Publication Date: February 10, 2026
An unforgettable debut novel about two young people searching for better lives, and the blossoming forbidden romance between them that threatens their families and futures—a breathtaking story perfect for fans of Colm Tóibín and Monica Ali.
Mira’s days are filled with duty and light on freedom. In a new country, living with a husband she barely knows—and who she fears she’ll never love—Mira is desperate to discover all that her new life in England might offer.
And then there’s Tahliil. The quiet, beautiful man she sees at work each day. With a depth in his eyes and a face full of questions. He’s the first person in this new world who listens to Mira’s hopes for who she yearns to become.
But beyond their lunchtime encounters, the pair couldn’t lead more different lives: the duties that bind them, the homes they are trying to build threaten to subsume them. As Mira and Tahliil navigate the deep and turbulent waters of their new worlds, can they find a way to be together, and will finding each other set them free?
When Mira travels from her native India to England to join her new husband, she has high hopes for the arranged marriage.
Author Manish Chauhan delivers a thought-provoking, culturally rich story delving into expectations vs. reality in Belgrave Road.
From the beginning, Mira serves as a sympathetic character. Eager to experience English life, she finds herself in a predominantly South Asian community. As the story develops, we see Mira transforming once she grasps the language.
However, the happily-ever-after she expects comes from an unlikely source. Tahliil’s story unfolds through a dual narrative, offering another perspective on someone seeking refuge in England.
The characters wrestle with duty vs. true love as a shocking twist takes the storyline in an unexpected trajectory. While I was disappointed at an apparent lack of closure, the story maintained my attention.
Belgrave Road illustrates the complexity of navigating a new country while juggling the expectations of a native culture.
Originally from Leicester, Manish Chauhan works as a finance lawyer and currently lives in East London. His short story, “Pieces,” was shortlisted for the 2024 BBC National Short Story Award. His work has been shortlisted for the Galley Beggar Short Story Prize and the Exeter Short Story Competition. Early excerpts of Belgrave Road were longlisted for the Curtis Brown First Novel Award and shortlisted for the Daniel Goldsmith First Novel Prize. Belgrave Road is his debut novel.
