Exquisite Things by Abdi Nazemian
on September 23, 2025
ISBN: 0063339684
Genres: Historical Fiction, Romance, LGBTQ+
Format: Young Adult
Source: MSL Book Review
Goodreads

“Exquisite Things” is a young adult historical romance by Abdi Nazemian. Two gay teens (Shahriar from 1890s London and Oliver from 1920s Boston) meet up and are given eternal youth through a wish. Readers follow as their lives intertwine across decades, dealing with not being accepted (even as the years go by) by society, cruelty, and bleak historical events. The description of real historical events was interesting, but occasionally felt like it slowed the novel down too much. The characters were very believable and I felt invested in their story. An epic historical queer romance, this is a suggested purchase where Nazemian’s books are popular.

Reviewed by Kate Radke, Walker Memorial Library, Westbrook, ME.