This is the story of Reet Sharma, who grows up from a girl helping out at her father’s small restaurant to a woman on her way to building an empire. Reet’s ambition is her greatest asset. She is a very hard worker trying to become a success as a woman in a very patriarchal society, in India. More than once she attains achievements only to have to readapt as men derail or redirect her progress. She manages to rise above this (including her own MeToo situation).
Reet is a magnetic character, and I grew very attached to her. She is written so beautifully that it is easy to celebrate with her on her triumphs and empathize with her on her woes. The book is very well written. It reminds me of Barbara Taylor Bradford at her zenith, only I found it more entertaining.
There were times when the book conveyed frustration. It’s not easy for a woman in this patriarchal system to thrive on her own. It’s hard for her to advance and become respected when she is unmarried. And men in this book often wanted to use Reet or take advantage of her, including her own father and brother, as well as the love interest.
Angad, the love interest, is interesting because he is a character of growth. He starts off as a character who is a ruthless, cold-hearted shark, who has a great deal of money and power without any true empathy. The author allows him to grow and change into a man who respects the contributions and work ethic of a woman. He becomes able to see her as more than a game piece, and eventually falls in love with her. He and Reet were stuck in an endless cycle that was frustrating, but they are both given the opportunity to evolve so they can freely choose whether to be together.
Five Stars.
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