Description
Description
A mother and daughter--their lives in turnaround--navigate their next move on a road trip in a captivating novel about choices and self-discovery by the author of The Candid Life of Meena Dave.
Life is built on single decisions. Choose wisely.
It's one of life coach Nikki Parekh's mottos. That and being open to opportunities and taking leaps without fear. But when Nikki accepts her boyfriend's casual proposal of marriage, she wonders if it's just too soon, too spontaneous--and so sudden that she seeks out the advice of her not-so-nurturing mother, Tara.
To Nikki's surprise, Tara, who raised her daughter to be self-sufficient, urges Nikki to trust her decision. Maybe that's because Tara has made a headstrong decision of her own. After nearly forty years of marriage, she's divorcing Nikki's father. She's already packing up an RV to search for her first love, who still looms large in Tara's memories. So what's a daughter to do with a runaway mother? Join her.
Their romantic lives in flux, Nikki and Tara hit the road. Mile by mile, they're reliving past mistakes, learning more about each other, and rebuilding faith in themselves and in the choices they've made--wherever it all may lead.
Critical Reviews
Critical Reviews
"Patel exhibits a deft touch...There's no shortage of juicy drama between the striving Parekhs and the higher-caste Mehtas. This entertains." --Publishers Weekly
Scent of a Garden
"Patel has written a touching tale of one young woman's reckoning with her family's generational legacy, staying true to her roots and traditions while at the same time forging a path for herself. Full of warmth and humor, this book is recommended for all fiction collections." --Booklist
"Full of softly beautiful descriptions and remarkably rendered characters, Patel's sophomore novel grapples with familial pressures and legacies. It's a sensual read, full of details pertaining not only to scents, as might be expected, but also to foods and visual descriptors." --BookRiot.com
The Candid Life of Meena Dave
Center for Fiction First Novel Prize Finalist
A Texas Library Association 2023 Lariat Adult Fiction Selection
"A thoroughly entertaining rendition of one woman's search for belonging." --Kirkus Reviews
"Full of lively characters who will win readers' hearts and keep them thinking long after the book is finished, this book is a genuine, charming debut. Long-buried secrets and a journey of self-discovery will keep the pages turning." --Booklist
"An inherently fascinating and impressively scripted novel..." --Midwest Book Review
"Namrata Patel's debut is a delightful exploration of identity, community, and growth. I was drawn into Meena Dave's captivating journey from the first pages and was rooting for her until the end. This poignant and witty story is perfect for book clubs!" --Saumya Dave, author of Well-Behaved Indian Women
Publishing Information
Publishing Information
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