Things Left Unsaid has a lot going on in a good way. Shirin is a few years out of college and really still trying to figure things out. The job she has was supposed to be her dream job, she lives in a rental flat, and she is balancing her different friend and family relationships. Then Kian, someone special from her senior year from high school, is at the same party she is at. Many years have passed since she has last seen Kian and so many unresolved thoughts and feelings start coming to the surface. Shirin has to deal with this as well as the ever evolving issues in her personal, work, and family life.

I really enjoyed Things Left Unsaid. I was pulled into Shirin’s story right away. I liked the story alternated between her point of view as well as Kian’s view from their high school years. The story explored the lasting effects of things not said can have on people; hence the title of the book. The book kept me reading on to see what happens to Shirin and Kian in the present day as well as what happened to them in their teenage years. The book had a satisfying ending. I will definitely read any future novels by this author!

Thank you to St. Martin’s Press, Sara Jafari, and NetGalley for allowing me to read this novel in exchange for an honest review.

Shirin finds her power and her true love. This is a love story that starts when Shirin meets Kian ten years after they’ve graduated high school. Jafari deftly switches back and forth from Shirin and Kian’s present relationship to their high school relationship. Fluid writing delves into the pervasive racism in school, work, and life in general making this an easy read although the subject matter of pervasive racism is not. An excellent read. Thank you NetGalley for providing the ARC.

✍️Things Left Unsaid is a brilliant story that packs so much in a subtle yet bold way. It’s difficult to categorize this novel, literary, contemporary, or romance because while it is, at its core, a love story, it’s also a powerful exploration of a woman discovering herself.

Shirin is a young woman in her mid-20s working in the publishing industry. Unexpectedly, she runs into Kian, her high school best friend, at a party, and just like that, all the past trauma resurfaces. Both Shirin and Kian are of Iranian heritage, living in the UK, and as the story unfolds, so do the layers of their shared and individual histories. Together, they must confront the pain they’ve buried.✍️

💫Where do I begin unspooling my feelings about this book? As a woman and a person of color, I connected with Shirin on so many levels. Her attempt to blend in like bleaching her hair blonde speaks volumes. As an immigrant, I felt the sting of microaggressions, the subtle jabs, the bullying, the family silence in the name of "honor." And then there’s privilege woven throughout the narrative in sharp, honest ways.

Shirin and Kian’s trauma could easily be the story of many in today’s world. Kudos to the author for the unflinching portrayal of anxiety, depression, past trauma, and all the uncomfortable truths we often shy away from. If you're looking for a book that is raw, real, and centered on identity and self-discovery, Things Left Unsaid is one not to miss.💫

Thank you to St. Martin's Press for this book.

If you loved Normal People, Things Left Unsaid will feel like a welcome companion—quiet, thoughtful, and emotionally resonant. Sara Jafari crafts a deeply introspective story that unfolds through layered character studies and delicate observations about race, gender, friendship, and the messy process of growing up.

It’s a novel that simmers rather than boils, inviting readers to sit with the unsaid moments, the things left hanging between characters, and the emotional weight of identity and belonging. Jafari writes with tenderness and empathy, making even the quietest scenes feel full of meaning. A lovely, contemplative read.

The journey from adolescence to adulthood was a rollercoaster of adjustments and emotions for Shirin and Kian, the two main characters. As a reader, I quickly realized that this story was so much more than just two friends connected by a shared traumatic event in their youth—one that tore them apart, only to bring them back together in adulthood. It offered a profound exploration of the complexities of immigration to the UK, identity and belonging, misogyny, racism, and depression.

This was an important read, not only because of its compelling storyline but because it asked readers to fully engage with the layered experiences of these two characters. We’re invited to feel their pain, growth, and healing, and to witness their evolution over time.

What resonated with me most was how Shirin and Kian were exactly what the other needed—an emotional anchor, a motivator, and a source of comfort. There’s something deeply moving about having someone in your corner during life’s most difficult moments. While there was a romantic element to the story, the real depth lay in the tragic and raw parts of their journey: two people from Iran settling into life in the UK, grappling with external hatred and internal fears about their worth and happiness.

I truly felt the weight of those themes, and I found the writing incredibly vivid and heartfelt. I highly recommend this book.

Their friendship ended badly years ago...can it be repaired?

The last person twenty-something Shirin Bayat expected to bump into at a party was Kian Rahimi, who in their pre-university school days was her best friend. As two Iranian-British teens in a very white school in Hull where people of color were not made to feel very welcome, they had understood one another in ways that others could not. But when the non-stop abusive behavior (particularly towards Shirin) caused Kian to act out in a way that the school, and both sets of parents, found unacceptable and which resulted in both teens being suspended from school as a result, their friendship just...ended. Shirin left their hometown for university and from there went to a life in London working as an assistant at a publishing firm as she had always dreamed she would. Kian had followed his own passion to become an artist, and has just been offered an opportunity to pursue a fellowship in New York. There is still a connection that each feels to one another, but they also harbor guilt and regret over things that happened in their past. Shirin is coming to realize that she is not happy at her job or with many of her friendships, and Kian will soon be leaving the country. Is there any kind of future for their relationship, or are the burdens of the past and the struggles in the present too much to overcome after all this time?
Things Left Unsaid is an emotionally powerful novel that, through the prism of two characters shaped by their less than ideal upbringings, explores the roles of identity in a person's life, the reality of racism in the lives of people who are deemed "other" (regardless of how much discussion there is about inclusion and diversity), and the value of supportive relationships to help each person through their struggles. Shirin has blocked out the bullying she endured back in Hull, thinking that it was best to just forget it ever happened, but one of the people who perpetuated that behavior is about to reappear in her life and impact it on many levels. Kian seems to have done a better job of moving on from those days, but he still harbors many negative feelings about his behavior and his involvement in his older brother's earlier conviction and prison sentence. As the narrative bounces between the present and the past, the reader is able to see how what happened then has molded the couple into the very different people they have become. Their heritage and families, personal growth and quests to belong lend depth to the story. The pacing of the novel was slowed a bit in parts, often as internal pondering took over the page, and I was distracted at times by a certain level of preachiness. All in all, It was a worthwhile read with nuanced characters who came across as authentic and a peek at how prejudices can flourish even as people talk about the importance of eradicating them. Readers of Jessica George, Jhumpa Lahiri and Sally Rooney would likely enjoy this novel. My thanks to NetGalley and St. Martin's Press for allowing me access to Things Left Unsaid in exchange for my honest review.

Things Left Unsaid by Sara Jafari was a mesmerizing story that sucked me in.
This is a beautiful story of self-discovery for anyone in need of a realistic novel.
The writing was just beautiful and the characters were very well developed.

I haven’t seen this book around, but it sounded interesting. When Shirin unexpectedly reconnects with Kian—a childhood friend she never truly got over—old feelings and unfinished history resurface.

I enjoyed the dual timelines, especially getting glimpses of the characters when they were younger. The story touches on some serious topics in a thoughtful way, which I appreciated. I also really liked how the female lead stood up for herself, both in her workplace and in her friendships. Overall, I found it an enjoyable read.

Thanks to Netgalley and St. Martin's Press for an advanced e copy in exchange for my honest review

Publish date: today, April 15

3.5 I wasn't sure what to expect and it was slow to start. This is a romance between Shirin and Kian. They met is high school and were bonded by the fact they were the only students of color in an all-white school. They drifted apart after graduating and 10 years later they found each other by chance at a party.

Told in a then/now format develops the past they shared, and secrets not told that carry to the present. The weight of racism loomed around every situation. I liked the character development and tension between Shirin and Kian, but the big reveal wasn't that dynamic and left me feeling blah about the book.

Thanks to NetGalley and St. Martin's Press for the arc.

This was a great story about mental health, friendships, family, and coming into one’s own, told with empathy and care. I’ve seen this classified as a romance, and, while yes, there is a romance, I don’t think it is the main point of this story.

The writing style was good; I was able to settle into the story quickly and comfortably. It flowed nicely and I found the dialogue to be natural.

I really liked the main characters, Shirin and Kian. Shirin this the *main* main character, and we follow her on her journey of personal growth and self-discovery. She finds her voice and learns to stand up for herself and what she believes in, in all areas of her life. Kian, having been on his own personal journey, was a great complement to her. There were a lot of interesting discussions around their religion, Islam, and I was also given some insight as to what it’s like for Iranian people living in the UK. I found the characters to be well-developed and nuanced.

While I was interested throughout the entire story, I especially liked the parts centering around Shirin’s work in the publishing industry. The author highlights issues within the industry, mainly centering race and diversity, and how companies like to talk as though they work hard to encourage diversity and inclusion, when in reality, their execution is incredibly lacking (and sometimes straight up hypocritical). At no point did I think that any situation Shirin faced at work felt forced or exaggerated for the sake of making a point. These felt like very real conversations, patterns, and behaviors.

I want to mention that I appreciated that the author didn’t make one of the plot lines as severely traumatic as they could have. What Shirin and Kian went through was horrible and unacceptable, but the author could have taken it multiple steps further and didn’t. I’m so used to everything being taken to the extreme for shock value, so it was refreshing to see some restraint here.

I was drawn to the premise and cover of this book. I am usually a fan of character driven novels, and stories about cultures I am less familiar with. However, I found the pacing too slow. I am not a huge fan of miscommunication tropes, as I find myself wanting the characters to grow up and just talk to each other about the issue.

This is well written but just wasn't for me. I am sure others will really enjoy this book.

Thank you for the advanced reader copy Netgalley & St. Martin's Press.

It is hard to pinpoint how exactly I felt about this story. Whether it is the characters, or the flow of writing...this story just didn't grab me like I'd hoped it would. In the current climate of overt and openly seemingly acceptable racism and bigotry, this story brought forth a lot of salient points and the theme that all of us who oppose such things must act in order to change things. Those of us with the privilege to not worry that the color of our skin or our religion will make us targets for hate and physical and emotional abuse have a duty to learn all we can to help avoid the catastrophes of the past. Seeing Shirin find her strength finally was glorious.

First let me say this book was very well written and the author did a great job with developing the characters. With that said though I just could not get into this book the way I wanted to. I wasn’t invested and even though I finished it, it was a struggle at times.

Thank you to Netgalley and to the publishers for allowing me to read this advanced copy in exchange for my honest opinion.

Sara Jafari’s Things Left Unsaid delivers the same thoughtful, emotionally intelligent writing that made The Mismatch so compelling, but this second novel didn’t quite resonate with me in the same way. The characters are nuanced and the themes of identity, family, and the weight of unspoken truths are handled with care, yet the story lacked the same spark and urgency that made her debut unforgettable. Still, Jafari’s voice remains distinctive and empathetic, and her ability to capture the complexity of human relationships is as strong as ever—making this a solid, if slightly less impactful, follow-up.

Thanks to NetGalley and the publisher for the advance copy. I think Jafari writes beautifully and the book covers important issues, but it dragged on and on. That may be more of a me problem as I don’t always do well with character-driven novels.

Things Left Unsaid by Sara Jafari is a character driven novel of self-discovery.

Twenty-six-year-old Shirin Bayat has achieved her dream of working in publishing. Yet, she is not satisfied with her life. Unexpectedly reconnecting with her teenage friend Kian Rahimi brings home her lack of self-confidence and feelings of dissatisfaction. Shirin is also dealing with discrimination at work and she cannot bring herself to do anything about it.

Shirin and Kian’s prior relationship is revealed through flashbacks that gradually reveal the shocking incident that resulted in their estrangement. Shirin is conflicted about the lack of resolution to these events.

Things Left Unsaid is a well-written novel. Shirin is a difficult character to like for most of the novel due to her malaise. She is also unable to find contentment due to her inability to look past her lifelong dream. Kian has many positive characteristics which makes him delightful counterpoint to Shirin’s moroseness. Despite Shirin’s angst, Sara Jafari brings this engaging novel to an uplifting conclusion.

Things Left Unsaid: A Novel by Sara Jafari is the story of Shirin trying to navigate through her 20’s while working in a publishing house in London. Viewing her life and relationships in dual timeline, we are taken on a journey of growth as Shirin tries to find her place while juggling family, culture and racism; ultimately finding her own voice and attaining her own agency.

I had the great fortune of having access to the book and the audiobook. I was able to seamlessly switch between the two. The narration by Honor Gilles and Majid Mehdizadeh-Valoujerdy was well done, and the writing was great. If you are a Sally Rooney fan, you will love this book.

Thank you to Macmillan Audio and St. Martin's Press for the opportunity to listen to this ALC and read the eARC. All opinions are my own.

Book Rating: 4 Stars
Audiobook Rating: 4 Stars
Pub Date: Apr 15 2025
Audio Release Date: Apr 15 2025

Tags:
#MacmillanAudio
#StMartinsPress
#ThingsLeftUnsaid
# SaraJafai
# HonorGilles
# MajidMehdizadehValoujerdy
#YarisBookNook
#netgalley

Wow. This book was really difficult to read at times. The racism experienced by Shirin in the workplace and during her school was painful but I'm so glad I read it. People need to know that these things happen and much more often than most of us think. I was so frustrated by Shirin for not standing up for herself and was so happy when she finally found her voice! Her character development was fantastic. And, of course, the romance between Shirin and Kian was so lovely!

Many thanks to NetGalley, St Martin's Press and Macmillan Audio for gifting me both a digital and audio ARC of this novel by Sara Jafari, perfectly narrated by Honor Gilles and Majid Mehdizadeh-Valoujerdy. All opinions expressed in this review are my own - 4 stars!

It’s been years since Shirin has seen Kian, her best friend, after an incident at their school tore them apart. Since then, Shirin has lived with the weight of things left unsaid between them. She’s struggling at work, burned out with the cultural atmosphere at the publishing house. Shirin and Kian are desperate to make up for lost time, but can they, or will life repeat itself?

This is a book that will definitely make you think about racism and having the courage and strength to stand up for what is right. I loved how Shirin and Kian were the best people they each needed at pivotal times in their lives. May we all have such friends. This also shows how our childhood shapes us and follows us. The writing is beautiful and allows you to emotionally connect with these characters. I also liked the peek into the publishing world. This is a new author to me, and I’ll be looking for more from her!

Things Left Unsaid is the touching story of Shirin and Kian, who were once school friends but fell out. Now, ten years later, Shirin unexpectedly runs into Kian. Jafari deftly meanders through until the very end of the story, finally revealing what caused the rift between the two. Tender and thoughtful, this is the perfect book for readers who prefer their love stories a bit more on the realistic side. I think this would be a great recommendation for fans of Talking at Night.