Published By: Atlantic
Pages: 304
Released On: 06/08/2026
Unfortunately, some people are family.
Malti Patel is absolutely fine. Concussed and bruised, maybe, but fine. Certainly fine enough to not need her daughter’s soon-to-be-ex-husband, Nathan Whitlock, playing nurse in her home while she recuperates. And yet her doctor insists on in-home supervision for seven days, and with her daughter, Kavya, studying in India, Nathan proves too much of a do-gooder to let Malti rehabilitate alone.
They want nothing to do with one another. But over the course of the week, as Malti grapples with the shadows of her past and Nathan ponders the wreckage of his marriage, they learn that they are the two people who know Kavya best – and the ones who have hurt her so deeply that she’s left them both entirely.
*****
Thanks to NetGalley and Atlantic for the advanced copy of this title in return for an honest review.
I have a copy of Parini’s book The Bandit Queens, but haven’t read it yet so I went into this blind.
It’s an easy going book, and whilst there are some difficult topics, it is generally quite a positive, uplifting story.
The chapters are a bit on the long side, and I prefer short chapters, but I know that’s more of a personal thing rather than a problem with the book itself.
I found the writing…fine. It wasn’t anything standout. The dialogue was also a little ropey from time to time. I mean, I am rubbish at writing dialogue so I can’t really comment, but I like my dialogue to sound natural rather than like I’m reading a book (I know that’s exactly what I’m doing) and this went from natural to stilted a few times.
The characters are okay. It’s really a two-person story for 99% of the book, and they’re completely different. They’re not always the easiest to get along with but I did enjoy following their heart to hearts. They were, at times, sickly sweet but interesting all the same.
It is VERY dialogue heavy and VERY plot light, which is not how I usually like my books but I didn’t mind it so much in this.
I liked the multicultural element. We have the comparisons between the American way of life and the Indian, and I found that well done. I apologise to Parini if I’m wrong but I think she has Indian heritage but lives in the States, so it’s clear to see where this multicultural aspect came from and it’s done with respect. Was it a bit much at times? Possible. But I don’t feel I have a right to comment on discussions around race and related matters.
I also liked the generational element – this man in his 40s caring for his mother-in-law in her 70s, and I enjoyed their interactions.
I admit there is not much going on at all, the plot is very thin, which isn’t necessarily a negative as long as the characters are good. Like I said, they’re not perfect, but I did enjoy reading about them.
It’s a genteel book with a genteel pace, a lot of conversation, a lot of soul searching and reminiscing, rather than ‘stuff’ actually going on but it makes for an easy and quick read that I read in a few hours. Books that are predominately dialogue can have a tendency to be slow and drag out but this was so easy to read.
Now…the ending. I liked what was there, but it feels quite open ended so the reader can decide how it ends and that annoys me slightly. I want to know I’ve finished a story and it’s all wrapped up – in a positive or negative way – and I often feel a bit short-changed. Like I said, I liked the ending that was on the page but I’d prefer if she’d completely tied it all up.
Overall, it’s not the best book I’ve read and there are some flaws. The characters weren’t perfect but they were endearing. There are lots of difficult topics but they are handled well. It’s quick and easy to read, and I enjoyed the multicultural and multigenerational aspects.
Books By Your Bedside 