Dava Shastri’s Last Day by Kirthana Ramisetti

Book Review

Happy Pub day to Dava Shastri’s Last Day!

This was such a fun and sweet read… I didn’t want it to end. I can’t wait for you all to read it!

Thank you to Grand Central Pub for my gifted advanced copy.

Kirthana Ramisetti’s debut novel, which was selected as Good Morning America’s December bookclub selection (!!), follows the story of an ultra-wealthy Indian philanthropist, Dava Shastri. When Dava is diagnosed with terminal cancer, she arranges to break the news to her family while they’re all gathered at her extravagant compound to celebrate Christmas. But before she informs her family, news of her death leaks to the press - sparking a number of rumors and questions about Dava’s romantic relationships and familial connections.

If you enjoyed The Seven Husbands of Evelyn Hugo, I think you’ll love this one. Dava is such a fascinating and unique character with so many layers - from her insatiable ambition and dedication to serve humanity to her secret indiscretions and careful consideration of her public image, Dava is a difficult character to define.

Apart from learning Dava’s story through a series of flashbacks, I especially loved seeing the interaction between the various generations of Dava’s family. Her children, grandchildren and son/daughter-in-laws all have their own views of the powerful matriarch, so learning of her diagnosis and subsequent plans for the end of her life cause quite the stir within the family.

Given that the book takes place at Christmas (and includes a slew of family drama), it feels like the perfect low-key holiday read. AND exciting news - the book has already been optioned for TV. I can’t wait to see this one on screen.

⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️💫/5

TW: Cancer, assisted suicide, infidelity, death of a loved one

Also side note… this photo was taken at a Bachelorette party. Do you like my mini arm tat of the groom? 😆