In Zara Raheem’s newest novel, we meet Nadia Abbasi—whose attempts to save her marriage create unexpected complications—and follow her as she navigates the twists and turns of love. Perfect for fans of Sonali Dev, Christina Lauren, and Sara Desai.

 
 
 
 

Nadia Abbasi’s marriage is falling apart. It starts with a gifted Roomba, but when she stumbles upon some questionable photos in her husband Aman’s office, everything makes sense—the late-night texting, the sudden interest in fitness, the new clothes. Aman—the kind, thoughtful man she married—is having an affair.

Determined to find out what went wrong in her marriage, Nadia enlists the help of Zeba, the estranged sister she hasn’t seen or spoken to since their mom’s funeral over a year ago. As the two sisters fight to reconcile their past, Nadia realizes her relationship with Aman is not the only one that needs mending.

Nevertheless, the plan itself is simple: confront the “other woman” and win back her husband. Her clumsy attempt at sleuthing leads her from yoga studio—Aman’s latest hangout—to a three-day wellness retreat in the foothills of the Santa Monica mountains. But somewhere in between falling out of tree pose and choking down plant-based meals, Nadia’s plans unravel again when she discovers more than she expected about herself, her husband, and the nature of love.

 
 
 

Praise for “The Retreat”

"A brilliantly etched portrayal of a young woman navigating the ties that bind and finding herself in the process. You will want to devour it in one sitting." — Yaffa S. Santos, author of A Taste of Sage and A Touch of Moonlight

“Deeply poignant and delightfully entertaining, The Retreat is the perfect novel about love, longing and forgiveness.” — Lauren Gershell, author of That's What Frenemies Are For

“A gentle yet heart-wrenching exploration of how endings can also be seen as beginnings—depending on your point of view.” — Kirkus Reviews

"Raheem’s second novel (after The Marriage Clock) is heartfelt, well-paced, and engrossing. The book explores themes of infertility, gender roles, sisterhood, the South Asian diaspora, and the experience of children of immigrants. Raheem’s story is lively and funny, and readers will feel like cheering on lovable Nadia as she takes desperate measures to save her marriage and find peace." — Library Journal

“The real treat of the book is the relationship between the sisters. Raheem writes of their bond in all its complicated, messy and loving glory.” — Booklist

“A thoroughly enjoyable, unpredictable and skillfully written novel…The Retreat would be a terrific, upbeat movie. Fans of Emily Henry, Sophie Kinsella, Elin Hilderbrand and Sonali Dev, among other clever romantic comedy writers, should embrace this treat.” — BookTrib

“Takes readers into the heart of Muslim immigrant communities and explores the struggles of young women as they navigate culture, faith, community, and Islamophobia to find love and happiness…enjoyable, witty, and satisfying.” — International Examiner

“Raheem has  thoroughly written a pair of sisters who embody what love and care truly is. This is not a romantic love story, but a love story nevertheless. It is the love of sisterhood and family. Love for the people who look past the faults and value the heart.” — Soapberry Review

“The Retreat delivers a rollercoaster ride of emotions as the main character charts a course in search of happiness.” — Novels Alive

“A quick and engrossing read, The Retreat does a good job of presenting the dilemmas of women from the Indian diaspora, caught as they are between the stifling and outmoded mores of their families and the liberal culture of the new country they call home.” — Hindustan Times

“The Retreat is a beautifully written novel that explores the complexities of love, loss, and self-discovery…the story is heartwarming and insightful and will stay with you long after you finish reading it.” — Storizen

“Raheem’s storytelling is infused with a radiant warmth and a spirit of optimism…an ideal choice for those seeking an engaging and light-hearted escape from the complexities of everyday life.” — Brown Girl Bookshelf

Press for “The Retreat”