The Mismatch by Sara Jafari explores a British Iranian woman's sexual awakening and the double life she must lead when her family's religious and cultural rules clash with her desire to experience the freedom and choices enjoyed by her peers. Centered on the adventures of its young protagonist, Soraya Nazari, The Mismatch goes far beyond its romance genre to embrace themes of addiction, family trauma and redemption.
Readers are introduced to Soraya as she settles into post-graduate life in London, far from the prying eyes of her dysfunctional family in Brighton. Eager to find a job and gain sexual experience--not necessarily in that order--cerebral and quiet Soraya hatches a plan to ensnare former classmate and popular rugby star Magnus, so that she can experience her first kiss.
Propelled by a dual narrative format, the novel branches into one story line that follows Soraya and moves forward in time while another takes readers back to pre-revolutionary Iran and the coming-of-age drama of Soraya's mother, Neda, a student at the University of Tehran. Alternating chapters reveal how both mother and daughter find creative ways to circumvent strictly interpreted Islamic rules that forbid young men and women from socializing before marriage.
Jafari is the founder and editor of Token, a literary and arts magazine showcasing the work of underrepresented artists. Her thoughtful debut, skillfully merging a romantic premise with cultural drama, is sure to resonate with readers interested in stories that feature courageous women and the inventive strategies they deploy to navigate patriarchal religious conventions that exert control over female sexuality. --Shahina Piyarali, reviewer