This book is a re-release of The Lost Daughter Of India. It tells a highly descriptive story of an American woman who believes that she wants to live in India only to marry, have a child and then realise that this life is not for her. Her husband moves away too leaving their daughter with their friends and then it all goes wrong. Sad yet inspiring story which very aptly describes the dichotomies of India - extreme wealth next to abject poverty, the different languages of the country and so English is spoken to be understood, the casual way children are used and abused especially for money. This may make it sound like a sad book however it is anything but !! Really enjoyed reading it.


Thanks to Netgalley / Storm for the ARC to review

This was an intense story, focusing on child trafficking. While it was a quick read, I found it a bit lacking in character development. But it's very atmospheric.
Thank you NetGalley and the publisher for access to this eARC.

Absolutely fantastic plot! Could not put the book down once I began reading it. I have even bought a few copies for friends.

This story had potential where a young girl is trafficked into the underbelly of an Indian city with the people who care about her desperately searching for her. I have been travelling to India for many years and was excited to read this book. Unfortunately I found there was too much repetition and the characters weren’t very credible. As a mother I don’t think I would be dining in The Taj hotel while my child was missing. I don’t think it’s credible that every person searching for the girl slept the moment their heads hit their pillows! There were too many inconsistencies in the timelines and motivations. Would a hardened, wily madam whose sole business was providing young girls to the most despicable men in Mumbai suddenly have a change of heart and give the girl up? Sorry but these aforementioned irritants make this only a three star read for me.

This book really pulled me in. It tells the heartbreaking story of Asha, a mixed-race teenager who ends up in the dangerous world of Mumbai’s red-light district after losing her foster parents. Her birth parents, who had a complicated past, are forced to come together to try and save her.

The story is emotional and eye-opening, especially about the reality of child trafficking. Sharon Maas does a great job showing both the beauty and the harshness of India. The characters feel real, and the message is powerful—about family, love, and never giving up.

This was a great read, especially because it exposed the story behind child trafficking and prostitution in India. It was an interesting story because of the cross cultural connection, American wife and Indian husband, then the child who was more attached to the Indian family where they resided. The tension rises after Asha is left with no family and is desirable as a child companion. I especially enjoyed Janaki's cleverness in tracking things through the internet, in 1997. An informative and entertaining read. Thanks to NetGalley and Storm Publishing for a copy to read and review, and for introducing me to another new author who has work that I would like to read.

A very deep and emotional read indeed!! This was the first book I have read by this author and I loved her style. Extremely easy to follow as it flowed well, learning lots about Indian traditions and obviously the harrowing insight into an extremely terrifying subject matter. There was lots of love felt throughout this story with twists and turns along the way to keep you gripped. Well worth the read.

Thanks to Storm Publishing and NetGalley for allowing me an advanced copy to read in exchange for my open and honest review. As always, my reviews will also be posted on Amazon, Goodreads and Waterstones and interaction on Facebook and instagram where possible.

Girl in a Red Silk Sari is a gripping and emotional journey that delves into the harrowing world of child trafficking, set against the vibrant yet often brutal backdrop of Mumbai. Sharon Maas weaves a story that is as heart-wrenching as it is captivating, exploring the depth of parental love, the resilience of the human spirit, and the search for hope in the face of overwhelming odds.

Thirteen-year-old Asha’s life takes a tragic turn when her foster parents are killed in an accident, and she is abducted by child traffickers. Her parents, Caroline and Kamal, are reunited in their desperate mission to find their daughter, who has been sold into the cruel world of Mumbai’s Red-Light District. Asha is now a high-value commodity, sold to the highest bidder, and her parents must navigate the chaos of the city to locate her. The task is daunting, but with the help of Asha’s street-smart foster sister, Janiki, they gain renewed strength and hope in their search.

Maas’s portrayal of Mumbai’s underworld is both vivid and unsettling, creating a palpable sense of urgency and tension throughout the book. The journey to rescue Asha is fraught with danger, but it also highlights the powerful bonds of family and the unyielding determination that drives Caroline, Kamal, and Janiki forward. The character of Asha, despite being lost in the anonymity of the city, is never forgotten, and Maas does a brilliant job of showing how love can transcend distance and darkness.

The emotional depth of the book is its greatest strength. Caroline and Kamal’s unwavering love for their daughter, even after years of separation, is the driving force of the narrative. Janiki’s role adds an extra layer of complexity and strength to the story

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An excellent read for any and all readers! Author comes at you with both barrels and knocks you out of your shoes! Great job fleshing out all the characters. I give this book FIVE stars! Definitely recommend!

Girl in a Red Silk Sari is a gripping, heart-wrenching journey that kept me hooked from start to finish. Caroline’s search for her missing daughter, Asha, in the dark corners of Mumbai is both emotional and suspenseful. The vivid descriptions of the city’s red-light district and the harrowing realities of human trafficking create an intense atmosphere that pulls you in. Caroline's determination to reconnect with her estranged husband and confront her painful past adds a deeply personal layer to the story. The twists and turns kept me on edge, and the emotional payoff was powerful. This novel is a beautifully written, emotional rollercoaster that I won’t soon forget.

I absolutely loved this book! Learning about Indian culture was fascinating, and I completely fell in love with the characters. This was my first book by Sharon Maas, but it certainly won’t be my last.

From the very beginning, I was captivated by Kamal and Caroline’s stories—the way they found each other and fell in love was beautiful. When their journey took an unexpected turn, I was heartbroken.

Sharon Maas’s writing transported me straight to India. I could vividly picture the vibrant colors, take in the rich scents, and feel the pulse of every moment. Each page left me eager for more.

A huge thank you to NetGalley and Storm Publishing for this ARC!

My first book by this author. I absolutely loved her writing style and the way she laid out this heart wrenching story. The characters had such depth I felt as if I knew them. Ultimately an emotional rollercoaster that will leave you breathless.

This book takes the reader on a rollercoaster of emotions as they journey through India with Caroline and Kamal. Initially as naive youngsters then as desperate disbelieving parents searching for their child. The story is a painful heartbreaking and at times uncomfortable read. Most of her characters are not very likeable or just plain weak. The author didn't give herself an easy job with her choice of topic or her characters but what she did get is an exceptionally written book about what I imagine is a fairly taboo subject. Well done Sharon! It made me squirm but I'm glad I read your book!
Thank you to NetGalley and the publisher for the opportunity to read an advance copy. All opinions are my own.

Thanks to NetGalley and Storm Publishing for this Advanced Reader’s Copy of Girl in a Red Silk Sari by Sharon Maas due to be published April 28, 2025.
Caroline has come back to India – this time to find her estranged 13-year-old daughter. She will need to reconnect with her husband, Kamal, and together they will look for their daughter. Caroline will be tested in ways she never imagined, but she is determined to find Asha and reconnect and heal the wounds of the past. Will she and Kamal be too late?
So many words to describe this book – so many emotions – love, hate, forgiveness, greed – it was heartbreaking at times and wonderfully beautiful at others. To read of things that we know happen in the “real world” is so hard to comprehend, but it was done in a masterful way. I will remember this book for a long time.

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