This was a wonderful heartwarming story. Robert has managed to capture the turmoil, happiness and love that his parents went through to have a relationship.

It was the 1950s and Helen, a white, British woman and Avadh, an Indian man who was already married, fell in love.

It started off fairly difficult to read due to the way it was set out but after a few chapters I managed to catch up.

I am so very glad that I didn't stop reading this.

Robert captures the relationship and his Mothers past perfectly and there's plenty of history in there for you history lovers!

I am looking forward to reading some of Helen Forresters books now.

This is the biography of Helen Forrester - author, mother, wife and truly remarkable woman.


In this inspiring, up-lifting biography, written by Robert Bhatia, Helen Forrester’s only son, we follow Helen's journey through the depths of poverty in the 1930s, her heart-break over loosing two fiancés in the war and her quest for happiness.


At times in this book, I found myself immensely saddened by some of the things Helen lived through and endured and others hopeful, amazed by Helen’s enormous amount of strength and courage. She went from struggling, hungry young girl to clever, determined woman who, after much heartache, falls in love with Avadh Bhatia, a young man, visiting from India to finish his PhD.

In this book are numerous quotes from old letters sent between Helen and Avadh after their engagement. Things aren’t as easy as they could have been and it is, in fact, a troubled time before they see each other again. But despite their struggles, Helen remains steadfast in her goal: to live a happy life with Avadh in India. The letters give us a deep, beautiful and at times heart-wrenching insight into their lives as they wait for their piece of happiness and the time when they can finally be together.


I urge you to read this book.

Possessing immeasurable strength of character and spirit, Helen Forrester is such a remarkable woman. And if you love her books, this is a must-read.


Heart-warming. Touching. Inspiring.