The Stationery Shop By, Marjan Kamali

What a Beautiful book jacket! The cover sets the stage for two ill fated teenage lovers who meet in Tehran in 1953 and are determined to marry. However, the impending resistance, and upheaval in the country leads to the overthrow of democracy in the country and to the demise of their plan.

They meet in a stationery shop, where Roya finds solace in the beauty of books, pens and bottles of jeweled ink. The owner, Mr. Fakhri introduces her to his courier, Bahman, who is fighting for social justice and recites the poetry of Rumi. 

I enjoyed the plot reversal. The book begins as a mystery. In 2013 the initial setup is in Boston, Mass. Roya is telling her husband, Walter that she "made an appointment to see him." She is referencing Bahman. The romantic stage is set, and the love story ensues, why did Roya marry Walter and not Bahman?

Ms. Kamali does an excellent job describing the upheaval in war torn Tehran, by describing the culture, food and the desire for her family to send her to college, to have a 'better' life. Most poignantly, the haunting love story that permeates throughout the entire book. Why did Roya marry Walter and not Bahman?

The book ends 60 years later, with a destined encounter between Roya and Bahman. The existential question is answered and it brings the book to a painful crescendo. It is a beautifully crafted novel depicting the dichotomy of love,loss and the pain that ensues.

Other Book by this Author:

Together Tea 2013

The Beauty of Broken Things By, Victoria Connelly

This book will be published by Lake Union Publishing on June 9, 2020. I received an Advanced Reader copy thanks to NetGalley and Lake Union Publishing for an honest review.

Orla Kendrick lives a reclusive life in a desolate Suffolk Castle, hiding from a tragic past that has left her emotionally and physically scarred. Luke Hansard is grieving the loss of his wife, Helen who was a photographer and sold photos online of landscapes and flora in Suffolk. She sold her photographs on an online website, Galleria. Orla admired her work and was concerned when she was no longer posting new photographs.

When Helen died, Luke found solace reviewing Helen's photos and he was determined to investigate and contact all of her followers to let them know of his wife's demise. He contacts Orla and so begins the unlikely freindship of these two "broken souls."

This a beautiful melodrama that plays out in a remoted castle in Suffolk England. The setting as well as the vivid depiction of the characters, art and the story of the beauty of 'broken things' drew me in. The Author does an excellent job describing the beauty in the 'wear' of damaged china and the story it has to tell with one single feature, a chip or a hairline crack. If you are looking for a virtual, readerly retreat, I would highly recommend a visit with Orla and Luke in Suffolk England.

Ms. Connelly is a prolific Author of 25 books!

Her Published works include:

One Last Summer 2019
The Heart of the Garden 2018
Love in an English Garden 2017
The Rose Girls 2015
The Book Lovers (Series) 2015
Three Graces 2014
Flights of Angels 2014
A Summer to Remember 2014