Untethered is a stunning debut novel from Ayesha Inoon, who brings us a few years of Zia’s life as a 20 year old young woman from a traditional Muslim family who live in the cocoon of wealthy Colombo, Sri Lanka as she follows her husband Rashid as they build their family in Canberra, Australia.

Zia’s struggle as an immigrant, a new wife separated from her family and friends struck so many chords with me living through her experiences as an immigrant too. Zia and Rashid struggle with uncertainty, tragedy, resilience and above all hope they made the right decision to chase a “better” life.

Beautifully crafted, bringing both Colombo and Canberra alive with vivid details and interspersed with contemporary events in both countries.

I can’t recommend this highly enough, without a doubt Untethered is one of the best books I have read in the last few years. Thanks to NetGalley and Harlequin Australia for the ARC.

I really enjoyed this. As an immigrant to Australia myself, (over two thirds of a lifetime ago) so much of this struck chords with me, it was very personal.
I was only 15 when I came, with my parents and sister and brothers, so I didn’t face the same things Zia did, but I recognise her feelings. I feel them. I feel like she could be my friend.

I didn’t want to stop reading, although I had to. There are things we have to do in our lives. For ourselves, and those we care about.
I have loved sharing this part of Zias life, and would love to know more about where she went from here.