Your Next Life Is Now

A mother and daughter--their lives in turnaround--navigate their next move on a road trip in a captivating novel about choices and self-discovery by the author of The Candid Life of Meena Dave.

Life is built on single decisions. Choose wisely.

It's one of life coach Nikki Parekh's mottos. That and being open to opportunities and taking leaps without fear. But when Nikki accepts her boyfriend's casual proposal of marriage, she wonders if it's just too soon, too spontaneous--and so sudden that she seeks out the advice of her not-so-nurturing mother, Tara.

To Nikki's surprise, Tara, who raised her daughter to be self-sufficient, urges Nikki to trust her decision. Maybe that's because Tara has made a headstrong decision of her own. After nearly forty years of marriage, she's divorcing Nikki's father. She's already packing up an RV to search for her first love, who still looms large in Tara's memories. So what's a daughter to do with a runaway mother? Join her.

Their romantic lives in flux, Nikki and Tara hit the road. Mile by mile, they're reliving past mistakes, learning more about each other, and rebuilding faith in themselves and in the choices they've made--wherever it all may lead.

Namrata Patel is the bestselling author of The Curious Secrets of Yesterday, Scent of a Garden, and The Candid Life of Meena Dave. Her writing examines diaspora and dual-cultural identity among Indian Americans, multigenerational tensions tied to assimilation, and historical awareness of Indian American achievements. She has led writing and publishing workshops for several organizations, sat on panels discussing craft and theme, and participated in various mentoring programs. Additionally, she has taught courses at Emerson College and Boston College. Namrata has lived in India, New Jersey, Spokane, London, and New York City and currently calls Boston home. For more information, visit www.nampatel.com.