Things Left Unsaid

by Sara Jafari

A dazzling, electrifying, and thought-provoking novel for readers of Maame and Honey Girl, Things Left Unsaid is a mesmerizing and deeply-felt exploration of discovering your place in the world and the lasting power of love.

When twenty-six year old Shirin Bayat bumps into Kian at a house party in London, she is taken aback by the immediate feelings that resurface. It’s been a decade since they were close friends at school, before painful events pulled them apart, suddenly and seemingly forever. Ever since, Shirin has lived with the aching weight of things left unsaid between them.

Now they're back in each other's lives, at a time when Shirin needs someone she can trust the most. Feeling stuck in a sea of slippery friendships and deeply burned out by her publishing job, Kian is a bright light amongst a sea of gray. There’s nothing worse than losing the person you trust most with your deepest secrets and desires, and Shirin and Kian are determined to hold tightly to each other.

But of course, life often has other plans. Will it be different this time around, or are Shirin and Kian destined to fall apart once more?

Genres: Romance, Fiction, Audiobook, Contemporary, Literary Fiction, British Literature, Second Chance

320 pages, Hardcover

First published April 15, 2025

About the author

Sara Jafari is a British-Iranian author and editor. She is the author of The Mismatch and People Change (Penguin Random House, 2021 and 2023).

People Change will be published as Things Left Unsaid by St. Martin’s Press in Spring 2025.

Longlisted for Spread the Word's Life Writing Prize, her writing has also been published in gal-dem and The Good Journal, among other publications. She is also a contributor of the essay collection "I Will Not Be Erased": Our stories about growing up as people of colour (Walker Books, 2019), and Who’s Loving You (Trapeze, 2021).

Reviews

[Dona's Books · Rating 5 out of 5]

Finished Reading

Pre-Read notes

This one is remarkable right out of the gate. Wonderful irony and farce.

Final Review

“We should be able to separate the author from the writing.” Shirin... is stone-faced, though breaking inside, thinking: No, it’s a fucking memoir, you idiots. p144

Review summary and recommendations

Honestly, I think my reading notes carry this review, so check them out. I really loved this one, and it kind of snuck up on me! Not because I didn't realize from the first page that this was a brilliant book, but because the fmc was completely accessible and I was sort of lulled into this soft familiarity. But the story turns often, sometimes in subtle ways. It's a really good story. Recommended to fans of clever literary fiction, smart meta, and dark humor.

"...This isn’t up for debate. My experiences aren’t up for debate, and never will be.” It is that easy. p271

Reading Notes

Six things I loved:

1. Every so often, to alleviate her guilt, she will go to the shops and restaurants that have been there long before the gentrification began, and she will buy something she might not even want. It never quite clears her conscience though. p4 This is great character development, and this is the first page. Expectations raised.

2. But it is okay for him, she thinks , he has had something to drink, whereas she is sober. And she talks about her race enough at work; she is part of too many initatives trying to address the lack of diversity in publishing—labeled “POC” or “underrepresented,” everything other than Iranian— and she doesn’t want to go into it now, not even with Kian. Especially not with Kian. She also doesn’t want to leave. She wants to stay right here next to him. p19 What a brilliant use of meta.

3. Time slips further away. She is enveloped in various conversations, her glass topped up without prompt, and her face hurts from fake smiling. She is pretending to laugh constantly, so much so that she no longer thinks she can call what she is doing laughing but rather making a strange sound at everything the people around her are saying. p63 Jafari's treatment of emotions is so nuanced and accessible, with its little streak of dark humor.

4. [His mother] ran her fingers through his hair and he moved away from her, muttering, “Stop it.” p115 Jafari is a master of character development. This tiny bit of prose reveals so much about both these characters. The mother still needs her adult child to need her, and he will resort to at least rudeness to assert his independence.

5. It was a sad realization. Of course, she would realize she found him attractive just as her close friend asked her to be her wing woman. And it’s not like she stood a chance, anyway, if it was between her and Carmen. Everyone fancied Carmen; few liked Shirin in that way. p138 An excellent depiction of the main character's depression.

6. I really love the fmc Shirin's personal politics.

One quibble:

(This section isn't only for criticisms. It's merely for items that I felt something for other than "love" or some interpretation thereof.)

1. I'm not a fan of the narrator's voice here. It's not that she's depressed. For me these are some of the more accessible moments. She felt so painfully like she wasn’t worth anything, unlike her friends, unlike Phoebe, whom everyone liked and who didn’t have hairy fingers that people laughed at. p134 The voice is preoccupied with a whole collection of subjects, so it affects the plot, which is about writing and publishing. Oh yeah, I usually don't like that either because the meta often gets too heavy-handed and disrupts the flow of the narration.

Rating: 📄📄📄📄.5 /5 unpublished proofs
Recommend? yes!
Finished: Mar 27 '25
Format: accessible digital arc, NetGalley
Read this book if you like:
🪶 literary fiction
👨‍👩‍👧‍👦 family drama
👤 character driven stories
🙃 irony and satire

Thank you to the author Sara Jafari, publishers St. Martin's Press, and NetGalley for an accessible advance digital copy of THINGS LEFT UNSAID. All views are mine.
---------------

[Stacy40pages · Rating 4 out of 5]

Things Left Unsaid by Sara Jafari. Thanks to @stmartinspress for the gifted Arc ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️

Shirin reconnects with Kian who she hasn’t since they were close friends in school. Painful events tore them apart and left many things unsaid. Now they they have reconnected, can they overcome?

While a quiet novel, there was a lot of history and emotion. It took some time for the past to reveal and show the impact it had on the present. This was an important story as it showed micro aggressions in the workplace and what it feels like to be a minority in the publishing industry. I loved how the future tied to the past and became metaphorically closed a door. The relationship between Shirin and Kian was part of the story but did not overwhelm the plot on his and her personal development.

“Every element of her life is like a domino, and one by one they are falling down around her, leaving nothing upright.”

Things Left Unsaid comes out 4/15.

[Jennifer · Rating 5 out of 5]

Things Left Unsaid by Sara Jafari was another audiobook that I thoroughly enjoyed. Narrated by Honor Gilles and Majid Mehdizadeh-Valoujerdy, their voices perfectly complemented the novel’s themes.
Like Normal People, Things Left Unsaid delves into the intricate nuances of class and race, as well as the complexities of family and friendship. However, these similarities are superficial. The novel is a painful and beautiful exploration of love and life’s journey. It has left a lasting impression on me, prompting me to contemplate the challenges and joys that lie ahead in our beautiful lives.
Thank you, Macmillan Audio via NetGalley, for providing me with this audiobook.

[Chelsey (a_novel_idea11) · Rating 4 out of 5]

This book left a mark on me. Set in the publishing world, I loved the workplace drama and gossip but that it was really so much deeper than that. Shirin was a great protagonist and the mix of past and present timelines added so much complexity and emotion to the story. It allowed the reader to experience Shirin’s traumas and learn how the past can impact the present. It was deep, raw, and written in a way that was easy for the reader to relate to on a human level.

I loved the relationship and history between Shirin and Kian. I particularly liked the way their history unfolded slowly so we got to know them from before, but also as who they are today.

Part coming of age, part romance, part cultural assessment, and so much more - this book had it all. It was well written, the characters were real and fully developed, and the plot had me hooked. I’m reading this for bookclub and it’s the perfect book to discuss.

Thank you to The Book Club Cookbook, St Martins Press, and NetGalley for the copy. Very highly recommend.

[Elaine · Rating 2 out of 5]

I’m sorry to say this is a DNF for me @40%.

I’m SURE I’m in the minority here, so please read others opinions/reviews to get clarity for yourself!

Although the outline sounded intriguing, the story fell flat for me, AND… I really didn’t care for the narrators. Not sure if it was the material, or just their voices, but it felt MONOTONE throughout and I just can’t listen to anymore…

Shirin and Kian were very close about ten years ago…but circumstances pulled them apart and they haven’t seen each other in years. After re-connecting they are kind of drawn to each other and start talking again.

Again, sorry to say that I did not finish it. It was not holding my attention, so I’m moving on.
Since this is not an optimal review, I will only post here and on NetGalley.

Things Left Unsaid by Sara Jafari.

2 ⭐️⭐️ for me!

Thanks so much to #NetGalley and #MacmillanAudiofor an ARC of the audiobook, in exchange for an honest review.
*** If interested, release date is 4/23/25, so look 👀 for it on shelves then !! ***

You can find my reviews on: Goodreads,
Insta @BookReviews_with_emsr and/or
My Facebook Book Club: Book Reviews With Elaine

Thanks so much for reading! And if you ‘liked’ my review, please share with your friends, & click ‘LIKE’ below… And, let me know YOUR thoughts if you read it!! 📚⭐️

[Lisa Aiello · Rating 4 out of 5]

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.

[thebookybird · Rating 4 out of 5]

Things Left Unsaid was a quiet, introspective book that looked at micro aggression and racism within the UK publishing industry and throughout our characters lives. We’ve read books like Yellowface and The Other Black Girl that had similar themes but from the American lens so it was really interesting to see Jafari take on the UK work culture and create a really riveting and thought provoking perspective.

The story itself is wrapped up in a bit of a mystery we circle two characters that knew each other in their youth and see each other years later bringing out feelings and wounds to the surface. We learn right away that something tore these once close friends apart the story then circles past and present and unravels their relationship and puts it back together.

Jafari’s prose is lyrical but the characters are accessible, she does an excellent job at examining interpersonal relationships. This is character driven but the mystery of the past keeps turning pages.

Sharply observed and deeply felt this won’t be my last by Jafari.

[Zsa Zsa · Rating 1 out of 5]

May god forgive me for this comparison diverse hire « normal people » wanna be, keeps oversimplifying and over explaining the obvious. The many many many stereotypes, the fact that nothing is ever mentioned about Iran’s political climate or anything relevant about anything, the stolen storyline, the so-called « plot ».
Can you imagine the outrage if she was white and her bad friends and bad boyfriends were all people of color and then she met the right person who was « white » and made friends at work with the only white girl?

[ReadingTilTheBreakOfDawn · Rating 4 out of 5]

I'll be the first to admit that I'm a reader that judges a book by its cover. And it's not always right. But Things Left Unsaid perplexed me. I wasn't sure if I liked the cover or not, but it intrigued me enough to pick it up. It reminded me a bit of a Picasso painting. Complex, emotional, and something deeply unsettling lying underneath.

Shirin and Kian are two characters that have a history that goes back to their childhood, but were torn apart. Now years later, they've reconnected and still have that special bond they once had, but also are dealing with more "grown up" issues that may be holding them back. Can they place their trust and their lives in each other's hands once again?

This was one of those stories that had a quiet emotional pull to it. It brings you in with a strong opening, but then slowly shows you a past and present of two characters and the "what ifs" along with how the past can shape your future and not always in the best ways. Seeing the struggles and trauma of both characters was relatable, but ultimately it was the second chance at reconnecting that won be over.

In addition, as a reader, I love reading books that are somehow connected to the book world. This one being in the publishing sector. We not only got to experience Shirin's life as an Iranian woman, but also things she experiences at work from race issues, to being proud (or not) of who your publishing company backs. When you get to stand up for yourself and take action against a writer that you can't stand behind was a bold move and something I would love to see addressed not only in books, but also in the publishing world. It begs the question of 'Can you separate the artist from the art?'

As for the audio, I found it ok. The narration could've used a bit more emotion or rather drama, but overall Honor Gilles did a good job. I just wish there was more inflection in her voice at times.

While this book didn't have the best cover, it was well written with some great characters that evolved over time. I liked the 'second chance romance' aspect, but it was really all about the growth. I felt it was slow to get there. And then the ending was just so fast. I wish the pacing was just a little better balanced because I needed a bit more of the HEA. I'm glad that I looked beyond the cover and experienced a book I normally wouldn't pick up. 3.5+ stars

[Haly Hoards Books · Rating 5 out of 5]

Sara Jafari's new novel, Things Left Unsaid is a relevant story for anyone who is, or feels like, a minority in the White world. Episodes of micoagression, overt racism and abuse are navigated by Shirin throughout her life, but it is what happens to her when she is a teen that shapes her life and the life of her best friend, Kian.
After ten years without having any contact Shirin and Kian meet again. It is this meeting that makes Shirin assess her life, find her voice and take action against blatant racism. Kian lends Shirin the confidence to stand up for herself, similar to how in their teen years Shirin bolstered Kian to follow his dreams.
Ms. Jafari's lyrical prose and ability to make the reader truly feel the emotions of her characters are impactful. She is an author to keep your eyes on so that you do not miss her next novel.

Thank you to Sara Jafari, St. Martin's Press and Goodreads for the ARC.

[Fireplace.Bookworm · Rating 1 out of 5]

I DNFed this story at 20%. The writing had way too much telling and not enough showing. It lacked a true plot and instead focused on Shirin’s complaints in her life. She over explains everything, instead of trusting the reader to put things together.

[Stanjay Daniels · Rating 4 out of 5]

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.

[Sara · Rating 3 out of 5]

Extremely Standard 20-Something Gal in London Novel (feat. subpar overpriced flatshare, obviously), made somewhat more interesting by the Iranian diaspora of it all. 3.5 rounded down because I can't stand when authors feel the need to signal every 3 pages that there's going to be a Big Reveal

[Poonam · Rating 4 out of 5]

Oh em gee. I so needed this book in my life.

[Ivy Kaprow · Rating 2 out of 5]

1.5- I was drawn to this book by the adjectives “dazzling, electrifying, and thought-provoking” and that it was compared to the novel Maame, which I loved. Unfortunately, out of all of these descriptions only one of them proved to be true.
I didn’t find this dazzling or electrifying and it certainly wasn’t anything like Maame except in the loosest of ways. It was certainly thought provoking with the theme of racism against Middle Easterns in London, but it is slammed over our heads so repeatedly that after a while instead of feeling empathy I was only feeling annoyed. In addition to that, the writing is completely lackluster. While there is a good amount of dialogue, it’s mostly narrative and descriptors and the story just plods along.
The real kicker for me, though, was this infamous line- “She let out a breath she didn’t know she was holding.” This sentence is the most overused sentence in writing and authors should be charged a nickel for every time they use it. While this was the only time this horrible sentence was used, it was used 10 different times in different iterations throughout the book. The amount of times Shirin held her breath or let out a breath was insane (about 11, for the record). She wasn’t the only one, though. Other characters “let out sighs” (deep or not) at least a dozen more times. By around 40% of the way through I was letting out my own sighs (of exasperation not because I was holding my breath).
Thank you to NetGalley and St. Martin’s Press for an advanced copy of this. I’m sorry it took so long for me to get to. Things Left Unsaid hit the shelves April 15th.

[Chella Ireri · Rating 4 out of 5]

Thank you to Macmillan Audio and NetGalley for the ALC.

Jafari beautifully crafted an incredibly realistic FMC in Shirin, a 26 year old woman battling depression, burn out at her job, daily racial micro-aggressions, friends that may or may not have her best interests at heart, and a growing feeling of not having anyone in her corner (until she bumps into her old best friend Kian).

Kian was an interesting character as well, but Shirin was definitely the star of this novel. I would have preferred only getting her perspective for the whole book, even during the flashback sections that we see from Kian’s POV.

Stunningly descriptive writing, extremely believable, and really thought provoking. Would recommend.

[Zoe · Rating 4 out of 5]

Evocative, angsty, and heartfelt!

Things Left Unsaid is a heartwarming, touching story that immerses you in a tale about confronting the past, taking risks, being true to one’s self, following your heart, and the importance of never losing sight of your own wants, needs, and dreams.

The writing is raw and impassioned. The characters are flawed, troubled, and endearing, And the plot is an engaging tale about life, heartbreak, forgiveness, friendship, family, courage, past hurts, secrets, happiness, and unconditional love.

Overall, Things Left Unsaid is an uplifting, emotive, alluring story by Jafari that reminds us that everyone who enters our lives, no matter the length of time, shapes and defines us.

[Ryan Miller · Rating 5 out of 5]

Wow! This might just be a top read of 2025. This powerful novel explores the weight of the past and the pervasive effects of racism in work, school, and daily life.

At its core, though, is an unforgettable love story about second chances. Shirin and Kian’s intense, relatable bond, coupled with the author’s evocative prose, made it impossible to put down.

Thank you, NetGalley, St. Martin’s Press, and MacMillian Audio, for the chance to read this early—I can’t wait to add it to my shelf!

[O'Dell (Just Read it Already) · Rating 4 out of 5]

I received an advance galley of this book courtesy of the publisher via NetGalley. All thoughts are my own.

This is one of those books that creeps up on you quietly and then completely takes over your thoughts for hours after finishing. I picked it up thinking it would be a sweet story about lost friendship and maybe a little romance, but it ended up being so much more: it's layered, emotional, tender, and unapologetically honest. This is a book that says a lot, even when the characters struggle to say what they truly mean. In some ways, it reminded me a lot of "Normal People" by Sally Rooney.

At the heart of the novel are Shirin and Kian - childhood friends who share an intense bond that fractures after a painful event in secondary school. The author doesn't reveal what happened right away (which I loved), so you're kind of piecing together the past and present like a puzzle. The narrative switches between timelines, giving us glimpses of Shirin and Kian as teenagers - full of possibility and closeness - and as twenty-somethings, carrying the weight of everything that's gone unspoken.

While the novel gives us a look at things from both Kian and Shirin's points of view, it really felt like Shirin owned the story, but that in no way is meant to minimize the importance of Kian's character. Kian is an Iranian man who is now an artist trying to make it in a white-dominated industry. His reemergence into Shirin's life is a shock to her but also a catalyst for growth.

Shirin works at a literary agency that claims to want diversity and inclusivity, but in practice, it's just a bunch of performative nonsense. It's so frustrating to watch as her colleagues dismiss her, patronize her, or throw microaggressions her way while still patting themselves on the back for being "progressive." I think a lot of people - especially women of color - will see themselves in Shirin's experiences.

The emotional tension in this book is very well done. You feel the ache in Shirin's heart when she unexpectedly bumps into Kian at a party, and you immediately understand that this is not just a simple "long-lost friend" situation. There's history here, and it's likely a messy, complicated, unresolved history. The way the story unfolds and the history is presented feels natural and authentic as if you're slowly peeling back layers rather than being hit with a dramatic reveal.

And then there's Rob Grayson. He's a racist comedian who Shirin and Kiran share a complicated past with from school (he was their biggest bully), and the publisher Shirin works for has recently given him a book deal. Rob is one of those characters who represents every unchecked bigot who somehow gets rewarded with a platform, and his reappearance in Shirin's life adds a whole new level of tension. It's not just about past trauma resurfacing - it's about realizing that people like Rob still get to thrive while others are expected to stay quiet and just deal with it.

But for all the pain and heaviness, this book is also incredibly beautiful. It's a story about growth and rediscovery. I absolutely loved the dynamic between Shirin and Kian - both as kids and as adults, and I loved watching Shirin find her strength and her voice. The friendship between the two leads felt real, with all its warmth and, awkwardness and longing. You want them to find their way back to each other, but you also understand why it's not that simple. People change. Life complicates things. And some wounds take longer to heal than others.

If you're someone who enjoys character-driven stories with emotional depth and a strong sense of identity, this is the book for you. It's about friendship and love, yes, but also about what it means to be heard, to be seen, and to take up space in a world that often wants you to shrink yourself. This book was quietly beautiful. And sometimes, it's the quietest stories that leave the loudest impact.

[Andrea · Rating 4 out of 5]

Things Left Unsaid by Sara Jafari is somehow a reflective and calm book though it covers serious themes. Shirin and Kian met in high school but a traumatic event severed their friendship. As adults life brings them back into the same circles, and while they are magnetically drawn to each other both have walls up due to their pasts.

This book is a slow burn character based story. While we know there was a "big event" in both Kian and Shirin's past because it is referenced, it creates suspense as the reader has to get to know them first. The story is told in the present day with flashbacks to their high school days. In the present day, Shirin is desperately trying to claw her way out of depression through examination of her toxic work environment and problematic friendships. Meanwhile, Kian is dealing with guilt over the past while trying to pursue his artistic dreams.

Things Left Unsaid is real and raw. A quote I highlighted was "it's only through experiencing the specific publishing micro aggressions that one can truly understand them and their capacity to wound." I loved how true this is. How easy it is for other people to brush off problem's because of a lack of empathy, experience, and understanding. Jafari did a great job developing the relationships in this book with both main and side characters. I felt like everything that happened to Shirin could and does happen in real life.

At times the prose got a bit wordy during inconsequential scenes or events, but I'm glad I read this book. The more I think about the story the more I believe it will be an excellent read for a book club.

[Tamzen · Rating 5 out of 5]

If you're a woman in her late 20s/early 30s, have ever dealt with racism, have ever gone through thinking you'd achieved your dream life yet it doesn't feel like you're loving it, or if you ever dealt with friendships that just felt *off*, you should read this book. I personally think that regardless of any of that, you should read this book. But you need to have a small idea of what you're getting into.

Things Left Unsaid stays mainly in the story's present, with some flashbacks to the main character's high school time. Shirin works in publishing and is trying to be on her way to a promotion in her company. She feels like she should be happy with where she is, working the jobs she always wanted, but something is off. Her friendships feel off, her family feels off, and she doesn't super enjoy her living situation either. At a friend's event one day, she runs into a former classmate with whom the friendship ended poorly (who had also been the only other Iranian kid at her high school) and it brings up a LOT of feelings. This book follows the aftermath of all of this and how Shirin reacts.

I LOVE quarter-aged coming-of-age stories. Shirin is so relatable, and even the parts that weren't specifically relatable to me (like dealing with racism) were so emotional and resonated with me. Shirin is flawed and going through life, just like the rest of us. This book is character-driven, and so well done. I appreciated Shirin's growth, as well as some of the other characters' growth too.

In conclusion, Loved!! Highly recommend.

Thanks to Netgalley and St. Martin's Press for the e-ARC.

[Marina Marcello · Rating 5 out of 5]

Things Left Unsaid was a Macmillan Audio pick and definitely one of my favorite books of the year so far. This book is an exploration of relationships between people, the past, and how to move into the future. It tackles things like first-generation immigrant experiences, bullying and abuse in high school, racism, lost and rediscovered friendship and love, identity, and coming into one’s power as an adult.

While the plot is relatively low stakes in that there isn’t a wild ride of action, the events of the book are poignant and emotionally weighted. Shirin grapples with the events of her past in parallel editing between the present at 26 and high school at 16. In his POVs, Kian shows his growth between a guilt-ridden teen and his adult life with a new relationship with his former friend, Shirin.

I loved following these characters through their pain and growth into empowered adults with so much love for each other. Shirin’s journey also navigates through her relationships with female friends, realizing that proximity and time known do not necessarily equal good friendships, and sometimes telling a friend the relationship isn’t working is necessary to either cut and run or strengthen the bond. She also learns that making friends as an adult can be as fulfilling, if not more, as those made during more formative years.

This book displayed racism in so many forms as well, from blatant bigotry to subliminal messages from those who’d claim allyship without actually putting in any work. I really appreciated the raw look at and subsequent fight against it!

I highly recommend this book to any contemporary fiction readers, and honestly think it’s a must read regardless of genre preference. The much-deserved HEA is so sweet and actually beautifully understated. I loved this book, five stars! And the narrators were excellent, it looks like this may be both of their first audiobook!

[Nicole Porter · Rating 4 out of 5]

This was a slow-burn sort of read for me. I would rate it 3.5 stars if I could but given how well written it is, I feel like a 4 is justified in part. It just didn’t take hold initially like I had anticipated though by the end I was desperate to read that Shirin and Kian made their way back to each other. I was truly satisfied when they did, in fact, decide to choose one another-all in.

Like some other reviewers have stated, I thought the instance of bullying at school and what tore them apart the first time, would have been something more of a shocking event but this is also what made it feel real and relatable. That it wasn’t some absolute catastrophe but an impactful, life changing yet normalized moment for so many kids of underrepresented groups made a way in deepening the emotional connection to Shirin and Kian.

I would recommend this title as an easy read. I would also definitely add what Sara Jafari releases next to my “to-read” pile even if I might not read it straightaway. Thank you to St. Martins Press and Goodreads for the ARC.

[Sarah · Rating 5 out of 5]

This book was fantastic and when I read the blurb I knew I would love it. So happy to say I do and this ALC was amazing.

Following Shirin and Kians journey from high school to 10 years later was difficult, very honest, and we had some sweet moments as well.

I was so angry for Shirin in so many instances in this book. From the blatant racism she and Kian deal with not only in HS, but in their careers as well. The publishing industry needs to be called out like it was in this book. I appreciated the authors honesty in micro aggressions, topics of diverse reading in book spaces, how systematic racism plays a massive role in what is published and pushed out.

Their love reminded me in some instances of the love we find in Normal People. The yearning, the things they want to say but don’t know how/aren’t ready to share.

It was beautiful.

Thank you NetGalley & Macmillan Audio for this ALC!

[Annahita · Rating 5 out of 5]

Thank you to St. Martin’s Press for the #gifted ARC! Things Left Unsaid by Sara Jafari publishes on April 15, and I cannot recommend it enough.

As an Iranian-American, so much of this novel rang true for me—it felt like stepping back into my family home in Iran, filled with emotions, unspoken words, and cultural nuances that were beautifully captured. Sara Jafari’s storytelling is stunning, weaving a heartfelt, deeply relatable narrative about love, identity, and finding where you truly belong.

Shirin and Kian’s story is one of long-lost friendship, missed chances, and reconnection, and their emotional journey is both tender and gut-wrenching. I loved how Jafari explored the weight of things left unsaid, the complexities of navigating family and career expectations, privilege, racism, and the messy, beautiful nature of relationships.

This one is deep, thought-provoking, and unforgettably heartfelt—a true five-star read.

[Chris · Rating 4 out of 5]

Things Left Unsaid, the second novel from Sara Jabari, is the story of Shirin, a young woman of Iranian descent, living in London and working her dream job as an assistant editor at a publishing house. It is set in 2018, with a dual timeline of 10 years earlier. Shirin unexpectedly runs into her best friend from high school, Kian, and this brings back the past she had worked so hard to forget.

The issues that Shirin faces related to racism are thoughtfully presented throughout the novel and run the gamut from micro aggressions to discrimination and abuse. As readers, we are given insight on how she, and many others, deal with that on a daily basis. They are skillfully woven into the novel. I enjoyed how Shirin grew as a person throughout the story as she navigates her way through her late twenties.

Thanks to NetGalley, the author and St. Martin’s Press for the opportunity to read and review this digital ARC.

[AL · Rating 5 out of 5]

Things Left Unsaid is a heartbreaking yet empowering story. Shirin reminds me of that time in life when you’re between college and career. Still recovering from so much of youth while being expected to be an instagrownup.

She feels a bit complacent in life, work, friendships, relationships, family but as her past creeps into her present, fears infiltrate and seem to block her chance for the future she’s worked hard towards.

As someone who’s wondered if I’m overthinking things that stuck with me from high school, reading this reminded me that some of my experiences ARE unacceptable AND traumatic. Shirin had to navigate and contemplate many relationships in resolution and I’m quickly reminded how necessary it is to advocate for ourselves.

A well done, thought provoking story with a deep, personal voice in Shirin.

[Almendra · Rating 5 out of 5]

As it has happened to me before, I am incredibly grateful to have won this on a giveaway, because I feel like it's not a book I would have gravitated towards or bought on my own. I would probably have not read it, and I would have missed out.
This is probably not a perfect book, and I disliked pretty much everyone in it until I was almost finished, but alas. The characters are so well-written, so intrincate and complex they feel so very real to me. They are flawed, they are human.
As for the plot, while there is a romance (one I rooted for every second!), it doesn't take away from other things going on in the main character's life and the constant issues of race and racisism in the world we live in, of generational trauma, of mental health. The title is very fitting, as one consistent problem Shirin faces is being unwilling and/or unable to say the things she needs to say.
In case you haven't gathered it so far: I loved it, thoroughly enjoyed it and absolutely recommend it!

[Becky | myhyggereads · Rating 5 out of 5]

This book is phenomenal! I couldn’t put it down. It’s such a thought-provoking and deeply emotional story. Yes, it is a love story between Shirin and Kian. This, itself, is beautifully portrayed in such a quiet and organic manner. However, the relationship between the two main characters is not what makes this book one of my top reads of 2025. Instead, it is Shirin and her experiences. As a woman of colour who regularly faces implicit bias and microaggressions in the workplace, I have yet to read a fictional book in which I so strongly relate to the main character. I felt so seen! The lacklustre friendships or those who only cheer when you are down, the lack of promotion despite doing all the work… these are just a couple of examples of Shirin’s experience that resonate. Jafari does an incredible job of putting into words what many women of colour face on a daily basis without politicization. Her writing is evocative and quite simply a delight to read. I highly recommend picking up this book when it publishes on the 15th!

Special thanks to St. Martin’s Press for my advance copy of this book in exchange for my honest review.

[Melanie · Rating 5 out of 5]

I just devoured this in one sitting 😂😂🙈🙈

To see my culture and some of my own experiences reflected in a book like this really means so much. Jafari’s writing is introspective and soothing, yet so powerful. The blend of lit fic and romance really just works so well for me.

I think this book also did a great job of portraying the long-term impact of being marginalized - internalized shame, difficulties using one’s voice, self-blame, depression (to name a few lol). What starts as unchecked bullying in adolescence becomes micro aggressions and consistently being silenced in adulthood. It calls out the hypocrisy within so many spaces that claim to be focused on “diversity.”

Honestly this was brilliant and I love Kian and Shirin FOREVER THE END.