This one got lost in my TBR list (the downside of the Kindle) and oh, how I regret not reading this sooner. The story is as lovely as the cover (and yes, I totally pick my books by the cover and the synopsis).  The writing is gorgeous, the food descriptions lush, and it's such a GOOD story.  I loved the historical aspects of it, too - I learned a lot about Iran.  

Late accolades for this, but just a wonderful story.

4.25-4.5 stars

It was impossible to not get absorbed into this story. The description and narratives leap off the page where history and all its events come alive. The words coming alive wasn't always a good thing. For me, it aggravated my anxiety and depression with all the talk of political upheavals, depression, worries about balancing wanting to work and motherhood, controlling in-laws and a few other things. I'm not sure what it is but this book, as good as it is, is missing something for me. After some contemplation I've settled on the reason being that the story might have been made better by getting the perspective of Bahman's mother. We get the point of views from Roya, Bahman, and Mr. Fakhri throughout the book and are able to learn most of what we need to know from them, but it would have been more rounded out hearing the history and inner thoughts from a mentally ill woman who has suffered a lot in her life.

I listened to the audiobook while reading at some points in the story. Personally, I feel that the narrator did a nice job but that it might have been more effective to have a male and female narrator. There are sudden changes in POV and they aren't marked by years, location, or who the person is who we're reading. It was easier for me to follow along with the book as I could figure out whose perspective I was reading from this way.

The cover of this book is absolutely gorgeous; it has to be one of the prettiest I've ever seen! My ARC copy is digital but I might get a physical copy in the future just to look at and admire. This story will be a book the will stick with me for a long time. The all consuming love reminds me of my own love and we met at the same age they did. I'm not sure I'll reread this story but I'm glad I have my own copy to own.

I have really mixed feelings about this one.

On one hand, it's all I've ever wanted from a contemporary romance. It has tropey, star-crossed lovers who don't end up together. We meet them 50 years after they were together, finally discussing what happened. Their love story is set against the Iranin Revolution during the summer of 1953. The political history gives this book a deeper bite that most (nearly all) contemporary romances lack.

On the other hand, this book does not handle mental health well. In present day, our characters reflect on how the 1950s couldn't handle mental health at all. I think that's the author trying to say that the book's representation is historically accurate (which I'm fine with), but the modern day reflection doesn't show a lot of growth as characters or as a society. I hope that Kamali is trying to show that this generation still isn't good with mental health, but I don't think that's the case.

I think if you go into this knowing it's gonna portray a woman to have hysteria and never really resolve that, it's a worthwhile read.

The human base of existence is love and Marjain Kamali’s, The Stationery Shop, tells a beautiful story of just that. 
Set in 1953, Tehran, a young woman, Roya, loves a local stationery business of a kind shopkeeper. She spends countless hours there surrounded by the scents and sights of a writer’s heaven. When the shopkeeper decides to introduce her to one of his customers, Bahman, sparks fly.
Roya and Bahman’s romance grows to the point of wanting to marry. On the eve of their wedding day, a coup to overthrow Tehran’s government (actual event-1953 Iranian coup d’etat to overthrow Prime Minister of Iran, Mohammad Mosaddegh) causes mass chaos and confusion where they are to meet before they say their vows. 
Now, Roya has no idea where Bahman’s gone and worries she’s lost him forever. 
Sixty years passes before she meets him again, but will the time erase the passion they once shared? 
This book is a visual feast of scenes, factual events, and how our hearts hold love so tightly, it hurts. 

*I received this ARC from the publisher and gave my unbiased review.

First of all, can we talk about this book cover? I know we aren't supposed to judge a book by the cover, but this cover is SO lovely. But even more lovely are the words inside this book and the story Marjan Kamali weaves.
I love a good family drama and am a huge fan of histoical fiction. Kamali brings 1950s Tehran to life. Roya is such a beautifully written character and I enjoyed following her story and the exploration of her life's journey. If you are looking to be swept away to another time and place, read The Stationery Shop!

The Stationery Shop by Marjan Kamali is a book that took me by surprise. I did not expect it to be that good. ⠀
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Sixty years after Roya’s first love broke her heart, she has a chance to meet him again. This time she wants to find out why he failed her and did not meet her at the marketplace as planned. ⠀
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The novel is set in Massachusetts in the current time and in Tehran, in 1953 when there was political turmoil. Young Roya found solace in the poetry books at the Stationery shop. She meets Bahman there and falls in love with him. Roya’s sister, Zari warns her not to trust Bahman but Roya is too deep in love to listen to her. In spite of disapproval from Bahman’s emotionally unstable mother, Roya and Bahman get engaged. After that Bahman disappears from Roya’s life and does not keep his promise to meet her at the market square so they can get married.⠀
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An intriguing tale of love, loss, the cruel twists of life, and the fickle nature of people. I also loved the cultural depth of this novel. It gave me an opportunity to learn about Iran and Iranian customs. A must-read!⠀

LOVED this one!! The historical context was fascinating and I learned so much. Also, I often find star-crossed lover storylines to be trite, but I was SO invested in this story and these characters. One of my favorite love stories I've ever read. Bravo, Marjan Kamali! I can't wait to read your next book. (The food descriptions were another definite highlight. So hungry for Persian food!!)

Many thanks to NetGalley, Gallery Books, and Marjan Kamali for the opportunity to read and review this wonderful book - 5 glowing stars!  Why did I let this one languish on my TBR shelf for so long?  You definitely need to read this one if you haven't yet!

In Tehran in 1953, on the cusp of the Iranian Coup, a young couple meet and fall in love,  Roya, a 17-year-old daughter of more progressive parents who want their daughter to be educated, meets Bahman, a young man from a more well-to-do family, at the local stationery shop.  Helped in their courtship by the shop owner, they become engaged despite family issues.  Sixty years later, in America, we see how Roya's life turned out and how she will finally get the answers to the question that has haunted her for most of her life.

I don't want to give one detail away that could keep you from enjoying this wonderful love story.  There is just so much here - different cultures, beliefs, food, family loyalty and expectations, grief, heartbreak, love.  All wrapped up in such beautiful writing.  I didn't want it to end!  Highly recommended!

The Stationery Shop is a historical romance that takes place in Iran in the 1950s, a time of great political upheaval. Roya and Bahman meet at their favorite stationery shop and fall in love amongst poetry and coffee shops. But hurdles stand in the way of their romance, including his political ties and the approval of his volatile mother. Years later from her settled life in New England, Roya looks back on what transpired.

I enjoyed the setting of this book. It was an interesting window into Persian culture and traditions, and the political history of the time, which I know little about. If the book had contained more from these aspects, I think I would have been more intrigued. But I was really not swept up into the romance, which is the center of the plot. I didn’t feel emotionally invested in the characters, so it was difficult to be drawn in and ended up dragging instead. The immigrant aspect later in the book was interesting, but this theme was only a small part of the overall plot. If you love historical romances, this might be for you! I personally would have preferred some more depth and context to the story.

Thank you to NetGalley for a free copy of this book in exchange for an honest review.

This book gutted me. It has been awhile since I’ve read anything that truly hits me in my soul. This was beautiful and heart-wrenching at the same time. This is an absolutely perfect book.

The first half of the book was very slow, but once it picked up and the pieces started clicking into place and I saw where the story was going, I couldn't put this one down. NAMES are two young adults navigating the revolution that has Tehran consumed. In love and determined to marry, they are torn apart by an act of violence and a perceived betrayl that they each carry with them for decades to come. They each make their way to America as adults, and carry out their lives always wondering what would have come of their romance. It was a beautiful story that I can see being a movie, I just wish it didn't take so long for me to love it!

I loved the experience of reading The Stationery Shop. I was immediately caught up in the life of Roya as she lived in Iran. I loved reading about her experiences and her fears in a country in political turmoil. I loved reading about her life, how she spent her time, and especially about the foods she ate. I continued to be caught up in her life as she moved to America and tried to adjust to a new culture. I rejoiced with her, I mourned with her, I feared with her and I felt like a lived with her.

I just couldn't get into this. Maybe at another time. Maybe it's because I've been so incredibly busy at work that I just couldn't focus and give my full attention to this book.

I thoroughly enjoyed this book. It had all the appealing elements of love, history, culture, and more. Mostly the lasting love story of teenagers, the book covers a lot of ground figuratively and literally as the characters experience the tumultuous times of Tehran, Iran in the 1950s and the cultural adjustment of moving to the United States. While not getting too heavy, the story delves into loss of several varieties, giving the book depth and a realistic element. Between that and the love story, it kept me glued to it as I read it in a couple days. I recommend it as a fun read as well as an engaging way to learn about experiences outside of what you may have. If you loved The Art of Hearing Heartbeats as much as I did, you might enjoy this one as well.

I thought this book would have a lot more historical references than it did. I had a really strong start and a very fast pace ending thatb pulled everything together. But all the in between landed just a little flat.

The Stationary Shop was a wonderful love story/lost love, in a time of much turmoil. This story has a dual timeline, one in Iran in the 1950s, and the other in current times, in USA. A sad yet resilient tale of two bright teens, much in love, caught in a difficult political circumstance, and complex families, costing them their much desired relationship . A beautifully woven, melodic, reflective and captivating tale of love, survival and regret. I really enjoyed this book. Thank you NetGalley, publisher and author for the e-reader copy. All opinions are my own.

A romance that takes us from present day (well, 2013) America to 1953 and 1916 Iran. What happens when you fall in love with "the wrong person"? What happens when you meet again 60 years later? 

Told in alternating time periods, we learn the story of young love that blossomed in a period of upheaval in Iran. The pro-monarchy faction is being challenged by a new pro-democracy Prime Minister and a pro-communist minority. In the midst of protests and demonstrations and eventually a coup that restores the Shah to power, two teenagers fall in love. They end up separated, but reconnect 60 years later to discover what really happened to keep them apart.

I loved this book. Yes, it is somewhat predictable, but there are moments of surprise that kept me reading. I loved the way the stories of Roya & Bahman intersect with the story of the shopkeeper, Mr. Fakhri. I also was fascinated by the Iranian (Persian) culture that permeated the book. I am old enough to remember when the Shah was overthrown and many of the events that followed, but had no idea about Iran's history prior to the 1970s. A nice blend of romance, history & culture.

This is the unforgettable love story of Roya and Bahman set in Tehran in 1953. I adored this heartbreaking and beautiful book so much; it touched me in so many ways and I cried and cried my way through it. It is a 5-star book for me. I highly recommend it. Marjan Kamali, please keep on writing. I can’t wait for your next book.

The Stationery Shop is a beautiful book but absolutely heartbreaking. It's been a long time since a book made me cry this much. Every few pages moved me to tears. The use of language is stunning and the worldbuilding is second to none. I'm recommending it to everyone!

“𝚃𝚑𝚎 𝚜𝚑𝚘𝚙 𝚠𝚊𝚜 𝚜𝚒𝚖𝚙𝚕𝚢 𝚌𝚊𝚕𝚕𝚎𝚍 𝚝𝚑𝚎 𝚂𝚝𝚊𝚝𝚒𝚘𝚗𝚎𝚛𝚢 𝚂𝚑𝚘𝚙—𝚗𝚘 𝚏𝚊𝚗𝚌𝚢 𝚗𝚊𝚖𝚎 𝚝𝚘 𝚒𝚝—𝚋𝚞𝚝 𝚒𝚝 𝚠𝚊𝚜 𝚊 𝚋𝚘𝚘𝚔𝚜𝚝𝚘𝚛𝚎 𝚊𝚜 𝚖𝚞𝚌𝚑 𝚊𝚜 𝚊 𝚜𝚝𝚊𝚝𝚒𝚘𝚗𝚎𝚛𝚢 𝚜𝚝𝚘𝚛𝚎. 𝙰𝚜 𝚝𝚑𝚎 𝚙𝚘𝚕𝚒𝚝𝚒𝚌𝚊𝚕 𝚍𝚒𝚟𝚒𝚜𝚘𝚗𝚜 𝚍𝚎𝚎𝚙𝚎𝚗𝚎𝚍 𝚝𝚑𝚊𝚝 𝚠𝚒𝚗𝚝𝚎𝚛 𝚊𝚗𝚍 𝚑𝚘𝚝𝚑𝚎𝚊𝚍𝚎𝚍 𝚙𝚎𝚘𝚙𝚕𝚎 𝚎𝚗𝚐𝚊𝚐𝚎𝚍 𝚒𝚗 𝚍𝚎𝚋𝚊𝚝𝚎𝚜 𝚊𝚗𝚍 𝚍𝚎𝚖𝚘𝚗𝚜𝚝𝚛𝚊𝚝𝚒𝚘𝚗𝚜 𝚊𝚕𝚕 𝚘𝚟𝚎𝚛 𝚝𝚑𝚎 𝚜𝚝𝚛𝚎𝚎𝚝𝚜, 𝚒𝚝 𝚠𝚊𝚜 𝚝𝚑𝚎 𝚙𝚎𝚛𝚏𝚎𝚌𝚝 𝚛𝚎𝚝𝚛𝚎𝚊𝚝 𝚘𝚏 𝚚𝚞𝚒𝚎𝚝 𝚊𝚗𝚍 𝚕𝚎𝚊𝚛𝚗𝚒𝚗𝚐. 𝙸𝚝 𝚠𝚊𝚜 𝚊 𝚜𝚊𝚗𝚌𝚝𝚞𝚊𝚛𝚢 𝚘𝚏 𝚌𝚊𝚕𝚖 𝚊𝚗𝚍 𝚚𝚞𝚒𝚎𝚝: 𝚗𝚎𝚟𝚎𝚛 𝚘𝚟𝚎𝚛𝚕𝚒𝚝, 𝚗𝚎𝚟𝚎𝚛 𝚕𝚘𝚞𝚍.”

-𝙼𝚊𝚛𝚓𝚊𝚗 𝙺𝚊𝚖𝚊𝚕𝚒, 𝚃𝚑𝚎 𝚂𝚝𝚊𝚝𝚒𝚘𝚗𝚎𝚛𝚢 𝚂𝚑𝚘𝚙

What a beautiful novel set in 1950’s Middle East! Three stories intertwined to tell a different love story. Roya who lives in Tehran during the 1950’s, involved with a man who also loved politics. 

As the reader is taken back and forth between the past and present—1953 to 2013, unraveling the secrets behind a young love as Roya discovers what happened the day she was to meet her fiancé in Tehran.

*Thank you to Netgalley and publisher for the gifted e-galley. All opinions are my own