Lavanya Lakshmi was born in New Delhi and raised in Beijing, Shanghai and Hong Kong. She moved to New York where she earned a Master’s degree from NYU. Lakshmi now lives in Toronto and works in the publishing industry.
Fiction
Leave and Come Back: A Novel
Toronto: Doubleday Canada, 2026.
Publisher’s Synopsis (From its website)
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. …
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—with nosy aunties always watching—Simran must find a way to heal her wounds or risk losing her happy ending with Leo and her family.
Links
Lavanya Lakshmi personal website
Publisher Doubleday Canada, an imprint of Penguin Random House Canada