Bests & Worsts Reviews from Amazon

I absolutely loved this book which focuses on an Indian American family who have come to the United States and are now making their home in California. The story opens at Hadia's wedding where her brother Amar has come to reconcile with the family after having left home several years earlier. From that point, the book moves back and forth in time as bits and pieces of this family's story is revealed. We see Layla and Raffiq as a young couple, just starting out. We see the childhoods of Hadia and her younger sister Huda, and her younger brother, Amar. Different key events in their lives are shared, giving some background for the current state of their relationship now. This is a family saga that absolutely captured my attention from the very first page. I found each of the characters interesting and enjoyed how Mirza moved the story in time and perspective. I loved that although this is an immigrant story that is well done, it is also the story of more than just a family trying to assimilate in a new country and culture. Mirza's characters each have their own stories and flaws that are developed. I felt like this picture of a family is well done, that Mirza shows the good, the bad, the beautiful, the ugly. The resolution of the story is also well done, although not tied up with a pretty bow, either. A Place For Us will very likely be one of the best books I read in 2018. I can't wait to see what else this author creates.