Queen B’s Decree: The Retreat was a story that went into some deeper topics. Infertility, childhood abandonment, religion, and the strength of sisterhood.
When Nadia suspects her husband of ten years of cheating, she reaches out to her estranged sister for support. I loved that Nadia and her sister Zeba grow together, and in doing so, begin to understand their departed mother a little better.
The mystery of her husband’s affair partner kept me hooked. Exactly what was happening? And was there a way to resolve all?
But I found the ending to be rushed. Everything gets explained in a few pages and then suddenly it’s the epilogue and it’s over. You know I love a good grovel and schadenfreude, but that was sorely lacking in The Retreat. At the end, while you’re left hopeful for Nadia’s future, I mostly felt grief about her wasted years.
I did love the author’s writing style and will definitely seek out her work in the future.
Book: The Retreat by Zara Raheem
Series: standalone
Genre: Fiction
Hotness: no salsa
Plot Devices/Tropes: cheating