A quick and easy read that I found myself picking up after a long day to unwind. The characters are beautifully written and I came to love them within the first few pages and was rooting for them all the way to the end. At times I wanted to stop reading because I just wanted the experience to go on for longer.

Thanks to the publisher and NetGalley for providing me with a copy of this book in exchange for an honest review.

This was quite a short book, less than 200 pages but it really packs a punch.

This story follows Nisma, a Palestinian Muslim, living in Qu’laif with her family. They are trying to maintain some sense of normalcy amidst the ongoing war and also avoiding the hostile Israeli soldiers. Nisma also made a new friend in her neighbourhood, Hannah, who is a Zionist. Nisma doesn’t yet understand the historical tensions between the two groups and was angry at her mother for preventing them from being friends. But when tragedy befalls Hannah’s family, Nisma and her father were quick to help and took them in despite the protest from her mother. Nisma’s family were painted as traitors and she soon learns that her kindness will lead to devastating consequences.

Nisma was naive and believed that they can all live in harmony if they just gave each other a chance but she doesn’t understand how deep the hatred lies. It was hard breaking for Nisma to discover the harsh reality of her country and how her choices affected her family. This isn’t just a story about an unlikely friendship, but also focuses on Nisma’s family especially her relationship with her mother.

This story also showed how people lived in a country run by corruption and segregation, how people are so quick to judge and how having compassion can be your downfall. But Nisma pushed through with strength and determination to do what she thinks is right even if she is hit with tragedy after tragedy. That is something I truly admired about her.

I did feel that the author went a bit too far with all the terrible things that happened to Nisma. It would have been worthwhile to give more depth to one or two of the issues Nisma had to overcome. Like just let Nisma catch a break, please. My heart breaks so much for her! Overall, this was an enjoyable read but this is definitely a very tragic book so do pick up with caution.

Thank you Netgalley and Dean Publishing for the arc.

The Olive Tree is thoughtfully written. Well expressed cultural contrast . I enjoyed this book, and felt deeply for the characters. In our current world situation we need more books about overcoming differences. Well done.

I liked the look into different religions and how they cross a lot in Israel and Palestine. We see two different faiths and how they affect these friends and their life.
Not my fave book about Israel but interesting look into friendships with different religions.

Thanks NetGalley for this ARC!

Nisma, a Palestinian Muslim girl living in the fictional town of Qu'laif, Israel (Palestine to the MC). Nisma and her family try to maintain some semblance of normalcy amid hostile Israeli soldiers, neighborhood bombings, and the historical tensions between groups of people taught to think the worst of the "other".

Nisma's attitude paints her as a traitor to her neighbors, and the consequences of her act of kindness are devastating.

I think the author does a good job with an evenhanded portrayal of day-to-day interactions, not strongly showing preference for one side over the other. Nisma often works as a mouthpiece, speaking out about learned hatred, invoking scripture, and treating her Jewish schoolmate as a friend and not an enemy.

I don't feel very strongly about this book. I think it was a little to rudimentary to send a clear, effective message. If the author had taken one of the terrible things that happened and spent more than a few pages on it that would have given this book more direction. It's feels very all over the place. While real life is like that, one thing after another, stuff coming at you from all directions, mirroring a story after that makes the story unfocused.

Based on the writing, the cramped pace of the story, and the sprawling plot, I can tell this was vanity published. The "About the Author" is essentially an ad for the author's skincare business. It kind of feels like the book was written in part to help her get more customers, albeit in a roundabout way.