Remembering Hope

by Parastoo Rezai

Life is unpredictable, and happiness is never expected nor guaranteed.

Omid and Bahar defy the odds and jointly discover euphoria when a blind date converges their separate lives onto one path. After twenty years of conjugal bliss, however, life’s journey changes course with the grappling news: Omid is terminally ill with cancer. Bahar must take charge of his care while struggling with her own untimely diagnosis and potential bankruptcy as she resumes her law career and safeguards their two young children.

If someone had asked Bahar several years ago to envision her life’s journey through an illustration on canvas, her masterpiece would depict brush strokes of eternal health, happiness, love, and prosperity. With unwavering love, her life is devastatingly marred by the unraveling of her dreams.

Confronted by her unrelenting hardships, Bahar searches within herself to readjust her life’s path through newfound strength and perseverance, while yearning for renewed hope.

298 pages, Paperback

First published January 5, 2021

Reviews

[Jane Kirkpatrick · Rating 5 out of 5]

A cousin I hadn’t heard from in a long time put me in touch with this debut author Parastoo Rezai, and her novel Remembering Hope. I’m so grateful he did. The author and I have exchanged texts and emails since and I see many more books in her future. This story is about carrying on after a family’s struggle with cancer and dealing with grief, a universal story certainly touching my life. But it is so much more. Based on a true story, it reminded me of what I heard Joyce Carol Oates say at the Festival of Faith and Writing at Calvin College in Michigan years ago. She said three things make a good story. First, to feel empathy for the characters. We care about Bahar and her husband Omid. Living in San Diego, they are an Iranian couple with two kids and Omid, a physician, is dying. His business partner of 20 years has put the practice in jeopardy. As Bahar tries to come to terms with her future as a widow, she learns that she too has been diagnosed with an aggressive cancer. We can cheer for Bahar and their children as she copes with missteps and triumphs, her fears and lack of confidence. Oates’ second “story-building” is that it should give voice to voices seldom heard. In Remembering Hope, that voice is about the life of an Iranian family, how their extended family assisted, the great scenes of weddings, food, sibling interactions and most of all empathy and compassion. Parastoo tells her story with compelling writing and fresh imagery offering a unique fictional voice. Finally, Oates’ third point: a good story is worthy of remembering. This story has stayed in my mind and heart since reading it. Fiction should move us. It very much speaks to the historical women I write of: facing challenges, being shaped by family, friends and faith. It has the added dimension of learning about another culture assimilating into American life yet retaining the richness of one’s own history. A few years ago, the possibility of my speaking in Amman, Jordan came up. I read as many books as I could about Islam, about the Middle East, about women’s lives that I thought were quite different from my own. It turns out, we had much more in common than not. Remembering Hope is a story that opens a door into a world worthy of visiting. Author Rezai has made that door worth walking through. Visit at https://linktr.ee/p2rezaibooks

[Killing It Write · Rating 5 out of 5]

Life is unpredictable, and happiness is never guaranteed.

This debut book by author Parastoo Rezai is an emotional roller coaster, especially when you know it was inspired by a true story. And that real-life story is felt on every single page.

It's a story of love, despair, perseverance, and remembering to hold faith, love, and hope in your heart, no matter what's thrown your way.

If you like Nicholas Sparks, you'll love Remembering Hope!

[Gina Salamon · Rating 5 out of 5]

The characters in this debut novel were inspired by a true story, and Lord what a story it is.

It's a story of love and heartbreak. A story of death and despair and of newfound strength and perseverance.

Remembering Hope is an emotional roller coaster, and a story you won't forget for a very, very long time, if ever.

I highly recommend it!

[RAHELEH ESFANDIARI · Rating 5 out of 5]

A beautiful, "true" story of a woman's journey through love, heartbreak and triumph! A definite must read!

[Tarun Kumar · Rating 5 out of 5]

📚Life is capricious, and bliss are rarely ensured. This introductory book by writer Parastoo Rezai is a passionate, crazy ride, particularly when you realize it was motivated by a genuine story. Furthermore, that genuine story is felt on each and every page. It's an account of adoration, misery, tirelessness, and making sure to hold confidence, love, and expectation in your heart, regardless of what's tossed your direction.

📚Remembering Hope by Parastoo Rezai is taking you in a beautiful journey via love, regardless, heart touching, lovely, adoration, misery, tirelessness. This is really a beautiful novel. This novel teaches you life is unpredictable, and happiness is never expected nor guaranteed.

📚This story starts with a very sad beginning. Omid and Bahar oppose the chances and mutually find elation when an arranged meet up merges their different lives one way. Following twenty years of intimate delight, notwithstanding, life's excursion changes course with the hooking news: Omid is at death's door with malignant growth.

📚On the off chance that somebody had asked Bahar quite a long while prior to imagine her life's excursion through a representation of material, her show-stopper would portray brush strokes of unceasing wellbeing, bliss, love, and success. With steady love, her life is devastatingly defaced by the disentangling she had always wanted.

📚This book unquestionably is a great perused. Additionally, the language and the words were utilized were ordinary and was a typical length perused yet worth it. Read the book, Gift it to close one's and appreciate.

[Prashant Singh · Rating 5 out of 5]

The book is a narrative of the memoirs of a woman who, in her life, has experienced all the finer things as well as the rather harsh reality of losing what made her most happy while dealing with other atrocities of life. It is a memorable and beautiful read as the reader gets transported into "Her world " and feels all the emotions she described so well in the book.

An Iranian woman in her 20's, Bahar is busy being an accomplished lawyer in Iran when she is set up with the man of her dreams - Omid, an Iranian surgeon who's settled in the US. They met and instantly fall head over heels for each other, get married and start their life in the US. Life seems like sunshines and rainbows till Omid is diagnosed with a brain tumor. Bahar finds herself thrown in the pits of hell until she finds a way out.

The writing style of this book is a narrative style where the author narrates her past and present life to the reader. It is basically a memoir as well as a self-help book that can be very real and relateable in a sense that the author has written it in such a way that the feelings and raw emotions of the characters and even the sound of the objects and their surroundings can be vividly created in the mind of the reader. Grab it now.

[Roopi James · Rating 5 out of 5]

This book is a beautiful tribute to love, loss and the resilience of the human spirit. Bahar’s journey is full of joy, hardship and challenges that will resonate with all and ultimately underscores what really matters in life. Although Omid’s diagnosis and deteriorating health undermine the happy life Bahar envisioned, she learns to navigate through these difficult moments with courage, humility and renewed determination. At her most vulnerable moment she discovers inner strength and hope and creates a new future for her family. This book illuminates that although life can be unpredictable, fragile and entails heartbreak one must always be resilient, strive to persevere and most importantly that there is always hope, a must read!

[Mehdi · Rating 5 out of 5]

Amazingly written! Inspirational, and contains real life lessons. Growing up in a family that has gone through similar struggles and I can definitely connect with the author's message. Hope comes in a variety of shapes and forms and for it to be defined as hope we have to struggle and this book amazingly shows how mental toughness plays a big role in our lives, and the author further reaffirms that in the worst possible cases we have to sit back and always be inspired to move forward. Very touching story! Hope is what we live for everyday and we wake up with to move forward, and for someone who is going through a lot of adversaries this book gives them a definitely amazing perspective of life. HIGHLY RECOMMENDED!

[Petty Rader · Rating 5 out of 5]

A beautifully written, poignant story that brings to life the powerful love and resilience of the characters, Omid and Bahar, "Remembering Hope" is a touching and emotionally gripping story told through the voice of upcoming author Parastoo Rezai. Rezai's ability to capture the journey of hope in a time where much hope is needed is truly inspiring. Unlike a traditional Nicholas Sparks romance novel, Rezai's personal experiences as a Persian-American author deeply connects with her global female audience and this was a book I finished in less than a day. I highly recommend this book to anyone searching for a page-turning love story to get lost in that is clearly written from the heart.

[Carla · Rating 5 out of 5]

I highly recommend Remembering Hope! I couldn’t put this book down from the moment I started reading. What an inspiring and beautifully written story that takes your through a series of emotions right alongside the characters. The author, Parastoo Rezai, does an incredible job of connecting you so deeply with the characters, feeling the depth of their love, their struggles, their hopes, and their courage. I felt like I knew the family personally and was fighting alongside them in their pain and bravery. I highly recommend this book to anyone looking to immerse themselves into a journey of perseverance, and the timeless reminder that love and dreams can endure any of life’s challenges.

[Corinne Nareau · Rating 5 out of 5]

What an incredible story! Once started, I couldn't put this book down. Remembering Hope touches on all of your emotions - love, grief, anger, and of course hope. The characters are so well developed; you feel like they're part of your own life. And the imagery throughout the story makes you feel like you're in the story itself. Descriptions of rose gardens, the ocean, fabulous foods, doctor visits, even the act of putting on make-up ... they're all so effectively used to make the story seem so real. Congratulations to Parastoo on a writing such a captivating novel. I highly recommend this book.

[Mimi · Rating 5 out of 5]

This story touched me on a personal level. It reminded me of some of the personal pain I have endured in my life, while giving me hope and courage to stay positive as I look ahead. The way the writer tells the story in this book makes the characters very relatable and one can’t help but root for each one of them until the very end. I recommend this book to anyone who is looking to read a heartwarming book that reinforces the beauty of love, hope, family, and friends in everyday life.

[Claudia Feeney]

Parastoo poetically The tragedies that hit Bahar and her family intertwined with the amazing support of her family and friends. This support and her determination helped Bahar to move forward and have hope!

[Long · Rating 5 out of 5]

This is a must read book!! Beautifully written story that I was unable to put down. It reveals the struggles of Behar and Omid in a relatable way and includes the reader in their families lives. Hopefully a sequel is coming. I want to know more!!!!

[Anna Stokkeland · Rating 5 out of 5]

Above storyline about love and loss

[Mansour Mofidi · Rating 5 out of 5]

Remembering Hope is an inspirational book that takes you for an emotional ride. From the highs of a budding love to the lows of tragedy, you are invested in their journey. It's hard not to fall in love with Omid and Bahar's love story. It's even more poignant, due to the fact the book is inspired by a true story. I truly enjoyed reading this story of love, strength, tragedy, resilience and HOPE! Not only does it show us the power of hope and determination, for me it also showed the importance of family and friends. The fact that we can conquer anything when we have the right support. How important it is to have a hand reach out and help you up when you have fallen. I highly recommend reading this book, you will have a new found appreciation for the power hope and of human resilience.

[Sienna Blake · Rating 5 out of 5]

Our book club had such a meaningful conversation about Remembering Hope. I expected a story about illness, but what stayed with me most was the love story between Bahar and Omid before everything changed. Their first meeting at Café Durée felt so natural and warm, and I loved how their relationship grew through simple conversations, small gestures, and genuine care. The book shows that love is not just about big moments but about the everyday choices people make for each other. Bahar’s strength throughout the story completely moved me.

[Micol · Rating 5 out of 5]

In her debut novel, Parastoo Rezai accompanies us on a journey through the lives of Bahar, a Persian -American woman , her beloved husband Omid and their children.
Readers will be deeply involved in Bahar ‘s emotional path through love,grief and pain and how these experiences will shape her into a different woman.
I strongly reccomend this book as I was deeply involved in its plot , especially knowing it was inspired by a true story

[Wrenley Parker · Rating 5 out of 5]

This book was emotional in a way that felt very honest. Our group talked for almost an hour about Bahar’s journey because she was such a layered character. She was loving, afraid, exhausted, determined, and still trying to hold everything together. Omid’s character also stayed with me because the author showed both the beautiful person he was and the painful reality of watching illness change someone. It was heartbreaking but beautifully written.

[Nola Emerson · Rating 5 out of 5]

I discovered this book through our monthly book club, and I am so glad we chose it. The hospital opening immediately pulled me in because I wanted to understand how Bahar and Omid arrived at that point. The way the story moved between memory and the present made every happy moment feel even more precious. The chapters about their courtship were full of tenderness, which made the later struggles even more powerful.

[Calla Rhodes · Rating 5 out of 5]

What I loved most about this book was that it never made grief feel simple. Bahar’s experience felt real because she wasn’t always strong or certain. She questioned, struggled, hoped, and broke down. Our discussion kept returning to how the story showed love as something you practice every day, especially during the hardest moments. This book reminded me that resilience can be quiet.

[Brielle Sutton · Rating 5 out of 5]

The relationship between Bahar and Omid was the heart of the entire novel. I loved seeing how they connected through humor, conversation, and kindness before facing the unimaginable. The cultural details, family expectations, and traditions added another emotional layer that made the story feel personal and rich. The scenes involving family support were especially touching.

[Elara Bennett · Rating 5 out of 5]

This was not an easy book, but it was an unforgettable one. Our group discussed how the author balanced medical reality with emotional storytelling. The illness was not treated like a simple plot device. Instead, the book showed the fear, waiting, caregiving, and uncertainty that affects an entire family. Bahar’s journey after loss was just as important as her journey with Omid.

[Tessa Monroe · Rating 5 out of 5]

I was surprised by how much the early romance affected me because I knew from the beginning something painful was coming. Watching Bahar and Omid build their life together made the later chapters hit harder. Their love felt genuine because it was shown through ordinary moments. The book captures how memories can become both painful and comforting at the same time.

[Kira Ellison · Rating 5 out of 5]

I appreciated how human every character felt. Shirin, Golnaz, Omid, and Bahar all brought different forms of support and personality into the story. The friendships and family relationships made the book feel larger than just one couple’s story. It showed how one person’s illness affects everyone who loves them.

[Maren Whitely · Rating 5 out of 5]

Bahar is one of those characters who stays with you after finishing the book. I admired the way she kept moving forward even when life became completely different from what she imagined. Her struggle to rebuild herself, return to her goals, and find her identity again was one of my favorite parts.

[Marlowe Bennett · Rating 5 out of 5]

Our book club had a deep discussion about hope after reading this. The title became more meaningful because the story showed hope as something complicated. It wasn’t pretending everything would be fine. It was about continuing even when things were painful. Bahar’s story captured that perfectly.

[Penelope Hayes · Rating 5 out of 5]

I joined the discussion expecting a sad story, but I found so much beauty in it too. The scenes with tea, music, family gatherings, and traditions created warmth even during difficult moments. Those details gave the story balance and reminded me that life continues alongside pain.

[Daniel Kowalski · Rating 5 out of 5]

The opening scene immediately created questions I needed answered. I wanted to know who Omid was, what happened, and how Bahar reached that emotional place. The flashbacks were effective because they allowed the reader to experience both the happiness and the heartbreak.