by Kia Abdullah
- Romance
- Fiction
- Romantasy
Take It Back follows Zara Kaleel, a young Muslim woman who was once one of London’s brightest legal minds. Leaving the courtroom behind, she trades her barrister’s wig for a role as a support worker at a rape crisis centre, dedicating her time to helping vulnerable victims like Jodie Wolfe.
Jodie is a white, disabled sixteen-year-old girl with facial deformities who lives in difficult circumstances, neglected by an alcoholic mother. After attending a party, she accuses four Muslim teenagers of raping her.
The story follows both Jodie and Zara from the initial consultation through to the courtroom as the case unfolds. As evidence emerges and secrets begin to surface, one question lingers throughout: is Jodie telling the truth, or has she fabricated the entire story?
In a society where Muslim communities already face stigma in the UK, the accusation of a young white girl against four seemingly respectable Muslim boys quickly sparks widespread media attention. Tensions rise, violence erupts, and the divide between communities deepens.
For Zara, the case becomes deeply personal. As a Muslim woman supporting Jodie, she finds herself torn between her community and her commitment to helping a vulnerable young girl seek justice.
This novel is gripping, thought-provoking, and deeply impactful. It explores complex themes of rape, racism, religion, and prejudice in a way that constantly challenges the reader’s assumptions. It’s the kind of story that keeps you questioning what you believe as the narrative unfolds, right up until the very end.
Despite tackling heavy and difficult subject matter, the book is written in a way that feels accessible and compelling. It’s an important and powerful read that I would highly recommend.
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