Then. Lahore, Pakistan. Misbah is newly married to Toufiq, in an arranged match. When tragedy befalls them, they leave to start a new life as motel owners in the United States. Now. Juniper, California. Salahudin and Noor are more like family than friends — they understand each other like no one else can. But when awful things begin to happen in both their lives, can their friendship survive?

“If we are lost, God is like water, finding the unknowable path, when we cannot.”

All the stars. I’m giving this one ALL the stars! Oh my heart — broken and mended all in one incredibly profound read. Sabaa Tahir, I don’t know where you’ve been all my reading life, but I’m so glad I found you now. Although this one has truly heartbreaking themes (major content warnings: death, abuse, and addiction among them), it is ultimately a hopeful story, one full of love alongside the loss. I did not want to leave the characters at the end — Salahudin, Noor, and especially Misbah are all so real and so well-crafted. While this is YA, it does not have a YA feel. Yes it’s accessible, but it’s also not an overly simplistic version of the world at all. I absolutely loved how Tahir wove in 90s music references, Pakistani food and culture, and even some book recommendations. I will be rereading this book without a doubt — in spite of all the tears I cried while reading the first time!

Please read this book — it is a stunningly told story with unforgettable characters and the power of forgiveness and family and hope in the face of life’s ugliness.