You might recall that not that long ago I read my first book by this author, The Space Between Us, and I was captivated with her writing.  This one was no different.  I loved it just as much, if not more.

This author has that magical, certain-something for creating a story that just literally flows along the pages.  A simple story.  Nothing out of the ordinary.  A story about people and the human element.  Maybe that's what makes her such a great storyteller.  Not a story that's over the top or makes you shake your head in confusion.  But a story that touches your soul and writing that is able to gel and make the novel the great piece of writing that it is.

The main character in this one is Tehmina (also called Tammy) Sethna.  The recent death of her beloved husband in Bombay takes its toll on her and she flies to the US to stay with her son, daughter-in-law and seven-year old grandson in Cleveland. 

She must make the difficult choice of either staying here with her family or returning to India.  Tehmina is a delightful character.  Almost immediately I felt like I knew her.......or wanted to.  In the first few months of the story, she goes along day to day making comparisons between her homeland in Bombay and the unfamiliar country she now finds herself in.  And I love how the author so effortlessly weaves her prose to tell the reader things about India that I would never have known. 

She loves her son, his American wife and her grandson, but she's very undecided as to where her destiny should ultimately be.  And then she gets involved in the plight of two abused boys that live next door.  Almost overnight she's turned into a celebrity and is amazed at how America treats such people. 

I could sum up the entire message of this novel with this phrase, "the right thing to do."  I was enthralled with how the author handled this disturbing aspect of our American society.  The book made me think and ponder how, as a country, we react in various situations and circumstances.

So yes, I give this book a 15 on a scale of 1 to 10.  It was uplifting, thought provoking, humorous and had me still thinking about it long after I turned that final page.  And it also had me wishing that Tehmina lived next door to me. 

Ultimately she has to travel her journey alone, but how fortunate that the author allowed us to tag along.  I don't think you'll be disappointed in this book.......so enjoy.  I have one more by her, Bombay Time, and I've already pre-ordered her memoir, First Darling of the Morning, which will be released in October.  Yes........If I like an author, I usually devour everything they've written.

See you here next time.........