Sonali Dev’s The Vibrant Years masterfully explores the intricate dynamics of three generations of Indian-American women. The cultural elements are seamlessly woven into the narrative, offering a rich backdrop that enhances the characters' experiences and decisions. Dev's portrayal highlights the unique pressures and expectations faced by the Desi women, making their struggles and triumphs deeply relatable and authentic.

The novel’s pace is well-balanced, keeping readers engaged with a steady rhythm as each woman's story line unfolds. The blend of humor, heartache, and cultural context creates a vibrant and enjoyable read. While the leisurely pace may occasionally slow the narrative, the well-developed characters and their journeys of self-discovery make it a rewarding and inspiring story.

I’m not sure how I feel about this one still. I liked it while I was reading it but I found it very forgettable. I did really like the characters and the story line.

This book has been on my shelf for far too long and is my 2nd read of 24 in the #backlist24 challenge. This is a fun story about 3 generations of women. Sixty-five year old Bindu has been living with her ex-daughter-in-law, Aly when she inherits a large sum of money and decides to buy a condo in a fancy Florida retirement community. As Aly and Bindu figure out their new dynamic, Aly begins to figure out her dreams. Meanwhile, Aly’s daughter Cullie is in the process of launching a new dating app, despite never having been on a real date.

I loved the family dynamic between Bindu, Aly, and Cullie. Their stories, their secrets, their dreams and their paths to independence were beautiful and unique in many ways. Even more touching was the way they supported each other through it all. This story wasn’t just heart-warming, it was filled with hilarious moments as well.

The Vibrant Years by Sonali Dev


Three generations of women, each of whom is on a path of self-discovery. Of finding self-love, discovering their strengths and their passions. As East-Indian society would have it, there were a lot of 'rules' and expectations that needed to be followed and dictated by generations of families and society on what was right and wrong, how one should act - all defined by gender rules and family hierarchy. The Vibrant Years touches upon these expectations, how they shaped the women's lives, and what they are doing to change things for themselves.
The story follows Bindu, a 65-year-old grandmother, Alisha (Aly) her daughter-in-law along with Aly's daughter, Cullie, a 25-year-old tech wiz that has created a revolutionary app for anxiety.

BTW, If anyone knows of anything like the Shloka app and its band, please let me know!! Sonali, the app sounds amazing and how wonderful would it be for it to be real?!

These three women would stop at nothing to be there for each other and to support each other. When Bindu experiences a tragedy, Cullie and Aly drop everything to be there for her. And while helping Bindu through her grief, the three of them end up working together to help each other through their struggles.

I loved the relationships in this story, that at the heart of the matter when family and friends support each other, nothing is impossible.

"One of those unapologetic people who radiate something special because they love who they are so wholly. She always said loving yourself is a foundational requirement of knowing how to love anyone else…"

Thank you NetGalley and the publisher for the opportunity to read and review this amazing story!

Three generations of Indian women who don't just come together in a crisis but are there for each other in all aspects of their lives. Bindu recently moved into a senior community and is trying to recapture what she felt was missing in her life. Alisha, her daughter-in-law, is trying to live her dream job while recovering from her husband leaving her to return to India. And Cullie, her granddaughter, a genius in her work but not able to open herself to love. These are strong women, made stronger by the bonds they share.

This is an intriguing story of three generations of Desai women. At sixty five, Bindu inherits a million dollars from a source that brings her anxiety and makes her fear that a secret from her past would be exposed. As a result, she impulsively buys a condo and is set to move out of her former daughter in law's, Aly, home. Aly's daughter and Bindu's granddaughter, Callie. Is struggling with losing the app she developed for years and that has been central to her life. Amongst all of this, the women learn more about each other, about themselves, about love, and about happiness.

**I would like to thank NetGalley, Mindy's Book Studio, and Sonali Dev for an ARC of this book! This is available as of 12/1/22**

"A secret is a cosmic impossibility. Nothing stays eternally hidden."

This book unfortunately got lost in my NetGalley TBR from when I first signed up for the program. While this is incredibly delayed, I was determined to finish this book.

Mindy Kaling teamed up with Amazon to create an imprint called "Mindy's Book Studio." They publish books that Kaling selects, and she'll also have the first option to develop those books into feature films (Source: WBUR). The Vibrant Years is the first book to be published by this imprint. I would love to read the other books selected by Mindy: I'll Stop the World, The Better Half, and Woke Up Like This.

This book is just as vibrant as the title alludes. The food, the smells, the scenery, the emotions. Everything is vibrant and bold and easily transports you into the story.

There are three points of view:
1. Bindu - 65 year old mother-in-law/grandmother. Bindu inherits a million dollars from a source that must remain a secret. As other ghosts from her past come to light, Bindu must face what she's hidden for decades and discover what it truly means to unapologetically be yourself.
2. Aly - 47 year old daughter-in-law/mother. Aly has worked the past ten years to become an anchor of her own segment, but faces pushback in every way possible. She has to take a stark look at her insecurities, but it's up to only her to overcome them or let them bury her happiness.
3. Cullie - 25 year old granddaughter/daughter. She is on a warpath to save her pride-and-joy app from being turned into a subscription-based platform. In a last ditch effort to prevent this from happening, she pitches a dating app. Now she must do the research to develop it, enlisting Bindu and Aly's help. Can Cullie open her heart and show vulnerability, or is she destined to be alone?

Initially, i was worried about the multiple POVs and having too many character arcs. While there is a lot going on and multiple side characters within each POV, i thought it was easy to follow. Each side-character served a specific purpose, whether to further the plot or to aid in the MC's character development.

The multi-generational family dynamic was fascinating and heartwarming to read. I grew up with the societal expectation that at 18 years old you move out. i always felt different/weird for moving back home at 23 years old (mainly to save money), with a major importance set on family dinners. While I obviously don't want to live with them forever, I could never move too far away. I've never lived more than 45 minutes away from home-far enough away that they can't drop in but close enough that i could visit for dinner or laundry. All of this is still so different from the incredible bond that these three women have. You seriously have to just read it to see the beauty.

I do really wish there were more flash backs. So much of the story is based on Bindu's past and I wish we saw more. I was left wanting more towards the end of the book. I think it would've benefited by this addition.

It was a little slow until the 50% mark. It's very character driven in the first half where you're learning about everything the characters struggle with. After that, the plot is very interesting and I couldn't stop reading. I'm pretty sure I read the second half in one sitting because I was so involved.

SPOILERS AHEAD:
I didn't like this part:
I thought too much time passed between Bindu mentioning she wasn't positive who Ashish's father was and us finding out. This made me not enjoy some of Cullie's story because there was a real possibility that she was closely related to her love interest. Nothing even remotely physical happened in the limbo period, but I didn't even like thinking that she could be falling in love with her half-1st-cousin, though some claim this is distant enough to not genetically matter. I'm not sure how I would re-write it, but this plot point damaged another part of the story.

MORE SPOILERS:
I REALLY liked this part:
When I read this:

Eternally yours, Ashishchandra
He’d signed it as Ashishchandra, the love of Poornima’s life.
The man he’d played when he was hers.

I squealed out loud. Bindu named her son after the character that Oscar played in Poornima. O.M.G. Equal parts romantic and heartbreaking.

The Vibrant Years by Sonali Dev is the story of three generations of women as they travel on a journey of self discovery. Bindu, the eldest is living in an exclusive retirement community where she starts dating a charming author. When he dies unexpectedly Bindu is shocked to learn that he has left his entire fortune to her, something that infuriates his ex wives and their children. Aly is Bindu's daughter in law who continued to share her home with Bindu even after divorcing her son. She works in television and dreams of having her own segment at the news station where she has worked for years, but as a woman in her forties she knows her time is running out. Cully is Aly's daughter and something of a tech wizard, at twenty five she has already created a hugely successful app, but now her investors are threatening to sell it, and she needs to come up with something new and exciting to keep them. When she desperately suggests a dating app they are intrigued so now this young woman who prefers hook ups to dates needs to make it work and fast. Using her mother and grandmother to help with the research might seem like a crazy idea but its the only one she has at the moment so she goes for it.
This was a charming and funny book, and I really liked both Bidu and Cully as characters, Aly did not feel quite as well developed and her story had probably the least focus of the various plots. The book really hit its stride about two thirds of the way in when the seemingly random diary entries at the start of Bindu's chapters started to make more sense, and the connection between her story and that of Cully became more clear.
I read a review copy courtesy of NetGalley and the publisher, all opinions are my own.

Thank you NetGalley for alowing me to receive this book for an honest review.

I honestly had started this book and put it down. I decided to give it another try and I am glad I did.

This is a story of Cully, her mom Aly and her grandmother Bindu. All three woman have their fears in life and has to deal with certain dilemas in life. We watch how they each deal with them and how learn the relationships.

I am so glad I picked this book up again.

Really enjoyed this book by a new to me author. Met her last year at a book and she recommended this book to start.

Filled with interesting female characters. I laughed so hard and cried that I gave myself hiccups.

Sonali Dev remains at the top of her game! "The Vibrant Years" is an absolute gem of a novel that sparkles with heart, humor, and unforgettable characters. Dev's masterful storytelling sweeps readers into a vibrant world of love, friendship, and second chances. Set against a backdrop of colorful Indian culture and traditions, the story follows the lives of three women whose paths intertwine in unexpected ways. Dev crafts each character with depth and authenticity, making them feel like cherished friends.

The novel's exploration of love and relationships is beautifully nuanced, celebrating the complexities and joys that come with opening one's heart to new possibilities. With a perfect balance of wit and emotional depth, "The Vibrant Years" leaves readers with a sense of warmth and hope. This book is impossible to put down. "The Vibrant Years" is an enchanting and life-affirming tale that celebrates the resilience of the human spirit and the power of love to heal and transform lives.

Thank you #Netgalley

This was such a fun read! Loved following three generations of women, Bindu, Aly and Cullie . Each of these women are at transitional points in their lives where they opt to put themselves first and venture out of their comfort zones. When the youngest, Cullie, decides to make a dating app, she pulls on her family for testing of different apps. Therefore, all three go on dates, some good, some hilariously bad. Throughout the read, there are sprinklings of Bindu's past life in India, we start to piece it all together mid read and ultimately all is revealed.

I just don’t think I’m a Sonali Dev fan (sad).

I couldn’t get into the story because it was a little too cutesy. My fault for trying to read something outside my reading zone.

I think this book was just okay for me. It was a cliché for sure and hit all the rom-com highlights. Some of the characters were interesting but most were just…I don’t know it wasn’t great it wasn’t horrible it was a quick read that I got as an Amazon prime first read, so in that sense I got my money’s worth I guess.

The book takes readers on a heartwarming and humorous journey through the lives of three generations of women. Bindu Desai's unexpected million-dollar inheritance becomes both a blessing and a burden as she desperately tries to keep her past mistakes hidden. With an impulsive decision to buy a condo in a retirement community, Bindu upends the lives of her daughter-in-law, Aly, and her granddaughter, Cullie.

The dynamic between Bindu and Aly is both complex and relatable, highlighting the challenges of intergenerational relationships and the search for personal fulfillment. Aly, fueled by the sudden change, finds the courage to pursue her professional ambitions, while Cullie grapples with saving her business by diving into the unfamiliar territory of dating.

The author skillfully weaves together humor, family dynamics, and self-discovery in a way that keeps readers engaged and invested in the characters' journeys. The interactions between Bindu, Aly, and Cullie are filled with warmth and authenticity, providing a delightful exploration of love, growth, and the strength of family ties.

It is a delightful and entertaining read, perfect for those who enjoy multi-generational stories that blend humor, heart, and a touch of romance. It reminds us that unexpected twists in life can lead to new opportunities, and that the support and love of family can help us navigate through the challenges we face.

The Vibrant Years by Sonali Dev is great story of three generations of Indian women and their individual struggles. Seeing what each woman was going through hit me for different reasons based on the different times of my life. It was so nice to see each age represented and how the struggles of woman in general were represented. This book was beautifully written and talked about current social issues but also at times made you laugh out loud! Highly Recommend

I was drawn to this book by its title and matching vibrant pink and celestial cover, and was not disappointed by this lovely book that was a delightful departure from my typical reading. The Vibrant Years is a family story about three generations of women, a grandmother, mother, and daughter. The story was messy at times, but always returned to themes of love, strength, and forgiveness.

I enjoyed how this contemporary fiction story gave glimpses of indian culture and the lives of these women through their different points of view and alternating timelines.

My thanks to Sonali Dev, Netgalley, and Mindy's Book Studio for making this novel available for my unbiased review.

Dev crafted a fabulous novel with fascinating characters. I found much to relate to in all three women. This first in Mindy’s Book Studio set a high bar. I recommend this. #TheVibrantYears

I've been dying to read a Sonali Dev book forever, but have just never gotten around to it (endless TBR list!)

The Vibrant Year is a beautiful story about three generations of women. I found the family dynamics (daughter-in-law still living with her ex-husband's mother) to be incredibly interesting. I really enjoyed each of the characters. Bindu is bold and hilariously sassy, I loved her the most. Lots of typical rom-com troupes and narratives, but the family dynamic & specific storylines made The VIbrant Years stand out.

I can't wait to read another Sonali Dev book soon!

This book was like a fresh breeze after all the similar pattern books lately. Sonali Dev is particularly one of my most loved Indian writer. Its definitely a fun read and recommended to anyone who wants a change in plotline and travel read. I would still say that I loved her The Rajes series more. With all that being said, it doesn't go unnoticed that the character stagnancy and individuality of their voice respectively was commendable for me. Also, the book kind of reminded me of Never have I ever in the way that "3 indian women and their individual struggles" was there but at the same time it was nothing like the show. instead, it held its own in a mucb better way. I would say that whoever had high expectations from the show but didn't like what was served, this books is even better for them. But but but.....
One thing that I would sincerely really like to mention is that as a 19 year old Indian who would most likely move to a foreign land one day, I am extremely happy that I came across this book because it gave me a huge and open perspective. And I found it very relatable due to the same. That's probably the reason why I have been brand ambassador like recommending it to very one in my peer circle.

#TheVibarntYears #NetGallery