Publication Date: April 25, 2023
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.
Nadia Abbasi refuses to end up like her late mother, pining for a man who walked away and making excuses for his absence. When her own marriage flounders after 10 years, Nadia’s willing to do whatever it takes to get back on course.
She never imagined she’d be going on a three-day wellness retreat with her husband’s alleged yoga instructor mistress as part of a fact-finding mission.
Author Zara Raheem delivers an intimate look into the life of a woman forced to reevaluate all of the relationships in her life.
Sometimes tender, other times witty, The Retreat excels in highlighting the challenges Nadia faces as she realizes her practical husband is keeping secrets. It’s a highly relatable story made even more appealing by the rekindling of a sisterly bond.
The storyline shines a light on Indian American traditions with references to customs and tasty dishes. The cultural details help shape the impact of the story. Nadia’s sister, Zeba, is exactly the kind of person you want when the going gets tough.
While Nadia initially may have considered herself a victim at the beginning of the book, her journey leads to self-discovery and enlightenment. From start to finish, I simply couldn’t put the book down.
The Retreat delivers a rollercoaster ride of emotions as the main character charts a course in search of happiness.
Zara Raheem received her MFA from California State University, Long Beach. She is the recipient of the James I. Murashige Jr. Memorial award in fiction and was selected as one of 2019’s Harriet Williams Emerging Writers. She resides in Southern California where she teaches English and creative writing. The Marriage Clock is her first novel.
