Thank you to the author, Sanam Mahloudji, the publisher, Fourth Estate and Net Galley for the digital ARC - this review is not biased and 100% my own.

The first thing that drew me in was this is a book about Iranian women written by an Iranian woman. The only other books I’ve read have been written by men, so it already tickled the sweet spot of more women authors and more genres I don’t usually read.

But it was a treat. I honestly couldn’t put it down and resented being forced to put it down to do things like sleep and travel. I just had to know what was going to happen with Shirin because she is an absolute blast! I love her. I did feel like her story was wrapped up in a way that was a little unsatisfying. I kept turning pages hoping there would be more.

Elizabeth - wow. What a complicated and painful but beautiful life. The image of her turning [########################################################################] - my dear lady. But at 80 years old and getting it - you go girlfriend.

My sweet, Bita. ONE OF US! I knew it. Queen doing queen shit.

Whereas Niaz, I fear anything I say about dear Niaz is a spoiler. Is she just our sacrificial lamb after all this? So close but so far.

I appreciated having Seema’s chapters to round everything out. It made a lot of sense and helped a lot to give depth and emotional oomph to the story. But ouchies. :(

I will definitely be buying my own copy of this one when it comes out to see the differences and also just so I can lend it to people and get everyone to read it.