Thanks Helen: I have just finished this gripping book. I have lain in bed, hours after my husband was asleep, just to get to the next part of the story. There was the odd Indian word I did not understand at first but it made no difference to my enjoyment of the book. It was sad to finish it. I look forward to reading more from the author.

Thanks to ‘Wee Bird’: I really enjoyed the way the author creates a family history and makes it so interesting and so riveting to read! It was a surprising ‘page turner’ which appealed to me because the characters were so well written and so absorbing, to such an extent that I became very curious about their lives, worries, traditions, hopes and fears. I learned so much about the ‘culture’ of the time too, but in such a way that it was seemingly an accidental part of the overall story. I really recommend this book!

Thanks to PR: A lovely book, based on fact, and a most enjoyable read. It describes the intertwining of the lives of the characters and the hardships they had to endure. It told me a lot about the history of India prior to Partition and gave much insight into arranged marriages and the love you had to close your eyes to. Where you did what was expected of you for the sake of the family, rather than being allowed to follow your own heart – which left me feeling quite sad. It also shows how sadly value-less a girl-child was.

A book to recommend. I applaud the author.