A Very Large Expanse of Sea by Tahereh Mafi broke me while simultaneously filling my mind, soul and heart with vast emotions all at the same time.

This book deserves all the stars for the raw emotion it made me feel. Tahereh Mafi's voice was so honest - Shirin was funny, intelligent, clever and so angry. She was the perfect narrator. My heart bled for her. Shirin's pain was so real - I wanted to hug her fiercely. The story follows Shirin as her family moves to yet another new city. She deals with daily racism, hate and degrading comments from being a Muslim teen post 9/11. I adored her fierceness, her strength and her vulnerability. Tahereh wrote from her own personal experiences, creating a truly powerful and inspirational character in Shirin. I truly loved watching her grow throughout the book. Her self awakening was beautiful.

The romance between Ocean and Shirin was impossible not to get caught up in. Could he have been any more swoon worthy? He was the perfect complement to Shirin's fierceness. His innocence, tenderness and honesty were exactly what she needed to pierce through the armor she had built up around herself. Their relationship built up slowly and I was enthralled with every angsty moment of it. It made me feel like a love-sick teenager all over again. Their's was not an easy road to love - it was bumpy, heartbreaking and painful at times. Yet, it was wholeheartedly genuine, sweet and utterly undeniable.

To say this book was a roller coaster ride of emotion would be an understatement! I laughed, I cried, I gasped out loud and I definitely cringed at some of the racism and bigotry Shirin endured. Did I mention there was breakdancing?! There is and it was a wonderful, unexpected addition for this Bronx native! A Very Large Expanse of Sea was an emotional, beautifully written story - in short it's the kind of story you know you won't soon forget.