The writing for this one was good. Unfortunately I felt like the synopsis didn’t accurately depict what I was getting into. I thought there would be more adventure because of the roadtrip aspect but it was such a small portion of the boom. It was beautifully deep and a good mother daughter story. Just not what I was expecting.

Life coach Nikki Parekh impulsively says yes to a proposal, then questions her decision, only to find her mother, Tara, making a bold move of her own: divorcing after 40 years to chase an old flame. As they journey together, both women confront the past, uncover hidden truths, and rediscover themselves, mile by mile.

It started off great, I was really interested, and it had a good premise, but things got derailed towards the end. It was trying to be too many things at once, meeting parents' expectations, unhappy marriages, side effects of arranged marriage, commitment issues, dreams, family drama… and more!

I believe this book would have ended had everyone had basic communication skills! And many times it infuriated me just because it was encouraging things I’m against of like deserting your husband and kids for a boy you met one night and built a whole fantasy land with him.

I also didn’t like how little we know about the characters; we never uncover how Nikki got to be a life coach, even though her mother had other plans for her, and what business she owned. Also, I didn’t like how Tara’s whole personality is science (or was it physics?), it felt like I was watching TMKOC (for instance, Goli’s whole personality is his obsession with food)

Though the cover and description suggest that the road trip would be central to the plot, it barely had any screen time, kind of like Taapsee Pannu’s screen time in Baby.

Overall, I’m disappointed (sorry not sorry, Ik how hard it is to write a novel). A good read for…idk what exactly. :/

Thanks to Netgalley for the ARC.

When Jay proposed to Nikki in the first chapter of this story, I had no idea what to expect for the rest of the book. The flashbacks from Nikki’s mom Tara gave such a nice twist to the story. Tara is divorcing her husband after feeling unhappy her entire marriage and is now on a road trip to finding herself. Meanwhile, Nikki has to figure out what this decision of her mom is doing to her own life and decide whether she is happy moving forward on the same path. I loved the family drama and the mystery element, that added so much to the vibe of the book!

3.5⭐️ I really enjoyed this book and all of the difficult topics it touched on. For me, this story is primarily about how many young women are forced to live up to preconceived expectations, thus limiting their ability to follow their dreams. This often coincides with early marriage and parenthood, leading to mothers who resent their children and children who feel unloved by their mothers.

I really appreciated how the mom in this story was not made out to be the bad guy. The flashbacks helped me sympathize with her character and I was able to understand why she made the decisions she did.

The writing however felt a bit dry and the plot wasn’t very gripping. But, overall this was an enjoyable and timely read from an author new to me.

This book had me deep in my feelings, with the added bonus of a mystery I couldn’t put down. The author did a great job making both Nikki and Tara relatable, helping me understand and empathize with each of them without picking sides. I also loved the parallels between Tara, Nikki, and Heena’s lives.

The flashbacks to Tara’s past were especially powerful—they really showed how her choices shaped not only her own path, but the lives of those around her. Jay and Nikki’s relationship was frustrating at times due to their lack of communication and stubbornness, but their love kept them trying, which made their story feel real.

I appreciated that the resolution wasn’t too tidy. Instead of everything being perfectly fixed, the characters found acceptance and showed they were willing to keep growing.

Thank you to NetGalley for the ARC!

this one was a mixed bag for me. i really appreciated the themes around family expectations, identity, and how the past echoes into the present — especially through the alternating timelines, which added some great emotional texture. tara’s chapters stood out more for me, and i liked how her decisions rippled out and shaped so many lives. but i struggled to connect with nikki, and the romance with jay just didn’t land — it lacked the chemistry or depth to feel believable. while the ending felt grounded and honest, the characters often felt a bit too distant, which kept me from fully investing. solid ideas, but it didn’t quite hit for me.

I wanted to enjoy this book more than I did. The main character that we're supposed to be following and rooting for is so cold and rigid that it's hard to feel anything for her. It's unclear why her partner is so devoted to her when she seems pretty detached from their relationship for most of the book. Her job sounds interesting, but the unclear and underdeveloped aspects of how she got into it and became popular make it difficult to determine if her actions matter. The mother is more interesting, but she's written to be so smart and deep however nothing she's done matches up to her description either.

Overall, I think this probably wasn't for me. There was a story in here that I would've liked more and it was likely a deeper dive into either the mother or the main character's relationships but instead they were both cold and unfeeling which was how I felt when I finished the book.

Namrata Patel does it again. Yet another contemporary fiction page-turner that successfully explores themes of family, identity, and cultural heritage. What a gifted writer. I loved this book, the alternating point of views, the flawed characters, the way the author revealed how the past informed the present. It felt so authentic and was thought-provoking. This one is perfect for fans of complex family dynamics, second chances, and characters who strive to find their place in life.

I had no expectations when I requested this one… and I did so because of the mother-daughter storyline. What I didn’t expect was the love story side story. I don’t think it was necessary when the heart was with the emotions of a life full of expectations and sacrifices.

I read it in 1 sitting so I was clearly into the storyline. It was a good one but not my favourite mother-daughter story.

May it reach many hands and hearts

3.5 stars. Thank you for the ARC!

This novel explores the layered, often unspoken dynamics within Indian families: the pressure to meet parental expectations, the emotional tightrope children walk to keep their parents happy, and the quiet sacrifices that shape our identities. These themes are handled with depth and nuance, making the story feel both intimate and universally relatable.

The alternating chapters between Tara and Nikki worked really well. It added dimension to both characters and gave insight into how differently people process the same event and also how the past informs the present. While I didn’t personally connect with Nikki—she was frustrating at times—I still appreciated how well her character was written. She felt real, flawed, and believable.

That said, one element that fell short for me was the relationship between Nikki and Jay. While it wasn’t central to the story, I would’ve liked to see more depth or chemistry there. As written, I just couldn’t fully buy into their love story.

Overall, this is a thoughtful, compelling read that deserves more attention. It may not be perfect, but it’s definitely worth picking up—especially if you’re drawn to family dramas with emotional complexity.

This book had me all in my feels plus the intrigue of a mystery. I couldn't stop reading. The author did an amazing job of connecting you to both Nikki and Tara and made it possible to see both of their sides and empathize with them without taking one side. It was really interesting to see some of the parallels of Tara, Nikki, and Heena's lives. I liked how it switched back and forth between past and present for Tara. I felt like it gave a lot of insight into how she got to the point that she did. I thought it showed a lot of cause and effect and how her choices, not only effected her course of life, but how it then effected everyone around her as well. Jay and Nikki's relationship was a little stressful, because they didn't seem to understand each other well enough to communicate properly, and both were pretty stubborn/set in their ways. But they loved each other and ultimately, I think that got them through and made them keep working on their relationship. I was shocked by the ending and also so disappointed in the culprit. Overall, I loved how this book ended and how everything was resolved by the end. I was glad that it wasn't tied up in a neat bow and everyone forgave each other, but instead they were at a place of acceptance that showed there would be more work done. I will absolutely be recommending this book once it is published!

Hopeful, inspiring, and beautifully written ✨🌍. Your Next Life is Now sounds like a gorgeous, uplifting exploration of reinvention and possibility. Namrata Patel crafts stories with heart, cultural depth, and unforgettable characters, and this latest promises a transformative, feel-good journey. Perfect for fans of second chances and stories about finding your true self.

The description for ‘Your next life is now’ pulled me in,
despite being something I wouldn’t usually go for. I was intrigued with the mother and daughter journey together. I struggled at times with being interested to keep reading, but I think that’s more of a me problem. If you enjoy thoughtful journeys and changing relationships, this will be for you. It is sweet but real, highlighting the complexities of our relationships. Thank you for this opportunity #YourNextLifeisNow #NetGalley

Sadly, this is a DNF for me. I couldn’t connect with the story even that it sounds promising, but there’s something missing for me

Nikki Parekh makes a business out of her online newsletter "Your Next Life is Now". Her very Indian grandmother had always told her that she could pursue her dreams "In her next life". Nikki believed -why wait. Her mother Tara always encouraged her daughters to use their brains and pursue their dreams. She had dreamt of pursuing her doctorate at MIT & it had never happened for her. Until her boyfriend proposed, Nikki thought marriage was not what she wanted.
I believe a lot of women from traditional families, trying to balance it all will relate to Nikki's journey and the one her mother is on as well!



Thanks to NetGalley, the author, & Lake Union Publishing for the opportunity to read this ARC in exchange for an honest review.

Your Next Life is Now by new to me author Namrata Patel, published by Lake Union, is a full length, stand alone.
I read the blurb and was intrigued, but the book is not what I expected.
It's a beautiful piece of literature telling the story of Nikki and Tara, daughter and mother. Together on a road trip including a Nabelschau.
A quiet slow burn with some length, a good story well written.

This book was such a tender exploration of what it means to be a mother or daughter. A beautiful look into Desi culture in a modern setting. Loved it!!

I feel Namrata Patel has always incorporated unique and interesting titles for her books and right away, I was intrigued by this title: Your Next Life Is Now.

I really, really loved the book. The family dynamics of both the main character and her significant other along with the cultural influences throughout the stories really grabbed me and ensured I was invested in their outcomes (which could have gone several ways!).

Thankfully, Nam’s writing style led the various characters to recognize and take responsibility for their lots in life and the ending was poignant and believable. And as a daughter and sister, I always love reading books where the main characters are so heavily influenced by family (for good and bad;)

I Particularly enjoyed learning that change can happen and balance can be found amongst pressures AND joys that come from cultural identities. I like this kind of optimism in our current world and I can’t wait for Namrata’s next book!

Thank you NetGalley for the copy
Unfortunately, DNF @ 10 percent.
The book has a nice premise but it however did not resonate with me.
I still recommend this book if you need something sweet to take your mind off things.

Thank you to NetGalley and Lake Union Publishing for this ARC.

Nikki Parekh, 32, a life coach living in Jamaica Plain, Massachusetts, gets proposed to by her boyfriend Jay Metha and immediately says yes. Everyone is full of congratulations but her mother Tara, 59, reacts strangely, then confesses she has left her husband Devon whom she has been married to since she was 22.

In flashbacks we get her story of an arranged marriage in which she entered out of duty and because her husband to be promised she could continue her science studies. It never happened because his dentistry practice took precedence over her dreams and she has never forgiven him. She has over the years repeatedly tried to leave him but something always happened. Now she has bought an old RV and goes on a road trip to find a long lost love.

Nikki accompanies her for a little while but this is not a road trip book as it only happens for a few pages at the halfway mark. The rest is taken up with musings about Indian Americans, Desi culture, arranged marriages versus modern marriages, relations between mothers and daughters, sisters and other family, and what happens when two brown families clash. Your heart goes out to Tara but she herself learns that she always had options but instead chose to become a martyr.

I liked all the characters and what they brought to the story. It must be difficult to combine culture and tradition with more modern ways of doing things. The mottos from Nikki's life coach website were clichéd and could have been left out but she chose well with Jay and the story ends in a hopeful note for the future for all involved. Recommended if you want to read about Indian Americans and their culture.

4.25 stars