Turquoise Swell

For all of her life she had learned to handle situations on her own. As a consequence of that she hadn't ever felt like she lacked anything or anyone. On their wedding night she didn't feel a drop of remorsefulness for turning her head the other way to doze off.

Newly-wed typist Naciye can't wait to get rid of the man with whom she shares a house. She prefers the silence of the Bosphorus and its unchanging landscape whenever she returns late from court. Keeping distance to others is keeping her on track of what is important for her career and comfort. Newly-wed sailor Kuyaş is mindful of her space and respects her wish. But when said man who never gave her a reason to despise him in any way, is stuck with her for a month, she is faced with reality: more than she is independent she is lonely.

• Historic Romance: Turkey, Istanbul 1950
• slow-burn
• Male lead yearning
• Female lead rediscovers herself
• short read

The courthouse in Kadiköy guides Naciye in life. It offers her a structured routine and financial stability aside from reminding her what a long way she had to endure in order to get there. The moment the man from the sea appears unannounced in their shared house, Naciye doesn't think about changing her everyday. He's staying for one month. Staples of paperwork, transcribing trial documents for her colleagues and unfinished files are waiting for her in the office. She rolls her eyes whenever the man doesn't seem to accept that she wants to be left alone. It all starts with a simple glass of tea - suddenly she is being dragged to what's laying outside the court. Until she finally learns to reconnect with her scraped aspirations, something else poses a problem. He's leaving and she hasn't even acknowledged him.

Perfect for readers who like to witness the slow but realistic development and chemistry between two people. This novel includes Turkish culture that takes place in 1950 and mentions Turkish Feminist pioneers of that century. The female lead stands her ground but allows herself to reconnect with the buried parts that fulfil her. She also tries to find out why she struggles the way she does and what she has to do. The male lead isn't without any flaws and has to step outside of his comfort zone too. Ideal for those who search for novels that take place outside of the Western Hemisphere.