The Squatters

“Taut and timely, The Squatters cranks up the tension on every page by asking one question, simple on its face but increasingly complex: What would you do, in Dalia’s shoes? Saba Brelvi pushes her heroine to the brink of her comfort and her beliefs, and this stunning debut will challenge you, too, unfolding like a thriller as the moral dilemmas and consequences mount.”—Dawnie Walton, author of The Final Revival of Opal and Nev

“A deeply human story, brilliantly told. Running alongside its powerful explorations of self-discovery, motherhood, and migration is a keen critique of the institutions and systemic racism failing migrants in the UK and globally. Hopeful, tragic, and political, this book is an important read for anyone with a heart.”—Lamya H, Stonewall Book Award–winning author of Hijab Butch Blues

“[A] provocative and unflinching account . . . presented with nuance and intelligence . . . [and] a tender portrayal of the complicated nature of motherhood and the evolution of a marriage. . . . For its bravery as well as its beauty, this debut is not to be missed.”—T: The New York Times Style Magazine

“Searingly relevant to the U.S. now . . . Brelvi’s novel is unsettling and thought-provoking.”—Booklist

“This electric debut delves into the collision of two families navigating motherhood, migration, and selfhood. . . . Brelvi writes with an unflinching lens that looks directly into defining conviction and the idea of belonging.”—Electric Literature, “The Most Anticipated Books by Women of Color for Summer and Fall 2026”

“More vital now than ever before.”—Debutiful

“The Squatters asks essential questions for the present day, and finds no easy answers. . . . Read this shattering work of fiction at your own peril, for you might find yourself, too, standing up for your long-suppressed beliefs no matter the consequences.”—CrimeReads

“The Squatters is a beautifully intense novel, alive with tenderness and compassion. Saba Brelvi does not shy away from painting a realistic picture of displacement, and with each detail, she pulls us further into the lives of her characters. This is such an important story, written with real knowledge, understanding, and empathy. It has been a long time since a novel has moved me so deeply.”—Christy Lefteri, bestselling author of The Beekeeper of Aleppo

“The Squatters is a beautiful, timely, and necessary novel. Saba Brelvi has written a haunting story about the oft-forgotten human face of the refugee experience, the frailties and illusions of the perfect life, and the true cost of moral courage.”—Patmeena Sabit, author of Good People

“This is a book about the collision of idealism and reality, about the loss of home and the communities we go on to form, and how the past can be transmuted into purpose. . . . A novel full of hope and heart.”—Avni Doshi, author of Booker-finalist Burnt Sugar, shortlisted for the Booker Prize