Tulsi Gupta is training to take over the mantle from her grandmother in their family trade. The Gupta women are spice healers, using Ayurveda to suggest blends of spices to customers to ease aches and pains and ailments and to give them a chance to better their health and well-being.
They also operate their small one-shop business, Rasa, in Salem, a town known for witchcraft.
The thing is, Aruna Ba, and Devi, Tulsi's mother, feel the spice healing running through their blood. Tulsi? Not so much. She's never known anything other than working alongside her tiny family but has resisted the final test her grandmother wants her to take, which would show she is ready to be an official spice healer.
Keeping their centuries-old skills and knowledge to themselves, they advise those who come in. It's a small business with a true personal touch.
Then social media happens. An influencer happens upon their store, and despite them asking her not to publicise their business, things snowball to uncontrollable levels.
Every family has secrets, and the Gupta women are no different. As Tulsi uncovers different snippets of her family history she had no idea about, she begins to dig deeper.
Meanwhile, in her personal life, Tulsi has her own worries. She wants to get away, whereas her grandmother is eager for her to find love so she can birth the next generation of spice-healing Gupta women. And there is someone, Lucay, but she's not convinced she should get involved with anyone else, especially given the 'curse' on the women of her family.
I don't want to say more about the story, as you should read it for yourself, but something that hit home greatly was how cultural appropriation could warp the simplest, most innocent traditions that people in different parts of the world have been practising for generations.
This was a thoroughly enjoyable read, filled with cultural snippets I could identify with, and the power of belief, friendship, family, and social media are all explored in a sensitive manner.
Many thanks to NetGalley and Lake Union Publishing for an ARC.

I'm not sure how I feel about this book. At times it feels like a book about exotic Indian things written for non Indians, you know, capitalise on the whole new agey turmeric latte drinking bead wearing jackfruit eating schism of humans in the West. It's not badly written. But it's not what the blurb suggests, and the core story is a little trite.

3 generations of Indian women run a spice shop in Salem. Tulsi Gupta is expected to carry on her ancestor’s traditions by becoming the next spice healer in the family. She has been primed and prepped by Aruna (grandmother) and Devi (mother) from a young age to continue the legacy and take over Rasa, the family business. The problem: her heart is not in it. She’s feels lost in life and doesn’t know who she is or what she wants and must come up with a way to tell her elders that she doesn’t want to follow in their footsteps.

Tulsi doesn’t know much about her family history and one day she finds a letter written by her grandmother mentioning a betrayal that happened a long time ago. She becomes curious and the more she digs, the more secrets come to light, many of which she is not ready for.

I really liked that the author set the novel in Salem. Back in the day, women in Salem were put on trial because of witchcraft and the fact that the Gupta women were harassed because of something similar was a nice touch.

This book was beautifully written and very easy to read.

Tulsi's future has always been mapped out for her. Like her mother and grandmother, she will become a spice healer and take over their small spice shop. Tulsi isn't sure that's the life she wants, but leaving it, and her family is terrifying. When two strangers enter their lives, one opening a restaurant next door, and another from the past, Tulsi's entire life is turned upside down. She realizes there is more to her mother and grandmother, and even herself, than she thought.
I had mixed feelings when I started this book. It didn’t grab me right away and I was skeptical that the story would keep my interest, however, I really ended up enjoying this book. Tulsi's need to please everyone before herself, and her need to respect and appreciate her mom and grandmother is relatable. I personally felt she was one of the few likeable characters. Devi was weak and Aruna was a bully. Everyone else just felt like supporting characters, Lucas included, a necessary love angle. I appreciated that everything wraps up nicely at the end.
Thank you to Netgalley and Lake Union Publishing for the advanced copy of this book in exchange for my honest review.

As an Indian, I was instantly pulled towards this book simply because I don't get to read many books of Indian origin. I've read a good number of books that just follow the same format of majority books (nothing against them), sometimes showing the MC hating or drifting away from their own culture. So, this book came as a pleasant surprise with Patel's unique writing style and unconventional storyline.

Rather than disconnect with her roots, the MC Tulsi finds that her ambitions might be different from those of her grandmother and mother- Indian Spice Healers. Personally, I haven't heard of spice healers, though Ayurved is an ancient medical practice that still persists in India. I find it interesting that people perceived this science as magic, and some accused it of being witchcraft.

Family even extended family is a huge part of Indians, many men never moving out and women settling with their in-laws. I was fascinated by the matrilineal nature of the Gupta, with each woman being distinctively different with their own hurt and sorrow, I loved how the conversations flowed and gave deep insights into their relationships and pasts. The story also features some romance, not in the conventional meet cute scenario, but something that felt more authentic.

A recommendation for anyone wanting to try something a little different- an easy-to-read novel with a story that stays on your mind long after you close the book.

I would like to thank NetgalleyUS and Lake Union Publishing for sending an ebook copy of the book.

Tulsi navigates between her family's traditions and her professional goals.

She comes from a family of healers and runs a store with her mother and grandmother. She'll have to go against what's expected of her to feel happier in her life.

Everything seems to be going well for the first half of the book, but something happens to disturb the family balance. Several types of family relationships are depicted, and we realize that they are not very healthy. Tulsi will do everything in her power to understand her painful family past.

This is a very touching novel, which also taught me more about India's ancestral traditions.

Generational trauma? A bit of mysticism? A cute romance? Sign me up.

I'm going to be honest: the title had me thinking this was going to lean more into being a mystery. It really wasn't, the central "reveal" that drove the plot was easily predictable, but that didn't stop the book from being heartfelt and real. I loved how it truly talked about the health benefits of the spices, it didn't try to "sanitize" anything for White audiences. It was a realistic depiction of a second-generation experience, with each generation given dignity and agency.

My only note is that the epilogue was confusing on the timeline, which left a sour taste in my mouth. Skip the epilogue, and you have a wonderful story.

Thank you to NetGalley for an ARC in exchange for my honest review!

I am so glad the description and book cover caught my eye for The Curious Secrets of Yesterday.. This is such a well written story, and I loved reading about a different culture from my own , but still having a connection to the story of family struggles and family ties. I really related with Tulsi, and the way the secrets kept by her family affected her as an adult, having a similar situation in my own life. I was happy to see Tulsi evolve as a character and make decisions based on what she wanted for her own life and not what others wanted for her. I felt the author did a really great job showing the turmoil she went through in not wanting to disappoint Devi and Aruna, but to also not bind herself to a future that she didn’t feel that was meant for her.

Overall, a really great read, that I would definitely recommend!

The Curious Secrets of Yesterday tells the story of a woman of Indian American heritage coming to terms with her place in the world and her family. As she uncovers hidden familial secrets and discovers more of what she wants for her life, she also has to confront modern realities surrounding social media. Tulsi also contends with a romantic interest in a new local restauranteur near her family’s spice shop.
The setting of Salem in conjunction with the racist backlash to the Ayurvedic medicine was extremely fitting and added an additional layer of context to the story.

Thank you to Lake Union Publishing for the ARC

“Tulsi was rooted to the spot where she’d been born. Growing but not living.”

The Curious Secrets of Yesterday is a highly enjoyable read about a young woman of Indian descent growing up in Salem Massachusetts, trying to figure out who she is and what she is called to do as she learns to question and challenge what she’s been raised to believe about who she is and what her future will bring. She is expected to not only become an expert practitioner of Ayurvedic medicine and take over the family spice store business, but perhaps also inherit the family’s matrilineal practice (or curse?) of living independently of marriage and romantic relationships (beyond having a child). This sounds heavy but it’s actually more of a fun but substantive romance novel (like the Heart Principle) than ponderous and arty literary or general fiction (like the Henna Artist - also fantastic).

For the first half, the writing isn’t as strong: the plot points and characters’ motivations are a little heavy-handed, the emotions described are somehow one-dimensional while also being contradictory (she fully trusts and adores her mother while knowing there are huge gaps in what she’s willing to talk about and feeling reluctant if not resentful for the future assumed for her - these complexities and tensions aren’t well integrated or portrayed in the first half especially)… and the burgeoning romance is unfolding deliciously but obviously. But the storyline and characters are rich and delightful. The themes and descriptions about the art of spices for food and healing give it sophistication and originality.

About halfway through, the writing and character development catch up with the plot line and start showing depth and nuance befitting of a story that intertwines themes of family lineage, Ayurvedic practices and finding love while finding oneself.

Thanks to NetGalley for an advanced reader copy (my first!).

While I couldn't really relate to any of the characters I still enjoyed the story.
The secrets through the generations kept me turning the pages. I love secrets! Secrets do have a way of leaking out no matter what.
I learned much about spices and being able to find your own place in this big ol world.
It hard to be sure especially when a lot is expected of you.
I really loved watching Tulsi Gupta go through her journey with her family.
The cover of this book is what enticed me to read it. It was the word secrets
This story is a can't put down title for sure.
5 stars for a job well done! I highly recommend.
My thanks to Netgalley and Lake Union for a copy of this book. I was NOT required to write a positive review. All opinions expressed are my own.

The Curious Secrets of Yesterday by N. Patel, published by Lake Union Publishing, is a multigenerations story that I simply couldn't resist after reading the blurb.
Tulsi is part of a family that runs a spice shop, and Tulsi has a important part in this business.
Raised by her mother and grandmother and tutored in the healing wonders of spices, Tulsi Gupta is expected to carry on the ancestral tradition.
And then everything changes when she uncovers a long buried secret. She's digging into the past, secrets come to light, she wants to heal old family wounds and find her true purpose—and maybe even love.
An intriguing read, a slow burn with some lengths, 4 beautiful stars.

A little drawn-out in places, but I think this story reflects the experiences that a lot of daughters and granddaughters of immigrants have. I felt seen and understood.

The Curious Secrets of Yesterday details the lives of three generations of the Gupta family in Salem, Massachusetts. Tulsi, a 30-year old woman, was raised by her mother, Devi, and grandmother, Aruna. These women work together in their shop, Rasa, which sells Indian spices specifically curated to help their clients. Devi and Aruna anticipate that Tulsi will take over the shop. She has been studying spice healing from her grandmother her whole life and just needs to take on final test before becoming a fully fledged spice healer. While struggling with family expectations, questioning her life path, and personal history, she meets two men that change her life.

I could definitely relate to Tulsi when it comes to family expectations as I am a third generation small business owner who has had similar pressures. Tulsi's struggle to not let her family down while still pursuing her passions is something many can understand. It's a beautiful, albeit packed, story of love, struggle, family, and pressures of social media. Patel's writing has you turning the page and wanting more from each character.

Thank you NetGalley for the advanced reader copy in exchange for a fair and unbiased review.

I absolutely loved the author's debut novel so I had to request this one. This was just as good as her debut novel and I will definitely be recommending we read in my book club.

The author really knows how to craft characters and a story line that makes you feel something long after you put the book down.

Tulsi Gupta lives with her mom ad Grandma and together they run an India Spice shop. It is expected that Tulsi will continue this legacy, but Tulsi isn't sure that she wants to and may instead want to pursue something else. This book was a delicate balance of trying to live up to your parents expectations and forging your own path without feeling guilty about what you are leaving behind. I found this story to be very realistic and well written.

Thank you NetGalley and Lake Union Publishing for this ARC in exchange for a fair and hoest review.

I like books about multigenerations; there are so insightful( it's like being taken on a ride full of therapy sessions 😄)

TULSI is an average Gupta daughter who is sick and tired of being micromanaged at every instance. Her Grandmother and mother is trying to pass her the "spice healer" mantle that she doesn't want to take just like the Disney Movie "MOANA" but the difference between TULSI&MOANA is that TULSI doesn't know what her way is (if you get the pun😄)

DEVI is supposed to be TULSI'S mom, but in the book this 2 characters don't show that mother-daughter relationship. I can't believe you lied to your own daughter about her paternity just because you thought that was the right thing to do.

I really liked that TULSI managed to find her own path after a long time of being micromanaged and she also finds love too 🥰🥰. This book has a beautiful story and I also love that a disney story was mentioned in this book, a fictional movie in a fictional novel😄

This book reminded me of the desire and courage to go after something. Tulsi lives in Salem with her mom, Devi and her grandmother, Aruna where they run a spice shop called Rasa. It's in their family and her grandmother holds it as their heritage and they have been training Tulsi with the expectation that she would take it up and continue the family business and culture. However, Tulsi wants more-she wants to visit other places, learn new things and not just stick to spices afraid that she may never know or grow to be anything other than what her mom and grandmother define her.

It's a delicate balance for anyone who is raised in such a background-and I loved the progression of the story and characters, when everything unravels and secrets force the women to open up, speak up and listen to each other. At this point, though they were hurting and angry-the story felt livelier.

It's a conflict between what you've always known, the values and beliefs and culture -and what you would like to know, what's new-thinking on your own, standing on your two feet.

I also loved the book cover, it aligns with the title and the story.

Thanks Netgalley for the eARC.

Thank you NetGalley and Lake Union Publishing for this ARC in return for an honest review.

Tulsi Gupta lives in Salem, Massachusetts with her mother Devi and grandmother Aruna. The three women run a shop selling Indian spices, but Tulsi is not sure she wants to continue this legacy. When she finds a letter her grandmother wrote to an ex-friend, a chain of events lead to her uncovering generations of secrets. As a result, Tulsi is determined to heal family wounds while finding her true purpose.

TW: harassment, mentions of abandonment

I grew up with an Indian background, so I’m familiar with how they work. The expectations that come with succeeding and/or in this case, continuing a family legacy. Therefore, there’s often a clash with modern times, where individualism and independence is very much emphasized. This is the battle Tulsi primarily had to face. I imagine if I were in her position, I would have a tough time choosing as well. And for Tulsi, life definitely did not make it easy for her to decide, but she was realistic while staying true to herself.

Apart from Tulsi, Devi and Aruna were also interesting characters in their own rights. Starting with Aruna, she came off as traditional and wary of change and public attention, but it turned out she had reason to be. She lost a lot at a young age and put everything into building a legacy for herself and her descendants to continue. And her falling-out with Hema might have had some impact as well. I didn’t agree with some of her thinking, but I had to appreciate that she was a fleshed out character.

Devi seemed like a very emotional, scared woman, but I ended up liking her. I didn’t agree with some of the decisions she made, either, but she ended up being more than a caricature of a weepy Indian woman.

The introduction of the Gupta women’s past in Chicago added some spice (no pun intended) to the plot while connecting many parts of the story and characters together.

The story was a bit slow to start, but once it got going, it kept me interested. I appreciated that the message was clear without being rubbed in my face as I was reading. It was nuanced.