…okay, Diwali was last week, but in case you’re not done celebrating, I have a feel-good holiday romance for you.
Niki is the grown daughter of Indian-American immigrants who has never been to India herself. But after losing her high-powered job throws her into personal turmoil, she impulsively heads to Mumbai for her friend Diya’s traditional Indian wedding. Her arrival coincides with the Hindu festival Diwali, celebrating the triumph of light over darkness. For Niki, adrift after decades of trying to be the perfect daughter and career woman, India and Diwali make her feel even more lost. Who is she and how does she relate to the culture her family comes from?
Luckily, a kindly stranger takes Niki under her wing. Aasha Auntie (not Niki’s familial aunt; Auntie is a term of respect for any older woman) helps Niki feel safe and comfortable in an unfamiliar environment. Like many of the elders she knows, though, Aasha Auntie wants to set Niki up with a potential husband. Niki’s reluctant, but changes her tune when she finds out that Aasha Auntie’s son, Sameer (Sam), is an attractive musician with the sexy British accent– the one she’s been eyeing all evening.
What follows is a sweet love story, but also one about identity, culture, and rebuilding in times of personal hardship. What kind of life does Niki want to live– not just for her family, but for herself? How does Sam fit into that? How does India?
To find out, place a hold on the book, ebook, or digital audiobook through the library!
