Publication Date: May 11, 2026

Publisher: Vishwakarma Publications

Length: 235 pages

I received this book from the author in exchange for my review.

Sunaina is a good girl from a good family. She works at a local bridal shop, has a serious boyfriend, and lives with her parents in Mumbai. Life is good. On a whim, she decides to surprise her boyfriend by starting an exercise regimen. She shows up at the designated time to have a trial training session. Instead, she is raped by the owner. She stumbles home in shock, terrified to tell her mother what has happened. Her once happy life has turned tragic.

Readers should note that this book describes Sunaina’s rape. If this is a sensitive topic, proceed carefully. The largest part of this story revolves around Sunaina’s recuperation from her attack. As expected, she flounders. Her attacker has friends in the community who protect him. Her treatment as a victim is abhorrent. Remember, the laws concerning rape are different in Mumbai than in an American city. Many of the protections available to a victim that Americans are accustomed to are still being developed in India.

Sunaina’s story is one of frustration, sorrow, revenge, and redemption. The author handles the attack and Sunaina’s subsequent recovery with sensitivity and compassion. It would be easy to vilify her attacker, but the author allows the readers to reach their own conclusions. The journey that Sunaina embarks upon is difficult and filled with many highs and lows. Sunaina is a character that readers will become invested in and hope for a favorable ending to this difficult chapter of her life.

This book is well written, deeply moving, and evocative. The author writes Sunaina’s story with such compassionate care for her. This is an amazing story that brings the trauma of a physical attack front and center. While initially feeling weak and insignificant, she emerges with a realistic and firm grip on life. What a transformation! As a grandmother and aunt with granddaughters and a niece, I felt Sunaina’s pain deeply. Although India and America have differing laws regarding rape, this book would be an excellent book to share with young adults. Addressing rape is not a common conversation to have with young people, but it is certainly an important conversation. We need to educate our youth on trauma and the aftermath.

I wholeheartedly recommend this book and am so thankful that the author shared this wonderful story.

Rating: 🌻🌻🌻🌻🌻/5