WOW! WOW! WOW! I couldn't put this down. I don't know what I was expecting going into this, but I got more than I anticipated. And that ending TOOK ME OUT!

Unfortunately I just wasn't able to get through this one. The post sounded right up my alley, but I just didn't get the thriller vibe I was looking for.

This book was one I tried to read on more than one occasion but I just couldn’t the subject is hard.

What do you do when the unthinkable happens, but you really do not want to say anything. It comes out anyway. Four boys are accused of raping a 16-year-old. What is even worse is the she was born with facial deformities that cause her to be the butt of jokes to some cruel and immature boys and girls. When Jodie decides to tell someone, charges are pressed again the boys. The community is being torn apart, but Zara, Jodie's counselor, does not let drown her determination to get the boys prosecuted. It is all about the truth for her. The last 30 minutes was the most exciting part; the ending was shocking. Wish I knew what Zara was going to do next. I listened to the book through the Libby app; the narrators did a great job.

I’m not sure how I feel about this one still. I liked it while I was reading it but I found it very forgettable. I did really like the characters and the story line.

This book was difficult to read. It was disturbing, frustrating and maddening. I was angry with almost everyone in the book at some point in time.

This story was super hard to stomach. I honest to goodness don't think I read through the synopsis before requesting this book, and I didn't realize it solely revolves around sexual assault. So definitely go in knowing that. There are also so many additional complexities within the storyline, such as culture, ethnicity, and religion, and how, sometimes, doing the right thing doesn't seem like the right thing to everyone.

This book was well-written and immensely challenging to read. It made me think. It made me curious about how to perceive these types of complex situations and question myself and who I would believe in this type of situation. My immediate reaction is to always believe women, but this book made me question my own beliefs and values.

I wouldn't recommend this book for everyone, but it was a good read - just a hard one.

TW: Rehashing of rape and sexual assault

Whew what a heavy book. It got hard to read at points. And I didn't really understand why Jodie did what she did. Why say all 3 raped her when only 2 did? Probably because she had already lied so much, it would be the girl who cried wolf? OMG, her last name is Wolfe!!! 😮 But this book had be captivated and I read it so quickly. After having it from NetGalley for 3 years! lol

Omg! This book just rocked me to my core! Super tough read but totally captivating. The story was carefully woven and expertly delivered. I was so invested in this story and it kept me flipping pages way past my bedtime. Just buckle up when you read this and be prepared to be totally exhausted.
Thank you NetGalley and Noelle Ihli for the opportunity to read and review this book.

I did not finish this one, it was not for me, I couldn't relate to the characters, and just did not care for the story.

The storyline was difficult to read at times, but the writing was very good. I will definitely read this author again.

This is a good book that will make you feel horrible about life.

Seriously, there's nothing positive or hopeful in this book. The author takes on some tough subjects and does it well, but you're going to want to go pet a puppy or something after reading it.

Especially hard subjects like SA, Racism, Xenophobia all come into play here.

As for our main character, while I thought the idea of her struggles between cultures was fascinating, I never really liked her.

I'm not sure that I'm glad I read this, but it was well done.

Holy legal thrillers Batman! Wow, what did I just read and that ending???? Talk about a case I would not want to be on the jury for. Wow. Not too many times does a book render me almost speechless and in shock. And I mean this in the most positive way. So let's dissect this here....

First, we have an amazing court room drama that is a he said/she said battle to the end. It was extremely interesting reading about England's justice system and how they proceed versus how the US does things. The author lays this case out from every possible angle. Is Jodie telling the truth? Did these boys do this horrific crime? If Jodie is lying, why would she? At one point I felt like I was watching a tennis match with my head going back and forth between sides. The author does THAT good of a job keeping you guessing until the end.

Second, she dives head first into some dangerous waters with race, religion, gender, rape, disability, drugs, assault. How does religion shape who we are and how we view others? The author makes several thought provoking points and situations that may challenge your ideology. I felt it was masterful how she navigates this rough and touchy terrain.

That ending!!! Wow, wow, wow!! Talk about a plot twist I never saw coming. Battle lines are drawn and lives are forever changed. The author will push you out of your comfort zone in this book, and that's really a compliment. It's brilliant! A surprising read that grabbed me from the beginning and had me spinning at the end!

My thanks to Kia Abdullah, St. Martin's Press and Netgalley for a copy of this book in exchange for an honest review.

3.5 belated stars.

A courtroom drama that certainly isn't slow or dull, rather, it deals with quite intense themes: sexual assault, racism, misogyny, to name a few. I appreciate all that Kia Abdullah was working to showcase in this novel but I think I discovered quickly into the book that I am not a reader who is fond of peeling back layers. Unfolding stories where bits are revealed to manipulate the reader (you're never quite able to trust what is being disclosed) is a favourite for so many people but possibly not the direction I like my reading to take. I felt like perhaps parts of the story could be focused on more rather than lightly touching on everything. I still definitely enjoyed the book, and this is one of the first courtroom drama novels I've tackled.

I did not expect the story within this book! A definite page turner and I couldn’t tell who to believe throughout the entire book. Thank you to the publishers for providing a copy in exchange for an honest review.

Zara, one of the bright young stars in the legal world of London, switches gears, leaving the prestigious firm on London’s golden row, to advocate to victims of sexual abuse. Jodie Wolfe wants justice, she wants to be seen , she wants to be heard. She is tired of people pointing and taunting, and abusing her because of her looks. She cannot help how she looks, but here in this moment she can take charge of her life, if only for that moment. Jodie accuses four young Muslin boys of rape and from that moment until the last page her life will spiral and unsettle, and derail far beyond what she thought could happen.

What a fabulously gripping read. Filled with complex characters and great pacing, this book had me guessing and turning the pages until the end--I simply could not put it down! A warning that it does delve into some difficult conversations and topics, but Abdullah balances everything quite well. A darkly compelling debut.

It took me a long time to pick up this book because I knew I would have to wrap my head around some heavy topics. Courtroom dramas aren't my usual go to book, so my review may be affected by that. Take It Back dealt with sexual assault and race. Those two on their own are very sensitive and controversial, so when you mix the two together, you are dealing with a force. Add in a disability and we have a very heavy story.
While I felt terrible for Jodie living her life with a physical deformity, I could not sympathize with her and her empathy for her attackers. There was a lot to unfold here but once you breakthrough the barriers of race, we have a story of a teenager that was just looking for love and a little bit of attention. She wasn't even getting it from her mom.
I left this book feeling depressed and cynical that even the most well-intentioned human will still do wrong.

Holy crap. I knew when I picked up Take It Back by Kia Abdullah that it would be dealing with the very heavy topics of rape and race, but even then I was not prepared for this tour de force. This one left me with so many emotions because Kia Abdullah has managed to paint a tale that is all too real. I challenge anyone who reads this one to not be impacted and affected in some way shape or form. Class, race, nationality, and nationality are all huge issues that play out in this tale that will keep you on the edge of your seat right to the last page.

Kia Abdullah’s Zara Kaleel is one of my new favorite badass female leads! Things I love: Female Muslim protagonist, provocative courtroom drama, gripping from the start, full of tension, and minblowing ending. Things I hated: NOTHING! Ecstatic that this is the first in the series and there is more Zara Kaleel to come. Kia Abdullah is an auto buy author for me.