A New Mantra

A “conservative Indian housewife” gets a second chance at love in Srinivasan’s sensitive debut and Sood Family Romance series launch. Mira Sood is flabbergasted when her husband of three years, Jay Mehta, informs her that he’s having an affair and leaving her. Mira’s financially strapped and jobless, but divorce is taboo in Mira’s culture, so she hides her struggles from her aunt and guardian, Sharmila, and moves in with her tradition-flaunting cousin, Laila. At a performance by Laila’s band, Mira meets Andrew Fitzgerald, a kind stranger who returns her misplaced purse. The pair bump into each other again when Mira rashly decides to sign up for a half-marathon, and veteran runner Andrew offers to help her train. Proximity leads to intimacy, and though Mira is still reluctant to date, especially a non-Indian man, her feelings prove stronger than her familial obligation. That is until Jay decides he want her back. Srinivasan does a good job navigating Mira’s anxieties and the building up of her self-confidence as she comes into her own and rediscovers romance. This gentle outing is sure to leave readers looking forward to the next in the series. (Apr.)