Dublin Sisters is a romantic fiction series by Hayat Khan, set in and around the lives of South Asian families living in Dublin, Ireland. The story blends love, cultural expectations, emotional conflict, family loyalty, betrayal, and redemption.
BOOK #1 - FACING FATE
Review:
"Whatever you lost through fate, be certain that it saved you from pain."
Seriously, I read it all in one sitting because I could not put it down. The characters drew me in immediately & the whole time I needed to know what would happen next. I found myself rooting for all the characters and really felt for Nawal.
"But if patience and kindness could bridge the distance between them, he would give her everything he had."
You root for both men in Nawal's life and the author does a great job by making you want to keep reading to figure out her decision in the end. It was the perfect combination of emotional & hopeful.
I felt like the struggles in her marriage were very realistic as her mistakes and how someone from her past kept reappearing at just the right time caused the perfect storm of turmoil inside her.
"I don’t share, Nawal. That’s one thing I drew the line at. I cannot, will not, tolerate another man near you. Ever."
At times you’re not sure which path you want Nawal to take, because both the paths seem right. The writing just flows and you get caught up emotionally in the story. I loved the character of Nawal and enjoyed watching her growth and development as I progressed in the book. She was smart, but cautious and I truly felt for her in all of her struggles. Many things in her life set her on paths that she didn’t intend to take, but that ultimately benefited her.
"She was his weakness. She was all he had ever wanted. And after today, that want had only deepened. But the real question remained, would he ever be enough for her?"
Truly a beautiful story. I couldn’t handle the cliffhanger, so I borrowed the next book in the series and I still find myself struck by this family that just won’t leave my mind.
RATING: 5/5
BOOK #2 FORGIVING YOU
REVIEW:
"Time was running out to seek forgiveness and, most of all, to prove her love. But was it already too late?"
The writing flowed & kept my attention. I loved how the present chapters echoed the past traumas & how that stirred up so many emotions in all the characters, especially to Nawal, making her doubt and question the life she stepped into years ago.
"He was going to try. No more awkward silences. No more emotional distance. It was time to start making things right."
This book takes you on an emotional roller coaster through Nawal's present & past. When the two collide, she has some tough decisions to make. I found myself completely engaged in this book, unable to put it down despite the fact that I often had tears in my eyes. This one got me, but in all the best ways.
“You are my light. My compass. My home. I see the strength in you. The gentleness. The fire. You make me want to be better every single day.”
The exploration of how her past affects her present marriage is raw and honest. The author does such a breathtaking job at not shying away from the hard stuff or trying to make her more likable. instead, the character is splayed out for everyone to judge and come to their own conclusions with.
"Sometimes, it was life’s cruelest moments that opened the heart wide enough to let love in completely. And for Salman, that time had come."
I fell in love with Salman in this book, more than i expected. I wasn’t sure where I wanted the book to go and my feelings were all over the place at the end.
Overall, the portrayal of marriage is so devastatingly real as well and its journey is full of ups and downs and complete uncertainty over what the future holds. All in all, I don't think I have read a novel that felt so perfectly complete through its pages. When the book ended, I was fulfilled as a reader and it left me feeling like I read & felt the entire story the author wanted to put on the page!
RATING: 5/5
BOOK #3 - FORGETTING LOVE
REVIEW:
"Sometimes, love wasn’t enough to keep the pieces of a marriage from breaking apart."
This book was a true rollercoaster. Amazingly well written with a row of love misunderstood, alone & unreturned. I loved this romance. I really enjoyed the characters & I was so rooting for their happily ever after ending once the story got into full swing. You really end up feeling for the characters as they face their fears and struggle to overcome the poisonous repercussions of a terrible mistake and lack of communication & misunderstanding.
"In the struggles of life, I was losing myself. Under the weight of parenthood, We drifted further apart. And “us” faded into silence."
I loved how hard faraz tried to win her. Samreen may have held on to her grudge a bit too long but he really did treat her badly before so it was understandable. Very angsty, lots of yearning and regret for what could have been.
There is so much bitterness and pain between the couple. It's not an easy book to read, but as Faraz started to actually open up to Samreen, instead of lashing out, and work to heal the damage he has previously her, feels more emotionally powerful than that of a lot of frothy romances with meet cutes & humorous banter. This also showcases the shiny fantasy version of what life really is. A reality check for sure!
"For them, I would sacrifice my own happiness. For them, I would swallow my pain. For them, I would look the other way. Only for them."
Most romance couples don't actually have to struggle with marital difficulties & really work to save their relationships. Yet when Faraz and Samreen finally do solve their troubles, they've truly earned their happiness, and it's probably more real because of their hardships.
"She was the mother of my children. My strength. My weakness. My home."
My favourite parts of the book were the flashback parts. To really see what their life was like & how hard their lives had become. Their relationship was definitely a prime example of why communication & mutual understanding is very important!
RATING: 5/5
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