A young girl from India living in beautiful Ireland. Living with her best friend Joy, in a two year relationship with Jacob Joys brother. Durga should be happy with her new life.. it all changes for Durga with her sisters wedding coming up she is taking her friend joy to the wedding instead of a boyfriend Jacob.Durga has never told her parents that she has been seeing Jacob for two years. He is not Indian. He is a mixed race, Irish and black, and she feels her family would not understand. With that being said and pushing the issue and being a coward to her they break up, really hard thing Durga to get over because not too long after they break up Jacob dies suddenly. This turns not only .Durgas life upside down, but it also causes friction between her and Joy. Durga does go home for Sister’s wedding only to be caught in the middle of where do I belong? Feeling she has lost everything in Ireland she is considering going to India permanently. Should she do this? She is really at a crossroads and must decide what she’s going to do without her life.

I did so enjoy this book. I love the way. It was written the character and what she went through to find her herself. There was a real struggle for. Durga because she didn’t want to tell her family about Jacob yet she couldn’t stand the thought of her parents trying to set her up and get her married off like her sister. I also like this book is that it gave you so many views about life back in India. How marriages are reached and why they are done this way. There is always a fairytale ending for many.Durga finally does tell her father about Jacob. She realizes she must do some soul-searching for herself.
I like that she did not just settle that. She wanted to live her life on her own terms and not make everybody happy. She needed to be happy for herself to be on her own and make Ireland home and finally belong someplace.

I would definitely recommend this book to my friends. It’s a great story of someone looking for the good in themselves and being able to respect themselves and make a life for themselves. Thank you. NetGalley and Random house Publishing for the ARC. Thank you Disha Bose for beautiful written story.

I Will Blossom Anyway is the second book from Disha Bose that I've read. Centered around an Indian woman living in America, the story brings to light the concept of arranged marriages, freedom of choice, and the impact of circumstances outside your control. While more on the gentle and humorous side, there is a lovely poignancy that reflects throughout the pages. Death can surprise you. But so can a slowly burgeoning love that may not be what you expected but is what you needed. Imagine feeling different yet struggling with how to meet the expectations of many people in your life whom you've possibly let retain too much control? A memorable trip home to India. Blind dating humor. And tests to the bonds of friendship. I loved the reality of all the relationships, some good and some bad. It was a little slow-moving at times, and a few of the scenes felt forced to fit the overall plot rather than the natural actions of characters. I didn't like the early death one of person who had more story to tell - perhaps it was a one-sided narration and so it was meant to be that way... kind of like life taking someone from you without understanding why. So in that case, it's spot on... but it was just missing a few things to move to 5 stars for me. Still a recommended read.

This book was good, but kind of wrongly marketed? It's much more of a "coming of age" story than a romance. It's definitely good either way; I just want to save people the trouble, lol. 3.5 stars rounded up!

Durga, a young woman from India, left her family for a job in Ireland. She finds herself stuck between 2 the two worlds, her feet not firmly planted in either. In India, she had the comfort and familiarity of her family and their culture but in Ireland she finds love and friendship and a life firmly her own. As in real life, things don't always go according to our plans and there are bumps in the road but ultimately, I Will Blossom Anyway is a story about find your way and place in the world.

Thank you to NetGalley and the publisher for the arc. This is a coming of age story, not quite a romance. It was just fine, but I found it incredibly hard to get through and didn't get invested.

This booked had romance vibes, but was more so a "coming of age" despite Durga being an adult. Durga beating things to death got on my nerves, but I guess that's part of her character growing and maturing.

An easy and enjoyable book when you are looking for something that is somewhat lightweight, yet contains just enough meat to keep you interested all the way through to the end. A cross cultural story involving Durga, a single Bengali woman who has struck it out on her own in Ireland while her family weaves through life with their own intrigues. Durga interacts and becomes close to several Irish locals who themselves have their own cultural mixes adding to a melange of traditions and beliefs. It never gets too heavy and weighty even though there are several serious matters they all must contend with. I really appreciate that the author addresses all of these situations as conflicts and celebrations that belong to the characters without trying to preach to the reader or throw some sort of a guilt trip our way. If anything, these are not just facets of what the characters are experiencing, but a fascinating glimpse for us who might not be so familiar with them to learn a little about traditions. Traditions that are still somewhat a part of these families, yet we get to see them evolve as various circumstances force everyone to look at other perspectives.

There's plenty of romance in this story and it's tastefully presented. The relationships and how they intertwine with other various characters is what's important here. While Durga's relationships take centerstage, there are several others we get to see evolve and sometimes dissolve. Basically, the story is about how Durga goes out on her own and blossoms into her own true being.

An interesting book when you want something lighter that will still capture your interest. Would make for a good beach read. I like something like this between two heavier works. It allows my mind to be entertained and involved without weighing me down or exhausting my brain.

Oh, and this book made me hungry! Yes, there's food involved and it all sounded to tempting.

Thanks to NetGalley for a copy of the eBook in lieu of a review.

Durga leaves her family in India to move to Ireland. She hopes to find a life very different from what her family wants and expects from her. And though she loves them dearly and misses them,, she also loves her new independence. She finds love and friendship and a life very different than she expected.

Ms. Bose has written a lovely story that really touched my heart. Her book is well written and I hope it finds the audience it deserves. I highly recommend it.

THIS BOOK. I loved it so much. It’s a quiet book. Even though there’s big life events, there were no twists, turns, build ups etc. It felt like I was listening to a new friend tell me the familiar story of their lives and it warmed my heart. I would read it again, which is rare for me, the same way I’d listen to my friends tell me a childhood story again. The writing is beautiful, simple but emotional. I can’t wait to read more books by Disha Bose.

I Will Blossom Anyway has a bit of a Sally Rooney vibe.Durga is a young Indian woman who has left her family for a job in Ireland. She is somewhat stuck between 2 worlds, not quite comfortable in either one. In India, she has the comfort of family, food, and maids. In Ireland she has found love and a best friend, although her family does not know about the love. There are surprising plot twists along the way, but the book is mostly focused on Durga's journey to find where she belongs and who she is.

Disha Bose’s I Will Blossom Anyway is an evocative and deeply moving novel that explores the intricate balance between family expectations, self-identity, and the unrelenting pressures of modern life. With relatable, dynamic characters and exquisite sensory details, Bose crafts a narrative that feels both personal and universal, leaving readers reflecting on their own journeys of self-discovery and self-love.

At the heart of the novel is a protagonist who embodies the struggles of many—juggling societal norms, familial obligations, and personal aspirations while attempting to carve out her own space in the world. Bose masterfully develops her characters, making them feel like close friends or even reflections of ourselves. Their triumphs and failures resonate on an emotional level, allowing readers to connect deeply with their stories.

One of the novel’s strongest elements is its use of sensory details and lush descriptions. Whether it’s the scent of fresh rain on a quiet morning, the chaotic hum of a family gathering, or the internal tug-of-war between tradition and independence, Bose’s writing pulls readers into each scene with immersive, vivid prose. Every setting, emotion, and conversation feels alive, making the book difficult to put down.

Beyond its poetic storytelling, I Will Blossom Anyway is a testament to resilience and self-acceptance. It offers a compelling exploration of how to handle the expectations of family while nurturing one's own dreams and identity. Through heartbreak, growth, and moments of profound realization, the novel emphasizes that true happiness starts with loving oneself. The theme of self-love is seamlessly woven into the narrative, serving as a powerful reminder that we must embrace our flaws, celebrate our strengths, and acknowledge our worth.

For readers who appreciate stories about personal transformation, family complexities, and the courage it takes to bloom in one’s own way, I Will Blossom Anyway is a must-read. It’s a beautifully written novel that stays with you long after the final page—a love letter to anyone who has ever struggled to find their place in the world but dared to flourish nonetheless.

I would not qualify this as a romance book but one about self discovery. Durga lives in Ireland after leaving her large family in India. She is shy and has social anxiety. She is attracted to one of her co-workers, Jacob, and ends up renting part of her apartment to his sister, Joy. Joy becomes her best friend and she enters a two year relationship with Jacob. This is not what the novel is about though. The novel starts with her break-up with Jacob. They broke up because she is embarrassed to tell her family about Jacob since he is mixed race. I don't want to spoil the novel but then something shocking happens and the rest of the novel is about Durga trying to find her way.

This was only OK to me. It felt very slow and honestly I really didn't want to read about someones break up. The book did get better near the end. I really like the Durga at the end of the story and I enjoyed reading about her sister Tia. I just wish this book wasn't as sad as it was for the majority of the book because the ending was good.

Thank you to Ballantine Books and NetGalley for this ARC.

This was a story that centered upon a young Indian woman named Durga who has moved to Ireland from Calcutta for a job. It is a big change to live by herself without her robust family influence around her. Her older sister Tia is about to get married- an arranged marriage since her youth. Finally left to her autonomy, Durga establishes a different existence in Ireland, with a roommate named Joy- and she's been dating her brother Jacob for a couple of years. They are very much in love, but as the book begins they are taking a pause. Durga is afraid to bring Jacob home to her sister's wedding, worried that her parents will stand against the relationship, seeing as how Jacob is from a different race. While this is an understandable quandary in the face of smothering parents who believe in arranged marriages, Jacob is still greatly hurt and offended. The balance of the book explores Durka's experiences living through this separation from her great love, while being exposed to other potential lovers and marriage options both in Ireland and Calcutta. I felt a certain detachment from all the characters, almost as if I was looking through a filmy curtain at them. Perhaps they could have been developed more- especially the main character of Durka to whom I felt no particular liking. Although I was interested enough to finish the book, I wasn't wowed, touched, or inspired by this.

Thank you to Random House Publishing / Ballantine Books for providing an advance reader copy via NetGalley.

A very touching novel about a young woman making important decisions about her life when tragedy strikes. She has to make peace with her decisions and find her place within her family. It was very moving.

pretty well-written story about the immigrant experience and identity. 5 stars. tysm for the arc. would recommend.

This was an engaging examination of self-discovery.

Durga was promoted with her first major job. It took her from an overcrowded, noisy family home where it was warm in Calcutta to a place that was totally different. Cork, south of Dublin, was quiet with cold winds. She looked different than everyone else and had no idea how to drive.

Her family wanted her to return to India where she belonged. Her mother was following traditions with arranged marriages and Durga was soon to be on her list. From her faraway place, this made her nervous as she didn’t want to disappoint her Ma and Baba with a man she was dating – for the fear they wouldn’t approve.

Durga’s close family ties in India energized the story along with her roommate in Ireland whom she adored. The author used her own life experiences living in both of these places to give readers a clear vision of the changes. With her gift of writing, she was able to transport readers into a world where there were strong cultural differences.

The story came with an unexpected turn a third of the way which made me curious how it would evolve. I learned more about family values in India. I’m not sure I liked the ending but I know the characters will stay with me for some time.

My thanks to Ballantine Books and NetGalley for allowing me to read an advanced copy of this book with an expected release date of May 6, 2025.

Very easy, read in a day kind of book.
Durga has left her loud, sometimes claustrophobic Indian family to find herself in Cork, Ireland. Unfortunately, it is much harder than she hoped to reinvent herself. She may be a long way from her Indian upbringing but her families prejudices and opinions still dictate her decisions. The style of writing is light so no deep dive into family dynamics and the culture of the Indian family and immigrants assimilation into their new home. However, this was a great read and I was routing for Joy and Durga to find peace and happiness.
Thanks to Netgalley for the ARC

As a person whose family has lived in the same neighborhood of New York City for five generations, the identity issues faced by those who choose to live in places other than where they were raised are foreign to me, but are central to “I Will Blossom Anyway”. I learned a lot.

Durga moves from India to England to escape the restrictions she feels from her home culture. Yet, her new found freedom doesn’t feel right either.
Her confusion, as she bounces between the two societies, is palpable, often exemplified by the men she chooses. Through her well-drawn narrative, Ms. Bose describes Durga’s growing ambivalences so slowly and subtly that, by the end, you are surprised by the deeper and more emotional understanding and appreciation you have of the immigrant experience.

While there are aspects of romantic comedy in the book (not a genre I usually read), I found it so enjoyable that I may rethink my normal aversion. But only if it is written as well as this is.

A young woman from India takes up residence in Ireland, falls in love with a man she is afraid her parents won’t approve of, though she lives with his sister….there is a lot of emotional turmoil in her life! I am not even disclosing all of it! While it could very much be a messy way of life for some young immigrants, it was an unhappy life to read into. I very much liked her visit back to India after two years, and her interactions with her siblings and parents. I just wasn’t happy reading about her life or her life choices while she was in Ireland. I was left feeling that everything was going to improve, but it took the final pages to get there.

A quick contemporary read that blends coming-of-age vibes with culture clash, family expectations and learning to own your choices. Bonus points for all the delicious food descriptions and the dive into Indian weddings and mythology. Overall, I liked Durga and her journey even if it was a bit bumpy!

Great cover!