BOOK REVIEW: Fifteen Lanes by S.J. Laidlaw

*Disclaimer- I received a free electronic galley of this book through NetGalley in exchange for an honest review*

Fifteen Lanes by S.J. Laidlaw 

Amazon Description:
"Noor has lived all of her fourteen years in the fifteen lanes of Mumbai’s red light district. Born into a brothel, she is destined for the same fate as her mother: a desperate life trapped in the city’s sex trade. She must act soon to have any chance of escaping this grim future.

Across the sprawling city, fifteen-year-old Grace enjoys a life of privilege. Her father, the CEO of one of India’s largest international banks, has brought his family to Mumbai where they live in unparalleled luxury. But Grace’s seemingly perfect life is shattered when she becomes a victim of a cruel online attack.
When their paths intersect, Noor and Grace will be changed forever. Can two girls living in vastly different worlds find a common path?

Award-winning author S.J. Laidlaw masterfully weaves together their stories in a way that resonates across class and culture. Fifteen Lanes boldly explores the ties that bind us to places and people, and shows us that the strongest of bonds can be forged when hope is all but lost."

My Review:
Let me just say that this was a book that I could not put down. I stayed up WAY later than I meant to last night (this morning?) because I was completely enthralled. When Noor, who spends her nights sleeping under her mother's bed in Mumbai's red light district, and Grace, who spends her nights in the lap of luxury, are brought together by a series of unfortunate events, they form an unlikely friendship. It's sort of fascinating to see naive Grace and street hardened Noor interact.

This is such a relevant storyline in a day and age where sex trafficking still spans the globe. The author's experiences working with the daughters of sex workers in India gave her an insight and authenticity for Noor's story that she wouldn't have otherwise have. Part of me thinks that the ending was too optimistic, but what do we have if we do not hope for a better tomorrow? I would recommend this book to mature teens and adults who are looking for a new perspective on the effects of sex trafficking across a generation.