This historical fiction set in 1931 British-ruled India offers a richly detailed and realistic portrayal of the era, with strong writing and a compelling concept. The cultural contrasts and vivid setting are beautifully depicted, immersing the reader in the time and place. While the protagonist is deeply drawn to Mira’s life, this obsession adds emotional depth and highlights the complexities of identity and longing. The character development feels authentic, and the story’s progression, though subtle, reflects a meaningful personal journey. Overall, it’s a thoughtful and engaging read with a satisfying balance of history, introspection, and discovery.

I'm a big fan of Alka Joshi's writing, especially her Jaipur Trilogy. Six Days in Bombay is a very different story from that trilogy and Joshi's masterful writing shines through in this book as well. It took some time for the plot to get going, however, and at about halfway through was still building, so it was unfortunately altogether a little slow for me.

Where are my historical fiction readers at? If you’re a regular reader of the blog or someone who knows me in real life and has to put up with me talking about books all the time, you’ll know I’m a fan of historical fiction. Though, lately, they’ve been letting me down. I’m waiting for the next wave of books to come that will teach me something new, not just tell the same stories that have been published for the last decade. That’s part of why I picked up Six Days in Bombay by Alka Joshi. While the time period may be similar to other books I’ve read (it takes place in the late 1930s), the setting was a new one and I was looking forward to reading it. It was a good enough read but, in the end, it didn’t wow me as I expected it to.

Here’s the book’s description:

When renowned painter Mira Novak arrives at Wadia hospital in Bombay after a miscarriage, she's expected to make a quick recovery, and Sona is excited to spend time with the worldly woman who shares her half-Indian identity, even if that's where their similarities end. Sona is enraptured by Mira's stories of her travels, and shocked by accounts of the many lovers she's left scattered through Europe. Over the course of a week, Mira befriends Sona, seeing in her something bigger than the small life she's living with her mother. Mira is released from the hospital just in time to attend a lavish engagement party where all of Bombay society. But the next day, Mira is readmitted to the hospital in worse condition than before, and when she dies under mysterious circumstances, Sona immediately falls under suspicion.

Before leaving the hospital in disgrace, Sona is given a note Mira left for her, along with her four favorite paintings. But how could she have known to leave a note if she didn't know she was going to die? The note sends Sona on a mission to deliver three of the paintings—the first to Petra, Mira's childhood friend and first love in Prague; the second to her art dealer Josephine in Paris; the third to her first painting tutor, Paolo, with whom both Mira and her mother had affairs. As Sona uncovers Mira's history, she learns that the charming facade she'd come to know was only one part of a complicated and sometimes cruel woman. But can she discover what really happened to Mira and exonerate herself?

Along the way, Sona also comes to terms with her own complex history and the English father who deserted her and her mother in India so many years ago. In the end, she'll discover that we are all made up of pieces, and only by seeing the world do we learn to see ourselves.

Six Days in Bombay was the first book of Joshi’s that I had read, despite knowing how popular some of her previous books have been. I got partway through the book and found myself wondering, just a little, about why people adored her books. Then, I heard from a few trusted reader friends that this one was, unfortunately, not up to the standards they expected from Joshi. Ah, that explained it. It hasn’t put me off reading her work - I still absolutely intend on getting to The Henna Artist - but it’s a bit unfortunate that this one wasn’t the winner I had been expecting.

But what was it that wasn’t living up to my expectations? It’s hard to put my finger on it. There was just something that felt…missing. Perhaps it was that I couldn’t get a good sense of Mira and I couldn’t quite understand why Sona immediately fell into hero-worshipping her. Even after learning some stories and seeing Sona grow and then return back to Bombay…it didn’t quite answer the questions I had. I didn’t see why Mira was a big deal and I think I was supposed to for the whole story to work.

There was a lot happening at this time period - there are the first hints of the war to come and India is starting to push back against British rule - and I loved getting a bit of insight into what it would have been like to be a young woman with a complicated family history in Bombay at this time. Sure, this is fiction and Sona didn’t exist, but the beauty of historical novels (or any novels, really) is you can still put yourself in someone else’s shoes, especially when the author is writing from a place of knowledge.

Six Days in Bombay wasn’t a winner for me but I’m still looking forward to reading more of Alka Joshi’s novels in the future. I can tell she’s a skilled writer who has many interesting stories to tell - stories that I’d like to read myself someday.

*An egalley of this book was provided by the publisher, HTP Books, via NetGalley in exchange for review consideration. All opinions are honest and my own.*

This was a bit of a struggle for me. I had a hard time connecting with the characters but overall a good read and a dynamic story.

Thank you NetGalley and Harlequin Trade Publishing for this ARC of Six Days in Bombay. I am a huge fan of Alka Joshi and am always excited to read her work!
Overall I really liked this book for the historical aspects of it and the journey that the main character Sona embarked on with the help of Dr Stoddard. I felt like the world building and the details included for each of the stops on Sona's journey from Bombay to Prague to Florence and Paris and even to London (for a separate matter) must've taken a lot of research to make sure that the events of that time period were reflected in the novel. In addition to the world building I think the author did a great job of dealing with the discrimination and racism of the time period the book is set in.
This story starts with a famous artist who gets care at the hospital Sona works in and in the 6 days under their care she makes a huge impact on Sona. I heard from the author about her inspiration for the character Mira and it was fascinating and made that part of the book even more interesting to me.
I personally wouldn’t call this a mystery and I think if the author just said that Sona went on the trip to give the paintings to the people Mira wanted her to because she needed a break from Bombay and needed time and space to grieve her mother, that would’ve made way more sense than to say if she gave the paintings to these people it would help her understand about Mira’s death, because her trip didn’t do that, talking to Filip in Bombay did. I feel like the journey taught Sona so much more about herself and how brave she was. The ending was a bit of a shock for me as well, but I do liked to be surprised!

“Six Days in Bombay” by Alka Joshi is not at all what it would seem. The title and blurb would lead you to believe this a a fast paced mystery. Unfortunately, neither occurred. Very little happens for over half the novel, and when things pick up, I was disengaged. The premise had much potential but falls short.

I was so excited that Alka Joshi had a new book being published! I loved her Henna Artist trilogy and this new book did not disappoint. For those who love historical fiction this is a great choice!

Loved the textured history with a unique view point for a time once lived. Enjoyed the bright description of India and the travel journey. The main character development ( Sona ) growth was shown here beautifully, a discovery of one's true self needs and path to happiness. Although the story started off slow for me and didn't agree with with some of the decisions this was such a beautiful story and enjoyed every minute of it. The audio was such a phenomenal way to read the story. I read and listen to this and it was such a wonderful experience.


Thank you NetGalley for the Ebook and audiook!

This is a review of the audiobook.

I love the historical and cultural elements that were brought to life in this book. It truly was an immersive novel that eloquently handled complex issues of race, identity, and family ties. What I didn’t love about this story, though, was the contrived bond between Sona and Mira. It felt rushed and much too shallow to support the plot of this novel. The premise is good, but the execution fell short.

Sona, a young, sheltered nurse is enthralled by the stories and life of her worldly patient, Mira at their hospital in Bombay. Over the course of six days, Sona and Mira develop a close friendship. Sona finds herself thrust into an adventure after Mira passes away unexpectedly and Mira is let go from her post at the hospital. She journeys across Europe to follow through with Mira’s request, and learns more about Mira and herself through the journey.

I struggled to get through this book. I really was interested in the story and wanted to see where it was going, but I found Sona to be so naive and thick-headed that she was insufferable. I kept hoping we’d see her grow, but you don’t see that until the very end (and if you read other reviews, this growth really bothered some readers. I’m indifferent to this and can appreciate the lean toward a life like Mira).

Some things I felt lacked significant emotion or impact: the death of Mira seems to be taken with very little grief by all who learn of it, aside from the first day with our FMC, who only knew her for six days; in fact Sona seems to grieve over Mira’s death far longer than her own mother’s; the attempted sexual assault in Paris is glazed over; the first time immediately following.

I did push through to finish the book and I did enjoy the parallels of Sona’s patient Dr Stoddard with her own father, and I really enjoyed the cheekiness of his character. I felt for Indira and wished we’d seen some kind of wrap up for her. Rebecca’s story felt unfinished.

Thank you to NetGalley and Harlequin Trade Publishing for the ARC in exchange for an honest review.

Six Days in Bombay had all the ingredients for a story I thought I’d love—lush settings, cultural immersion, and emotional depth. Unfortunately, the heart of the novel, the central relationship between the main character and her patient, didn’t work for me. The intense connection between them felt rushed and implausible. We’re meant to believe that in less than a week, they formed such a deep bond that it becomes the emotional core of the story. I struggled to suspend disbelief; it all felt too forced and underdeveloped. There, I said it.

That said, Joshi’s writing is beautiful. Her prose is evocative and rich, painting vivid portraits of Bombay’s streets and its layered cultural identity. I found myself completely swept away by the sensory details of the setting—sights, sounds, and smells came alive on the page. The novel shines most when it leans into travel and memory. Joshi has a real gift for place-writing, and it’s that immersive quality that kept me turning the pages.

While the premise fell flat for me, readers who love travel and lyrical writing styles may enjoy this book. I just wish the emotional core had felt as authentic as the world around it.

What is your favorite coming of age story?

Sonia is a young nurse in Bombay. She has grown up ostracized as the daughter of Englishman and an Indian mother. Her father left the young family when she was three years old. Her brother died shortly after, and her mother worked hard to raise her. Now at twenty-three, she takes pride in her work as a nurse. Over the course of six days, she spends time with a new patient, Mira Novak. Mira helps her to see life in a new way and to help her to leave her sheltered world and take a new look at life. Will Sonia find love, closure on what happened to her father, and what she wants to do with her life moving forward?

My thoughts on this novel:
• This was a great coming of age novel and I liked seeing Sonia’s growth through the novel.

• I previously read and enjoyed The Henna Artist by this author, and I enjoyed reading this work by her as well.

• This novel was set in the spring of 1937, mostly in Bombay, but there is also travel to Europe. I thought it was a fascinating time period as Ghandi was mentioned and the relationship between Indians and the English is tense. There is also signs of the lead up to WWII.

• Sonia has unresolved issues with her father Owen Falstaff. Owen swept her mother off her feet and lived with her as a husband until he suddenly announced one day that he was leaving for England and that he already had a family back there. He sent money for Sonia’s birthday every year, but she never heard from him again after he left when she was three. It made me wonder how many children were born like this and abandoned? Why did some men abandon their Indian wife and children while others brought them back to England?

• Sonia is called blackie by English people and white by Indian people. She doesn’t feel comfortable in either world and is constantly trying to prove herself.

• Mira Novak was a fascinating character. I was interested to learn at the end that she was based on real artist. She challenged Sonia’s feeling on what life could be. Mira is also half white and half Indian, but she has become a successful artist and does not live by modern conventions. Sonia is half scandalized by her tales and half fascinated.

• Women’s health was a big issue in this book. It disturbed the characters that in 1937, a woman could die from a miscarriage. It’s unfortunate that is can still happen today. An Indian doctor realized things were going wrong, but his superior, a white doctor, did not take him seriously.

• There was some romance in this story, but really it was Mira and Sonia’s story. There were also a few slight mysterious events that were resolved by the end of the story that kept me hooked.

• This was a perfect book to read for Asian American Pacific Islander Month

Overall, Six Days in Bombay by Alka Joshi was a fascinating historical fiction novel with great characters and setting.

***Thank you to NetGalley and Harlequin Trade Publishing for this ARC***
Alka Joshi is one of my favorite authors. I loved The Henna Artist series. She’s very talented and I love learning about India. In this novel, she took us from Bombay to Istanbul to Prague to Paris and then to London. It’s not fast-paced and was more of a slow build. I did find myself getting frustrated with the main character not standing up for herself but I realize that was intended to show her growth. I was irritated by how she allowed herself to be treated. I get annoyed by dumb misunderstandings that change the course of one’s life and this was all too common in this book. There was a good bit of culture, both Indian and European and I learned a lot while reading.

As a South Asian healthcare worker, Six days in Bombay resonated with me for a lot of reasons. The main character, Sona, is a biracial nurse who struggles with her identity and with her financial situation. She has a good heart, but she is thrown a lot of challenges. She lives with her mother, who was abandoned by her white husband, who ended up having a family back in the UK. Joshi really covers how colonialism destroys families and culture, and at times it was gut-wrenching to read. She also deals with colorism and classism in a way that is accessible but also relatable to everybody, not just South Asians. I'm a huge fan of Joshi's work and I can't wait for her next works.

The writing was fine, but the whole story felt too fantastical. I personally couldn't stand the characters, and was disappointed in the events at the end.

Thanks to NetGalley and Harlequin Trade Publishing for the ARC.

A thrilling crime mystery about art. Learned so much about Indian history and myth. One of the best indian novels I have read.

I loved Alka Joshi’s previous novels and her new one is just terrific! It’s a totally new story, not connected to her previous work, and an interesting study in human behavior. Young nurse Sonaara meets famous painter Mira, who has come to the hospital to recover from a miscarriage, The circumstances are not quite clear, but Sona finds herself drawn into Mira’s life through her stories. Mira’s seemingly indifferent husband has Sona feeling very protective of Mira, and Mira’s stories about her life have Sona entranced. The two women share having an half Indian half white heritage with all the baggage and discrimination that entails, but Mira seems to have been able to rise above it. When Mira suddenly dies, Sona falls under suspicion (or perhaps is set up by a fellow nurse) and loses her job. Mira has left Sona 4 paintings that she wants Sona to take to 4 people in Paris. With the support and encouragement of a dear friend Sona takes the opportunity and leaves for Paris on a journey that is not just fulfilling the wishes of a dead patient, but also one of self discover. With each person Sona talks to, she hears about a different Mira than the one she knew, and learns that just as Mira is not exactly what Sona thought she was, Sona herself is also more than what she had supposed herself to be.

I have been a huge fan of Alka Joshi since The Henna artist. Her writing is eloquent and beautiful and her stories never fail to touch the heart. Here is a bit about the book:

“In her first stand-alone novel since her bestselling debut, The Henna Artist, Alka Joshi uses the life of painter Amrita Sher-Gil, the "Frida Kahlo of India," as inspiration for the story's beginning to explore how far we'll travel to determine where we truly belong. This sweeping novel of identity and self-discovery takes readers from Bombay to Prague, Florence, Paris and London, to uncover the mystery behind a famous painter's death.”

Joshi leans heavily into identity and self discovery with this book as the main character, Sora, is Anglo-Indian. She has never felt like she fit in anywhere. As always, Joshi gives us a strong sense of place with her lush descriptions. It is easy to feel like you are on the streets of Bombay while reading. I love that the character Mira was inspired by a real painter Amrita Sher-Gil, a Hungarian-Indian artist, and I enjoyed doing some research on her while reading!

I definitely recommend this book for those who enjoy historical fiction. It also makes a great book club pick!

[Absolutely loved it]

As always, this was another terrific read by this author! I love her storytelling so so much, she just has the ability to make you feel apart of that world. The characters were all so vivid and unique. I absolutely adored this book from start to finish. Very well done! The narration of the audiobook was also excellent and highly recommend. I read in tandem of the audio and it was perfection. Highly recommend.

Thank you to the publisher and NetGalley for providing a free advanced copy of this ebook and audiobook in exchange for an honest review.

Thank you HTP Hive for inviting me to read and review (thanks also to Park Row Books, HTP Books, HTP Audio for the advanced readers copies via Netgalley). I’ve yet to read The Henna Artist so this was my first by Joshi!

The title is misleading as Sona goes from Bombay to Prague to Paris to Florence to London over the course of weeks so it’s not as if the story takes place over the course of only six days in India. We go on this journey with her through her inexperienced eyes as she also wrestles with her mixed identity, dreams, and desires. While it’s mentioned here and there I wish there was a bit more on Sona’s grief that contributes to the push for her to leave India (I won’t give any spoilers here). The chapters are lengthy (by audio some chapters are an hour long) and it took a while for it to gain any kind of steam for me. It’s written in a way that is introspective: here is Sona, a young mixed-race Indian nurse, who while naive to the world embarks on a cross-continental journey of self-discovery after an eccentric patient, Mira, also mixed race, she cared for suddenly dies and leaves in Sona’s care her final few paintings to deliver to those from Mira’s past. Despite this, I never felt like we get to know Sona as well as we could’ve.

It was okay but not what I was expecting and there were a lot of brief side characters to keep track of. Still, I know many enjoy her The Henna Artist and I’d like to give that one a chance at some point. Content includes mentions of infidelity, an attempted sexual assault, and a brief detailed sex scene. I give it a lackluster and generous 3/5