Six Days in Bombay is a whirlwind of emotion, connection, and the kind of unexpected magic that only comes when you let go of the plan and live in the moment. When Tara and Vivaan cross paths in the bustling, vibrant heart of Bombay, what starts as a chance encounter unfolds into a six-day journey full of vulnerability, healing, and chemistry that leaps off the page.

Shikha Kumar captures the pulse of the city and the quiet ache of two souls carrying heavy pasts, giving us a love story that’s tender, raw, and breathtaking in its simplicity. It’s about timing, fate, and the power of being seen—truly seen—by someone who just gets it.

A short stay, a long impact. This story lingers like the scent of monsoon rain and the echo of a goodbye that might not be forever.

I previously read a book by Alka Joshi and really enjoyed it, so when I had the opportunity to receive an Advance Reader’s Copy of this one, I couldn’t wait to dive in.

The story begins in Bombay, just before WWII. At the heart of it is Wadia Hospital, where a range of patients and staff work and intersect. Sona, a dedicated nurse, has been working there for almost two years after struggling to find employment.
She lives in a modest flat with her mother, doing her best to support them by picking up as many shifts as possible. Her father, who was British, left them behind when she was young. Sona is considered to be of mixed heritage—half Indian and half British—and that identity adds another layer of complexity to her personal and work life.

While working at the hospital, Sona meets Mira—a vibrant patient and gifted artist who is also of mixed heritage. The two form a fast friendship while Mira is under Sona’s care. Tragically, Mira dies during her stay at the hospital, and the circumstances of her death are questioned. Sona is accused of negligence and loses her job.

Before leaving the hospital, Sona searches for Mira’s belongings and discovers a letter from her, along with several paintings. Mira’s final wish is for Sona to deliver each painting to a specific person: Petra in Prague, Josephine in Paris, and Paolo. Honoring her friend’s last request, Sona sets off on a journey that takes her far from Bombay—and even further toward discovering her own courage, identity, and voice.

I really enjoyed learning more about India during the period of British withdrawal and appreciated the perspective on the challenges faced by those of mixed heritage. The story was rich with character development and cultural insight. I highly recommend this book—it was an engaging and emotional journey.

I’d love to read more about Dr. Stoddard, another intriguing character from the hospital. A follow-up story featuring him would be fantastic!

Six Days in Bombay is a new book by the author of The Henna Artist and it did not disappoint. It follows the story of a young nurse who is the daughter of an Indian mother and a British father. It is set in the turbulence in India during the 1930s. It accurately describe the caste system there and British rule. Will she get the answers to her questions? A very emotional story that I highly recommend. Thanks to @NetGalley for the ARC of this book.

Alka Joshi is one of my favorites for historical fiction and this book did not disappoint! We follow nurse and friend as she navigates being fired and then fulfilling a friends wish to give her art to the people that inspired it. Loved this read!

Thank you for this ARC!

Set in the 1930s in colonial India, the storyline for the book is intriguing, relevant, and had so much promise... It’s about Sona, an Anglo-Indian nurse who despite being born and living in India is not fully accepted since she’s “half-caste” - her father is British (and long gone) and her mother is Indian. One of her patients is a famous painter, Mira Novak, who she connects with over a six-day period, which sets in motion the bulk of the “plot” of the book. I liked the concept of the book, but I definitely wasn’t wowed by the execution of the storyline. The book raised several issues/themes that could have been delved into that would have made the book so much stronger and enjoyable. The storyline didn’t quite hang together. It skimmed the surface, and floated along very conveniently, sometimes unbelievably so. The book was disappointing, given that I enjoyed The Henna Artist (the other two in the trilogy not as much), but this book fell far short. Overall, I rated it 2.75 rounded up to 3 stars and wished I could have given it a higher rating. Many thanks to the author, publisher, and NetGalley for the opportunity to read and review this book.

It was fun to read an indian fiction after some time
It does drag a bit but overall I liked the themes of growing up and forgiveness
I especially loved the epilogue
This was my first book by Alka Joshi and i want to read more

Something that is super consistent with Alka Joshi is her stunning world building. So easy to become immersed in the world that she is describing.

I didn't like this one as much as her Henna Artist series but it was still a very well written book.

It's hard to say what rubbed me the wrong way. I guess I find Sona's naivety was a little much.. if I had to guess certain situations that happened in Prague, Paris and Florence aren't strictly just in those cities. Thieves, men who take advantage etc. happen any and everywhere. She cycles home at night and has never encountered situations like that before? Just doesn't seem super realistic to me.

I understand Mira was there to catapult Sona's character but I didn't really connect with the scenes between the two of them. As well as Sona traveling to give these paintings to Mira's past friends/lovers it read a bit like Eat Pray Love.

Dr. Stoddard and Sona's relationship was incredibly heartwarming. He filled in the spot of her missing father so effortlessly and never let her down. He would give sage advice but also be there to comfort her if needed. Him cheating at card games and all around being a sassy old man made him my favorite character.

I wouldn't buy this book myself but I would recommend it to others!

New York Times bestselling author Alka Joshi has returned with the standalone novel, Six Days in Bombay. Before knowing its premise, I knew this would be a must-read. I was utterly absorbed by her previous work, The Jaipur Trilogy. In The Henna Artist, The Secret Keeper of Jaipur, and The Perfumist of Paris, readers are transported to 20th century India to experience a setting which is wholly unfamiliar to much of western society. Her writing is superb, and I was completely engrossed in her characters’ world. My experience with Six Days in Bombay was no exception. Set in the spring of 1937, the story begins in the titular Bombay, where we are introduced to Sona Falstaff, a 23 year-old nurse. Through her friendship with an artistically remarkable and ailing patient, Sona is set on a globetrotting journey. She is introduced to a gallery of colorful characters and also grows as a young woman. With English and Indian parentage, she has struggled to understand her place in society. Her insecurity and pragmatism confine her, keeping her from stretching beyond the boundaries of her life with her mother in their small flat in Bombay.

Sona also wrestles with unresolved anger toward her absentee father. A married Englishman with a family in his home country, Owen Falstaff abandoned those he loved in India in 1917, returning to his first wife and fatherhood abroad. Sona is left with the pain of losing him, as well as the travails of a “half-half.” In some circles she is considered “too English”, and in others she is “too Indian.” The pain of a derelict parent and the social struggles she faces intermingle within her heart, causing much turmoil.

After the death of the talented and enigmatic artist Mira Novak, Sona undertakes the task of delivering items in her patient’s stead, pieces bequeathed to significant figures in her life. As Sona embarks on this international journey, her perception begins to broaden. She remarks in chapter three, “When I'd first met her, I'd thought Mira's ways were too big for the world I inhabited. But like breath, my life seemed to expand whenever I was around her." Sona’s quest on behalf of Mira certainly did that. She becomes more aware of the ways of European society, grows more confident, and allows herself to love. Sona blossoms as a young woman, and also begins to heal from past hurts. Her path is not free of calamity and uncertainty. Things are not always as they seem, and her eyes are opened to both the beauty and ugliness of humanity. Her transformation is realistic, captivating, and thoroughly relatable, even across cultural and generational divides.

For those who might want to be aware of content issues, Six Days in Bombay has little to no foul language, but the narrative confronts issues that may be troublesome for certain readers. The subject of abortion is addressed. There is a bit of sexual content, but Joshi keeps the details limited and does not draw out those scenes for an extended period of time. Romantic relationships are not kept within the borders of traditional marriage. However, as a conservative reader, I was still able to enjoy the story from the standpoint of an outside viewer. Although I do not endorse all the choices of these characters, I found their stories to be compelling, heartbreaking, and full of the same longing that many feel for love and acceptance.

Just as many yearn for emotional satisfaction, another common desire is to inhabit a life of significance. Six Days in Bombay examines this trait in Sona Falstaff. She is a timid, sheltered young woman, living a small existence and wanting so much more. Because of insecurity or social restrictions, she has hesitated to step out into the world. After a mere six days with Mira Novak, she begins a journey beyond Bombay which opens her mind and heart to more than she ever could have imagined.

While I believe humility is an aspirational quality, I also hold that we are all worthy of love and living out our God-given talents. Self-assurance does not need to be equated with arrogance. We can be steadfast in who we are, and also pursue our life purpose with grace. For some, that may mean quiet work that goes unseen by many, yet is fulfilling and serves the community. For others, this could be high-profile contributions that overtly benefit society at large. Regardless of the position of our birth, be it of any country or any racial combination, all should feel strong in their inherent worth. Sona Falstaff comes to see this over time, with those six special days as catalyst for that transformation. Alka Joshi’s latest offering is beautiful, fascinating, and hopefully will inspire many to step outside a space of comfort into the great unknown. Six Days in Bombay encourages us to have confidence, take a deep breath, and step into an expansive life of adventure.

Another great story by Alka Joshi. She is an incredibly talented storyteller, weaving a detailed and descriptive story that takes place in India, Prague, Florence and London. We follow Sona, a nurse in India, as she travels after the loss of a patient. The experiences that Sona has in different countries and the beautiful way that Joshi writes transports the reader all over the world. The story is heartbreaking and beautiful. My biggest complaint is that the start of the book moves slowly. It doesn’t start to pick up until Sona starts to travel and see the world. Meeting different friends and starting to experience life for the first time. If you have enjoyed Alka Joshi’s books on the past, definitely read this one.

Thank you NetGalley for my advanced reader copy.

Six Days in Bombay by Alka Joshi is a historical fiction of drama, loss, mystery. In true Alka Joshi fashion this story teaches as well as reaches the audience- i adored this story!!!

A young half British, half Indian nurse, Sona, befriends famous painter Mira Novak over six days in a Bombay hospital where she's staying following a miscarriage. Fired after being held responsible for the painter's accidental death, Sona gets tasked with delivering four of her paintings to the people Mira wanted them left to, leading to a cross Europe adventure that sees Sona discovering both love and herself.

Set in the 1930s, this was a moving coming of age/historical romance that did drag in places but overall had a unique take on a period of history I didn't know much about and was loosely based on real life people. While I wouldn't say this latest standalone from fav author Alka Joshi was my favorite of hers, it was still worth the read and good on audio. Many thanks to NetGalley and the publisher for an early digital and audio copy in exchange for my honest review.

An enjoyable historical fiction novel, I really enjoyed the descriptions of life in 1930s India and Europe. The various settings were really lovely and a strong point of the book.

I found the first half of the novel to drag somewhat at times, but after Sona gets going on her journey the novel picks up quite a bit. Sona herself can be a bit frustrating with how naive she is, but it's understandable considering the sheltered life she lived.

I liked the themes of growing up, taking chances, and forgiveness. This was a solid read.

Thank you to NetGalley and the publisher for this ARC!

Thanks to NetGalley for the ARC in exchange for my honest review.

This was my first ARC where I'd read and loved the author's books before. I recommend "The Henna Artist" often so I was eager to read a new novel set in an earlier, pre-Independence India. Sona was our first-person narrator, caught between worlds. She's half-Indian and half-English, raised by her single mother, and working as a nurse at a private hospital.

We get plenty of time living in Sona's world with her loving mother and meeting a potential suitor. However, the main focus is on Sona's favorite patient, the famous painter Mira Novak. I learned in the Author's Note that Mira was inspired by a real artist so I love that level of research. I liked how Sona had to reconcile both her small life with the larger world, along with her perceptions of people and their nuances. This is a lesson she learns the hard way, more than once.

I had to put myself in Sona's 1930s shoes when thinking about the timelines of this story (ie. she'd known Mira for 6 days) and Joshi did a great job of showing Sona's emotions and motivations. This was a great balance of telling and showing, especially for a first-person POV. I got hungry many times while reading and learned a bit about art at the same time.

In good time this becomes a travel story. I've traveled around Europe as a solo woman (not all the same places) and while times have changed, you still need to be wary. Sona was able to get far through her language skills as well as her steadfast honesty (okay, honesty wasn't always for good). The story's setting was perfectly poised on the edge of WW II as well as India's War for Independence which lent a tenseness and urgency that I appreciated. You could tell the author had visited each European city and did her historical research (as she notes in the Author's Note).

There is one brief, spicy scene that is important to the plot so y'all can deal. I loved the "epilogue" to give closure to our wonderful heroine. Of all of Alka Joshi's books so far, I think this would do best as a movie or miniseries.

Six Days in Bombay by Alka Joshi was absolutely stunning.
I loved this book! It's well-written, enjoyable, and a great read. The author did a great job of writing in a way that captures the readers attention, and makes you not want to put it down until you're finished! I would highly recommend it!

India on the cusp!

As India moves towards independence so does Sona Falstaff. Sona is a nurse in the Wadia Hospital in Bombay. Europe is galloping towards war, India towards freedom from the British Raj, Sona finds herself also on the cusp, taking steps into the unknown.
Sona is a compassionate and dedicated nurse with a lively sense of humor. Amongst her patients number a vivacious painter, Mira Novak and a charming elderly rascal, Dr. Ralph Stoddard. Both will figure into Sona’s search for herself.
Sona is an Anglo-Indian. At a time when India is looking to govern itself, that mixed heritage becomes a barrier for her. She’s neither fish nor fowl.
As usual, Alka Joshi draws us into the colors of life in late 1930’s India. The emotions are all captured, brimming with reality.
Sona’s journey from the hospital in Bombay to Europe, on a quest for her painter friend, is a journey of self awareness, of independence, and of choices.
Empathetically written, a searching novel from Alka Joshi exploring what it is to belong, to take steps towards freedom, to unshackle from the past and to confront one’s personal history.

A Harlequin Trade ARC via NetGalley.
Many thanks to the author and publisher.
(Opinions expressed in this review are completely my own.)

Book review: 4.25/5 ⭐️
Genre: historical fiction
Themes: identity, colonialism, otherness, coming of age
📖 Read if you like: The Vanishing Half, Burning Heart of the World

Happy PUB-Day! This was one of my most anticipated books of the year, so I was thrilled to receive an eARC thanks to Harlequin Trade Publishing and NetGalley. Once again Joshi displays a quiet mastery of storytelling that will shed light on stereotyping and the struggles of women rooted into the fabric of society.

At its heart, this is one women’s struggle with identity. Sona is a mixed race nurse living in Bombay with her Indian mother having been abandoned by her English father. Hers is a small sheltered existence defined by her otherness. She never quite fits in anywhere, and yet she benefits from the lighter colour of her skin and her parentage under colonial governance. When the enigmatic artist Mira Novak is admitted after a miscarriage, she is put into Sona’s care as her night nurse. Turning into fast friends, Sona idolizes Mira’s easy way of being and seeing the world. When what should have been a simple recovery turns into a tragic ending, Sona will be thrown into a world she has only dreamed of. Tasked with a seemingly impossible journey, she must confront her own walls and discover the person she wants to be.

As Sona looses everything - her job, her family, her home she will finally be forced into action and growth. It is a journey that reflects a geopolitical maelstrom as India seeks her independence and the shackles of colonialism. More than that it is a story of the masks we wear and select truths. How identity can be defined both by an observer and by the observed. You can see her naivety on display ripe for the picking, yet those setback don’t seem to weigh her down. As her innocence is stripped away, she discovers that Mira wasn’t quite who she thought she was, nor is she herself.

I realize I have become more and more fascinated with the concept of identity in a landscape where you will always be other, so this was the perfect book for my current mindset. The way you see yourself and the way the world sees you are at odds and finding the strength to be yourself requires courage and discernment to carve out your own space. So this was thought provoking and would make a great option for book club!

A wonderful story about a nurse who finds love and self discovery.. Alka Joshi creates a sensory story that takes the reader to Bombay, Istanbul, Florence,, Paris and other cities as seen through the eyes of a half-Indian Half- British nurse who has l3d a very protected and limited life before this journey.

Thank you to NetGalley, the author and publisher for an advanced copy of this novel
It followed a young nurse’s journey from a young impressionable nurse through adulthood. After being terminated for something she didn’t do, she set off on a trip to deliver paintings to friends of her deceased patient. The story ran a little slower than I normally like, but it’s a beautiful story well worth your time.

A luminous portrait of friendship, art, and identity set against the shifting landscapes of colonial India and pre-war Europe.

From the humid streets of 1930s Bombay to the dusky alleys of Paris and the golden light of Florence, this novel follows Sona, a young nurse whose quiet life is upended when she meets Mira—an enigmatic patient and gifted artist. What begins as a deep, almost fated friendship turns tragic when Mira dies suddenly, and Sona is left under suspicion—and with a final, life-altering request from her friend.

At its heart, this is a coming-of-age story steeped in atmosphere. India, under British rule, pulses with political tension, and Bombay is more than a setting—it has a pulse of its own. The novel distills a moment in time, where history brushes up against the lives of women forging their own paths.

Sona’s journey to honor Mira’s last wish leads her across Europe. What she uncovers is more than a mystery…it’s a quiet reckoning. A story of love, legacy, and learning to carry what’s left behind. A story about women, about discovery, about what we owe each other and what we owe ourselves. Just a beautiful and thought provoking read!

I loved the Jaipur trilogy (even though I still need to read the last one!) and couldn’t wait to dive into Alka Joshi’s newest. In Six Days in Bombay, Joshi’s rich writing style creates an immersive reading experience. Her ability to transport readers to the vivid world of 1930s India truly brings the story to life.

The story follows nurse Sona’s as she befriends a famous painter Mira. Because of their friendship Sona is given the opportunity to go to Europe and embarks on a journey of self-discovery.

I went into Six Days in Bombay completely blind and was really glad I did!

If Alka Joshi writes it—I’m reading it! Thank you to NetGalley and Harlequin Trade Publishing for the advanced copy.