In *Liquid*, Mariam Rahmani’s debut novel, an unnamed young Iranian-Indian American woman grapples with the challenges of adulthood. Having lost her teaching position, this unmarried scholar feels pressure to succeed both in her career and in her romantic life. Her best friend suggests that she marry someone wealthy, leading her to embark on a dating project akin to an academic endeavor. This project explores sexual freedom and challenges heteronormativity.

During the course of her bisexual/pansexual dating experiment, her father falls ill in Tehran. She and her mother travel to Iran to be with him, prompting the protagonist to reconnect with her family, their culture, and relationships.

However, the novel delves deeper than just this rom—com dating plot. Rahmani intricately examines the daughter’s adult perspective on her parents' complicated marriage and provides insight into both American and Iranian cultures. The narrative is neither gimmicky nor simplistic. This novel is beautifully written, witty, and captivating.

I highly recommend it. It feels like a blend of Jane Austen’s wit and social mores commentary, Kaveh Akbar’s *Martyr*, and Jeffrey Eugenides’ *The Marriage Plot*. Thank you to Algonquin and NetGalley for the advanced reader's copy.