Alka Joshi's Henna Artist is my favorite and since I read it, I make it a point to read her books. Although "Six Days in Bombay" wasn't as exciting for me as her previous books, I still loved reading.

The story is about self discovery, and growth amid the tensions of the British colonial rule and travel through cities of Europe. Sona, an Anglo Indian nurse at Wadia Hospital, dislikes her father for living abruptly from her, mother's and sibling's life. She is trying to make ends meet for her mother and herself, yet wanting more from her life.

Mira Novak is admitted at Wadia Hospital due to her pregnancy complications and is assigned to Sona. Mira's death is assumed to be Sona's misjudgement, Mira has left a letter to Sona which takes her through cities of Europe. What happens during the journey is her self discovery and finally the truth which is revealed.

The story started slowly and it wasn't until half of the book that started gaining momentum. It is a good read, which shows complexities of human characters, and some gray shades.

Six Days in Bombay is a story of Sona, a nurse who goes on a journey to fulfill wishes for her artist patient who died. While Sona entering this journey on behalf of a patient she knew for only 6 days seemed a bit unrealistic, I did enjoy the book and the parallel journey of Sona's own growth. The story felt like Bildungsroman even though Sona was in her early 20s. I thought she was a likeable, yet imperfect character. The book was slow-paced and would like to name trigger-warnings for deaths.

Alki Joshi is an extremely talented storyteller and writer. I’ve read all her books and I love the way they transport me to India. An India that is both wonderful and horrible. Horrible, the way women are second class human beings. Horrible the way that even some women not only accept this - but believe this also. And wonderful too showing the compassion of certain men who don’t believe this.

This story centers on a nurse, Sona, who meets a patient, Mira, who changes her life. The six days that Mira is a patient fills Sona with a new outlook on her own life. A life that will take her to Prague, Florence, and London all because of a patient named Mira.

Another excellent journey that Ms Joshi takes the reader and Sona on in discovering these cities and ultimately herself.

Six Days in Bombay by Alka Joshi beautifully explores how a single encounter with the right person at the right time can completely change the course of your life.

Alka Joshi, author of The Henna Artist, takes readers to 1930s Bombay, India, with a vivid and immersive narrative. The story centers on Sona, a 23-year-old biracial nurse (British and Indian), whose life intertwines with Mira Novak, a renowned biracial painter famous for depicting Indian women. Their meeting sparks a transformative journey for Sona, filled with emotional growth and self-discovery.

What I Loved:
Sona’s character: I adored her growth arc, especially her evolving relationship with her mother. Joshi writes such multidimensional characters that they feel like real people you’d want to know.
Historical depth: Joshi brilliantly captures the political tension between India and Britain in the 1930s. Her research shines through, and the author’s note adds even more depth—Joshi traveled to every country featured in the book to ensure accuracy.
Mira Novak’s inspiration: Mira is based on Amrita Sher-Gil, a Hungarian-Indian painter and pioneer of modern Indian art. Her richly colored paintings, many of which were self-portraits, are legendary. Joshi says, “Amrita Sher-Gil is my inspiration for this novel, and it’s important to me that she and her work are not forgotten.”
SCU connection: As an alum of Santa Clara University, I loved seeing a shout-out to an SCU history professor in Joshi’s author’s note!
The ending: Wow, just wow. It kept me on my toes and completely surprised me.

What I Struggled With:
The pacing: The first half of the book felt a bit slow. While I was never bored—thanks to Joshi’s stunning writing and well-developed characters—it did take some time for the main plot to fully unfold.

Themes:
Trial and error of emotional growth: After meeting Mira, Sona embarks on a journey of emotional self-discovery.
Courage to live the life you want: Sona learns to step into her dreams, even when it means doing so with fear in her heart.

Six Days in Bombay is another gem from Alka Joshi, blending history, art, and deeply personal journeys in a way that’s unforgettable.

I was provided a copy via the publisher through NetGalley, but all thoughts are my own.

Alka Joshi has knocked it out of the park again! I loved her Jaipur Trilogy and was thrilled to get an early copy of her new one to read. In this stand-alone novel, she’s created a new character, Sona, an Anglo-Indian with an English father and a Hindu mother. Sona is a dedicated nurse who worked at Bombay Hospital in the 1930s. We are vividly transported to Bombay, Florence, Paris, Prague, and London during tumultuous and historic times. Identity is a central theme explored in this story; how do we decide where we belong?

Sona cares for Mira Novak, a famous painter, at Bombay Wadia Hospital. During the six days that Mira is at the hospital, Sona and Mira grow close and have frequent conversations. Mira challenges Sona to think beyond her current situation. When Mira is released from the hospital, Sona even attends a lavish event at Mira’s invitation. As Sona fights her attraction to a doctor, Mira is admitted to the hospital again the next day.

Under mysterious circumstances, Sona is fired from the hospital and undertakes a task given to her by Mira. Sona is to deliver several of Mira’s paintings to people in her past, make reparations, and perhaps learn more about her.

Alka Joshi has done a great deal of research, and the settings are realistic and vivid. I felt like I visited each city along with Sona. I rooted for Sona to complete her task and learn more about the mythical artist. Along the way, Sona discovers more about her own identity. The storytelling in this one is masterful.

I enjoyed the rich side characters in this one; Sona’s mother was a treasure, and Dr. Stoddard was a wonderful ally to Sona.

Real artist Amrita Sher-Gil inspired the character of Mira, and I enjoyed researching some of her photos and legacy. Don’t miss the author’s notes at the end.

If you’ve enjoyed her earlier works and/or are a fan of historical fiction, this one is highly recommended!

Alka Joshi has another win with Six Days in Bombay! This historical fiction novel tells the poignant story of Sona, a night nurse at Bombay's Wadia Hospital, set against the vivid backdrop of British-ruled India in 1931. She meets patient Mira, a vivacious and famous painter who is based on the real-life painter Amrita Sher-Gil, who passed away at the age of twenty-eight or could have become a household name. Both Sona and her patient Mira are half Indian and half European descent. Sona is captivated by Mira's confidence and free spirit, and they quickly become friends during the six days that Mira is in the hospital. Tragically, Mira dies unexpectedly, and Sona is caught up in scandal and the mystery of how she died. Mira leaves four paintings for Sona and asks her to travel to Prague, Paris, and Florence to deliver one painting to each person from her past. Sona's journey is a beautiful self-discovery and coming of age as she learns more about herself and others.

Joshi beautifully weaves the themes of identity and belonging into the storyline. This is a theme that resonates with me personally as my father is Indian and was raised in India while my mother is of European descent. Growing up in the late 20th century, I still struggled with where I fit in. Any biracial or multi racial person today can relate. Treatment by others depends on what you look like. Whether you look more European or more Indian can determine how others view and treat you. Sona's trips to different European countries are not only a stunning travel journal that makes you feel present and immersed in the culture, but also a brilliant view of the political unrest on the cusp of WWII.

Alka Joshi's storytelling is masterful, and her characters are rich and compelling. This is an immersive historical fiction novel that explores 1930's India and Europe politically while weaving in themes of identity, belonging, family, love, friendship, career, and women's rights. She can pack in a lot in under 350 pages, and her thought-provoking and heartwarming novels are what make Joshi one of my favorite authors today.

Many thanks to NetGalley, Harlequin Trade Publishing - MIRA, and Alka Joshi for an advance reader's copy in exchange for my honest review.

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This book is a journey into different countries: Paris, Prague, Florence and London; all cities I’ve been to once upon a time. I could picture them all so vividly even though they were just the backdrop to the journey of a nurse on a mission.

Sona (our MC) is grieving the loss of a patient that gave her charm and attention… and even more so made her feel seen enough to find the courage to travel once her patient dies. The gift of Mira’s paintings were the push she needed to step out of her small living and actually start… well living.

With each city, she finds more of herself. But also figures out that Mira had a faucet of sides that weren’t always so pretty. But with each painting handed over to Mira’s old friends, Sona finds the courage to heal her own pain. Her own self worth.

This is Alka’s 4th novel. One in which felt very different from The Henna Artist series. (No, it’s not connected). For me, it felt like it only touch the surface and had none of the depth of writing that her previous series had. It felt skimmed over and almost insta-love in terms of some of the relationships and friendships. Which made it felt a bit disjointed at times.

I know this is an arc so I’m sure it’ll smooth out. But for me, it didn’t have the same allure or love that I had for The Henna Artist.

When an extremely charming and unconventional artist, Mira, is hospitalized after a miscarriage her favorite nurse is Sona. Sona is the child of an English father and an Indian mother which has both advantages and disadvantages in an India trying to throw off British rule. This is the story of their interactions and of the journey Sona undertakes as a result. A journey that reveals more about each woman.
Thanks to NetGalley for an advanced eGalley of this title.

Alka Joshi has quickly become one of my favorite authors, so when I heard a new novel of hers was upcoming, I immediately jumped at the chance to get an early read. Similar to her earlier trilogy, her novel is set in a historic India and follows a young Indian woman as she life in a difficult time.

Sona Falstaff is a nurse at the Wadia hospital in Bombay who works to support herself and her mother, a seamstress. When esteemed painter Mira Novak is admitted as a patient and assigned under her care, Sona is immediately drawn into the alluring woman and her stories of her colorful life, and the two form a fast friendship. However, only six days afterwards, Mira unexpectedly passes away and Sona is blamed for her death. She's sent away from the hospital, but not before discovering Mira's last request for her - a series of paintings, three of which are to be given to her friends across the world: Petra, a former classmate and friend; Josephine, a former art dealer who represented her; and Paolo, a former teacher and lover. For the first time in her life, Sona steps foot outside her home of Bombay and travels to Prague, Paris, and Florence in pursuit of these three individuals whom she only knows of through Mira's stories. Her journey is not without troubles and difficulty, and with each meeting, she learns a little more about the elusive painter, and the complex life she lived - and gives Sona the opportunity to come to terms with her own identity as well.

There's a lot to love about "Six Days in Bombay" - a female protagonist with a difficult past who goes through an impressive character development throughout the story; an ever-changing backdrop of settings and environments; and a cast of dynamic characters, many of whom Sona meets as she she travels the world. Joshi covers the topics of race and identity, classism and wealth, and the broad range of interpersonal relationships with care and grace, and they add additional layers of depth to the story. Admittedly, there are some stretches in reality that you need to put aside, even for a book in the historical fiction genre, but I found this to be a largely enjoyable and immersive novel that I got lost in for several days.

Very much recommended with "Six Days in Bombay" is published in February 2025!

Alka Joshi does it again with Six Days in Bombay! This book is a mesmerizing blend of historical fiction, mystery, and self-discovery, set against the vivid backdrop of 1930s India under British rule. As someone who adored The Henna Artist, I was thrilled to dive into this new story, and it exceeded all my expectations.

Sona, an Anglo-Indian nurse, is a beautifully complex and relatable heroine. Her world is upended when Mira Novak, a glamorous and enigmatic painter, enters her life at Wadia Hospital. Over the course of six days, Sona becomes captivated by Mira’s tales of her European adventures and tumultuous relationships. But when Mira dies under suspicious circumstances, Sona is thrust into a whirlwind of scandal, mystery, and an unexpected journey across continents to deliver Mira’s paintings.

Joshi’s storytelling is masterful. She immerses you in the vibrant culture of pre-independence Bombay, the intricacies of the caste system, and the clash of Indian and British identities. The international settings—Prague, Paris, Florence, and London—are painted with such detail that you feel like you’re traveling alongside Sona.

The novel starts with a slow, steady build, giving readers time to connect with the characters and their emotional worlds. Then, about halfway through, the pace quickens, and I couldn’t put it down. The mystery surrounding Mira’s death and the revelations about her life kept me on edge, while Sona’s own journey of self-discovery pulled at my heartstrings.

The themes of identity, belonging, and the pieces that make us who we are resonate deeply. Sona’s struggle as a biracial woman in a divided society adds layers of richness to the story, making her growth all the more inspiring.

This book is a treat for historical fiction fans, mystery lovers, and anyone who enjoys richly textured, emotionally resonant storytelling. It’s a slow burn that pays off beautifully, with moments of heartbreak, hope, and triumph.

Huge thanks to NetGalley, MIRA, and Harlequin Trade Publishing for the ARC of this 2025 gem. Don’t miss it—this is a must-read for the new year!

I love Alka Joshi's books and this one did not disappoint! Her vivid descriptions of India made me want to hop on the next plane. I also now understand more about the plight of the bicultural British-Indian people at that time.

The heroine had a lot of tragedy in her life but she purposefully set out to overcome her setbacks and the end is extremely satusfying.

Sad to say that I didn't love this as much as I thought I would. The premise was an interesting one...A young Anglo-Indian nurse becomes enamored by her patient, a young semi-famous artist. However, when the patient dies in Sona's care, she is scrutinizes and unfortunately, is let go. On the bright side, she is about to go on an once in a lifetime adventure when she finds out that Mira (the artist) leaves her paintings to return to their rightful owners.

I found the storytelling for this novel at times to be a little bit choppy. The storytelling prior to Sona's adventure and departure from India felt natural and cohesive. However, the storytelling for the travelled to cities was a little choppy and at times felt a little abrupt. Also her struggles with her identity didn't feel natural and felt a little awkward. I really loved the ending though! Looking forward to the next Alka Joshi :)

Escape, feel, and traverse a path that may challenge your thinking.

I’m going to start with Amrita Sher-Gil. My sister’s often a well of knowledge for me. A few years ago she told me about the Hungarian-Indian painter that died under mysterious circumstances (something mirrored in this book). Sher-Gil’s art highlighted a missing perspective of India during colonial times. Plus she was a woman of colour painting in a field dominated by European men, she was badass. Her paintings of India never felt exploitative, and signified a genuine exploration of humanity and identity (something also explored in this book). For a long time, art was dominated by white men that rarely opened galleries to women or they exploited female artists for personal gain. Women of colour rarely had the opportunity to make their mark equality was hard fought and rarely earned in art history (something also highlighted in this book). If you look at Sher-Gil’s pieces, colour choices they hold you captive, and I had the same feeling while reading this book. Sadly, majority of her paintings are now privately owned and housed in a gallery all the way in India (there's commentary. that could be explored that's reflected in this book but maybe that's for another time).

But how does this connect with Six Days in Bombay? Well we follow Sona, who befriends a world renowned painter Mira Novak who dies unexpectedly. Before her death Mira tasks Sona with delivering three paintings that have her criss-crossing Europe to deliver to three men each that left a mark on the artist’s life. With each delivery, Sona learns more about the painter. The way art, history, and agency are all woven together in this novel gave me goosebumps. I could literally see the book playing out like a movie in my brain that’s how visceral it was for me. Funnily enough, Mira Nair is currently in production to make a film about Amrita Sher-Gil that ties in well with this book.

So in 2025, I hope readers pick up this book and explore a time of history rarely depicted. Stay for the story and take the time to learn about the real inspirations of this book.

Thank you so much Harlequin Trade Publishing, MIRA, and NetGalley for the ARC. I can’t believe I got to read this book early and I’m so grateful!

Incredible! Lala is one of my favourite writers and this one didn’t disappoint. Her attention to detail and ability to transport you into a scene is outstanding. This is a must if you loved her other books

A young nurse in India befriends a patient and, after her death, tries to put together pieces of her life while carrying out last wishes. This book has an interesting setup but fell pretty flat for me. I was not particularly charmed by the charismatic painter that sets Sona’s life into chaos. The pacing is pretty slow and I never got attached to any of the characters. Romance subplot lifts right out, no reason it was there at all. I didnt have a bad time reading this but I was underwhelmed.

“Six Days in Bombay” is a historical fiction book by Alka Joshi. I think Ms. Joshi did a fantastic job of making 1930s India come to life in this book. Sona is a nurse working at a hospital. She meets a patient, a female artist, and over the course of six days they become friends. Sona is tasked with mission by the patient - which makes Sona learn about herself and the patient. Sona is half-Indian/half-English, which plays a part in this story - especially in 1930s India. I found this book an interesting one, though a bit slower paced than I would’ve liked, but the slowness was full of lovely descriptions (including Sona’s thoughts) so it wasn’t too bad. I found the observations about travel at the time rather interesting - along with colorful descriptions of the places where Sona was instructed to perform her mission by the patient. And enjoyable read that makes me want to move Ms. Joshi’s other books higher up my to be read pile.

Sona is a nurse who works nights at a hospital in India. One day Mira, a painter, comes in suffering from a miscarriage. She doesn't seem to be getting better. She spends 6 days there and they become friends. Sona is half Indian and British and struggles to make ends meet while caring for her mother. This story starts out slow but gets better about a 1/3 of the way into it. It's a good story of growth.

Alka Joshi is known for making her birth country of India come alive for her readers.

In this novel, Joshi explores the concepts of otherness and identity and reveals the push and pull that ‘in betweens’ face and how the ripple effects shape them. To do so, she introduces us to Sona and shows us how she attempts to harness the best of both worlds (British and Indian) to survive. Adding to the complexity of Sona’s challenge is the political climate of the time. By the late 19th century, many Eurasians faced issues of loyalty and patriotism; was it possible to straddle both cultures? Does each demand a sole focus? This was fascinating for me as I was an immigrant child and could identify with Sola’s situation.

Joshi also highlights equality and the work that’s being done worldwide to see and treat women as equals. We are still struggling with this in the 21st century.

I enjoyed my traipse around the world and a glimpse into the art world. I finished the book thinking that we are not really as different as we’d like to think. We’d like to put everyone into a category and define them, but we’re all fluid, straddling to find the best of both worlds and hoping to settle into a life that works for us. We truly are a product of those we meet and spend time with as well as the places we've inhabited.

I was gifted this copy by Harlequin Trade Publishing/Mira and NetGalley and was under no obligation to provide a review.

I was so very excited when I saw there was a new book my Alka Joshi. The Henna Artist series is one of my favorite series, and I was so excited to jump into her newest stand alone book. Set in 1930's India, it paint a vivid picture of the caste system and the disruption of the British rule. It follows a young nurse that has an Indian mother and a British father, and her coming of age as an independent person. Definitely pulls at the heartstrings. Definitely recommend!!

Thank you to NetGalley and Harlequin Trade Publishing for gifting me this ARC in exchange for my honest review.

I loved Six Days in Bombay. It was beautifully written and evocative. I love Ms. Joshi’s writing style; she creates layered and complex characters and paints a scene that invokes all the senses.

The novel follows Sona, a young nurse, who befriends a patient, Mira. Sona, who is of English and Indian descent, has lived a sheltered life with her mother. She is drawn to Mira, a world renowned painter, who has experienced life to the fullest, and regales Sona with the tales of her many exploits. However, suddenly everything changes and Sona must figure out if she will continue to lead a sheltered existence or if she will push forward and see what the world has to offer.