Meet Me in Bombay
Meet Me in Bombay is a lush, lovely, and often gut-wrenching historical romance about two lovers torn apart by WWI. Set in exotic Bombay, this sumptuous story kept me rapt throughout as Ashcroft’s storytelling held me and my emotions in the palm of her hand till the very last page.
It's New Year's Eve in Bombay, 1913, and Madeline Bright, new to the sweltering heat of colonial India, is yearning for all she has left behind in England. Then, at the stroke of midnight, Maddy meets Luke Devereaux, and as the year changes so do both their lives.
Bold and charismatic, Luke opens her eyes to the wonders of Bombay, while Maddy's beauty and vivacity captures his heart. Only her mother disapproves, preferring the devoted Guy Bowen as a match for her daughter.
But while Maddy and Luke are falling in love, the world is falling apart. World War I is on the horizon, and Luke will be given no choice but to fight. They will be continents apart, separated by danger and devastating loss, but bound by Luke's promise that they will meet again in Bombay. His only wish is to return to her--but first he must remember who she is . . .
Oh my goodness, what a story this was! Its been a long time since a book has tempted me to flip to the end to see what was going to happen. I almost did it too! Thankfully, I stopped myself, and continued to be swept away in the vibrant story and mystery right up till the last page.
This historical fiction story is set in pre and post WWI India and France. I was immediately immersed in the romance story of Luke and Maddy along with the vibrant Bombay setting. Really, I could not get over Ashcroft’s vibrant imagery. I found myself swept away to the beautiful Bombay landscape, scents, sounds and horrid humidity. She really is a master of molding together place, time and feeling.
The story itself is unfolding over a lifetime as their journey is set against the background of WWI. The bulk of the storyline is sequential from their initial meeting with small jumps in the timeline to soldiers recovering from amnesia or shellshock, or in many instances, not recovering at all.
Overall, Meet Me in Bombay contains exquisitely written prose, complex characters, and a beautiful love story in an exotic, tropical setting. Filled to the brim with everything from the brutality of war, to passionate soul connections, to tragedy, heartbreak and finally hope - this is such a compelling read that it will stay with you long after you have turned the final page.
I’m so glad I got to read this book with Jenny. We had a wonderful time discussing our emotions about the book, and the fact that we were both holding our breaths right up till the end!
