In the heart-wrenching and beautifully written novel As Long As the Lemon Trees Grow, readers are taken on an emotional journey through war-torn Syria, where love and resilience struggle to survive amid chaos and devastation.

A year ago, life was simpler for Salama. She watched her beloved brother marry her best friend, Layla, and dreamed of when her own love story might begin. But now, the revolution has turned her world upside down. Working tirelessly at a hospital, Salama tries to save those she can and gently closes the eyes of those she cannot. Layla, now pregnant, is all Salama has left. Protecting her is the only thing that matters.

But Salama is haunted by more than just the violence around her. Khawf, a hallucination born from the horrors she’s witnessed, follows her everywhere. His voice, a constant reminder of the unbearable grief and terror she endures, urges her to leave Syria and find safety. Yet despite the fear and the nightmares, Salama refuses to abandon her home and the people she loves.

As Salama’s world continues to crumble, her inner conflict deepens. Should she stay and risk everything, or leave behind the only life she’s ever known? The choice becomes even more difficult as unexpected love blossoms in the most unlikely place, forcing her to question everything she thought she knew about courage, sacrifice, and survival.

In As Long As the Lemon Trees Grow, Zoulfa Katouh crafts a gripping, lyrical tale that captures the devastating impact of war and the unbreakable spirit of those who dare to hope. It’s a story of resilience, friendship, and the desperate fight to protect the people who matter most.