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3.52 AVERAGE
3.52 AVERAGE
**I received a complimentary copy of Meet Me in Bombay by Jenny Ashcroft from NetGalley. Opinions expressed in this review are completely my own.**
While this book was set during WW1, it was more focused on the love story between Maddy and Luke. The war served to keep them apart, but the focus was always on their relationship, and the war acted as a backdrop for this. I found myself really invested in their relationship and often exclaiming out loud when things happened to keep them apart. I liked how Luke's heart was able to remember even when his mind could not. It made me feel hope for love.
I did not like how Maddy's mother kept pushing her at Guy, but I'm sure that mothers were doing during this time period. I went between liking and not liking her the entire book. Overall, I enjoyed the characters and storyline.
While this book was set during WW1, it was more focused on the love story between Maddy and Luke. The war served to keep them apart, but the focus was always on their relationship, and the war acted as a backdrop for this. I found myself really invested in their relationship and often exclaiming out loud when things happened to keep them apart. I liked how Luke's heart was able to remember even when his mind could not. It made me feel hope for love.
I did not like how Maddy's mother kept pushing her at Guy, but I'm sure that mothers were doing during this time period. I went between liking and not liking her the entire book. Overall, I enjoyed the characters and storyline.
Alright. I hated this. I gave it until page 200 before skimming the rest. It was trope after cliche after trope. Romance? There may have been love but was there a love story. Not in my opinion. Romanticizing war and colonialism though, that was done.
It was like Ashcroft had a list of everything that makes a historical romance sell and checked the boxes off in order.
Love at first sight ✅
War ✅
Complicated parental relationship ✅
One offense or two is to be expected, but after 10-12 cliches I was actually mad. I’ve never slammed a book shut and said, “No. no. Really? No.”
It was like Ashcroft had a list of everything that makes a historical romance sell and checked the boxes off in order.
Love at first sight ✅
War ✅
Complicated parental relationship ✅
One offense or two is to be expected, but after 10-12 cliches I was actually mad. I’ve never slammed a book shut and said, “No. no. Really? No.”
Thank you to St. Martin's press and NetGalley for allowing me to read Meet Me in Bombay so that I may provide an honest review.
Historical fiction is at its very best when it transports us to a different place and time and Jenny Ashcroft has accomplished in spades in her book. Meet Me in Bombay. The love story between Maddy and Luke was one of the most beautiful that I have read and was highly emotional due to Ashcroft's expert crafting of extremely likable characters. Further enhanced by a host of well-developed supporting characters, I found myself laughing and crying along with their happiness and heartbreak. The ending left me in tears and was so poignant that I think I will reread it in the coming days. Upon finishing, I immediately messaged all my reader friends to make sure they mark their calendars for the release of this book. This was my first book by Jenny Ashcroft and I just ordered all of her others. Absolutely fantastic!!
Historical fiction is at its very best when it transports us to a different place and time and Jenny Ashcroft has accomplished in spades in her book. Meet Me in Bombay. The love story between Maddy and Luke was one of the most beautiful that I have read and was highly emotional due to Ashcroft's expert crafting of extremely likable characters. Further enhanced by a host of well-developed supporting characters, I found myself laughing and crying along with their happiness and heartbreak. The ending left me in tears and was so poignant that I think I will reread it in the coming days. Upon finishing, I immediately messaged all my reader friends to make sure they mark their calendars for the release of this book. This was my first book by Jenny Ashcroft and I just ordered all of her others. Absolutely fantastic!!
Meet Me In Bombay by Jenny Ashcroft
Rating 2.5/ 5 Stars
Published By St Martin’s Press
Published On 19 January 2021 (Second publishing)
Thank you to Netgalley, St. Martin’s Press, and of course, Jenny Ashcroft, for an ARC in exchange for an honest review.
It’s New Years' Eve 1913 and Maddy and Luke meet under the heat of Bombay, India. Maddy is looking for a new chance for life. Luke has been in Bombay for a while already and he opens Maddy’s eyes to the beautiful wonders of Bombay. Meanwhile, Maddy is capturing Luke’s heart, it’s too bad her mother would rather her marry the match she has tracked down. We follow these two over the course of a year as they fall in love. The world begins to fall apart around them and they are separated due to World War I. Luke promises to return and meet her again in Bombay - but only if he can remember anything about his life pre-war.
Important - I am taking the controversial colonizer argument out of my review. It is incredibly problematic. To be clear - a large part of my rating is 2.5 focuses on that point, but I think it is necessary to actually discuss the book beyond this. The characters fall flat and the plot has a few holes in it. It's slow to start and when I take all the problems out of it, it does stand as a good novel - I just think it could have been SO much better had simple changes been made to avoid glamourizing a painful historical period.
Rating 2.5/ 5 Stars
Published By St Martin’s Press
Published On 19 January 2021 (Second publishing)
Thank you to Netgalley, St. Martin’s Press, and of course, Jenny Ashcroft, for an ARC in exchange for an honest review.
It’s New Years' Eve 1913 and Maddy and Luke meet under the heat of Bombay, India. Maddy is looking for a new chance for life. Luke has been in Bombay for a while already and he opens Maddy’s eyes to the beautiful wonders of Bombay. Meanwhile, Maddy is capturing Luke’s heart, it’s too bad her mother would rather her marry the match she has tracked down. We follow these two over the course of a year as they fall in love. The world begins to fall apart around them and they are separated due to World War I. Luke promises to return and meet her again in Bombay - but only if he can remember anything about his life pre-war.
Important - I am taking the controversial colonizer argument out of my review. It is incredibly problematic. To be clear - a large part of my rating is 2.5 focuses on that point, but I think it is necessary to actually discuss the book beyond this. The characters fall flat and the plot has a few holes in it. It's slow to start and when I take all the problems out of it, it does stand as a good novel - I just think it could have been SO much better had simple changes been made to avoid glamourizing a painful historical period.
It’s a first for me to write a review this long after finishing a book and I really hope that I do the book justice.. I definitely enjoyed the read and wouldn’t want to do any less for it!
As I read Meet Me in Bombay by Jenny Ashcroft the word “beautiful” kept appearing in my mind. Don’t get me wrong, this isn’t a Fitzgerald-esque style of writing where each phrase just leaves me with goosebumps. However, the book itself is written in a way that is evocative of a time gone by, which coupled with the love story between Maddy and Luke is a winning formula.
I really liked how the main difficulties facing our lovers were of the time and not the usual fare of misunderstandings and whatnot. Having World War One be the driving force of the story’s conflict lent a sense of doom to the romance even when things were still going well and ensured that the conflict didn’t feel manufactured.
I just have a quibble with the ending of the book which I felt was rather rushed. Other than that, this was a lovely read which accompanied me through many late nights!
Diversity meter:
Strong female characters
As I read Meet Me in Bombay by Jenny Ashcroft the word “beautiful” kept appearing in my mind. Don’t get me wrong, this isn’t a Fitzgerald-esque style of writing where each phrase just leaves me with goosebumps. However, the book itself is written in a way that is evocative of a time gone by, which coupled with the love story between Maddy and Luke is a winning formula.
I really liked how the main difficulties facing our lovers were of the time and not the usual fare of misunderstandings and whatnot. Having World War One be the driving force of the story’s conflict lent a sense of doom to the romance even when things were still going well and ensured that the conflict didn’t feel manufactured.
I just have a quibble with the ending of the book which I felt was rather rushed. Other than that, this was a lovely read which accompanied me through many late nights!
Diversity meter:
Strong female characters
Summary: Madeline isn’t loving Bombay the way she thought she would until she meets Luke Devereaux and the tow begin an epic romance until the World enters into WW1 and forces Luke back to fight for England.This leads the door open for Madeline other and parent approve Suitor Guy to make his move.
Thoughts: I really wanted to like this and just couldn’t really get into it. I did really like Luke he seemed like a lot of fun and the clear choice when compared to Guy. I also liked Madeline, she knows what she wants and when it comes time she makes no apologies for doing and going for what she wants. I was very happy with the ending, while a bittersweet ending it was still a happy ending and Madeline definite made the right choice. I still don’t understand why the Mother was so against her being and waiting for Luke. They das was super precious though, I like the dad and the brother in law a lot. They and Luke were adorable 10/10 the three of them.
Thoughts: I really wanted to like this and just couldn’t really get into it. I did really like Luke he seemed like a lot of fun and the clear choice when compared to Guy. I also liked Madeline, she knows what she wants and when it comes time she makes no apologies for doing and going for what she wants. I was very happy with the ending, while a bittersweet ending it was still a happy ending and Madeline definite made the right choice. I still don’t understand why the Mother was so against her being and waiting for Luke. They das was super precious though, I like the dad and the brother in law a lot. They and Luke were adorable 10/10 the three of them.
This story gave me all the feels. I was so grateful to receive an ARC (releases January 2021).
I actually had to put it down for a couple of days. I was distraught while reading but felt that if I put it down to sleep I might struggle to pick it back up. I deeply felt all the joy and sorrow. It’s a truly talented author that can make you feel so passionately.
Jenny Ashcroft truly captured me from the very start. I hated characters and eventually loved them. Supporting characters had fantastic development. The descriptions of India in and around the time of WW1 were gorgeous. This is a beautiful story of love, loss, family and desperation.
I actually had to put it down for a couple of days. I was distraught while reading but felt that if I put it down to sleep I might struggle to pick it back up. I deeply felt all the joy and sorrow. It’s a truly talented author that can make you feel so passionately.
Jenny Ashcroft truly captured me from the very start. I hated characters and eventually loved them. Supporting characters had fantastic development. The descriptions of India in and around the time of WW1 were gorgeous. This is a beautiful story of love, loss, family and desperation.
I won an ARC of this from a Goodreads giveaway.
This was a delightful historical romance that covered the WWI era. I feel like I gained a greater insight into the history of that time, how people acted, and what medical care was like.
The love story was good. I liked the writing style. The pacing was a bit off for me and I found the flash forwards to the 1970s to be confusing. I became frustrated with some characters and their actions, especially near the end. Overall, I liked it.
This was a delightful historical romance that covered the WWI era. I feel like I gained a greater insight into the history of that time, how people acted, and what medical care was like.
The love story was good. I liked the writing style. The pacing was a bit off for me and I found the flash forwards to the 1970s to be confusing. I became frustrated with some characters and their actions, especially near the end. Overall, I liked it.
emotional
hopeful
mysterious
medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
A mix
Strong character development:
Yes
Loveable characters:
Complicated
Diverse cast of characters:
N/A
Flaws of characters a main focus:
No
Thank you to Netgalley and St. Martin's Press for a copy of this book in exchange for an honest review.
I believe that if I were to say that I am disappointed, it would be a bit of an understatement.
I, personally, believe that the best part of this book was the cover. It's absolutely gorgeous and was basically the only reason I wanted to read this book. I probably wouldn't have even thought about reading this if I knew what it was actually about.
'Meet Me in Bombay' tells the tedious tale of Maddy and Luke Devereaux and how their love for one another prevails. Unfortunately, this book is set in colonial India (hence the title), effectively invalidating the suffering of an entire group of people, as the book lacks the poise and discussion needed to justify its setting.
To begin, I need to address the issue of where the book was set. I truly felt that this book could have been set in literally any other country during the same time period and it would not, in any significant way, impact or affect the plot. Seeing as to how the time period that the book is set in is World War I era, there was plenty that was happening in the world, and a different setting could have actually made the story more meaningful.
I found it hurtful and ignorant that this book was set in early twentieth-century India, yet the entire issue of colonialism wasn't spoken of very much. There were no Indian characters that held any significance to the plot whatsoever, and British rule in India was underplayed to the point where it seemed like far less of a problem than it truly was.
While I will not pretend to know whether this was done intentionally or out of ignorance, I can only ask that the author works to do better. There may still be a long way to go, but we as a society have come so far in terms of racial equality, that books like this, which undermine the struggles of people who had their freedoms and lives taken away from them, only set us back.
Apart from that, I found the story itself to be quite monotonous, to the point where reading this book felt like a chore. It felt like the same thing was being rehashed over and over again, and, as a result, we never got anything meaningful for all the time we spent reading it. I truly do not understand all the rave reviews claiming this book to be an emotional masterpiece when the strongest feeling I could summon was a mild annoyance for how long yet repetitive the book was.
The romance was just not it for me. It was insta-love at its finest, and I'm not exaggerating when I say that. While Luke and Maddy may have felt that 'pull' the second they saw each other, and there is some time that passes between when they first meet and when they first kiss, I felt that there was no chemistry between the two; nothing that could entice me to root for them to stay together despite all that they go through.
The characters were interesting, if irritating. Maddy's defining character trait seems to be that she's in love with Luke, and she becomes downright infuriating during all of the drama with Guy. She doesn't stand up for herself, and plays the role of the HeLpLeSs MaIdEn In NeEd Of ReScUiNg.
Believing that there's someone out there who's willing to rescue you is a nice enough sentiment, I suppose, but there's a point where you have to realize that no one's going to solve your problems but yourself, and Maddy clearly didn't understand that, allowing her problems to become huge and all-consuming, before deciding to do something about it too late.
Luke was alright. To be honest, his character did not show up as much as I thought it would, and almost all of his perspective is told from many, many years after the events of the story have taken place. As such, he's a fairly unreliable narrator, but even so, you begin to notice a pattern and realize that, despite all that is happening, and however long it takes them to get there, Maddy and Luke Devereaux will get their happy ending.
(This realization was probably what took most of the emotions that I was expecting to experience while reading this away from me, which is a shame, but ultimately reflects on the book itself.)
There was no character development to speak of, and the side characters do not play much of a role in the story but for the sake of creating interpersonal drama and drawing out the book. The world-building seemed as though it were based on what one would expect colonial India to look like through a colonizer's view (which it was), and it felt at times that the historical context was disjointed or confusing.
The writing style was flowery and showy at times, but fundamentally quite vague. Specific information is revealed to the reader while other isn't, in an attempt to build suspense and drama. This results in some confusion as far as the timeline of the story is concerned, as well as what actually happens vs what is perceived to be happening.
Overall, I thought that this book was firmly mediocre and not deserving of all the praise that it has been given. I would not recommend this book to anyone seeing as to how the cover is a trap, I wasn't given the EmOtIoNaL mAsTeRpIeCe that I was promised, and the harmful way colonialism was dealt with (or rather, neglected). I would rather recommend a book about colonial India featuring Indian characters and their struggle for freedom instead of this.
All thoughts and opinions expressed in this review are my own and are not indicative of the views of the author or publisher.
~~~~~~~~
oh god, somehow this was more problematic than i expected.
rant to come :D
I believe that if I were to say that I am disappointed, it would be a bit of an understatement.
I, personally, believe that the best part of this book was the cover. It's absolutely gorgeous and was basically the only reason I wanted to read this book. I probably wouldn't have even thought about reading this if I knew what it was actually about.
'Meet Me in Bombay' tells the tedious tale of Maddy and Luke Devereaux and how their love for one another prevails. Unfortunately, this book is set in colonial India (hence the title), effectively invalidating the suffering of an entire group of people, as the book lacks the poise and discussion needed to justify its setting.
To begin, I need to address the issue of where the book was set. I truly felt that this book could have been set in literally any other country during the same time period and it would not, in any significant way, impact or affect the plot. Seeing as to how the time period that the book is set in is World War I era, there was plenty that was happening in the world, and a different setting could have actually made the story more meaningful.
I found it hurtful and ignorant that this book was set in early twentieth-century India, yet the entire issue of colonialism wasn't spoken of very much. There were no Indian characters that held any significance to the plot whatsoever, and British rule in India was underplayed to the point where it seemed like far less of a problem than it truly was.
While I will not pretend to know whether this was done intentionally or out of ignorance, I can only ask that the author works to do better. There may still be a long way to go, but we as a society have come so far in terms of racial equality, that books like this, which undermine the struggles of people who had their freedoms and lives taken away from them, only set us back.
Apart from that, I found the story itself to be quite monotonous, to the point where reading this book felt like a chore. It felt like the same thing was being rehashed over and over again, and, as a result, we never got anything meaningful for all the time we spent reading it. I truly do not understand all the rave reviews claiming this book to be an emotional masterpiece when the strongest feeling I could summon was a mild annoyance for how long yet repetitive the book was.
The romance was just not it for me. It was insta-love at its finest, and I'm not exaggerating when I say that. While Luke and Maddy may have felt that 'pull' the second they saw each other, and there is some time that passes between when they first meet and when they first kiss, I felt that there was no chemistry between the two; nothing that could entice me to root for them to stay together despite all that they go through.
The characters were interesting, if irritating. Maddy's defining character trait seems to be that she's in love with Luke, and she becomes downright infuriating during all of the drama with Guy. She doesn't stand up for herself, and plays the role of the HeLpLeSs MaIdEn In NeEd Of ReScUiNg.
Believing that there's someone out there who's willing to rescue you is a nice enough sentiment, I suppose, but there's a point where you have to realize that no one's going to solve your problems but yourself, and Maddy clearly didn't understand that, allowing her problems to become huge and all-consuming, before deciding to do something about it too late.
Luke was alright. To be honest, his character did not show up as much as I thought it would, and almost all of his perspective is told from many, many years after the events of the story have taken place. As such, he's a fairly unreliable narrator, but even so, you begin to notice a pattern and realize that, despite all that is happening, and however long it takes them to get there, Maddy and Luke Devereaux will get their happy ending.
(This realization was probably what took most of the emotions that I was expecting to experience while reading this away from me, which is a shame, but ultimately reflects on the book itself.)
There was no character development to speak of, and the side characters do not play much of a role in the story but for the sake of creating interpersonal drama and drawing out the book. The world-building seemed as though it were based on what one would expect colonial India to look like through a colonizer's view (which it was), and it felt at times that the historical context was disjointed or confusing.
The writing style was flowery and showy at times, but fundamentally quite vague. Specific information is revealed to the reader while other isn't, in an attempt to build suspense and drama. This results in some confusion as far as the timeline of the story is concerned, as well as what actually happens vs what is perceived to be happening.
Overall, I thought that this book was firmly mediocre and not deserving of all the praise that it has been given. I would not recommend this book to anyone seeing as to how the cover is a trap, I wasn't given the EmOtIoNaL mAsTeRpIeCe that I was promised, and the harmful way colonialism was dealt with (or rather, neglected). I would rather recommend a book about colonial India featuring Indian characters and their struggle for freedom instead of this.
All thoughts and opinions expressed in this review are my own and are not indicative of the views of the author or publisher.
~~~~~~~~
oh god, somehow this was more problematic than i expected.
rant to come :D