Coming September 2026
A young girl, an old man, and an extraordinary bond spanning a thousand days.
Written by Soundarya Balasubramani
What happens when a young girl lost in life meets an old man dying from Parkinson's?
What if love wasn’t a grand gesture, but a daily decision? What if the person who changed your life wasn’t a soulmate, but a stranger who became family?
1000 Days of Love is the story of an extraordinary bond between Riya, a 25-year-old immigrant in San Francisco and Sri, a 52-year-old man dying from Parkinson’s. Through letters, late-night calls, and improbable acts of care, they become each other’s chosen family.
Over a thousand days, this novel explores grief and healing, loneliness and laughter, success and surrender. It’s for anyone who has ever wondered what it means to love - and be loved - when nothing is guaranteed.
Hi! I’m Soundarya Balasubramani aka Pooja :)
A writer, entrepreneur, and someone who believes stories can heal us.
I’ve written two nonfiction books (Admitted and Unshackled), founded Unshackled (a company to help immigrants in America), and co-created Beyond Luck, a course with Rajesh Setty, the person who inspired this book and the turning point of my life.
1000 Days of Love is my first novel - and the one closest to my heart.
Story behind the book
1000 Days of Love was inspired by Rajesh Setty. We met in July 2021, through a chance introduction. I was 25 and lost in more ways than I cared to admit. He was 52 and had Parkinson’s - and yet, had more appetite for life than a golden retriever at a tennis ball factory.
Our first conversation lasted two hours. Then, somehow, we spoke again the next day. And the next. For the next thousand days, he became my lifeline (and continues to be). A stranger who turned into a teacher, best friend, and my third parent.
This novel isn’t our story - but it carries the heartbeat of it. It’s about what happens when someone chooses to show up for you, without needing anything in return. It’s about ordinary moments that become extraordinary because of who you share them with.
It’s fiction. But the feelings are real.
If you've ever…
Felt like you were too much - or not enough
Moved to a new city, hoping it would change everything
Stared at your phone, waiting for someone to text back
Chased a dream and wondered if you were delusional
Missed someone who felt like home
Wanted to be understood, without needing to explain yourself
…then, this book is for you.
I dedicate 1000 Days of Love for all the South Asian woman who grew up being confined by rules and norms, and had to spend a lifetime unlearning them. It's for the introverts who pretend to be fine but lie awake at night wondering if they’re doing life right. It’s for immigrants, dreamers, misfits, late bloomers, and anyone who knows that love isn’t always romantic.
Love from early readers ❤️
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