SHORTLISTED FOR THE 2025 WOMEN''S PRIZE FOR FICTION
''A NEW NAME TO WATCH OUT FOR'' THE TIMES
''THE DEBUT OF THE YEAR'' STYLIST
''ELECTRIC'' GUARDIAN
A wildly funny and razor-sharp exploration of love, family, religion and the decisions we make in pursuit of belonging.
''By normal, you mean like you? A slag with a saviour complex?''
Nadia is an academic who''s been disowned by her puritanical mother and dumped by her lover, Rosy. She decides to make a getaway, accepting a UN job in Iraq. Tasked with rehabilitating ISIS women, Nadia becomes mired in the opaque world of international aid, surrounded by bumbling colleagues.
Sara is a precocious and sweary East Londoner who joined ISIS at just fifteen.
Nadia is struck by how similar they are: both feisty and opinionated, from a Muslim background, with a shared love of Dairy Milk and rude pick-up lines. A powerful friendship forms between the two women, until a secret confession from Sara threatens everything Nadia has been working for.
''Funny, gripping and compassionate'' DOLLY ALDERTON
''Not only hysterically funny but trenchant and necessary. I loved it'' INDIA KNIGHT
''A raunchy, irreverent, touching and daring debut'' PARINI SHROFF
''Essential reading'' JONATHAN COE
''A breath of fresh air'' MARIAN KEYES
''Original, funny and fearless'' NINA STIBBE
