As always Poorna knocks it out of the park, this is such a funny, heartwarming and lovely book that deals with so many issues including mental health, the death of a parent, teenage alcoholism and so much more.

Padma is a fantastic and realistic character and her growth is very realistic as she has to face so many challenges both personally and professionally.

I really enjoyed this book and wish I had Myra’s tenacity and wit in real life!

Having read Poorna’s last book I was keen to start This Is Fine, and it didn't disappoint. Poorna writes characters so well. They're always relatable and well-developed. In This Is Fine the teenager was such a stand-out character for me. Brilliantly drawn, which is so hard to do. I found the sibling relationship also very touching and I could relate to the complexities. Overall a brilliant book with a lot of depth, with enough well-placed humour, just when I needed it.

I enjoyed this book which explored some dark issues like depression and also looked at relationships between different cultures. It also looked at family relations and what some people ‘expect’ from their partners which might not be fair. It was all handled with sensitivity and a bit of humour which did make it very relatable. Overall a warm enjoyable read.

I really enjoyed this book! There were so many quotes that I highlighted due to them being so relatable and I felt an instant real connection to the characters. I related considerably to the storyline and that definitely impacted my overall enjoyment of the story especially some of the very niche aspects that ran parallel to my own experiences.

One thing I thought was done absolutely excellently in this one was Myra’s character- I think a teenage girl is a really difficult age to write well; I often find that they come across either too young or too old, too consistent or too reckless and it leaves them feeling one dimensional whereas Myra felt so real, I think her growth was excellently demonstrated and just thought she felt so real and it was interesting getting to know her and her difficulties as she navigated such a difficult time.

I liked the sibling relationship, the snippets of the past and the humour dashed throughout the story, again it just added to the real feel. I do think this one could have been a little shorter although that being said I don’t think it impacted my personal enjoyment because of the quotes laced throughout.

Overall I really enjoyed this book. It was really thought provoking and struck a perfect balance between depth and humour, the importance of those key relationships and acceptance and just captured growing up in different ways and at different points so well.

I thoroughly enjoyed this book! One of those which I was happy to snatch away moments in my day to power through a few more pages. Parts were predictable, in a good, comforting and familiar way.

Wallace and Padma have been a couple for years, when Wallace brings up the question of children, he wants them, she does not. A break to consider their feelings is on the cards.
Padma's niece Myra is in hospital with alcohol poisoning after being left bu her friends.
Padma agrees to look after Myra for the summer.
Loved the relationships between Padme, Myra and Padma's sister Daisy. Wallace was a terrible character and I struggled to see any reason why Padma had stayed with him for so long apart from some hints that he had been a kinder man at the start of their relationship.
CW for depression, alcolohism and mental health issues.
Thanks to Netgalley and Poorna Bell for this ARC.
Very much enjoyed this read, recommended

This was my first book on the NetGalley platform and what a great way to get started!!

I have always stuck to a specific “type of book” however this year I set myself a challenge to broaden my horizons and requested 5 books I wouldn’t normally pick.

Without giving too much away, a story that resonated with me in many ways while currently asking myself questions about whether I too want to start a family and battling with similar feelings to that of Padma.

I loved seeing how Padma grew as her relationship with Myra did and how Padma and Daisy eventually realised that at times they both had preconceived notions of the other that stopped them having the relationship they could have as sisters.

Thank you for allowing me the chance to read this and I look forward to reading more by Poona Bell as I really like the style!

Padma lives in London with her long term boyfriend Wallace. She is currently between jobs and is happy at home, cooking dinners and helping out at her friend’s cafe. Until one day Wallace gives their relationship together an ultimatum….one that Padma isn’t expecting.

Meanwhile Padma’s sister, Daisy, has issues of her own when her 15 year old daughter Myra is hospitalised with alcohol poisoning. Whilst being concerned for the niece she barely knows, Padma has other worries to contend with. Until Daisy makes a suggestion which might just solve more than one issue the family is facing.

Having read other books by Poorna, I knew I was in for a treat. Beautifully written and striking deeply with incredibly important issues being faced head on. I devoured this book, really finding myself drawn into Padma’s life.

Thank you NetGalley for allowing me to read and review..

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I wasn't too sure about this book when I first started reading bit biut as I got further in, the more hooked I became! This is a great story with so much emotion running through it and the ability for the story to resonate so well is mind blowing!
An asbolute must read!

I was really excited to receive a NetGalley ARC for this book as I love Poorna Bell's writing.
This Is Fine focuses on Padma and a summer spent with her niece Myra by the seaside in Kent, following a range of situations that led to them ending up there together.
I really loved Poorna Bell's writing throughout this book, I felt like the characters developed so much as the story went on, and not just the central characters - I loved Selena and Greg as well as Padma, Daisy and Myra. I was rooting for them all in different ways as the story progressed. I really enjoyed how the female family relationships were portrayed in the story, specifically that of sisters, aunties and nieces, as it felt so akin to relationships I've had in those spaces. And these relationships were definitely my favourite elements of the book.
The story also focused on some difficult life situations but did so sensitively and in such a human way it really made it feel realistic and emotional.
It also made me very hungry as with a theme of food and cooking throughout there were quite a lot of mixed-cuisine dishes that I fancied trying that I'm not even sure exist (and if so, where!)
I'd definitely recommend giving this a read and will be continuing to read Poorna Bell's releases!

I really liked this book. Padma’s is at a crossroads in her life but does not realise just how much is going to change for the better. She is in a long term relationship with Wallace. Wallace brings up that he wants children and Padma does not. Her father was absent and her mother, although a very talented doctor was an alcoholic and Padma brought up her young sister due to this giving up so much to make sure Dhara (now Daisy) had everything to make her life safe and sound. She feels she has made the decision not to have children and that he should respect that. Two things happen. Wallace says they need a break from each other to decide about children and Daisy’s daughter, Myra, is rushed to hospital with alcoholic poisoning. She is 15. Daisy and her husband ask Padma to have Myra for the summer and they are given a home by the sea owned by a friend of Daisy and Henry. The story continues really well. I liked the fact that we are given an insight into all the characters including ones on the periphery. The story mentions mental health in such a sensitive way, I felt I learned something from this. The drama of the story goes in and out of angst and euphoria and I thought it was written beautifully

Another fab read by Poorna Bell.!! Following an almost fatal incident, Parma and her 15 year niece Myra are spending the summer holidays together fixing up a cottage by the sea. An endearing story with great characters that covers some sensitive themes.

Such a lovely, warm, life-affirming read! Padma’s partner puts their relationship on a break after giving Padma an ultimatum about having kids. Around the same time, Padma is tasked with looking after her troubled teenage niece for the summer. This book charts their summer together and how their relationships with themselves and others evolve.

I’d recommend this to anyone. It’s heartbreaking in some places and laugh-out-loud funny in others. Beautifully written.

Padma is at a crossroads in her life. She's given an ultimatum by her boyfriend, to have a child with him or they split up. Then her niece, Myra, is taken to hospital with alcohol poisoning. She isn't close to her sister but agrees to look after her niece at a cottage by the sea for the duration of the summer holidays.
In a way this is a paint by numbers scenario. An idyllic seaside setting, a ramshackle cottage that needs doing up, relationship troubles, topped off with a cosy cafe and lots of lovely descriptions of Indian food. Oh and a possible new man on the horizon. But for all that I just loved this book. I could see what was happening around every corner. No surprises, twists or turns. It was just a feel good read. Readers may want to know that depression features in the book. It is dealt with realistically but sensitively. Apart from the horrible boyfriend, I loved all the characters. Especially Padma. She was filled with self doubt and had the weight of the world on her shoulders but she was so determined to get through it all. I think we've all felt like that and I found her inspirational. This is my first book by this author but I've already bought one of her previous books and will be looking forward to her next one. Thank Netgalley and the publishers the ARC.

Although Poorna Bell's name feels familiar, I can't recall ever delving into her works prior to picking up this novel. As someone who typically immerses themselves in crime and mystery novels, this was a pleasant surprise. Intrigued, I decided to give it a chance when I stumbled upon it on Netgalley.

"This Is Fine" is a narrative that delves into themes of grief, heartbreak, and depression, illustrating the profound impact of human experiences throughout life's journey. Despite the weighty subjects it addresses, the story is anything but bleak. It flows gracefully, much like a bird hopping on the sand, evoking a sense of lightness amidst the poignant moments. The storytelling is like a dance, effortlessly guiding readers through the intricacies of the characters' lives.

It's a heartwarming tale, that captivates from the first page to the last. The authors ability to seamlessly immerse readers into the story and the lives of her characters is remarkable. I'm eager to explore more of her work after experiencing the effortless charm of this novel. "This Is Fine" is an engaging read that is sure to resonate with any audience, reminiscent of a perfect rom com enjoyed on a lazy Sunday night.

Thank you Netgalley for allowing me to read this for an honest review

Thank you to Netgalley and Random House UK , Cornerstone for an ARC.

Caution; Mild spoilers (I’ve tried to keep it vague)
Brief review; 3 ½ star book that has the space to be 4 or more with a few modifications.

Let me begin with a positive. Most of the main cast and secondary is well written and developed. Poorna Bell knows how to say just enough about a character to give them the depth and flavour required to care about what happens to them. Of note to me was Myra. She acts her age (this is hard to do!) and her emotional regulation develops as the book progresses. A less skilled author would have struggled to turn Myra from as unlikeable as she is at the start of the story to the strong woman she grows to be over the book. Padma’s love for Myra ,despite how difficult Myra makes things at first, feels genuine and believable. I also really liked both café owners for being sweet and encouraging without being cloying.

In contrast, Wallace felt quite two dimensional for how much he factors into Padma’s life. Poorna Bell could have used spent some of the time Padma fixates on her past conflicts with her mother on their relationship. She comes across as extremely co-dependant on him until later, but we never really get to see how these residual feelings remain. The version of Wallace we see seems profoundly awful. Perhaps this was the point. Even so, Poorna Bell could have spent time showing how loving he once was to contrast the cruel man we see within these pages.

To return to the positive, I really loved to see Padma regain her confidence through cooking and getting closer to Myra through cooking too. It was fantastic to see Myra be just as encouraging to Padma as she is to her. The gradual progression of her talents being seen by the right eyes to the outcomes of the epilogue felt organic and well-paced. I would say that Pinky DishWala’s role in the video beef felt a little, unrealistic. However, I didn’t mind it. I will return to this point later.

In contrast, I found Hugo’s role in the story often harmed the message of self-love that I feel gives this book its heart. Padma learns to love herself and be happy alone only for this to feel detracted by Hugo’s presence. Perhaps some readers may enjoy that she finds love again. Me? The bond between Myra and Padma and their relationship is what got me to the end. Hugo had me skimming. In a similar thread, I find that the frequent reminisce of her troubled childhood is a little excessive. Whilst “the seaside story” and “when mom was gone” stories really work for the story, the rest didn’t feel that necessary.

To end on a more neutral thought, the final fifth and ending leaves me with some complex feelings. On one hand, it’s emotional and intense. Book long plot threads come to roost and closure is given to many questions. On the other, the mental episode feels too convenient. I didn’t like mental breakdowns as a plot device. It is also so much more intense than the rest of the book. I spent most of the book enjoying some reflective chatter and character growth. The last part was genuinely distressing.

So how would I improve this book? I have a few ideas.

Firstly, I would rethink Hugo as a character within the story. I see his value as a good friend to Padma outside of the cafes and family. However, their romance is undeveloped, and it leaves it feeling unnecessary. Poorna Bell should either give the romance more room to grow or focus on Myra’s and Padma’s self-love and self-growth journey. I think the latter is better.

Secondly, I think Padma could have participated in some therapy of her own. This would be a great way to repurpose the passages about her mother and the effect of her depression. This would have allowed Padma the space to grow beyond her food and her niece. As someone who is all too in touch with depression, there’s no such thing as the day it’s all fixed but I really think Padma should have ended the story being more in control of these feelings. As it stands, I left the story with a sense of dread that these unresolved issues might harm her happy ending.

Finally, I think Poorna Bell should decide what sort of book she wants this book to be.

Is a poolside read about women uplifting women despite their struggles ?

Is this a book that mediates on generational trauma and mental health as demons we must tame to become better that is supposed to be deeply contemplative?

Is this a love story?

Is this about self-love necessary to grow as a person?

There are two ways Poorna Bell might be able to do this.

Poorna Bell could focus on keeping the book light and airy by reducing some of the darkness surrounding her childhood and depression to give the book a more uplifting feel. This would give it a good “read by pool” experience with less moments that might get them to shut the book as to not spoil their mood.

Alternatively, Poorna Bell has the bones for a great meditation on mental health and generational trauma and how we must push beyond this darkness to grow. She could do this by Padma having a more realistic version of her mental issues. I feel things are solved a little too neatly as it stands.

To put this more simply, Thank you to Netgalley and Random House UK for an ARC.

Caution; Mild spoilers (I’ve tried to keep it vague)

Brief review; 3 ½ star book that has the space to be 4 or more with a few modifications.

Let me begin with a positive. Most of the main cast and secondary is well written and developed. Poorna Bell knows how to say just enough about a character to give them the depth and flavour required to care about what happens to them. Of note to me was Myra. She acts her age (this is hard to do!) and her emotional regulation develops as the book progresses. A less skilled author would have struggled to turn Myra from as unlikeable as she is at the start of the story to the strong woman she grows to be over the book. Padma’s love for Myra ,despite how difficult Myra makes things at first, feels genuine and believable. I also really liked both café owners for being sweet and encouraging without being cloying.

In contrast, Wallace felt quite two dimensional for how much he factors into Padma’s life. Poorna Bell could have used spent some of the time Padma fixates on her past conflicts with her mother on their relationship. She comes across as extremely co-dependent on him until later, but we never really get to see how these residual feelings remain. The version of Wallace we see seems profoundly awful. Perhaps this was the point. Even so, Poorna Bell could have spent time showing how loving he once was to contrast the cruel man we see within these pages.

To return to the positive, I really loved to see Padma regain her confidence through cooking and getting closer to Myra through cooking too. It was fantastic to see Myra be just as encouraging to Padma as she is to her. The gradual progression of her talents being seen by the right eyes to the outcomes of the epilogue felt organic and well-paced.

In contrast, I found Hugo’s role in the story often harmed the message of self-love that I feel gives this book its heart. Padma learns to love herself and be happy alone only for this to feel detracted by Hugo’s presence. Perhaps some readers may enjoy that she finds love again. Me? The bond between Myra and Padma and their relationship is what got me to the end. Hugo had me skimming. In a similar thread, I find that the frequent reminisce of her troubled childhood is a little excessive. Whilst “the seaside story” and “when mom was gone” stories really work for the story, the rest didn’t feel that necessary.

To end on a more neutral thought, the final fifth and ending leaves me with some complex feelings. On one hand, it’s emotional and intense. Book long plot threads come to roost and closure is given to many questions. On the other, the mental episode feels too convenient. I didn’t like mental breakdowns as a plot device. It is also so much more intense than the rest of the book. I spent most of the book enjoying some reflective chatter and character growth. The last part was genuinely distressing.

So how would I improve this book? I have a few ideas.

Firstly, I would rethink Hugo as a character within the story. I see his value as a good friend to Padma outside of the cafes and family. However, their romance is undeveloped, and it leaves it feeling unnecessary. Poorna Bell should either give the romance more room to grow or focus on Myra’s and Padma’s self-love and self-growth journey. I think the latter is better.

Secondly, I think Padma could have participated in some therapy of her own. This would be a great way to repurpose the passages about her mother and the effect of her depression. This would have allowed Padma the space to grow beyond her food and her niece. As someone who is all too in touch with depression, there’s no such thing as the day it’s all fixed but I really think Padma should have ended the story being more in control of these feelings. As it stands, I left the story with a sense of dread that these unresolved issues might harm her happy ending.

Finally, I think Poorna Bell should decide what sort of book she wants this book to be.

Is a poolside read about women uplifting women despite their struggles?

Is this a book that mediates on generational trauma and mental health as demons we must tame to become better that is supposed to be deeply contemplative?

Is this a love story?

Is this about self-love necessary to grow as a person?

There are two ways Poorna Bell might be able to do this.

Poorna Bell could focus on keeping the book light and airy by reducing some of the darkness surrounding her childhood and depression to give the book a more uplifting feel. This would give it a good “read by pool” experience with less moments that might get them to shut the book as to not spoil their mood.

Alternatively, Poorna Bell has the bones for a great meditation on mental health and generational trauma and how we must push beyond this darkness to grow. She could do this by Padma having a more realistic version of her mental issues. I feel things are solved a little too neatly as it stands.

To put this more simply, Pinky Dishwalla has a comedic moment and easy solution to the conflict Padma has later on feels at home in a light and airy book. In a more serious novel, I think she would need to think of a different route to resolution.

To conclude, this is a book feels like it has as many positives as negatives. Some characters are well made, some aren’t. Some plot threads are compelling, others simply aren’t. A classic 3 ½ star book that could easily be 4 or more with some edits. as a comedic moment and easy solution to the conflict Padma has later on feels at home in a light and airy book. In a more serious novel, I think she would need to think of a different route to resolution.

To conclude, this is a book feels like it has as many positives as negatives. Some characters are well made, some aren’t. Some plot threads are compelling, others simply aren’t. A classic 3 ½ star book that could easily be 4 or more with some edits.

What a warm and easy read. Deals with some difficult topics on mental health with compassion and hope. Relatable characters make it easy to become involved in the story. First book I’ve read by this author but certainly won’t be the last.

This was my first time reading anything by Poorna Bell, but I throughly enjoyed it. The characters were likeable and relatable, and I found myself rooting for the main character Padma and her niece Myra. I also found the subject of mental health was handled wonderfully.
As this was an arc, there were instances I felt needed editing. Sometimes words merged, and the end seemed to continue into the acknowledgements, but I think the final product will go down well. I'd like to thank Poorna and her team for allowing me to read this arc, as I probably wouldn't have picked it up in a store due to not knowing Poorna's work beforehand. Also thanks to NetGalley.

A really lovely read, an engaging story with lovable believable characters, I loved the way it didn't shy away from what for some could be a difficult subject, but was dealt with sensitively

This was warm and uplifting read that still explores the subject of growing up with one alcoholic and one absent parent, and the aftermath of subsequent trauma. "This Is Fine" also touches on the issue of how child-free women are perceived and how their perspectives as well as choices are being invalidated by the wider society.

What I liked in Poorna Bell's novel was the portrait of the relationship between the sisters - Padma and Daisy. It was the meetiest amongst them all, very nuanced and believable. The relationship between Padma and Myra was written quite... flatly, when compared to what's going on between the sisters.

I could also live without the slowly burning romance storyline, but to each their own.