Rating: 4.6/5 Stars
Devastating pain, betrayal, and grief. ElGenaidi masterfully takes you through the stages of grief through siblings Hannah and Zain after the unexpected loss of their mother, Yasmeen. Although I was familiar with the premise of the book, I was shocked when Yasmeen passed in the first few pages. I was thrown into the messiness that followed as the family tried to navigate grief while traveling back to Egypt for the funeral. Instantly, I was invested in Zain and especially, Hannah’s journey.
Surprisingly, a book filled with such sadness and sorrow, did not leave me feeling depleted. Rather, each evening when I picked up the book, I found myself full of hope that Hannah and Zain would reconnect and help each other through their grief. Hannah and Zain both desperately tried to outrun their grief as Zain turned to alcohol and affair with his boss and Hannah stayed behind in Egypt. I welcomed the glimpse into the history and struggles of Egypt as Hannah tried to find her own way while honoring her mother.
The shockwaves of their father’s infidelity delivered another devastating blow and I felt the pain and betrayal of both Hannah and Zain. It felt like Zain and Hannah were losing another parent and another crack in the family they thought they had. I wondered if they would ever find their way back to each other and I became even more invested in their story.
Just when I thought I had the book figured out, the author delivered a third and final blow. Ultimately the family was forced together as their father’s health hung in the balances. I thought for sure, he was going to pass, as well. Instead, ElGenaidi wraps up the book with a sense of hope and a beautiful message that our loved ones are always with us. She perfectly captured the imperfect and messy journey through grie
Rating: 4.6/5 Stars
Devastating pain, betrayal, and grief. ElGenaidi masterfully takes you through the stages of grief through siblings Hannah and Zain after the unexpected loss of their mother, Yasmeen. Although I was familiar with the premise of the book, I was shocked when Yasmeen passed in the first few pages. I was thrown into the messiness that followed as the family tried to navigate grief while traveling back to Egypt for the funeral. Instantly, I was invested in Zain and especially, Hannah’s journey.
Surprisingly, a book filled with such sadness and sorrow, did not leave me feeling depleted. Rather, each evening when I picked up the book, I found myself full of hope that Hannah and Zain would reconnect and help each other through their grief. Hannah and Zain both desperately tried to outrun their grief as Zain turned to alcohol and affair with his boss and Hannah stayed behind in Egypt. I welcomed the glimpse into the history and struggles of Egypt as Hannah tried to find her own way while honoring her mother.
The shockwaves of their father’s infidelity delivered another devastating blow and I felt the pain and betrayal of both Hannah and Zain. It felt like Zain and Hannah were losing another parent and another crack in the family they thought they had. I wondered if they would ever find their way back to each other and I became even more invested in their story.
Just when I thought I had the book figured out, the author delivered a third and final blow. Ultimately the family was forced together as their father’s health hung in the balances. I thought for sure, he was going to pass, as well. Instead, ElGenaidi wraps up the book with a sense of hope and a beautiful message that our loved ones are always with us. She perfectly captured the imperfect and messy journey through grie