Things Left Unsaid by Sara Jafari is such a unique book with an interesting plot and diverse, well written characters! If you're looking for something different to read, this is it!

I really enjoyed Sara Jafari’s writing! Shirin felt like an extension of some of her own experiences in the literary/publishing world which, as a book lover, is always something I enjoy. She really brought to light how much work is still needed in order to make spaces that don’t marginalize certain communities. I loved the little snippets of Iranian culture that were sprinkled throughout the book. I love when authors do this because it always sends me down a research spiral into learning more about different cultural traditions. The book was building up to us learning what happened between Shirin and Kian, though when we finally got there, it felt a little rushed through? I think I just expected the two of them to have a more blown out conflict between themselves rather than the horrible outside event that caused them to stop being friends. But that’s really my only complaint with the book!

Overall, 4 stars: beautiful writing and relatable issues, tad bit of an unsatisfying climax.

Jafari is a British-Iranian author and in Things Left Unsaid, she infuses her experiences and her heritage, and what results is a well-written, raw, melancholy, slow unravelling character driven novel about 26 year old Shirin, who is learning to come into herself and her identity.

Shirin is surrounded by people who don't understand her- or even worse, undermine her. At work, she is one of two BIPOC women who are viewed as interchangeable and are constantly overlooked. Among her group of friends her experiences of racism and microaggressions are minimized. At the start of the book a boy from her past, Kian, re-appears in her life. Along with their renewed relationship they have a lot of baggage to unpack.

'I couldn't help but notice diversity has been referred to as a trend... I think this messaging is a bit of an issue, if I'm allowed to be honest here. We're talking about people when we talk about diversity and inclusion. About including everyone and being representative of the society we live in. None of this is a trend that can come and go. We've always been here - and will continue to be here.'

I really enjoyed the last 1/3 of the book when Shirin finds her voice and learns to stand up for herself. Given the lead up, however, I found myself wanting something more. A 3.5 ⭐️ read for me but I was very impressed by the writing.

A heartfelt novel about an Iranian woman in London who confronts the truths from her past and the feelings she suppressed for years. As she works through the realities of her job, her identity and her family, she realizes who she wants to be going forward and who she wants in her life.

Thanks to NetGalley and St Martins Press for the arc.

Wow, wow, wow! This novel might just become a top read of 2025. “Things Left Unsaid” delves into the pain that the past can carry and the insidious undercurrents of racism that permeate various aspects of life, including work, school, and everyday interactions. As a white man, this story serves as an excellent mirror, prompting me to introspect and examine my own relationships—do they truly embody the values they preach?

But the heart of the story lies in its captivating love story and the transformative power of second chances. Shirin and Kian’s relationship is so intense and relatable that it’s almost unreal. As they navigate the complexities of their pasts, the author’s exquisite and painful prose draws me in, making it impossible to put the book down.

Thank you, NetGalley, St. Martin’s Press, and MacMillian Audio for the incredible opportunity to read this story early. I can’t wait to add it to my permanent shelf.

Thank you St. Martin's Press and NetGalley for this advance ebook! Very much enjoyed this story of love, loss, place and friendship. What happens next is fascinating and interesting!

When twenty-six year old Shirin Bayat bumps into Kian at a house party in London, she is taken aback by the immediate feelings that resurface. It’s been a decade since they were close friends at school, before painful events pulled them apart, suddenly and seemingly forever. Ever since, Shirin has lived with the aching weight of things left unsaid between them.

Now they're back in each other's lives, at a time when Shirin needs someone she can trust the most. Feeling stuck in a sea of slippery friendships and deeply burned out by her publishing job, Kian is a bright light amongst a sea of gray. There’s nothing worse than losing the person you trust most with your deepest secrets and desires, and Shirin and Kian are determined to hold tightly to each other.

But of course, life often has other plans. Will it be different this time around, or are Shirin and Kian destined to fall apart once more?

Authentic, romantic, and heartfelt. This anatomy of a relationship will appeal to readers who like well-drawn characters, stories of love lost and regained, and writing wrought with power and realness.

Thank you to NetGalley and the publisher for this book.

Loved this book. I had heard great things about it and was not disappointed. It exceeded my expectations

Recommend

A dazzling, electrifying, and thought-provoking novel for readers of Maame and Honey Girl, Things Left Unsaid is a mesmerizing and deeply-felt exploration of discovering your place in the world and the lasting power of love. Quite heart breaking story.

Summary: As a 26-year-old Iranian woman in London, Shirin is searching for meaning in her personal and work life. When a former bully rises to fame as a comedian and as a future author, Shirin seethes as the idea of him being praised. When her own publisher fails to recognize and appreciate diversity in the workplace and in the industry, she realizes just how minimized she has been through her entire life. While her past is filled with abuse that she does not want to unpack, Shirin is determined to stand up for herself with the help of her old best friend/crush and her coworker/confidante. This is a story of struggle, resilience, and self-determination.

Review: Jafari wove together a strong novel in which we could feel the protagonist’s self-doubt, disillusionment, and depression throughout her adulthood journey. From romance to work, Shirin felt real and her story felt real. While I was initially frustrated that we don’t find out the details of her childhood abuse until much later in the book, the references to it were actually quite ingenious. Shirin constantly refers to it and cowers from it, but is hesitant to bring it out into the open. As such, we don’t hear the story until Shirin is ready to tell it. This was fantastic storytelling mixed with real-life issues that readers can connect with and relate to. I was glued to this book, especially during the last third of it. Talk about jaw-dropping! Looking forward to more of Jafari’s work.

On another note: Given the more recent controversies of St. Martin’s Press, I really hope that this novel is a a step towards true change. Sara Jafari deserves this for the work that she has put into this novel, and Shirin deserves this for suffering at the hands of the industry.

Themes: self-determination, work-life balance, childhood romance, racism, and Islamophobia

For fans of Normal People, I would say this book is great exploration of identity, race, friendship, and growing up.
It is not a loud story nor action packed, but I really enjoying living with these characters and in their heads. I found them relatable and earnest and I feel others will feel the same. It is a total win.

I have mixed feelings about this book. It was well written and the characters felt real and the look at how racism and bullying affected their lives felt true and well done. It is a very introspective book and there were times, I was just not in the mood for that wanted something more to happen to be revealed. So reading it again at another time might give me a better ability to talk about it

I think my students would get something out of reading this, particularly the discussions about racism and identity and life purpose. It is fairly slow moving so not sure how many would keep reading it with the lack of action.

There was a lot of "what if" and "what happened" mystery in this book and I felt that build up to an ending that then seemed a little disappointing. A shame because I felt like the rest of the book was well-plotted and the characters fully fleshed. I think that is the pitfall of a lot of these types of novels that rely on that sort of a hook--too much emphasis on the reveal. I think it would have been better if that aspect wasn't pushed so much and it was more of a slice of life book.

I think the writing in this books is pretty solid, and it did capture my attention. However, I didn't really connect with the story. Not for me.

Things Left Unsaid is a novel covering two time periods, then, where the main characters are around 15 and attending the same high school in Hull, and now, where the characters are living in London in their late 20's. The story sensitively addresses a wide range of issues from bullying, racism, family trauma, and the outgrowing of friendships, just to name a few.

The writing is very good and I was drawn into the storyline quite quickly. I think the author's portrayal of young adulthood, when you realize the dreams you had of "making it" may not actually reflect your life values and the upheaval that causes, was well done.

I will look forward to reading other work by this author.

Thank you very much to St Martin’s Press and NetGalley for an ARC of this book.

Rating: ⭐⭐⭐⭐ (4/5)

Sara Jafari’s Things Left Unsaid is a beautifully written, emotionally resonant story about love, identity, and finding your footing in an ever-shifting world. From its richly drawn characters to its aching exploration of friendship and second chances, this novel is as thought-provoking as it is heartfelt.

The Premise:
Shirin Bayat, 26, feels stuck: in her career, in her friendships, and in life’s general malaise. Enter Kian, a friend from her past who once knew her better than anyone else. Their unexpected reunion stirs old emotions, unresolved heartbreak, and a yearning for connection at a time when Shirin needs it most. But with the weight of their history and the unpredictable nature of life, can they truly find their way back to each other?

What Worked:

The writing style. Jafari has a gift for capturing complex emotions with a light but poignant touch. Her prose is both reflective and lyrical, making the story feel intimate and immersive.
Shirin is an incredibly relatable protagonist—flawed, searching, and deeply human. Her struggles with burnout and self-discovery felt raw and authentic.
The chemistry between Shirin and Kian is subtle yet magnetic. Jafari avoids melodrama, instead building a slow-burning relationship full of nuance and unspoken truths.
The exploration of identity, particularly through Shirin’s perspective as a young Iranian-British woman, adds depth and richness to the narrative.
Why It’s 4 Stars:
While the story is beautifully crafted, the pacing occasionally lags in the middle as Shirin’s internal struggles overshadow external events. That said, the emotional payoff is worth the wait, and the ending strikes the perfect balance between hope and realism.

Acknowledgments:
Thank you to NetGalley, St. Martin's Press, and Sara Jafari for the ARC. This novel swept me away with its heartfelt storytelling and evocative prose.

Final Thoughts:
Things Left Unsaid is a tender, introspective journey about love, loss, and the courage it takes to truly open up. It’s a perfect read for fans of Honey Girl or Normal People—and for anyone who’s ever wondered about the one who got away.

I read this courtesy NetGalley and St. Martin’s Books. Racism is alive and well, unfortunately, and this book looks at how it affects young adults of color in contemporary England, and how they must come to terms with it. This story had me flinching, because so much hits right on the feels. There’s Shirin, the young woman determined to get out of the difficult circumstances she grew up in, only to find that the same racism she wanted to leave behind is facing her once again, and Kian, the young man who was forced to move out of a comfortable area into those same circumstances and how they bonded…until they didn’t. There’s the entitled white boy with nothing to say but vulgar racist things who is lauded, from boyhood to adulthood, and how his horribleness continues. Will Shirin and Kian bond again after having drifted apart? This book is worth the read, thoughtful and heartfelt.
#ThingsLeftUnsaid #NetGalley

This is a powerful, moving read that I can't recommend enough. From the first chapter, I knew it would break my heart. The writing is raw and visceral, making Shirin's emotions feel like mine. Her struggles with depression and anxiety are portrayed with such honesty, and you can feel the weight of everything she chooses not to express to the people around her. The way the story shifts between the heaviness of Shirin's experiences and moments of lightness is so effective, making the moments of joy even more meaningful. I was completely immersed. I laughed, cried, got angry, and felt deeply connected to these flawed, lovable characters. After The Lion Women of Tehran by Marjan Kamali, this is the second book about Iranian women that has left a profound impact on me this year, and I can't help but wish I had encountered more stories like this growing up. It also reminded me of Small Worlds by Caleb Azumah Nelson, focusing on a Londoner navigating cultural expectations, family, work, and community. As we look ahead to an uncertain 2025, this novel feels like a comforting and authentic companion. I’m excited to see what Sara Jafari will write next. I am begging you to read this one!

Thank you to NetGalley and St. Martin’s Press for the chance to read this extraordinary book. I can’t wait to buy a finished copy.

I really enjoyed this storyline. Shirin was a fabulously flawed character that drew me in early. The dialogue timelines worked perfectly and kept my interest in the saga between her and Kirin. Excellent read that reminded me of Sally Rooney but with a bit more depth.