August pick for my library book club, Reading Together.

I will be the first to admit I went in thinking I would not enjoy this read. The synopsis seemed heavy with no excitement. I’m happy to say I was very wrong.

Set in the backdrop of California we meet an Indian-American Muslim family who are trying to adhere to their faith but at the same time fit in with their new culture. Hadia is the oldest daughter who is driven, smart, and understands she is a protector of her siblings especially her brother. Huda is the middle sibling who sticks to her upbringing the most and understands more of what is happening than anyone realizes. Amar is the youngest and only son. He is a follower and blazes his own path whether good or bad. The story starts at Hadia’s wedding and we get glimpses of the past as each family member reflects.

By the end of this book my heart was hurting. You really see how as parents we try to do what is best and sometimes we get it very wrong. At the time you don’t see the mistakes but as the saying goes hindsight is always 20/20. Families are fragile and any combination of words and actions can fracture that family forever. We must learn forgiveness to hopefully mend the fractures.

I understood what happened with Amar more than I wanted. Decisions must be made at times that are hard and heartbreaking but if the decision was not made the heartbreak could have been ten times worse.

A Place for Us is perfect for readers who enjoy deep family stories and don’t mind a mix of past and present throughout the same chapters.

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