"If someone had asked me how things were going a few weeks ago I would have said 'this is fine, it's fine'. Little phrases we use to wash down our discontent even though 'fine' is an adjective that has moved so far away from its original meaning of things being excellent or good, that it has become a piece of tape hiding the cracks in a life. I only know that because life feels different now."

39 year old Padma finds herself taking care of her distant teenage niece Myra in a Kent seaside town one summer after her self-centred boyfriend of 10 years suggests they go on a break and Myra suffers alcohol poisoning. Will Padma and Myra mend fences?

I adored In Case Of Emergency by the author, so requested her new book through NetGalley and was not disappointed. More wise words about friendship and family seen through the eyes of Padma and Myra, both of whom I was drawn in by, wanting to know them better. It was a joy to follow them both on their journeys to understanding themselves and what they wanted from their lives, less constrained by their pasts and others' expectations. The pretty and up-and-coming seaside town of Harkness was a lovely location from the summer away from their usual lives and supporting characters, Daisy (Maya's mum and Padma's sister), Selena (Padma's new friend), Henry (Padma's love interest) and Greg (Myra's new friend) were equally well-drawn and relatable. Astute examinations of some challenging themes, including alcoholism, depression, parental abandonment and grief, motherhood and choosing to be child-free, are expertly woven into the plot, peppered with affectionate humour. I found this to be so readable - a skillfully written and moving novel engaging the reader so they feels connected to the characters. Highly recommended!

Padma's life is unravelling. She's out of work and when she tells her partner she doesn't think she wants children, it doesn't go down well. But when her niece, Myra, is found passed out drunk on a doorstep, the family turn to Padma in the hope that both of them can get back on their feet.

This is a story about family, addiction, mental health and much more. Poorna Bell has written a thoughtful and thought-provoking novel about how life can sometimes break us and how we can learn to hope, and live, again.

Lovely
When Padma’s partner of 10 years throws a wobbly and says if she doesn’t want children they need a relationship break, it throws her life into a spin. And then it’s hard to say whether her sister’s request that she care for her teenage niece, Myra, for some months in a cottage in Kent (because of a frightening episode involving alcohol) is a godsend or just another unmanageable twist in her suddenly fractured life.
I enjoyed all the characters in this charming novel and I liked the carefully worked out progression through Padma’s and Myra’s relationship as it developed alongside the revelations about Padma’s own difficult life. The family relationships were also well developed and convincing – we all know someone who simply can’t help trying to fix everyone and people who can’t quite work out what to say to the people they care about. I felt that Wallace could have been given a bit of a back story – was he really so selfish and thoughtless as he seemed? Padma and Daisy’s childhood was heartbreakingly portrayed and if the reasons they gave for the stress in their relationship seemed a little glib at times, it all made a lot of sense.
Lots of wisdom in this story and I really enjoyed it and found all the characters engaging (possibly excepting Hugh – I felt that he and Wallace were carefully constructed as opposites to act as background to Padma’s growth, he was just a little too good to be true).
Overall, I would definitely recommend this as a warmly emotional read with engaging characters which addresses a number of issues with sensitivity and good sense.
(A small editing issue – the epilogue runs straight into the acknowledgements which was slightly confusing)

This Is Fine follows Padma who has just been given an ultimatum from her long-term boyfriend. He wants children. She doesn’t. While this is going on, Padma’s niece Myra is also going through something huge but her parents can’t reach her and ask Padma for help.

Padma says yes but she barely knows her niece. Will she really be able to provide the support that Myra needs? They’re sent off to live with each other in a house on the English coast. And they’ve got six weeks to figure it out.

This book has my whole heart. I remember exactly where I was when I realised I was nearly finished. I was overcome with this feeling of sadness - I don’t know what else to describe it as. Is there a word to describe not wanting something to end? I remember looking up at Michael, telling him that I didn’t want it to end yet, closing my Kindle and walking away because I wasn’t quite ready to say bye.

I’m going to tell you all to read this one. It has so many things going for it. For starters, it has incredible mental health rep which is still not that openly talked about within the South Asian diaspora. It’s getting better but we’ve got a long way to go. The story is based around a family with South Asian heritage which I am always going to love. But what I appreciated here is that the history of this family is not what you typically see in the media. Poorna so honestly explores how easy it is to lose your culture when living outside of it, and also how important it is to hold on to it. She beautifully explores the importance of knowing where you come from and how self-acceptance keeps us whole.

Padma's life is totally falling apart.
Her career is non existent, her relationship with her partner Wallace is on the skids as he is pressuring her into having kids.
Then on top of all this her younger sister Daisy needs help with her daughter Myra who is going off the rails and has ended up in hospital with alcohol poisoning.
In desperation Daisy asks Padma to basically "babysit" Myra for a few weeks at her godfather's, Hugo's house that he has been left by a relative in Harkness.
There she and Myra slowly clean up the house and bond and eventually find acceptance.
But in the throes of her dying relationship with Wallace, the situation is becoming complicated as Padma is staring to develop feelings for Hugo...
This was fantastic.
One of my fave novels I've been gifted an ARC of to review.
I adored the characters, they were flawed, were real and had true heart.
This was a novel of many social issues that get marginalised, addiction, depression, grief, loss, mental health yet also it had overtones of hope and new beginnings.
The complex and sensitive themes were addressed with delicacy, tact, empathy and were sensitively handled by the author who seemed to write with great depth and knowledge of her subject matter.
Will definitely be wanting a hard copy of this on its release.
Thank you for the complimentary ARC copy.

What a beautiful story of family, love and self discovery. As a woman who suffers with depression and does NOT want children I really connected with the main character Padma. My nephew is my life, but no kids for me thanks!
It centres around Padma caring for her niece, but ends up as a wonderful story of her learning about herself and what she wants, no, deserves in life. A very well written book that left me thinking about how I treat myself!

My first time reading this author, Poorna Bell, and it definitely won’t be my last.
A beautifully written novel dealing with a poignant rollercoaster of a journey for the different characters. This book was a departure from my normal genre but I loved it and would highly recommend reading it. I wanted to keep reading and not put this book down.

Easily a 5 star read.

This year I’ve really started to enjoy books about family relationships. This book is definitely one of my favourites for the year so far. The stories were raw yet inspiring. It delays with difficult themes exceptionally well and demonstrated the different types of struggles that different family members face, yet how they can all relate to how they feel.

Depression, in its various forms, was a key part to this book. Each character struggled in their own ways but it was really heartwarming how their struggles brought them closer together as a family and they worked through it together.

I thought it was really wholesome how Padma helped Myra (her niece) to learn more about her culture. Their relationship was the best aspect of the book. I love how they connected and really built a trusting foundation with each other, especially after a rocky start.

I also loved that the book tackled starting over again. The Padma realises that the life she has isn’t what she wants and she gains the inner strength to cut off certain aspects of her life and start again. This felt truly empowering, as even though she was scared to start again, she did it anyway. She’s also quite a dry character, which helped to lift the story.

Overall, the book had a really positive outlook and it was incredibly inspiring. There are difficult themes in this book but the main message is a positive one and I 100% recommend that people give this book a read.

I absolutely loved 'This is Fine' - its a wonderfully nuanced story of sisters, mothers, nieces, daughters, wanting children, not wanting children, not knowing what you want from life or might deserve.

Padma's longterm partner Wallace wants children; Padma is fairly sure she doesn't but isn't sure how they can go forward as a couple with such a major disconnect. When Wallace suggests they have some time apart, it throws Padma's life into a spin - she lives in his house, she doesn't currently have a job, and she's not sure where her life is going.

Padma's 15 year old niece Myra is having her own issues with friendships and social pressures. When Myra's mum Daisy asks Padma to take her out of London for the summer and spend some time with her, Padma's not sure whether she's up to the job, but in the absence of any other options, she goes for it. What follows is a period of self-reflection and bonding for both of them, as Padma slowly reconnects with Myra, and through her, to her own sister Daisy.

The sisters had a hard childhood with their mother having her own issues and Padma covering for her, albeit unknowingly. They have become stuck in their ways with each other with Padma taking on a more maternal role and looking after her little sister.

I loved the emotional depths and layers to the story, it took its time to unravel the issues at the heart of the book, and gave the characters space and time to develop and grow.

Highly recommended.

Such a beautiful, emotional story about mental health and different types of family relationships. I really love Poorna Bell's writing style--it's so thoughtful and evocative, and the descriptions made it easy to put myself in the characters' shoes. Looking forward to reading more from this author.

This was such a relatable story. So many real issues covered in a sympathetic and understanding way.

I wasn't familiar with Poornas work, but I'd definitely read another of her books. I felt sad when this book ended. Rooting for the main character Padma as i drew some similarities with her life and mine. You find yourself hoping for her the whole way. I could have read another 300 pages of this story and still feel a bit bereft when i was done.

One of these stories where not a lot happens physically, but you watch the characters developing, and I can honestly say i loved it.

I received this copy from @netgalley

I really enjoyed witnessing various family members grow and develop throughout this story. I loved the south Asian representation, particularly the descriptions of various yummy foods. It was interesting to see how the characters navigated their issues and also support each other. This book was an easy read but deep issues were raised throughout.

Another cracking story from Poorna Bell. I adored her first novel so had high expectations of this one. I’m happy to say they were more than met.

Poorna writes with such emotional intelligence and insight that I think I could have saved myself thousands in therapy just by reading this book.

That’s not to say that there is anything preachy or judgy in the language at all.

This is the story of Padma, who’s lost her job and it seems, her long term relationship with boyfriend Wallace.
Wallace wants children, Padma really doesn’t think she does.

When Padma’s teenage niece Myra lands herself in hospital after a binge-drinking session with her underage friends, her sister Daisy asks Padma to step in and babysit Myra in a friend’s house by the seaside for the summer holidays.

High-flying Daisy and her husband have a very different lifestyle to that of Padma and their relationship is a little distant to say the least.

Over the course of the story we understand Padma and Daisy’s situations and there is a gentle exploration of the way their childhood has shaped the women they are today.

But as well as the deep understanding of the impact parents can have on their children, this story gives us the joy of Padma making new friends, bonding with Myra and continuing her cooking journey.

Throw in a hint of romance, a little danger and some rescue dogs and all in all, this is an absolutely fabulous story.

I loved it.
It’s beautifully written and strikes the perfect balance.
Another bestseller for Poorna, I’m sure.

3.5 stars rounded up.
Thanks to #NetGalley and #RandomHouseUK #Publishers for an #ARC of #ThisIsFine.
Padma isn't fine. She gets an ultimatum from her boyfriend about having children, her niece drinks herself into a hospital trip and she has lost her job. Her sister asks her to take her niece away from London for the summer, where this book takes place.

I enjoyed this book. Damaged families, damaged relationships, mental health and addiction. It wasn't exactly an easy read but it was an enjoyable one. Following Padma try to understand her relationships all around is frustrating and satisfying all together, and there is some positivity and self-belief we could all live by.
I haven't read anything by Poorna Bell before, however I will be looking for other books by this author.

A joyful book that is full of emotions and amazing characters. The blossoming bond between Padma and her niece Maya was beautiful to read, as was the history between Padma and her sister Daisy and their tumultuous and traumatic childhood. Themes of depression, addiction, generational trauma, and guilt run throughout the book and yet it is full of hope, joy and so much humour too. Poorna Bell's writing is so good and I am still thinking about so much in this book.

Just like Padma's recipes, this story was the perfect mixture of salty and sweet.

Padma is a 39 year old woman who has been living with her long term boyfriend Wallace while searching for a new job. When the topic of having children comes up between them, (Padma knows she doesn't want them but Wallace does ) they decide to take a break. Then, Padma's 15 year old niece ends up in hospital so she is tasked with going to a seaside cottage for the summer to help her niece find happiness.

I adored the descriptions of food in this novel, plus the character of Myra reminded me a lot of how difficult being a teenager is and how your friends can feel like the only important thing in the world. Poorna has as a really lovely way of explaining her culture and addressing daily micro aggressions that she and other minorities face without feeling like you are being told off. It also beautifully addressed the topics of mental health and addiction that taught us that it does get better.

If you want a story that brings you joy and can make you cry I would wholeheartedly recommend This is Fine.

My first thoughts were here we go another lightweight read – rich people having money, access to second homes, being wonderful cooks etc. However buried in the text are some wonderful insights into some may emotional situations. A vivid description of depression, how hard it is to deal with an overbearing and successful mother, the trials of being a teenager on a privileged school….
The main protagonists all have journeys to make but I enjoyed following them and their thought processes.
Yes the ending is also twee but it’s the first time for a while I’ve read a book I didn’t want to put down and wanted to stay with the characters.

Thank you to Netgalley and Random House UK, Cornerstone for an ARC.

I first became aware of Poorna Bell through In Case of Emergency, her first fiction book. I rated it very much so when NetGalley granted me a copy I was very excited and started reading immediately. That was about ten hours ago. I read it in one sitting and I think it's even better than her first novel.

Padma is a 39 year old woman of Indian decent whose partner of ten years Wallace suddenly suggests a break from their relationship because she doesn't want to have kids and he does, like he could force her into it by doing so. She is also currently unemployed so when her sister Daisy and brother-in-law Henry ask her to look after their wayward 15 year old daughter Myra in a holiday cottage in Kent for six weeks during the summer holidays and get paid for it, she says yes. The cottage belongs to Hugo, a friend of the family. What follows is a lot of reflection on life while trying to get through to a depressed teenager. Padma herself also struggles with depression - it seems to lie in the family and stem from their alcoholic mother. Their childhood is frequently mentioned in her talks with her sister. The two of them struggle to connect as they remember things so differently, and Padma resents how Daisy tried to reinvent herself without acknowledging her Indian roots, even changing her name from Dharma. Padma's passion is cooking and she starts bringing her Indian dishes to the village where she makes friends quickly.

Bell's writing is so rich and so wise, I screen grabbed a few pages just for some quotes too good to forget. Padma's reluctance to have kids is brought up frequently but handled sensitively. It's really irritating how the decision to stay childfree is so often questioned in society.

Bell concentrates on the women in the story and there is very strong character development for everyone involved. The men aren't altogether too important although Wallace tries very hard to act like an arse. Thankfully even the love story isn't given great prominence and only happens at the end when Padma has regained her confidence.

What can I say, I loved the characters and the story, which is so effectively told. Myra is a typical but loveable teenager who opens up to her auntie and helps her gain followers on social media for her cooking videos.

I was sad when the book ended - I could have spent weeks with these characters as the love between the women was palpable.

I was lucky to get this book from Netgalley.. not knowing too much about the genre or the author I started it with few expectations.
I really enjoyed it.. it’s filled with relationships, family, friendships and feelings.
A very enjoyable read.

A wonderful book which gives a warm glow of female love and understanding.
At the start I was sceptical. It seemed a stretch that Padma was being entrusted with looking after a wayward 15 year old niece she hardly knew for the summer.
But the story developed beautifully. You could see the bond developing, in a natural and organic way, between Padma and her niece. There are several other sub plots. Padma doesn't get on very well with her ambitious and controlling sister Daisy, who seems to have turned her back on her Indian ancestry. Her boyfriend Wallace wants them to "take a break" because he's expecting Padma to conform to his wish to have children.
The topic of racism is handled sensitively. Small seaside towns like Harkness are not always the most welcoming.
I loved the friendship between Padma and Guyanese cafe owner Selina. The recipes and food were a joy and added so much to the book. I was inwardly cheering when both of them started to realise their dreams.