The Stationery Shop by Marjan Kamali is a book that took me by surprise. I did not expect it to be that good. ⠀
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Sixty years after Roya’s first love broke her heart, she has a chance to meet him again. This time she wants to find out why he failed her and did not meet her at the marketplace as planned. ⠀
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The novel is set in Massachusetts in the current time and in Tehran, in 1953 when there was political turmoil. Young Roya found solace in the poetry books at the Stationery shop. She meets Bahman there and falls in love with him. Roya’s sister, Zari warns her not to trust Bahman but Roya is too deep in love to listen to her. In spite of disapproval from Bahman’s emotionally unstable mother, Roya and Bahman get engaged. After that Bahman disappears from Roya’s life and does not keep his promise to meet her at the market square so they can get married.⠀
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An intriguing tale of love, loss, the cruel twists of life, and the fickle nature of people. I also loved the cultural depth of this novel. It gave me an opportunity to learn about Iran and Iranian customs. A must-read!⠀

LOVED this one!! The historical context was fascinating and I learned so much. Also, I often find star-crossed lover storylines to be trite, but I was SO invested in this story and these characters. One of my favorite love stories I've ever read. Bravo, Marjan Kamali! I can't wait to read your next book. (The food descriptions were another definite highlight. So hungry for Persian food!!)

Many thanks to NetGalley, Gallery Books, and Marjan Kamali for the opportunity to read and review this wonderful book - 5 glowing stars! Why did I let this one languish on my TBR shelf for so long? You definitely need to read this one if you haven't yet!

In Tehran in 1953, on the cusp of the Iranian Coup, a young couple meet and fall in love, Roya, a 17-year-old daughter of more progressive parents who want their daughter to be educated, meets Bahman, a young man from a more well-to-do family, at the local stationery shop. Helped in their courtship by the shop owner, they become engaged despite family issues. Sixty years later, in America, we see how Roya's life turned out and how she will finally get the answers to the question that has haunted her for most of her life.

I don't want to give one detail away that could keep you from enjoying this wonderful love story. There is just so much here - different cultures, beliefs, food, family loyalty and expectations, grief, heartbreak, love. All wrapped up in such beautiful writing. I didn't want it to end! Highly recommended!

The Stationery Shop is a historical romance that takes place in Iran in the 1950s, a time of great political upheaval. Roya and Bahman meet at their favorite stationery shop and fall in love amongst poetry and coffee shops. But hurdles stand in the way of their romance, including his political ties and the approval of his volatile mother. Years later from her settled life in New England, Roya looks back on what transpired.

I enjoyed the setting of this book. It was an interesting window into Persian culture and traditions, and the political history of the time, which I know little about. If the book had contained more from these aspects, I think I would have been more intrigued. But I was really not swept up into the romance, which is the center of the plot. I didn’t feel emotionally invested in the characters, so it was difficult to be drawn in and ended up dragging instead. The immigrant aspect later in the book was interesting, but this theme was only a small part of the overall plot. If you love historical romances, this might be for you! I personally would have preferred some more depth and context to the story.

Thank you to NetGalley for a free copy of this book in exchange for an honest review.

This book gutted me. It has been awhile since I’ve read anything that truly hits me in my soul. This was beautiful and heart-wrenching at the same time. This is an absolutely perfect book.

The first half of the book was very slow, but once it picked up and the pieces started clicking into place and I saw where the story was going, I couldn't put this one down. NAMES are two young adults navigating the revolution that has Tehran consumed. In love and determined to marry, they are torn apart by an act of violence and a perceived betrayl that they each carry with them for decades to come. They each make their way to America as adults, and carry out their lives always wondering what would have come of their romance. It was a beautiful story that I can see being a movie, I just wish it didn't take so long for me to love it!

I loved the experience of reading The Stationery Shop. I was immediately caught up in the life of Roya as she lived in Iran. I loved reading about her experiences and her fears in a country in political turmoil. I loved reading about her life, how she spent her time, and especially about the foods she ate. I continued to be caught up in her life as she moved to America and tried to adjust to a new culture. I rejoiced with her, I mourned with her, I feared with her and I felt like a lived with her.

I just couldn't get into this. Maybe at another time. Maybe it's because I've been so incredibly busy at work that I just couldn't focus and give my full attention to this book.

The Stationary Shop was a wonderful love story/lost love, in a time of much turmoil. This story has a dual timeline, one in Iran in the 1950s, and the other in current times, in USA. A sad yet resilient tale of two bright teens, much in love, caught in a difficult political circumstance, and complex families, costing them their much desired relationship . A beautifully woven, melodic, reflective and captivating tale of love, survival and regret. I really enjoyed this book. Thank you NetGalley, publisher and author for the e-reader copy. All opinions are my own.

A romance that takes us from present day (well, 2013) America to 1953 and 1916 Iran. What happens when you fall in love with "the wrong person"? What happens when you meet again 60 years later?

Told in alternating time periods, we learn the story of young love that blossomed in a period of upheaval in Iran. The pro-monarchy faction is being challenged by a new pro-democracy Prime Minister and a pro-communist minority. In the midst of protests and demonstrations and eventually a coup that restores the Shah to power, two teenagers fall in love. They end up separated, but reconnect 60 years later to discover what really happened to keep them apart.

I loved this book. Yes, it is somewhat predictable, but there are moments of surprise that kept me reading. I loved the way the stories of Roya & Bahman intersect with the story of the shopkeeper, Mr. Fakhri. I also was fascinated by the Iranian (Persian) culture that permeated the book. I am old enough to remember when the Shah was overthrown and many of the events that followed, but had no idea about Iran's history prior to the 1970s. A nice blend of romance, history & culture.

This is the unforgettable love story of Roya and Bahman set in Tehran in 1953. I adored this heartbreaking and beautiful book so much; it touched me in so many ways and I cried and cried my way through it. It is a 5-star book for me. I highly recommend it. Marjan Kamali, please keep on writing. I can’t wait for your next book.

The Stationery Shop is a beautiful book but absolutely heartbreaking. It's been a long time since a book made me cry this much. Every few pages moved me to tears. The use of language is stunning and the worldbuilding is second to none. I'm recommending it to everyone!

“𝚃𝚑𝚎 𝚜𝚑𝚘𝚙 𝚠𝚊𝚜 𝚜𝚒𝚖𝚙𝚕𝚢 𝚌𝚊𝚕𝚕𝚎𝚍 𝚝𝚑𝚎 𝚂𝚝𝚊𝚝𝚒𝚘𝚗𝚎𝚛𝚢 𝚂𝚑𝚘𝚙—𝚗𝚘 𝚏𝚊𝚗𝚌𝚢 𝚗𝚊𝚖𝚎 𝚝𝚘 𝚒𝚝—𝚋𝚞𝚝 𝚒𝚝 𝚠𝚊𝚜 𝚊 𝚋𝚘𝚘𝚔𝚜𝚝𝚘𝚛𝚎 𝚊𝚜 𝚖𝚞𝚌𝚑 𝚊𝚜 𝚊 𝚜𝚝𝚊𝚝𝚒𝚘𝚗𝚎𝚛𝚢 𝚜𝚝𝚘𝚛𝚎. 𝙰𝚜 𝚝𝚑𝚎 𝚙𝚘𝚕𝚒𝚝𝚒𝚌𝚊𝚕 𝚍𝚒𝚟𝚒𝚜𝚘𝚗𝚜 𝚍𝚎𝚎𝚙𝚎𝚗𝚎𝚍 𝚝𝚑𝚊𝚝 𝚠𝚒𝚗𝚝𝚎𝚛 𝚊𝚗𝚍 𝚑𝚘𝚝𝚑𝚎𝚊𝚍𝚎𝚍 𝚙𝚎𝚘𝚙𝚕𝚎 𝚎𝚗𝚐𝚊𝚐𝚎𝚍 𝚒𝚗 𝚍𝚎𝚋𝚊𝚝𝚎𝚜 𝚊𝚗𝚍 𝚍𝚎𝚖𝚘𝚗𝚜𝚝𝚛𝚊𝚝𝚒𝚘𝚗𝚜 𝚊𝚕𝚕 𝚘𝚟𝚎𝚛 𝚝𝚑𝚎 𝚜𝚝𝚛𝚎𝚎𝚝𝚜, 𝚒𝚝 𝚠𝚊𝚜 𝚝𝚑𝚎 𝚙𝚎𝚛𝚏𝚎𝚌𝚝 𝚛𝚎𝚝𝚛𝚎𝚊𝚝 𝚘𝚏 𝚚𝚞𝚒𝚎𝚝 𝚊𝚗𝚍 𝚕𝚎𝚊𝚛𝚗𝚒𝚗𝚐. 𝙸𝚝 𝚠𝚊𝚜 𝚊 𝚜𝚊𝚗𝚌𝚝𝚞𝚊𝚛𝚢 𝚘𝚏 𝚌𝚊𝚕𝚖 𝚊𝚗𝚍 𝚚𝚞𝚒𝚎𝚝: 𝚗𝚎𝚟𝚎𝚛 𝚘𝚟𝚎𝚛𝚕𝚒𝚝, 𝚗𝚎𝚟𝚎𝚛 𝚕𝚘𝚞𝚍.”

-𝙼𝚊𝚛𝚓𝚊𝚗 𝙺𝚊𝚖𝚊𝚕𝚒, 𝚃𝚑𝚎 𝚂𝚝𝚊𝚝𝚒𝚘𝚗𝚎𝚛𝚢 𝚂𝚑𝚘𝚙

What a beautiful novel set in 1950’s Middle East! Three stories intertwined to tell a different love story. Roya who lives in Tehran during the 1950’s, involved with a man who also loved politics.

As the reader is taken back and forth between the past and present—1953 to 2013, unraveling the secrets behind a young love as Roya discovers what happened the day she was to meet her fiancé in Tehran.

*Thank you to Netgalley and publisher for the gifted e-galley. All opinions are my own

Five stars: An achingly beautiful tale of a great love found and lost in Iran during the revolts in 1953.

Roya is a teenager living in Tehran in 1953. She dreams of an education and a good life. Her life is forever altered when she meets a young man named Bahman in her favorite stationery shop. There among the brightly colored inks, pens and pads of papers, a love blossoms. Bahman is unlike any boy Roya has ever known. He is bold, passionate, and romantic. Bahman wants a better future for Iran, even if that means secretly supporting the opposition. After a blissful courtship, the two become engaged. Then disaster strikes. Right before they are to be married, Bahman and Roya are forced apart for weeks. They can only communicate via secret letters hidden in books at the stationery shop. Unable to stand being apart, the two arrange an illicit meeting in the town square. Before the lovers can reunite, violence erupts and the government is overthrown. Roya awaits amidst the chaos, but Bahman never shows. She never sees him again. Then after she builds a life for herself in America, some sixty years later, a chance reunion leads her heart back to what she lost. What will Roya discover?

What I Liked:

*The Stationery Shop is a beautiful book with a great romance at its heart. This is a story of love, political upheaval, betrayal, heartbreak, loss and forgiveness. This book made my heart ache.
The book is set in Tehran in 1953. It begins before the Iranian government is overthrown by a coup d’etat. It was interesting to learn more about Iran, and what life was like before the revolution and the rise of the Shaw. I know so little about Iran and its culture, so for me this was not only an entertaining book, but an educational one as well.
*The romance was one that grabbed my heart. I like how it unfolded in the small little stationery shop. It is one where a boy with a burning desire in his heart to change the world, captures the heart of a young, dreamy woman. Then political violence and a betrayal tears them apart. For over sixty years, their hearts ache for the one great love they lost, even though they both rebuild their lives, they never let go. Then a chance reunion brings them back together. I won’t spoil this part, you have to experience it. It is powerful, heartbreaking and achingly beautiful. My heart hurt for these two. If only....
*I liked following Roya. She starts out as a young teenager who falls in love in Iran. Then her circumstances change, and she is sent to America. In America, she fights to prove herself and build a life, and there she learns to love again. I loved seeing Roya achieve academic success, especially in the 1950s and 60s as an Iranian immigrant in the United States. I loved her fierce determination, and my heart ached for her during the dark times. She is a memorable character. I also appreciated that the author presented what it was like for an Iranian girl in America, it was a tough path.
*I liked that throughout the book, the reader keeps up with Bahman via letters. I enjoyed getting his perspective even though it was brief.
I was surprised and pleased to find that I liked Roya’s husband. I wasn’t sure if I would, but all in all, he turns out to be a real stand up guy. I especially appreciated how he supported her and didn’t question her in the end.
*Throughout the story, there are brief snippets surrounding other characters. I was especially intrigued by the story of the wealthy young man and the poor man’s daughter. I wasn’t sure what the purpose of this story was, but then I saw how it fit into the story. It was an important piece.
*The ending is bittersweet. One of tears and love. I don’t know how to describe it without ruining it, but let’s just say destiny steps in and provides long, much needed answers.

And The Not So Much:
*There were portions of the story that got long, drawn out and repetitive. Not a big issue, but I could have done without certain parts.
*Toward the end, there is this cutaway part of the story that features Christine, one of the ladies who works in a nursing home. Christine’s story isn’t relevant and it isn’t that important to the story, not enough to warrant a whole chapter on her sad life. I was annoyed that I had to wade through this depressing chapter when there really wasn’t a reason. It could have been cut.

The Stationery Shop is a star crossed lovers tale that will haunt you. I appreciated that the author brought a story set in 1953 during a turbulent time in Iran. It isn’t often you get stories featuring characters from Iran. This book is not only educational but entertaining as well. This is a memorable story that centers on love, family, friendship, heartbreak, betrayal and political upheaval. Prepare for a great romance laced with heartbreak and destiny.

I received a copy of this book from the publisher. All opinions are my own, and I was not compensated for this review.
Posted@Rainy Day Ramblings.

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4.5 stars! This is a beautifully written story about so many things- love, loss, heartbreak, hopefulness, mental illness- and how one act set into motion a chain of events that changed the course of several lives forever. I felt completely immersed in the journey of all of these characters from start to finish, and loved the way it alternated between past and present to unfold their stories.
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I also loved the description of the Persian food, and am on a mission to try out some of the dishes mentioned in the book.
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This story and these characters will stay with me for a long time. Definitely one of the best books I’ve read this year, and I can’t wait to read more from this author!

This was a wonderfully lovely historical fiction novel. I am trying to read more diversely, and this ticked all my boxes. Cannot wait to read more by this author

A beautifully told story of love, loss, heartbreak and healing. Thank you to NetGalley and the publisher for a complimentary copy of this book in exchange for an honest review.

This was a great story which takes place in two different timelines, past and present. It follows two young adults who fall in love, and addresses both cultural and political struggles they face. I don't want to give details of the story away, but you read wanting to know how the story will unfold, longing for untold answers to questions from all those years ago... I loved that it is both a love story and a cultural tale.

Thank you Gallery Books and NetGalley for a free copy of The Stationery Shop. Oh my goodness I loved this book so much that I am going to go buy a physical copy!! This is definitely one of my favorites that I have read this year. This historical fiction is a beautifully written love story. The Stationery Shop starts in the 1950’s during the Iranian coup with Roya and Bahman falling in love. Their love story, the “what-ifs”, and the “what could have beens” are both beautiful and heartbreaking. I highly recommend reading this one.

A love story with the backdrop of politically charged Iran in the fifties with the corrupt overthrowing of the government by the Shah' s forces. Roya and Bahman are young and idealistic with the hopes of marrying. Forces beyond their control, some say the evil eye, change their destiny together. Through the poetry of Rumi and
Persian custom, we follow their lives.

Copy provided by the Publisher and NetGalley