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Some People: A Novel
A man on the brink of divorce is forced to care for his injured future-ex-mother-in-law in this wise, witty, and heartfelt novel from the 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 quandary 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 rehabilitate 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 baggage from her childhood.
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.
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 quandary 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 rehabilitate 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 baggage from her childhood.
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.
Rich with emotional depth, Some People paints a nuanced portrait of love, forgiveness, and our timeless quest for understanding and acceptance.
286 pages, Kindle Edition
First published July 7, 2026
About the author
Parini Shroff
3 books826 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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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.
July 22, 2026
" . . . when she'd ask, I'd say 'next year.'" . . . "Then I ran out of years."
Shroff's first book, The Bandit Queens, made my best of 2023 list, so I was really looking forward to reading this one. And . . . it did not disappoint!
I truly loved this fun book about two enemies dealing with forced togetherness. With her snappy dialogue, and wonderful characters, Shroff's second book earns a place on this year's "Best of" list, and puts her on my list of favorite authors.
I can't wait for her next book.
Thanks to Ballantine Books and NetGalley
Shroff's first book, The Bandit Queens, made my best of 2023 list, so I was really looking forward to reading this one. And . . . it did not disappoint!
I truly loved this fun book about two enemies dealing with forced togetherness. With her snappy dialogue, and wonderful characters, Shroff's second book earns a place on this year's "Best of" list, and puts her on my list of favorite authors.
I can't wait for her next book.
Thanks to Ballantine Books and NetGalley
July 7, 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 15, 2026
SOME PEOPLE is, now, easily one of my favourite reads of 2026! *..*
I thought I was gonna read a more dramatic and serious story, maybe a little heartfelt. But this book gave me everything I wanted, or that I did not know I wanted, in the right timing.
The relationship between Malti (the soon-to-be ex mother-in-law) and Nathan (the soon-to-be ex son-in-law) was too much FUN! The dynamic between these two was flawless and hilarious, most of the time. Actually, it reads a lot like a complicated, yet loving, relationship and bond between a mother and her own son. And the cat jokes were on point! I am not, personally, a cat person, but the cats in this book were so enjoyable that I wanted them to be more present.
The highlight of this story, in my opinion, lies in the very distinctive personalities and backgrounds of the 2 main characters: a typical American white man + an old Indian woman. So much fun!
My only 'complaint' would be that I found this book to be too short! I wanted more of Malti! She is now easily one of my top favourite characters that I read this year.
I haven't read yet this author's previous novel, so obviously I cannot compare that book with this one, but I'll take my chances and say that if you have read The Bandit Queens and enjoyed, consider picking this one up. And even if you haven't read that book, give this one a chance if you're into the tropes and the premise of this book. Or if you simply need to read something light and funny, just to have a good time.
Thank you, NetGalley and Ballantine, for this eARC.
I thought I was gonna read a more dramatic and serious story, maybe a little heartfelt. But this book gave me everything I wanted, or that I did not know I wanted, in the right timing.
The relationship between Malti (the soon-to-be ex mother-in-law) and Nathan (the soon-to-be ex son-in-law) was too much FUN! The dynamic between these two was flawless and hilarious, most of the time. Actually, it reads a lot like a complicated, yet loving, relationship and bond between a mother and her own son. And the cat jokes were on point! I am not, personally, a cat person, but the cats in this book were so enjoyable that I wanted them to be more present.
The highlight of this story, in my opinion, lies in the very distinctive personalities and backgrounds of the 2 main characters: a typical American white man + an old Indian woman. So much fun!
My only 'complaint' would be that I found this book to be too short! I wanted more of Malti! She is now easily one of my top favourite characters that I read this year.
I haven't read yet this author's previous novel, so obviously I cannot compare that book with this one, but I'll take my chances and say that if you have read The Bandit Queens and enjoyed, consider picking this one up. And even if you haven't read that book, give this one a chance if you're into the tropes and the premise of this book. Or if you simply need to read something light and funny, just to have a good time.
Thank you, NetGalley and Ballantine, for this eARC.
July 29, 2026
“When you grow up happy, you assume it’s a natural state rather than a gift.”
Some novels sweep you along with breathtaking plots. Others quietly settle into your heart because the characters feel so astonishingly real. Some People is firmly in the second category, and I absolutely adored it.
Nathan is in his early forties and on the verge of finalizing his divorce when his soon-to-be ex-mother-in-law, Malti Patel, is injured. With Malti’s daughter, Kavya, away in India, Nathan becomes the only person available to care for her while she recovers. What follows unfolds over just eight days, as doctor’s orders require that Malti not be left alone.
On paper, very little happens.
Nathan and Malti argue. They reminisce. They offer each other plenty of unsolicited advice. They blame other people for the disappointments in their own lives. Slowly, almost despite themselves, they begin to understand—and eventually care deeply for—one another.
The brilliance of this novel lies in its restraint.
Kavya is largely absent from the narrative, yet she becomes one of its most vivid characters because we only know her through the two people who love her in completely different ways. Watching Nathan and Malti each reveal pieces of her—and, in the process, reveal themselves—is masterful character work.
Parini Schroff writes with remarkable insight about family, aging, immigration, race, class, gender, and the complicated expectations we place on the people we love most. None of those themes ever feel heavy-handed. They simply emerge through conversation, memory, and the small moments that make relationships so believable.
It’s also surprisingly funny. One of my favorite lines:
“This is a terrible idea. The people behind Fyre Festival would look at this and think, ‘Wow, that’s a bad idea.’”
That humor balances the novel’s quieter, more reflective moments beautifully.
If you enjoy literary fiction centered on relationships rather than plot, heartwarming character studies, generational conflict, immigrant family stories, or delightfully cranky-but-feisty older women, I cannot recommend this highly enough. (I’m beginning to think every book I’ve loved in 2026 has featured a feisty old lady, and I’m completely okay with that.)
This was one of my favorite books of 2026. It reminded me why I love reading. And when I reached the final page, I simply wasn’t ready to say goodbye to Nathan and Malti.
Comparable reads: The Most Fun We Ever Had by Claire Lombardo and The Borrowed Life of Frederick Fife by Anna Johnston.
August 5, 2026
Wow. There's A LOT to unpack here. What a great book, so deep at times yet also lighthearted and hilariously ridiculous! I laughed, I cried, I went deep into thought. I wish a particular someone in my life could read this and hear and understand ME. I highlighted so many passages, seeing my thoughts and feelings written out by someone else's hand, much more succinct and poetic than I ever could - what it means to be a child of an immigrant who struggled to provide. There's the age old adage, "I'd give you the shirt off my back" but what if instead of the shirt, I just wanted a hug?
A theme that comes to a lot is "you can't outrun your childhood" What a heavy thought, think back to when you were a kid, good or bad, that lives with you, threaded throughout the rest of your life, light stitches or thick and heavy - it's there.
A few of my favorites:
"Guilt, with its wider net, proved more broad than love"
" As a parent, you never knew which of your stray decisions, instincts, tempers, indulgences would imprint. What would be forever associated with you despite all the other things you said and did."
"Malti removed the looming equation of what will people think? What she was left with was a kid who didn't feel loved."
A theme that comes to a lot is "you can't outrun your childhood" What a heavy thought, think back to when you were a kid, good or bad, that lives with you, threaded throughout the rest of your life, light stitches or thick and heavy - it's there.
A few of my favorites:
"Guilt, with its wider net, proved more broad than love"
" As a parent, you never knew which of your stray decisions, instincts, tempers, indulgences would imprint. What would be forever associated with you despite all the other things you said and did."
"Malti removed the looming equation of what will people think? What she was left with was a kid who didn't feel loved."
September 8, 2026
This book is very different from bandit queens. While bandit queens is more plot driven, this book is much more exploratory of characters and relationships. I personally felt the authors humor worked well in Bandit Queens which had hilarious plot twists and lots of dark humor. It didn’t quite hit for me in the dialogue of this book. I also felt this book was a bit preachy and perhaps overly descriptive in places it could have just shown messages more subtly. The meme tidbits, and overly literal descriptions of microaggressions etc brought this book to a 2.5 for me.
July 18, 2026
This was an unexpected book for my summer but I’m glad I read it. The gist of it is in the publishers summary so I won’t repeat it. What I liked about this book are the following:
1. Took place in Silicon Valley and I always like books happening near me lol.
2. The audiobook was very well done, with a distinct voice for each malti and nathan that felt true to their character
3. The way that both Malti (desi mother in law) and Nathan (Caucasian dude) both let go of some of their previously held beliefs to grow as people, both with simple things like food or home remedies but also bigger things like trust and introspection
4. The ending
5. The books pacing. It was just right; neither too fast nor too slow. None of the book had the feeling of it “dragging”
6. I laughed out loud numerous times.
1. Took place in Silicon Valley and I always like books happening near me lol.
2. The audiobook was very well done, with a distinct voice for each malti and nathan that felt true to their character
3. The way that both Malti (desi mother in law) and Nathan (Caucasian dude) both let go of some of their previously held beliefs to grow as people, both with simple things like food or home remedies but also bigger things like trust and introspection
4. The ending
5. The books pacing. It was just right; neither too fast nor too slow. None of the book had the feeling of it “dragging”
6. I laughed out loud numerous times.
July 15, 2026
This was fantastic! I think reading this would make anyone a better companion and human. Initially it started a little slow and I thought the conversations were initially too ham-handed on the PC-front (even though I agreed). But i think it’s a good depiction of conversations that happen in mixed-race couples/families. Sometimes smoother, sometimes off-the-wall combative but overall believable and one of the first books I’ve seen showing it in this way.
Malti and Nathan are perfect foils but somehow you see a little bit of yourself in each of them and Kavya. I loved them all!
Malti and Nathan are perfect foils but somehow you see a little bit of yourself in each of them and Kavya. I loved them all!
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.*
August 20, 2026
I read Bandit Queens by this author earlier this year and enjoyed it immensely; Some People was equally as good if not slightly even better.
In this book we bounce between the perspectives of two characters - Nathan, who is the ex husband of Kavya, and Malti, Kavya's mother.
After splitting from Nathan, Kavya decides to go to India to get to know her father and the rest of her family. Meanwhile back in the States, Malti suffers a concussion after a fall, and Nathan is the only one available to help her.
I had so much fun reading this. There's no love lost between these two and their banter was immaculate. I loved how they were always going at each other's next but at the same time were peeling layers of each other's lives and learning more about one another.
They're both flawed human beings but they shared a mutual thing: their love (and a little annoyance) for Kavya, and this is what they bond over.
Seeing them form a friendship was so sweet and rewarding, and found myself falling in love with these characters.
The ending was a bit abrupt for me and I wish there was just another chapter or two, but overall, I'm really liking this author and her writing.
(Thanks to Netgalley and the publisher for sending me an eARC in exchange for an honest review. All opinions are my own.)
In this book we bounce between the perspectives of two characters - Nathan, who is the ex husband of Kavya, and Malti, Kavya's mother.
After splitting from Nathan, Kavya decides to go to India to get to know her father and the rest of her family. Meanwhile back in the States, Malti suffers a concussion after a fall, and Nathan is the only one available to help her.
I had so much fun reading this. There's no love lost between these two and their banter was immaculate. I loved how they were always going at each other's next but at the same time were peeling layers of each other's lives and learning more about one another.
They're both flawed human beings but they shared a mutual thing: their love (and a little annoyance) for Kavya, and this is what they bond over.
Seeing them form a friendship was so sweet and rewarding, and found myself falling in love with these characters.
The ending was a bit abrupt for me and I wish there was just another chapter or two, but overall, I'm really liking this author and her writing.
(Thanks to Netgalley and the publisher for sending me an eARC in exchange for an honest review. All opinions are my own.)
July 28, 2026
This book is essentially a three-person character study and one of the characters is off-stage for the entirety of the story. It takes place over the course of just over a week and tells the story of Malti, an elderly Indian woman and Nathan, her soon-to-be former son-in-law. The third character is Kavya, Malti's daughter and Nathan's soon-to-be-ex who is studying in India. When Malti is injured, Nathan becomes her de facto nurse, and when he moves in to care for her, they find out just how much they really don't know about one another despite being tied together by Kavya, the love of both of their lives.
Malti resents Nathan for the dissolution of his marriage and Nathan blames a good portion of it on baggage Kavya carries from her childhood with Malti. It is a situation ripe for drama, humor, and heartbreak. Fortunately, the author is Parini Shroff, a wonderful writer who has a penchant for using obscure words and creating endearing characters, so while we get all of those, we also get time spent with people who are kind at heart and seeking understanding and forgiveness. The book is a charmer.
Malti resents Nathan for the dissolution of his marriage and Nathan blames a good portion of it on baggage Kavya carries from her childhood with Malti. It is a situation ripe for drama, humor, and heartbreak. Fortunately, the author is Parini Shroff, a wonderful writer who has a penchant for using obscure words and creating endearing characters, so while we get all of those, we also get time spent with people who are kind at heart and seeking understanding and forgiveness. The book is a charmer.
September 7, 2026
Good story. One of the themes that the book addresses is the struggles that immigrants sometimes deal with when coming to the US. Nathan is called when his mother in law has an accident and needs to be taken home and watched for several days. Nathan and his wife are in the middle of getting a divorce, but Kavya is studying in India right now. So Nathan decides to take care of his mother in law while she is recuperating. Of course she doesn’t want him there. Throughout the course of 9 days, they learn a lot about each other. Amusing read!
July 13, 2026
Read to 5%. Two “woke” type references by 3% and “edibles” mentioned at 5%. Not sticking around to see how many more there might be.
Plus it’s overly descriptive. Such as, do we really need to know that the takeout container is compostable? Or what brand of gaming headphones the main character uses?
Pass. 🪂
July 13, 2026
Plus it’s overly descriptive. Such as, do we really need to know that the takeout container is compostable? Or what brand of gaming headphones the main character uses?
Pass. 🪂
July 13, 2026
August 5, 2026
The banter was fantastic, the characters were deep and well written, the story was emotional. This novel is like a fable of how you need to learn to communicate better in your marriage. How people let their own stubbornness ruin their lives for years. How regret can eat away at your all your relationships with family or significant others.
Its amazing the way hindsight can change the way you felt and acted in a moment that you didn't realize was life changing when it happened.
Its amazing the way hindsight can change the way you felt and acted in a moment that you didn't realize was life changing when it happened.
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!
September 11, 2026
The dialogue in this book felt straight out of a HR training?! I was looking forward to this book but it fell very short of my expectations.
July 22, 2026
I thought this book was hilarious and had me laughing out loud. Great discussions of topics such as culture differences, age, gender.
Favorite lines:
"As a parent, you never knew which of your stray decisions, instincts, tempers, indulgences would imprint. What would forever be associated with you despite all the other things you said and did. You had absolutely no control over any of it. You could do your level best to provide and nurture and teach, and yet they could walk away bundled by only your faults." What an insightful way to view parenthood - the fear that the memories our children will carry with them are when we are at our worst.
"You see it on the news all the time!"
"What news?"
"Special Victims Unit."
"Law and Order? Malti, that's not news"
"Excuse me, it's 'ripped from the headlines.'"
"Parenting forced you to frack for new depths of patience you didn't know existed." You got that right.
"We can't just accumulate garbage on the off chance that it's useful one day. That's hoarding."
"You are the human equivalent of somehow both constipation and diarrhea." That's an absolutely brilliant insult.
"That was marriage, wasn't it? You didn't necessarily have all the same interests, but, like a shared drawer, you moved things within you to make space."
Favorite lines:
"As a parent, you never knew which of your stray decisions, instincts, tempers, indulgences would imprint. What would forever be associated with you despite all the other things you said and did. You had absolutely no control over any of it. You could do your level best to provide and nurture and teach, and yet they could walk away bundled by only your faults." What an insightful way to view parenthood - the fear that the memories our children will carry with them are when we are at our worst.
"You see it on the news all the time!"
"What news?"
"Special Victims Unit."
"Law and Order? Malti, that's not news"
"Excuse me, it's 'ripped from the headlines.'"
"Parenting forced you to frack for new depths of patience you didn't know existed." You got that right.
"We can't just accumulate garbage on the off chance that it's useful one day. That's hoarding."
"You are the human equivalent of somehow both constipation and diarrhea." That's an absolutely brilliant insult.
"That was marriage, wasn't it? You didn't necessarily have all the same interests, but, like a shared drawer, you moved things within you to make space."
October 7, 2026
The idea of this novel is better than the reality. I really, really disliked Malti. I am also an immigrant and a mother, but I don't get her thought process. This novel is supposed to be a light entertainment, but it was almost painful to continue reading because of Malti's behaviors.
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.
August 28, 2026
Thank you Ballantine for providing this book for review consideration via NetGalley. All opinions are my own.
This book was a lovely little surprise as this is not the type of book I usually go for - though maybe I should. It is very well written and I loved both main characters' voices immediately, even if they were difficult people. The book feels smart and current, and funny without trying too hard or being forced.
This wasn’t a quick read, nor was it a book I could gobble up in one sitting. It was a book I would rather spend time reading carefully and reflecting on. It doesn’t have a propulsive plot that keeps you on the edge of your seat. Instead, you get to know these characters as they get to know each other. Much of the book is their internal monologues and the story unfurls slowly as these two flawed but good people heal each other. While it is an emotional read, it still stays sharp and humorous throughout.
Not much to complain about in this one. At times, it dragged a bit, and the writing could be a bit thesaurus-y, but even those complaints are mild.
I had not read this author before, but I am so glad to have found her.
This book was a lovely little surprise as this is not the type of book I usually go for - though maybe I should. It is very well written and I loved both main characters' voices immediately, even if they were difficult people. The book feels smart and current, and funny without trying too hard or being forced.
This wasn’t a quick read, nor was it a book I could gobble up in one sitting. It was a book I would rather spend time reading carefully and reflecting on. It doesn’t have a propulsive plot that keeps you on the edge of your seat. Instead, you get to know these characters as they get to know each other. Much of the book is their internal monologues and the story unfurls slowly as these two flawed but good people heal each other. While it is an emotional read, it still stays sharp and humorous throughout.
Not much to complain about in this one. At times, it dragged a bit, and the writing could be a bit thesaurus-y, but even those complaints are mild.
I had not read this author before, but I am so glad to have found her.
September 13, 2026
omg i had to DNF this book and im so sad. the plot had so much potential and i loved the author’s first book but this one had me struggling less than 50% in 😭 it was so repetitive, i didn’t like any of the characters, and the random wokeness + “modern slang” just didn’t work for me. once again, very trippy to read your own name over and over in a book ha ha
August 2, 2026
So disappointing. Especially because I enjoyed her first novel so much - the rich character development of her last novel and this one seems like YA fiction.
Within 52 pages the authors chooses to use the word "quotidian" 3 times ... And "umbrage" twice and then with the amount of similes.... A mother in law and a son in law don't like each other - okay the tale as old as time so where are you going to make this different ... Such boring writing.
Within 52 pages the authors chooses to use the word "quotidian" 3 times ... And "umbrage" twice and then with the amount of similes.... A mother in law and a son in law don't like each other - okay the tale as old as time so where are you going to make this different ... Such boring writing.
October 8, 2026
Clever book cover to represent content. This book explores cultural differences and family relationships. A biracial couple (Nathan is white; his wife Kavya is of Indian descent) on the cusp of a divorce, is drawn back to communicating when Kavya’s mother needed help and medical oversight and Nathan is forced to pick up this task since Kavya is in India on a post grad course in history.
Nathan is such a wonderful man; a character I was especially drawn to. Kind and patient (and whoa - is he ever patient?) and tolerant as Kavya’s mother is a bitter, sarcastic, sassy woman who is stubborn and blunt and is unaware of the hurtful things she says. Yet very generous and caring in her own way. As the plot progresses, the reader gets to understand this willful woman even more; her life experiences shape her especially with being strict and protective of the daughter she loves with all her might.
The author did a great job bringing together two people vastly different by age, culture, and perspective,and gradually allowing them to be open with each other. Their conversations are awkward, sometimes cruel especially coming from Kavya’s mother, and at times moving and philosophical. Some bits of humor and at times, just a tedious read about banality. Through their growing relationship these two characters come to better understand each other.
Cliched racist slurs and stereotypes also abound. Here is Kavya’s mom providing her perspective on Indian men:
They’re controlling, and they don’t care about equality, their expectations are chauvinistic, and they can’t take care of themselves. Plus Indian families are always in each other’s business…Indian men are raised to think they can treat women a certain way….
Nathan and Kavya are different and I wonder about their compatibility. He is neat, organized and meticulous while Kavya “had a knack for spilling, breaking, splattering, and dropping, and then being utterly blind to missed spots while cleaning.” (I know that I will not be able to handle a messy person day in and day out). Also, Kavya is ingrained in her culture of long Indian movies and other Indian festivals etc. Nathan is a typical white man with an affinity to video games and Marvel movies. I hope they’re deeper understanding of each other may prevail to offer some sanity and grace in their marriage. As Nathan muses:
That was marriage, wasn’t it? You didn’t necessarily have the same interests, but like a shared drawer, you moved this within you to make space.”
The author’s language and diction are above average; although she has a penchant for the word - quotidian. The banter between the characters can be easy; and at times, deep. Judgements are cast aside as new discoveries are made. Overall this is a novel about family, relationships, guilt, forgiveness, resilience and the unexpected ways which can alter perspectives and change someone.
Nathan is such a wonderful man; a character I was especially drawn to. Kind and patient (and whoa - is he ever patient?) and tolerant as Kavya’s mother is a bitter, sarcastic, sassy woman who is stubborn and blunt and is unaware of the hurtful things she says. Yet very generous and caring in her own way. As the plot progresses, the reader gets to understand this willful woman even more; her life experiences shape her especially with being strict and protective of the daughter she loves with all her might.
The author did a great job bringing together two people vastly different by age, culture, and perspective,and gradually allowing them to be open with each other. Their conversations are awkward, sometimes cruel especially coming from Kavya’s mother, and at times moving and philosophical. Some bits of humor and at times, just a tedious read about banality. Through their growing relationship these two characters come to better understand each other.
Cliched racist slurs and stereotypes also abound. Here is Kavya’s mom providing her perspective on Indian men:
They’re controlling, and they don’t care about equality, their expectations are chauvinistic, and they can’t take care of themselves. Plus Indian families are always in each other’s business…Indian men are raised to think they can treat women a certain way….
Nathan and Kavya are different and I wonder about their compatibility. He is neat, organized and meticulous while Kavya “had a knack for spilling, breaking, splattering, and dropping, and then being utterly blind to missed spots while cleaning.” (I know that I will not be able to handle a messy person day in and day out). Also, Kavya is ingrained in her culture of long Indian movies and other Indian festivals etc. Nathan is a typical white man with an affinity to video games and Marvel movies. I hope they’re deeper understanding of each other may prevail to offer some sanity and grace in their marriage. As Nathan muses:
That was marriage, wasn’t it? You didn’t necessarily have the same interests, but like a shared drawer, you moved this within you to make space.”
The author’s language and diction are above average; although she has a penchant for the word - quotidian. The banter between the characters can be easy; and at times, deep. Judgements are cast aside as new discoveries are made. Overall this is a novel about family, relationships, guilt, forgiveness, resilience and the unexpected ways which can alter perspectives and change someone.
September 28, 2026
If you like complicated family relationships, second chances that aren’t necessarily romantic, and characters willing to take a hard look at themselves, start here.
Some People by Parini Shroff follows Malti Patel after an injury leaves her needing someone to stay with her for seven days. The problem? Her daughter Kavya is away in India, which leaves Nathan, Kavya’s soon-to-be-ex-husband, stepping in to help. And Malti and Nathan are not exactly thrilled about spending a week together.
I really adored this book.
The growing relationship between Nathan and Malti was probably my favorite part. They begin with plenty of tension and very little patience for one another, but watching that relationship slowly soften was lovely. And the banter between them kept me chuckling throughout the book. For a story dealing with some pretty complicated family dynamics, there is so much warmth and humor here.
But what I appreciated most was getting a deeper look at Malti’s life and beginning to understand how her own experiences shaped the way she raised Kavya. It doesn’t excuse the ways she hurt her daughter, but it adds so much context to their relationship. Malti became much more complicated as the story went on, and I loved being able to understand the woman behind the mother.
I felt the same way about Nathan. I loved that his marriage wasn’t reduced to everything Kavya had done wrong or everything he had done wrong. He actually had to examine himself, the choices he had made, and the ways he had contributed to the breakdown of their marriage. There was something really satisfying about watching him do that work rather than simply waiting for someone else to change.
The cultural differences woven throughout the story added another layer I really appreciated. So much of what these characters misunderstand about one another comes from family expectations, upbringing, communication, and the very different ways people can learn to express love.
Ultimately, this felt like a story about trying to understand the people we love as whole people, not simply as our mother, daughter, husband, or wife. Sometimes understanding where someone came from doesn’t erase the hurt they caused, but it can change the way we see them.
And I loved watching Nathan and Malti figure some of that out together.
Thank you Ballentine Books for the advanced copy.
Some People by Parini Shroff follows Malti Patel after an injury leaves her needing someone to stay with her for seven days. The problem? Her daughter Kavya is away in India, which leaves Nathan, Kavya’s soon-to-be-ex-husband, stepping in to help. And Malti and Nathan are not exactly thrilled about spending a week together.
I really adored this book.
The growing relationship between Nathan and Malti was probably my favorite part. They begin with plenty of tension and very little patience for one another, but watching that relationship slowly soften was lovely. And the banter between them kept me chuckling throughout the book. For a story dealing with some pretty complicated family dynamics, there is so much warmth and humor here.
But what I appreciated most was getting a deeper look at Malti’s life and beginning to understand how her own experiences shaped the way she raised Kavya. It doesn’t excuse the ways she hurt her daughter, but it adds so much context to their relationship. Malti became much more complicated as the story went on, and I loved being able to understand the woman behind the mother.
I felt the same way about Nathan. I loved that his marriage wasn’t reduced to everything Kavya had done wrong or everything he had done wrong. He actually had to examine himself, the choices he had made, and the ways he had contributed to the breakdown of their marriage. There was something really satisfying about watching him do that work rather than simply waiting for someone else to change.
The cultural differences woven throughout the story added another layer I really appreciated. So much of what these characters misunderstand about one another comes from family expectations, upbringing, communication, and the very different ways people can learn to express love.
Ultimately, this felt like a story about trying to understand the people we love as whole people, not simply as our mother, daughter, husband, or wife. Sometimes understanding where someone came from doesn’t erase the hurt they caused, but it can change the way we see them.
And I loved watching Nathan and Malti figure some of that out together.
Thank you Ballentine Books for the advanced copy.
September 18, 2026
Some People by Parini Shroff caught my attention because of its cover, as covers often do for me. This was my first book by the author, and I really liked how simple yet intriguing the story felt. Malti and Nathan are two people who would rather stay away from each other, but circumstances bring them together for a week. What starts with awkwardness, irritation and plenty of arguments slowly turns into something much deeper as they begin talking about Kavya, the person they both know best.
What I really connected with was how the book talks about people and the way we form opinions about them without really knowing what they are going through. We often see only one side of a person, make our own assumptions and then hold on to them for years. Malti and Nathan do exactly that with each other. As they spend more time together, they start seeing things from the other person's side and realise that maybe neither of them understood the whole story.
This is a quiet, character driven book, so there is not a lot of action, but there is plenty of conversation, emotion and little moments that make you think. I enjoyed the humour, the family dynamics and especially the way the story talks about marriage, parenting, misunderstandings and the things we carry from childhood. Some People is ultimately about how complicated people can be and how sometimes understanding someone requires us to let go of the version of them we created in our own head.
What I really connected with was how the book talks about people and the way we form opinions about them without really knowing what they are going through. We often see only one side of a person, make our own assumptions and then hold on to them for years. Malti and Nathan do exactly that with each other. As they spend more time together, they start seeing things from the other person's side and realise that maybe neither of them understood the whole story.
This is a quiet, character driven book, so there is not a lot of action, but there is plenty of conversation, emotion and little moments that make you think. I enjoyed the humour, the family dynamics and especially the way the story talks about marriage, parenting, misunderstandings and the things we carry from childhood. Some People is ultimately about how complicated people can be and how sometimes understanding someone requires us to let go of the version of them we created in our own head.
September 23, 2026
4 stars for this. Very different than her debut, I wasn’t sure what I was in for and I’m so glad I gave it a go. It’s thoughtful, gentle, and at times humorous take on two people from different backgrounds, generations, and perspectives on the world forced together and finding common ground.
Malti ends up concussed after an unfortunate incident with an unhoused man outside her grocery store and the doctors end up calling her white soon-to-be ex-son in law to discharge her. They barely tolerated each other while he was still married to her daughter but this is almost unbearable for her to be dependent on this man who she doesn’t relate to as well. However as they navigate around each other it becomes clear that beyond loving the same woman, they may actually have much more in common.
Parini Shroff has a way of putting into words concepts I feel but can’t convey. Her wacky analogy of a seven legged bug with an extra appendage made me laugh and tear up at the same time. It captured exactly how I feel living in a world that likes me for only what they see of themselves. There is a bit of a lecture feel in this book which can feel a bit overdone but the feeling of being seen was overwhelming enough for me to forgive almost anything else
Malti ends up concussed after an unfortunate incident with an unhoused man outside her grocery store and the doctors end up calling her white soon-to-be ex-son in law to discharge her. They barely tolerated each other while he was still married to her daughter but this is almost unbearable for her to be dependent on this man who she doesn’t relate to as well. However as they navigate around each other it becomes clear that beyond loving the same woman, they may actually have much more in common.
Parini Shroff has a way of putting into words concepts I feel but can’t convey. Her wacky analogy of a seven legged bug with an extra appendage made me laugh and tear up at the same time. It captured exactly how I feel living in a world that likes me for only what they see of themselves. There is a bit of a lecture feel in this book which can feel a bit overdone but the feeling of being seen was overwhelming enough for me to forgive almost anything else
August 3, 2026
When Malti Patel sustains a head injury, her daughter Kavya's soon-to-be ex-husband, Nathan Whitlock, is called. Kavya is abroad doing graduate studies in India and the doctor insists that Malti can't be left alone for at least 7 days so she has no option but to allow Nathan and his cat to move in with her while she recovers. Over the course of the week, the pair finally get to know each other as Nathan ponders what went wrong in his marriage and Malti grapples with mistakes she made in her relationship with her daughter.
I loved Shroff's debut novel The Bandit Queens so was looking forward to this book - it's quite different but still a feel-good story that I enjoyed from start to finish.
Set in Silicon Valley over the course of little more than a week, Some People is about two people that don't particularly like or understand each other who are forced to spend time together. Both Malti and Nathan are compelling characters and there's a great dynamic between the two of them. They each had annoying traits but I loved them both and enjoyed the evolution of their relationship. With themes relating to family, understanding and forgiveness, this is a heartfelt, funny, insightful and ultimately hopeful character-driven story.
I loved Shroff's debut novel The Bandit Queens so was looking forward to this book - it's quite different but still a feel-good story that I enjoyed from start to finish.
Set in Silicon Valley over the course of little more than a week, Some People is about two people that don't particularly like or understand each other who are forced to spend time together. Both Malti and Nathan are compelling characters and there's a great dynamic between the two of them. They each had annoying traits but I loved them both and enjoyed the evolution of their relationship. With themes relating to family, understanding and forgiveness, this is a heartfelt, funny, insightful and ultimately hopeful character-driven story.
September 1, 2026
This book… I ADORE it. It was as wonderful as The Road to Tender Hearts (Annie Hartnett), as magnificent as Minbak (Ela Lee), and as amazing as the author’s debut The Bandit Queens.
I’ve never read a book that examines relationships through a mother and her soon-to-be ex-son-in-law before, but it works amazingly well.
Malti Patel is temporarily homebound after a fall. Per the doctor’s prescription she can’t be left on her own, so Nathan Whitlock comes to play nurse. They bicker, they squabble, but mostly, they gradually come to understand what went downhill in their relationship with Kavya, the person they love most - and who is currently in India, far, far away from them.
Sometimes the way we show our love is not how the other person wants to be loved. Or how they needs to be loved. Or even deserves to be loved. This theme was examined in such a nuanced and compassionate way, that I teared up many, many times. It wasn’t tear-jerking per se, but it was full of heart and warmth and wholesomeness. The mother-daughter relationship was interesting. Nathan and Kavya failed marriage was interesting. The dynamics between mother and son-in-law were interesting. There’s just so much to unpack!
An amazing book full of wisdom, and deeply human I highly recommend.
I’ve never read a book that examines relationships through a mother and her soon-to-be ex-son-in-law before, but it works amazingly well.
Malti Patel is temporarily homebound after a fall. Per the doctor’s prescription she can’t be left on her own, so Nathan Whitlock comes to play nurse. They bicker, they squabble, but mostly, they gradually come to understand what went downhill in their relationship with Kavya, the person they love most - and who is currently in India, far, far away from them.
Sometimes the way we show our love is not how the other person wants to be loved. Or how they needs to be loved. Or even deserves to be loved. This theme was examined in such a nuanced and compassionate way, that I teared up many, many times. It wasn’t tear-jerking per se, but it was full of heart and warmth and wholesomeness. The mother-daughter relationship was interesting. Nathan and Kavya failed marriage was interesting. The dynamics between mother and son-in-law were interesting. There’s just so much to unpack!
An amazing book full of wisdom, and deeply human I highly recommend.
September 23, 2026
Full of very human moments between three people who are trying their best to understand each other. The transformation of Malti and Nathan’s relationship as she opens up about her upbringing, culture, and the way she raised her daughter because of these experiences made them very flawed and real characters. Nathan and Malti learn a lot about each other they hadn’t even begun to get into over the decade they’ve known each other. There’s a lot to be said about how our parents inform our later relationships and now difficult it can be to shake off those traumas to learn to be more understanding and accommodating of those we love and what they need from us versus what we think they need. Some People is full of heart and humor, although certain moments came across repetitive and stunted the pacing. It’s a very hopeful novel in the end that illustrates people’s capacity for growth when they’re willing to work on things. I appreciated the straightforward writing style.
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