An Ayah's Choice

Underpinned by true events, ´An Ayah's Choice´ draws us into a rarely seen aspect of British Indian history.

Following the momentous life of Jaya Devani, an Indian woman harbouring a secret that propels her to find her own agency against a backdrop of sex, class, and race discrimination.

In a small Indian village in 1900, aspiring artist Jaya Devani yearns for freedom beyond the confines of the life expected of her. When she begins a tumultuous relationship with her British colonial employer, William Edmundson, she launches herself on course for a new life as an ayah, a nanny, in London.

Arriving on British shores as the suffragette movement is growing, Jaya grapples with a choice: can she really find freedom in the arms of William, or will she have to seek out her own way to be truly free?

A story of the tenacity of the human spirit, friendship, and blazing your own path.

Perfect for fans of ´The Paris Library´ and ´The Beekeeper of Aleppo´.

What people are saying about ´An Ayah's Choice´:

"A rare jewel." - Kate Quinn, New York Times bestselling author of ´The Rose Code´.

"Utterly spellbound" - Julianne MacLean, USA Today bestselling author.

"Tender and thrilling." - A.J. Gnuse, author of ´Girl in the Walls´.

"A page-turner." - Helen Pankhurst CBE, women's rights activist, and great-granddaughter of Emmeline Pankhurst and granddaughter of Sylvia Pankhurst.



Shahida is an author, writer, public speaker and publisher. She lives in Cambridge.