A Kiss in Kashmir - Monica Saigal Bhide

A Kiss in Kashmir by Monica Saigal — **A KISS IN KASHMIR**
(Bodes Well Publishing, 2024)

Sharmila, a painter entering the autumn of her life, had gently set aside hopes of love after a heart-wrenching loss. In Kashmir to orchestrate her daughter Alina’s wedding, Sharmila never anticipated that the universe was crafting a different plan—one of second chances and unexpected love.

She crosses paths with George, a professor of Indian art history and a kindred spirit bearing the weight of lost love. Together, they explore Kashmir’s lush valleys, snow-draped mountains, clear lakes, and ancient shrines. A fragile romance quietly blossoms, gently guiding their hearts toward a future neither dared to dream of.

Is it possible for a single glance to kindle a connection, or for one to find a soulmate twice?

Yet, as their burgeoning love blooms, a startling revelation threatens to cut their story short. With the breathtaking beauty of Kashmir as its canvas, A Kiss in Kashmir is a touching story of love, loss, and second chances.

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A tender and finely observed romance.
Kirkus Reviews

In A Kiss in Kashmir, Monica Saigal (Bhide) transports us to a place where the warmth of a pashmina meets the scent of saffron. Kashmir comes alive, not just as a backdrop but as a character, breathing life into Sharmila and George’s journey. Their story reminds us that even after loss, love can find its way back. Saigal’s tale is genuine, heartfelt, and flavored with the authentic touch of Kashmir. A Kiss in Kashmir is an intimate sojourn, promising the heart that love, in all its forms, can indeed find its way back to us.
Chef and filmmaker Vikas Khanna

On the face of it, in A Kiss in Kashmir, Monica Saigal (Bhide) sets a sweet romance in a luscious setting. Looking deeper, it’s a novel that explores the depth of loss, love and the many facets of the human heart. Bravo.
Mollie Cox Bryan, Agatha and Daphne du Maurier Award–nominated author

Monica Saigal (Bhide)’s latest novel brings to life the magic of Kashmir with its gorgeous colors, smells and tastes. From the first page, you’ll feel like you are at a banquet for the senses in this touching tale of later life love and the hope of new beginnings.
Ramin Ganeshram, author, Saffron: A Global History

Monica Saigal’s novel A Kiss in Kashmir is a beautiful tale about conquering our desires and exploring them till it reaches its fertile condition. The quest to find the right choices at the right time becomes evident through the tale of different generations. The tale is not sweet. It is not bitter too. Like a good relationship, this too gives multiple reality checks which teaches us about the need of a companion. Marriage, society or any other fragment of the morally inclined people cannot suppress the beautiful thought of freedom. This novel is all about that last word: freedom.
Kabir Deb, author, esteemed book reviewer and poet

On the face of it, the story is a sweet romance between Sharmila, a renowned Rajasthani artist, and George, a retired American professor of Indian art history. But at its essence, it’s a novel that explores the depth of love, loss and the many facets of the human heart.
The American Bazaar (click here to read full review)

…what sets it apart is Saigal’s prose, which is exquisite, painting vivid pictures of Kashmir’s lush valleys, snow-capped mountains, and ancient shrines. The reader is transported alongside Sharmila as she embarks on a journey of self-discovery, not just through the physical landscape, but also through the depths of her own emotions.
India Currents