Tuesday, February 11, 2025

New Arrivals on West India Dock Road by Renita D'Silva

 New Arrivals on West India Dock Road
Book Summary

The first in a BRAND NEW historical series from Renita D'Silva. Welcome to West India Dock Road, in London’s East End...

1938: Divya has made the long sea journey from India to England, employed as a nanny by a British family. But once they arrive, she is cruelly abandoned, with no means to return home. Afraid and alone, she faces prejudice and rejection… until she finds her way to an Irish-run boarding house on West India Dock Road and meets Jack, Charity and a host of unexpected friends.

Divya is a good cook, and preparing meals for the other immigrants, homesick for the food they were raised on, gives her a new sense of hope and purpose. In time, she opens a thriving curry house, beloved by the local communities.

But as war in Europe looms, Divya’s fragile sense of belonging – through her business, her friendships and budding romance with sailor Raghu – comes under threat.

A world away from home, will she ever truly find happiness in life, on West India Dock Road?

My Thoughts

The beginning of New Arrivals on West India Dock Road by Renita D’Silva drew me in.  I liked Divya and felt for her.  She went through some trying times.  We get to meet a variety of characters as Divya journeys from India to England.  The West India Dock Road was an interesting area of London.  There were people from many different countries living there.  I loved Charity and her brothers. They added humor and heart to the story. I did not enjoy reading about the racism. It is a shame that people can be so cruel to someone from another country because they look or sound different.  The dishes that Divya cooked sounded delicious (they will have your mouth watering).  The author provides vivid descriptions of the food, homes, people, and more.  There are two people who care for Divya, but only one catches her heart.  I enjoyed New Arrivals on West India Dock Road, and I am looking forward to the next book in the series. 

New Arrivals on West India Dock Road will be out on February 13 and it can be preordered from  Amazon.  You can find Renita D'Silva's other novels here.  Thank you for joining me today.  I will be taking a few days off.  I have a little problem that I need to resolve (it seems my new neighbor is against cats and ducks). I refuse to let the cats that I have been caring for the last four years go hungry.  I hope that you have an optimistic day.  Take care and Happy Reading!


Kris

The Avid Reader

*I voluntarily read an advanced copy of this book.  I am not required to leave a review.  The comments and opinions expressed are strictly my own.

No comments:

Post a Comment