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Writer's pictureThe_Secret_Bookreview

Dry Spells

Updated: Jul 3


Content warning - Racism and Poverty.


A devastating drought.

⌛️A city ripe with secrets.

⏳A family with a past just waiting to be discovered.


In the bustling streets of LA, Shyamala Mehta's life feels like a series of disappointments:

  • Undervalued at work

  • Freshly single

  • Constantly at odds with her mother's relentless pressure to settle down.


When an opportunity arises for a transfer to Mumbai, the city her parents once called home but left behind, Shyamala seizes the chance for a fresh start.


Arriving in the drought-stricken city, she finds refuge in the home of her mother's sister, Vini. The stark contrast between Vini's vibrant, unconventional spirit and her own mother's quiet adherence to tradition intrigues Shyamala. Amidst the echoes of the past, she embarks on a journey to uncover the mysteries of her mother's past, a woman she barely knows.


Told through two alternating perspectives and timelines, the narrative unfolds both in the present with Shyamala and in the past with her mother, Pramila.


Pramila's narrative offers a poignant coming-of-age tale set in India, shedding light on the origins of the communication barriers between mother and daughter.


Meanwhile, Shyamala's journey revolves around unravelling her true desires and identity amidst the crossroads of two countries, ultimately leading to a deeper understanding of herself and her mother.


As secrets hang heavy in the air, Shyamala wonders if she's prepared for the truths that may come flooding forth—about her mother, herself, and the enigmatic city she's slowly beginning to call home.


Thank you so much to the author - Archana Maniar as well as the teams at both Tandem Collective UK and Amazon Publishing for running this book tour!





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