Trust Me on This

by Lauren Parvizi

Two half sisters on a road trip to see their dying father end up miles from where they expected in an emotional novel about secrets, forgiveness, and what it means to be family by the author of La Vie, According to Rose.

Zahra Starling and her younger half sister, Aurora, have nothing in common. Not their childhoods or their personalities. And certainly not their outlooks. After a terrible loss, Zahra prefers the solitude of her LA kitchen to people, especially family. Bubbly Aurora, a rising Hollywood starlet, has everything she’s ever dreamed of, except a relationship with her sister.

Then comes a plea from their dying father, who wants both daughters by his side. He has a secret to share that’s been a long time coming.

It’s Zahra’s last chance to bring closure to the past, even if traumatic memories mean there’s no way she’s stepping foot on a plane. For Aurora, road-tripping to Seattle is the perfect escape and the chance to win over prickly Zahra.

What starts as a rough ride reopening old wounds evolves into something neither expects. When they finally reach their destination—and the truth that awaits them—the sisters will need each other like never before.

Genres: Fiction, Audiobook, Contemporary, Family, Road Trip, Family Drama, Chick Lit

356 pages, Kindle Edition

First published April 8, 2025

About the author

Lauren Parvizi is the author of Trust Me on This and La Vie, According to Rose, winner of the 2024 Women’s Fiction Writers Association STAR Award in the Debut category. She worked for more than a decade as a digital editor and content writer, and earned an MFA from San Francisco State University. She lives in the San Francisco Bay Area with her husband and sons.

Reviews

[Sandysbookaday (taking a step back for a while) · Rating 3 out of 5]

EXCERPT: Aurora smiled, her biggest one, all perfect white teeth and lips stretched wide. Her high-wattage smile, their dad called it. "It's me," she said, throwing out her arms. "Surprise. Sister road trip."
"Wait, what?" She couldn't be serious, could she?
"I'm going with you."
Zahra's brain stuttered to recalibrate, and her muscles tensed, the jerk of her grip spilling a splash of coffee from the mouth of her travel mug. "You made it up, the whole I-need-you-to-take-something-for-me story?"
"Only because I knew you'd never agree to go with me."
Unbelievable. "So it's okay to lie to get what you want?"
"It was a white lie, I swear."
That explained why Aurora hadn't come to the door. This was an ambush, the trap sprung, Zahra strung up by her ankles, dangling before her captor.
Eleven hundred miles. Two days one-on-one with Aurora. She couldn't. They'd never spent that amount of time together, and Zahra didn't want to start now, not with the weight of seeing her dad hanging over her. It was too much forced closeness. Too much of Aurora's sunny disposition to take. Too much space for conversation when all Zahra wanted to do was be by herself.

ABOUT 'TRUST ME ON THIS': Zahra Starling and her younger half sister, Aurora, have nothing in common. Not their childhoods or their personalities. And certainly not their outlooks. After a terrible loss, Zahra prefers the solitude of her LA kitchen to people, especially family. Bubbly Aurora, a rising Hollywood starlet, has everything she’s ever dreamed of, except a relationship with her sister.

Then comes a plea from their dying father, who wants both daughters by his side. He has a secret to share that’s been a long time coming.

It’s Zahra’s last chance to bring closure to the past, even if traumatic memories mean there’s no way she’s stepping foot on a plane. For Aurora, road-tripping to Seattle is the perfect escape and the chance to win over prickly Zahra.

What starts as a rough ride reopening old wounds evolves into something neither expects. When they finally reach their destination—and the truth that awaits them—the sisters will need each other like never before.

MY THOUGHTS: I couldn't rouse any strong emotions for this read. I love books about families, sisters, scandals and secrets, and Trust Me on This has all these things. But it seemed to be lacking depth. Character depth. Emotional depth.

I didn't feel any connection at all to either of the two main characters. I like to have someone to root for and that just didn't happen. I can understand Zahra and Aurora not having a sisterly bond, but I needed to feel something for one, if not both, of them.

Most of the characters in this book are some version of awful. That can work, sometimes, but not here.

I didn't dislike Trust Me On This. I didn't feel much for it, one way or the other. It was, in my opinion, an average read with one, and only one, redeeming feature - Dom's revelation. The secret he has to tell Zahra and Aurora before he dies. That was worth an extra half star from me.

⭐⭐⭐

#TrustMeOnThis #NetGalley

MEET THE AUTHOR: Lauren Parvizi lives in the San Francisco Bay Area with her husband and sons. She is a writer, mom, eldest daughter, professional over-thinker, and has been described as “deceptively dark.” (Source: laurenparvizi.com)

DISCLOSURE: Thank you to Lake Union Publishing via NetGalley for providing an e-ARC of Trust Me on This by Lauren Parvizi for review. All opinions expressed in this review are entirely my own personal opinions.

https://sandysbookaday.wordpress.com/...

[Sierra · Rating 5 out of 5]

With emotional family angst and clever, sharp writing, Parvizi gives us a bingeable road trip up the West Coast with gorgeous scenery, incredible food, and indelible characters. I could not put it down.

[Cierra Taylor · Rating 4 out of 5]

I was so excited to read the NetGalley Arc of “Trust Me on This”! The authors writing is very visually descriptive and I always love a good duo POV. I quickly found a soft spot for both sisters and felt that the relationships were all so relatable and complicated. Overall, I found it to be such a good read and would definitely recommend to someone looking for a touching story!

[EmG ReadsDaily · Rating 5 out of 5]

‘There were different ways to atone. To be a person. To live and to die.’

4.5 stars

[Hadley · Rating 5 out of 5]

In this captivating road-trip story of two sisters struggling to find their way, Parvizi writes characters you can't help but fall in love with. On the surface, reserved and responsible Zahra couldn't be more different from perky, carefree Aurora, and their relationship has been strained since childhood. But when their father's illness forces them to drive together from Los Angeles to Seattle, they discover they need each other more than they ever thought.

I'm a sucker for sister stories (probably because I have two brothers but always longed for a sister), and I loved this book! It's the kind of novel that grabs your emotions and won't let go, and then you force yourself to read more slowly at the end because you don't want it to be over. This is a dual point-of-view novel, and Parvizi does a fabulous job writing from the sisters' opposite perspectives. Initially, I found myself relating more to Zahra (and even feeling a little annoyed at bubbly, devil-may-care Aurora), but once I read a few of Aurora's chapters, I totally understood where she was coming from and appreciated the glimpse inside an extrovert's mind. I also love Parvizi's writing style—fast-paced and utterly readable, but also unexpectedly descriptive with an emotional punch.

Highly recommend this book to anyone, but especially readers who like sister stories, road trip books, and poignant family drama!

[Nursebookie · Rating 4 out of 5]

Thank you @suzyapprovedbooktours and @laurenparviziauthor for the gifted copy

TITLE: TRUST ME ON THIS
AUTHOR: Lauren Parvizi
PUB DATE: 04.08.2025

Two half sisters on a road trip to see their dying father end up miles from where they expected in an emotional novel about secrets, forgiveness, and what it means to be family by the author of La Vie, According to Rose.

THOUGHTS:

I love stories about secrets, sisterhood, and of course road trips. I thought that Parvizi did a fantastic job on the character development and I enjoyed getting to know half sisters Zahra and Aurora, who are complete opposites. This was an emotional journey, and I really enjoyed the ride in this touching story.

#TRUSTMEONTHIS #LaurenParvizi

[Kelsey Ellis · Rating 4 out of 5]

If you are looking for a really good road tripping sister drama... look no further!

The story follows two half-sisters : Aurora and Zahra who are forced together on a road trip to go visit their ailing father. The two have drastically backgrounds and circumstances and yet there are pulls that bring them to reconsider their relationship. I really enjoyed the themes of desire, reconciliation, paternal expectations, familial obligations, and found family. The book just takes place over the span of several days- yet the book felt longer than that.

I really came to love Parvizi's craft and writing style and her character development. This had elements of Persian heritage which I found lovely and

Fans of Claire Lombardo, Ann Napolitano, Taylor Jenkins Reid, and Ann Patchett would enjoy!

A huge thank you to NetGalley and Lake Union Publishing for this ARC!

[Kremena Koleva · Rating 5 out of 5]

" We both know bad things happen, things you don’t expect and don’t deserve. But we also know the world doesn’t end if the worst happens. You keep going, you make a new normal, and then, if you’re lucky, something good shows up again and you’re wise enough not to turn your back on it when it does just because you’ve learned to be more comfortable with the bad. "

Има толкова много неща, които тази книга искаше от мен да усетя и да си спомня! И дойде при мен, когато и без друго емоциите ми бяха в хаос. Това сякаш засили въздействието й. Отново темата за правилната книга в точния момент!
Всеки човек си има преживяване със собственото си семейство.Но децата на разделени родители получават куфар с емоционален багаж, тежък няколко тона. И си го мъкнат през всички години с различна степен на трудност. Някои го крият под килими, зад пердета или навътре в килера. Други го отварят често, за да преравят тъжните истини за емоциите и самотата си . Трети таят огорчение и гняв, които ги държат приковани към този куфар като верига на каторжник.
Но при всички случаи не е лесно да вярват на свят, в който са загубили правото родителите да са заедно и да са до детето си. Trust me on This е много ярка картина на детското разочарование, на болката от отхвърлянето и е криво огледало на родителството. Характери, стремежи и постъпки - всички около нас, пред очите ни! Всеки има право да потърси щастието на друго място, да следва нуждите на професията си или просто да смени ежедневната рутина с нещо вълнуващо. Но нищо от това не идва без цена. А нея я плащат децата. Които после порастват обидени, гневни и недоверчиви. Без да знаят какво е щастието и как да го задържат.
Преди много години по един конкретен повод бях чула възрастна жена , която беше сключила втори брак на възраст, да казва - " Добре, че има умиране, че да има живот ! " Аз знам в контекста на какво дойде тази фраза и бях съгласна с нея. Някои неща трябва да умрат, за да може да се заживее с пълни гърди и с освободен дух! Точно това ми звучеше през всичките страници на историята на сестрите Захра и Аурора.
Нямаше как да се премине през книгата без сълзи и без мисли дали съм права в разбиранията и отношенията си към обидите ? Не достигнах до отговор, но видях как приеха нещата героините. Може би това е един от отговорите?
Хареса ми и колко силно Захра беше свързана с баба си и дядо си и как желанието й за готвене по старите персийски рецепти, на баба й емигрантка, сякаш я връщаше към единствените хора, които никога не са я изоставяли. Истина е, че нашите баби и дядовци ни дават много по - голяма сигурност и безусловна любов. Помним ги в най - трудните си моменти и знаем, че носим частица от тях в ДНК-А молекулите си . Най - добрите ни частици са от тях!

* " The accumulation of loss could take your breath away. But if she lived long enough, this was only the beginning. To survive, she didn’t have to harden herself. She had to soften, make her heart spongy and pliant. "
* " We all wear masks. What’s underneath makes us human. "
* " When you feed people, you bring them together and leave your mark. In the kitchen, you’ll never be alone.”

[Tammy O · Rating 4 out of 5]

This story covered many bases….touching, charming, crazy and funny. I enjoyed getting to know the Starling sisters and I wanted to know what they learned from their father.

Zahra was a prickly personality who was hard to like until I started picturing Sandra Bullock as Zahra. She certainly had good reasons to withdraw from the world. Aurora was easy to like—she was the Starling “darling” who was loving and kind, but naive. The two of them together were an entertaining duo who I grew to care about. I cheered them on as they learned how to help each other grow stronger and healthier.

The food descriptions made me hungry and I could totally relate to Zahra’s interest in her grandmother’s recipes.

Zahra’s landlady, Preeti, was a charming addition to the story. She was wise and kind, no matter how guarded Zahra was with her.

A favorite quote:
“See, see? There it is. The resistance. Trust me, life is so much easier as a sponge than as a Brillo pad.”

Advanced reader copy courtesy of the publishers at NetGalley for review.

[Di · Rating 3 out of 5]

I still don't know what my feelings are about this book, but here goes. Two half sisters (who have not been close to each other, ever) are sharing a road trip to visit their father, who has been an absent father to the older one. Their father has called them to his side on his deathbed because he has something to reveal.

So, we have the basic feature of many books, Secrets. Basically, one big secret. This book is a slow burn. Most of it takes place over the course of two days in the car. The book is about relationships: not just the two half-sisters, but also about people connected to each of them. It's also about a lot of self-realization, for both ladies. And, there is a ton of drama, especially toward the end.

This book had all the elements of a story that I should enjoy. But, somehow, it just didn't come together for me. Usually, I enjoy stories about families and their interactions, especially sisters. But, I could not relate to any of the characters this time. In fact, I couldn't even find them very likable. Likewise with the secondary characters.

I'm glad that I seem to be in the minority. Most of the other reviews I see are positive. It reinforces my belief that “every book is not for everybody” and that's ok. I didn't hate it, I thought that it was ok.

Thank you to NetGalley and the publisher for the Advance Readers Copy.

[Debbie Rozier · Rating 4 out of 5]

Beautiful

I loved the way this book takes the two day road trip between half sisters and alters it with meaningful unexpected stops. I think that made the read so much deeper as we travel with the women and discover how their past has shaped their present. I enjoyed the dual point of view as each sister has a voice. I liked the age gap of the sisters and their differences which make them complementary. I think this would make for a great book club discussion.

[Christi Leaverton · Rating 4 out of 5]

I gave Trust Me on This four ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️ Thank you Lauren Parvizi, Lake Union Publishing and Net Galley for the ARC. These are my honest opinions.

What great character development! Zahra and Aurora were so opposite each other and, while they both could get annoying very quickly, they didn’t because Lauren did such an incredible job of helping the reader understand, and sympathize, with why they were the way they were. The journey they each took to get where they were (and how they were), along with the believable path to resolution was top notch.

The only reason I didn’t give this five stars was because I felt the ending was a little rushed. I would have liked just a little more where Elian, Lucy and college were concerned.

You won’t regret reading this!

[Susan · Rating 5 out of 5]

Highly recommended! The rebuilding of a long lost relationship between sisters and their ill father. Very heart felt.

[Kendall Hullinger · Rating 3 out of 5]

average at best

[portico801 · Rating 5 out of 5]

What an unexpected gem! 4.5 stars, rounded up because one of the characters in this book is me in a parallel universe and I love her and hope she’s having a great day ❤️

”He had fathered one and raised the other. He had abandoned one and devoted himself to the other. It was true. It wasn’t the whole truth.”

I kept choosing other books over this one because for some reason I thought it wouldn’t hold my attention. I could not have been more wrong! TRUST ME ON THIS is dual POV and follows half sisters Zahra and Aurora as they embark on a road trip to visit their terminally ill father. Zahra has deep wounds from her father’s abandonment and is hesitant to let anyone, even her half sister Aurora, too close. Aurora, 13 years younger, has a much better relationship with their father, but has secrets of her own. Many of the topics touched on in this book (abandonment, half siblings, severe disparity in treatment between siblings… Zahra is truly my soul sister ❤️) are close to my heart, and I can vouch for them being handled realistically and with care. Both POVs are engaging, and the romance (while definitely a side plot) made me swoon.

I’m so glad I read this. It’s beautifully written, but also quiet and unassuming. Like Zahra’s recipes, TRUST ME ON THIS is more than the sum of its parts.

Thank you to NetGalley and Lake Union Publishing for the opportunity to read this book in exchange for an honest review. All opinions are my own.

Content warnings: miscarriage, cancer, death of a parent

[Maddie · Rating 4 out of 5]

Zahra Starling is already having one of those days where it feels like the universe has it out for you when she gets a call from her father. He’s dying, and wants to tell her and her estranged sister something in person. An uncomfortable past means flying is off the table for Zahra, so she and Aurora, who she hasn’t spoken to in years, set off on a reluctant road trip to see him. The miles ahead promise more than just awkward silences and scenic highways; both sisters are carrying more than they’re letting on, and the journey forces them to confront what’s been buried for far too long.

This was such a good read. Not perfect, but I loved it all the same. The characters felt real, it stoked emotion in all of the right places. I was anchored in and needed to know what was going to happen next. If you enjoy a good family drama or deeply emotional plots, I highly recommend this.

[Bruna Lanzani · Rating 5 out of 5]

Omg 😭😭😭

[emma · Rating 5 out of 5]

i really loved this read! i loved the family dynamics of multiple units and the depth of estrangement. the girls felt so real and fully formed, and the elements of grief were explored in really tactile ways. i also enjoyed how the concept of perception of others could be different and yet still true. ugh such a good read, i highly recommend.

4.8 stars!

[Nina Fischer · Rating 2 out of 5]

I really didn’t love this one. I was so hopeful after reading reviews, but it just didn’t hit for me. The premise of this story had promise, unfortunately most of it fell flat. There was so much opportunity for the growth of a deep connection between sisters, however their relationship ultimately lacked depth and was anticlimactic. Although both sisters deal with trauma and express themselves differently and have relatable moments, neither of them are good people. It’s hard to root for them or even connect to them as characters.

[Chloe · Rating 4 out of 5]

I had so much fun with this book I truly think it’s a 4.5 ⭐️

I really enjoyed the road trip format of the book and the sister aspect of it. Zahra was fr an op in the beginning I was annoyed I’m not gonna lie but also my gosh Aurora 😭 girl STAND UP.

All of that to say, their road trip stops and encounters were a real slice of life letting us explore their lives and characters a little more. Zahra’s back story and inner thoughts really did allow me to empathize more with her. I loved seeing the relationship between sisters grow as well as the personal developments in the end. However, like another reviewer, I felt the final reveal from the dad was a bit … okay? I said jokingly earlier on while reading “what if he isn’t even their dad” so it was a tiny bit predictable? Idk, just my thoughts.

Also hellloooo breakfast at Tiffany’s reference with the cat with no name.

Thank you NetGalley for this ARC!

[Jennifer · Rating 4 out of 5]

Trust Me On This by Lauren Parvizi was an audiobook listen for me, and Brittany Pressley was the narrator. I thought she did a beautiful job with this novel and hope to listen to more audiobooks by her.
The novel is about two sisters traveling to see their sick father, and they haven’t seen each other or talked for years. The story was real and heartfelt, with lots of raw, misunderstood moments. I felt for both of them and the way they grew up. I have sisters and felt the pain and awkwardness. It was a beautiful, happy ending, and I enjoyed it.
Thanks, Brilliance Audio via NetGalley.

[Caroline Mouser · Rating 1 out of 5]

I saw a TikTok that said life is too short to finish bad stories so I stopped reading this

[Susan · Rating 4 out of 5]

“We all wear masks. What’s underneath makes us human.”

This story was an engrossing family drama told from alternating chapters as the Starling sisters, Zahra and Aurora, travel together along the west coast in a dilapidated Volvo, to reach their ill father’s bedside. The thirteen year age gap between the two sisters may have created a distance between them, and a feeling that they have nothing in common other than their father, but as they traveled, the issues that caused hard feelings come to light, and the current life dramas they are both learning to manage bond the sisters in a way neither was expecting. During their time together, both end up learning it's possible to be a different and better version of themselves.

Thank you NetGalley and Lake Union Publishing for providing me the opportunity to read the advanced e-copy of; Trust Me On This by Lauren Parvizi.

[Robin Reads · Rating 5 out of 5]

I would read this book again

I don’t know the I have ever been more invested in a novel’s characters. This book caught me off guard as I randomly chose it because it was free and I liked the cover and I needed something “light” after completing a lengthy WWII non-fiction work. While this was a lighter read, the author’s character introspection, her beautiful prose, coupled with humor and redemption… she tugged at my heartstrings and reminded me of the letting go I’ve embraced, of redemption, and of choosing happiness. Ms. Parvizi had me completely invested in Zhara and Aurora, sisters coming to terms with each other and their own lives. Five stars, fosho.

[Jane Crittenden · Rating 5 out of 5]

Half sisters on a road trip. Tensions running high. More than just a journey to visit their dying father but a journey that reveals past sufferings and present hang ups, seemingly impossible to resolve. The novel has a lyrical quality that elevates it above other family dramas that I enjoyed all the more by it's steady (but not slow) pace. The sisters are likeable with the right balance of yin and yang that didn't force me to choose between them! I highly recommend getting stuck in!

[Booksandcoffeemx · Rating 5 out of 5]

There’s something about books involving sisters that always touches my heart. It could be because I have three sisters scattered around the world, and I miss them dearly.
This book was simply beautiful!
It tells the story of two sisters on a journey of self-discovery, forgiveness, and understanding the true meaning of family. Even though it was a bit emotional, it was also funny, refreshing, and heartwarming. This story will stay with me for a long time.

[Rebecca Mulholland · Rating 4 out of 5]

A really lovely read. A little sad in parts, but not a tear jerker. Really lovely book about sisterhood.

[Alyssa miller · Rating 5 out of 5]

I loved the writing in this book. The topics were heavy already but the was she writes really makes them hit home. I think everyone will be touched and relate to something in the story

[Btursell · Rating 3 out of 5]

Rounding up to 3.5. For me this book might have been better if I read it. Listening to the book, I found the narrator’s voice irritating and whiney at times.

[Melissa Shearer · Rating 2 out of 5]

So dull.