Tag: #Harlequin

Time for another entry in the Harlequin Trade Publishing 2020 Spring Reads Blog Tour. We’ve already had one great read in The Grace Kelly Dress; I’m happy to report that The Henna Artist continues the trend.

Beautifully described with vibrant details, this book follows a woman in 1950s India as she navigates the political and social landmines of the period. It sucked me in immediately and held me enthralled to the very end.

Lakshmi ran away from an arranged marriage at age 15 to pursue a life of her choosing – but is it really what she thought it would all be? She learns how to play the games of the upper caste as a henna artist, decorating the hands and feet of some of the most powerful women in society. She is also known for her herbal remedies.

However, when her life is upended (not going to give away how in this review), she realizes just how precarious her accomplishments and reputation are, forcing her to make tough choices.

I found Lakshmi to be an interesting main character. On the one hand, she seems to be about female empowerment and acknowledging the importance of women’s voices in a turbulent time (the decade immediately following the withdrawal of the British).

On the other hand, she turns a blind eye to the true natures of the men she does business with as well. It takes a tragedy that hits very close to home for her to realize the harm she has done over the years and come to the realization that she may not have chosen the best path (even though she thought she did along the way).

The other main characters were just as vivid, as were the secondary and even tertiary characters. Nobody got short-shrift when it came to descriptions and motivations; everyone was fully fleshed-out and realistic.

I thought that the author did an excellent job describing the caste system and societal beliefs of the time. I learned a lot about both, but I never felt that it was a lecture. Everything was woven into the narrative in an informative and natural way. I especially appreciated that she tackled the topics of misogyny and sexism in the context of the period (it would have been easy to allow a more contemporary point of view sneak in – I’m glad she kept it time-specific).

Overall, I very much enjoyed this book, as the author was obviously knowledgable about the subject matter and relayed it entertainingly. As I mentioned at the outset of this review, the details are plentiful and highly descriptive. There were times that I could feel the heat and dust of the streets and smell the frangipani and herbs Lakshmi was preparing.

(One quick note: a character relates that they saw “Some Like it Hot” in color – it was filmed in black and white. Just a small pet peeve because it is one of my all-time favorite movies).

I highly recommend picking up this book about family, personal choices, and doing the right thing. I am sure you will enjoy your visit to India.

BUY LINKS

• Harlequin 
• Indiebound
• Amazon
• Barnes & Noble 
• Books-A-Million
• Target
• Walmart
• Google
• iBooks
• Kobo

I’m very excited to be a part of the Harlequin Trade Publishing 2020 Spring Reads Blog Tours.

First up is The Grace Kelly Dress by Brenda Janowitz.

Spanning three generations and covering nearly 65 years, this charming book pulled me in from the very start. The story unfolds gradually, beginning with Rocky in 2020, flashes back to her mom, Joanie, in 1982 and then back further to Rose in 1958. The chapters are consistent in rotating through these three points of view in order, making it easy to follow each storyline.

• Amazon
• Barnes & Noble
• Apple Books
• Indie Bound
• Harlequin Trade Publishing
• Books-A-Million
• Kobo

I was swept up most by Rose’s story. The setting of the Parisian bridal atelier was unique and informative. The author did some homework on how those types of shops ran at the time. I also liked the intrigue of this plotline. The characters and situation seemed the most real to me.

There were parts of Joanie’s story that I liked as well, mainly the 80s references. I understood the Long Island/NYC setting and the attraction that a “good girl” might have to the punk scene of the early 80s. I did not, however, get a strong feeling for the relationships and felt that the connections between Joanie and the friends that she eventually made were tenuous, even as they proved to be more serious.

I related least to Rocky, but most to her fiance, Drew. (How’s that for an odd one?) Rocky came across as a spoiled millennial who was determined to be anti-establishment (as personified by her disagreements with her mom). While she did mature some throughout her storyline, I still didn’t care for her that much.

Drew, however, I could completely relate to, both as an adoptee and the mother to an international adoptee. His situation felt a little force, to add drama to his and Rocky’s arc, but his emotions and realizations felt natural, and I could think of a few personal instances that were similar.

There were even a few surprises along the way to resolution. However, there was one thing that I was not clear on (mini spoiler alert), and that had to do with Rocky’s dad. I wasn’t sure if I missed something, or if I was supposed to infer from other descriptions, but that whole part of the plot seemed murky to me.

The three storylines converged nicely by the end, and most of the relationships are clarified. I did like the overall message of the importance of balancing family and traditions with forging one’s path. That came across in each of the character’s stories as well as the overarching plot itself. You won’t be disappointed with this one; it’s a lovely book that is perfect for spring.

ABOUT THE AUTHOR
Brenda Janowitz is the author of five novels, including The Dinner Party and Recipe for a Happy Life. She is the Books Correspondent for PopSugar. Brenda’s work has also appeared in The New York Times,USA Today, The Washington Post, Salon, Redbook, and the New York Post. She lives in New York.