Three Women. Three Secrets. One Summer That Changes Everything.
Before We Were Women
A moving novel of resilience, sisterhood, and the courage to reclaim your voice.
About the Book
Before We Were Women is a moving contemporary women’s fiction novel that weaves together three extraordinary lives — each marked by secrets, loss, and the quiet determination to survive.
Anita Kumar was fifteen when shame stole her voice. Pregnant and afraid to disappoint her successful parents, she allowed others to decide her future — and her daughter’s. Years later, she buries her grief beneath competence, scanning every child’s face for the one she lost.
Born into wealth but raised in fear, Ashley Spady escapes a violent home only to find herself trapped in a cycle she doesn’t know how to break — until an unexpected diagnosis forces her to confront the truth about herself.
Adopted and blessed with an extraordinary memory, Robin Zymanski dreams of becoming a writer. But as questions about her origins deepen and her vision begins to fade, she must decide who she is when the future she imagined slips from view.
When their lives converge in the summer of 2009, these three women form an unlikely bond that reshapes their understanding of identity, forgiveness, and belonging.
Before We Were Women is a novel of resilience and sisterhood — about confronting the past, reclaiming your voice, and discovering that family can be found in the most unexpected places.
“Family can be found in the most unexpected places.”
Anita Kumar
At fifteen, shame silenced her. Decades later, she is still searching — for her daughter, for herself, for the courage to finally speak.
Ashley Spady
Born into privilege, she grew up in terror. Now free from the home that broke her, she must learn to break the cycle — before it's too late.
Robin Zymanski
Adopted. Gifted. Curious. As her sight fades and her past calls out, Robin must discover who she truly is before the life she dreamed of slips away.
Meet the Author
Sunita Reddy, M.D.
Sunita Reddy, M.D., is a practicing Obstetrician and Gynecologist who lives and works in Dayton, Ohio, with her husband and two sons. She currently serves at Kettering Medical Center. Before We Were Women is her debut novel.
As an OB-GYN, Dr. Reddy has a unique window into the complex, often invisible struggles her patients face every day — from teenage pregnancy and infertility to domestic violence and adoption. In their resilience and remarkable capacity for renewal, she finds inspiration to tell stories that matter.
In Before We Were Women, Dr. Reddy weaves these real-world issues into a tapestry of fiction, encouraging women to empower themselves and each other through kindness, connection, and the courage to keep going.
“Her patients demonstrate tremendous resilience as they rise above tough challenges to better their lives through sisterhood, family support, and new medical technologies.”
Share Your Thoughts
Did Before We Were Women move you? Your words can help other readers discover this story. Reader reviews make a real difference for independent authors — even just a few sentences can change everything.
How to Leave a Review
- Finish the book and reflect on your reading experience.
- Visit the Amazon product page using the links below.
- Scroll to the "Customer Reviews" section and click "Write a Customer Review."
- Share your honest thoughts — even a few lines mean the world to Dr. Reddy and her readers.
- Rate the book, submit, and share your review with friends!
A Glimpse Inside the Pages
Step into a world of three women whose lives are more connected than they ever imagined. Here is a taste of Before We Were Women:
“Anita Kumar was fifteen when shame stole her voice. Pregnant and afraid to disappoint her successful parents, she allowed others to decide her future — and her daughter’s. Years later, she buries her grief beneath competence, scanning every child’s face for the one she lost.”
“Born into wealth but raised in fear, Ashley Spady escapes a violent home only to find herself trapped in a cycle she doesn’t know how to break — until an unexpected diagnosis forces her to confront the truth about herself.”
“Adopted and blessed with an extraordinary memory, Robin Zymanski dreams of becoming a writer. But as questions about her origins deepen and her vision begins to fade, she must decide who she is when the future she imagined slips from view.”
“When their lives converge in the summer of 2009, these three women form an unlikely bond that reshapes their understanding of identity, forgiveness, and belonging…”
— Before We Were Women, Sunita Reddy, M.D.
Get Your Copy of Before We Were Women
Whether you prefer to hold a book in your hands or read anywhere on your device, Before We Were Women is available in the format that suits you best.
Paperback Edition
Perfect for your bookshelf, book club, or to gift a friend.
Kindle Edition
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What Readers Are Saying
★★★★★
A beautifully written debut that left me in tears and full of hope. The three women felt so real — I saw myself in each of them.
John Doe
★★★★★
Dr. Reddy brings a rare authenticity to the page. This novel is important, tender, and absolutely unforgettable.”
Jessica Smith
★★★★★
I couldn’t put it down. The characters are so layered and the story so human. A must-read for every woman.
Steve Rogers
Perfect for Your Book Club
Before We Were Women is a rich, emotionally layered novel that sparks powerful conversations. Whether your group meets in person or online, these questions will guide a meaningful and memorable discussion.
Discussion Questions
- Each of the three women carries a secret. How do secrets shape identity and relationships in this novel?
- How does the novel explore the concept of "chosen family"? Where do you see it reflected in your own life?
- Anita's shame silences her for years. Have you ever felt silenced by circumstances? How did you find your voice again?
- Ashley escapes one form of harm only to find herself in another cycle. What does the novel say about patterns and healing?
- Robin's fading vision becomes a metaphor for uncertainty about the future. How does she grow through this challenge?
- The summer of 2009 is a turning point for all three women. What does the summer season symbolize in the story?
- Dr. Reddy is an OB-GYN who writes about real issues she witnesses. How does her professional background shape the authenticity of the novel?
- Which character resonated with you most and why?
- The novel ends with a message of hope and belonging. Did the ending satisfy you? What would you have changed?
- What does the title "Before We Were Women" mean to you?
Interested in having the author join your book club virtually? We’d love to arrange a special Q&A with Sunita Reddy, M.D. — Contact us below to inquire about availability.
