The Wrong Way Home by Shunali Khullar Shroff – engaging feminist contemporary

The Wrong Way Home is an engaging and layered feminist contemporary that captures the complicated reality of life after divorce in India.

Synopsis

At forty, Nayantara is blindsided by her celebrity ex-husband’s second marriage to a hot, young influencer on the heels of a divorce that leaves her broke, single and discarded by the society she once thrived in.

Desperate to prove she’s still relevant, Nayan sets out to rebuild her PR business chasing power, money and visibility with a hunger she didn’t know she possessed. Among the clients she sets out to restitute are an aging movie star terrified of irrelevance, a politician in urgent need of image rescue, and a socialite with small-town roots trying to reinvent herself as a cultural tastemaker.

In the middle of this, Nayan is pulled between two men. One offers steadiness and clarity. The other is charm, glitter and temptation. Buffeted by the contradictions of ambition and love, right and wrong, Mumbai’s relentless hustle and Landour’s quieter pull, she must decide what really matters in a world obsessed with appearances.

Review

The Wrong Way Home by Shunali Khullar Shroff is a contemporary story about rebuilding a life when everything that once defined it quietly falls apart. It follows forty year old Nayantara, recently divorced and trying to hold together the fragile remains of her PR company while the world around her begins to treat her differently.

The shift is subtle at first and then painfully obvious. Invitations fade, conversations grow awkward, and society slowly pushes her to the margins as if divorce is a stain that cannot be hidden. Losing the lease to her apartment is another blow, but what stings the most is the news that her ex husband has married a much younger influencer.

Nayantara had chosen not to ask for alimony, a decision rooted in self respect and pride, but that pride now comes with consequences. She finds herself scrambling for new clients, desperate to keep her business alive and build a life that proves she deserves admiration rather than pity. In that pursuit she begins reshaping her clientele, welcoming some who bring genuine opportunities and others whose intentions are far less clean.

Along the way she also finds herself drawing the attention of two very different men. One is dazzling, wealthy, and effortlessly charming, the kind of man who commands attention the moment he walks into a room. The other offers something quieter and steadier, a life built on calm, trust, and stability.

Watching Nayantara navigate not only the complicated expectations of society but also the tangled matters of her own heart becomes one of the most interesting parts of the story.

The writing is engaging and flows at a steady pace that makes it easy to sink into Nayantara’s world. What stood out most to me was the way the novel explores the life of a recently divorced woman in India and the silent but harsh judgement that often follows. The contrast between how women are scrutinized and how easily men seem to move on without consequence feels painfully real.

The Wrong Way Home also offers an intriguing look at the inner workings of a PR agency and the glittering yet fragile world of Mumbai’s upper class society. Behind the polished surfaces lie endless drama, whispers of gossip, and alliances that can change overnight.

Within this setting the story explores heartbreak, love, healing, and the difficult work of moving forward. It reminds us that mistakes often become our most valuable teachers and that true character reveals itself not through appearances but through choices.

Because the story is told in first person, we are drawn very close to Nayantara’s thoughts and emotions. It quickly becomes clear that she is far from perfect. While her situation invites sympathy, her mindset often makes her difficult to fully embrace.

She is flawed, stubborn, and deeply attached to the comfort and privilege that money once brought her. Now that those luxuries have slipped away, she becomes determined to climb back up the ladder of success at almost any cost. There were moments when I wanted to wrap her in a hug, especially when she questioned her own abilities and confidence after the divorce. At other times I wanted to shake her and ask what on earth she was doing.

I could understand why she initially misjudged Vikram. Her world had always been very different from his, and even her mother’s. What frustrated me more was her reasoning for pursuing a relationship with Arjun. At one point she admits that standing beside him would make her look good and send a message to her ex husband that she too could attract a handsome man. That thought alone should have stopped her.

It was painfully clear to readers and to the people who genuinely cared about her that she was drifting toward another narcissistic personality while slowly letting go of something far more meaningful that she shared with Vikram. Realizing this truth takes her longer than one might hope.

The plot itself follows a somewhat predictable path. The mistakes, the heartbreak, and even the eventual moment of clarity are visible long before they happen. Yet predictability does not weaken the story. Instead, the real strength lies in watching Nayantara slowly reclaim her sense of identity, confidence, and self worth. Whether love ultimately plays a role in that journey becomes secondary to the emotional growth she experiences.

One of the relationships I truly enjoyed watching was the quiet development of Nayantara’s bond with Vikram. There is a warmth and sincerity in their connection that grows stronger as the story unfolds. Still, the relationship that touched me most was the one she shares with her mother. Their interactions carry a depth of affection and understanding that feels incredibly genuine.

I also appreciated her friendship with Rishi, which adds a comforting presence throughout the narrative. At the same time, the novel does not shy away from exploring the darker side of relationships. The dynamic between Nayantara and Anjali shows how easily a friendship can turn toxic. Her relationship with Sagari also who is both client and friend show when boundary is blurred, it begin to complicate everything.

The ending takes an unexpected path. It does not follow the familiar formula of tying every thread neatly with a perfect happily ever after. Surprisingly, that choice works beautifully. Instead of a fairy tale conclusion, we are given something more grounded and hopeful. Nayantara may not have everything perfectly resolved, but she stands at the beginning of a better chapter, stronger and more certain of who she is and what she deserves.

Overall, The Wrong Way Home is an engaging and layered feminist contemporary that captures the complicated reality of life after divorce in India. Through Nayantara’s messy, frustrating, and ultimately empowering journey, the novel paints a thoughtful portrait of resilience, self discovery, and the courage it takes to rebuild a life on one’s own terms.

Book Links

Goodreads | Amazon.in | Amazon.com

Have you read The Wrong Way Home or something similar to this?
What was your favorite feminist contemporary?

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