About the Book

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.

Review

In Your Next Life is Now, Namrata Patel pens a heartfelt and emotionally layered story about second chances, complicated family dynamics and the courage it takes to choose yourself in the face of uncertainty. If you’ve ever felt stuck between the life you’re living and the life you know you’re meant for, this is the kind of inspiring book that feels like a conversation with someone who has gone through a metamorphosis that gave her the courage to start over.

During a mother-daughter road trip, this novel explores how the smallest decision can affect the path of one’s life. Nikki and Tara bring complexity but are authentically relatable. Nikki is a life coach who suddenly finds herself questioning her own advice. Tara in a bold move decides to leave behind three decades of marriage in a search for herself and a lost love. As their story unravels until their journey, there’s a vulnerability that clarifies the misunderstanding and emotional distance allowing them to rediscover themselves and each other individually. Mirroring their road journey, their internal journey of self discovery and healing, they learn a great lesson of how life isn’t predictable or follows a perfect path.

What I love most about this book as well as her other books is the beauty in her writing. Not just the words but the warm and insightful authenticity of her characters and their cultural relevance. At the heart of this novel, capturing love in all forms, romantic, self and the impenetrable bond between mother and daughters in spite of their obstacles. There’s a lot of wisdom and insight that we can apply to our own lives. The honest message about stepping into your next life, whether you are navigating a life transition, searching for a purpose or personal growth, these characters motivate us to be brave, take a step forward and stop waiting for someday and start creating the life your heart wants now.

Many women can see themselves in Tara. Bound by the unspoken rule of accepting her cultural obligations, she accepted her role but quietly suffered not being the person her heart destined her to be. Accepting her role as wife and mother, silently relinquishing her identity of who she aspired to be behind the shadows of her cultural expectations. Suffocating by the what if but boldly making the decision to reclaim and step into the unknown is empowering and relatable for all those women who silently sacrificed themselves. The parallel between her and her daughter Nikki, that trip not only freed themselves from the internal binds that shackled them but gave them the courage to be independently free.

If you love contemporary fiction that is emotional, filled with family drama, personal growth and meaningful relationships, then this one will inspire and leave a reflective imprint.

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The Curious Secrets of Yesterday by Namrata Patel, brings together a story of a young woman torn between self discovery and familial expectations. Tulsi Gupta desires a life beyond the traditional healing at her family’s spice shop in Salem. Raised by her mother and grandmother, the expectation is to continue the tradition but Tulsi has other plans.

When the discovery of a letter by her grandmother exposes secrets from the past, Tulsi uncovers information about her grandmother and mother that affect her own life choices. As she learns more and their secrets come to light, it inspires a sense of purpose and a determination to mend the past.

I love the journey that begins with the discovery of the letter. Through her own exploration of her life, and learning about the past it helps shape the narrative of the impact of her culture and heritage in navigating her journey. That internal struggle between what she wants and her sense of duty to her famly will resonate with those who have faced similar experiences. Bringing the reader into their world, exposing us to a rich culture and allows us to connect to the characters on a more intimate level.

There’s an authenticity to their characters and the blend of generations gives a balance that allows us to live through their past, present and future.

On a lighter shift in the book, the love interest introduced into Tulsi’s life was everything she needed. The uncertainty of the possibility gives her a boost of confidence that contributes to her growth as a character and a person seeking her definitive path.

The book was so lovely with all that it represents. There’s something special with multi generational books that are so engaging. When you have complex family relationships, cultural expectations and secrets that shackle healing and forgiveness, that journey to letting go and mending old wounds really make a good read. If you are inspired by journeys of self discovery, love, family and cultural inspirations, this would be wonderful book to dive into.

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