Hot Water: A Novel By Bhavika Govil

STEP INTO AN ACHINGLY BEAUTIFUL, EMOTIONALLY CHARGED TALE OF FAMILY SECRETS, FRAGILE TIES, AND THE PROFOUND WAYS LOVE CAN BOTH BUILD AND WRECK US.

For nine-year-old Mira, fourteen-year-old Ashu, and their mother, life has always been just the three of them. Together, they share a tight-knit world—singing Simon & Garfunkel in the sun-yellow car, cozying up on the sofa to watch TV, and taking sun-drenched holidays on the mango farm. They appear bound by an unbreakable closeness. Yet, beneath the surface of this apparent proximity lurks another reality: a family swimming in hot water.

Each of them is harboring quiet secrets and grappling with unanswerable questions. Where is Ma’s husband? Who is Ashu secretly pining for? And why is young Mira perpetually on high alert? Over the course of one long, scorching summer, the carefully guarded truths come tumbling out, threatening to tear apart the fragile world Ma, Mira, and Ashu have cobbled together.

Why this book is a must-have:

• Deeply Moving Storytelling: Explores the intricate dynamics of motherhood, sibling bonds, and the hidden burdens carried within families.

• Evocative & Immersive: Features richly drawn characters and vivid, sensory settings—from sun-warmed mango farms to nostalgic car rides.

• An Emotional Rollercoaster: A poignant, beautifully written debut that balances heartbreak with tender moments of resilience.

• Essential Contemporary Fiction: A striking addition to any modern fiction or family drama collection.

Uncover the truths hidden beneath a summer of secrets. Add Hot Water to your collection at Beetle Bookshop today—enjoy 10–14% off and Free Shipping on orders above ₹500!