DNF - 2.5 stars rounded up - well written, but not for me.

When I requested this book, I was really interested in reading about cultures other than my own, and was excited to get an understanding about what it might be like to live in Mumbai, having grown up extremely impoverished and spending time living on the street. Unfortunately, I wasn't able to get it to it before I maxed out my capacity to read about complex stories about the harder parts of life. I think this book is well written, and I appreciate the level of detail of life in Mumbai.

Eleven. years ago Rakhi lost her best friend, and she is trying to find her way when Alex comes into her life offering up a harmless dream. Is this dream and the cost of it all too much for Rakhi?

Such Big Dreams by Reema Patel is a powerful debut novel that combines engaging storytelling with a deep exploration of societal issues. Its complex characters and vivid setting make it a memorable read, while its themes of resilience and redemption resonate long after the last page is turned.

If you’re into stories about strong, resilient women and the ups and downs of power and identity, "Such Big Dreams" by Reema Patel is definitely worth picking up. It’s a really engaging read that dives into the human experience with a lot of depth and thoughtfulness, while still keeping you hooked from start to finish.

I loved the cleverness and ambition of the main character. The writing felt jerky to me at times, but overall I enjoyed this story a lot!

Such Big Dreams by Reema Patel is a captivating read for anyone who loves stories about strong, resilient women, Indian culture, and the complexities of ambition, power, and identity, as well as those who appreciate a propulsive, thought-provoking narrative that explores the human condition with nuance and depth.

Despite its promising premise, the novel often struggles to maintain cohesion, with the pacing feeling uneven at times. The narrative meanders through various subplots, occasionally losing focus on the central themes, which left me feeling disconnected from the overarching story .Overall, "Such Big Dreams" is a commendable debut, but ultimately falls short of delivering a truly immersive reading experience. Readers who appreciate intricate character studies may find elements to enjoy, but those seeking a more tightly woven narrative may find themselves wanting.

A lot happens and fast in this book, but what doesn’t get overlooked is the humanity at is at the core of this plot. This book a great remainder that sometimes the odds are never in your favor, and what you do with that very hard true! I loved the internal monologue of Rakhi, she’s truly a character I enjoyed reading.

For this being a debut novel for Reema Patel, it was extraordinarily good! Throughout the book I found the story pulling at my heartstrings and went through the gambit of emotions. Honestly, the book is a story of survival and how Rakhi overcomes all of these challenges with glimpses into childhood and a horrible accident. I really look forward to more from Reema Patel.

I didn't get a chance to read this before it was archived. But it's about a former street child who is now an assistant in a law office in India.

What a wonderful debut novel!

I enjoyed how the author told the story with flashbacks, letting the reader see the development of the character and how she ended up where she is in her current life. I will admit that the main character, Rakhi, is difficult to support at times because she comes across as judgy, but her journey to better herself in a world that is constantly judgy her, makes this arc believable.

Also, I enjoyed the Hindu aspects of the story because that is something I am not that familiar with. Reema Patel is an author to look for in the future.

What a fantastic debut novel!

Rakhi is an office assistant working at an NGO and lives in a slum in Bombay. The story takes you to how she got to where she is through flashbacks and it centers on how she navigates her current life in a society who looks down on her and her hopes for creating a better life for herself.

I loved this book and had a hard time putting it down.

This book is impactful and deep. It was a slower read for me because it is packed with depth and emotion. I think this book would be a wonderful book for a book club as it would be good and helpful to talk through some of the deep topics pertaining to Rakhi's childhood with a group. I found all of the characters to be well developed and the plot to be engaging. Thank you to NetGalley, Random House, and Ballentine Books for a copy of this book for an honest review.

Thank you to Net Galley and Ballantine for the ARC in exchange for my honest review. Rahki is a normal Indian child until her parents die and she's sent to live with her abusive uncle. Rahki runs away, sleeps on a train and arrives in Mumbai. She's overwhelmed by all the people and joins a group of street children headed by young boy who befriends her. There is a terrible accident and she's then on her own again but found by a lawyer who runs Justice for All helping those who can't help themselves. We join her after 11 years; she's now 23 years old working as a basic office assistant and living in the slums but she is surviving through her intelligence, resilience and determination. Alex is a new intern at the office from Canada and he asks Rahki to give him a tour of the "real India". They become friends and Alex encourages her to seek more and a better life. Justice for All is always looking for more funding and a once famous Bollywood star wants to fund them and also seek the spotlight for herself. With the agreement to accept this funding, Justice for All is in a difficult position and Rahki foundation is rocked. What will she do if she loses her job and can she see a future with more for herself. This was a good solid read and showed some of the difficult societal, and class and caste issues that faces India today.

In Such Big Dreams, we meet the protagonist, Rakhi. Not her original name but the nickname given to her as she ended up on the streets of Mumbai at a very young age. With her parents dead and her relatives abusive, she runs away and meets Babloo. A boy who becomes her best friend takes her virginity to protect her and teaches her how to survive on the streets until an incident they create separates them for over a decade. Shipped off to an all-girls home, Rahki is rebellious but settles down when she is offered a type of freedom that is ultimately a lie. Now working for Gauri Ma’am at an NGO, Justice For All, but still living in the slums, she is treated as a mere servant with no value seen by many. While at work, she meets a new intern, Alex, who is from Canada and does not know his way around India and what it hides. She shows him around, and he offers to help her with college, but in between, she reunites with her best friend Babloo.

Rahki is mistreated repeatedly, and though her heart is big and pure, she is overlooked and undervalued. Though she works for a cause to ensure justice, she never gets any. She suffers more loss, encounters more fire, and goes without a home again. This story is slow-burning and unravels much more for me as a reader. Classism and corruption are at the forefront, and people never turn out to be who they say they are. Reema Patel wrote this story as it was inspired by the Behrampada fire of 2009 in India, and just like in the story, political gain may be at the forefront. The greed of Mumbai speaks volumes about poverty and how disposable human life is.

A compelling read with plenty of book club discussion fodder. I found it a bit confusing to dive into, but it's worth the effort. I received a copy of this book from the publisher via NetGalley for an honest review.

In Such Big Dreams, Rakhi, a 23-year old former street kid, works at a non profit for Madam Gauri, a well-meaning lawyer. Rakhi has seen and experienced things no child should have to. The other characters are well-developed and include a former Bollywood actress and an idealistic, white Harvard graduate from America whose goal is to save the world. Rakhi's job is low level but she's perceptive; nothing escapes her.

She and Babloo, her former good friend from the streets, finally find each other again and are awkward...the reader knows that things eventually won't end well. Rakhi is a true survivor. The settings are intriguing, especially for a Western reader.

This is a heart-pounding novel that will captivate readers from start to finish. The author skillfully crafts a suspenseful narrative filled with unexpected twists and turns, ensuring an enthralling reading experience.

The story introduces readers to a diverse cast of characters, each with their own motivations and secrets. As the plot unfolds, their lives become intertwined in a high-stakes game of danger and deceit. The author expertly maintains a sense of suspense throughout the book, keeping readers guessing and eagerly turning the pages to uncover the truth.

One of the book's greatest strengths lies in its ability to create a palpable atmosphere of tension and unease. The author's vivid descriptions and attention to detail transport readers into the world of the story, making them feel as if they are right alongside the characters, experiencing the thrilling events firsthand.

I absolutely loved this book. I feel as though publishers are finally seeing the incredible interest and value in stories of humans from other countries who fight for survival in a modern sense (Age of Vice, etc), and I am trying to read every single one I can get my hands on. "Such Big Dreams" follows Rakhi Kumar as she struggles in Mumbai with no familial support. She is offered a second chance at a successful and meaningful life by a famous lawyer, but soon Rakhi discovers that all that glitters is not gold. Captivating and incredibly well written, this is a great book.

Such a wonderful. Debut novel by Reema Patel. Interesting story with some true life events.
Thank you NetGalley.