Leave and Come Back - by Lavanya Lakshmi (Hardcover)

Book Synopsis

Family drama meets romantic comedy when a young woman's new boyfriend accidentally shows up to a two-week-long family wedding, kicking off a comedy of errors in this funny, vibrant, and heartwarming debut

You're invited to the most romantic, chaotic wedding of the season

For the first time, Simran Gopal is living out her own swoon-worthy romance to rival the beloved Bollywood films of her childhood... until she receives her cousin's wedding invitation. Now, Simran finds herself returning to the family home she's been avoiding for the last seven years to take part in a two-week long Indian wedding.

Family drama is already at a high when Leo Bridgers, Simran's new boyfriend, accidentally crashes the engagement party. To avoid full crisis mode and provoking the ire of Veena perima, Simran's aunt and judgmental family matriarch, the cousins need to rally. Commence: Operation DDLJ.

Following the lead of their favorite Bollywood movie, they need to trick Veena into adoring Leo. In a mess of misdirection and chaotic hijinks, Leo must prove himself to be the most charming, helpful wedding guest imaginable, and he certainly can't give away that he's ever met--let alone is currently in love with--Simran.

For Simran, being back with her family also brings memories of the difficult years after her parents died. As old grievances and new secrets arise--along with nosy aunties--will Simran be able to finally have her own love story, and find the closure she's been looking for on her past?

Charming, tender, and hilarious, Leave and Come Back asks what it means to open up to love, what makes a family, and how to honor the past while embracing the present.

Review Quotes

Praise for Leave and Come Back

"Leave and Come Back is a phenomenal debut. I cannot remember the last time I smiled this much while reading! Prepare to fall in love with the entire cast of characters while Lakshmi expertly weaves humour, heart, and tenderness onto every page." --Hannah Bonam-Young, New York Times bestselling author of People Watching

"Leave & Come Back is the kind of book that stays with you. Lavanya Lakshmi has created characters who feel so real it's like you can hear their hearts beating through the page. A deeply moving, supremely witty, simply phenomenal debut."--Jessica Joyce, bestselling author of You, with a View and The Ex Vows

About the Author

Lavanya Lakshmi is a third culture kid who has lived in nine cities across India, China, the US, and Canada. One of her many childhood homes was a suite on the 37th floor of a luxury hotel. Her claimed hometown is New York City, where she lived for nine years after getting her Master's degree from NYU. She has worked in and around book publishing her whole career. Lavanya currently resides in Toronto. Leave and Come Back is her first novel.