This book is a beautiful exploration of immigration, religion, queerness, and the intersection of each of them. Samra weaves a fascinating, beautiful, and heartbreaking story starting with her growth from a young Muslim girl living a traditional life, through moving to Canada and exploring independence, to coming out as a queer woman and her exploration of that, to finding herself back to religion as a queer woman. However, ultimately I found this was a story about friendship and family, and how vital chosen families can be for people who cannot find acceptance in their traditional families. As Samra says, "Being surrounded by great people isn't a fluke... Being surrounded by people who fuel you is intentional." While she ultimately finds herself back to her family, her chosen family are who help her become who she wants to become.

As a Canada Reads 2020 longlist, I think this book brings Canada into focus in a few ways: her dad, once a developer, cannot work and sinks into depression upon arriving in Canada. To this day, immigrants have challenges transferring their education and credentials into Canada. On the other hand, his wife, Samra's mother, is able to open a salon to help support the family.

I think what is also brought into focus is the importance of safe spaces to explore identity. In the book, these were queer communities in Canada, Japan, and the US that helped Samra learn about queerness, and meet people who supported her own identity exploration; or the queer-friendly Muslim community that allowed her to find her religion again without giving up her identity.

I loved this book which was full of beauty and acceptance. Some parts are heartbreaking, and sad, but the chosen family, and the community that Samra builds around her, constantly brings hope and happiness.