Take It Back

Zara Kaleel #1

by Kia Abdullah

The Victim: Jodie Wolfe, a physically flawed 16-year-old girl accuses four boys in her class of something unthinkable.

The Defendants: Four handsome teenagers from hard-working immigrant families, all with corroborating stories.

The Savior: Zara Kaleel, a former lawyer, one of London's brightest legal minds, takes on this case. She believes her client, even though those closest to her do not.

Together, they enter the most explosive criminal trial of the year, where the only thing that matters is justice for Jodie. But this time justice comes at a devastating cost.

A shocking, twisting courtroom thriller that keeps you guessing until the last page is turned.

Genres: Thriller, Mystery, Fiction, Mystery Thriller, Audiobook, Crime, Legal Thriller

384 pages, Hardcover

First published August 8, 2019

About the author

Kia Abdullah is a bestselling author and travel writer. Her novels include Take It Back (a Guardian and Telegraph thriller of the year), Truth Be Told (shortlisted for a Diverse Book Award), Next Of Kin (longlisted for the CWA Gold Dagger Award) and Those People Next Door (a Times Bestseller and Waterstones Thriller of the Month). Her new novel, What Happens in the Dark, is out now.

Kia has won a Diverse Book Award (2022) and a JB Priestley Award for Writers of Promise (2020), and has written for The New York Times, The Guardian, The Financial Times, The Times, The Telegraph and the BBC. She is also the founder of Asian Booklist, a nonprofit that advocates for diversity in publishing.

Website: kiaabdullah.com
Twitter: @kiaabdullah
Instagram: @kiaabdullah
TikTok: @kiawriter

Reviews

[Nilufer Ozmekik · Rating 5 out of 5]

This is one of the books have blown my mind and shaken me to the core, my emotions all over the place. I’m cursing, crying, clenching my fists, screaming, more crying and I don’t want to do next….
Victim Jodie Wolfe, 16 years old with facial deformities, living with emotionally unbalanced, abusing, alcoholic mother claims that she has been raped by four schoolmates.

Four handsome immigrant and Muslim boys are coming from good, hard-working families, having a bright future ahead them.

BOYS claims Jodie is attention seeker liar. They didn’t touch her. They can have any girl they want.
Who should they want to be with her?

Jodie’s mother doesn’t believe her and she leaves her alone to fight for this. She only wants to be part of her trial when the vulture media members find out the identity of the victim because she wants to share own daughter’s story with the media circus to gain some money!
Jodie’s best friend didn’t believe in her, too. She may hold a grudge against her because one of the defendants is Aamir, she also has crush on him. She could have told the press the identity of her own best friend to ruin her life.

Only one person believes in her: Zara Kaleel, who is also fighting with her all demons, using pills to numb her brain, not to think her tragic conclusion with her relationship with her father. She is also Muslim which created a big conflict and took the media’s interest that she might fight against her own people!!!!

Zara only wants to do the RIGHT THING by proving people that is not about religion, race and people’s beliefs! This is about bringing the justice by finding the truth!
In her own life, Zara always wanted to become someone else! She didn’t want to marry with the guy chosen by her family and turn into an obedient wife, wearing Sari and golden jewelry, staying at home, doing her housewife chores. She also left her glittering career at Bar because she didn’t want to be a shark at the most competitive, ruthless corporate law industry. She only wanted to be the person do the right thing by bringing justice for the people who really deserved it.

Rape has no religion! It has no race, nationality. The only language it speaks consisted of profane words filled with anger, self-hatred!

Rape feeds itself with humiliation, debasing and hurting innocent victims. Its weapon is sex to defile and degrade the persons!

This book took my sleep away and gave me full nightmares all night, making me think the story, the characters, the tragedy, the hatred the people gave, the unfairness, illogical, cruel perceptions hiding behind religion, nationality and race! This year I’ve read so many thrillers but none of them made me as terrified as this book made me feel because the story is too real, some facts are so true and people’s bottled up hatred, ignorance, prejudgments, grudges, jealousy could explode like a ticking bomb and make them commit so many hate crimes. So you don’t feel safe in your world because people reject to respect each other’s differences and choose unhappiness against compassion, genuineness. They close your eyes and reject to see the world from other people’s eyes to understand them!

SO WHO TELLS THE TRUTH? FOUR BOYS’ WORDS AGAINST ONE GIRL! EVERYBODY CALL HER MONSTER AND NOBODY IS AT HER SIDE! IS SHE HIDING SOMETHING? ARE THOSE BOYS VICTIM OF HER LIES OR ARE THEY REAL MONSTERS DISGUISED IN HUMAN FUR?
MAYBE JODIE SHOULD HAVE TAKEN IT ALL BACK!!!!

Clench your fists, control your breathing, get ready to be pissed off because this book is too disturbing, too shocking reading. But at least ending is satisfying. But damage is already done and those five young teenagers’ lives will never be the same.

[Maureen · Rating 5 out of 5]

*4.5 stars*

Jodie Wolfe is a white 16 year old girl with horrific facial deformities - she’s had a really difficult life, the constant taunting and bullying about her looks, not to mention an alcoholic mother who’s always concurred with other people’s perceptions of Jodie, basically that she’s ugly, and she’s happy to voice that opinion to Jodie on a daily basis. However when Jodie accuses four teenage boys from hard working immigrant families of rape, her life will take yet another turn for the worse.

What follows is the story of what really happened that June night, but we the readers are not privy to the truth until much later in the book, and believe me, you’ll be kept on tenterhooks before that truth is finally revealed.

Former barrister turned rape counsellor Zara Kaleel, is enlisted to help Jodie through the trauma she has suffered, and also to prepare her for the upcoming court proceedings. Zara is a Muslim, (as are the accused boys), and as the case proceeds it will lead to her being called a traitor, (and much worse) in her own community, resulting in some very ugly and violent scenes. Because of her accusations, Jodie also becomes a target for the ever present internet trolls.

The author takes us down a long and twisty road, never knowing who is telling the truth - I changed my mind on numerous occasions, but was still shocked by the reveal.

This is much more than a courtroom drama, it’s about the divisions in society, the issues of race, religion and misogyny, and the author hasn’t shied away from any of these difficult topics.

This is an immensely powerful, emotional and thought provoking read, - and extremely disturbing at times. It’s a case of who’s telling the truth, who’s lying, who did what, and who didn’t! Ultimately though, it’s one of the best ‘whodunnit’s that I’ve read ! Highly recommended.

* Thank you to Netgalley and HQ for my ARC. I have given an honest unbiased review in exchange *

[Meredith (Trying to catch up!) · Rating 4 out of 5]

4. 5 stars

“Women aren’t born warriors, we learn to fight because we have to.”

Take It Back is a complex courtroom drama about a 16-year-old disabled white girl who accuses four Muslim boys of rape. This is a timely, provocative, disturbing, and all too real read about the blurred lines of rape cases. In this case, race becomes equally as important as rape.

This story has many layers. It is complicated and controversial, as it not only has the reader questioning whether or not the rape occurred but also makes one think about racism and gender dynamics and the roles that they play inside and outside of a courtroom.

16-year-old Jodie has had a difficult life. Born with a facial deformity, she has been ridiculed her entire life. When she accuses four of her classmates of rape, she and her accusers are put under a microscope.

Abdullah presents all sides to this case. The reader not only gets to see Jodie’s perspective, but also that of the accused, and their family members. Reading Mo, Farid, Hassan, and Amir’s characters’ points of view humanized them as they became more than the accused Zara, Jodie’s rape advocate also offers a unique perspective. Jodie and Zara’s characters are compelling and vulnerable. I wish we had some more details about some of the other characters who make appearances, as I especially wanted to know more about Erin’s background.

The racial tension between the whites and Muslims in this story permeates the pages. Zara’s perspective being of a Muslim woman was especially interesting to read. This aspect of the novel felt very real and very timely.

There are a lot of characters and many points of view to contend with. I was constantly wavering in my beliefs, and this book left me questioning what happened until the final pages (the reader is given concrete information at the very end about what happened to Jodie).

I felt unsettled the entire time while reading this, and a sense of dread with every page I turned--reading the details about rape is never easy, and I was scared to see what would be revealed next. Oddly enough, at the same time, I couldn’t put this down. Take it Back is an emotional, timely, and important read that had me disgusted, angry, and crying at the same time. I highly recommend not only for a good courtroom drama, but also for a powerful perspective on how the dynamics of race play a role in a rape case.

I received an ARC of this book from NetGalley and the publisher in exchange for an honest review.

[Farrah · Rating 5 out of 5]

Wow. Ok, if I were a publisher and someone came to me and said they had an idea for a book that would shine a harsh light on rape, race, religion, gender, class, the media, drug dependency, disability, the justice system and assault I would have said "jeez, take it down a notch, you're biting off way more than you can chew." But I'd be wrong because that's exactly what Kia Abdullah did and I think she did an outstanding job of it. An 𝙤𝙪𝙩𝙨𝙩𝙖𝙣𝙙𝙞𝙣𝙜 job.

I went into this book knowing it was a highly rated courtroom drama but I was caught off guard by the way it forced me to feel such a range of emotions. Anger, frustration, hope, suspicion..... Nothing was off the table. Also surprising was the way in which I was led to look at situations through the eyes of others, seeing their truth while knowing my own truth. Very thought-provoking.

I believe this book will make a lot of reader's "Best Of" lists. Easy 5 ⭐

[Paromjit · Rating 5 out of 5]

Kia Abdullah writes a brilliant, powerful, moving and intelligent psychological thriller and courtroom drama that pushes all the buttons as it lays bare all the ugly divisions and prejudices in our contemporary world, including race, class, disabilities, religion, politicsl and culture. This was a deeply unsettling and uncomfortable hard hitting read, with such well executed storytelling that it felt all too real and authentic, and which could so easily be true. Jodie Wolfe is a white 16 year old girl born with facial deformities, living on a London estate with her alcoholic mother that she cares for. She confides being raped at a warehouse by Amir Rabbani, Hassan Tanweer, Mohammed Ahmed and Farid Khan, 4 hard working Muslim Asian classmates, from immigrant families, to Zara Kaleel who works at a abused women's charity.

The Muslim Zara had a short lived arranged marriage, left behind a glittering legal career and is estranged from her family. She believes Jodie, even though those close to Jodie do not, and is driven to fight for justice in the tense and explosive courtroom trial that follows, one which attracts such a huge media focus that raise community, political, social and religious tensions sky high. It is a case of he said/she said as the reader ping pongs from believing one side and then the other. The alarming community hostility directed at Zara is beyond belief, as indeed is the hate directed at Jodie. The Anglian Defense League exploit the tensions, directing their hatred against Muslims. This turns out to be such twisted tale with its surprising true revelations that come at the end.

This is multilayered and complex storytelling with a compulsive and gripping narrative and skilful stellar characterisation. Jodie is a teenager, who feels all the normal teen hormonal urges with all her intense emotional feelings for a popular and gifted immigrant boy at school, and Zara is unafraid of being critical about her community. This is a thought provoking read with its portrayal of our disturbing times that I think will appeal to many readers. Many thanks to HarperCollins and HQ for an ARC.

[megs_bookrack · Rating 5 out of 5]

**4.5-stars rounded up**

((me: reads the final scene))



Blushing and looking around, I think to myself, she got me. Kia Abdullah got me!

Take It Back is a provocative Legal Thriller; a non-stop guessing game. My head was reeling the entire way through trying to decipher who to believe.



I hate to say that, but I have to be honest. The reason I don't like to say that is because the case central to this story is that of a sexual assault.

This would be an enticing book club read. I can see a lot of great discussions stemming from the deep content of this book, expertly crafted for maximum impact by Abdullah.



Zara Kaleel, a former lawyer, is now a Sexual Assault Counselor. When 16-year old, Jodie Wolfe, arrives in her office, Zara is stunned to hear the tale she tells of assault by four male classmates.

Jodie has a genetic abnormality that has given her severe facial deformities, which impedes her speech, and makes her difficult to understand. In spite of any communication issues, however, Jodie's pain is pouring off of her. She is traumatized and Zara vows to help.



We follow the investigation into the case through multiple perspectives and then get front row seats to the subsequent trial.

The four young men accused are Muslims, from immigrant families, while Jodie is a white girl. As you can imagine, this adds an incredible amount of tension to the public perception of the case.



It all becomes a bit of a circus, with even Zara beginning to fear for her safety.

As a Muslim woman herself, also from an immigrant family, she is branded a traitor by the community and must push really hard, both personally and professionally, to continue with Jodie's case.



I really loved how Abdullah chose to tell this story. The pace was spot on and the little reveals and clues along the way left me constantly guessing at the truth. I had no idea what the final outcome would be until it was on page.

Additionally, I loved the cultural elements that were included through Zara's perspective, and a few of the accused boys. I thought those aspects made this one stand out in comparison with other books in the genre and will make this story, overall, more memorable for me.



I loved this. Very compelling, suspenseful and thoughtful. I will definitely be picking up more books from Kia Abdullah in the future.

Thank you so much to the publisher, St. Martin's Press, for providing me with a copy of this to read and review. I love discovering new authors to enjoy, so thanks for adding another to my auto-buy list!

[jessica · Rating 5 out of 5]

i dont like telling people what to do, but this book comes out in less than two weeks and it needs to go on everyones TBR list N O W!

holy crap. this is a shocking ride. it grabbed my attention right from the first page and never let go. what seems like a pretty open and shut case becomes a tangled mess of he said, she said. literally. i went from moments of believing the stories of both jodie and the boys accused, to not believing a single thing anyone said, to finally being shocked speechless.

my favourite part is the second half of the story - when the court room drama begins. i love watching court proceedings that are broadcasted for high profile cases and this feels like the reader is watching a living, breathing court case. i cant begin to describe how realistic this is, with so many relevant and hard hitting points on rape, women in male dominated work environments, race and religion, cultural gender roles, and violence.

this is really well written and so applicable to many things that happen in todays society. a definite must read for investigatory crime enthusiasts. so go add this to your TBRs immediately - im watching you! :P

PS. quick shout out to the author, the lovely kia abdullah. thank you so much for including me in this marketing campaign and sending me an ARC! you are honestly one of the sweetest human beings on the planet and it has been such a pleasure to read your book. i wish it (and you) nothing but the success and attention it deserves. cant wait to see what you write next!!

↠ 4.5 stars

[Julie · Rating 5 out of 5]

Take it Back by Kia Abdullah is a 2020 St. Martin’s Press publication.

Outstanding!

Zara Kaleel was on the path to legal greatness when she abruptly reversed course. She is now working at a sexual assault center-a far cry from the illustrious career her family expected from her.

When a teenager, Jodie Wolfe, comes in to report she’s been raped, Zara embarks on a life defining journey to find justice for Jodie no matter what the personal cost to herself.

What sets this case apart from others is that Jodie suffers from a malady which presents with facial deformities. She has accused a group of nice Muslim boys of sexually assaulting her at a party. As a result, her allegations are met with extreme skepticism by nearly everyone, including her best friend and even her own mother.

Zara, though, is firmly in Jodie’s corner every step of the way, even when her family pressures her to give up on the case, and even when her own life is on the line…

I’m giving this book the highest marks possible! Just as I was lamenting the lack of pure legal thrillers, this book comes along. The author certainly knows how to weave a mesmerizing, unflinchingly raw story and explore every possible angle, from every single perspective. Every page of this book challenged me, kept me in a constant state of uncertainty, and literally on the edge of my seat. My emotions were all over the place, leaving me wrecked, drained, and exhausted before all was said and done- a reaction I seldom have when reading crime fiction.

The pitch perfect pacing kept me in thrall as I absorbed all the repercussions, the consequences, the doubts, and the many layers and complexities of the story.

There are some truly riveting courtroom scenes, from a British courtroom angle, which was interesting for me. That said, this book is much more than a legal thriller. It’s deep, dark, brilliantly plotted, with a no holds barred approach. Yet, the book, as raw and harrowing as it may be, is written with polish and style. This book would make a great book club selection and might even be a good movie-if done right.

I can’t wait to hear more from Zara the brave!!

All the stars!!

[Liz · Rating 5 out of 5]

5 stars, among the best of 2020
This book has a fabulous premise and Abdullah does a great job fleshing this story out. Zara was a hotshot London lawyer before shucking it all to be an advocate for rape victims. Her client, Jodie Wolfe has physical deformities reminiscent of The Elephant Man. She alleges that four young Muslim boys attacked her after a party. No one else believes Jodie. And, in truth, I had no clue. Both stories seemed believable and with every alternating bit of story revealed, my opinion changed.
What adds layers to the story is that Zara is also Muslim. Not just because she’s representing a white girl against the Muslim boys, but also because she’s rebelled against the Muslim standard for women. It touches on loyalty and to whom it’s owed. Is Zara right to put her client about her family?
No matter who is innocent or guilty, everyone’s lives have been changed forever. We are given an omniscient view of the events and hear everyone’s thoughts. She shows us the wildness of it all, “the papers, the circus, the baying crowds.” And the ending threw me for a total loop. I really needed a book that engaged me and this one was it.
I would recommend this to those who enjoyed Angie Kim’s Miracle Creek, another book that was so much more than the standard mystery and courtroom thriller.
My thanks to netgalley and St. Martin’s Press for an advance copy of this book.

[Brenda ~The Sisters~Book Witch · Rating 5 out of 5]

HOT DIGGITY DANG!!! I am speechless with that OMG ending!!! If you haven't read this, I highly recommend making this one your next one!

Take It Back is a gripping, intense, explosive courtroom drama that explores racial and gender conflicts, family, and duty. Zara, a formal barrister now rape counselor, is divided between her family, her heart, and her job when 16-year-old Jodie accuses four boys of rape. Jodie is white and disabled with a facial disformity, and the boys are from hardworking immigrant families.

I loved Zara, and she makes for a strong female character here, with conflicts and flaws of her own while she deals with her expected role as a woman that her family expects and backlash from members of the Muslim community. The tension rises as she rejects traditions and those expected subservient roles and behavior.

"Oppression doesn't spread through men with guns, or bombs on trains. Oppression spreads when women like you tell their daughters to marry a certain man, or wear a certain dress, or work a certain job.~Zara

"Women aren't born warriors, we learn to fight because we have to" ~Zara

The story is a tough, emotionally charge one with many themes explored, and Kia Abdullah holds back no punches. It is brilliantly and skillfully written in layers on top of layers and peeled back throughout the story. It's bold and brave and messy and gives us so much to think about and talk about.

"That's your problem, Zar. You want life in neat and predictable boxes when it's actually a river of shit "~ Safran.

The ending is brilliant with unexpected turns to the story, and every detail is wrapped up skillfully. Kia Abdullah has written a gem of a story here, and she is another author that is moving forward and away from those expected plots and characters. I look forward to more from her and Zara.

"I want forgiveness, for others and for myself. I want to accept that the journey is all there is. That when you get there, there's no there there and so you keep going, keep trying, keep looking for ways to fill that hole but it will never be filled because we are just human and life has holes-it just does. That's what I want." ~Zara

And that is what I want!

This one ticks all the boxes for me for what makes a better read!

Diverse read that addresses expected roles of gender and race but stays away from expected behaviours and stereotyped characters.
Explores some tough themes without manipulating or playing on our emotions
Delivers a story that made me think and feel with the characters
Characters that had me questioning their actions and behavior while horrifying me and breaking my heart.
A brave, bold, heartstopping, heartbreaking, thoughtful, and intense page-turner.

I am so grateful to my reading sister Lindsay who reads with me, for reading and discussing this one while I analyzed every detail. lol

I received a copy from the publisher through NetGalley

[Michael David (on hiatus) · Rating 5 out of 5]

This is a tense, sometimes brutal, courtroom thriller that doesn’t let up until the very last page.

Zara Kaleel is a Muslim woman who left her job as barrister to work as a legal representative at a sexual assault center. Her current case involves Jodie Wolfe, a disfigured 16-year old who claims four male classmates raped her. Jodie is white, and the classmates are Muslim. While Jodie’s mom and best friend don’t believe her, Zara quickly finds that she does.

What follows is an emotional, powerful, taut legal thriller that focuses a strong lens on rape and race (and racial tensions). Zara’s own family tells her to withdraw from the case, as she shouldn’t be working against Muslims...especially this group of teenagers who are seen as respectable.

Zara asks at one point, “Am I supposed to put my religion ahead of the fact that I’m a woman? Do I owe more loyalty to Islam than a girl who has been victimized?”

The case sparks rage and cultural divides, leading to protests and danger. Who is lying? Who is telling the truth? Who wishes they could take it back?

Author Kia Abdullah does not mince words. Her writing is fantastic, and you’ll feel the heated tension as if you are in the courtroom. Zara is an intriguing character with many facets, and I’m glad to see she returns for the follow up. This is a powerful, thought provoking read that could have been ripped from the headlines.

TW: Detailed descriptions of sexual assault and derogatory language.

Thank you to St. Martin’s Press, Kia Abdullah, and NetGalley for a widget of this ARC in exchange for an honest review.

[Regina · Rating 5 out of 5]

When a book expertly takes on such important themes as rape, race, substance abuse, cultural misogyny, and bullying, it hardly seems fair to classify it as a “courtroom thriller.” I hope that label, along with the generic and forgettable name TAKE IT BACK, won’t limit its reach this December when the novel gets its US hardback debut.

TAKE IT BACK tells the story of Jodie, a 16-year-old white girl with severe facial deformities (and a negligent, alcoholic mother) who accuses four Muslim classmates of rape. Jodie’s sexual assault advocate Zara, herself a Muslim, faces various abuses herself for standing by the girl’s side. She’s an Uncle Tom, they say, as if allegiance to race should supersede the pursuit of truth and justice. Since readers don’t know what really happened between Jodie and the boys until the final pages, it’s easy to put yourself in Zara’s shoes as she faces backlash for her yet unproven convictions.

Clearly the subject matter makes this a difficult and even graphic read at times, but it is one well worth it in the end.

I received a complimentary review copy from the author and publisher via NetGalley. TAKE IT BACK is now available (12/8/20) in the US. I also eagerly await the US publication of its follow up, TRUTH BE TOLD.

[Blaine · Rating 4 out of 5]

Am I supposed to put my religion ahead of the fact that I’m a woman? Do I owe more loyalty to Islam than a girl who has been victimised?
...
Can’t you see, Mum? Oppression doesn’t spread through men with guns, or bombs on trains. Oppression spreads when women like you tell their daughters to marry a certain man, or wear a certain dress, or work a certain job. It happens when women like you tell us – gently and with all the love in the world – not to peek above the parapet, instead to stay at home, to be quiet, to be kind, to be good.

Thanks to NetGalley and St. Martin’s Press for sending me an ARC of Take It Back in exchange for an honest review.

Jodie Wolfe, a 16-year-old girl with a disfigured face, accuses four classmates of raping her one night after a party. The accused are Muslims, sons of hard-working parents trying to make a better life in London. The trial that results exposes conflicts about the rights of rape victims, the accused, and the prejudice against Muslims in modern Western societies.

The best part of this novel is the lead character, Zara Kaleel, who is Jodie’s legal advocate. She is a flawed, damaged character—emotionally distant, difficult relationship with her family, abusing several substances, engaging in casual sex to try to forget her problems, etc. Typically, such backstories are written for white male leads, so presenting a Muslim woman with those flaws is a nice change of pace. Her faith places her at the epicenter of this story, as she becomes the focus for both those seeking justice for Jodie and those who believe she’s an Uncle Tom helping an unfair system persecute four more brown kids.

The problem I had with the story was Jodie. Her behavior was odd throughout the entire story. We know almost from the beginning that she is lying about something having to do with the rape—we see her tell the same story differently to Zara and then the police. The effect is that you are then waiting for almost the entire book to learn what really happened that night. For me at least, it reduced the tension, and cheapened the final twists.

The writing is very crisp and strong. The main and even secondary characters are nicely developed. The relationship between Zara and Erin reminded me of Alicia and Kalinda from the TV show The Good Wife. A solid story, even if I didn’t love the ending.

Review originally posted back in October. Reposting to bump because today is the publication day!

[Canadian Jen · Rating 4 out of 5]

Ever say something then regret it? Once it’s out though, especially in public, there’s no taking words back. Whether true or false.
The penalty can be victimizing and shameful.
This story is one inside another- a larger racial story to be told. A former lawyer turned rape advocate has her own battle to fight as she enters the court for a rape victim. Her own Muslim culture, community and family question her motives as she fights for a girl who claims was raped by 4 Muslim boys.
A superb read;
Writing great.
4.25 ⭐️

[Jayme · Rating 4 out of 5]

This is a crime novel which is as much about RACE as it is about RAPE.

Zara Kaleel, herself a Muslim, left her prestigious role as barrister, to join Artemis House as an independent sexual violence advisor. and is representing Jodie Wolfe, a white teen who has suffered from neurofibromatosis, a genetic disorder that has caused her to have a severe face deformity.

Jodie arrives at Artemis House with a compelling story of how four Muslim Boys have raped her.

Should Zara put religion ahead of the fact that she is a woman?
Does she owe more loyalty to Islam than to a girl who has been Victimized?
Will it be possible to stay in the background? Should she?

What starts out as one girl vs four boys becomes a flashpoint in race relations, as the community chooses sides and turns on those who don’t see things the same way.

Who is telling the truth?
Jodie or the boys?
The truth is rarely black and white.

Is Zara really the best woman for the job or is she haunted by too many demons of her own?

This is intelligently written, S L O W burn, Crime Fiction which takes 55% to set up, and then turns to the trial for the second half of the book. You won’t know the whole truth till the very LAST page.

Though not particularly riveting, it is thought provoking, for those patient enough to invest in a story, which I could easily see, in today’s headlines, provoking protests and riots in communities already reeling in pain.

TRIGGER WARNING: Sexual Assault is examined and cross examined so it cannot be avoided

I would like to thank HarperCollins Publishing for the invitation to read this. Once I accepted, I was provided a digital ARC through Netgalley in exchange for a candid review.

AVAILABLE NOW!

[Kaceey · Rating 4 out of 5]

Rarely do I read a blurb going into my upcoming read. For me, the less I know the better. I find it only adds to the anticipation and mystery of it all.

So let me start by saying the premise took me by complete surprise! And I mean that in the best of ways! I got so much more than I ever expected.

Zara Kaleel gave up her life as top-notch attorney to devote her time to a sexual assault referral center. In doing so she sacrificed so much more than just her brilliant career. She found it necessary to step away from her family as she realized she couldn’t continue living the life path they set out for her.

Her latest case to tackle is a teenage girl born with deformities, accusing four boys from her school with rape.

This book covered several issues including race, religion and sexual assault.

I’m going to keep my review vague in the event you want to enter this read blindly too. You’re welcome!

I’ll just say, if you enjoy legal thrillers that will have you questioning guilt - innocence and everything in between, then this one will more than hold your attention! Don’t miss this fabulous debut.
Already looking forward to the next release from this highly talented new author.

A buddy read with Susanne! (Great pick Susanne!)

Posted to: https://books-are-a-girls-best-friend...

Thank you to NetGalley and St. Martin’s Press for an ARC to read and review.

[Linda · Rating 5 out of 5]

"Tell the truth, or someone will tell it for you." (Stephanie Klein)

Kia Abdullah has struck the match and lit this one on fire. Seriously......My jaw is locked in the dropped position for good reason. Ya gotta check this one out. I'm still feeling the embers burning inside my head.

The door swings open and sixteen year old Jodie Wolfe slowly makes her way to the desk of Zara Kaleel, former lawyer extraordinaire and now sexual assault victim advocate. What Artemis House in East London lacks in decor and ambiance, it makes up for in dedicated individuals willing to fight the good fight on behalf of their clients.

But the tiny figure of a shadow cast upon Zara's desk will forever change the lives of all those who will come close to this case, including Zara herself. Jodie softly begins by telling Zara that she suffers with neurofibromatosis which has left her face severely disfigured. But Jodie has a story that will lead with more impact than her physical frailties. Jodie had been raped by four Muslim boys. She knew them from her school where, on a daily basis, she's been taunted and ridiculed by her classmates. We'll shake our heads in dismay as the details come to light. And most of all, whose truth is the truth?

Kia Abdullah sets this story in the midst of surround sound. We'll get a birds-eye view of Zara as well with the imprints of her life as a young Muslim woman encased in a strict Muslim family. All her efforts to becoming her own person are met with negativity from her domineering brother and sisters. In reality, we all bring the heavy weight of our own baggage into every encounter, every situation, every interaction, both lightly and intensely, with another human being in our presence. Alongside Zara, we'll see this within ourselves.

Throughout Take It Back, we will experience the fine lines drawn between gender, religious denomination, culture, societal norms, and familial expectations until the lines broaden and broaden into thick, impassable stains of demarcation. I entered into these pages sitting back and letting the words dust over me as the unfolding of a typical Mystery/Thriller. Those thoughts have completely drifted away and have been replaced by my spine sitting up with rigidity.

Take It Back is one of the best reads of 2020. And I don't say that lightly. Abdullah forces us to see things as they really are......the pockets of comfort that we create for ourselves and the solace of lies that get us through the day. It's a brilliant read and a must read for all of us.

I received a copy of Take It Back through NetGalley for an honest review. My thanks to St. Martin's Press and to the talented Kia Abdullah for the opportunity.

[Holly B · Rating 4 out of 5]

A good courtroom drama!

I enjoyed this first installment of the series. A slow start for me, but once the trial started, I was hooked.

Zara Kaleel is an attorney who gave up her prestigious career to help those less fortunate. She takes the case of 16 year old Jodie who has accused four classmates of rape. Zara is good at her job, but she has flaws too. Her personal life is a bit of a mess.

I had to finish, to know what happened, to see how it happened. Loved all the POV's included. Thanks Michael for bringing this author to my attention!

What an ending!

Recommend if you enjoy emotional and disturbing stories with a powerful message.

Own it/ Read in 12/21

[chantalsbookstuff · Rating 4 out of 5]

This book had me in its grips. It brings so much to the table that makes you wonder what is the actual truth? I felt all the feels for Jodie, allegedly raped by four Muslim boys. But their storylines make you doubt the allegations, and at the same time, Jodie’s character and statement really come across as her truth. But who is lying?

Yes, there is a lot to this court case. The fact that Jodie has a medical condition, a deformity of her face, that she’s introverted and shies away from people apart from her best friend Nina, who in turn doesn’t believe her. A brutal journey of feelings towards the truth.

But that ending left me angry, like throw the Kindle across the room angry. Yes, it gave us the answer, but I wanted… no, NEEDED more for closure. Yes, I’m pissed.

[Susanne · Rating 4 out of 5]

Review also posted on blog: https://books-are-a-girls-best-friend...

A Highly Emotional Story that Packs one Hell of a Punch.

There are two sides to every story. The difficulty is determining wherein lies the truth.

In London, a young teenage girl accuses four teenage boys of rape. The victim is Jodie Wolfe, a girl with facial deformities. The accused are four Muslim boys who claim innocence.

No one is left unscathed. And I mean No One.

Zara Kaleel is a Victim’s Advocate and a former barrister who is on Jodie’s side, for better or worse. Zara, you see is Muslim and her involvement makes things tricky.

Assault, gender, race, religion, discrimination, and misogyny are highly prevalent throughout.

Questions abound. Constant questions. The truth is never clear cut.

A Trial Ensues.

Complicated, Captivating, Disturbing, Emotional, Evocative.

The characters and the plot are so perfectly delivered, so heartbreakingly real. “Take it Back” by Kia Abdullah makes you stop, look, and listen and hopefully think before you act.

A buddy read with Kaceey that gave us much to discuss.

Thank you to NetGalley and St. Martin’s Press for the arc.

Published on NetGalley and Goodreads on 12.22.20.

[Warda · Rating 2 out of 5]

This was slightly all over the place for me. I think the author attempted too much?
Not only was this a rape case about a girl with a disfigurement who grew up in a crappy household but also about 4 boys who’s faith overshadowed their actions. Or more accurately, their actions combined with the fact that they’re of Muslim, Asian descent, fuelled the narrative of this story. Truly representing the reality that is your typical, toxic, British/Western media.

I didn’t like this, nor did I hate it. I didn’t find it as compelling as I thought it was going to be since the the author tackled huge matters such as islamophobia, the treatment of immigrants and Muslims in the UK in particular, a sensitive issue such as rape and how easily women are discredited, race/religion and what have you.

It just felt a bit too much. A lot of sensitive issues were discussed and they felt rushed over and I don’t think the issues were given enough time to let it simmer just because the plot was so fast-paced. It jumped from one thing to the next.

And the way the faith was represented read distastefully. The fact that a clear distinction wasn’t made between the fuck-up that is culture and privilege/toxic masculinity and what the faith teaches left a bad taste in my mouth.

[Lindsay L · Rating 5 out of 5]

5 stars!

Intense. Heart-breaking. Shocking. Uncomfortable. Thought-provoking.

Sixteen-year-old Jodie comes to Artemis House, a sexual assault crisis centre, to seek help and support after a brutal attack. Jodie was born with extreme facial deformities and has no form of support in her home life. Zara takes on the case at the crisis centre, promising to accompany Jodie through every step from reporting the assault to the police to attending court with her. Zara is Muslim, as are the group of four boys that Jodie is accusing of rape.

This book was intense! There are several heavy topics covered that the author didn’t shy away from delving deep into. The writing was outstanding and kept me fully engrossed from start to finish. The characters were phenomenal — each character brought a complex layer of intrigue and emotion to the storyline. The storyline itself is highly controversial, uncomfortable and deeply contemplative. I didn’t know where to place my thoughts throughout this novel - it challenged me to keep my mind and heart open to whatever outcome would happen. My heart broke repeatedly yet I also questioned many of the characters motives and intentions throughout. This book kept me guessing until the very end where I was completed shocked. This was outstanding in every possible way!

The characters and this storyline will stay with me for a long time. It weighs heavy on my heart and has easily made its way onto my Favourites List. I highly recommend! I was thrilled to find out this is a series and I can’t wait to get my hands on a copy of Book 2!

Thank you to St. Martin’s Press for the review copy! Expected date of publication is December 8th.

[Bibi · Rating 3 out of 5]

*Spoiler*

There's an antipathy that underlies some aspects of this story which in and of itself diminishes the impact of the main subject matter: rape.

Undoubtedly, Rape is a harrowing & dehumanizing incident but when conflated with religion, an already tense situation is amplified. Abdullah was about as subtle as a sledgehammer re her disdain for Muslim men and this story suffers due to the overt prejudice and misandry that permeates almost every page.

We're introduced to, Jodie, the alleged rape victim and to our protagonist, Zara, a lawyer who works at a centre that provides legal counsel to rape victims. Jodie claims she was raped by four young Muslim men: Amir Rabbani, Hassan Tanweer, Mohammed Ahmed, and Farid Khan.

I should mention that Zara Kaleel is also Muslim although she'd long become disillusioned and disdainful of her culture and if we're to believe her, there are only two tribes of Muslim women of which she ensures to inform the reader that she's neither: the "docile housewife with Tumeric stained hands" and the "rebel who uses her sexuality to subvert her culture".
She being the college-educated, high flying lawyer-turned-activist who wears Piaget watches and carries Celine bags. I scoffed loudly and shook my head at this load of self-loathing disguised as enlightenment.

Anyway, back to Jodie. As if the plot wasn't explosive enough, we learn she has a severe facial disfigurement and has had to endure years of abuse both at school and home and understandably, she's a loner.

Once the trial starts, the powder-keg that is race/religion explodes; Zara is vilified for daring to represent a White woman while her life, as well as a penchant for dating White men, are splayed all over the News; meanwhile, the boys are subjected to hate crimes.

With heightened race tensions, the case plods along unconvincingly; furthermore, we discover that the victim and her accusers had told several lies. Who is telling the truth? Is Jodie a vindictive scorned girl or are the boys sociopaths?

Abdullah eventually pulls the "plot twist" at the last hour when a cell phone recording of the entire incident is conveniently found which then completely exonerates the boys.

Or did it?

Sigh. All in all, I would have given this a higher rating had the author not pulled another twist, and on the very last page no less, seemingly out of thin air. All it did was create a huge plot hole that made the reader question why Jodie would recant her accusations even though she knew she'd been truthful all along?!!! It made no sense. None.

[Dem · Rating 4 out of 5]

A terrific legal thriller that is intelligent and through provoking. I really enjoyed stepping into January with this one. It’s well written with plenty of discussion for a book group.

I am fussy when it comes to thrillers and love finding something different and fast paced and Take it back was just the type of thriller I enjoy. I am drawn to court room drama style novels and couldn’t put this book down. A novel where you are encouraged to take part as a juror and listen to the evidence before you and try to come to a verdict.

The author takes on some very difficult and ugly topics in this book but I think she handles them well and I found myself engrossed in the story and finished this one in a couple of nights. It is disturbing in places and there were times I felt utterly shocked. When I read books like this I just wish I could have a real life book group discussion straight after I have finished the read, but sadly in Covid times this will not happen for some time.

I did however find the last few pages of the book a little bit contrived and wasn’t a fan of the ending, but it didn’t affect my overall rating of the novel.

A tense and thought provoking thriller for readers of this genre and another novel for my favorites shelf.

[Margaret M - (having a challenging time and on GR as much as I can) · Rating 5 out of 5]

What could be worse for a woman (person) than to be the victim of a brutal rape where the savage deed is not the only violation, but the resulting rape examination and the ensuing court case can be as intrusive and traumatic for the victims as the ugly deed itself. However, what could be more harrowing for a man (person) than to be wrongly accused of rape, because with such accusations the guilt is often assumed when the allegations are made, by the press, by the public, making it difficult for the wrongly accused to clear their name and reputation completely. “For truth is truth to the end of reckoning” (Shakespeare)

Four Muslim boys, Amir and his 3 friends, are steadfast in their defence and claim to be the victims of false accusations, while Jodie a sixteen-year-old disabled white girl is equally unwavering in her claims that she was lured under false pretences to a warehouse and then raped. Someone is a victim, and someone is lying, but who?. A fascinating subplot to spice things up is the backlash Jodie’s solicitor receives from the Muslim community for defending a white girl against their own.

The story takes us into the court room for an explosive trial that will reveal conflicting accounts, obsessions, twists, turns and hidden secrets, and explosive court room scenes that will leave you drained, emotionally exhausted, but gripped. Because both accuser and accused, are credible in their defence and convincing in their accusations, but both have gaps in their accounts of what happened that night and are even doubted by their own friends and family.

This is an immensely powerful and thought-provoking story that will have you engrossed from start to finish and must be the best book I have read, with this difficult subject matter. The author did a fantastic job at developing a fast-paced story that was absorbing, evocative, unsettling, and disturbing as we struggle to work out who is actually telling the truth. The character development was superb. All were flawed and complex in some way whilst their true selves were revealed to us gradually as the suspense kept going and growing through the book. A stunning plot with a significant discovery at the end that will leave you reeling, questioning and angry.

The book provides a dramatic and credible insight into the traumatic experience for the accused and accuser in rape trails which is why so many rapes never make it to court in the UK. A dreadful indictment in itself.

Highly recommended and a brilliant book by Kia Abdullah.

[DeAnn · Rating 5 out of 5]

5+ courtroom stars

If you are looking for your next amazing book to read, look no further than “Take it Back” by Kia Abdullah. This will finish in my top reads for the year. This is one of those books that I knew was a solid 5 star read for me, no rounding up or generosity needed!

The premise starts as a simple one, a young white teenager comes forward to accuse 4 young men, classmates of hers, of rape after a party. Things get more complicated when you learn that the young woman – Jodie -- has facial deformities, and the four young men are all from the Muslim community. Set in the UK, there were some differences in the court proceedings. However, some things hold true no matter the setting. The defense tries to discredit the woman and the accused are all built up. In this case as wonderful young men contributing to the Muslim community along with their immigrant parents and families. There are some questions around what happened and whether Jodie is telling the truth.

Zara Kaleel is a fascinating character. A former high-powered lawyer she now puts her legal skills to work advocating for victims of sexual abuse. She believes Jodie’s story and the case goes to trial. The tension builds and there are tough sections where the rape is recounted. Racial tension builds in the community, even to the point of violence, and the press is fanning the flames. Zara is Muslim so her community feels that she is betraying them by representing Jodie and even her family is torn. I admired Zara’s passion and bravery, especially standing up to the high standards that women have to face and the culture of the Muslim community. For her, it’s not about race or religion, but doing the right thing.

This one was a wild intense ride and kept me engrossed all throughout the book, even in tears at one point. I thought things were resolved, but there is a lot of story to tell here! I notice this one is called Zara Kaleel #1, so I’m anxious to read the next installment already!

Thank you to St. Martin's Press and NetGalley for the copy of this one to read. This one is now available!!

[Marialyce · Rating 5 out of 5]

5 enthusiastic stars

This was such a fabulous book that I can't hardly find the words necessary to convey how very good it was. It combined decisive writing, tight scenes, and a flow that made the book seamless.

A sixteen year old white deformed girl , Jodie, has allegedly been attacked by four Muslim boys. The boys come from hard working immigrant families and while Jodie is the only one who can back up her claims, the four boys swear that nothing happened. Seeking help, Jodie enlists the assistance of Zara Kaleel, a young accomplished lawyer who left the prestigious job she once held to help those who are victims. Zara is a Muslim woman modern in her thinking and as her defense of Jodi continues she becomes the brunt of not only the Muslim community but also members of her family as well.

The scenes flip back and forth between the court, the conferences and meeting that both Jodie and the boys hold with their lawyers, the talks between the boys themselves, and Jodie and Zara. It's a heartbreaking tale especially for Jodie, who has always been ugly to others, her mother, and herself. In the end who is telling the truth is the ultimate question.

The topics covered in this story not only include rape, but also racial prejudice, religion, disabilities, and culture. This is a hard hitting book, one that cut to not only the he said, she said defense in rape cases, but also presents each and every character with their faults and feelings laid to bear.

The bottom line is the fact that many people form their opinions based on how a person looks, what nationality they are and how convincing they can be in the courtroom setting. It's a bold story one that propels the reader into their own conflicting opinion and at the end makes them well aware of the frailties of many that some seem to prey upon.

Definitely a very strong recommendation for reading this book. Certainly a book that well holds the reader's interest and I want to thank Netgalley and the publisher for an advanced copy of this meaningful book due out on December 8, 2020

[Christina · Rating 5 out of 5]

This is a heartbreaking, well-written and thoughtful book about sexual assault. The entire book centers on an accusation of gang rape by four high school boys against a fellow student. The accuser is a disabled white girl with a severe facial deformity. The four boys accused are Muslim immigrants from successful, hardworking families who are popular in their class. The ultimate question of the book is, did the four boys rape her or did she make it up?

Pretty much everything in this book will break your heart, from the treatment of the girl with the facial disfigurement (called “fish face” and “too ugly to be raped”) to the racist treatment of the Muslim boys, who are set upon by a vicious and biased white tabloid media and the racist white public.

This is not an easy read but it is an important and rewarding one, tackling issues of misogyny and racism with equal thoughtfulness. It’s also a great mystery that will keep you guessing until the very last page. From my experience as a criminal prosecutor, unfortunately I can also say that it is a fairly (or, I should say, unfairly) realistic portrayal of many events that often unfold in sexual assault trials. The author does a fantastically skillful job of showing the darkest parts of a rape trial from both sides.

I felt a great sadness reading this book, but Abdullah did a fantastic job in explaining the dynamics of sexual assault and why certain things happen during the course of a trial. She also did a great job examining the racism and religious bias inherent in our systems of law and the media. Without spoiling I can say I thought the ending did justice to the story on both fronts.

This is one of those books you should read when you are ready for something darker that will educate you and push the boundaries of your own opinions and preconceived biases. At the same time you will be rewarded with a page-turning, suspenseful mystery as gripping as any psychological thriller. In this way, I found this book to be excellent and on par with Steph Cha’s Your House Will Pay, in terms of both it’s depth on race/religion and gender issues and it’s excellent mystery. It is hard to envision any 2020 “Best Of” books list that does not have “Take it Back” on it.

Grateful to NetGalley, St. Martin’s Press and Kia Abdullah for the chance to read an advance copy of this excellent book. My review is honest and my own. I will definitely be reading any other books Kia Abdullah puts out in the future.

[Nina (ninjasbooks) · Rating 3 out of 5]

I wanted to stop reading this book so many times, but had invested so much time in it that I finished it. I felt no anticipation, just a bit of curiosity about the ending. I can’t pinpoint why I couldn’t engage with the characters, maybe because I’ve heard it all before and therefore it was predictable ?

[benedicta · Rating 4 out of 5]

4.2⭐️ new auto-buy author alert 😍