All the Right People: A Novel

by Priyanka R. Khanna

Tara-Shaan-Aria. Nearly twenty years ago in a classroom in Mumbai, three young girls formed a tight knit trio that navigated school and university, first loves and fresh starts.
But when Tara's father, Mohan Mehta, a prominent businessman, hits the headlines for the wrong reasons, this friendship comes under the scanner. Will their bond go the distance?
Tara is devastated. A social media star who found a way to fit into London's high society, she's worked her entire life to be the perfect everything. But she's always had friends and family by her side. That is, until she's left alone to pick up the pieces of the only life she knows.
As the daughter of a billionaire industrialist, in Aria Mistry's world, nothing short of perfection will do. Her father's pride and joy, she's always lived by the rules. When she meets Bollywood star Rohan Rawal, he challenges everything she's been raised to believe. Will she choose to follow her head or her heart?
Delhi party girl by night and a leading politician's dutiful daughter by day, Shaan Singh knows which role to play to get her own way. Feisty and fiercely intelligent, she has political aspirations of her own. But when her parents force her into marriage for strategic gain, how far will she fight to hold onto her freedom? Or will she give in?
Glittering, whip-smart and incredibly fun, All The Right People takes you into the hidden, privileged world of the wealthiest and most powerful families in Bombay, Delhi and London but tells a universal story. Of love. Of loss. Of family. Of friendship. Of difficult decisions.

And of women taking control of their own lives.

423 pages, Kindle Edition

Published November 21, 2022

Reviews

[Brown Girl Bookshelf]

Meet the stars of Priyanka Khanna’s dazzling debut novel: there’s Tara, the influencer; Aria, the businesswoman; and Shaan, the aspiring politician. The friendship between the high-society women is all glitz and glamour. Think: Blair Waldorf's infamous sleepover and the private island getaways featured in “Crazy Rich Asians.” Everything is perfect, until it isn’t.

When Tara’s father is exposed for financial fraud, the family’s bustling social circles disappear, including her beloved best friends. With no merit to her wealth and political connections, Tara is left to mend her family alone.

There is no universally correct way to manage grief, and that shines through in Priyanka Khanna’s portrayal of her complex, messy, yet oddly relatable characters. While the womens’ high society lifestyles are out of touch, their response to betrayal, severed friendships, and life changes are familiar to many. Similarly is the topic of a woman’s role in personal and familial decision-making, with Tara living with controlling in-laws and Aria teetering between her dreams and her father’s dreams for her.

Will Khanna’s stars be able to take control of their life without a safety net?

The character development throughout the story is phenomenal, and Khanna’s writing style is fun and exciting to follow. “All the Right People” is a story for all ages, showing how difficult times can be a catalyst for women to take back control of their lives.

[Claire Hodges · Rating 5 out of 5]

This book perfectly described all the battles of a modern daughter growing up in a more traditional India family. I could resonate to the stories of my mom’s upbringing. Loved how the story switched POV’s between the 3 main characters - such a good book! There are a couple dialogue lines in Hindi/gujarati but the general plot was easy to follow.

[Soumya · Rating 4 out of 5]

Story of friendship between 3 girls Tara - Shaan - Aria and how they navigate through life , try to keep their friendship intact and continue to strive to make on their on parochial and patriarchal world . Apple of their father’s eye , life and privileges and desire to make a mark of their own. In one word I would say this book is about relationships- parent child , siblings , friends , spouse/ partners and how there can be layers and layers of feelings.
Fast paced read and I dare say one which could be adapted into a Hindi movie , so if you are looking for a weekend or travel read would recommend this book.

[Bansi Shah · Rating 1 out of 5]

It felt like reading script of Karan Johar movie plot...writer was sitting one day and thought why not write something that Karan Johar can make a flop movie.do not waste your time reading this book..I wonder how this book can get 3.4 ratings.

[Sabrina Scholkowski · Rating 4 out of 5]

I got this book at the airport in Delhi on my way back to Berlin as I wanted to read something local and boy did this not disappoint! I truly loved everything except the length at some points, but I liked the way they talked about money, classism, touched a bit on hoe the elite are in India, did a good job of imagery and I could picture everything happening as described. I also liked how it touched on feminism and the patriarchy but in a subtler way that’s not too in your face but makes you stop and think about things and realize it’s happening all around. I would definitely recommend if you’re looking to read different voices and get a bit of the magic from India.

[Sahiba Bakshi · Rating 3 out of 5]

3.5. This was a good read for me. I enjoyed it. I liked the friendship between the three girls and I liked how the author dealt with some of the more serious issues in the book. It took me awhile to get into the book, the beginning was slow and the pacing throughout the novel was weird. Plus the conflict listed in the synopsis on the back does not take place until you're 60% of the way through the book. The ending felt a little rushed to me.