stay with her until she is feeling better. The catch is that her daughter, Kavya is currently in India and Kavya and Nathan are in the process of getting a divorce. To say that the relationship between Malti and Nathan is strained in an understatment. Over the course of the novel, the two of them learn many things about each other, come to new understandings, and grow personally especially when it comes to Kavya.
When first reading this I wondered if there was going to be more than just the back and forth between Malti and Nathan. I honestly didn't think this storyline would hold my attention. However as the novel progressed, I really enjoyed their two personalities and their interactions with Kavya. There were moments when I found myself laughing or shaking my head because I could completely relate. As time went on I wanted so much for the them to find a way to have a happy ending.
This is one of those books that really makes you look deeper into your own life and how you treat other people. I feel like I learned a little more about myself from reading this novel. I do wish there was a little more to the ending. I was really getting into it and liked where the ending was going I just wished there was more.
Thank you to Ballantine Books and NetGalley for this ARC. All thoughts and opinions are my own.
Review of advance copy received from NetGalley
Thank you Ballantine Books and Netgalley for providing a free digital copy!
4.5 stars
I loved the author’s debut novel, THE BANDIT QUEENS, so I was looking forward to reading her new book, SOME PEOPLE. This one is strongly character driven with most of the story consisting of conversations between a mother in law and her soon to be ex son in law. The two were never close but given the timing and the circumstances they open up to one another about their lives. Not a flashy novel by any means but instead deeply thoughtful and fascinating.
Malti Patel came to the U.S. from India and raised her daughter, Kavya, as a single mother. Struggling to make ends meet in order to provide a better life for Kavya. Now her daughter is in India attending grad school and is in the process of divorcing her husband, Nathan. After Malti suffers a concussion, Nathan insists on staying with Malti for a week while she recovers. Slowly Malti divulges some of her regrets about her parenting and Nathan reflects on what went wrong in his marriage.
The author set up a great opportunity for these characters to let their guard down. Knowing that the divorce meant they wouldn’t be around each other, they showed vulnerability, particularly in Malti’s case. Aging definitely triggers some reflection but Nathan also became a safe place in a sense for her to let go of some of the hurt festering inside. Tearing down these walls for both characters helped them understand each other as well as the mother/daughter and husband/wife dynamics with Kavya.
A reflective book that made me smile and laugh.
4.5 stars
I loved the author’s debut novel, THE BANDIT QUEENS, so I was looking forward to reading her new book, SOME PEOPLE. This one is strongly character driven with most of the story consisting of conversations between a mother in law and her soon to be ex son in law. The two were never close but given the timing and the circumstances they open up to one another about their lives. Not a flashy novel by any means but instead deeply thoughtful and fascinating.
Malti Patel came to the U.S. from India and raised her daughter, Kavya, as a single mother. Struggling to make ends meet in order to provide a better life for Kavya. Now her daughter is in India attending grad school and is in the process of divorcing her husband, Nathan. After Malti suffers a concussion, Nathan insists on staying with Malti for a week while she recovers. Slowly Malti divulges some of her regrets about her parenting and Nathan reflects on what went wrong in his marriage.
The author set up a great opportunity for these characters to let their guard down. Knowing that the divorce meant they wouldn’t be around each other, they showed vulnerability, particularly in Malti’s case. Aging definitely triggers some reflection but Nathan also became a safe place in a sense for her to let go of some of the hurt festering inside. Tearing down these walls for both characters helped them understand each other as well as the mother/daughter and husband/wife dynamics with Kavya.
A reflective book that made me smile and laugh.
Review of advance copy received from NetGalley
Some People is based on a great premise. An almost divorced man is forced to care for his mother-in-law when she is injured and her daughter is out of town. Nathan and Malti didn’t get along even when his marriage to her daughter was going swimmingly. But, he’s nothing if not dutiful and so he takes on the job.
At times, this comes across as a little preachy and didactic. Still, I loved both of these main characters and what they were willing to share with each other. Although, having lived with a mother like Malti, I’m not sure she would have opened herself up to him quite so easily. They both have more than their share of assholish tendencies. But it’s the light bulb moments they both have that make the book special. It’s a story about forgiveness (of self and others), self realization, marriage, motherhood, societal racism and misogyny. If this sounds like it’s all serious thoughts, trust me, there’s plenty of humor.
The writing is beautiful and poignant. I was highlighting like mad, both big swaths of a page or just a line. I’ve never experienced divorce, but Nathan’s musings on how his marriage came apart were some of the best explanations I’ve ever read. Even though the book mostly encapsulates the interactions of Malti and Nathan, I also felt I learned enough about Kavya that she came across as a fully developed person. Nathan’s realizations about why Kavya didn’t want children rang especially true for me as they are ones I share (see above).
My thanks to Netgalley and Ballantine Books for an advance copy of this book.
At times, this comes across as a little preachy and didactic. Still, I loved both of these main characters and what they were willing to share with each other. Although, having lived with a mother like Malti, I’m not sure she would have opened herself up to him quite so easily. They both have more than their share of assholish tendencies. But it’s the light bulb moments they both have that make the book special. It’s a story about forgiveness (of self and others), self realization, marriage, motherhood, societal racism and misogyny. If this sounds like it’s all serious thoughts, trust me, there’s plenty of humor.
The writing is beautiful and poignant. I was highlighting like mad, both big swaths of a page or just a line. I’ve never experienced divorce, but Nathan’s musings on how his marriage came apart were some of the best explanations I’ve ever read. Even though the book mostly encapsulates the interactions of Malti and Nathan, I also felt I learned enough about Kavya that she came across as a fully developed person. Nathan’s realizations about why Kavya didn’t want children rang especially true for me as they are ones I share (see above).
My thanks to Netgalley and Ballantine Books for an advance copy of this book.
Review of advance copy received from Publisher
An accident resulting in a concussion brings about a most unlikely therapy session between and Indian woman and her daughter's husband who will soon be her ex-son-in law. Malti is a 70 year0=-old transplant from India to America. She arrived with her three-year-old daughter when her husband divorced her without warning.
Nathan is called to the hospital as next of kin to take care of his mother-in-law since his wife Kavya is in India, living with her father while she pursues a degree in history. She has left Nathan and they are planning a divorce. Over the course of nine days, while Nathan is acting caregiver until Malti's head injury heals, the two are thrown together to fight, bicker and find our how similar they really are.
In a most humorous way, Nathan and Malti reveal very intimate details of their lives to each other and begin to work on their flaws and hang-ups. Shroff's characters are so real that hey leap off the page into your consciousness, making you think about them even when not reading. That's a fine writer's accomplishment indeed! And funny? Yes! I loved the description of the antique ketchup, soy sauce and rubberband drawer.
Thank you to Ballantine books for letting me read an early copy of Some People. My opinions are my own and honest. Thanks also to Net Galley.
Nathan is called to the hospital as next of kin to take care of his mother-in-law since his wife Kavya is in India, living with her father while she pursues a degree in history. She has left Nathan and they are planning a divorce. Over the course of nine days, while Nathan is acting caregiver until Malti's head injury heals, the two are thrown together to fight, bicker and find our how similar they really are.
In a most humorous way, Nathan and Malti reveal very intimate details of their lives to each other and begin to work on their flaws and hang-ups. Shroff's characters are so real that hey leap off the page into your consciousness, making you think about them even when not reading. That's a fine writer's accomplishment indeed! And funny? Yes! I loved the description of the antique ketchup, soy sauce and rubberband drawer.
Thank you to Ballantine books for letting me read an early copy of Some People. My opinions are my own and honest. Thanks also to Net Galley.
Review of advance copy received from NetGalley
(3.5 stars) This is an interesting book, one with little plot but lots of introspection. While it didn’t quite hit all the marks for me, I was entertained by the evolving relationship between almost-ex-husband Nathan and his almost-ex-mother-in-law Malta. The elderly Malta suffers a concussion in an “accident” with a homeless man and is ordered by doctors to have someone live with and observe her for at least 7 days. Since Malta’s daughter (Nathan’s almost-ex) is currently living and going to school in India, the responsibility falls on Nathan. And so goes the plot of the book – a week-long forced relationship between two people that do not know or like each other very much. There is snarky humor, snappy come-backs and secrets revealed. And, of course, both parties grow in their understanding and appreciation of the other over time. It’s a journey which is satisfying to follow.
I really liked the author’s first book, The Bandit Queens, so I had high hopes for this one. And, it’s not that I didn’t like this book. More that I wished for more impactful secrets and reveals. I did like the ending. It was exactly how things should have turned out, even if it was a tad predictable.
Much thanks to NetGalley and Ballantine Books for providing me access to this title in exchange for my honest opinions. This book hits shelves on July 7, 2026.
I really liked the author’s first book, The Bandit Queens, so I had high hopes for this one. And, it’s not that I didn’t like this book. More that I wished for more impactful secrets and reveals. I did like the ending. It was exactly how things should have turned out, even if it was a tad predictable.
Much thanks to NetGalley and Ballantine Books for providing me access to this title in exchange for my honest opinions. This book hits shelves on July 7, 2026.
July 7, 2026
I cannot express how much I fell in love with each character in the short time it took for me to fly through Some People. Instantly, I resonated with the mother/daughter dynamic between Malti and Kavya, each carrying their own type of love and guilt towards each other. I could viscerally feel their frustrated attempts to connect over the years and my heart poured at their unique (sometimes mis)interpretations of events.
Being able to view this dance from both Nathan's POV, as an external third party (in more ways than one), and Malti's on the other hand, felt refreshing and gave this story such a fun twist. As quite the Kavya myself, watching the grumpy yet affable mother-in-law/son-in-law duo interact as roommates had me audibly chuckling (and sometimes outright laughing).
While being a bit clinical in how it addresses certain faux pas on each side of the duo (gen X vs. millenials), I found myself feeling like I was looking into a mirror at times as they dissected and reconsidered past interactions with Kavya. Watching this family realize that they really can't outrun their childhood, and that we are all just eggshells walking around trying not to break, was genuinely emotional, encouraging, and quite enjoyable.
Each development between the triangle of MCs was more satisfying than the last, leaving me craving more at the end of each chapter. An all around great read
Being able to view this dance from both Nathan's POV, as an external third party (in more ways than one), and Malti's on the other hand, felt refreshing and gave this story such a fun twist. As quite the Kavya myself, watching the grumpy yet affable mother-in-law/son-in-law duo interact as roommates had me audibly chuckling (and sometimes outright laughing).
While being a bit clinical in how it addresses certain faux pas on each side of the duo (gen X vs. millenials), I found myself feeling like I was looking into a mirror at times as they dissected and reconsidered past interactions with Kavya. Watching this family realize that they really can't outrun their childhood, and that we are all just eggshells walking around trying not to break, was genuinely emotional, encouraging, and quite enjoyable.
Each development between the triangle of MCs was more satisfying than the last, leaving me craving more at the end of each chapter. An all around great read
Review of advance copy received from NetGalley
Kavya is studying in India when her mother Malti has an accident and gets a concussion, so she asks Nathan to stay with her she convalesces. Malti is an Indian woman who emigrated to the US over 30 years before. Nathan is Kavya's soon-to-be-ex-husband.
Kavya and Nathan are in the midst of their marriage breaking up, but obviously they still care about each other. They’re both nice people and it was refreshing to see adults (mostly) acting like adults.
Malti is bristly and independent. She has a challenging relationship with her daughter and has never really gotten along with Nathan. She keeps trying to get Nathan to go home, but he refuses. Kavya asked his to take care of her mother and that is what he's going to do. During their forced proximity, they have their ups and downs but mostly learn a lot about one another and a lot about Kavya, too.
This story takes place mostly in Malti’s house. It is all about the characters and their development. It’s about preconceived notions and the truths we tell ourselves.
I really enjoyed this book. I liked the characters and the love they all had for each other, even if they didn’t always know it themselves.
My thanks to NetGalley and Ballantine Books for the ARC in exchange for an honest review.
Kavya and Nathan are in the midst of their marriage breaking up, but obviously they still care about each other. They’re both nice people and it was refreshing to see adults (mostly) acting like adults.
Malti is bristly and independent. She has a challenging relationship with her daughter and has never really gotten along with Nathan. She keeps trying to get Nathan to go home, but he refuses. Kavya asked his to take care of her mother and that is what he's going to do. During their forced proximity, they have their ups and downs but mostly learn a lot about one another and a lot about Kavya, too.
This story takes place mostly in Malti’s house. It is all about the characters and their development. It’s about preconceived notions and the truths we tell ourselves.
I really enjoyed this book. I liked the characters and the love they all had for each other, even if they didn’t always know it themselves.
My thanks to NetGalley and Ballantine Books for the ARC in exchange for an honest review.
July 1, 2026
3.5 stars. I really enjoyed this story, it is very character and dialogue driven. Elderly Malti is left concussed after an accident and the only person who can care for her for a week is her soon-to-be-ex-son-in-law, Nathan. Both are still reeling and raw from the absence of Kavya, Malti's daughter/Nathan's soon-to-be-ex-wife, who has moved to India for a graduate study program and to learn more about her father. Initially, Malti and Nathan are just taking their anger out on each other. But as the week progresses they begin unpacking the baggage that has brought them to this point. These parts were the most relatable to me, they face all kinds of challenges such as past trauma, multi-generational drama, divorce, rediscovering your identity after circumstances change, and break downs in communication. There are also some really poignant insights on race, class, gender, and age. The only thing that dropped it down half a star for me it that there were just a few places where things felt a bit preachy, but there is also a lot of great humor that buoyed the story. A big thank you to Penguin Random House and NetGalley for the DRC in exchange for an honest review.
July 7, 2026
When septuagenarian, Malti, is unexpectedly hospitalized, her daughter’s separated husband ends up staying with her to assist her recovery. What starts as an awkward arrangement becomes something far more meaningful.
The heart of the story lies in their daily conversations, each recounting life stories that cover hopes, regrets, span cultural and generational gaps. They come to understand each other through these exchanges that illuminate Malti’s role as a mother, Nathan’s feelings towards his estranged wife, and solidify an understanding of one another as well.
“Your childhood never leaves you” is sewn heavily into the fabric of this one, but lessons of open communication and room for understanding with loved ones is another. Despite some heavy overall themes, it’s told through some shockingly human and rather hilarious scenes. (Trust me, the bathroom scene alone had me rolling!)
‘Some People’ is such a heartfelt reach across generations and cultures. It conveys genuine warmth and humor within the mess of being human and trying to connect with someone other than ourselves.
I was invited to read by the publisher, Random House, through NetGalley for an honest review.
The heart of the story lies in their daily conversations, each recounting life stories that cover hopes, regrets, span cultural and generational gaps. They come to understand each other through these exchanges that illuminate Malti’s role as a mother, Nathan’s feelings towards his estranged wife, and solidify an understanding of one another as well.
“Your childhood never leaves you” is sewn heavily into the fabric of this one, but lessons of open communication and room for understanding with loved ones is another. Despite some heavy overall themes, it’s told through some shockingly human and rather hilarious scenes. (Trust me, the bathroom scene alone had me rolling!)
‘Some People’ is such a heartfelt reach across generations and cultures. It conveys genuine warmth and humor within the mess of being human and trying to connect with someone other than ourselves.
I was invited to read by the publisher, Random House, through NetGalley for an honest review.
Review of advance copy received from NetGalley
"Some People" is a real joy. to read. It's a novel that almost makes a reader feel like they're eavesdropping, or wishing that you could. The almost ex- mother-in-law and to son-in-law find themselves briefly taking care of each other after the senior mother had a fainting spell and her daughter was living in India, leaving her almost ex-husband as the contact person. I love how Malti, the mother, swears like a longshoreman, and Nathan, the less creative swearer son-in-law spars with her throughout the day, as he tends to her, and Malti and he wonder what they did wrong to make her 40 year old daughter move to India for graduate school, living with her mostly absent father. As they discover more about themselves and each other, and banter and fuss, there are moments when they grow closer, then they explode, and Nathan considers going home but doesn't want to upset his almost ex-wife in India, nor leave Malti alone until she's fully recovered, so the readers get to listen to great dialogue as we wonder how this chaos will unfold.
July 7, 2026
I’m so glad I accepted the invitation to read an advance copy of this book—I absolutely loved it. The premise is both unique and deeply engaging: a forty‑something, soon‑to‑be‑divorced white man is asked to stay with his seventy‑something Indian mother‑in‑law while she recovers from a concussion while her daughter is away in India. It’s an unexpected setup that leads to a thoughtful and heartfelt exploration of identity, family, and connection.
The author brings these characters vividly to life, and I loved watching them build a new, one‑on‑one relationship, challenging their assumptions, uncovering long‑held misunderstandings, and finding surprising common ground. Despite the emotional weight and family drama woven throughout, the story is filled with humor, including several laugh‑out‑loud moments that balance the more serious themes beautifully.
I truly hope this book gets the attention it deserves. It would make an excellent book club pick thanks to its discussable themes and memorable characters. I highly recommend it.
The author brings these characters vividly to life, and I loved watching them build a new, one‑on‑one relationship, challenging their assumptions, uncovering long‑held misunderstandings, and finding surprising common ground. Despite the emotional weight and family drama woven throughout, the story is filled with humor, including several laugh‑out‑loud moments that balance the more serious themes beautifully.
I truly hope this book gets the attention it deserves. It would make an excellent book club pick thanks to its discussable themes and memorable characters. I highly recommend it.
July 8, 2026
I loved this book! After Malti falls and has a concussion, her son-in-law who is estranged from her daughter moved in to help her. Her daughter was currently in India and she didn't want her to travel back top the US. Malti and Nathan had never gotten along very well, Malti was born in India and moved to the US with her daughter when Kavya was 5 years old. Nathan is a white American so their food and cultures were very different. This brought a lot of humor to the book. Over the course of a little over a week, Malti and Nathan came to not only get to know each other better but to enjoy each other's company.
I love character driven books and this was definitely that! I t was mostly conversations between the two main characters along with some with Kavya. I was so entertaining to watch these characters get to know each other and to understand each other. The strained relationships between mother and daughter and husband and wife became so much clearer, maybe I just love a happy ending!
I love character driven books and this was definitely that! I t was mostly conversations between the two main characters along with some with Kavya. I was so entertaining to watch these characters get to know each other and to understand each other. The strained relationships between mother and daughter and husband and wife became so much clearer, maybe I just love a happy ending!
Review of advance copy received from NetGalley
4 stars! This book was just a delight.. Such interesting characters, witty dialogue and a quick read. The book focuses on a couple who are in the middle of a divorce -- the wife has returned to India to pursue a graduate degree. When her mother has a freak accident, the husband is called to provide assistance as an emergency contact. The husband and mother=in-law have had a somewhat chilly and stand-offish relationship but are thrown together as he stays with the mother-in-law until she recuperates. In the process, they learn a lot about each other and about their shared love for the daughter/wife. Early in the book, a therapist tells the wife that so much of our adult character is shaped (of course) but what we did and did not experience as children. You see that theme coming back throughout the book in interesting and sometimes sad ways. I really enjoyed this book and would recommend.
Review of advance copy received from NetGalley
This author is quickly becoming one of my favorites. Well, as quickly as she writes her novels. This is very far from The Bandit Queens. But I may have liked it even more.
A man going through a divorce is forced to care for his future ex-mother-in-law because his estranged wife is currently living in India. Nathan is a tall, white engineer. Malti is a tiny, old Indian lady (not spoiling her profession). They're different. But they both love her daughter in their own complicated ways.
These characters are accident prone. They are stubborn. They are very funny in unexpected ways. And they are riding emotional roller coasters that aren't necessarily aligned.
I thought this was very well written. The character development is amazing. I loved it.
A man going through a divorce is forced to care for his future ex-mother-in-law because his estranged wife is currently living in India. Nathan is a tall, white engineer. Malti is a tiny, old Indian lady (not spoiling her profession). They're different. But they both love her daughter in their own complicated ways.
These characters are accident prone. They are stubborn. They are very funny in unexpected ways. And they are riding emotional roller coasters that aren't necessarily aligned.
I thought this was very well written. The character development is amazing. I loved it.
July 7, 2026
Some People by Parini Shroff
If you read The Bandit Queens, you are in for another treat. I smiled and laughed all the way through this five star book. The writing is so smart and the story is so good.
Seventy year old Malti Patel has had an accident. Her daughter is in India and cannot help, so the next in line on Malti’s emergency list is her soon-to-be ex-son-in-law, Nathan.
Malti and Nathan don’t see eye to eye on much, but they will need to adapt, as Malti cannot be left alone. They are both set in their ways and argumentative, so that sets the tone for the next few days as Malti heals.
Can the two call a truce? Can they each give a little? Talk through some of the difficulties and joys they’ve had with Kavya, the daughter/wife they both share?
I would be remiss not to mention Malti’s penchant for cursing and Nathan’s too once they got going. All the funnier in my opinion, but reader beware.
If you read The Bandit Queens, you are in for another treat. I smiled and laughed all the way through this five star book. The writing is so smart and the story is so good.
Seventy year old Malti Patel has had an accident. Her daughter is in India and cannot help, so the next in line on Malti’s emergency list is her soon-to-be ex-son-in-law, Nathan.
Malti and Nathan don’t see eye to eye on much, but they will need to adapt, as Malti cannot be left alone. They are both set in their ways and argumentative, so that sets the tone for the next few days as Malti heals.
Can the two call a truce? Can they each give a little? Talk through some of the difficulties and joys they’ve had with Kavya, the daughter/wife they both share?
I would be remiss not to mention Malti’s penchant for cursing and Nathan’s too once they got going. All the funnier in my opinion, but reader beware.
Review of advance copy received from NetGalley
Malti is a 70-year-old Indian immigrant who never really got along with her 40-year-old white son-in-law Nathan (who is intended to be divorced from her daughter shortly). When Malti takes a fall and must have someone living with her for a short period of time, Nathan comes to the rescue as her daughter has moved out of the country. This is the story of Some People by Parini Shroff.
The novel focuses on the relationship between these two characters and each of their relationships with Kavya, the daughter/wife. It is very dialogue heavy, and the reader really gets to know Malti and Nathan as they go through their own emotional journeys and get to know each other in a fresh way.
Written with humor, heart and intensity at times, Shroff brings us a novel that is sure to please many.
Thank you to Ballantine and NetGalley for this ARC. All opinions are my own.
The novel focuses on the relationship between these two characters and each of their relationships with Kavya, the daughter/wife. It is very dialogue heavy, and the reader really gets to know Malti and Nathan as they go through their own emotional journeys and get to know each other in a fresh way.
Written with humor, heart and intensity at times, Shroff brings us a novel that is sure to please many.
Thank you to Ballantine and NetGalley for this ARC. All opinions are my own.
Review of advance copy received from NetGalley
I know! I know! You can pick your chin up now. Susan giving 5 stars to a character driven book? Yes I will when it is like this one! Oh my gosh! Two people who have nothing in common other than the both love and lost the same person, wife/daughter, are thrown together for a week. Through this, they both learn about themselves, each other, and the world around them. I loved how Nathan came to acknowledge his white male privilege (and then use it for good) and how Malti was able to finally face some of her darkest oldest fears. Sure there was a bit of plot, but really this was about these two people. And the ending, well you know how I feel about those tidy endings, right? Yeah, this one was written with me in mind!
Thanks to NetGalley and Ballantine for a copy of the book. This review is my own opinion.
Thanks to NetGalley and Ballantine for a copy of the book. This review is my own opinion.
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