What a brilliant debut by Kirthana Ramisetti! A breathtaking family drama that engaged me from the very first page, I absolutely loved this novel. Alternating between flashbacks in the past and the current day as well as multiple characters, this story simultaneously feels like a coming of age and an ending to a legacy. The author poignantly explores the effect our families and upbringing have on our past, present and futures as well as themes of secrets, generational expectations, unconditional love, power, forgiveness and ambition. This story is well written with a beautiful intricate plot, vibrant descriptions and complex, authentic and endearing characters.

Was looking forward to this one based on cover and blurb. However, I immediately disliked the main character and found the first few chapters to be confusing. Ultimately, DNFed this one.

What a thought provoking idea when Dava a well known billionaire decides to take her terminal cancer and up coming death in her own hands and leak that she has died. She wants to see her obituary, she wants to see first hand how the people In her life take the news of her “passing”. She expecting lavish write ups of all her empowerment of women and life in the arts but what she got was secrets revealed! Secrets she thought would never surface.

DNF. I really liked the premise but the writing did not work for me at all. It wouldn't be fair to the book if I finished reading and gave it a low rating.

I was happy to have the opportunity to read an advance copy of this book thanks to Netgalley and the publisher. I found the book thought-provoking, and I think it would be a great choice for book discussion groups since there are many controversial topics within it. Although the main character is a philanthropist, I didn't find her a particularly likeable or relatable character. Nevertheless, she led an interesting life and I enjoyed learning about her relationships and life events. I particularly liked how seriously she took to naming her children and the importance to her of names and identity. One also realizes how little control one has over other people in their lives. The book left me with a lot to think about, including parenting, adoption, infidelity, and the right to die.

When I saw this book I was so excited to read it. I didnt love it but I didnt hate it. Here are my thoughts:
- The book is in set 2044, so its kind of futuristic realism, if thats a thing!
- The protagonist has been in control her entire life and wants to make sure she exits the world the way she
wants with one last hurrah
- There are too many characters and storylines ( for each of her children and their families ) so it was really hard
for me to follow along, remember and keep track of each one.
- It was paced well
- Dava was a nuanced character. The book has a lot to say about relationships, self-perception, choices and
their outcomes
- This is different from the books I am used to reading and I wanted to love it but it kind of fell flat for me. I will be
looking forward to the authors future books!

Thank you to Netgalley and Grand Central Publishing/ Hachette Books for providing me with an advanced copy in exchange for my honest review.

I received a complimentary copy of this book. Opinions expressed in this review are completely my own. I really enjoyed this book the shifting viewpoints was confusing at first but the characters are so unique that it didn't take long for me to get used to it. I especially liked how they were all people, faults and all. They are not perfect and they all have something going on in their lives. All in all this was an enjoyable (and sad) read. I am looking forwards to reading more from this author in the future.

I casually requested this book, thinking it sounded vaguely interesting. I deal with obituaries a lot through work and the Indian connection was intriguing, but I wasn't dying to read the book solely based on the description. But boy, I was pleasantly surprised at how quickly and how deeply I fell in love with it. I savored it, instead of rushing through it, and am still thinking about it after finishing it. It was the perfect book, in length and format (I am admittedly a sucker for mixed-format books). Dava was a wholly realized character in all her triumphs and flaws. The book was inclusive and perceptive; every time I questioned something -- whether it was "Is Dava's extraordinary wealth a good thing?" to "What kind of Indian name is Dava, anyway?" -- the question was answered, even subtly. I thought it was a fresh, nuanced take on the Indian American experience that didn't rely on the cudgels of stereotype. It was all in all poignant and wry, and a little more than heartbreaking.

This book sort of reminded me of Crazy Rich Asians in a way I can't explain except for the vibe. I loved all the characters and multiple POVs.

I expected to love this book, but honestly, I felt mired in a confusion of names and characters. The idea is one that has been used many times before, announcing one’s death and waiting to see how they are mourned. The big problem with this book is the profusion of names and undeveloped characters. I felt like I was being hit with a shotgun disgorging names and backgrounds.

So, I really can’t recommend this for a pleasant read since the level of concentration and the reliance on a trite plot line made it a real disappointment.

Thank you Netgalley for this opportunity.

This book’s simple set up — a wealthy woman prematurely announces her own death in order to witness the reaction to the news of her passing - could’ve been executed in a similarly simple way. But instead, the book transcends the gimmick with sharply drawn characters, rich with cultural specificity yet universally resonant. Reflecting on parents and children, siblings, regrets and resentments, it’s a compelling story of a family in a moment of crisis that truly gives rise to an opportunity for change.