Madeline Bright was regretting her decision to leave England and return to Bombay to live with her parents, but in 1913, young ladies did as they were told to do. Maddy, a curious and free-spirited young lady, loved the excitement of Bombay, and was grateful that her best friends Della and Peter were also here with her. At a New Year’s celebration, Maddy and Luke Devereaux met and quickly fell in love, to her mother Alice’s chagrin, as she wanted Maddy to marry Guy, an important doctor and colleague of Maddy’s father Richard. The War is coming closer, threatening everything, and Maddy and Luke decide to be married before Luke is called to fight. Maddy was devastated when she received word that Luke had been killed in action, never having known his baby daughter Iris.

I enjoyed the exotic setting, and would have liked even more detail on the surroundings. At first, I felt Maddy was a typical bored society girl, with bored society friends, in a foreign location where they were the ruling class and therefore had nothing really to do. When she fell in love with Luke, I saw her character deepening and developing, and after Luke’s death, she survived her heartache and even managed to rebuild her life. Meet Me in Bombay is a beautiful story that shows the reader that love triumphs over everything.

This may be an unpopular opinion on this book but overall, I did not really care for it. To start, I could very easily predict the story and each little turn that it took so there were no surprises for me, and I ended up skimming the rest of the book starting at the 39% mark. I think what also threw me off was the lack of chemistry and connection I felt between Maddy and Luke. There simply was not enough time to route for this couple and become engaged in their story to care about the outcome either way.

This story is set in India which I feel that we saw so very little of throughout the story.

A big thank you to NetGalley and St. Martin’s Press for allowing me to read a copy of this book.

MEET ME IN BOMBAY by Jenny Ashcroft kept me up well past my bedtime. I tried to put it down and go to sleep but found myself reaching for it again because I couldn’t stand not knowing how it ended.
Ashcroft masterfully draws us into Luke and Maddy’s lives and the intensity of their connection as their relationship deepens. I enjoyed the manner in which she got them together and how Luke taught Maddy to love the country she had returned to after so many years away. There is so much emotion and beauty, and, when the war tears them apart, grief and love. Maddy and Luke both refuse to give up on each other despite the obstacles they faced. My heart broke, over and over for these two and I found myself tearing up. I enjoyed the way Ashcroft crafted the story, it flowed and kept me engrossed.
Thank you to the publisher for an advanced copy of this novel. All opinions are my own and freely given.
#meetmeinbombay #jennyashcroft #stmartinspress

😠 (One star, as rated in a face that is just over it.

I was given an advanced reader copy of this book by the publisher via NetGalley in exchange for an honest review.

Who’s ready for a rant about colonizer nostalgia?
Well buckle the heck up then, friends, and let’s get into it, shall we?

This story is told in two parts. The first; pre-ww1, and the second; post-ww1. Pre-war, our two protagonists find one another in the months leading to the assassination of the archduke and are quickly torn apart as the western world plunges into war. Post war, our male lead is shell-shocked with no memory of who he is or what has happened apart from glimpses of the woman he loves (our second protagonist); glimpses that are then mirrored, explored and given context in the prior narrative.

Their story in and of itself is, frankly, lovely. The tragedy of it is visceral and, I would say, worthy of a five star rating on its own which only adds to my frustration.

Because here comes the catch.

As you may have noticed, the title of this Book is, “Meet Me in Bombay.”

These WHITE characters are not simply in Bombay on holiday. Or as ambassadors. Or even as health care providers or teachers. Why are they there? As members of the British Royal army that is organizing Indian people, having been occupied by the English, to fight in a war and for a crown that does not care about or serve them.

This is so problematic.

How very, very frustrated I feel. And mad. I am really mad.

This was not altogether a bad story. And it is magnificently well executed. The prose, the narration style, the characters. I should have loved it. I actually did, at moments.

That being said, there is no reason that it needed to take place in India except to perpetuate the nostalgia of British Imperialism and colonial rule. And that ALONE is so gross to me that it ruined my experience of the book.

Not every book needs to be anti-racist in its purpose. Books contain multitudes, of course. And were our characters in India for some other reason I probably could have gotten on board with it. Because those experiences are real and valid and I won’t ever say they shouldn’t be told. What is so troublesome, though, is that it was never even given a thought in the story. No passing comment. No musings on the hypocrisy of defending your homeland from invasion with the forced militarization of the people who were invaded by you.

Because, why were they in India? To recruit and oversee the formation of the British Royal Army in India. In other words, people who were overthrown by British imperialists and forced to serve a country that oppressed them by being shipped across the world to die on the western front in a war whose outcome was never going to benefit them one way or another. The lack of contextual understanding is absolutely maddening.

Why could our protagonist not recruit and oversee actual BRITISH soldiers? I’ll tell you why. Because exotic backdrops are fun for white people to play with. And let’s just not think too hard about why our characters were there, please. God forbid they ever be forced to feel bad about it. To glamourize rich military families in a country that THEY took over, colonized, enslaved, robbed of its resources and whose people were then forced into military service is like glorifying slave owners; tone deaf and dripping with entrenched and unapologetic white supremacy.

Enough with the nostalgia for how things were when white people had ALL the power instead of just most of it.

If your love for India doesn’t extend to a love for the PEOPLE of India (and their lived experiences at the hands of people LIKE YOUR PROTAGONISTS) then you have no business writing a book that takes place in India.

Do.
Better.
One stars.

Content warnings for this book: themes of war and violence, battle, trauma, explosions, PTSD, amnesia, medical stuff, hospital, miscarriage, death of a child, estrangement from a parent, death of a spouse, mistaken identity, war-related injuries, colonization and white supremacy in many of it's brutal and irredeemable forms

Wow! This book is spectacular. It is gripping, heart-wrenching, hopeful, emotional, and moving. Whenever I picked up “Meet Me in Bombay”, I was whisked away, and truly got lost within this story.

This is the first book I have read by Jenny Ashcroft, and I can’t wait to read more, as her storytelling is so vivid and visceral. I felt I could envision each and every moment. She truly knows how to grip the reader from the first page to the last, and I truly cared about the stories being told.

There is so much I can’t say in this review, as it would reveal quite a few spoilers. However, I will say, just as quickly as Maddy and Luke see one another and fall in love, I found myself truly invested in their love story, wanting them to find happiness together. I think the jumps in time work quite well, and everything is revealed in exactly the moment it needs to be. Through ups, downs, and everything in between, I found myself yearning to know how and if everything would turn out alright. You will have to read to find out.

I do wish that, within the book, there was more of the different cultures of India. While there is some, I was hoping for more throughout, as I love reading and learning about other cultures.

If you enjoy historical fiction, I definitely recommend this book! I found myself reading into the early hours of the morning to see what would happen next, and had such a difficult time putting it down.

Thank you to NetGalley and St. Martin’s Press for the review copy, and to St. Martin’s Press for sending me a physical ARC of this book as well, it is incredible! All opinions expressed in this review are my own.

Please Note: The author does deal with some heavier topics in this book. I believe she handles them with great care.

A story of romance and war, of near-misses and tragedy. This book is vividly told and artfully pieced together, and I enjoyed the relationship between Maddy and Luke and their love story. It felt beautiful and real.

Let me introduce you to my first 5 star read of the year! I mean, from the very first page, Meet Me in Bombay had me HOOKED. There is a man, trying to remember someone, someone he knows is special to him. But he doesn’t even know who he is, let alone her. If only he could see her face. He just knows it would bring everything back.

Maddy is now in Bombay with her parents, after spending many years growing up in England. On NYE, she meets a man. She is struck with awe and longing. And he disappears just as quickly as he appeared.. Who is he? Was he as drawn to her? The man is Luke Deveraux and he and Maddy will have a love only a few of us are ever lucky enough to find. But while love like that can be amazing, it’s never that easy.

WWI is about to begin and Luke must go. Maddy aches for him every minute, day, month, year that he is gone. Will they find their way back to each other? Will he remember?

The world building in this story is phenomenal and the characters’ emotions are raw enough to feel them yourself. The story quite literally kept me guessing until the very end. The story lines that start to connect are both sneaky and intricately planned. I was on the edge of my seat until the last few pages at 2 a.m. You will have no idea what the ending will be until Ashcroft is ready to tell you.

Both heartbreaking and lyrical, this WWI fiction captures your heart until the very end. Just remember to breathe.

I received an advanced copy of this book. All opinions are my own.

4.5 stars

I absolutely love seeing more and more exotic locations in the historical fiction genre. Most historical fiction novels are set places like England or America with the occasional France thrown in for fun-sies. But there are many compelling stories coming out of exotic locations recently and I am so excited to read those stories. One of my new favorite settings in historical fiction is Bombay.

In the fall I read Murder in Old Bombay and it felt like such an exotic treat for me and when I saw this one was coming out I jumped on it, mostly for the location, but also because I never met a WWI romance that I didn’t love. While not exclusively a romance, this book has a strong romantic storyline and I couldn’t wait to read something new feeling.

I know that some readers did not enjoy the setting of this book and some felt that the setting was just another glorification of white colonization of the Indian people. But for me, it was a novel with great stories and a new setting that wasn’t just another novel set in England. Though the setting drew me in, it was the characters and the plot won me over.

Summary
All he needs is to find her. First, he must remember who she is.”Meet Me in Bombay is a powerful, poignant and deeply emotional tale of love, mystery, loss and joy.” –Kate Furnivall, New York Times bestselling author

It’s New Year’s Eve in Bombay, 1913, and Madeline Bright, new to the sweltering heat of colonial India, is yearning for all she has left behind in England. Then, at the stroke of midnight, Maddy meets Luke Devereaux, and as the year changes so do both their lives.

Bold and charismatic, Luke opens her eyes to the wonders of Bombay, while Maddy’s beauty and vivacity captures his heart. Only her mother disapproves, preferring the devoted Guy Bowen as a match for her daughter.

But while Maddy and Luke are falling in love, the world is falling apart. World War I is on the horizon, and Luke will be given no choice but to fight. They will be continents apart, separated by danger and devastating loss, but bound by Luke’s promise that they will meet again in Bombay. His only wish is to return to her–but first he must remember who she is (summary from Goodreads)

Review
This novel got me right in the feels. It was so emotional and to be perfectly honest, I spent so much of the novel worrying that the Luke and Maddy will never find their way back to each other. I had serious serious serious concerns that they would remain parted. It was then that I realized how invested I was in the characters and their romance. Their romance was moving and memorable and ripe with tension. Falling in love with Luke was easy and then as he gets called away to fight in the Great War, I found myself anticipating the tragedy that I knew was coming. But even then, I still couldn’t bring myself to stop reading. It was a book that took hold and didn’t let me go. I was glad that I slowed down to savor it because it was packed with emotion, I didn’t want to miss anything about it.

I loved getting to experience Bombay through Maddy. I felt like I learned a lot about the country and it’s history. While some have argued that it’s a white washed history of the colony, I personally didn’t mind since I don’t know much about that area of the world or the history of that time and location. I actually found it nice to have at least some info and context of the history, even if it’s from a white perspective. It actually inspired me to look for more books set in India and by Indian authors and to read more on the history of the country. In my opinion the author did a great job adding spice and history to this story.

After reading this one, I had to read more books by this author! I haven’t read any of her books before but this one was well written, exotic feeling, full of emotion and romance not to mention I loved the history which left me eager to read more books by her. If you are looking for a book that is a little off the beaten path, but full of things to love, then you need to check this one out. It was a wonderful story and I am so glad I took a chance on this one!

Book Info and Rating
Hardcover, 352 pages

Expected publication: January 19th 2021 by St. Martin’s Press

ISBN125027026X (ISBN13: 9781250270269)

Free review copy provided by publisher, St Martin’s Press, in exchange for an honest review. All opinions are my own and in no way influenced.

Rating: 4.5 stars

At a New Year's Eve party in 1913, Madeline "Maddy" Bright's entire life changes as soon as she locks eyes with the dashing Luke Deveraux. "It was a space of moments. But nothing was ever the same again, after that."

Set in Bombay, Thailand, the story was immediately atmospheric and immersive. Once Maddy meets Luke, she's swept up in a whirlwind love affair that unfortunately coincides with the start of World War I and Luke is forced to leave just as their relationship is heating up. He's promised to return, but after losing his memory during a horrific battle, will he be able to fulfill his promise?

While Maddy and Luke were busy falling in love, I was busy falling in love with them and the gorgeous Thailand setting. I searched numerous locations on the internet so I could more thoroughly envision them. The love and grief portrayed in the story was palpable, and my heart ached for Maddy as time marched on without her knowing where Luke was or if he'd ever return. The story developed in ways both expected and surprising and was definitely suspenseful at times. Meet Me in Bombay was a fabulously sweet and romantic escape from reality, and even after it ended, I was left wanting to know more about the characters.

Location: Bombay, Thailand

I received an advance copy of this book. All opinions are my own.

A Romance Begins in Bombay Before WWI

It’s New Year’s Eve 1913 and Maddy Bright wants to be back in England. She can’t get used to the sweltering heat in India and thinks only about what she’s missing back home. Then she meets Luke Devereaux. He shows her Bombay and she begins to love the beautiful, unique countryside. They fall in love and are desperate to marry.

It’s a suitable match, but Maddy’s mother, Alice, prefers Guy Bowen. However, Maddy has her way and on the eve of Luke having to leave to fight in WWI they are married and promise each other to meet again in Bombay when the fighting is over.

However, the war years are more difficult then they could foresee. They both experience the horrors of war although continents apart. When the war is finally over, Luke has injuries that prevent him from returning to Bombay. Maddy wants to wait for him, but life must move on and their love story takes an unusual twist.

This is a beautifully written love story. At the beginning you think it will be predictable, but the story twists and unexpected events change the course Luke and Maddy had planned for their lives. I found the book romantic, sad, and in the end very satisfying.

Ashcroft writes wonderful description. You can smell the bazaars and see the vivid sites of colonial Bombay. If you enjoy a love story that is not predictable, you’ll like this book.

I received this book from St. Martin’s Press for this review.

Meet Me in Bombay by Jenny Ashcroft is a World War I story that doesn't mostly take place at the front. It takes place, mostly, in India where Maddy had come for a vacation before she started her teaching job. She had been born there, but had left when she was eight years old because she was sick all the time. Hope that England might solve that problem, her parents sent her off to her aunt Eliza and uncle Fitz, but as things turned out, she no longer had that job and would probably stay in India for the time being. She had gone to a dance at the club with her parents. Her mother and her friend, Della wanted her to dance with, and probably marry, Dr. Guy Bowen, who was 40 years old to her 22. She didn't think much of that idea, and even less of it when she saw him. She didn't know him. She didn't even know his name. After several days a package arrived for her. It was a travel book his own. He had sent it, hoping she would use it to learn about India. Then he sent her postcards every few weeks. At last he was coming back and they had a luncheon date.

This was a lovely romance, although fraught with problems. Luke, that was his name, had to fight in World War I. That was his job. They got married and he left her. It had been a wonderful few days, but then he left her, with child. She was a strong woman and managed all that was thrown her way, and plenty was. She lived with her parents: a mother who never wanted her to leave. The story is heart-wrenching as we live with Maddy for years as her heart is broken and she finally gives in. The description of the deceit, although not intentional, reminds the reader of how the world really works. What she goes through to protect her daughter, the love of her life, is a gripping tale of parenthood. She missed Luke. She never believed him dead. It is also a story of shell shock and the other injuries inflicted on warriors, the people they leave behind, and the people who care for them. War is not for the faint-hearted. It was a compelling and beautiful story of memory loss, both as part of war and part of aging. So many parts of other peoples' stories. There is so much to love about this book, I cannot tell all of it. I recommend it.

I was invited to read a free ARC of Meet Me in Bombay by Netgalley. All opinions contained herein are solely my own. #netgalley #meetmeinbombay

Meet Me in Bombay is a beautifully written story of love and loss in the time of WWI. Mostly set in Bombay, we are introduced to Maddy as she comes to visit her parents in Bombay after many years in England. We follow her as she discovers the sights and explores the city. The author has done a wonderful job in bringing the city to life and in describing it, making the reader yearn to visit. 

This is a story poignant tale love so strong, it spans distance and time and still holds strong. The author describes the joys of falling in love, precious time spent and the heart break of the war and loss. The characters are well crafted and bring this story and the places to life. The war is described in detail and will bring tears to the eyes of the reader. Mixed with fiction and facts, this story is deeply emotional and will pull the reader in from the beginning. The friendships and relationships between the characters whether with friends, parents, partners is amazing and well portrayed. Even with secrets and scandal, nothing comes above love.

I thoroughly enjoyed this emotional rollercoaster and I highly recommend this book to everyone!

Meet Me in Bombay by Jenny Ashcroft is the story of love, war and the promise to see each other again. The story opens on New Year’s Eve, 1913 and Madeline “Maddy” Bright has returned to colonial India after years in England. While at a stifling party, she heads outside for fresh air and sees a man who takes her breath away. She is unable to meet him but a surprising package arrives, introducing her to Luke Devereaux. Through his letter and his guidebook, Maddy begins to explore Bombay in ways she has never seen before. Soon they meet face to face and fall in love so easily. While the bold and charismatic is new and refreshing among the British elite that she’s used to, Maddy captives his heart with her beauty and vivacity. Everyone around Maddy enjoys seeing the two together, everyone except her mother, who prefers the devoted Guy Bowen for her daughter. Only the outbreak of World War I could bring to a halt their lives together, Luke has no choice but to join the fight and while they are continents apart, separated by the horrors of war, they find themselves bound by Luke’s promise that they will meet again in Bombay.
Meet Me in Bombay is beautifully written and breathtakingly romantic. Ms. Ashcroft’s descriptions of India are so vivid that you can almost hear the sounds of the bazaar and smell the spices from the local cuisine. The encounters between Luke and Maddy are so touching and romantic, you can’t help but smile and sigh as they fall in love. The horrors of war are devastating and heartbreaking. You will cry with Maddy and her family and friends as they learn of their loved ones who are injured and will never be the same or won’t be coming home at all. The story has a The Notebook feel but oh so better. I couldn’t put it down. I stayed up late into the night and read a good three-quarters of it before I forced myself to go to sleep. But first thing in the morning, I grabbed the book to finish. From the opening paragraph to the closing epilogue, Meet Me in Bombay will pull you in and you will not want to put it down. It is full of love, family expectations, and hope against all hope, set in the beautiful country of India. I highly recommend Meet Me in Bombay.

Meet Me in Bombay is available in hardcover, eBook and audiobook

Brilliant book set in India after being on holiday in Goa I was so pleased to receive this book. I felt like I was actually in the country.

As much as I enjoyed the story, I was left feeling empty and saddened that the love story needed to take place between two white British in India during colonization. I feel that in a time of such unrest in our world, this was a poor choice for publication.

3 1/2 🌟 rounded up
Jenny Ashcroft vividly paints a time and place new to me and her descriptions of Bombay, India during the British Colonial period, spool out in a cleverly plotted fashion. Young Maddie Bright meets Luke Devereaux on New Year’s Eve, embarking on a volatile journey which is central to the novel. Deception, loyalty, and commitment all are themes typical of the historical fiction I know and love, but set against this unusual backdrop was refreshing. The Great War (in France), the Raj Era (in India) and a convalescent home in Britain are settings which anchor this fun read. I felt the pace of the novel, the last third in particular, was bogged down in family drama and in my opinion, editing this portion of the story would have kept me more engaged with the plot line.
Recommended for historical fiction lovers looking for something a bit different.

ARC was provided by St. Martin’s Press via Netgalley in exchange for an honest review.

"I have no recollection of what you look like, and yet I know that if I saw you, I'd recognize you instantly."

The above is just one of many heart clutching lines from a letter that begins the all encompassing romance of Meet Me In Bombay by Jenny Ashcroft.

Maddy and Luke meet on New Year's Eve 1913. She is the daughter of a British diplomat in colonial India missing her home. Luke is in the reserves enjoying his travels. As he guides her through the India he adores they fall in love. World War I begins and Luke must leave to fight for his country.

Told with rich vivid prose we see the India of over 100 years ago, we experience the harsh battlefields of war and we ache with the empathetic description of love ripped apart too soon.

For such an intense love story there are some very twisty plotlines and surprising outcomes. As a fan of soap operas, I skipped school to watch Luke and Laura's wedding on General Hospital back in '80s, I enjoyed the author giving me joy at the end of a chapter to only rip it away with a shocking revelation in the next chapter.

There really are no bad guys in the story. Just bad circumstances and bad timing. This book is perfect for adaptation onto TV's PBS Masterpiece. It is a moving, gut wrenching, heart thumping tale of true love and how life is never as smooth as we would like but until the last page is read there is always hope.

I received a free copy of this book from the publisher via NetGalley for a fair and honest review. All opinions are my own.

Though never introduced, Luke’s gaze fell on Maddy at the 1913 New Year’s Eve celebration and it was the beginning of a story of love and loss. As he travels India reporting on the preparedness of troops in the event of war, he builds anticipation of their finally meeting through notes and postcards that he sends her. When they finally meet it confirms their feelings that they were destined to be together. Wedding preparations take place as international tensions mount and Luke is called to serve just a day after their ceremony.

Luke’s injuries keep him from returning to Bombay after the war and he is mistakenly listed as dead. While Mandy refuses to believe this, she is pressured to get on with her life and fate provides more obstacles to their reunion. Luke and Maddy’s story is uplifting as he introduces her to the sights and foods of Bombay. There are also times that it is heartbreaking as Mandy struggles with loss and Luke experiences the battlefield conditions in France.

Jenny Ashcroft has written a beautiful story. Not only can you get caught up in Luke and Maddy’s relationship, but her descriptions of colonial Bombay and the battlefields of France allow you to travel along with her characters. Her closing pages are emotional and guaranteed to elicit tears. This is a story that stays with you long after the last page and is highly recommended. I would like to thank NetGalley and St. Martin Press for allowing my review of this book.

. Meet Me in Bombay left me breathless, swept away by a luscious, poignant story. Maddy and Luke are an extraordinary couple, whose lives ebb and flow as they share beautiful moments along with pain and uncertainty. I felt the sweltering heat of Bombay, i could smell the aromas and taste the food. I felt the cold and desperation and devastation of the Great War. The story was compelling and heart-stopping; I wanted to savor each word as much as I wanted to find out what happened next, my heart breaking but at the same time hopeful. This is a novel that is all-consuming, lost in its pages, and feeling every word with all of my heart.

Thank you to Edelweiss, NetGalley, & St. Martin's Press for the opportunity to read and review this book before it's publication date! This in no way affected my review, opinions are my own.

DNF @ 25%, 88pgs in

Oh man, this one hurt. I wanted to love this so much, and I know you can't judge a book by the cover but THIS COVER!! Overall the writing was beautiful, totally atmospheric and lovely - but I could not find myself interested in either of the main characters in any way. (And I'm not sure if things get deeper further on, but there's a strong insta-attraction at play that never felt solid enough for me.)

I've spoken to others that said while the beginning does start slow, they found themselves flying through the last 40% of it, unable to put it down. Unfortunately for me, I can't get that far.