This is a story of finding yourself again; of resilience; of not giving up the fight to work your way toward better days when something terrible happens to you. There’s such honesty and vulnerability on the page. It’s hard not to just hug the book when you’re done with it. INTIMATE FRACTURES is not a light read, and it’s not intended to be. But, it’s a worthwhile and authentic read that you won’t be sorry you picked up. Well-written, well-told, and well-executed, I enjoyed my time with these characters very much.

This is a story of finding yourself again; of resilience; of not giving up the fight to work your way toward better days when something terrible happens to you. There’s such honesty and vulnerability on the page. It’s hard not to just hug the book when you’re done with it. INTIMATE FRACTURES is not a light read, and it’s not intended to be. But, it’s a worthwhile and authentic read that you won’t be sorry you picked up. Well-written, well-told, and well-executed, I enjoyed my time with these characters very much.

Intimate Fractures: The Aftermath of a Rape is a soul-searching novel that will keep the reader rooting for the main character, Mustafa. Abu-Rish has a knack for crafting relatable, realistic characters who undergo transformation over the pages. Readers looking for a story that will challenge them to reach deep inside and ponder how we overcome trauma will find Intimate Fractures a gem.

“Wagih Abu-Rish’s work, ‘Intimate Fractures,’ is a standout exploration of emotions. It unabashedly delves into the nuances of human resilience, overcoming trauma, and the healing power of love. This novel pulled no punches – human connections are laid bare, exploring the threads that link past and present, love and deception, and the fragility of the human heart.”

Nad of Nadidé holds the political enlightenment of a contemporary historical novel; the emotional draw of lovers fated to struggle not just with each other, but their disparate cultural influences; and the action and tense twists of a thriller.

Combining all these elements in a readable story that doesn’t demand prior knowledge of the times or the countries featured is no mean feat, but Abu-Rish achieves the difficult goal of making his novel accessible to all kinds of readers; from those who enjoy political intrigue to others seeking the story of fated individuals who buck the odds and their own backgrounds in the name of love.

Libraries and readers looking for novels steeped in social and political conundrums, rich with emotional draws and strong character development, and packed with action that moves from political to social circles will find Nad of Nadidé a winner.

“Nad of Nadide is the story of a turbulent series of events triggered by the meeting of two young adults in 1980s Turkey. It is a story, which has a combination of love, family drama, and political and diplomatic elements.

One of the strengths of this story is the charm of the large cast of characters.

All the characters are well-drawn and likeable.

The book is recommended to readers who are comfortable with keeping track of these complicated political, religious, and personal agenda. It would be an excellent read for individuals or book clubs that enjoy exploring family dynamics, international relations, and diplomacy.

In all, it is an engaging read, shining a light on the diplomatic and political maneuvering needed in volatile situations to obtain such basic freedom as choosing one’s partner.”

“Nad of Nadide” is beautifully written and richly evocative The characters are wonderfully relatable, and watching them navigate the difficulties of their troubled lives is enthralling. Nad has a vibrating presence. she’s not perfect: she is gentle and sensitive, and yet a full-throated, flesh-and-blood woman who redefines independence and her own self while embracing her Muslim heritage. Abu-Rish deftly peels away the layers of Fareed’s life, revealing how hard it has been for him to be in Nad’s company and worry about getting his heart broken once again.

“‘Wagih Abu-Rish uses his new book, Nad of Nadide, to shed light on the culture, politics, and religion surrounding a few middle eastern countries. This book is a classic retelling of Romeo and Juliet, the troupe of forbidden love and political turmoil. Nad of Nadide is exceptionally unique in the retelling of this classic story. After reading the book and comparing the similarities between the original and the author’s version, the author recreates many major milestones and events that transpire in Shakespeare’s play. The biggest difference between Abu-Rish’s version and the classic is the lack of a longstanding feud between two families and more of a religious/cultural feud, with a discriminating, politically motivated marriage for General Hikmet’s daughter. This book is as enticing as the Shakespearian classic, maybe more.”

Author Wagih Abu-Rish tells a captivating tale of two star-crossed lovers who find themselves caught amidst a brewing rebellion against the government. Nad of Nadide is filled with romance, suspense, and political intrigue. The narrative is a breeze to go through, with a fast-paced plot full of twists and turns that you never see coming. Fareed and Nad are the two central characters around which the narrative revolves around. Aside from them, I found Fareed’s mother, Fiona, to be the most developed character. Abu-Rish does a stellar job of capturing the political landscape of early 1980s Turkey. I will recommend this book to readers who love suspenseful romance stories.

Wagih Abu-Rish has written a wonderful book on the power of love and fighting for it all set in the 1980s political backdrop of the Middle East. It was a historical ride for me as I learned so much I didn’t know before in regard to political and religious lines and the cost of crossing them.

This Romeo and Juliet retelling will keep you turning the pages. The characters are rich and varied and are weaved perfectly within the pages. Nad and Fareed have both friends and family trying to help and others trying to sabotage their love story as they navigate ethnic norms and boundaries to challenge what always has been to what could be.

This book is absolutely spectacular. I’m a real sucker for historical romance, so I must admit that I am biased, but everything about this book is stellar. From the way the characters are crafted and portrayed, to the plot itself, to the very setting of the story seeming to come alive and scheme with or against the main characters, this book is a must-read for any avid lover of historical fiction and romance. Wagih Abu-Rish has created something genuinely beautiful here. I cannot wait to read more of their work!

Wow. Wow. Wowwwwwww. Yes, this book deserves all the “w”‘s. Nad of Nadide includes, as a central theme, one of my favorite tropes – forbidden love – and this trope plays out against the backdrop of feuding politics, ethnicities, and cultures. I am a sucker for the high stakes of Romeo and Juliet and the drama of that story. With Nad of Nadide, I got all these components and more. The conflict between Fareed and Nad’s father is palpable on the page, and the choices Nad has to make throughout the book for love and for loyalty (and everything in between) is breath-taking and excruciating. She is a true heroine in her strength and her determination, and she’s one of my favorite characters I’ve read recently. A true powerhouse.

This book is for anyone who enjoys a TRUE forbidden romance where the stakes are dangerously high, and no matter what choice the MC makes, someone loses. The author does a remarkable job keeping the pace (no saggy middles here), and the set-up and descriptions are lovely. A real masterpiece of a retelling. I’m rereading again ASAP.

….those who are interested in books with more diverse historical themes and who do not mind graphic romance would likely quite enjoy “Replenishing the Sea of Galilee”. That leaves Abu-Rish with a wide enough audience for this book to make its own mark in the literary world. There is a lot of promise within the pages, and I was touched enough by the story to make me interested to read more from this author in the future.

–Reader Views–

Star-crossed lovers fight for a future together amidst 1980s political, cultural, and religious turmoil in the Middle East. (As a history buff, I really enjoyed reading about the politics and culture of Palestine and Turkey in the 80s.) Wagih Abu-Rish beautifully captures the passion and tension Fareed and Nad feel in this story…the wonderful “aliveness” of two characters caught between loyalty and love. The stakes are high and the choices before them feel impossible. Nad of Nadide is the perfect romance — one where you experience the agony and ecstasy of the characters as if you’re there with them. Beautiful!

–Reader Views–