Take it Back is a legal crime thriller about Zara, a Muslim identifying lawyer, and her client, Jodie, a sixteen year old white girl with facial deformities. Jodie accuses four Muslim boys of rape, and Zara decides to defend her- putting Zara in the difficult situation between believing women and antagonizing her religious and cultural community. 

Throughout the story, Jodie's story changes as does the story of the four boys. Zara is wracked with guilt about who to believe and how to do the right thing as a human and as a barrister. I thought Kia Abdullah wrote to these nuances beautifully.

I found a bit of the middle slow, but then once the trial began the pace picked back up. If you enjoyed The Night Swim by Megan Goldin, I think you'd like this one as well. Be forewarned, there are some descriptions of sexual assault. Handle with care, but this is an excellent and respectful novel about the difficulties in a rape case and the emotions faced by everyone involved.