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The Sood Family #1
A New Mantra
She’s always done what was expected of her. Until…
When 30-year-old Seattle-based Indian housewife Mira Sood is blindsided by her husband’s extramarital affair, her three-year arranged marriage is shattered. Humiliated, heartbroken, near-broke, and facing the united dissension of her orthodox family, Mira is desperate to rebuild her life. She moves in with her rebel cousin, searches for any job that will take her, and impulsively signs up for a half-marathon race. There’s just one problem—Mira’s experience with running starts and ends with running to catch the bus.
With herself as her biggest critic and doubter, Mira commits to the race and is assisted by entrepreneur Andy Fitzgerald, a handsome, elite marathoner who helps her create a training schedule and personal goals. When the lines of friendship begin to blur, Mira realizes she’s facing an even bigger challenge.
Can Mira embrace her stronger, more independent self—risking another heartbreak and disappointing her family—or will she once again play it too safe and let the possibility of happiness slip away?
When 30-year-old Seattle-based Indian housewife Mira Sood is blindsided by her husband’s extramarital affair, her three-year arranged marriage is shattered. Humiliated, heartbroken, near-broke, and facing the united dissension of her orthodox family, Mira is desperate to rebuild her life. She moves in with her rebel cousin, searches for any job that will take her, and impulsively signs up for a half-marathon race. There’s just one problem—Mira’s experience with running starts and ends with running to catch the bus.
With herself as her biggest critic and doubter, Mira commits to the race and is assisted by entrepreneur Andy Fitzgerald, a handsome, elite marathoner who helps her create a training schedule and personal goals. When the lines of friendship begin to blur, Mira realizes she’s facing an even bigger challenge.
Can Mira embrace her stronger, more independent self—risking another heartbreak and disappointing her family—or will she once again play it too safe and let the possibility of happiness slip away?
- GenresAudiobookSports Romance
270 pages, Kindle Edition
Published April 21, 2022
2 people are currently reading
29 people want to read
About the author
Sapna Srinivasan
6 books13 followersSapna lives in Seattle, WA with her perfectionist husband and perfect daughter. Her name in Hindi means “dream” and true to its meaning, Sapna finds gratification in dreams and storytelling. She was born in southern India, raised in northern India, and spent the better part of her adult life in the United States. She, therefore, unabashedly clutches her Indian roots while embracing the American in herself. She loves to cook traditional Indian food and, yes, she uses cilantro in practically everything. When she isn’t cooking, writing, or being intellectually stumped by her daughter, she may be found running down the nearest trail by her Pacific Northwest home. The inspiration for her debut novel, A New Mantra, has been her own journey as both a woman of color and a runner; the latter being a sport that was introduced to her by her husband.
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Displaying 1 - 17 of 17 reviews
April 21, 2022
Mira Sood has always been a dutiful Indian daughter, including agreeing to an arranged marriage and moving to the US with her new husband, Jay. Now three years later, Jay announces he wants a divorce, he's met someone else. No friends, no job, no money, no home, Mira is forced to move in with her rebellious cousin Laila and suffer the collective guilt trips of her mother and aunt - both of whom think she should move heaven and earth to get Jay to come back.
In a fit of madness Mira signs up to do a half-marathon, despite never having run a day in her life, and strikes up a friendship with Andy Fitzgerald, a seasoned runner who helps her train. Slowly Mira's life starts to come together, but is she willing to defy her family to achieve her own happiness?
I am always looking to broaden my reading so when I saw this book I thought this would be interesting, a novel about an Indian woman living in the US, written by an Indian woman living in the US. Unfortunately, I didn't really engage with the characters, maybe because it was written in the third person so it all felt a bit remote? Also, it all felt a bit repetitive, description of Mira's running three times a week, descriptions of the food Mira cooks, descriptions of Mira's guilt-laden conversations with her family, rinse-and-repeat. To me this sounded like the author had herself learned to run and was a bit evangelical about the process, wanting to share every milestone with the reader.
Overall, pleasant enough but I won't be requesting the second book.
I received a free copy of the book from the publisher Tule in return for an honest review.
Bumped for release.
In a fit of madness Mira signs up to do a half-marathon, despite never having run a day in her life, and strikes up a friendship with Andy Fitzgerald, a seasoned runner who helps her train. Slowly Mira's life starts to come together, but is she willing to defy her family to achieve her own happiness?
I am always looking to broaden my reading so when I saw this book I thought this would be interesting, a novel about an Indian woman living in the US, written by an Indian woman living in the US. Unfortunately, I didn't really engage with the characters, maybe because it was written in the third person so it all felt a bit remote? Also, it all felt a bit repetitive, description of Mira's running three times a week, descriptions of the food Mira cooks, descriptions of Mira's guilt-laden conversations with her family, rinse-and-repeat. To me this sounded like the author had herself learned to run and was a bit evangelical about the process, wanting to share every milestone with the reader.
Overall, pleasant enough but I won't be requesting the second book.
I received a free copy of the book from the publisher Tule in return for an honest review.
Bumped for release.
April 22, 2022
A New Mantra is a category romance from Tule Publishing, part of their American Heart line.
‘I don’t want to survive. I want to live. I want to be happy and I want to live my life.’
‘If I have to choose, then I choose me. And there’s nothing wrong with that. Running’s taught me that self-love isn’t selfish.’
‘I have a new mantra-I am now my favorite person in the world. And I won’t apologize for that.’
Mira’s husband delivers the news that not only has he been having an affair but that he’s leaving her for ol’girl. The two were married back home in India and not married for Love but despite this-Mira’s family uses every opportunity and tactic possible to remind her that in their culture they don’t do divorce-so her goal and motivation needs to be to get her husband back!
Fast forward through events-she meets Andrew. He’s a runner and she finds herself signing up to run a half marathon and this is their romance.
The familial situations in this book made things intense and honestly-at times difficult to read. They were very hard on Mira but in the end, she has to choose herself. She has to come to the realization that she was hiding behind tradition as protection but her heart was leading her elsewhere.
I know the next book follows the rebel cousin Laila and I’m very intrigued to see where her journey goes.
‘I don’t want to survive. I want to live. I want to be happy and I want to live my life.’
‘If I have to choose, then I choose me. And there’s nothing wrong with that. Running’s taught me that self-love isn’t selfish.’
‘I have a new mantra-I am now my favorite person in the world. And I won’t apologize for that.’
Mira’s husband delivers the news that not only has he been having an affair but that he’s leaving her for ol’girl. The two were married back home in India and not married for Love but despite this-Mira’s family uses every opportunity and tactic possible to remind her that in their culture they don’t do divorce-so her goal and motivation needs to be to get her husband back!
Fast forward through events-she meets Andrew. He’s a runner and she finds herself signing up to run a half marathon and this is their romance.
The familial situations in this book made things intense and honestly-at times difficult to read. They were very hard on Mira but in the end, she has to choose herself. She has to come to the realization that she was hiding behind tradition as protection but her heart was leading her elsewhere.
I know the next book follows the rebel cousin Laila and I’m very intrigued to see where her journey goes.
May 9, 2022
Ok I am not a runner at all, so I can’t comment (or relate) to that aspect of this book at all. But I loved Mira, who has done everything her family ever expected and still is knocked onto her butt. Finding her stride (I couldn’t help myself) takes time. And lots of delish foods that made me hungry! But it might be worth it if she can figure out who she wants to be and how to get there. Really enjoyable book!
April 21, 2022
I lost myself in this book and really didn’t expect to do so. This is a debut author and I was in a strange headspace in my reading. To be honest, I almost passed because I wanted something I knew would be engaging and a comfort to me. In other words, I wanted to read one of my go-to authors. For some reason, I didn’t let myself leave this book behind and I am so happy about that.
Mira, at first, seems like she’s not a very strong person. She’s much stronger than she (or the reader) thinks, and it was a joy to watch her discover new things about herself. Turns out, Mira used to be quite independent…until she got married. Mira is a people pleaser, most especially when it comes to her traditional Indian family. She has never ever, and never plans to, rock the boat. So, Mira made herself into the perfect Indian housewife. She gave up her job and moved to a new country, she stayed home and only socialized with the family she had in and around Seattle where she had moved, she cooked, cleaned, and overall bowed to her husband’s demands. When he decides the marriage is over, Mira is devastated. Not so much because of an overwhelming love for him, but because she knows her family will be disappointed in her and feel shame for her getting a divorce. Never once does Mira think about how to make herself happy, only others.
Listen, I’m not a runner. I’ve never been a runner and will never be a runner. For many of the same reasons Mira didn’t feel she was a runner, but some added physical limitations, so she was very relatable to me. I have a feeling she will be relatable to many, even people who are avid runners. We all have our good days and bad days. I didn’t know that I’d be able to get into the whole training for a half marathon thing in this story, but the author did a wonderful job of explaining without boring. Giving enough information to make the story believable (at least to this non-runner) without making it about running statistics. What better way to do that than introduce a marathon runner to Mira.
Andy is amazing. So humble and kind, but still firm and driving. There is a beautiful softness between Andy and Mira and I thoroughly enjoyed watching it all unfold. I’m generally frustrated when the main characters of a romance don’t at least have a kiss before the halfway mark, but it made sense in this story and the author never let the growing tension between this couple drop while we are waiting for them to give into that pull. I cannot adequately explain how a first kiss at 75% just never works for me, but it worked for me here. Mira had to be in the right part of her recovery from her marriage in order for a relationship to work with her and Andy. For the reader to believe this is an HEA and not a quick fling, Mira and Andy needed to become not only great friends, but important in each other’s lives. It’s also important to note that Andy is very careful to not become Mira’s savior. He recognizes that Mira is a strong woman and doesn’t need saving, she needs encouragement to find that inner strength again.
I will definitely be reading more by this author. I see there is already two more books planned for this series and I am all for seeing Mira’s cousins find their happiness. I wanted a comfort read when I picked this book up, I got what I was looking for.
**I received an ARC of this book courtesy of the publisher. All opinions expressed in this review are my own and given freely**
You can find more of my reviews at All In Good Time.
Mira, at first, seems like she’s not a very strong person. She’s much stronger than she (or the reader) thinks, and it was a joy to watch her discover new things about herself. Turns out, Mira used to be quite independent…until she got married. Mira is a people pleaser, most especially when it comes to her traditional Indian family. She has never ever, and never plans to, rock the boat. So, Mira made herself into the perfect Indian housewife. She gave up her job and moved to a new country, she stayed home and only socialized with the family she had in and around Seattle where she had moved, she cooked, cleaned, and overall bowed to her husband’s demands. When he decides the marriage is over, Mira is devastated. Not so much because of an overwhelming love for him, but because she knows her family will be disappointed in her and feel shame for her getting a divorce. Never once does Mira think about how to make herself happy, only others.
Listen, I’m not a runner. I’ve never been a runner and will never be a runner. For many of the same reasons Mira didn’t feel she was a runner, but some added physical limitations, so she was very relatable to me. I have a feeling she will be relatable to many, even people who are avid runners. We all have our good days and bad days. I didn’t know that I’d be able to get into the whole training for a half marathon thing in this story, but the author did a wonderful job of explaining without boring. Giving enough information to make the story believable (at least to this non-runner) without making it about running statistics. What better way to do that than introduce a marathon runner to Mira.
Andy is amazing. So humble and kind, but still firm and driving. There is a beautiful softness between Andy and Mira and I thoroughly enjoyed watching it all unfold. I’m generally frustrated when the main characters of a romance don’t at least have a kiss before the halfway mark, but it made sense in this story and the author never let the growing tension between this couple drop while we are waiting for them to give into that pull. I cannot adequately explain how a first kiss at 75% just never works for me, but it worked for me here. Mira had to be in the right part of her recovery from her marriage in order for a relationship to work with her and Andy. For the reader to believe this is an HEA and not a quick fling, Mira and Andy needed to become not only great friends, but important in each other’s lives. It’s also important to note that Andy is very careful to not become Mira’s savior. He recognizes that Mira is a strong woman and doesn’t need saving, she needs encouragement to find that inner strength again.
I will definitely be reading more by this author. I see there is already two more books planned for this series and I am all for seeing Mira’s cousins find their happiness. I wanted a comfort read when I picked this book up, I got what I was looking for.
**I received an ARC of this book courtesy of the publisher. All opinions expressed in this review are my own and given freely**
You can find more of my reviews at All In Good Time.
April 30, 2022
I received this arc of A New Mantra from Tule Publishing in exchange for an honest review. Additionally, I was fortunate to win a copy of the ebook in a giveaway from the author. This is the first book in the new The Sood Family series by Sapna Srinivasan. This is my first book by Sapna and I loved it. I was not familiar with the customs of Indian families. I recently visited an Indian restaurant near my home and I was excited to recognize some of the food dishes mentioned in this book. In this very well written book, we meet Mira Sood. She is 30 years old and has recently been told by her husband of 3 years that he is having an affair and no longer wishes to be married to her. Mira came over to the US., living in Seattle from India in a prearranged marriage to Jay. Her life has consisted of taking care of him, cooking for him and making them a home. He in turn was the breadwinner, supporting his little family. She is devastated by this brutal news flash and has trouble functioning initially.
Mira’s world is turned upside down with this revelation. She has no idea where to live and no way to support herself. She turns to a cousin her family considers a rebel. She moves in with her musician cousin Laila and they start to confide in each other. Her aunt and mother hound her about bringing shame to the family both in India and in the US and want her to get back with Jay. Mira decides to sign up to do a half marathon race. The people in her family don’t run and so this is a huge deal for all.
Mira meets a white American guy named Andrew who helps her get in shape for the race. Both claim to be unable to be in a relationship yet both seem to fall under the spell of the other. While training is going on, Mira gets a job to support herself and goes up against the family in their demands for her. Mira and Andrew spend a lot of time together and try to deny there is anything between them. The romance is sweet. The characters are so likable, except for Mira’s mom and Auntie when they are being overbearing. I really enjoyed this book. There are so many twists and a lot of angst. I loved learning about the Indian customs and foods. I highly recommend this book and give it 5 stars. I am looking forward to the second book in this delightful series.
Mira’s world is turned upside down with this revelation. She has no idea where to live and no way to support herself. She turns to a cousin her family considers a rebel. She moves in with her musician cousin Laila and they start to confide in each other. Her aunt and mother hound her about bringing shame to the family both in India and in the US and want her to get back with Jay. Mira decides to sign up to do a half marathon race. The people in her family don’t run and so this is a huge deal for all.
Mira meets a white American guy named Andrew who helps her get in shape for the race. Both claim to be unable to be in a relationship yet both seem to fall under the spell of the other. While training is going on, Mira gets a job to support herself and goes up against the family in their demands for her. Mira and Andrew spend a lot of time together and try to deny there is anything between them. The romance is sweet. The characters are so likable, except for Mira’s mom and Auntie when they are being overbearing. I really enjoyed this book. There are so many twists and a lot of angst. I loved learning about the Indian customs and foods. I highly recommend this book and give it 5 stars. I am looking forward to the second book in this delightful series.
August 10, 2022
This story is competently written, but it follows several cliches with almost religious ardor - the abusive Asian family obsessed with community status and 'optics', the cheating manipulative husband using said family to his shameless advantage, the rebellious family outcast as the best kindest person of them all, the 'white savior' alternative romantic lead there to save the day, and the random new sport miraculously causing the heroine's entire life to get magically fixed - because trendy exercise and grit.
I can't even say any of this is a spoiler because the whole thing is telegraphed from the blurb itself!
I was hoping for some trope subversion, but this story is straight as an arrow.
The worst part is the ridiculous groundless insta-love we are supposed to believe in. I saw absolutely no reason for the guy's 'greatest love of his life' other than he liked her looks and her cooking, while he can't even cook himself am omelet. Given his life plans which do not include living in a convenient location from which she could continue to commute to work, and that he approached her and pressed his case when she was extremely visibly vulnerable, his behavior looks suspiciously like the typical white dude's assumption that an Asian wife is the obedient stay-at-home free help with extra benefits. Which is gross.
I did like the heroine though, but I wished much better for her.
I can't even say any of this is a spoiler because the whole thing is telegraphed from the blurb itself!
I was hoping for some trope subversion, but this story is straight as an arrow.
The worst part is the ridiculous groundless insta-love we are supposed to believe in. I saw absolutely no reason for the guy's 'greatest love of his life' other than he liked her looks and her cooking, while he can't even cook himself am omelet. Given his life plans which do not include living in a convenient location from which she could continue to commute to work, and that he approached her and pressed his case when she was extremely visibly vulnerable, his behavior looks suspiciously like the typical white dude's assumption that an Asian wife is the obedient stay-at-home free help with extra benefits. Which is gross.
I did like the heroine though, but I wished much better for her.
March 25, 2022
An inspiring romantic story.
After her cheating husband asks for a divorce, Mira Sood decides to take control of her life. Left with barely any money and no job, Mira can’t afford to keep the apartment, so she moves in with her cousin. While out one day, Mira is given a brochure about a half marathon. Mira has never run a day in her life, but after thinking about it and she decides to give it a try. Maybe it’s what she needs to start her new life. With the help of her new friend, Andy, who is a marathon champion, Mira finds herself training for the race. She discovers she likes running and likes Andy even more. But Mira has a hard time moving forward in the romance department. Her family want her to reconcile with her ex, even though Mira is never going to do that, she is also afraid to disappoint her family further by marrying a man who is not Indian.
This was an inspiring story with a lot of parts I was able to relate to. I enjoyed seeing how Mira was able to finally put herself first and do what made her happy. I enjoyed seeing how she trained and started to fall in love with Andy and finally give in to her feelings for him. This is the first book in a series and I am already looking forward to reading the next book.
After her cheating husband asks for a divorce, Mira Sood decides to take control of her life. Left with barely any money and no job, Mira can’t afford to keep the apartment, so she moves in with her cousin. While out one day, Mira is given a brochure about a half marathon. Mira has never run a day in her life, but after thinking about it and she decides to give it a try. Maybe it’s what she needs to start her new life. With the help of her new friend, Andy, who is a marathon champion, Mira finds herself training for the race. She discovers she likes running and likes Andy even more. But Mira has a hard time moving forward in the romance department. Her family want her to reconcile with her ex, even though Mira is never going to do that, she is also afraid to disappoint her family further by marrying a man who is not Indian.
This was an inspiring story with a lot of parts I was able to relate to. I enjoyed seeing how Mira was able to finally put herself first and do what made her happy. I enjoyed seeing how she trained and started to fall in love with Andy and finally give in to her feelings for him. This is the first book in a series and I am already looking forward to reading the next book.
April 23, 2022
A New Mantra (The Sood Family #1) is an interesting story by Sapna Srinivasan. It certainly captures the way that life can unexpectantly unfold. Bad things do happen to good people. So being a dutiful daughter and wife does not always insure a happily-ever-after. At least it did not for Mira Sood who did not deserve finding out about her arranged marriage husband’s extramarital affair. Somehow she is made to feel that perhaps this is her fault.
Out of the ashes can come a rebuilding which is what Mira fights to have. I really like how Mira’s confidence builds along with her new life. Mira’s decision to start running is real yet also a metaphor because she is running not away from something but instead to something. A new life that she is able to make without everyone else making those choices for her. What could I say as I read her story but “You go girl, girl!” She is stronger and smarter than any give her credit. Now is the time to find who she is, not who they say she is. Along the way love that is pure and true may just be found. Inspiration reminder for us all.
An ARC of the book was given to me by Tule Publishing which I voluntarily chose to read and reviewed. All thoughts and opinions are my own.
Out of the ashes can come a rebuilding which is what Mira fights to have. I really like how Mira’s confidence builds along with her new life. Mira’s decision to start running is real yet also a metaphor because she is running not away from something but instead to something. A new life that she is able to make without everyone else making those choices for her. What could I say as I read her story but “You go girl, girl!” She is stronger and smarter than any give her credit. Now is the time to find who she is, not who they say she is. Along the way love that is pure and true may just be found. Inspiration reminder for us all.
An ARC of the book was given to me by Tule Publishing which I voluntarily chose to read and reviewed. All thoughts and opinions are my own.
April 20, 2022
This book was such a great read. Mira and her husband Jay were in an arranged married. Mira’s whole life was her husband. He up and asks her for a divorce because he has meant someone else. She basically has nothing. Her family believes she should try to win him back, but Mira decides she wants to live her life for herself. She is going to start doing that by doing something she has never done before. This is where she meets Andy. Her whole story was heart felt and it honestly makes you think. Even when you love someone you need to have your own identity and not get lost in your husbands. Sometimes you can find love and happiness when you are not even looking for it. I voluntarily reviewed this book in exchange for an honest review.
June 23, 2022
When Mira’s husband leaves her for another woman, she enters unchartered territory – discovering her true self by taking on the challenge of a half marathon.
I felt like I was running vicariously through Mira. Not only does she learn how resilient she is, but she learns to put a higher value on herself and set healthy boundaries, while also forming an unexpected bond with Andy, her trainer, who gets her on a level she’s experienced with no one else.
Be prepared to read this book in one sitting or you will be dragging at work the next day 😊.
I felt like I was running vicariously through Mira. Not only does she learn how resilient she is, but she learns to put a higher value on herself and set healthy boundaries, while also forming an unexpected bond with Andy, her trainer, who gets her on a level she’s experienced with no one else.
Be prepared to read this book in one sitting or you will be dragging at work the next day 😊.
March 29, 2022
The steady married life Mira has known ends when her arranged husband asks for a divorce out of the blue. He leaves her with virtually nothing and Mira feels like and acts like a doormat. This interesting story is about how beginning to run opens up a new, improved Mira.
I voluntarily read and reviewed an advanced copy of this book. All thoughts and opinions are my own.
I voluntarily read and reviewed an advanced copy of this book. All thoughts and opinions are my own.
April 21, 2022
I really enjoyed reading Mira's storyline and her Indian traditions ,her family. Looking forward to her cousin Laila's story next.
June 19, 2022
Amazing book I am looking forward to the next in the series.
August 7, 2022
I really enjoyed this. The focus on running was fresh and new, and Srinivasan has a lively, engaging voice.
April 2, 2024
Acute hallmark type romance :-)
February 13, 2025
This book may be for you if you like romance novels and appreciate cheesy dialogue.
I am not a big fan of the genre and didn't finish this book. The only reason I picked it up was for a reading challenge (read a book with 'new' in the title).
I am not a big fan of the genre and didn't finish this book. The only reason I picked it up was for a reading challenge (read a book with 'new' in the title).
December 9, 2023
Was good but the ending was rushed and kinda ruined it
Displaying 1 - 17 of 17 reviews