Both of these heartbreaking and evocative novels explore civil wars in the Middle East and the way these conflicts affect the people forced to flee. They are both wonderful reads with gorgeous descriptive language, fascinating characters and compelling plots. I HIGHLY recommend them both.

I’ve been seeing this book everywhere for a while and I have to admit that the gorgeous cover made it even more enticing. The story—about star-crossed lovers Roya and Bahman—is equally special. Staring in 2017 Massachusetts when Roya and Bahman have found each other again after a five decade separation, the novel then takes us back to 1953 Iran to explore the circumstances that tore them apart. The writing is exquisite, but readable and the sights, smells, sounds and history of Iran enhance the story beautifully. I loved both Roya and Bahman and the way the secondary characters figure into the plot is interesting and unexpected. This would make a great book club read—there’s so much to discuss here.

This book will forever hold a place in my heart. I don’t think I can find words to do justice to this gorgeous piece of literature. Lefteri has used her time spent volunteering in a refugee camp in Athens and her observations of the trauma her refugee parents have carried to craft a beautiful story of devastating loss and ultimate redemption. The story follows Nuri Ibrahim, a Syrian beekeeper, and his wife, Afra, as they are forced to journey as refugees to Turkey, Greece and ultimately the UK. Afra has been blind since the traumatic death of their son and Nuri cares for her as he battles his own inner demons. This masterful crafted story ripped my heart in two and then lovingly stitched it back together again. There is no shortage of heartbreak here, but the message is one of ultimate hope. The Lefteris journey thought absolute darkness, but eventually find a glimmer of light.