Hema Sukumar

**A Red magazine book of 2023**

’The most charming, utterly lovely story I’ve read in ages... this is one of my books of the year’ RED

’This joyous novel is a feast for the senses, as well as the soul’ JOANNA NELL

A warm-hearted debut novel set in the beautiful coastal city of Chennai, for fans of Alexander McCall Smith, Joanna Nell and Graeme Simsion.

Grand Life Apartments is a middle-class apartment block surrounded by lush gardens in the coastal city of Chennai, India. It is the home of Kamala, a pious, soon-to-be retired dentist who spends her days counting down to the annual visits from her daughter who is studying in the UK. Her neighbour, Revathi, is a thirty-two-year-old engineer who is frequently reminded by her mother that she has reached her expiry date in the arranged marriage market. Jason, a British chef, has impulsively moved to India to escape his recent heartbreak in London.

The residents have their own complicated lives to navigate, but what they all have in common is their love of where they live, so when a developer threatens to demolish the apartments and build over the gardens, the community of Grand Life Apartments is brought even closer together to fight for their beautiful home...

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’I loved this heartwarming read’ PRIMA

’It’s utterly entrancing - so humane and funny, and so seeped in India that I could smell the cooking and breathe the exhaust fumes. I absolutely loved it from start to finish.’ DEBORAH MOGGACH

’I was put in mind of Armistead Maupin’s Tales of the City . . . a distinctive and evocative voice’ GRAEME SIMSION

’Warm, gorgeous, tender, hopeful and human. I felt so HAPPY when I was reading it’ DAISY BUCHANAN

’An enchanting hug of a book with characters that you’ll really root for’ NIKKI MAY

’A super warm and lovely read ... Should have a warning though: WILL MAKE YOU HUNGRY!’ KATE SAWYER

’Hema Sukumar’s debut is an absolute joy. I loved being transported to the Grand Life Apartments and I was bewitched by the characters, colours and tastes of Chennai. Please can I move in forever?’ CLARE POOLEY

’A gorgeous, beautifully-written story, full of wonderfully charming characters - and a loveable cat.’ NICK BRADLEY

’Written with such warmth ... full of life and love. Hema Sukumar’s lovely characters became like friends to me, and I adored spending time with them.’ SARA ADAMS

Hema Sukumar was born in Chennai, India. After studying engineering at university, she worked on a survey ship, which gave her the opportunity to travel the world and write about it. Her travel writing has been featured in various newspapers and magazines in India. She now lives in London. Minor Disturbances at Grand Life Apartments is her first novel.