Book Review: The Burnt Sugar Club

The Burnt Sugar Club introduces us to the exhaustion, competition, and emotional burdens carried by five women — Iris, Emerald, Emma, Ava, and Hope. Each of them is struggling with issues of her own, and the author beautifully explores the idea of perspective throughout the narrative. Often, we assume someone else’s life is easier or better than ours, without truly knowing the battles they are fighting behind closed doors.

Beyond the usual “grass is greener on the other side” idea, this story focuses on women who silently carry responsibilities, emotional fatigue, and expectations that the world rarely notices. The book begins by addressing one of the most important realities in many women’s lives — burnout. It captures the unexplained exhaustion that never really allows women to stop working, caring, or fulfilling responsibilities. No matter what happens, there is always this silent expectation to keep going.

One of the most intriguing aspects of the novel is the absence of a specific location, ethnicity, city, or country. The story feels universal because it could belong to women anywhere in the world. The experiences of Hope, Emerald, Ava, Iris, and Emma are relatable irrespective of where the reader comes from. Their emotions and struggles feel familiar, making the narrative deeply personal and comforting at the same time.

The five women meet by chance and gradually form a friendship that becomes the emotional backbone of the story. As the author herself describes them, they are chaotic yet comfortable, burned, scarred, and changed. Their shared meeting place becomes symbolic of the larger theme of the novel, and I loved how this space slowly transforms into a place of safety, healing, and understanding for all of them.(read the book and find out the place)

While the book mainly explores female friendships, it was refreshing to see men portrayed as allies as well. The author does not dismiss the individuality of a character, irrespective of gender, and allows every person in the story to contribute meaningfully to the narrative.

Each woman brings something relatable to the table and, in many ways, makes readers reflect on themselves. As the story progresses, something much more drastic comes to light, and The Burnt Sugar Club becomes more than just a group of women finding solace in one another. It evolves into a story about survival, emotional support, and rediscovering oneself.

The novel beautifully captures the essence of female friendships — women lifting each other up even when they themselves are struggling. Mental health and the idea that “it’s okay to not be okay” are addressed naturally and sensitively throughout the book. The author also does not shy away from awkwardness, flaws, and imperfections that are often hidden or ignored.

Talking about the writing style, especially considering this is a debut novel, Akoparna B delivers confidently with a distinct narrative voice. I appreciate how she remains consistent with her storytelling style and avoids unnecessary dragging or over-explaining. The writing stays engaging and emotionally grounded.

One character experience that stayed with me the most was Hope’s journey. She represents every “good girl” learning to finally choose herself — someone creating boundaries, taking up space, and no longer constantly giving pieces of herself away for others.

There were moments where I wished for slightly more character development for Emerald, but overall, the book flows smoothly and keeps you invested till the very end. The Burnt Sugar Club is an emotionally relatable debut that celebrates friendship, vulnerability, healing, and the quiet strength women carry every single day.

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Book Review: Death Comes To Matheran by Shabnam Minwalla

Tara and Sameer lost their father in an accident 11 years ago. After living through several difficult circumstances over the years, they return to their high-end area of El Camino in Mumbai from Oxel, Goa. The Jhaveris belonged to the rich and affluent — the kind of people nobody could touch, the ones who dined in the same restaurants as famous movie stars.

As the story begins, Tara and Sameer book an Airbnb in Mumbai after being invited by Pramila’s brother-in-law, Nimesh, to get their family wealth in order while the family feud remains divided into two sides. As the story moves ahead, more secrets unfold and the intentions of several characters are revealed.

A few pages in, we notice a change in formatting and design as letters and transcripts enter the storyline. The only giveaway is that they are specially written and saved for Sameer and Tara Jhaveri.

Then begins the puzzle of the Matheran accident — or was it really one? Tara was too young to understand, while Sameer is haunted by memories of losing two parents: one to death and one to memory. As their mother, Pramila, slowly starts recovering, things are no longer the same in El Camino. Throughout the story, we are introduced to several characters through conversations, phone calls, and passing moments.

In this book, Shabnam Minwalla makes the reader aware that somebody was collecting information. Somebody was gathering evidence. Somebody else, like Tara Jhaveri, wanted answers about what exactly happened on the fateful night when their father lost his life.

The beauty of the book lies in everything happening between the lines — the cracks, the hidden tensions, and the layered characters. Every character is written with finesse, and the reader constantly keeps guessing who is responsible and who is hiding secrets.

As Tara Jhaveri returns to her world in Mumbai and feels left out, the author introduces us to the affluent, the rich, and people living in a bubble. Shabnam Minwalla captures the behaviour of the well-off extremely well, especially their inner circles and the dynamics among young adults. Many readers may recognise behaviours similar to those in their own social circles, and the little nuggets Minwalla leaves in certain situations speak volumes about the elite.

The book does not end with a happily-ever-after. The world demands proof and evidence, and that is exactly what Shabnam Minwalla succeeds in portraying.

Aside from solving a crime, the author also dives into the relationship between a daughter and her mother, along with the emotional realities of being 17 years old.

The book becomes even more interesting because of the characters’ development and the realisations that slowly dawn upon them.

Towards the climax, the book becomes a tad theatrical, but it definitely grabs your attention again.

Shabnam Minwalla likes to tie things together well and does not leave behind invisible details.

That is exactly why the author remains on my auto-buy list. Thanks to HarperCollins for the media copy.

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