* * * *This is such a beautiful and important read! The characters are amazing, the romance swoon-worthy and, more importantly, the representation is on point! It was so lovely to read in Shirin's perspective and the whole story is truly eye-opening.
This is the first contemporary I've read by Tahereh Mafi (having only read her Shatter Me series) and I think she suits this genre perfectly. The romance was so compelling but there was also a lovely message and deeper meaning to the story which I always love. Discrimination and racism are big aspects within this book and it was so eye-opening to read about and Tahaereh Mafi handled the subject superbly.
Honestly, I can see this book becoming a movie one day (especially with other ground-breaking reads like The Hate U Give becoming so popular).
SPOILERS AHEAD- SPOILERS AHEAD- SPOILERS AHEAD- SPOILERS AHEAD- SPOILERS AHEAD
Starting with characters, I absolutely loved Shirin! She was so funny and intelligent and sarcastic and cool and... just perfect. She's definitely someone I'd want to be friends with. And she's such an easy character to admire because she goes through so much but she's extremely resilient and strong.















