The book is packaged as a cute, cosy read but it’s a heavy emotional hitter. I feel you need to be in the right headspace to read it. 

One of the best standalone books I’ve read this year. It was written beautifully and a great opener into the Sri Lankan civil war - something I had no knowledge about. 

The book had moments of shocking, emotional and uncomfortable feelings but felt they were really important to the story. 

I enjoyed the multiple POVs and timeline changes. 

I think the book handles race, trauma, migration, and the challenges of multiculturalism in a white Australia who doesn’t like to be told it can be racist. 

I really enjoyed the writing style from Chandran. It had a slower start but about halfway in, I was constantly thinking about it and when can I get some time to read more.