Some books tell a story. Some books make you feel every page. And this belongs firmly in the second category.

Set against the backdrop of the Syrian civil war, this novel follows Salama, a young pharmacy student forced to become a hospital volunteer amidst unimaginable loss and devastation. While the setting is heartbreaking, this book is ultimately about hope, resilience, love, and the impossible choices people must make to survive.

What struck me most was not the war itself but Salama's emotional journey. The reveal surrounding Layla completely caught me off guard. Looking back, the clues were there, but I was so invested in Salama's story that I never questioned it. When the truth came to light, it transformed an already emotional story into something even more powerful and a poignant portrayal of grief, trauma, and the ways our minds protect us when reality becomes too painful to bear.

A heartbreaking yet hopeful reminder that even in the darkest times, people continue to love, dream, and fight for a better tomorrow.