A review by xxivo
As Long As the Lemon Trees Grow by Zoulfa Katouh

emotional inspiring sad tense slow-paced

• Plot- or character-driven? Character
• Strong character development? Yes
• Loveable characters? Yes
• Diverse cast of characters? It's complicated
• Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes

5.0

I read this book in preparation for a book event where the author was present, after having previously already bought the book. And oh am I glad that made me push this book to the front of my TBR because it is an absolute gem of a book.

I know, I know, I talk about crying because of book every other review. And I won't deny I cry easily and love crying for book. But this book? This one is of a complete different order in the kind of crying. This book gave me the kind of crying where I just curled up into a ball underneath a blanket fort and just cried my heart out for half an hour. Because this book people, it hits deep.

This books love story is told so so beautifully. The fears and hopes were told with so much emotion it made me incredibly attached to all of the characters. This being for Salama and Layla, Kenan and his siblings and basically anyone in the story.

This story gave me a perspective on issues in Syria I had not encountered before and I am immensely grateful for being able to learn from it, however I should have been more aware on it from the start looking back now.

I will be forever grateful this book exists.