The Stationery Shop

Roya lives in Tehran and loves books, pens and all things related to stationery. She reads whatever she can get her hands on and spends most of her days at the local stationery shop. One fateful day she meets Bahman. It's an instant and passionate love affair.

They become engaged but Bahman cannot wait for their wedding day. He writes to Roya and tells her to meet him at the square and they will go marry in secret. She waits and waits, and still he doesn't come.

Decades later, while living in America, Roya happens upon a stationery shop that reminds her of home and Bahman. She quickly learns it is run by his son and also learns that Bahman is close by. She has to know why he left her waiting all those years ago and get the closure she so desperately needs.

What a beautiful story of turmoil, deception, love lost, and the strength of the heart. I really enjoyed the historical background during Roya and Bahman's courtship. I couldn't imagine being so stinted in movement simply because you're a woman.

The love story and the letters were a beautiful addition to the story and I really enjoyed those parts. This is definitely one I would recommend.