The Curious Secrets of Yesterday

4.3 4.3 out of 5 stars | 4,466 ratings

Price: 4.49

Last update: 07-23-2024


About this item

A woman’s ambitions clash with familial expectations in a captivating novel about generational secrets and self-discovery by the bestselling author of The Candid Life of Meena Dave.

Raised by her mother and grandmother and tutored in the healing wonders of spices, Tulsi Gupta is expected to carry on the ancestral tradition from her family’s Salem spice shop. Restless and reluctant, Tulsi yearns to follow her own path—destiny has other plans.

When Tulsi finds a letter written by her grandmother, addressed and never sent, that speaks of a long-ago betrayal, she decides to unravel the mystery as a distraction. But Tulsi stumbles into much more than she bargained for. With each new discovery, she learns there’s much more to her mother and grandmother than their expertise in the remedial aromas of coriander and cloves. When an attractive neighbor begins renovating the shuttered deli next door, Tulsi finds the courage to break her routine and chase the unexpected.

As Tulsi digs into the past and secrets come to light, she’s determined to heal old family wounds and find her true purpose—and maybe even love—every step of the way.


From the Publisher

A RECIPE FOR HEALING THE HEART

Top reviews from the United States

Mrs. Correct-all
5.0 out of 5 stars Sensational! You feel like you're part of the family!
Reviewed in the United States on July 6, 2024
I loved the way the story smoothly unfolded, waiting for the next piece of the puzzle, the bonding with each character, and understanding their individual nuances. Wonderfully written! Thank you for sharing.
Zanner
4.0 out of 5 stars Ups and Downs
Reviewed in the United States on July 6, 2024
There were times it went so slow, then times I could hardly keep up. The pace changed but the plot I enjoyed. The story grabbed me but it was not immediately. I enjoyed the cultural difference, I am not of Indian descent so there was a lot of learning which enhanced the story for me.
The main character was well developed and easy to empathize with as were her immediate family. Some of it was a bit of a stretch but it was a fun story.
Catherina Mueller
3.0 out of 5 stars good premise overall
Reviewed in the United States on June 23, 2024
I like the concept of this story: the family secrets, the discovering yourself and your place theme, love angle, an Indian American family finding their way in the US, the bits of Indian culture and food and spices throughout without overly explaining them for the audience. However there were too many subplots for how short the book was. And by 48% of the way through on my kindle app, I was amazed that most of the first half is just different ways of saying Tulsi, the main character, feels lost and doesn’t know what to do with her life and can’t stand up for herself. I did finish it but it was all rather predictable, a lot of telling instead of showing, and even with fleshing out backgrounds of characters, they all still felt rather one-note and shallow. I’ll still give this author another try as I did like the idea of the book but the execution was just ok.
Katy 123
5.0 out of 5 stars a very interesting and fun read!
Reviewed in the United States on July 17, 2024
This was an easy book to like. Well developed characters, interesting story line and great knowledge about spice healing. I thoroughly enjoyed it!
Erika Sappia
4.0 out of 5 stars Thank you for this lovely story.
Reviewed in the United States on May 28, 2024
Review of “The Curious Secrets of Yesterday”

I received “The Curious Secrets of Yesterday” from Amazon Kindle’s May First Reads and was excited to dive into this intriguing story. The book revolves around Tulsi, her mother Devi, and her grandmother Aruna, who run a spice shop called Rasa in Salem, Massachusetts. Both Devi and Aruna are spice healers trained in the ancient healing practice of Ayurveda, and they are grooming Tulsi to take over Rasa, as it is a tradition passed down through generations. However, Tulsi is conflicted because she doesn’t want to follow this predetermined path. Having spent her entire life fulfilling others’ expectations, she now struggles, at 31, to assert her own desires and ambitions.

This late coming-of-age story beautifully explores the intersection of cultures and traditions in an Indian family while also addressing the complexities of being Indian-American. Tulsi’s journey to carve out her own path after 31 years is both inspiring and relatable.

I really enjoyed this story, especially the rich cultural details and the depiction of Ayurvedic practices. However, I felt the pacing was a bit uneven. While the story captivated me, there were sections where it seemed to drag on, only to suddenly rush to a conclusion.

Despite this, I recommend “The Curious Secrets of Yesterday” to anyone interested in learning about different cultures, particularly Indian family traditions, cuisine, and the history and practice of Ayurveda. It’s a heartfelt narrative that sheds light on the importance of finding one’s own way in the world.
TGritt
5.0 out of 5 stars Excellent and Interesting
Reviewed in the United States on July 7, 2024
Beautifully written story of a young woman 'finding' herself and discovering the wonder of the world around her - near and far. I loved reading about spice healing, doshas, and food.
Mary F.
4.0 out of 5 stars A blend of Asian American tradition with contemporary life
Reviewed in the United States on May 13, 2024
Pick up The Curious Secrets of Yesterday and immerse yourself in the world of Tulsi Gupti. Tulsi works with her mother and grandmother in a family-owned spice shop. She is expected to take and pass a test proving she is a master but keeps putting it off because taking over the business is not the life she wants. Add in some unexpected family twists plus a bit of romance and we have an intriguing story that will keep you turning the pages.

The reader gets to know and understand the traditions that make the older generations feel that it is Tulsi’s responsibility to fill their shoes and take over the store. We also can easily relate to why she wishes to lead a different life. Important characters come to life on the page and the reader gets a complete mental image of the shop and other locations.

I am glad that this book was an Amazon First Reads option as it is one that I may not have noticed otherwise. It is a compelling story that will reach your heart.
Naturalist
5.0 out of 5 stars So much to unpack
Reviewed in the United States on July 12, 2024
You could feel the author’s connection to the character, Tulsi, as she came alive for the reader. There are many layers to the stories interwoven on the pages. The themes address family ties, culture, heritage, expectations, love, friendships, and more. What does one do when their future has been plotted out for the, yet it is not their passion? Tulsi, takes us along on her journey of discovery, unveiling of secrets, and growth. This book will have you sniffing the air, swearing you can smell or date the abundant creations within the pages.

Best Sellers in

 
 

Untamed

4.6 4.6 out of 5 stars 66289
1.99
 
 

Tangled Decadence (Egorov Bratva Book 2)

4.6 4.6 out of 5 stars 6921
7.99
 
 

The Wildflower: A Dark New Adult Bully Romance (Oakmount Elite Book 2)

4.4 4.4 out of 5 stars 1443
5.99
 
 

Tangled Innocence (Egorov Bratva Book 1)

4.6 4.6 out of 5 stars 7063
2.99
 
 

Keres: An enemies to lovers, dark mafia romance (Chicago Ruthless Book 4)

4.5 4.5 out of 5 stars 6017
4.99
 
 

What I Should've Said

4.6 4.6 out of 5 stars 6768
5.99
 
 

The Dressmaker on Amelia Island (Seven Sisters Book 6)

4.6 4.6 out of 5 stars 1114
5.99
 
 

Still Mine: A Second Chance Romance (The Lasker Brothers)

4.4 4.4 out of 5 stars 3579
4.99