What do you think?
Rate this book
Wrong Turns Only
Tashi has spent all her life pretending she doesn’t care that her mother abandoned her when she was a little child.
When the charismatic, unpredictable Anupama, reappears to take Tashi on a three-week mother–daughter road trip down India’s coast, Tashi agrees, wanting closure to the question that has haunted her. What she gets instead is something else.
From the sun-bleached beaches and haunted mansions of Goa to the backwaters of Kerala, from surf breaks in Pondicherry to midnight arguments and unexpected friendships, the journey forces Tashi to confront everything she thought she knew about abandonment, loyalty, and identity.
But while Tashi is chasing answers across highways and coastlines, the person she has always counted on is coming undone. Back home in the mountains of Nainital, one impulsive act by Dhruv, her best friend, her almost-something-more, changes everything, pulling him into a spiral from which even Tashi cannot rescue him.
As old wounds resurface and truths unravel, Tashi must decide if she is brave enough to confront the truth about her mother and if she can show up for Dhruv before he loses himself completely.
Wrong Turns Only is a coming-of-age novel about the messy, beautiful road to becoming who you are.
When the charismatic, unpredictable Anupama, reappears to take Tashi on a three-week mother–daughter road trip down India’s coast, Tashi agrees, wanting closure to the question that has haunted her. What she gets instead is something else.
From the sun-bleached beaches and haunted mansions of Goa to the backwaters of Kerala, from surf breaks in Pondicherry to midnight arguments and unexpected friendships, the journey forces Tashi to confront everything she thought she knew about abandonment, loyalty, and identity.
But while Tashi is chasing answers across highways and coastlines, the person she has always counted on is coming undone. Back home in the mountains of Nainital, one impulsive act by Dhruv, her best friend, her almost-something-more, changes everything, pulling him into a spiral from which even Tashi cannot rescue him.
As old wounds resurface and truths unravel, Tashi must decide if she is brave enough to confront the truth about her mother and if she can show up for Dhruv before he loses himself completely.
Wrong Turns Only is a coming-of-age novel about the messy, beautiful road to becoming who you are.
200 pages, Paperback
First published September 1, 2026
About the author
Priyanka Pradhan
2 books11 followersPriyanka Pradhan is an award-winning Indian author and journalist based in Dubai, UAE, with over 18 years of experience as a television reporter, features editor, and travel writer. Her career spans leading media houses, including CNBC Network 18, ET Now, and The New York Times Style Magazine. Her work has also appeared in Condé Nast Traveller, Harper’s Bazaar Middle East, Gulf News, and Khaleej Times. She is currently deputy editor at a Dubai-based boutique publishing house, AP Media, working across luxury fashion and lifestyle magazine titles such as Madame Arabia and Villa 88.
In 2020, Priyanka made her literary debut with Tales from the Himalayas, a children’s short story collection published by Rupa Publications. The book won the ‘Ruskin Bond Promising Writer Award’ at the Dehradun Literature Festival and the ‘Montegrappa Prize for Short Stories 2021’ at the Emirates Literature Festival in Dubai. Endorsed by Ruskin Bond and Freida Pinto, the book became a bestseller in its category and continues to be celebrated in schools and literary circles for its storytelling and cultural depth.
Her second book, Wrong Turns Only, is a contemporary Young Adult novel set across India, exploring identity and emotional healing through the eyes of a teenage girl and her childhood friend.
Ratings & Reviews
Friends & Following
Create a free account to discover what your friends think of this book!
Community Reviews
Displaying 1 - 28 of 28 reviews
September 23, 2026
Wrong Turns Only by Priyanka Pradhan is a fast-paced and fun coming-of-age novel about the messy yet beautiful road to becoming who you are.
Tashi is a young girl who has been living with her father in the hills of Nainital after being abandoned by her mother at a very young age. This thought has stayed with her throughout her life, until Anupama, her mother, suddenly comes back into her life and asks her to meet her in Mumbai. She then invites Tashi on a three-week mother-daughter road trip along India’s coast.
The story follows Tashi as she tries to find her new identity while she and her mother slowly begin to rekindle their long-lost mother-daughter relationship.
I enjoyed the plot, the writing style, and the character development. For me, this was more of a plot-driven book than a character-driven one, and I really enjoyed that aspect of it. I especially loved the atmospheric scenery of the coastal regions of Goa, Kerala, Pondicherry, and more. I also enjoyed watching Tashi uncover and discover different parts of herself and her personality throughout the journey.
Overall, pick this one up when you’re looking for a fast-paced, meaningful, wholesome coming-of-age read with Indian settings, beautiful coastal landscapes, family relationships, self-discovery, and characters that slowly find a place in your heart.
Tashi is a young girl who has been living with her father in the hills of Nainital after being abandoned by her mother at a very young age. This thought has stayed with her throughout her life, until Anupama, her mother, suddenly comes back into her life and asks her to meet her in Mumbai. She then invites Tashi on a three-week mother-daughter road trip along India’s coast.
The story follows Tashi as she tries to find her new identity while she and her mother slowly begin to rekindle their long-lost mother-daughter relationship.
I enjoyed the plot, the writing style, and the character development. For me, this was more of a plot-driven book than a character-driven one, and I really enjoyed that aspect of it. I especially loved the atmospheric scenery of the coastal regions of Goa, Kerala, Pondicherry, and more. I also enjoyed watching Tashi uncover and discover different parts of herself and her personality throughout the journey.
Overall, pick this one up when you’re looking for a fast-paced, meaningful, wholesome coming-of-age read with Indian settings, beautiful coastal landscapes, family relationships, self-discovery, and characters that slowly find a place in your heart.
October 21, 2026
Wrong Turns Only by Priyanka Pradhan may seem like a travel story at first, but as I read, I found it was really more about people, relationships, and the emotions we carry.
Priyanka doesn't portray Tashi’s relationship with her mother, Anupama, in simple black-and-white terms. Instead, it takes you through the complexity of Tashi's mind and how it keeps changing as her understanding evolves. It only narrates how Tashi has grown up carrying the hurt of her mother leaving when she was young. With no real answers, she has spent years creating her own version of why Anupama left and what it meant for their relationship. So when Anupama suddenly returns and takes her on a three-week road trip along the Indian coast, Tashi sees it as a chance to finally understand the mother she has missed for so long. But the closer they get, the more uncertain she becomes. The journey forces her to face old hurt, difficult questions, and the possibility that the truth may not be as simple as she once believed.
Priyanka Pradhan’s writing is easy to get into, and I especially enjoyed the way she describes the different places in the story. There is a beautiful sense of movement throughout the book, and I could almost feel the shift from the familiar mountains of Nainital to the beaches, roads, and coastal towns.
I particularly loved Priyanka’s subtle and nuanced portrayal of friendship through Tashi and Dhruv. Having grown up together, they have spent most of their lives in each other’s company. Their friendship has that comfortable yet complicated quality where two people know each other well enough to say things they might not say to anyone else. Dhruv’s presence adds another emotional layer to Tashi’s journey and reminds us that while she is physically travelling away from home, the people she leaves behind are also dealing with their own emotions and struggles.
Anupama’s choices were another aspect of the story that I found fascinating. As her past and experiences slowly come to light, I found myself understanding her character on a deeper level. Her journey made me look beyond her decisions and think about the circumstances that shaped them.
Wrong Turns Only takes us on a vivid road trip that gradually becomes a metaphor for Tashi’s own growth. From Goa and Kerala to Pondicherry, every destination brings new experiences, conversations, and situations that push her a little further outside her comfort zone. I loved that the travel never felt like it was included simply to make the story scenic. Each place becomes a part of Tashi’s emotional journey, giving her another opportunity to look at her life, her relationships, and herself differently.
For me, Wrong Turns Only is ultimately a story about how knowing someone’s story can change the way we see their choices. It is about family, relationships, and the complicated emotions that come with them, but it is also about finding your own identity instead of simply carrying forward the stories and decisions of the people who came before you.
I finished the book thinking about how often we call something a “wrong turn” simply because it didn’t take us where we expected to go. Maybe not every journey is meant to lead us directly to our destination. Maybe some journeys are meant to change us along the way.
Priyanka doesn't portray Tashi’s relationship with her mother, Anupama, in simple black-and-white terms. Instead, it takes you through the complexity of Tashi's mind and how it keeps changing as her understanding evolves. It only narrates how Tashi has grown up carrying the hurt of her mother leaving when she was young. With no real answers, she has spent years creating her own version of why Anupama left and what it meant for their relationship. So when Anupama suddenly returns and takes her on a three-week road trip along the Indian coast, Tashi sees it as a chance to finally understand the mother she has missed for so long. But the closer they get, the more uncertain she becomes. The journey forces her to face old hurt, difficult questions, and the possibility that the truth may not be as simple as she once believed.
Priyanka Pradhan’s writing is easy to get into, and I especially enjoyed the way she describes the different places in the story. There is a beautiful sense of movement throughout the book, and I could almost feel the shift from the familiar mountains of Nainital to the beaches, roads, and coastal towns.
I particularly loved Priyanka’s subtle and nuanced portrayal of friendship through Tashi and Dhruv. Having grown up together, they have spent most of their lives in each other’s company. Their friendship has that comfortable yet complicated quality where two people know each other well enough to say things they might not say to anyone else. Dhruv’s presence adds another emotional layer to Tashi’s journey and reminds us that while she is physically travelling away from home, the people she leaves behind are also dealing with their own emotions and struggles.
Anupama’s choices were another aspect of the story that I found fascinating. As her past and experiences slowly come to light, I found myself understanding her character on a deeper level. Her journey made me look beyond her decisions and think about the circumstances that shaped them.
Wrong Turns Only takes us on a vivid road trip that gradually becomes a metaphor for Tashi’s own growth. From Goa and Kerala to Pondicherry, every destination brings new experiences, conversations, and situations that push her a little further outside her comfort zone. I loved that the travel never felt like it was included simply to make the story scenic. Each place becomes a part of Tashi’s emotional journey, giving her another opportunity to look at her life, her relationships, and herself differently.
For me, Wrong Turns Only is ultimately a story about how knowing someone’s story can change the way we see their choices. It is about family, relationships, and the complicated emotions that come with them, but it is also about finding your own identity instead of simply carrying forward the stories and decisions of the people who came before you.
I finished the book thinking about how often we call something a “wrong turn” simply because it didn’t take us where we expected to go. Maybe not every journey is meant to lead us directly to our destination. Maybe some journeys are meant to change us along the way.
September 23, 2026
There are books that take you on an unexpected journey – one that slowly becomes a lesson, and sometimes, a mirror. Wrong Turns Only by Priyanka Pradhan felt like one such book. Right from the title and the cover, I had a strong feeling that this book was going to take me to places where there would be lessons, reflection and perhaps a few unexpected turns. And true to its title and cover, this book turned out to be a beautiful journey – an emotional rollercoaster filled with love, family, relationships, friendship, laughter and self-discovery.
Wrong Turns Only follows Tashi, who has spent her life pretending that she doesn’t care about her mother abandoning her when she was a child. She has grown up with her father and best friend Dhruv in Nainital, building a life around an absence she has never quite confronted. Then she receives a one-way ticket to Mumbai and an opportunity to meet her mother, Anupama. What begins as a chance at a mother-daughter reunion soon turns into an unexpected road trip. Anupama takes Tashi across Goa, Kokan, the backwaters of Kerala and the surf breaks in Pondicherry, and what follows is a journey filled with new places, new people, arguments, laughter and conversations that slowly make Tashi question what she knows about her mother and herself. I liked that the book doesn’t make the journey only about finding answers. Instead, Tashi encounters situations and people that gradually make her look at her life differently.
What particularly worked for me was how the road trip becomes a metaphor for Tashi’s life. The title Wrong Turns Only isn’t just about travelling down the wrong road. It reflects the choices, relationships and unexpected circumstances that shape our lives. Not every turn is planned, and not every decision makes sense immediately. Sometimes, we only understand where a particular road was taking us after we’ve travelled it. The people Tashi meets along the way add another interesting layer. Many of them leave behind a thought, a lesson or a different perspective, making the journey feel like more than a conventional road trip.
https://vidhyathakkar.com/wrong-turns...
Wrong Turns Only follows Tashi, who has spent her life pretending that she doesn’t care about her mother abandoning her when she was a child. She has grown up with her father and best friend Dhruv in Nainital, building a life around an absence she has never quite confronted. Then she receives a one-way ticket to Mumbai and an opportunity to meet her mother, Anupama. What begins as a chance at a mother-daughter reunion soon turns into an unexpected road trip. Anupama takes Tashi across Goa, Kokan, the backwaters of Kerala and the surf breaks in Pondicherry, and what follows is a journey filled with new places, new people, arguments, laughter and conversations that slowly make Tashi question what she knows about her mother and herself. I liked that the book doesn’t make the journey only about finding answers. Instead, Tashi encounters situations and people that gradually make her look at her life differently.
What particularly worked for me was how the road trip becomes a metaphor for Tashi’s life. The title Wrong Turns Only isn’t just about travelling down the wrong road. It reflects the choices, relationships and unexpected circumstances that shape our lives. Not every turn is planned, and not every decision makes sense immediately. Sometimes, we only understand where a particular road was taking us after we’ve travelled it. The people Tashi meets along the way add another interesting layer. Many of them leave behind a thought, a lesson or a different perspective, making the journey feel like more than a conventional road trip.
https://vidhyathakkar.com/wrong-turns...
October 18, 2026
If someone asks you, “What is the earliest memory you have of your mother?” what would you say?
I’d say, “When she was plaiting my braids, dressing me up for school, or helping me practise for the annual school function.”
But Tashi has no such memories. Her mother, Anupama, abandoned her and her father when she was barely able to walk. Throughout her 15 years of life, she craves, hates, and longs for her mother. The annual “Happy Birthday, Tashi! How’s life?” calls don’t even begin to fill the void she feels.
One day, her father tells her that her mother wants to meet her and has sent her a one-way ticket to Mumbai.
Tashi is anguished, but her best friend, Dhruv, cajoles her into making the trip and unravelling the mystery that is her mother. The rest of the story is an adventure I’d like you to discover for yourself.
Through Tashi’s eyes, we get to explore Mumbai, Goa, the picturesque Mahabalipuram, and Havelock Island.
Written in a fast paced and relatable manner, I found the author’s storytelling especially compelling. I picked this book up just to give it a try, but before I knew it, I had read 50 pages in one sitting!
What I enjoyed most was its subtle humour. I found myself chuckling at several points, often when I least expected to.
The story also touches upon a spiritual incident, LGBTQ+ themes, and domestic violence, subjects that could easily have made the narrative feel disjointed if not handled well. But to my relief and surprise, they blend seamlessly into the story without taking away from its flow.
And above all, I loved how the complicated, unconventional mother-daughter relationship unfolds in the most unexpected ways, even though it wasn't a clean cut straight path. It had its hurdles, but that is life, right?
Overall, this was a lovely, engaging read that turned out to be much more than I’d initially expected.
I’d say, “When she was plaiting my braids, dressing me up for school, or helping me practise for the annual school function.”
But Tashi has no such memories. Her mother, Anupama, abandoned her and her father when she was barely able to walk. Throughout her 15 years of life, she craves, hates, and longs for her mother. The annual “Happy Birthday, Tashi! How’s life?” calls don’t even begin to fill the void she feels.
One day, her father tells her that her mother wants to meet her and has sent her a one-way ticket to Mumbai.
Tashi is anguished, but her best friend, Dhruv, cajoles her into making the trip and unravelling the mystery that is her mother. The rest of the story is an adventure I’d like you to discover for yourself.
Through Tashi’s eyes, we get to explore Mumbai, Goa, the picturesque Mahabalipuram, and Havelock Island.
Written in a fast paced and relatable manner, I found the author’s storytelling especially compelling. I picked this book up just to give it a try, but before I knew it, I had read 50 pages in one sitting!
What I enjoyed most was its subtle humour. I found myself chuckling at several points, often when I least expected to.
The story also touches upon a spiritual incident, LGBTQ+ themes, and domestic violence, subjects that could easily have made the narrative feel disjointed if not handled well. But to my relief and surprise, they blend seamlessly into the story without taking away from its flow.
And above all, I loved how the complicated, unconventional mother-daughter relationship unfolds in the most unexpected ways, even though it wasn't a clean cut straight path. It had its hurdles, but that is life, right?
Overall, this was a lovely, engaging read that turned out to be much more than I’d initially expected.
October 11, 2026
Wrong Turns Only by Priyanka Pradhan is a coming-of-age novel about family, friendship, love, and finding oneself. The story follows Tashi, who joins her mother Anupama on a three-week road trip after years of separation. As they travel through Goa, Kerala, and Pondicherry, Tashi tries to understand her mother’s abandonment and find answers to questions that have troubled her for years. Meanwhile, back in Nainital, her best friend Dhruv faces a personal crisis that changes everything.
The book explores how past experiences shape our relationships and how difficult it can be to forgive and move forward. With beautiful Indian settings and emotional moments, this novel is about belonging, healing, and accepting life’s unexpected turns.
The book explores how past experiences shape our relationships and how difficult it can be to forgive and move forward. With beautiful Indian settings and emotional moments, this novel is about belonging, healing, and accepting life’s unexpected turns.
October 8, 2026
I picked this up on a whim, and it honestly caught me off guard in the best way.
The story follows a girl raised in Nainital who has spent her whole life wondering about her absent mother. When a random one way ticket to Mumbai lands in her hands, she ends up on an unexpected coastal road trip with the very woman who left her.
What made this book work for me was how real everything felt. The mother daughter dynamic is messy, tender, and deeply emotional without trying too hard. It is a warm, beautiful read about family secrets, healing, and learning that sometimes the wrong turns take you right where you need to be.
The story follows a girl raised in Nainital who has spent her whole life wondering about her absent mother. When a random one way ticket to Mumbai lands in her hands, she ends up on an unexpected coastal road trip with the very woman who left her.
What made this book work for me was how real everything felt. The mother daughter dynamic is messy, tender, and deeply emotional without trying too hard. It is a warm, beautiful read about family secrets, healing, and learning that sometimes the wrong turns take you right where you need to be.
September 29, 2026
Wrong Turns Only is a story about a mother and daughter who meet for the first time and embark on a journey that brings them closer in ways they might not have expected. I went into this book curious about how their relationship would unfold, and while I had a few reservations, I found it to be a fairly enjoyable read.
One thing I particularly liked was how Priyanka Pradhan explored the key turning points of the story through different perspectives. There were two instances that stood out to me: when Tashi finally begins to open up and feel comfortable around Anupama, and later, during the scripting part towards the end. Honestly, I had expected the characters to react differently in both these situations. Seeing the story unfold through these contrasting perspectives was an interesting choice, and it made me reconsider my own assumptions about how the characters might feel or respond.
Read the full review on:
https://readreactreview21.wordpress.c...
One thing I particularly liked was how Priyanka Pradhan explored the key turning points of the story through different perspectives. There were two instances that stood out to me: when Tashi finally begins to open up and feel comfortable around Anupama, and later, during the scripting part towards the end. Honestly, I had expected the characters to react differently in both these situations. Seeing the story unfold through these contrasting perspectives was an interesting choice, and it made me reconsider my own assumptions about how the characters might feel or respond.
Read the full review on:
https://readreactreview21.wordpress.c...
September 28, 2026
What if the person you’ve spent years being angry with has a story you never knew? And what if finding out that story changes the way you look at everything?
That’s what happens with Tashi. She isn’t ready to meet her mother, but her father and her best friend convince her that this might be the chance she gets to finally find some of the answers she has been looking for.
Tashi has grown up with the absence of her mother—a space filled with questions, hurt and things left unsaid. When she finally gets the chance to meet her, she doesn't get the simple answers she might have been hoping for. Instead, their journey takes them through different places, unexpected conversations and moments that slowly make Tashi see her mother, her family and even herself differently.
I really enjoyed the emotional side of Tashi’s journey. There is something very human about growing up with only one version of someone’s story and later realising that people are often much more complicated than the roles we give them. A mother isn't only a mother. A daughter isn't only the hurt she carries. And sometimes, understanding someone doesn't necessarily erase the pain, but it can help you look at it differently.
I also enjoyed the travel element of the story. Goa, Kerala and Pondicherry gave the book a lovely sense of movement, and I liked how the journey outside slowly became a journey within too. There was something comforting about watching Tashi experience new places while also figuring out what she wants from the people and relationships in her life. Tashi’s relationship with her best friend Dhruv is also an integral part of the story, and I really enjoyed their bond.
The beginning especially pulled me in. I was curious about Tashi, her mother and what had happened between them. I wanted to understand the choices that had brought them to this point. But somewhere along the way, the story took a turn that didn't work as well for me. The storyline felt a little different from where I thought it was heading, and I wasn't as emotionally invested in the latter part as I was initially. A few things also felt rushed, and I wished some of the emotional moments had been explored a little more.
Still, there were some beautiful thoughts here about family, forgiveness, growing up and accepting that life doesn't always follow the route we imagined for ourselves. A wrong turn doesn't always mean you've gone in the wrong direction. Sometimes, it takes you somewhere you needed to be.
This is a light yet emotional coming-of-age story with family, friendship, travel and self-discovery at its heart. It wasn't a perfect read for me, but Tashi’s journey and the questions it raises about the people we love stayed with me even after I finished the book.
That’s what happens with Tashi. She isn’t ready to meet her mother, but her father and her best friend convince her that this might be the chance she gets to finally find some of the answers she has been looking for.
Tashi has grown up with the absence of her mother—a space filled with questions, hurt and things left unsaid. When she finally gets the chance to meet her, she doesn't get the simple answers she might have been hoping for. Instead, their journey takes them through different places, unexpected conversations and moments that slowly make Tashi see her mother, her family and even herself differently.
I really enjoyed the emotional side of Tashi’s journey. There is something very human about growing up with only one version of someone’s story and later realising that people are often much more complicated than the roles we give them. A mother isn't only a mother. A daughter isn't only the hurt she carries. And sometimes, understanding someone doesn't necessarily erase the pain, but it can help you look at it differently.
I also enjoyed the travel element of the story. Goa, Kerala and Pondicherry gave the book a lovely sense of movement, and I liked how the journey outside slowly became a journey within too. There was something comforting about watching Tashi experience new places while also figuring out what she wants from the people and relationships in her life. Tashi’s relationship with her best friend Dhruv is also an integral part of the story, and I really enjoyed their bond.
The beginning especially pulled me in. I was curious about Tashi, her mother and what had happened between them. I wanted to understand the choices that had brought them to this point. But somewhere along the way, the story took a turn that didn't work as well for me. The storyline felt a little different from where I thought it was heading, and I wasn't as emotionally invested in the latter part as I was initially. A few things also felt rushed, and I wished some of the emotional moments had been explored a little more.
Still, there were some beautiful thoughts here about family, forgiveness, growing up and accepting that life doesn't always follow the route we imagined for ourselves. A wrong turn doesn't always mean you've gone in the wrong direction. Sometimes, it takes you somewhere you needed to be.
This is a light yet emotional coming-of-age story with family, friendship, travel and self-discovery at its heart. It wasn't a perfect read for me, but Tashi’s journey and the questions it raises about the people we love stayed with me even after I finished the book.
September 23, 2026
For most characters in Priyanka Pradhan’s Wrong Turn, the book is as much an internal journey as an external one: they take wrong turns, live their lives, and in the end end up where they belong. The book is a coming-of-age story about Tashi, a girl who was brought up by her father in the mountains of Nainital, and who goes on a life-changing three-week road trip along India’s coastline with her estranged and unpredictable mother, Anupama, who till now only features in Tashi's life annually on her birthday.
Tashi has always acted as if she doesn't mind the fact that her mother left her when she was young. Upon Anupama's reappearance, she agrees to a road trip along the coast to achieve a sense of closure. The journey takes them from Mumbai to the sun-bleached beaches of Goa, the surf breaks in Pondicherry, and the backwaters of Kerala.
Priyanka expresses profound emotions in simple language, which helps establish a connection with readers, especially young adults. True to its title, the book promotes the liberating idea that getting lost is often a necessary step toward finding oneself. The freedom in Wrong Turns Only comes from breaking down the strict expectations Tashi has about life, forgiveness, and identity.
As they proceed mile by mile along the coastline, Tashi's need for complete control disappears. She learns that closure is rarely a neat, prepackaged solution handed to her by someone else; instead, it is gradually achieved through unexpected friendships, new surroundings, and the bravery to confront uncomfortable truths. The coastal landscapes—vast, breathing, and uncontrolled—become a source of liberation, helping her let go of her resentment and take initiative. It strongly reminds us that taking a 'wrong turn' can lead us away from a life based simply on endurance and toward true self-possession.
Although Wrong Turns Only excels in its character portrayal and vivid descriptions, it has a few flaws. Anupama is a grey character, which is why she stands out. In the end, I thought that Pradhan felt it was his duty to make her morally upright by dedicating her television debut to her daughter. Pradhan beautifully captures little, memorable details, but some of the scene changes seem a bit too sudden, which makes it easy to lose track of time. Moreover, the side story concerning Tashi's friend Dhruv sometimes draws attention away from the main mother-daughter journey. Nevertheless, this does not diminish the book's overall warmth, emotional honesty, and beautiful settings.
An insightful, tender coming-of-age journey that lingers long after the final page, proving that the most meaningful destinations are often reached by accident.
Tashi has always acted as if she doesn't mind the fact that her mother left her when she was young. Upon Anupama's reappearance, she agrees to a road trip along the coast to achieve a sense of closure. The journey takes them from Mumbai to the sun-bleached beaches of Goa, the surf breaks in Pondicherry, and the backwaters of Kerala.
Priyanka expresses profound emotions in simple language, which helps establish a connection with readers, especially young adults. True to its title, the book promotes the liberating idea that getting lost is often a necessary step toward finding oneself. The freedom in Wrong Turns Only comes from breaking down the strict expectations Tashi has about life, forgiveness, and identity.
As they proceed mile by mile along the coastline, Tashi's need for complete control disappears. She learns that closure is rarely a neat, prepackaged solution handed to her by someone else; instead, it is gradually achieved through unexpected friendships, new surroundings, and the bravery to confront uncomfortable truths. The coastal landscapes—vast, breathing, and uncontrolled—become a source of liberation, helping her let go of her resentment and take initiative. It strongly reminds us that taking a 'wrong turn' can lead us away from a life based simply on endurance and toward true self-possession.
Although Wrong Turns Only excels in its character portrayal and vivid descriptions, it has a few flaws. Anupama is a grey character, which is why she stands out. In the end, I thought that Pradhan felt it was his duty to make her morally upright by dedicating her television debut to her daughter. Pradhan beautifully captures little, memorable details, but some of the scene changes seem a bit too sudden, which makes it easy to lose track of time. Moreover, the side story concerning Tashi's friend Dhruv sometimes draws attention away from the main mother-daughter journey. Nevertheless, this does not diminish the book's overall warmth, emotional honesty, and beautiful settings.
An insightful, tender coming-of-age journey that lingers long after the final page, proving that the most meaningful destinations are often reached by accident.
October 1, 2026
A heartwarming story exploring a complex mother daughter relationship, the relationship we see from out of the conventional body which is commendable intention and really refreshing. The story has a sweet innocent air, now I know why Priyanka received the Ruskin Bond Promising Writer Award, such an amazing pleasure she gave me in her writing.
Blurb:
Sometimes, the wrong turns lead us exactly where we need to be.
Tashi has spent all her life pretending she doesn’t care that her mother abandoned her when she was a little child.
When the charismatic, unpredictable Anupama reappears to take Tashi on a three-week mother– daughter road trip down India’s coast, Tashi agrees, wanting closure to the question that has haunted her. What she gets instead is something else.
From the sun-bleached beaches and haunted mansions of Goa to the backwaters of Kerala, from surf breaks in Pondicherry to midnight arguments and unexpected friendships, the journey forces Tashi to confront everything she thought she knew about abandonment, loyalty, and identity.
But while Tashi is chasing answers across highways and coastlines, the person she has always counted on is coming undone. Back home in the mountains of Nainital, one impulsive act by Dhruv, her best friend, her almost-something-more, changes everything, pulling him into a spiral from which even Tashi cannot rescue him.
📖
Adventure of discovering places, soaking new experience outside her father's safe house, and meeting a mother who is absolutely stunning and different from others parents makes Tashi astounded, it's different happiness that completely for her and she must let it stay with her. Not every parents are same, not every mother are same, but Tashi 's mother is more friends than a normal Mom and that is where the beautiful understanding started growing.
I loved how the author takes a big step to re-discovering the relationship from a very different lenses, a bold approach through the pages unfolded, unflinching storytelling and skillfully it goes deeper into the theme.
A refreshing story, captivating in a different way.
Blurb:
Sometimes, the wrong turns lead us exactly where we need to be.
Tashi has spent all her life pretending she doesn’t care that her mother abandoned her when she was a little child.
When the charismatic, unpredictable Anupama reappears to take Tashi on a three-week mother– daughter road trip down India’s coast, Tashi agrees, wanting closure to the question that has haunted her. What she gets instead is something else.
From the sun-bleached beaches and haunted mansions of Goa to the backwaters of Kerala, from surf breaks in Pondicherry to midnight arguments and unexpected friendships, the journey forces Tashi to confront everything she thought she knew about abandonment, loyalty, and identity.
But while Tashi is chasing answers across highways and coastlines, the person she has always counted on is coming undone. Back home in the mountains of Nainital, one impulsive act by Dhruv, her best friend, her almost-something-more, changes everything, pulling him into a spiral from which even Tashi cannot rescue him.
📖
Adventure of discovering places, soaking new experience outside her father's safe house, and meeting a mother who is absolutely stunning and different from others parents makes Tashi astounded, it's different happiness that completely for her and she must let it stay with her. Not every parents are same, not every mother are same, but Tashi 's mother is more friends than a normal Mom and that is where the beautiful understanding started growing.
I loved how the author takes a big step to re-discovering the relationship from a very different lenses, a bold approach through the pages unfolded, unflinching storytelling and skillfully it goes deeper into the theme.
A refreshing story, captivating in a different way.
October 3, 2026
I felt so much in less than 200 pages and I am probably going to think about this book for a few more days.
"Wrong Turns Only" is a deeply personal story about Tashi who has grown up not knowing how it feels to have a mother. Tashi's mother left her and her father when Tashi was only three. Growing up in all these years, Tashi has only felt betrayed and abandoned by her mother.
When a sudden opportunity to reunite with her mother comes across, though initially reluctant, Tashi sets out on a journey to Mumbai to meet her mother in the hope of finding all the answers that have bothered her in these years.
This is not just a story about a mother and daughter reunion and their past and grief but it's more than that and probably, that's the reason why I was so invested in reading the book so much.
When the duo sets out on a journey, they become different individuals who have done terrible things but somehow they don't let it affect their present. They travel to different parts of India and collect countless experiences to cherish forever.
I could feel how Tashi must have felt. Angry. Betrayed. Abandoned. Not being chosen. But towards the end, I felt more proud of her for learning to show up for others, becoming the person others can rely on.
Even though, Tashi's story is at the center, the book also touches on topics such as grief, childhood trauma, violence and mental health.
This book was truly a rollercoaster ride. Quite literally. It made me laugh and filled me with excitement as Tashi and her mother went to different places and met people who left their imprints in their lives. But the book also broke me slightly by showing how cruel and unfair life can be. How lonely it feels when you are drowning but still don't know how to ask for help.
It made me realise how we all are fighting inner battles, just in different ways. At last, it taught me that no matter which turn you take, you will always find a way back home.
The writing is fast paced and it connects you with it smoothly. A must read for people who like to read domestic fiction that explores complex emotions but gives you a food for thought.
"Wrong Turns Only" is a deeply personal story about Tashi who has grown up not knowing how it feels to have a mother. Tashi's mother left her and her father when Tashi was only three. Growing up in all these years, Tashi has only felt betrayed and abandoned by her mother.
When a sudden opportunity to reunite with her mother comes across, though initially reluctant, Tashi sets out on a journey to Mumbai to meet her mother in the hope of finding all the answers that have bothered her in these years.
This is not just a story about a mother and daughter reunion and their past and grief but it's more than that and probably, that's the reason why I was so invested in reading the book so much.
When the duo sets out on a journey, they become different individuals who have done terrible things but somehow they don't let it affect their present. They travel to different parts of India and collect countless experiences to cherish forever.
I could feel how Tashi must have felt. Angry. Betrayed. Abandoned. Not being chosen. But towards the end, I felt more proud of her for learning to show up for others, becoming the person others can rely on.
Even though, Tashi's story is at the center, the book also touches on topics such as grief, childhood trauma, violence and mental health.
This book was truly a rollercoaster ride. Quite literally. It made me laugh and filled me with excitement as Tashi and her mother went to different places and met people who left their imprints in their lives. But the book also broke me slightly by showing how cruel and unfair life can be. How lonely it feels when you are drowning but still don't know how to ask for help.
It made me realise how we all are fighting inner battles, just in different ways. At last, it taught me that no matter which turn you take, you will always find a way back home.
The writing is fast paced and it connects you with it smoothly. A must read for people who like to read domestic fiction that explores complex emotions but gives you a food for thought.
October 10, 2026
What if a vacation with your mother along the Indian coastline turned into a journey that changed the way you see her, yourself, and the relationship you share? Wrong Turns Only by Priyanka Pradhan is a coming-of-age story that begins with a reunion and unfolds into an unexpected road trip. At its heart is Tashi, a daughter who has grown up believing that her mother abandoned her, carrying a version of her mother shaped by years of memories and unanswered questions. As they travel together, the story gently unravels their individual identities and the complicated bond they share as mother and daughter.
What I particularly loved about this book is the way it brings together travel, nature, and the little life lessons that emerge when we least expect them. We often hear that travelling helps us find ourselves, but what happens when the journey also helps us rediscover a bond we have lost touch with? The evolving relationship between Tashi and her mother feels beautifully organic, while the unexpected friendships, uncomfortable truths, and emotional revelations add depth to the narrative. The characters aren’t entirely good or bad; they are flawed, complicated, and wonderfully human. And perhaps that’s what makes their stories so believable, because none of us is ever entirely black or white.
Wrong Turns Only is much more than a story about a mother and daughter reuniting. It’s about confronting the past, taking accountability, questioning the stories we tell ourselves, and learning to see people beyond our preconceived notions. The emotional journey is a roller coaster that makes you pause, reflect, and perhaps recognise a little of yourself in its characters. By the time you reach the end, you might find that the story has quietly changed something in the way you look at life and relationships. If you love books where characters travel through unfamiliar landscapes while navigating the even more complicated terrain of self-discovery, this one deserves a place on your reading list.
What I particularly loved about this book is the way it brings together travel, nature, and the little life lessons that emerge when we least expect them. We often hear that travelling helps us find ourselves, but what happens when the journey also helps us rediscover a bond we have lost touch with? The evolving relationship between Tashi and her mother feels beautifully organic, while the unexpected friendships, uncomfortable truths, and emotional revelations add depth to the narrative. The characters aren’t entirely good or bad; they are flawed, complicated, and wonderfully human. And perhaps that’s what makes their stories so believable, because none of us is ever entirely black or white.
Wrong Turns Only is much more than a story about a mother and daughter reuniting. It’s about confronting the past, taking accountability, questioning the stories we tell ourselves, and learning to see people beyond our preconceived notions. The emotional journey is a roller coaster that makes you pause, reflect, and perhaps recognise a little of yourself in its characters. By the time you reach the end, you might find that the story has quietly changed something in the way you look at life and relationships. If you love books where characters travel through unfamiliar landscapes while navigating the even more complicated terrain of self-discovery, this one deserves a place on your reading list.
October 11, 2026
Wrong Turns Only by Priyanka Pradhan
Tashi has grown up in Nainital with a version of her family she knows how to live with. Her mother’s absence has become part of that life, while her father and Dhruv remain familiar presences. When Anupama returns, Tashi must decide whether she wants to know the woman behind that absence or continue living with the version of her she has carried since childhood.
Their journey towards southern India takes Tashi far beyond the geography of home. Goa, Konkan, Kerala and Pondicherry bring unfamiliar surroundings and encounters that complicate her understanding of Anupama. The woman travelling beside her is not easily reconciled with the mother Tashi has spent years resenting. As the landscape changes from the mountains she knows to coastlines and backwaters, her understanding of family begins to shift too. The journey offers no instant reconciliation; it asks her to reconsider what she has believed without dismissing the hurt that shaped those beliefs.
Back in Nainital, Dhruv’s story adds another dimension. Their closeness carries feelings that friendship alone cannot quite explain. When his actions take a troubling turn, Tashi faces a different kind of helplessness. She is trying to understand a mother she barely knows while struggling to reach someone whose presence has been woven into her everyday life. Her journey away from home cannot neatly separate her from the people and problems she has left behind.
Priyanka Pradhan gives the coming-of-age novel a geographical dimension: Tashi’s movement across India becomes inseparable from the changes taking place within her. The mountains represent the familiar world in which her beliefs took shape; the journey south brings her face-to-face with realities those beliefs cannot fully accommodate. The farther she travels, the less certain her old conclusions become. Wrong Turns Only traces the difficult passage from knowing people through the roles they occupy in our lives to recognising them as individuals with histories, contradictions and vulnerabilities of their own.
Tashi has grown up in Nainital with a version of her family she knows how to live with. Her mother’s absence has become part of that life, while her father and Dhruv remain familiar presences. When Anupama returns, Tashi must decide whether she wants to know the woman behind that absence or continue living with the version of her she has carried since childhood.
Their journey towards southern India takes Tashi far beyond the geography of home. Goa, Konkan, Kerala and Pondicherry bring unfamiliar surroundings and encounters that complicate her understanding of Anupama. The woman travelling beside her is not easily reconciled with the mother Tashi has spent years resenting. As the landscape changes from the mountains she knows to coastlines and backwaters, her understanding of family begins to shift too. The journey offers no instant reconciliation; it asks her to reconsider what she has believed without dismissing the hurt that shaped those beliefs.
Back in Nainital, Dhruv’s story adds another dimension. Their closeness carries feelings that friendship alone cannot quite explain. When his actions take a troubling turn, Tashi faces a different kind of helplessness. She is trying to understand a mother she barely knows while struggling to reach someone whose presence has been woven into her everyday life. Her journey away from home cannot neatly separate her from the people and problems she has left behind.
Priyanka Pradhan gives the coming-of-age novel a geographical dimension: Tashi’s movement across India becomes inseparable from the changes taking place within her. The mountains represent the familiar world in which her beliefs took shape; the journey south brings her face-to-face with realities those beliefs cannot fully accommodate. The farther she travels, the less certain her old conclusions become. Wrong Turns Only traces the difficult passage from knowing people through the roles they occupy in our lives to recognising them as individuals with histories, contradictions and vulnerabilities of their own.
October 7, 2026
This was such a comforting read! Reading this book itself felt like such an exhilarating journey! Thank you author for this experience 💓
The story is about a teen, Tashi, who's being brought up by her single father and whose mother abandoned them when Tashi was just a baby. She has grown up with all this resentment in her heart towards her mother and rightly so, because who wouldn't want a mother in their lives. But then on her birthday, when her mother unexpectedly asks her to meet in Mumbai, she doesn't know what to do - curiosity or her pride? Then she takes the suggestion of her best friend Dhruv and embarks on the journey. Although their initial meeting was awkward, but nothing could have prepared Tashi for what awaited her - a road trip to Goa and Pondicherry and Chennai, a storm wrecked cruise to Andaman and countless experiences with many people turned friends and of course, a shaky bridge that maybe finally building between them.
I really really enjoyed the story. The characters, the plot, the twists, all of it. But what I loved the most was the very important message behind the story arcs of both Tashi and Dhruv's families - that no matter what the rules of life or society say, it is the experience that truly matters in life. The moment the experience starts feeling not good, it's okay to pull away from it, no matter who it is from, even your family. If safety is missing, you don't owe it anything. What's important is that you don't lose yourself to the idea of a perfect life. YOU should matter more, to yourself. Aaah the ending was sooo good. Loved it.
P.S. I cannot believe that I read a book where a GenZ teen didn't irritate me! 😂😂
The story is about a teen, Tashi, who's being brought up by her single father and whose mother abandoned them when Tashi was just a baby. She has grown up with all this resentment in her heart towards her mother and rightly so, because who wouldn't want a mother in their lives. But then on her birthday, when her mother unexpectedly asks her to meet in Mumbai, she doesn't know what to do - curiosity or her pride? Then she takes the suggestion of her best friend Dhruv and embarks on the journey. Although their initial meeting was awkward, but nothing could have prepared Tashi for what awaited her - a road trip to Goa and Pondicherry and Chennai, a storm wrecked cruise to Andaman and countless experiences with many people turned friends and of course, a shaky bridge that maybe finally building between them.
I really really enjoyed the story. The characters, the plot, the twists, all of it. But what I loved the most was the very important message behind the story arcs of both Tashi and Dhruv's families - that no matter what the rules of life or society say, it is the experience that truly matters in life. The moment the experience starts feeling not good, it's okay to pull away from it, no matter who it is from, even your family. If safety is missing, you don't owe it anything. What's important is that you don't lose yourself to the idea of a perfect life. YOU should matter more, to yourself. Aaah the ending was sooo good. Loved it.
P.S. I cannot believe that I read a book where a GenZ teen didn't irritate me! 😂😂
Read
September 30, 2026Wrong Turns Only is a heartfelt coming-of-age story about family, abandonment, friendship and the messy process of figuring out who you are.
What I enjoyed most was the mother-daughter relationship at the centre of the story. Tashi has spent years trying to convince herself that her mother's absence doesn't matter, so when Anupama suddenly returns and proposes a three-week road trip, the journey becomes much more than a holiday. It becomes an opportunity to confront questions Tashi has carried for years.
I particularly liked how the road trip becomes a metaphor for Tashi's own journey. From Goa and Pondicherry to Kerala, every stop brings new experiences, conversations and revelations, gradually forcing her to reconsider what she believes about her mother, herself and the meaning of belonging.
The parallel storyline involving Dhruv adds another emotional layer to the narrative. His struggles and the changes happening in their friendship show how growing up also means accepting that sometimes you cannot save the people you love, no matter how badly you want to.
The writing beautifully captures the landscapes of India while keeping the focus on the characters and their emotional journeys. There is warmth and humour alongside grief, anger and uncertainty, making the story feel very human.
What stayed with me most is the idea that sometimes the wrong turns aren't really mistakes. They take us to places, people and parts of ourselves that we might never have discovered otherwise.
A warm, emotional and beautifully layered coming-of-age story about finding your way home—sometimes by taking the longest route possible.
What I enjoyed most was the mother-daughter relationship at the centre of the story. Tashi has spent years trying to convince herself that her mother's absence doesn't matter, so when Anupama suddenly returns and proposes a three-week road trip, the journey becomes much more than a holiday. It becomes an opportunity to confront questions Tashi has carried for years.
I particularly liked how the road trip becomes a metaphor for Tashi's own journey. From Goa and Pondicherry to Kerala, every stop brings new experiences, conversations and revelations, gradually forcing her to reconsider what she believes about her mother, herself and the meaning of belonging.
The parallel storyline involving Dhruv adds another emotional layer to the narrative. His struggles and the changes happening in their friendship show how growing up also means accepting that sometimes you cannot save the people you love, no matter how badly you want to.
The writing beautifully captures the landscapes of India while keeping the focus on the characters and their emotional journeys. There is warmth and humour alongside grief, anger and uncertainty, making the story feel very human.
What stayed with me most is the idea that sometimes the wrong turns aren't really mistakes. They take us to places, people and parts of ourselves that we might never have discovered otherwise.
A warm, emotional and beautifully layered coming-of-age story about finding your way home—sometimes by taking the longest route possible.
September 28, 2026
🌟About The Book:
Tashi grew up in Nainital, pretending her mother's absence didn't matter. Then Anupama returns, and the two set off on a three-week road trip along India's coastal areas of Goa, Kerala, Pondicherry. Old questions come along too.
🌟Unique Aspect:
The mother isn't just "the woman who left." Anupama gets to be a full person, flawed and real. Meanwhile, Dhruv's trouble back home reminds Tashi that even her anchors have storms of their own.
🌟Themes:
Abandonment, forgiveness, belonging. Understanding someone's reasons isn't the same as excusing them, and the book seems to know that. Growing up means learning that people are more than what they did to you.
🌟Literary Style:
Warm, visual, easy to follow. Small details like trains, waves, and unfamiliar faces carry the mood. Some transitions feel a bit fragmented, but the humour and heart keep you moving.
🌟The Part I Liked Most:
The slow shift in how Tashi sees her mother. Nothing dramatic, just small moments on the road that soften old anger. It felt honest, and a little tender, the way real understanding arrives.
🌟Why Read This:
Because the title is right. Wrong turns can lead somewhere better than the plan ever did. It's a gentle reminder that being lost is sometimes how we find ourselves.
🌟For Whom This Book Can Be Recommended:
Young adult readers, road-trip lovers, and anyone carrying an unresolved family story they're still trying to understand.
Tashi grew up in Nainital, pretending her mother's absence didn't matter. Then Anupama returns, and the two set off on a three-week road trip along India's coastal areas of Goa, Kerala, Pondicherry. Old questions come along too.
🌟Unique Aspect:
The mother isn't just "the woman who left." Anupama gets to be a full person, flawed and real. Meanwhile, Dhruv's trouble back home reminds Tashi that even her anchors have storms of their own.
🌟Themes:
Abandonment, forgiveness, belonging. Understanding someone's reasons isn't the same as excusing them, and the book seems to know that. Growing up means learning that people are more than what they did to you.
🌟Literary Style:
Warm, visual, easy to follow. Small details like trains, waves, and unfamiliar faces carry the mood. Some transitions feel a bit fragmented, but the humour and heart keep you moving.
🌟The Part I Liked Most:
The slow shift in how Tashi sees her mother. Nothing dramatic, just small moments on the road that soften old anger. It felt honest, and a little tender, the way real understanding arrives.
🌟Why Read This:
Because the title is right. Wrong turns can lead somewhere better than the plan ever did. It's a gentle reminder that being lost is sometimes how we find ourselves.
🌟For Whom This Book Can Be Recommended:
Young adult readers, road-trip lovers, and anyone carrying an unresolved family story they're still trying to understand.
October 12, 2026
“It wasn't a happily-ever-after kind of ending. Not even an easy or tidy one, but it was real, and maybe that's enough.”
⬆️ And that’s exactly how I felt when I finished reading this book. I often need to know all the details of what happens to the main characters when a book ends, but this book made me realise that I (and the characters) didn’t really need that kind of closure.
It’s enough for us readers to know that the characters we’ve gotten to know will somehow figure life out and keep going.
Wrong Turns Only is a coming-of-age novel that follows Tashi’s life. Her somewhat normal life comes to a halt when she receives an invite from her estranged mother to join her on a road trip. She accepts, and what follows is probably something she never could have predicted.
You see Tashi go from being cold toward her mother to finally warming up to her. At one point, it almost feels like she’s sharing more with her mother than with her Baba or her closest friend, Dhruv.
The experiences they have, the cities they visit, and the way their mother-daughter bonding trip ends are all written really well. I felt author captures the complexity of relationships beautifully.
The book is less than 200 pages long and it’s such an easy read. If you’re looking for something light that still leaves you wondering about the characters and what made them who they are, you should definitely give this one a read.
⬆️ And that’s exactly how I felt when I finished reading this book. I often need to know all the details of what happens to the main characters when a book ends, but this book made me realise that I (and the characters) didn’t really need that kind of closure.
It’s enough for us readers to know that the characters we’ve gotten to know will somehow figure life out and keep going.
Wrong Turns Only is a coming-of-age novel that follows Tashi’s life. Her somewhat normal life comes to a halt when she receives an invite from her estranged mother to join her on a road trip. She accepts, and what follows is probably something she never could have predicted.
You see Tashi go from being cold toward her mother to finally warming up to her. At one point, it almost feels like she’s sharing more with her mother than with her Baba or her closest friend, Dhruv.
The experiences they have, the cities they visit, and the way their mother-daughter bonding trip ends are all written really well. I felt author captures the complexity of relationships beautifully.
The book is less than 200 pages long and it’s such an easy read. If you’re looking for something light that still leaves you wondering about the characters and what made them who they are, you should definitely give this one a read.
October 13, 2026
Wrong Turns Only by Priyanka Pradhan
Some books are about finding answers, while others are about learning to live with the questions. Wrong Turns Only felt like a little bit of both. It is a coming-of-age story about family, identity, relationships, and the unexpected ways life changes us when we least expect it.
The story follows Tashi, who grows up in Nainital with her father and best friend Dhruv after her mother, Anupama, abandons her as a child. Tashi has spent years pretending that her mother’s absence doesn’t bother her, until Anupama suddenly re-enters her life and invites her to Mumbai. What begins as a chance for a mother-daughter reunion soon turns into a road trip along India’s coast, taking them through Goa, Konkan, Kerala, and Pondicherry.
What I particularly enjoyed about this book was how the journey became more than just travelling from one place to another. Every new place, conversation, argument, and encounter gives Tashi an opportunity to look at herself and her relationships differently. I loved the Indian coastal settings and how beautifully the atmosphere of these places came through. There is something comforting about reading a story that takes you across familiar landscapes while exploring emotions that feel universal.
The mother-daughter relationship was another interesting aspect of the story. Rebuilding a relationship after years of hurt is never straightforward, and I liked that the journey wasn’t simply about finding answers or fixing everything overnight. Tashi’s gradual process of understanding her mother, questioning her assumptions, and discovering different parts of herself made the story feel meaningful.
I also enjoyed the writing style, the pacing, and the plot-driven nature of the narrative. It is a relatively fast-paced read that balances family dynamics, friendship, laughter, and self-discovery without losing sight of its central journey. The title itself feels fitting because sometimes the turns we think are wrong end up taking us exactly where we need to be.
Overall, Wrong Turns Only is a lovely pick for anyone looking for a wholesome coming-of-age story with Indian settings, complicated family relationships, beautiful coastal landscapes, and a little bit of soul-searching. It reminds us that growing up isn’t always about knowing where we’re going. Sometimes, it’s about being willing to take the road and discovering who we become along the way.
Recommended for readers who enjoy: coming-of-age fiction, family dramas, mother-daughter relationships, Indian contemporary fiction, road trips, friendship, and stories about self-discovery.
Some books are about finding answers, while others are about learning to live with the questions. Wrong Turns Only felt like a little bit of both. It is a coming-of-age story about family, identity, relationships, and the unexpected ways life changes us when we least expect it.
The story follows Tashi, who grows up in Nainital with her father and best friend Dhruv after her mother, Anupama, abandons her as a child. Tashi has spent years pretending that her mother’s absence doesn’t bother her, until Anupama suddenly re-enters her life and invites her to Mumbai. What begins as a chance for a mother-daughter reunion soon turns into a road trip along India’s coast, taking them through Goa, Konkan, Kerala, and Pondicherry.
What I particularly enjoyed about this book was how the journey became more than just travelling from one place to another. Every new place, conversation, argument, and encounter gives Tashi an opportunity to look at herself and her relationships differently. I loved the Indian coastal settings and how beautifully the atmosphere of these places came through. There is something comforting about reading a story that takes you across familiar landscapes while exploring emotions that feel universal.
The mother-daughter relationship was another interesting aspect of the story. Rebuilding a relationship after years of hurt is never straightforward, and I liked that the journey wasn’t simply about finding answers or fixing everything overnight. Tashi’s gradual process of understanding her mother, questioning her assumptions, and discovering different parts of herself made the story feel meaningful.
I also enjoyed the writing style, the pacing, and the plot-driven nature of the narrative. It is a relatively fast-paced read that balances family dynamics, friendship, laughter, and self-discovery without losing sight of its central journey. The title itself feels fitting because sometimes the turns we think are wrong end up taking us exactly where we need to be.
Overall, Wrong Turns Only is a lovely pick for anyone looking for a wholesome coming-of-age story with Indian settings, complicated family relationships, beautiful coastal landscapes, and a little bit of soul-searching. It reminds us that growing up isn’t always about knowing where we’re going. Sometimes, it’s about being willing to take the road and discovering who we become along the way.
Recommended for readers who enjoy: coming-of-age fiction, family dramas, mother-daughter relationships, Indian contemporary fiction, road trips, friendship, and stories about self-discovery.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
September 29, 2026
I honestly didn’t expect this book to make me think this much about getting lost.
The story follows Tashi, who has grown up in Nainital with her dad after her mother, Anupama, left when she was young. Years later, Anupama suddenly comes back into her life and asks Tashi to come to Mumbai. What starts with a chance to finally meet her mother turns into a three week road trip along India’s coast, and honestly I loved where this journey took her.
As Tashi travels through places like Goa, Kerala and Pondicherry, she meets new people, gets to see a completely different side of life and slowly starts questioning some of the things she has always believed about herself, her family and her mother.
The road trip was definitely my favourite part. I loved the coastal setting and the whole feeling of being somewhere new and not knowing what’s coming next.
I also liked that Tashi’s growth felt gradual instead of everything magically falling into place. Dhruv’s storyline felt a little distracting at times, but overall this was such a warm and wholesome read. If you enjoy family stories, road trips, self discovery and a little emotional messiness, definitely give this one a try. 🫶🏻
The story follows Tashi, who has grown up in Nainital with her dad after her mother, Anupama, left when she was young. Years later, Anupama suddenly comes back into her life and asks Tashi to come to Mumbai. What starts with a chance to finally meet her mother turns into a three week road trip along India’s coast, and honestly I loved where this journey took her.
As Tashi travels through places like Goa, Kerala and Pondicherry, she meets new people, gets to see a completely different side of life and slowly starts questioning some of the things she has always believed about herself, her family and her mother.
The road trip was definitely my favourite part. I loved the coastal setting and the whole feeling of being somewhere new and not knowing what’s coming next.
I also liked that Tashi’s growth felt gradual instead of everything magically falling into place. Dhruv’s storyline felt a little distracting at times, but overall this was such a warm and wholesome read. If you enjoy family stories, road trips, self discovery and a little emotional messiness, definitely give this one a try. 🫶🏻
October 14, 2026
”I'm not sure what to call her yet, so ’um’ is how I'm going to address her, if I must.”
- Priyanka Pradhan, Wrong Turns Only
Tashi Nautiyal hailing from the picturesque town of Nainital, is whisked off to her estranged mother's (Anupama) house. From the city of Mumbai to the stunning backwaters of Kerala and surf breaks in Pondicherry, Tashi wrestles with confronting the reality. There is a scene where Anupama is pictured to be cleaning glass pieces as if her life belonged to it and addresses Tashi as a ’distant relative.’ Her daughter is visibly hurt by this. Will Tashi be able to bury the hatchet and bond with her mother?
”There's nothing for me to do but retire to the bedroom and slam the door behind me as hard as I can.”
Wrong Turns Only by Priyanka Pradhan is a coming of age story about how answers are found in the most unexpected places. Through the eyes of Tashi, we see her POV as if one is peaking into her mind. Pradhan emotes Tashi's feelings and has sketched a suitable character arc for her. From the local trains of Mumbai to the calming effect of Marine Drive and the rich legacy of Prithvi Theatre, we visit the touristy stops in Mumbai. Pradhan has caught the pulse of Mumbai and represented it in the most authentic way.
”Mumbai at night is a completely different animal-nocturnal, loud, alive, more chaos, more madness, and somehow even more people under the moonlight than under the sweltering sun.”
The path meanders through coconut fronds, the turquoise blue sea, sandy beaches, mysterious fort all conspiring to make Tashi's journey interesting. The progression of the settings from Nainital -> Mumbai -> Goa -> Kerala -> felt very natural. The journey becomes smoother as the duo repair their relationship.
The writing reads like a travelogue and a personal diary. It also portrays how mothers are flawed individuals who struggled with parenthood. I really loved how Anupama encouraged Tashi to move away from her comfort zone. My key takeaway from the book is how wrong turns in life lead towards the most beautiful destinations. One has to just follow the road.
”I don't feel like the same person I was when I arrived in Pondicherry yesterday. Maybe it's true, and that's the point.”
- Priyanka Pradhan, Wrong Turns Only
Tashi Nautiyal hailing from the picturesque town of Nainital, is whisked off to her estranged mother's (Anupama) house. From the city of Mumbai to the stunning backwaters of Kerala and surf breaks in Pondicherry, Tashi wrestles with confronting the reality. There is a scene where Anupama is pictured to be cleaning glass pieces as if her life belonged to it and addresses Tashi as a ’distant relative.’ Her daughter is visibly hurt by this. Will Tashi be able to bury the hatchet and bond with her mother?
”There's nothing for me to do but retire to the bedroom and slam the door behind me as hard as I can.”
Wrong Turns Only by Priyanka Pradhan is a coming of age story about how answers are found in the most unexpected places. Through the eyes of Tashi, we see her POV as if one is peaking into her mind. Pradhan emotes Tashi's feelings and has sketched a suitable character arc for her. From the local trains of Mumbai to the calming effect of Marine Drive and the rich legacy of Prithvi Theatre, we visit the touristy stops in Mumbai. Pradhan has caught the pulse of Mumbai and represented it in the most authentic way.
”Mumbai at night is a completely different animal-nocturnal, loud, alive, more chaos, more madness, and somehow even more people under the moonlight than under the sweltering sun.”
The path meanders through coconut fronds, the turquoise blue sea, sandy beaches, mysterious fort all conspiring to make Tashi's journey interesting. The progression of the settings from Nainital -> Mumbai -> Goa -> Kerala -> felt very natural. The journey becomes smoother as the duo repair their relationship.
The writing reads like a travelogue and a personal diary. It also portrays how mothers are flawed individuals who struggled with parenthood. I really loved how Anupama encouraged Tashi to move away from her comfort zone. My key takeaway from the book is how wrong turns in life lead towards the most beautiful destinations. One has to just follow the road.
”I don't feel like the same person I was when I arrived in Pondicherry yesterday. Maybe it's true, and that's the point.”
October 24, 2026
🌟 Wrong Turns Only is a story that takes you on an emotional journey filled with love, pain, unanswered questions and unexpected discoveries. It follows Tashi, a fifteen year old girl who has grown up with her father and best friend, Dhruv, after her mother, Anupama, abandoned her when she was just three. Although Tashi has spent years pretending that her mother's absence doesn't affect her, a part of her still longs for answers. When Anupama reaches out to her, Tashi decides to meet her, hoping to understand the truth behind her past.
🌟 Dhruv's storyline also adds an emotional touch to the story, reminding us that even the people who seem happy may be struggling with their own battles. The beautiful locations, unexpected friendships, little conversations and arguments make the journey feel real and memorable. The book is available on Amazon, go grab your copy now. Wrong Turns Only is worth reading if you enjoy emotional, character driven stories that leave you thinking long after you've finished the book.
🌟 Dhruv's storyline also adds an emotional touch to the story, reminding us that even the people who seem happy may be struggling with their own battles. The beautiful locations, unexpected friendships, little conversations and arguments make the journey feel real and memorable. The book is available on Amazon, go grab your copy now. Wrong Turns Only is worth reading if you enjoy emotional, character driven stories that leave you thinking long after you've finished the book.
September 26, 2026
Sometimes breaking unconscious patterns starts with taking a turn. 🚗💨
Are you searching for a story that is going to break your heart and take you on a breathtaking road trip all across India? Then make sure Wrong Turns Only is on your TBR list! 📌✨
The novel is about Tashi’s soul-seeking adventure in mountainous towns and sunny beaches ranging from Nainital to Mumbai, Goa, Kerala, and elsewhere. While the fast-moving travel adventure begins, soon enough, it transforms into an emotionally stirring quest for finding identity, understanding the nature of family relations, and reuniting the severed mother-daughter relationship.
Here’s why you’ll love it:
✈️ Vivid Atmospheric Scenery: You will feel like you’re there with Tashi in every flight, train, jeep and ship across India’s coastlines.
💛 Messy, Honest & Relatable: It doesn't shy away from family drama or complicated relationships.
🌿 Deep Emotional Wisdom: The theme of letting go and breaking the cycle of carrying patterns hits so close, to home.
It’s plot-driven emotional, dramatic and incredibly wholesome. A reminder that we don't always have to carry the stories projected onto us—we get to write our own.
Are you searching for a story that is going to break your heart and take you on a breathtaking road trip all across India? Then make sure Wrong Turns Only is on your TBR list! 📌✨
The novel is about Tashi’s soul-seeking adventure in mountainous towns and sunny beaches ranging from Nainital to Mumbai, Goa, Kerala, and elsewhere. While the fast-moving travel adventure begins, soon enough, it transforms into an emotionally stirring quest for finding identity, understanding the nature of family relations, and reuniting the severed mother-daughter relationship.
Here’s why you’ll love it:
✈️ Vivid Atmospheric Scenery: You will feel like you’re there with Tashi in every flight, train, jeep and ship across India’s coastlines.
💛 Messy, Honest & Relatable: It doesn't shy away from family drama or complicated relationships.
🌿 Deep Emotional Wisdom: The theme of letting go and breaking the cycle of carrying patterns hits so close, to home.
It’s plot-driven emotional, dramatic and incredibly wholesome. A reminder that we don't always have to carry the stories projected onto us—we get to write our own.
October 5, 2026
WRONG TURNS ONLY - PRIYANKA PRADHAN
Tashi's mother abandoned her when she was 3 years old. Years later now her mother Anupama reappears to take Rashi on a 3 week long mother daughter road trip in coastal India. They are forced to confront everything about their past and present. At the same time back home Tashi's best friend Dhruv has to confront his own truth before he loses himself completely. How will these two friends deal with the hands they have been dealt with?
.
.
Wrong turns only is a very relatable coming of age story where we see so many unanswered questions of protagonists get resolved while they go on a journey in reality and figuratively.
The author has very deftly narrated the story and from page 1 you get pulled into the lives of Tashi, Dhruv and Anupama. Their emotional turmoil and conflict in most places are well brought out.
The ending felt a bit rushed and I wouldn't have minded a few more pages of their story.
Pick this book up if you are looking for a coming of age story which deals with issues involving parenting and friendship while the protagonist goes on a journey both internally and scenic.
Tashi's mother abandoned her when she was 3 years old. Years later now her mother Anupama reappears to take Rashi on a 3 week long mother daughter road trip in coastal India. They are forced to confront everything about their past and present. At the same time back home Tashi's best friend Dhruv has to confront his own truth before he loses himself completely. How will these two friends deal with the hands they have been dealt with?
.
.
Wrong turns only is a very relatable coming of age story where we see so many unanswered questions of protagonists get resolved while they go on a journey in reality and figuratively.
The author has very deftly narrated the story and from page 1 you get pulled into the lives of Tashi, Dhruv and Anupama. Their emotional turmoil and conflict in most places are well brought out.
The ending felt a bit rushed and I wouldn't have minded a few more pages of their story.
Pick this book up if you are looking for a coming of age story which deals with issues involving parenting and friendship while the protagonist goes on a journey both internally and scenic.
October 9, 2026
Such a fun and relatable read! I loved how the story captures the messiness of life, the unexpected detours, and the little moments that make the journey worthwhile. It’s an easy, engaging read that makes you smile and sometimes reflect on your own wrong turns. A lovely book for anyone who enjoys a story that feels real and reminds us that life doesn’t always have to go according to plan!
September 16, 2026
Wrong Turns Only pulled me in almost immediately because it begins with a voice that feels young, observant and slightly bruised. Tashi’s relationship with her aunt is established through small disappointments rather than lengthy explanations: the unanswered expectation of a birthday visit, awkward phone calls and the resentment of feeling forgotten. That emotional groundwork gives the story a quiet ache beneath its more adventurous surface.
What I particularly enjoyed is the writing. Pradhan has a knack for making ordinary details do the heavy lifting. The blue corduroy curtains, charcoal sketches, the sound of waves, a crowded train or a stranger’s face become part of Tashi’s way of processing the world. The prose is visual without becoming overly decorative, and the dialogue has an easy, believable rhythm. There is also a lovely sense of movement throughout the pages I read—the story literally travels, but the characters seem to be travelling emotionally as well.
Read the full review here: https://aliveshadow.com/review-wrong-...
What I particularly enjoyed is the writing. Pradhan has a knack for making ordinary details do the heavy lifting. The blue corduroy curtains, charcoal sketches, the sound of waves, a crowded train or a stranger’s face become part of Tashi’s way of processing the world. The prose is visual without becoming overly decorative, and the dialogue has an easy, believable rhythm. There is also a lovely sense of movement throughout the pages I read—the story literally travels, but the characters seem to be travelling emotionally as well.
Read the full review here: https://aliveshadow.com/review-wrong-...
September 26, 2026
A beautiful story about family, friendship, broken bonds and second chances. The book captures the beauty of hills and the breeze of ocean. A mother daughter road trip and a lot of wrong turns finally leading to something right.
September 7, 2026
Wrong Turns Only by Priyanka Pradhan is a warm, relatable read that feels less like a story and more like a journey through life, with all its wins, losses, regrets, and unexpected turns.
I loved how easy and real the characters Tashi, Dhruv, and Anupama feel. Each of them is relatable in their own way, especially when it comes to the uncertainties and struggles that come with different stages of life. Tashi and Anupama's road trip becomes much more than travelling; it offers a fresh perspective on what we consider success, disappoints, and the choices we make along the way.
What stayed with me was the beautiful contrast between the simplicity of small hillside towns and the rush of Mumbai, while the journey along the Indian coast brings in people and places that become little life lessons of their own. There are regrets, complaints, disappointments, and the feeling of being stuck, but also the courage to move beyond them and choose to live life on your own terms.
A gentle reminder that sometimes, the wrong turns may just lead us exactly where we need to be.
I loved how easy and real the characters Tashi, Dhruv, and Anupama feel. Each of them is relatable in their own way, especially when it comes to the uncertainties and struggles that come with different stages of life. Tashi and Anupama's road trip becomes much more than travelling; it offers a fresh perspective on what we consider success, disappoints, and the choices we make along the way.
What stayed with me was the beautiful contrast between the simplicity of small hillside towns and the rush of Mumbai, while the journey along the Indian coast brings in people and places that become little life lessons of their own. There are regrets, complaints, disappointments, and the feeling of being stuck, but also the courage to move beyond them and choose to live life on your own terms.
A gentle reminder that sometimes, the wrong turns may just lead us exactly where we need to be.
September 10, 2026
Story is amazing, accessible prose and easy to finish in a day.
Displaying 1 - 28 of 28 reviews