“𝐇𝐚𝐭𝐞 𝐚𝐧𝐝 𝐥𝐨𝐯𝐞 𝐚𝐫𝐞 𝐭𝐰𝐨 𝐬𝐢𝐝𝐞𝐬 𝐨𝐟 𝐭𝐡𝐞 𝐬𝐚𝐦𝐞 𝐜𝐨𝐢𝐧.”

Renita D’Silva has crafted a wonderful story that encourages readers to get lost in the vibrant setting, the tantalizing blends of foods and spices, and the fascinating and exotic culture of India. She easily transported me by her attention to smell - it didn’t take much to imagine the burnt-sugar and honeyed-raisin scent of payasam or the cardamom-filled air. I dare anyone to read this and not crave biryani!

Yes, this fabulous historical fiction may focus on the 𝙘𝙝𝙖𝙣𝙜𝙞𝙣𝙜 𝙛𝙖𝙘𝙚 𝙤𝙛 𝙄𝙣𝙙𝙞𝙖 𝙥𝙧𝙚-𝙞𝙣𝙙𝙚𝙥𝙚𝙣𝙙𝙖𝙣𝙘𝙚 AND it may spotlight an 𝙄𝙣𝙙𝙞𝙖𝙣 𝙬𝙤𝙢𝙖𝙣’𝙨 𝙘𝙤𝙢𝙞𝙣𝙜 𝙤𝙛 𝙖𝙜𝙚, BUT it also

✔️shows the strength and determination of those who refused to be cowed by circumstance
✔️gives voice to those who are often silenced
✔️is a fascinating look at the culture and class disparity within India
✔️examines what we do next when we feel we’ve let someone down or when we’ve realized that the life we are now living is different from the one we’d imagined
✔️examines the dangers of being blinded by love or turned mad by jealousy
✔️underlines the importance of communication
✔️highlights the horrors of losing our freedom/agency by focusing on immediate gains
✔️shows the resilience of children
✔️reinforces the sacrifices parents the world over have made/continue to make for their children
✔️lays out the strategies we can use when we feel trapped and need to escape our ‘destiny’
✔️showcases the value of a legacy

What stood out to me was that each character was allowed to shine and present his/her multifaceted personality. Guru may have been jealous, irritating, and overbearing, but he was also kind and thoughtful. My heart broke because he didn’t know Bindu’s love language. Bindu may have been driven, thoughtful, and expressive, but she was also manipulative and vengeful. My heart broke because despite sacrificing for her dreams, she had her hands tied behind her back, so to speak, and it prevented her from loving Guru in a way that was important to him. I think Sister Hilda’s warning words foreshadowed Bindu’s life perfectly when she cautioned, “You cannot have everything.” Like the Indian land and culture, D’Silva’s characters were contradictions themselves.

I loved and needed to read these lines:

“Every experience teaches you something about yourself and the most difficult ones shape you. They brand you, burn you, but you come out of them changed for the better.”

“She had all the food and water she wanted, but it tasted bitter, flavoured with the repercussions of her choice.”

I appreciated the symbolism of the daffodil.

I feel that this is D’Silva at the top of her game! A powerful, moving tribute to two women whose love leads to extraordinary sacrifice.

I was gifted this copy by Bookouture and NetGalley and was under no obligation to provide a review.

This book is a tantalizing novel that skillfully weaves together the aromatic tapestry of family, tradition, and the enchanting world of spices. Set against the vibrant backdrop of India and England, the author takes us on a sensory journey that is as rich and complex as the flavors she describes.

The author writing is a feast for the senses. Her vivid descriptions of spices and their origins create a symphony of flavors that leaps off the pages. Her ability to evoke the scents and tastes is nothing short of impressive.

We follow a multi-generational family saga full of love and loss while we explore a dual timeline. First, we follow Bindu’s story in 1930’s India, and then Eve’s story in 1980’s London. The connection between the two stories takes some time to reveal itself but it’s fantastic when it happens.

While the plot is engaging, there are moments where the pacing feels a bit uneven. Some parts of the narrative are slower with a focus on intricate details. However, it is perfect for those who savor a more immersive storytelling experience, since this attention to detail, adds depth to the narrative.

I adored this story since the very beginning until the last page. It kept me so hooked that I read It in one setting. I highly recommend it to all who enjoy an exploration to family and heritage with a blend of cultural richness and a dash of spice.

Thank you, NetGalley & the publisher, for approving me to read this arc and write this review.

Stunning! Set in India shortly before WWII, in a time where tension was building between Muslims and Hindus and the threat of war in Europe was increasing.

Orphaned at birth and raised by her grandmother, rebellious and headstrong Bindu loves to cook, creating sumptuous dishes with expertly blended spices. Renita D’Silva’s writing is sublime; I could taste the chilli on my tongue and smell the cardamom in the air, as I pictured the village and heard the children playing outside while Bindu and her Ajji tempered their spices,

Bindu wants to make a difference in the world. She wants an education and to create a better life for her grandmother, the villagers and those she loves.

When she makes the heartbreaking decision to marry the village landlord’s son, Guru, in order to save her grandmother’s life, Bindu is shunned by the villagers. Trapped and alone in an unhappy marriage, Bindu finds solace in writing her recipes and sending them to British journalist, Laurence Elliot. I had so much admiration for Bindu’s unwavering determination to make a difference to the villager’s lives, despite their rejection of her. Nothing could break her spirit and she fought tirelessly. An incredible character, Bindu inspired me with every page. Although Guru was cruel to Bindu at times, his character was so well written and realistic in relation to the time and setting of the book. I could feel his love for Bindu and sense his strong internal battle as his love for her came up against his upbringing and societal expectations.

The story switches between Bindu’s story to 1980, Eve’s heartbreak over the tragic death of her husband Joe and daughter Issy. As the two women’s stories start to connect, Eve is drawn to India, intrigued by the recipe book she was gifted by her adoptive father.

An important story that embraced my heart as I learned of the social and gender struggles faced by Bindu, Guru and Sunitha, Bindu’s childhood friend and “sister of her heart”.

5⭐️ Thanks to Netgalley, Renita D’Silva and Bookouture, for an ARC in return for an honest review.

From the past to the present set in India and England, this layout is one I enjoy like the conclusion to a historic happening resolving what's past.

“The Spice Maker’s Daughter” is by Renita D’Silva. This book is a dual timeline - Bindu’s story taking place in 1930s India and Eve’s story taking place in 1980s London. Although it takes a bit for a connection to be stated between the two women, there is a connection that is revealed. Bindu is a free spirit who is passionate about many things - ranging from her grandmother to helping others - she’s also incredibly smart and has an unfortunate unlucky reputation per the local village gossip. Eve, a writer, recently lost her husband and child in a tragic accident. As the story unfolds, it’s easy to see the topics of love, grief, and trying to function when odds seem impossible flow through these two women’s lives. Having recently lost a child to an accident, I thought I’d be more moved and relate more to Eve, but I found her story touched upon but not as developed as Bindu’s. Additionally while I know everyone grieves differently, I found Eve’s “acceptance” a bit hard to swallow because it happened so quickly. This was an interesting and engaging read, though it did take me a while to get into it - and I’m still not sure how I feel about the ending, truth be told.

Beautifully written, The Spice Maker’s Secret explores a multi-generational family saga. Love and loss, rebellion and sacrifice all weave together into a gripping story of how women survive to thrive continents and decades apart.

Thank you to NetGalley and Bookouture for the opportunity to read this amazing ARC.

Gorgeous cover, beautiful storytelling….. The Spice Maker’s Secret is an utterly unforgettable and heartbreaking story about love, betrayal and one woman’s extraordinary sacrifice. An absolutely gripping and totally addictive story that will keep you racing through the pages all night long.