Description
Book Synopsis**A Red magazine book of 2023**
''The most charming, utterly lovely story I''ve read in ages... this is one of my books of the year'' RED
''This joyous novel is a feast for the senses, as well as the soul'' JOANNA NELL
A warm-hearted debut novel set in the beautiful coastal city of Chennai, for fans of Alexander McCall Smith, Joanna Nell and Graeme Simsion.
Grand Life Apartments is a middle-class apartment block surrounded by lush gardens in the coastal city of Chennai, India. It is the home of Kamala, a pious, soon-to-be retired dentist who spends her days counting down to the annual visits from her daughter who is studying in the UK. Her neighbour, Revathi, is a thirty-two-year-old engineer who is frequently reminded by her mother that she has reached her expiry date in the arranged marriage market. Jason, a British chef, has impulsively moved to India to escape his recent heartbreak in London.
Trade Review
The most charming, utterly lovely story I've read in ages . . . With characters you absolutely root for and mouth-watering descriptions of delicious food, this is one of my books of the year * Red Magazine *
From the vibrant setting to its engaging characters, this joyous novel is a feast for the senses, as well as the soul -- Joanna Nell
I was put in mind of Armistead Maupin's Tales of the City. Just daily life and its 'small disturbances' but rendered with great observational acuity and a distinctive and evocative voice -- Graeme Simsion
It's utterly entrancing - so humane and funny, and so seeped in India that I could smell the cooking and breathe the exhaust fumes. I absolutely loved it from start to finish -- Deborah Moggach
Warm, gorgeous, tender, hopeful and human. I felt so HAPPY when I was reading it -- Daisy Buchanan
An enchanting hug of a book with characters that you'll really root for -- Nikki May
A super warm and lovely read . . . Should have a warning though: WILL MAKE YOU HUNGRY -- Kate Sawyer
Hema Sukumar's debut is an absolute joy. I loved being transported to the Grand Life Apartments and I was bewitched by the characters, colours and tastes of Chennai. Please can I move in forever? -- Clare Pooley
A gorgeous, beautifully-written story, full of wonderfully charming characters - and a loveable cat -- Nick Bradley
Written with such warmth . . . full of life and love. Hema Sukumar's lovely characters became like friends to me, and I adored spending time with them -- Sara Nisha Adams
I can picture this as a TV series - and I would definitely watch it * Belfast Telegraph *
I loved this heartwarming read * Prima Magazine *
Inspiring * Woman's Own *
This charming debut is an absolute joy * Good Housekeeping *
