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Once And For All
ONCE AND FOR ALL is a 2024 International Book Of The Month Pick by the International Pulpwood Queen and Timber Guys Book Club Reading Nation“Anju's phenomenal Winds of Fire Series returns with Once And For All, and this time, it's Downton Abbey meets Sleeping with the Enemy but set in India! I tore through the pages. Anju's sublime prose creates a truly visceral reading experience, making India come alive with all its sights, smells, and sounds. And the story itself...you better strap in and prepare because you're in for an unforgettable ride!”—Barbara Bos, Managing Editor, BooksByWomen.org
"A beautifully written tale of sacrifice and longing that will captivate readers until the very end. Gattani writes with her whole heart."—Rochelle B. Weinstein, Bestselling author of This Is Not How It Ends
"Once And For All spirals an emotionally abusive relationship to a level of self-destruction that you will never forget.” – Barbara Conrey, USA Today bestselling author of Nowhere Near Goodbye
“In Once And For All, Anju Gattani weaves a dynamic sequel to her debut novel, Dynasties, in her Winds of Fire series. What a page-turning read!"—Bobbi Kornblit, author of Red Carpet Rivals and Shelter from the Texas Heat
"Five Diamonds in the Pulpwood Queen TIARA, my highest mark!"—The International Pulpwood Queens and Timber Guys Book Club Reading Nation.
What would you do if your life was a web of lies?Thirty-two-year-old celebrity, Sheetal Dhanraj, is married to millionaire Rakesh Dhanraj and mother to their eight-year-old son. The women of Raigun, India, envy Sheetal’s good fortune and ability to balance career, marriage, motherhood and uphold Indian values to perfection.However, behind the closed doors of the marble Dhanraj palace Sheetal yearns for love but is trapped in an abusive and unfaithful marriage. A pawn in the Dhanraj’s web of deceit, Sheetal denies the silent suffering like a good Indian wife because her reputation is tied to her husband’s. Then a chance-meeting with her former college sweetheart shatters Sheetal’s world and her faith. Her marriage overturns. Her son’s life is in jeopardy. In a race against time, Sheetal and her son must escape the Dhanraj’s tyranny or forever be imprisoned in games of fate and death.
"A beautifully written tale of sacrifice and longing that will captivate readers until the very end. Gattani writes with her whole heart."—Rochelle B. Weinstein, Bestselling author of This Is Not How It Ends
"Once And For All spirals an emotionally abusive relationship to a level of self-destruction that you will never forget.” – Barbara Conrey, USA Today bestselling author of Nowhere Near Goodbye
“In Once And For All, Anju Gattani weaves a dynamic sequel to her debut novel, Dynasties, in her Winds of Fire series. What a page-turning read!"—Bobbi Kornblit, author of Red Carpet Rivals and Shelter from the Texas Heat
"Five Diamonds in the Pulpwood Queen TIARA, my highest mark!"—The International Pulpwood Queens and Timber Guys Book Club Reading Nation.
What would you do if your life was a web of lies?Thirty-two-year-old celebrity, Sheetal Dhanraj, is married to millionaire Rakesh Dhanraj and mother to their eight-year-old son. The women of Raigun, India, envy Sheetal’s good fortune and ability to balance career, marriage, motherhood and uphold Indian values to perfection.However, behind the closed doors of the marble Dhanraj palace Sheetal yearns for love but is trapped in an abusive and unfaithful marriage. A pawn in the Dhanraj’s web of deceit, Sheetal denies the silent suffering like a good Indian wife because her reputation is tied to her husband’s. Then a chance-meeting with her former college sweetheart shatters Sheetal’s world and her faith. Her marriage overturns. Her son’s life is in jeopardy. In a race against time, Sheetal and her son must escape the Dhanraj’s tyranny or forever be imprisoned in games of fate and death.
385 pages, Kindle Edition
Published January 11, 2024
1 person is currently reading
2 people want to read
About the author
Anju Gattani
4 books58 followersMulti award-winning fiction author, blogger, and former international journalist Anju Gattani was born in India but grew up in Hong Kong. She has also lived and been published in Singapore, India, Australia, and finally grounded in Georgia, USA. Anju’s Winds of Fire Series was reviewed “Downton Abbey-style saga but set in India!”
Book 1, DYNASTIES, is the proud recipient of a 2023 Georgia Author Of The Year nomination and a finalist, National Indie Excellence Award and Best Book Award. Book 2, ONCE AND FOR ALL, is a double-winner and five-times finalist 2025 Independent Author Award, finalist International Book Awards, National Indie Excellence Awards and was shortlisted for the 2025 Hawthorne Prize. Anju hopes her books Bridge Cultures and Break Barriers.
Anju hopes her books Bridge Cultures and Break Barriers.
Social Media:
Website: www.anjugattani.com
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Instagram: @Anju_Gattani27
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Displaying 1 - 6 of 6 reviews
December 17, 2024
I received a gifted copy of this book to read in exchange for an honest review via the author.
Once and For All is the second book in the Winds of Fire series by Anju Gattani, and again, I couldn't pull away from this book.
We follow Sheetal in her miserable arranged marriage to Rakesh almost a decade on, from book one. Their son Yash is now eight years old and is away at boarding school - Sheetal sent him there to help protect him from the violence, poison and disfunction of life at home in the mansion, much to Rakeshes dislike. But Sheetal has much more heartache around the corner in this book. As some villains turn into victims and secrets come out into the light, we follow this brave woman on another leg of her journey to freedom.
This book covered much of a few characters' backstories, which I really enjoyed reading about, and which made so many things make sense in relation to certain characters' behaviours and why they are like they are.
I did have a feeling about one of Rakeshes's secrets, which I was right about, but I loved how the author brought it out into the open in this instalment. The ending was not only pulsepounding but a complete shock, and I'm desperate for book 3 to continue this series. Anju Gattanis writing has gone from strength to strength so far between these two rollercoaster rides of books, and I'm so excited for book 3.
Once and For All is the second book in the Winds of Fire series by Anju Gattani, and again, I couldn't pull away from this book.
We follow Sheetal in her miserable arranged marriage to Rakesh almost a decade on, from book one. Their son Yash is now eight years old and is away at boarding school - Sheetal sent him there to help protect him from the violence, poison and disfunction of life at home in the mansion, much to Rakeshes dislike. But Sheetal has much more heartache around the corner in this book. As some villains turn into victims and secrets come out into the light, we follow this brave woman on another leg of her journey to freedom.
This book covered much of a few characters' backstories, which I really enjoyed reading about, and which made so many things make sense in relation to certain characters' behaviours and why they are like they are.
I did have a feeling about one of Rakeshes's secrets, which I was right about, but I loved how the author brought it out into the open in this instalment. The ending was not only pulsepounding but a complete shock, and I'm desperate for book 3 to continue this series. Anju Gattanis writing has gone from strength to strength so far between these two rollercoaster rides of books, and I'm so excited for book 3.
January 21, 2024
I loved this thrilling, complex follow-up to Dynasties. The writing is gripping while it immerses the reader in the culture and traditions of Indian life. Sheetal is a wonderful character in an unbearable situation of a failing marriage to a powerful and respected man in a culture where women are essentially property of their husbands and are looked down upon and blamed when their marriages fail. Add to that Sheetal's unflinching need to protect their eight-year-old son from the influence of her domineering in-laws and you've got a story that grabs a hold of you and doesn't let go until the nail biting conclusion.
I do think this can be read as a standalone novel but to really appreciate Sheetal's journey I think it's best to start with Dynasties. This one ends on a bit of a cliffhanger and that only made me really eager to read what happens next when the story continues. If you enjoy stories that shed light on different cultures and have relatable characters to root for, be sure to add this series to your TBR list.
Thank you to the author for gifting me a copy to read, review and enjoy.
I do think this can be read as a standalone novel but to really appreciate Sheetal's journey I think it's best to start with Dynasties. This one ends on a bit of a cliffhanger and that only made me really eager to read what happens next when the story continues. If you enjoy stories that shed light on different cultures and have relatable characters to root for, be sure to add this series to your TBR list.
Thank you to the author for gifting me a copy to read, review and enjoy.
January 28, 2024
If you thought Dynasties was good, wait till you read this sequel! An excellently crafted story which builds on the character development and storytelling of the first book. I was literally holding my breath with the suspense and cliffhanger at the end. The author is extremely talented and importantly raises awareness of domestic violence.
January 30, 2024
What an amazing story!! Having thoroughly enjoyed the first book in the Winds of Fire Series, I was eager to find out what happened next to Sheetal, Yash, Rakesh, and the rest of the Dhanraj family. And wow – this second instalment, Once And For All, did not disappoint! I am in a state of shock at how events unfolded!
I won’t give away any spoilers here, I will just say that it is a fantastic read that will keep you on the edge of your seat from start to finish! The plot unfolds at a relentless pace, and with every twist and turn, a little more is revealed about each of the characters’ backstories, helping you understand why they act and behave in the way they do. And just like the first book, the author weaves in some amazing descriptions of Indian cultural traditions, such as the Hindu festival of Karva Chauth, which I found absolutely fascinating.
I should also mention that the book does not shy away from some complex and difficult subjects, such as domestic abuse, alcoholism, the effects of poverty, depression and trauma. As a result, I found many parts of the story to be incredibly moving and thought-provoking. I think the book would make an excellent choice for a book club gathering as it would generate so much interesting discussion. Personally, it made me reflect on the amount of suffering that both women and men have endured within different cultures and throughout history as a result of patriarchal structures and fixed societal expectations.
Overall, this was a brilliant read and a story that is going to stay with me for a long time!
I won’t give away any spoilers here, I will just say that it is a fantastic read that will keep you on the edge of your seat from start to finish! The plot unfolds at a relentless pace, and with every twist and turn, a little more is revealed about each of the characters’ backstories, helping you understand why they act and behave in the way they do. And just like the first book, the author weaves in some amazing descriptions of Indian cultural traditions, such as the Hindu festival of Karva Chauth, which I found absolutely fascinating.
I should also mention that the book does not shy away from some complex and difficult subjects, such as domestic abuse, alcoholism, the effects of poverty, depression and trauma. As a result, I found many parts of the story to be incredibly moving and thought-provoking. I think the book would make an excellent choice for a book club gathering as it would generate so much interesting discussion. Personally, it made me reflect on the amount of suffering that both women and men have endured within different cultures and throughout history as a result of patriarchal structures and fixed societal expectations.
Overall, this was a brilliant read and a story that is going to stay with me for a long time!
January 20, 2026
Such a great read! I felt for the heroine, Sheetal, as she tries to navigate a difficult marriage, an abusive spouse, dysfunctional family, and personal tragedies. Situations like hers happen every day, and I couldn't help rooting for her to find her freedom and escape to a better life.
In terms of writing, the author, Anju Gattani, does a beautiful job establishing the complexities of life in India, the characters and their challenges, and the emotional landscapes that the characters embody. It really was a page-turner, and I read it in just a few days' time. That's a rarity for me. I'm looking forward to the next book in the series.
In terms of writing, the author, Anju Gattani, does a beautiful job establishing the complexities of life in India, the characters and their challenges, and the emotional landscapes that the characters embody. It really was a page-turner, and I read it in just a few days' time. That's a rarity for me. I'm looking forward to the next book in the series.
July 27, 2025
Once and For all is the second book in the Winds of Fire series and we follow Sheetal's journey almost a decade later from her arranged marriage with Rakesh. This time she has an eight year old son, Yash to protect from her dysfunctional family.
The writing is gripping and the plot is compelling. It will keep you on edge while also dealing with complex and difficult subjects like domestic abuse, alcoholism, depression and trauma.
Sheetal is a relatable character who you can't help but root for and I enjoyed seeing her grow into a strong woman inspite of the ordeal she faces as a daughter in law of the Dhanraj family.
We get several characters' backstories in this one which made a lot of sense as to their relationship with Sheetal and why they behave the way they do.
A deeply moving and thought provoking read. I am eagerly waiting for Book 3 after this one ended on a cliffhanger. Make sure to read Dynasties before picking this one up.
The writing is gripping and the plot is compelling. It will keep you on edge while also dealing with complex and difficult subjects like domestic abuse, alcoholism, depression and trauma.
Sheetal is a relatable character who you can't help but root for and I enjoyed seeing her grow into a strong woman inspite of the ordeal she faces as a daughter in law of the Dhanraj family.
We get several characters' backstories in this one which made a lot of sense as to their relationship with Sheetal and why they behave the way they do.
A deeply moving and thought provoking read. I am eagerly waiting for Book 3 after this one ended on a cliffhanger. Make sure to read Dynasties before picking this one up.
Displaying 1 - 6 of 6 reviews