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Late Bloomers
Late Bloomers | Deepa Varadarajan
6 posts | 6 read | 6 to read
An Indian American family is turned upside down when the parents split up thirty-six years into their arranged marriage? in this witty, big-hearted debut. "Equal parts funny and heartbreaking, Late Bloomers is a charming story about starting over, stumbling, and finding yourself at any age."--Jennifer Close, author of Marrying the Ketchups "I have a soft spot for underdogs. And late bloomers. You've told me a lot of things about yourself, so let me tell you something about me." After thirty-six years of a dutiful but unhappy arranged marriage, recently divorced Suresh and Lata Raman find themselves starting new paths in life. Suresh is trying to navigate the world of online dating on a website that caters to Indians and is striking out at every turn--until he meets a mysterious, devastatingly attractive younger woman who seems to be smitten with him. Lata is enjoying her newfound independence, but she's caught off guard when a professor in his early sixties starts to flirt with her. Meanwhile, Suresh and Lata's daughter, Priya, thinks her father's online pursuits are distasteful even as she embarks upon a clandestine affair of her own. And their son, Nikesh, pretends at a seemingly perfect marriage with his law-firm colleague and their young son, but hides the truth of what his relationship really entails. Over the course of three weeks in August, the whole family will uncover one another's secrets, confront the limits of love and loyalty, and explore life's second chances. Charming, funny, and moving, Late Bloomers introduces a delightful new voice in fiction with the story of four individuals trying to understand how to be happy in their own lives--and as a family.
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TheBBs
Late Bloomers | Deepa Varadarajan
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February 2024

review
Megabooks
Late Bloomers | Deepa Varadarajan
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Pickpick

#BlameItOn @Hooked_on_books I‘ve been reading a lot of messy family books, and while this was enjoyable, I had trouble connecting to it and rooting for these characters.

Lata and Suresh have divorced. She has a job for the first time and a professor flirting with her. Suresh is on the dating apps and traveling to meet new women. Meanwhile one adult child is having an affair and the other is a new dad who is keeping a big secret from his parents.

Cinfhen Seems like a good #BorrowNotBuy 1y
merelybookish I just finished this. It was a soft pick. Interesting you say you couldn't connect. I also felt like something was missing. 1y
Hooked_on_books It‘s SO good on audio. I have a feeling the audio really elevates it. It‘s a full cast performing it and I was so engaged by it. @Cinfhen go for the audio if you can find it! 1y
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Cinfhen Thanks for the rec @Hooked_on_books 😘 1y
Megabooks @Hooked_on_books @Cinfhen I wish my library had the audiobook instead because I bet you‘re right about it being better. 1y
Megabooks @merelybookish yeah, and I can‘t really point to anything specific being wrong, but I felt I was at arms length from them. 1y
72 likes1 stack add6 comments
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merelybookish
Late Bloomers | Deepa Varadarajan
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"There was no winning as a mother." Isn't that the truth?

Leftcoastzen So true! 1y
TheBookHippie 💯💯💯💯 1y
GingerAntics I don‘t think being a gentle, loving mother means your kids can‘t function in the world, though. 1y
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jewright I would hope I‘m gentle and loving and still teach them things. I just have them help me do cooking and chores around the house with me. 1y
Cathythoughts That‘s the absolute truth 😁 1y
Cathythoughts Being a Granny is great though… you get all the fun and cuddles. ♥️ 1y
50 likes6 comments
review
merelybookish
Late Bloomers | Deepa Varadarajan
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Pickpick

Members of the Indian American Ramen family are figuring things out. What happens after you get divorced after thirty-six years? What it's like to be single at nearly 60? Or to have parents who are dating when you're not? This is a book about second chances, the messiness of families, and giving yourself and the people you love lots of grace. A light, easy read albeit bit silly in places. ⭐⭐⭐ #netgalley

review
Hooked_on_books
Late Bloomers | Deepa Varadarajan
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Pickpick

Recently divorced and nearing 60, Suresh and Lata are both finding their way as single people while their two adult kids struggle along as well. They‘re all pretty comfortable in their careers, but their dating lives are all over the place. I really liked this one! It was nice following some older characters and fun to see the difference between the immigrant parents and their American kids. Plus, it‘s well balanced with some good humor.

JanuarieTimewalker13 Great review! Stacked! 1y
Megabooks I had eyed this at the library, but now I‘ve put it on hold. Thanks! 1y
Hooked_on_books @Megabooks You‘re welcome! The audio is really well done. I recommended it to my mom, too. I think she‘ll really like it. 1y
Megabooks My library only had print, so hopefully that‘s equally good! 👍🏻 1y
44 likes3 stack adds4 comments
review
janeycanuck
Late Bloomers | Deepa Varadarajan
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Pickpick

What a lovely little book. I really ran through the gamut on how I felt about every character, at times loving and at times really disliking them. I think that just goes to show how strong the writing is here.

42 likes2 stack adds