Well this was a fun and interesting read. This is my very first book having Punjabi and/or Sikh characters as the main protagonists.

Nikki is British born of Punjabi parents and to their consternation is single, lives alone, works in a Pub and embraces Western values. Her older sister on the other hand has more tradition Punjabi values and is looking for an arranged marriage. Like the child of most emigrants Nikki finds herself caught between the two worlds (India and England) and never quite belonging to either. In a lot of ways this book is about Nikki reconciling this conflict within herself so she can choose her own direction in life.

Then one day Nikki takes a job teaching writing to older women in the Southall Sikh Temple and helping them tell their stories. However these ladies have their own ideas as to what stories are important to their lives and need telling (thus the title 😊). To answer the obvious question, yes the Erotic tales the Widows tell in the classes are threaded throughout the narrative (so be warned if you are listening on audio). They are beautifully written and crafted; sometimes wickedly funny and in one or two quite poignant and even a little sad. Storytelling is used a method to enable to women to become more confident, and to give a voice to women who had had their marriages arranged for them at very young ages. The empowering nature of this story telling with have consequences for the men of the Southall community before the end of the tale.

Then there are other elements to this story too. There is a “murder mystery”, a potential love interest and a dark threat of backlash from the more traditional males in the community.

Overall it’s light, funny, entertaining and fun.
Recommended to anyone fancying a light read that is just a little bit different.