Personally, I didn’t really enjoy this book, I’m not sure why but I found it very difficult to connect with the MC and the pacing was sometimes off putting and threw me out of rhythm when reading the book.

Padma hasn't had the easiest life: her mother was an alcoholic, her father disappeared for good after her sister was born and she was forced to grow up much too fast, becoming more of a parent than a sibling to her sister, Dhara, caring for her mother and trying to create the illusion for anyone who happened to look that things were fine. Years later, Dhara has rebranded herself as Daisy, a sleek, tailored lawyer with a wealthy, devoted husband, a gorgeous townhouse and a mission to drag her sister up to her level. Padma, meanwhile, has drifted from temping job to temping job whilst enjoying a comfortable relationship with her boyfriend of nearly ten years, Wallace. Then one weekend Wallace hits Padma with an ultimatum: he wants them to start trying for a baby, and if Padma still isn't sure if that's what she wants, then they will have to break up. Elsewhere, Daisy has reached her wits' end trying to curb her fifteen-year-old daughter's wild behaviour, and she turns to her sister as a last resort. Dispatched to a dilapidated house in the fictional seaside town of Harkness, Kent, can Padma help her niece and figure out what she really wants for her life?

As her summer unfolds, Padma begins to realise how passively she has engaged in her own life, allowing things happen to her rather than making her own choices, her life always focused around prioritising someone else's needs above her own. With the support of her family - and some new friends - she comes to see herself as others see her: as someone who can be confident, capable and exceptionally kind and thoughtful.

Much of the plot is telegraphed from the outset: Padma will find love with a man who loves her for who she is; she will get through to Myra, mending her own relationship with her sister in the process; she will find her professional calling in cooking. It is a predictable story but I found this reassuring rather than irritating; I wanted to know that everything would turn out well for our caring, lovable protagonist and I always enjoy the 'found family' trope.

Poorna Bell has a unique voice in both fiction and non-fiction. Her previous work, In Search of Silence: A Memoir of Finding Life After Loss, written after her husband died by suicide in 2015, is an exploration of what society tells us we should want - a marriage, children - and how to decide what we, as individuals, really derive happiness and comfort from. A key theme of the book is the enduring tendency people have to turn to other people to make them feel happy and fulfilled. In This is Fine, Bell's second work of fiction, she draws on her own experiences with her husband as the basis for Padma and Wallace's relationship, including one of the most accurate portrayals of depression I've seen in fiction - to the extent that I was surprised to read that Bell hadn't experienced the condition first hand - highlighting the non-linear nature of the illness and the reality of experiencing debilitating low periods often separated by long periods of feeling, in Bell's words, fine.

Bell returns to some of the same questions as in her earlier non-fiction writing: what is a 'good enough' reason for wanting to have - or not have - children? What should a fulfilling, successful life look like? What should we expect to get from our relationships with family, friends and romantic partners?

I found the examination of parenthood to be interesting and nuanced, considering many of the reasons why someone might choose to have a child or not. For Padma, motherhood
is something to be feared - the consequences of not being able to do it well enormous and daunting, as she knows only too well. Wallace, and, to an extent, Daisy, see having a child as an opportunity to do things better and break generational cycles, but Padma sees something that they don't: that a child should not be 'a proxy for the childhood we wanted but didn't get; that this is far too heavy a burden to place on anyone.

Also interesting is the highlighting of the enduring double standards society has for men and women, which we see with Wallace's ultimatum. He expects Padma to be completely fulfilled by motherhood, sacrificing her financial independence and career prospects, but would not countenance making these sacrifices himself. Padma sees motherhood as life-changing for the mother but something the father can just walk away from - as hers did - and doesn't believe that Wallace's idea of being a 'good dad' will entail doing an equal share. When he forces her into an ultimatum, this shows how he doesn't understand how much she needs to consider.

Another theme of the novel is that of shared culture and inheritance. Padma pokes fun at her Indian heritage ('As someone who has the average outdoor skills of a South Asian person (that is, none), I approach our excursion with caution and slowness.') but the pride and joy it evokes in her shines through the whole narrative. Bell has taken great care to include cultural specificity, from the lovingly-described recipes Padma makes to the ritual of hair oiling, both of which become important motifs in the relationships between Padma, Daisy and Myra. Padma deeply believes in the power of food to show love and to strengthen connections to culture and ancestors, and Daisy's refusal to cook Indian food at home (along with her changing her name) seems to her like not only a rejection of their shared culture but of Padma herself. It was fascinating to read about the disconnect
between being raised by a first generation immigrant, as Padma and Daisy were, and a second generation one, as in Myra's case. Padma blames Myra's sense of entitlement on the privilege of distance from her grandparents' struggle and the need to be grateful for any opportunity which they passed on to their children. When she begins to understand the choices Daisy made to make life easier for her own child - to assimilate - this marks a breakthrough in the sisters' relationship.

A warm, witty, affirming story which resonates all the more given the author's background. Thank you to NetGalley and Random House UK for the opportunity to read and review an ARC of this book in exchange for an honest review.

A beautiful story which had all the feels. I felt the representation of mental health issues - across both Parma and Myra - to be really refreshingly truthful. I loved that things weren’t all resolved perfectly, giving credibility to the storyline.
Yes this wasn’t groundbreaking on its wider plot lines, but it was wholesome and I loved it. There was a lot of female empowerment in this book, and reading about an Asian woman, choosing to be childless, and her quest for self discovery was brilliant.
I look forward to reading more by this author.

A heartwarming read which deals with the struggles that people go through with mental health issues, alcoholism and family and relationship struggles. It was also very refreshing to read about a woman who doesn’t want children, I feel that we are vastly unrepresented.

Thanks to Netgalley and the publishers for an advanced digital copy of this book in exchange for an honest review.

The most beautiful book!

A fiction debut about the difficult relationship a parent can have with their child and how a parents sibling steps in and helps. This is a book of hope and how things happen for a reason for the better!

Reading this novel is like buying a house: you know the minute you step through the front door when a house is the one you have to buy. I knew within a couple of paragraphs that this was going to be one of my favourites of this year. I was immediately captivated by the main character and more importantly, by the author's incredibly insightful writing.

The characters grab you from the beginning; they all have a story, a focus, an aim, a grief, a pain, a trouble, a dream. You become immersed in them all and you root for them all. It's funny, witty, sad and moving…all at the same time. An author who can do all that is an exceptionally talented one.

I read a quote about this book that said, 'I will read anything Poorna Bell writes' (Taylor Jenkins Reid). I did something I very rarely do: no sooner had I reached The End, I immediately bought another book by this marvellous writer. I think I too will be reading anything she writes.

This Is Fine is just perfection. A book that captured me from the beginning and didn't let go until the last beautiful word.

Padma is fine. I mean she has no job, and her long term partner has issued her with an ultimatum and she's basically homeless temporarily. But you know, she's fine.

It's only when her sister Daisy asks her to spend the summer with her niece Myra, that Padma discovers how not fine she was.

This Is Fine explores the meaning of family, childhood trauma, alcoholism, bullying and mental health. And whilst it feels wholly authentic, it's never wholly heavy either. Hope runs through every part of this book. Padma, Daisy and Myra show us how daring to be vulnerable and open reaps so many rewards in the form of true and deep connections.

I immediately want to read This Is Fine all over again, it's an absolute gem.

this was such a feel good book, I read this in one sitting and had no regrets!

Its a great read that I would recommend if you need something light and fun

I loved this book, the plot and characters were great.
I smashed through 43% in one sitting

I really enjoyed getting to know the seaside town and the relationships she built. Especially with her niece.
I loved Selena and Little café vibes the beach vibes

Things I really enjoyed and getting to know about more:
Mental health
Cooking south Asian
Family relationships
Loved the auntie dynamic

Favourite line that is so powerful:
“That darkness it passes. Just hold on until it does.”

Easy reading, a sweet story, no big surprises but perfectly comforting nonetheless. I appreciated the opportunity to learn about South Asian cultures, and the key issues of mental health, addiction and racism were handled well and sensitively.

Thank you to NetGalley for the e-arc of this book!

Parma and Wallace have spent ten years building a relationship that feels…. fine. Until Wallace gives Padma an ultimatum about wanting to start a family that Padma isn’t even sure she wants! Myra, Padma’s 15 year old niece, is also reaching her own crisis point and she soon falls into the wrong crowd. This is the final straw for her parents and Padma will now spend the summer with her niece on the Kent clifftops. How will this pan out when she never used to see her niece this much before? Will it be a well deserved break for her and Wallace?

Adored this book! This was such a funny, heartwarming book that deals with real life family problems, relationship issues and mental health worries that we’ve all had to deal with at some point in our lives. It is real, honest and raw and that’s what I really loved about it. Poorna has such a lovely writing style that is easy to read and get lost in the story before you realise how much you’ve even got through! There’s a lot of female empowerment and strength which I also adored.

Definitely recommend this book!

This beautifully written story delves into themes of women’s empowerment, family, and culture, with a mix of powerful, thought-provoking moments and lighthearted humor that made me chuckle throughout. The author's witty style adds warmth to the narrative, making the serious topics more approachable.

The book offers great representation of mental health, particularly depression, showing its impact not just on individuals but also on their families and friends. It also touches on sensitive issues like alcoholism.

As a 28-year-old woman unsure about having children, I appreciated how the story highlights that it's okay for women to choose not to have children. The book challenges societal pressures and affirms that women have the right to make their own choices about motherhood.

Thanks to NetGalley and the publisher for this ARC.

I fell in love with this book a bit as I was reading. It's an empathetic and realistic exploration of the complexity of womanhood, while also dealing with issues of alcohol abuse, child neglect and relationships. The topic of whether or not to have children is such a delicate one and Bell handles it perfectly in this context. The narrative is simple but with excerpts of lyricism, and I identified with every single character.

Given an ultimatum by her long-term partner and asked to move out of their shared home, Padma moves to a seaside town in Kent to look after her troubled teenage niece. Although the situation the characters find themselves in feels a little forced, the story tackles some serious themes with insight and sensitivity. After a slow start, the story gains momentum with the development of the relationship between Myra and Padma, and with Padma coming to terms with her relationship with Wallace.

Thanks to the author, the publisher and NetGalley for the opportunity to read and review an advance copy.

When Padma tells her long-term boyfriend Wallace that she doesn't want children, the future for their relationship looks bleak. While he tries to work through his feelings, Wallace suggests that they have some space apart, so Padma has to move out.

While she is temporarily homeless, her sister suggests that she could help her by looking after her wayward teenage daughter Myra for the summer in a friend's remote holiday  home. Neither  Padma nor Myra are too keen on the idea, but could this be the break they both need?

I really enjoyed this book, it is a cosy feel-good story about family and relationships, a great summer read.

Padma and Wallace have spent ten years building a relationship that feels… fine. That is, until Wallace gives Padma an ultimatum about starting a family, which she isn’t sure she wants. Meanwhile Padma’s fifteen year old niece Myra, is reaching her own crisis point, leaving her parents unsure what to do. With Padma unemployed, and in a desperate attempt to keep Myra away from the wrong crowd she has fallen into, Padma’s sister suggests Padma and Myra spend the summer together – in a ramshackle, ivy clad house on the Kent clifftops.

Padma barely knows Myra, so how will it pan out? And with six weeks apart, will this be too much pressure for her relationship?

This is Fine is one the best books I’ve read in a while. It is a beautiful piece of fiction that provides the perfect escape, with characters you instantly connect with, and it deals with many of life’s complexities in an authentic way.

The main protagonist in the book is Padma, a British Asian whose culture is beautifully woven through the story. Through Padma and her sister, Daisy (previously Dhara), the author explores how easy it is to lose your culture when living outside of it, and also how important it is to hold onto it, as seen through Padma’s cooking and the traditional rituals.

Each character was fully dimensional, and I fully explored to getting to know each of them inside out. Padma and Daisy have had the same upbringing – their dad left them when they were young and their mother battled with alcoholism for years before her death, but they are different. How they channel their trauma and grief was interesting to explore and highlighted the complexities of families and how we react under different circumstances. Each character had their flaws, but the way I could emphasise with their individual battles is a testament to Poorna Bell’s writing.

Aside from self-identity, family complexities and alcoholism, other themes in the book included choosing to be child-free, relationships, and dealing with depression, which was vividly and accurately described with such emotional intelligence.

This is Fine reminds us what it means to be good enough. It is a feel good book, not in the sense where it is airy and everyone lives happily ever after, but in the sense that if you are struggling right now, this book reminds us that bravery prevails and life’s problems can be faced head on.

For anyone going through a tough time who needs a bit of escapism, This is Fine is a hug in a book.

Really enjoyed this one, especially because the author did not shy away from the topics she decided to tackle (child-free, depression, peer pressure, among other things). As I'm from the Indian diaspora myself, I was looking forward to this one with Indian-heritage characters, and the author didn't disappoint there as well.
Padma is a very realistic character - so much so, at one point near the start, I almost gave up on her because she is so candid and frank and jumpy, I felt like she was taking it too far. But I'm glad I stuck with it, because it was a beautiful read that mixed a lovely setting, interesting characters, family ties, questions about what a romantic relationship should be, and where/what each person wants their life to be about. Sensitive topics like the desire to not have children and also depression in all its depths were handled very consciously and without shying away, yet also without dropping into the misery/woe is me angle that such topics often veer to.
And it was lovely to see the relationships grow, the friendships happen, witnessing Padma coming into her own, even though it wasn't all rainbows and butterflies for her (some writers might've shied away - this author didn't!), and she had to find 'her' life amid her issues and struggles, which felt refreshing and also empowering.
My only peeve - won't spoil the ending, but man, I wanted more of what's in there - so much more (read it and you'll know what I mean! I'm voting for a sequel here!)

Thank you to Penguin and NetGalley for my advanced reader copy of this book in return for an honest review.

Just loved this summery novel from Poorna Bell, a writer and journalist I already hugely admire. Padma and Wallace have spent 10 years building a relationship that feels just fine. When he gives her an ultimatum about starting a family, the pair take a break with Padma seriously overthinking whether she even wants children. At the same time, Padma’s 15-year-old niece is also in crisis. Now, Padma and the niece she barely knows are to spend the summer together by the seaside – a rehab of sorts.

I absolutely loved reading this. It’s heartwarming, relatable, funny and emotional all at once, and Poorna does an incredible job at balancing all this in a well-paced story that also handles big issues like mental health, alcoholism, the immigrant experience and parenthood. The rich food descriptions instantly connected me to the South Asian experience, and I thoroughly enjoyed being brought deeper into the heritage and culture with Poorna’s deftly woven subplots and snippets. I seem to have a habit of gravitating towards immigrant stories – particularly those in intergenerational family storylines! Can’t wait to pick up a trophy copy to have on my shelves to reread again.

A funny heartwarming read that touches on the following subjects mental health, the death of a parent, teenage alcoholism and so much more.

This is Fine addresses some serious issues within a wonderful story about family, relationships and what it means to be good enough.
Padma’s partner decides they need a break when she declines his final demand for a baby. He has given little thought to where Padma ( currently unemployed and without an income) will go during this break. When Padma’s sister asks her to look after her daughter for the summer she finds herself in a remote coastal cottage with a very stroppy 15 year old.
As Padma and Myra slowly form a bound they become part of the local community, both making brave choices to move on in life, yet realise that depression and addiction can’t be left completely behind.
This is charming and beautifully written book with lovely characters that you will come to care about. It’s also very funny and very honest, dealing with depression and anxiety head on. A strong 5 stars from me.