Reviews tagging 'Self harm'

The Mismatch by Sara Jafari

2 reviews

lennie_reads's review against another edition

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challenging emotional hopeful reflective tense medium-paced
  • Plot- or character-driven? Character
  • Strong character development? Yes
  • Loveable characters? Yes
  • Diverse cast of characters? Yes
  • Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes

4.5

Thanks to Netgalley & Random House UK,  Cornerstone, Arrow for my ARC. 

This book hurt my heart. 
It hurt for both Soraya and her mum, Neda, as well as Soraya's siblings and Magnus. 

Whilst romance is a part of this book, there is a Lot more to it than that. 

The book is a dual pov and also a dual timeline. We have Soraya in 2014 fresh out of university and Neda, her mother, at around the same age in 1970's Iran. 

This book was a lot heavier than I expected and features struggles around identity, societal expectations, cultural differences, religious expectations, being a person of colour growing up in britian, living as an immigrant in Britain, sexism, harassment, domestic abuse, drug addiction and more. 

Even though it was heartbreaking I really appreciated the dual timelines and seeing how Soraya's parents came to be the way they were. 

I'm a white woman who doesn't come from a strict religious background so I can't speak to the authenticity of the representation but it was a harrowing tale nonetheless. All I know is I just wanted to hug Soraya and Neda. 

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cordeliadarkles's review

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emotional inspiring reflective medium-paced
  • Plot- or character-driven? Character
  • Strong character development? Yes
  • Loveable characters? Yes
  • Diverse cast of characters? Yes
  • Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes

5.0

Words cannot describe my adoration towards this book. 

As a WOC, reading Soraya's struggle between pleasing her far-from-perfect family, realizing her goals, and becoming the person she wants to be was like looking at my reflection. Regardless of cultural background, most will be compelled - and relate - to Soraya's story. 

As cliche as it sounds, this book is about love (motherly, sisterly, romantic.) It's about learning to let walls crumble down, and make loved ones understand, accept the unlikable parts of one's self. 

The Mismatch is beautifully written and irresistibly sweet.

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