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REVIEW: I Wish We Weren't Related by Radhika Sanghani


Genre: Adult Fiction | Contemporary Fiction

Release Date: Expected 6th July 2023

Publisher: Headline | Headline Review 

When Reeva's Mum calls to tell her that her Dad is dead, she doesn't really care. Because he died 30 years ago. 

But apparently, it's all a lie. Despite her thriving career as a lawyer, fighting for people and knowing exactly the right thing to say at any time - she's lost for words. Her twice-dead father had one last request for her and her estranged sisters; to spend the next two weeks at his home, saying prayers and sorting his estate.

Her Bollywood Star Mother is conveniently unavailable in the mountains, so she's left alone miles from home with her two sisters who completely ruined her life the last time they spoke. She just needs to make it through these two weeks, so she can bury her Father and move on. 

But could this be a chance to finally get answers? Not just about who their Father was, but everything else that has fractured their family over the years? Or will any hope of family be buried along with their Father.

 "It's the same thing we've been talking about all this time with truth. The meaning of life is to be authentic. To live it all as yourself. To do what feels right for you. That's it."

Radhika Sanghani is a relatable, raw and riotously witty writer; and this follow-up to her debut adult novel is further proof that her voice is one that demands to be heard. 

IWWWR is painfully real, full of heart and so funny in the most awkwardly relatable ways. Reeva is everything I want in a main character  - someone boldly themselves, fierce, flawed, smart but not infallible. She's a fighter - for feminism, for equity, for others - but not for herself yet. 

I absolutely adored the way her relationships and connections shone through - the stunning and meaningful friendships, the complicated histories with family, and of course my favourite character; the sassy and regal cat, Fluffy Panda. 

The scene is set instantly - little details that draw us into her life and create a connection that propels the story forwards. We spend just a few short weeks with Reeva and her family, seeing little captured moments in this one time in her life that might seem insignificant alone, but weave together to show a journey of discovery and healing. It's messy, chaotic, almost absurd at times as tensions increase and drama takes over - but it was unflinchingly, awkwardly entertaining and wickedly clever the entire time. 

Reeva's journey was bittersweet and heartwarming, devastating but beautiful. She had so much conflict not only with others but inside herself; internal colourism and misogyny, repressed anger, and a brutal inner critic with unrealistic expectations. All of this was eating her up inside and even when her trauma and turmoil made her lash out and make bad choices, I just wanted to hold her.

A beautifully sweeping story about love - between family, between strangers, and for ourselves.


⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐


I was gifted an advanced reviewers copy of this title in return for an honest review.

cw: colourism, body image issues, death, cheating, sex, night terrors, ableism, loss of pets, alopecia. 



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