I really did enjoy this book, much more than I thought I would and I learned such a lot about Muslim like in the UK over the generations. The book centres around the three siblings, Imran, Sumaya and Majid and how life has treated them over the years and their response to different situations. I like the style of writing, and found the book information and addictive. How was it all going to turn out for them all.? Perhaps the ending was not that realistic?
However it was an excellent read and I will look out for other novels by this author.
Many thanks to Netgalley and the publisher for giving me an opportunity to read this book.

This was a very good book. I enjoyed reading it. The characters and plot kept me interested. I would read another book by this author.

Tufayel Ahmed's "Better Left Unsaid" is a compelling family drama that follows siblings Imran, Sumaya, and Majid as they find themselves drifting apart following the death of their mother. However, when Imran's wife falls victim to a vicious attack captured on video, he implores Sumaya to return from New York to the UK to support him. Reuniting under one roof after years of separation reignites the siblings' simmering tensions and unearths long-buried secrets, threatening to unravel the fragile threads holding their family together.

This is a poignant and deeply affecting novel that delves into the complexities of familial relationships, exploring the intricate dynamics between siblings navigating divergent paths in life. As Sumaya and Imran grapple with their respective choices and struggle to bridge the gap between them, the narrative unfolds with raw emotion and heart-wrenching honesty, evoking tears and empathy from readers. The characters, particularly the resilient and relatable Sumaya, leap off the page with authenticity, while Majid's unfiltered candor adds a refreshing depth to the story. Despite his late appearance in the narrative, Majid emerges as a surprisingly well-adjusted presence amidst the turmoil.

In essence, "Better Left Unsaid" is a moving portrayal of the bonds that unite family and the secrets that threaten to tear them apart, offering readers an unforgettable journey through the intricacies of family, love, and forgiveness.

Enjoyed this one! In parts beautiful, heartbreaking, poignant and hopeful. I liked the characters more than I did the plot.

Thank you to NetGalley and the publisher for providing a free copy in exchange for an honest review. This book talks about dealing with grief, sibling relationships and working out your differences and problems. I like how their culture is intertwined with them and how the writer writes about it. It’s a really good book and I do like it but it’s not in my top rated ones.

This was an enjoyable read with well written questions. It wasn’t a favourite for me, but I think that is down to personal preference. I think the family dynamics were interesting and I did enjoy exploring where the storyline would go.
Thank you for the Arc in return for an honest review,

This was an enjoyable read.

I liked learning about the customs and traditions the family kept from their Bangladeshi roots.

There was a lot of focus on the racism that brown people face.
The incident that happened to Imran’s wife made for an interesting plot. The siblings’ strained relationship felt realistic. Especially with the boys being treated like they’re better than the girls.

The book finished with an after school special type message of chasing your own happiness.
Their journey to get to that revelation was entertaining.

Very interesting read! The book pulled me in from the start and I wanted to see how it ended. Try it and see if this book is for you!

Sumaya, Imran and Majid have drifted over the years since their parents deaths. When Imran asks his sister Sumaya to come home following his wife facing an assault of having her hijab being ripped off in public and to offer her help Sumaya comes back from New York. Forced back together in London the siblings are forced to face each other, the past and work on old promises long pushed aside.

This is a heartbreaking story about 3 siblings forced to reconnect and it is heavy and it is beautiful. So much gets said to family, friends, strangers and sometimes you do get left wondering… would this be better if I’d left this unsaid? These siblings explore this in a beautiful story.

Thank you to NetGalley and Lake Union Publishing for this ARC.

I love books about families. This was no different. I’m a big fan of Ahmed’s writing style - it’s immersive an comes from a perspective I find endearing. This was a great sophomore novel and I’m excited to see Ahmed’s future works.

Thank you to the public for an eARC in exchange for an honest review.

I am a member of the ALA Carnegie Medal Committee. This title was suggested for the 2024 Award but it did not make the Longlist. See the complete longlist <a href="https://www.ala.org/rusa/awards/carnegie-medals/2024-winners"> here.

I liked the story overall, but there was something missing to make it a home run for me.

If you enjoy the miscommunication trope then this book is perfect for you because there is a lot of it here.

A very poignant start to this book sees Sultana, the mother of three children,reach the end of her life, seven years after becoming bedridden with a stroke. She asks each of her children to keep a promise. Imran, the eldest,, a car salesman has a fractured relationship with his sister Sumaya who is a successful producer in New York. He feels resentful that his sister abandoned the family following following their mothers death, leaving him to take care of his father and his younger brother. When his wife is racially attacked and slips in to acute depression Imran reaches out to his sister for help This book explores sibling dynamics, relationships, rivalry and deep misunderstandings. It gives insights into how difficult it was for early Bangladeshi immigrants to find the footing in a hostile UK environment. It was an interesting emotional read and very well written.

Thank you to the author, Lake Union Publishing and NetGalley, for an ARC in exchange for an honest review.

This family drama based on the second generation immigrant experience is a poignant, emotional read. Three siblings each made a promise to their late mother, and as each of them follow their path they drift apart and struggle to maintain their relationships to each other, while also honoring the commitment they made to their mother. The chapters are told in alternating POVs, mainly between the oldest son and his sister, the middle child - although some are told from the POV of their mother, telling her story of coming to the UK from Bangladesh and trying to find a place for herself in that very foreign society. The narrative flowed well and I became very invested in the characters - highly recommend!

A well-crafted novel about the second generation immigrant experience seen through the eyes of three siblings (and their family drama)...

An upheaval in the family home in East London brings 31-year-old Sumaya back from New York, where she's lived for seven years. The relationship with her older brother Imran is fraught and they can't seem to be in the same room long without arguing. Their younger brother Majid is off at university but wants to reconnect with his sister. Their parents died years ago and ever since, as the title says, things have been left unsaid - life-changing secrets as well as suppressed emotions.

I really enjoyed this book and think that the sibling aspect makes it universally appealing. A great pick for a book club read, if anoyne is looking for one of those! It's the kind of story you want to discuss, and the characters feel like real people that you can agree or disagree with.

The immigrant perspective is very well presented through the shifting generations. One great addition was the mother's story - from life in Bangladesh, her arranged marriage and move to the UK. The idea of choosing your own path is a strong theme, and that not blindly following the ways of the older generations is necessary for a culture to evolve.

The novel is a family drama with sibling dynamics, parental expectations, relationship troubles, queer identities... it's about immigrant and Muslim culture, standing up to racism and white privilege, second chances and going your own way. A lot packed into one book, but through an engaging, character-driven story.

My rating dropped some only because the prose was on the simpler side sometimes and the writing a bit on the nose towards the end. I still liked it a lot though!

Thank you to the publisher and NetGalley for providing me with an eARC for review consideration! All opinions are my own.

A story of three siblings learning to move on and get along after the death of their mother. I enjoyed the way the siblings learned to resolve their conflict, as it reminds me of my own relationship with my siblings. I could relate to Imran, feeling the pressure to uphold the old views and rules of his parents. The story did wrap up nicely, although sometimes unrealistic, it provided an enjoyable reading experience.

I was provided with a free ARC by Netgalley and I’m providing this review voluntarily.

"Better Left Unsaid" by Tufayel Ahmed promises to be a poignant exploration of family dynamics, sibling relationships, and the consequences of words left unspoken. This emotionally charged narrative seems like it will take readers on a compelling journey through the lives of Imran, Sumaya, and Majid, three siblings who have drifted apart since their mother's passing.

The central theme of promises made to their late mother adds depth to the story, as it highlights the enduring impact of such commitments on the characters' lives. It appears that these promises have become a burden, shaping their choices and keeping them tethered to the past. The introduction of media attention into their lives adds an intriguing layer of external pressure that forces them to confront their secrets and unresolved issues.

The sibling dynamics seem complex and ripe for exploration. The fact that they haven't been in each other's lives for years suggests a deep-seated estrangement that will likely create tension and emotional depth as they are forced back together. The family's ability to rebuild their bonds and confront the truths that have been left unsaid will likely be at the heart of this story.

Tufayel Ahmed's writing appears to delve into the emotional intricacies of family relationships, making readers reflect on their own connections and unspoken words. The promise of secrets coming to light and the opportunity for the siblings to finally live life on their own terms adds an element of anticipation and potential redemption to the narrative.

Overall, "Better Left Unsaid" seems like a promising exploration of family, promises, and the power of words. It's likely to resonate with readers who appreciate stories that delve into the complexities of human relationships and the lasting impact of the past on the present.

An interesting and emotional story of family and sibling love. These three mean more to each another than they know- and it shows as they band together to help one another, Thanks to Netgalley for the Arc. A good read.

Three siblings. Three promises. Three lifetimes of saying all the wrong things…

Since their mother’s death, siblings Imran, Sumaya and Majid have drifted in three very different directions, trying to live up to the last promises they each made to her. But when a viral news piece throws an unwanted spotlight on the family, they’re drawn back into each other’s lives for the first time in years.

With the media attention exposing the cracks in Imran’s already fragile marriage, he begs Sumaya to return from New York to help—but living under the same roof again after all this time brings up all the secrets they’d both thought long-buried. And now nothing can stop the truth from coming out…

With the promises they once made in tatters, is this a chance for the siblings to finally live the lives they’ve always wanted and rebuild the bond they once had? Or has too much already been said?

I thought this story was sheer perfection. It hit home on so many levels.

A quick but explosive read. Gripping from page 1 right up until the ending. One to recommend. 5* from me. My thanks to the publisher & NetGalley for the advance reader copy.