Imperfect is the story of one woman’s loss, courage, love, and perseverance before and during the Iranian Revolution. Based on the experiences of the author’s mother, Vida Shamsa’s life takes an unexpected and dramatic turn with the sudden death of her young husband in 1971. Struggling against the patriarchal customs of Iran, she is faced with fighting her husband’s family for control of her children and her life. Never giving up fighting for her son and daughter, she challenges Iran’s legal and personal injustices against the backdrop of political unrest during the Shah’s regime, the rise of Khomeini, and the 1979 Iranian hostage crisis. Imperfect engages the reader in a quest for equality for a single mother who rages against outdated traditions and her need to control her life in order to protect her children, whom she loves above all else. "If you are someone who enjoys women's historical fiction that digs deep into personal and societal struggles, Imperfect is a must-read. It's about a mother's love, a widow's fight for respect, and the courage it takes to forge a new path when everything you know is falling apart. It's an emotional rollercoaster, but one that leaves you feeling inspired." - Literary Titan "Imperfect by Katy Motiey is an unforgettable read; Vida's story is inspiring, and although I have never met her, I feel connected to her. I found myself cheering her on as I read on and I celebrated her wins, and even when she lost, I knew things would get better. The story was intense, and I couldn't stop reading until the end." - Maria Yinks, San Diego Book Review *5 stars* "Libraries and readers that choose Imperfect: A Story about Loss, Courage, and Perseverance will find it a delight, whether they pick it for its themes of women's empowerment, disempowerment, and struggles, or for its many insights into Iranian culture and society." - Midwest Book Review "If you are someone who enjoys women's historical fiction that digs deep into personal and societal struggles, Imperfect is a must-read. It's about a mother's love, a widow's fight for respect, and the courage it takes to forge a new path when everything you know is falling apart. It's an emotional rollercoaster, but one that leaves you feeling inspired." - Literary Titan "Imperfect explores the complexities of familial loyalty, the oppressive nature of outdated traditions, and the spirit of a woman who refuses to bow to them." - Readers' Favorite *5 stars* Katy Motiey's Imperfect engages the reader from the very first page. She tells a terrific story about a woman fighting both personal and legal battles to save her children and herself. — Ellen Sussman, New York Times Bestselling Author of French Lessons "This book not only tells the story of a resilient woman navigating the complexities of this period but also serves as a poignant reminder of the human cost of political upheaval. The realistic depiction of the Iranian Revolution enriches the narrative, making Imperfect a compelling read for anyone interested in understanding the profound effects of historical events on personal lives. This book is a powerful narrative that resonates with the struggles of women and mothers in Iran, offering insights into their ongoing quest for equality and justice." — Shéhésrazade Semsar-de Boisséson, CEO, McCourt Global, Former CEO, POLITICO Europe "This heart-warming story of a mother escaping Iran with her two children is a book that you cannot put down. It provides insights into the difficulties encountered by a widow with practically no legal rights who used intelligence, determination and strength to overcome the many obstacles she encountered as she struggled to find a better life for herself and her children in America." — F. Amanda DeBusk, former Assistant Secretary of Commerce and International Lawyer "Katy Motiey has crafted a compelling tale of one woman's life experiences during a time of international turmoil. This is an important personal story, full of drama and tenderness." — Elizabeth Roth, retired lawyer, Stanford Distinguished Careers Institute " Imperfect is a beautiful, timely, and thrilling story of one woman's courage against incredible odds. Amid the Iranian Revolution and its aftermath, Vida fights to save her children and herself from an oppressive system — inspiring us all to fight for justice in our own time and place." — Ann Gelder, Podcaster for The Re-re-read Katy Motiey is an attorney, the Chief Legal, Administrative and Sustainability Officer at a US publicly traded company. She graduated from Georgetown University, undergraduate and law school. Although she was born in Iran, she immigrated to the US from Iran at age ten with her mother and brother during the Iranian Revolution. Katy has been devoted to her work having been General Counsel for seven CEOs and worked for multiple multinational corporations, including three publicly traded companies. Though dedicated to her career, Katy enjoys