The Unexpected Daughter has received many reviews since its release last year. Readers post on Amazon, Goodreads, Barnes and Noble, book bloggers post blog reviews, and publications like Kirkus Review have published reviews. Most have been graciously favorable.
But, every time a book review comes out, I hold my breath until I turn a little blue. I mean, what if the reviewer slashes the book to shreds and implores me not to quit my day job (which I already did)? My inner voice taunts me –
You might want to get on Monster.com and start looking for a job, preferably that has nothing to do with the written word. Maybe landscaping?
But the, by some miracle – maybe it’s the oxygen deprivation – I realize I should actually read the review before I panic. And low and behold, usually by the first sentence of a review, I see that readers like the book. Out of appreciation for readers and bloggers who take time out of their days to post reviews for my book, I am sharing a few today. Here goes…
“I loved this story, enjoyed following each character as they fought their own personal battles and learned a lot about Indian culture and tradition along the way! Roshan and Jenny have a unique friendship that grows into more but they resist the temptation to commit, he due to his Indian background, customs and parental influences, and she due to her fear of abandonment, and her difficult upbringing surrounded by poverty and addiction. After fighting the attraction, going their separate ways and living their lives apart for a decade, they come together and are faced with the same obstacles and more. As author Sheryl Parbhoo shows us in The Unexpected Daughter, it is impossible to escape our formative years, good or bad; it is a part of who we are and how we live in this world. What we can do is make good decisions for ourselves, embrace opportunities, live authentically and love with an open heart.
One of my favorite types of books is a story of immigration, assimilation and the mixing of cultures. The Unexpected Daughter delivers all of that so well as the backdrop with a rollercoaster ride of a story of a modern multicultural family as they come to terms with their past and grow together, navigating love, loyalty, addiction, ambition, death, birth and celebration….Life. A wonderful debut!” – Jennifer Blankfein on Amazon. See her full book review at Book Nation by Jen
“I found this book engaging from the beginning. Imagine cultural ties and traditions so strong that you wish divorce upon your son and his new wife. Esha, Roshan’s mother, is faithful to her Indian heritage and strictly adheres to her traditions. She expects her son to follow the path she has laid before him including an arranged marriage; however, Jenny, a southern white woman, is who Roshan chooses. Jenny is independent of family and traditions to plot her own course. With such different backgrounds, there is bound to be conflict. I found the relationship between Esha and Jenny most interesting. It’s difficult for Roshan to escape his demons and realize he has a right to his own dream, his own life. Race, culture, religion, traditions are important, but love trumps all. The book contains wonderful dialog and much detail.” – Barbara Armstrong on Amazon
“The author draws you into this story from page one. She does does a wonderful job of opening the eyes of the reader to the culture and traditions of the Indian family. As a reader, you will find yourself invested in these characters lives as they make decisions, whether good or bad, as they take this roller coaster ride called life together. While cultural tradition plays a big role in this family’s story, the message of the strength of family and the power of love and tolerance is universal and one which any reader will connect to. I highly recommend this book. You will not be disappointed.” – Paula on Goodreads
“…The author writes about the good and bad in families. And I think we can all agree that every family is made up of both good and bad. Nothing is picture perfect, especially when that’s all that’s shown on the outside. So it’s an easy story to connect to, as most readers all have blemishes in their family background…” – See the full book review at The Book Whisperer
“… Parbhoo packs a lot of detail into her story which really brings it to life. I think readers who enjoy learning about other cultures and giving second chances will like this book, even if the characters are a little harder to connect with.” See the full book review at The Coffee Pot Review