Book Review of THE CANDID LIFE OF MEENA DAVE

Let’s jump right into it: I loved The Candid Life of Meena Dave. Like, really loved it. As in, I give it all the stars!

You guys know my fondness for the “unexpected inheritance” trope, so when Kaye Publicity asked me if I wanted an ARC of The Candid Life of Meena Dave, I was like, You had me at “inherits a Victorian brownstown in historic Back Bay, Boston.”

I love Boston, and, like most people, my favorite area of the city is Back Bay with its rambling streets and gorgeous houses near Boston Common. I was doubly excited to find out that this debut novel by Namrata Patel has an Indian American twist since I love Indian culture and food.

The Candid Life of Meena Dave is one of those stories that I just wanted to keep going; even as I neared the final pages, I actually held my breath each time I finished a chapter and flipped the page. I dreaded the point when I would find the “Acknowledgements” section instead of more of Meena’s story.

I read a lot of women’s fiction, so it’s rare that I’m impressed with the depth of characters, complexity of stories, and levels of emotion found in this genre. Patel’s story about Meena Dave, a wanderlust journalist who’s running away from facing her past, struck me as real, authentic, and honest in every way. Meena, Sam, and “the Aunties” all have strong, believable personalities. They’re relatable and understandable, and even when they’re prickly, you enjoy being with them.

One of the main themes running through The Candid Life of Meena Dave is the yearning for a collective community and culture. Meena doesn’t know anything about her Indian heritage since she was adopted at birth by white parents. However, once she arrives at her newly inherited home, she quickly discovers there’s more to her past and identity than she thought possible.

On her path to self-discovery, Meena encounters Sam, our romantic lead. Kudos to Patel for creating a male character in women’s fiction that doesn’t act or speak like a woman would want him to but actually never would. I’ve known guys like Sam. I married a guy like Sam. Maybe that’s one of the reasons I love him so much, especially as a love interest for Meena.

Patel’s writing in The Candid Life of Meena Dave is clean and fresh; emotional, but uncluttered. It was a pleasure to gobble up every sentence. I adore how Patel fused together Indian traditions, religions, and food (always the food!) with American culture to represent both sides of Meena’s (and many of the other characters’) identity. And I also loved the interesting history about the Engineer’s House that Meena shares with Sam and the Aunties. Be sure to read the author’s note at the begining of the novel.

But, I think my favorite part of Meena’s story is how it ended. Much like the rest of the book, the wrap-up was real and honest. I loved it.

Tartlets, hurry out and get a copy of The Candid Life of Meena Dave. I think Namrata Patel is one to watch; after this fantastic debut novel, we’re sure to see more from her.

Be sure to check out my book-inspired recipe: Quick Chickpea Curry!

The Candid Life of Meena Dave by Namrata Patel will be available for sale on June 1, 2022 from Lake Union Publishing. Although I received a complimentary advance copy of this book, all opinions expressed in this review are my own, and I was not compensated in any way for this review or for any other promotion/publicity I’ve done related to this book.