For fans of Normal People, I would say this book is great exploration of identity, race, friendship, and growing up.
It is not a loud story nor action packed, but I really enjoying living with these characters and in their heads. I found them relatable and earnest and I feel others will feel the same. It is a total win.

I have mixed feelings about this book. It was well written and the characters felt real and the look at how racism and bullying affected their lives felt true and well done. It is a very introspective book and there were times, I was just not in the mood for that wanted something more to happen to be revealed. So reading it again at another time might give me a better ability to talk about it

I think my students would get something out of reading this, particularly the discussions about racism and identity and life purpose. It is fairly slow moving so not sure how many would keep reading it with the lack of action.

There was a lot of "what if" and "what happened" mystery in this book and I felt that build up to an ending that then seemed a little disappointing. A shame because I felt like the rest of the book was well-plotted and the characters fully fleshed. I think that is the pitfall of a lot of these types of novels that rely on that sort of a hook--too much emphasis on the reveal. I think it would have been better if that aspect wasn't pushed so much and it was more of a slice of life book.

I think the writing in this books is pretty solid, and it did capture my attention. However, I didn't really connect with the story. Not for me.

Things Left Unsaid is a novel covering two time periods, then, where the main characters are around 15 and attending the same high school in Hull, and now, where the characters are living in London in their late 20's. The story sensitively addresses a wide range of issues from bullying, racism, family trauma, and the outgrowing of friendships, just to name a few.

The writing is very good and I was drawn into the storyline quite quickly. I think the author's portrayal of young adulthood, when you realize the dreams you had of "making it" may not actually reflect your life values and the upheaval that causes, was well done.

I will look forward to reading other work by this author.

Thank you very much to St Martin’s Press and NetGalley for an ARC of this book.

Rating: ⭐⭐⭐⭐ (4/5)

Sara Jafari’s Things Left Unsaid is a beautifully written, emotionally resonant story about love, identity, and finding your footing in an ever-shifting world. From its richly drawn characters to its aching exploration of friendship and second chances, this novel is as thought-provoking as it is heartfelt.

The Premise:
Shirin Bayat, 26, feels stuck: in her career, in her friendships, and in life’s general malaise. Enter Kian, a friend from her past who once knew her better than anyone else. Their unexpected reunion stirs old emotions, unresolved heartbreak, and a yearning for connection at a time when Shirin needs it most. But with the weight of their history and the unpredictable nature of life, can they truly find their way back to each other?

What Worked:

The writing style. Jafari has a gift for capturing complex emotions with a light but poignant touch. Her prose is both reflective and lyrical, making the story feel intimate and immersive.
Shirin is an incredibly relatable protagonist—flawed, searching, and deeply human. Her struggles with burnout and self-discovery felt raw and authentic.
The chemistry between Shirin and Kian is subtle yet magnetic. Jafari avoids melodrama, instead building a slow-burning relationship full of nuance and unspoken truths.
The exploration of identity, particularly through Shirin’s perspective as a young Iranian-British woman, adds depth and richness to the narrative.
Why It’s 4 Stars:
While the story is beautifully crafted, the pacing occasionally lags in the middle as Shirin’s internal struggles overshadow external events. That said, the emotional payoff is worth the wait, and the ending strikes the perfect balance between hope and realism.

Acknowledgments:
Thank you to NetGalley, St. Martin's Press, and Sara Jafari for the ARC. This novel swept me away with its heartfelt storytelling and evocative prose.

Final Thoughts:
Things Left Unsaid is a tender, introspective journey about love, loss, and the courage it takes to truly open up. It’s a perfect read for fans of Honey Girl or Normal People—and for anyone who’s ever wondered about the one who got away.

I read this courtesy NetGalley and St. Martin’s Books. Racism is alive and well, unfortunately, and this book looks at how it affects young adults of color in contemporary England, and how they must come to terms with it. This story had me flinching, because so much hits right on the feels. There’s Shirin, the young woman determined to get out of the difficult circumstances she grew up in, only to find that the same racism she wanted to leave behind is facing her once again, and Kian, the young man who was forced to move out of a comfortable area into those same circumstances and how they bonded…until they didn’t. There’s the entitled white boy with nothing to say but vulgar racist things who is lauded, from boyhood to adulthood, and how his horribleness continues. Will Shirin and Kian bond again after having drifted apart? This book is worth the read, thoughtful and heartfelt.
#ThingsLeftUnsaid #NetGalley

This is a powerful, moving read that I can't recommend enough. From the first chapter, I knew it would break my heart. The writing is raw and visceral, making Shirin's emotions feel like mine. Her struggles with depression and anxiety are portrayed with such honesty, and you can feel the weight of everything she chooses not to express to the people around her. The way the story shifts between the heaviness of Shirin's experiences and moments of lightness is so effective, making the moments of joy even more meaningful. I was completely immersed. I laughed, cried, got angry, and felt deeply connected to these flawed, lovable characters. After The Lion Women of Tehran by Marjan Kamali, this is the second book about Iranian women that has left a profound impact on me this year, and I can't help but wish I had encountered more stories like this growing up. It also reminded me of Small Worlds by Caleb Azumah Nelson, focusing on a Londoner navigating cultural expectations, family, work, and community. As we look ahead to an uncertain 2025, this novel feels like a comforting and authentic companion. I’m excited to see what Sara Jafari will write next. I am begging you to read this one!

Thank you to NetGalley and St. Martin’s Press for the chance to read this extraordinary book. I can’t wait to buy a finished copy.

I really enjoyed this storyline. Shirin was a fabulously flawed character that drew me in early. The dialogue timelines worked perfectly and kept my interest in the saga between her and Kirin. Excellent read that reminded me of Sally Rooney but with a bit more depth.

DNF - Althought I was eager to read this book, it didn't end up working for me in the end. I'm sure there is an audience out there who will appreciate the story for all that it holds.

Jafari weaves a novel full of longing. Shirin and Kian both feel like very lived in characters whom I want to spend time with. They are flawed, but in a very real way and it never felt frustrated. When a book relies on miscommunication to advance its plot, its hard to root for the characters. But Jafari doesn’t end up in many of the pitfalls other authors do when navigating this.

As with her other novel the mismatch, the side characters and secondary storylines of friendship, racism, and family are just as important and flushed out. Her ability to do this is what really works because the characters truly are more than just each other. Overall another great read from Jafari and I can’t wait to read more from her!

Disclosure: Thank you to St Martin's Press for providing this book for early consideration via NetGalley; opinions are my own. This book is for anyone who's been left behind by a best friend, a person who played such an essential role in your life, their absence leaves the world a strange, unfamiliar wasteland. But limiting the book to a reunion love story, or a story of reunited friendship, would drastically undermine the work's cultural significance. We live in a tumultuous society with ample progress achieved, but still, prejudice and hypocrisy wait around the corner for anyone whose identity falls out of the mainstream. Jafari has used personal experience, and people she knows, to influence this story and correctly portray the struggle of racism, classism, and sexism Iranian Americans, and many other minority groups, face. The true strength of this book is its ability to make the reader analyze definitions; for example, "minority" itself may be a limiting term, and this book raises that question. There are a couple of content warnings, ie. sexual assault and disturbing racial slurs, but as a whole, the book focuses on difficult topics which do not require content warnings; then. Overall, I enjoyed this book for its raw portrayal of loss, the way the longing leapt from the pages into my heart, and for Jafari's ability to coax a white American woman into the shoes of an Iranian-American woman through shared experience and the wonderful, terrible joys and sorrows of being human.

** A copy of Things Left Unsaid was provided by the publisher and NetGalley in exchange for an honest review **

Things Left Unsaid is the story of Shirin and Kian - their hopes, their dreams, their trauma, their identities, their baggage and their what-ifs. It’s beautifully written and easy to read. Perfect for fans of Sally Rooney, Jessica Andrews and Coco Mellors.

Shirin and Kian are reunited at a house party in London, prompting strong feelings from their relationship beginning in high school. Kian supported her when she was bullied by those who were prejudiced against her. Shirin is a publicist and when her company publishes a book by one of the authors that harassed her, she decides to do something about the situation. I loved the relationship between Shirin and Kian as they struggled to do what was best for the other person. This is about what happens when you hold back feelings from your friends, family, lovers, but especially yourself. Powerful book about taking charge of your life and making necessary changes that involve communication.

This was such a good and heartfelt story! I loved reading every moment of it and found myself adoring the protagonists! I’m so happy that they finally got outside of their own heads for the marvelous ending. I loved how it was written with a core of friendship. It really resonated with me and I can’t wait for more from this author!

This book is about two people who are back in each other’s lives. They have dealt with racism, friendships, and other things. The book takes place in the past and present. Thanks to the publishers and NetGalley for giving me an opportunity to read and do a review.

Things Left Unsaid captures the ache of unspoken words and the intensity of rekindled connections in such a beautiful way. Shirin’s journey of navigating her complex feelings for Kian after all those years feels so genuine and heartfelt. The way their friendship evolves amidst the chaos of life is both tender and electrifying. You can feel the weight of their shared history, the longing, and the fear of losing each other again. It’s a poignant exploration of love, trust, and the messy, beautiful journey of finding your place in the world. This book resonates deeply, pulling at your heartstrings with every page. I absolutely loved reading it.

3.5 stars that I'm rounding up because the writing was very well done. The title fits this story perfectly. I did not find this as sad or heartbreaking as others did. There's a great deal of 'what if' and 'if only' themes throughout with a lot of time spent on building up to the big reveal of what happened to make these two characters go their separate ways. It was slow to get there and when it finally did, it was a bit disappointing. I wanted it to be something more, but that's just me and my angst loving heart. All in all, it's a good story and hits on the themes of racism and cancel culture. I'm glad I read it.

This was a beautifully done and realistic concept that I was looking for from the description. The characters felt like they were supposed to and were realistically done. I thought the way Sara Jafari wrote this worked well together and wanted to read more.