The Secret Lives of the Amir Sisters by Nadiya Hussain

I approached this story with trepidation: Nadiya Hussain is an engaging, charming and likeable person on TV, but that does not mean she can tell a story and not all celebrities can write.  I was relieved to find myself quickly immersed and engrossed in the secret lives of the Amir sisters (from the only brown/British Asian family in the small community of Wyvernage).  The book explores themes of identity, family, love, culture and expectations.  A major crisis has repercussions for each of the sisters as secrets are revealed which shake the whole family to the core, and all of them must change.  The sisters are all interesting and likeable, the story is fascinating and very well crafted, and there is plenty to think about.  It is a very good read.

In the acknowledgements at the end, Nadiya gives thanks to her writer.  It is an excellent collaboration.