One of the reasons I joined the Bookstagram/Netgalley community was to highlight books written by or about under-represented voices. Growing up as a Muslim woman, I either never saw myself in media or saw my culture wrongfully represented in the worst possible light. Broken by Fatima Bala shines a light on what it means to be a Muslim, unmarried woman. She does a wonderful job of infusing culture and religion into Faiza's story. Young, unmarried Muslim girls are told to stay away from haram relationships, but that's easier said than done in this society. This story is real and raw, building a relationship from distant acquaintances into friends into soulmates. Every interaction between Faiza and Ahmad snowballs, demonstrating how these two balance one another. Bala does a wonderful job of highlighting societal expectations, clashing values, and conflict within what is ultimately a love story. From the compelling characters to the beautiful prose, this thought-provoking novel of self-discovery is one you shouldn't miss.