The Sari Shop Widow

July 27, 2009
Young, headstrong widow Anjali Kapadia runs her parent's chic boutique in New Jersey's “Little India,” but she's the last to find out that their store is financially insolvent. When her parents bring in her wealthy, controlling Uncle Jeevan to rescue the business, Anjali is initially resistant to his changes, but soon has to admit that they're working—and that she's falling for her uncle's mysterious business partner, Rishi Shah. Focusing on the immigrant experience, culture clash (and resolution) and family ties, Bantwal has a forgettable story, and her Little India doesn't do much to distinguish itself—interesting for those unfamiliar with Indian culture but with little else to offer. Readers will wish Bantwal had done more with her appealing characters and New Jersey setting.

September 1, 2009
Anjali poured her entire life into her familys sari shop in suburban New Jersey after her husbands sudden death. Now, several years later, the shop is in serious financial trouble, and her father must turn to his elder brother for help. When Anjalis uncle arrives, he brings along his mysterious younger associate, Rishi, to evaluate the shops potential. The men decide to invest in expanding the shop, building on Anjalis vision. After several weeks of working side-by-side, Anjali and Rishi begin to see each other as more than simply colleagues. Bantwal, author of The Dowry Bride (2007) and Forbidden Daughter (2008), writes for the first time about the Indian immigrant experience in the U.S. Though the books predictability slows the pace, readers will sympathize with Anjalis struggles to balance personal and work life as she explores new love.(Reprinted with permission of Booklist, copyright 2009, American Library Association.)