Review of Remembering Hope

[Marissa F]

[Following is a volunteer review of "Remembering Hope" by Parastoo Rezai.]

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4 out of 4 stars

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Can you imagine what it would be like to have your life turned upside down overnight?

When Bahar agreed to go on a blind date with her best friend’s cousin, she had no idea that her life would change forever. Twenty years later, Omid and Bahar Salehi were living the American dream with their two sons. When Omid was diagnosed with cancer, Bahar’s whole world came crashing down. Caring for her sick husband, dealing with financial and legal troubles, and battling her own health issues would test Bahar’s strength. With the loving support of family and friends, can Bahar gain control of her life back?

We follow Bahar’s story as she meets and falls in love with the man of her dreams in London. Emanating the picture perfect couple for twenty years, Omid and Bahar had it all: a beautiful house, two loving sons, health, and wealth. Until one day, Omid was diagnosed with cancer which began a domino effect of suffering for the entire family. The successful business Omid once ran began to suffer along with his finances, Bahar was forced to postpone her plan to complete law school in order to take care of the family, and finally Bahar’s own health would take a turn for the worst. Alternating between the glory days of Bahar and Omid’s youth, and the unimaginable present, Remembering Hope by Parastoo Rezai will make you question why bad things happen to good people, what the meaning of life is, and how we can cope with having no control of it all.

Rezai’s story flows wonderfully between the past and present in a way that allows you to fall in love with the characters and develop some empathy for their struggles. Bahar goes through battles that we have all dealt with and teaches us how to live in a world that seems meaningless and chaotic. The fact that many of the struggles the Salehis endure are so relatable, readers will find themselves emotionally invested in the character’s lives.

The resolution to some of the plot points felt rushed and some were grazed over completely, leaving a few unanswered questions after finishing the novel. I found myself having to go back to make sure I didn’t miss anything a few times.

This work is professionally edited, as I found no errors. With wonderful character development, and storyline that flows perfectly, I would give Remembering Hope 4 out of 4 stars. This book is recommended for all adults, who love inspirational stories of hardship and courage.

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Remembering Hope
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