It has been a whirlwind of activity in this nerdy, introverted little book worms life lately. I was visiting family in New Jersey  and NYC with my mom at the beginning of August, then went and had a blast at a good friend’s bachelorette party in Richmond, VA. Now I’m scrambling and getting things together for the 2018-2019 school year. I can’t even believe my summer is over. #literallydying. So reading has taken a backseat (which never happens, because priorities. Am I right?) And this one was so good! Like, I actually feel a little guilty for taking forever to post my review. But better late than never, so enjoy 🙂

Literally me at the bachelorette party. 

… and at every bookstore in New Jersey and New York. Let’s be really real.

 

Nikki, a young Indian woman living in Great Britain, treads the line between her Westernized values that allow her to taught feminism like a shield and defy the patriarchy shrouding her everyday life, and the ultra-conservative, subservient life she’s expected to comply with in the Indian community. Nikki appears almost disdainful of her Indian peers, especially when it comes to the treatment of women and romantic relationships. She knows she wants to make a difference for these women, but is floundering in trying to find herself while serving others.

After being coerced into posting a dating profile to attract viable marriage candidates for her sister Mindi at the Sikh Community Association Centre (an act she finds embarrassingly archaic), Nikki stumbles upon an advertisement for a writing teacher to help women in the community participate in English workshops. Seeing this as an opportunity to create change and help these women find their power through the written word, Nikki applies.

Once given the job, however, the situation quickly spirals out of Nikki’s control. She realizes that all but one of the women, a group made entirely of widows coerced into participating, don’t actually know how to read or write and they aren’t particularly interested either. Serendipitously, they stumble across a book of erotica Nikki purchased as a joke for her sister, and that’s all the inspiration they need to cultivate their storytelling.

When word spreads about the widow’s steamy stories and the effects they are having on marriages in the community (weak-in-the-knees, hot-n-heavy effects, if you know what I mean), a group of men dubbed The Brothers take it upon themselves to bring the widows’ scandalous behaviors to a halt through any means necessary.

While defying the crushing forces of a world run by men, trying to solve a mysterious death, falling hopelessly in love, and inspiring a small community of women to be fearless and passionate, Nikki finds there is more than one way to set the world on fire.

I. LOVED. THIS. BOOK. Equal parts hilarious and sexy, with current social justice issues underlying the whole story.

Nikki is the pinnacle of a millennial; uber-feminist, independent, jaded about romantic relationships and love, and hellbent on pursuing a career that fulfills her humanitarian passions rather than a career that provides stability. I found myself in awe of Nikki’s cheekiness and almost flippant disregard of the Indian communities values; she has a certain amount of pluck that I always love in female protagonists, but at parts she comes off as brash and disrespectful of the older members of the Indian community.

There’s an obvious and realistic divide between the generations, but as the story develops, the two sides are able to find common ground in the jaw-dropping, blush-worthy erotica they produce. And I do mean jaw-dropping. This is not a book you want to read in front of your grandma (I know from experience); it will get you flustered. Just trust me.

This book also hits on the sexism and patriarchal society embedded within the traditional Indian community. The stories are a form of peaceful protest against feeling ashamed of sexuality, self expression and showing pride in being a female who finds pleasure in intimacy. These aren’t stories created purely for entertainment, but as a message to those who read it that women are powerful and have the ability to be unstoppable. This disdain for female empowerment is also linked to the mysterious deaths Nikki unwittingly begins to unravel throughout the story.

If you’re looking for a book that oozes girl power vibes, gets you randy, and has a satisfying ending, this is a book you’re going to want to check out. Plus, it’s in Reese Witherspoon’s Book Club (love her!)

If this sounds like your kind of read, you can get a copy here:

If you’re looking for another sexy read, I recently read and highly recommend:

If you’re looking for a book to light your feminist fire, check out:

Leave your thoughts are reviews in the comments; love to share takeaways!

Happy & healthy reading!

Alexis

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