Sara Abubakar is a celebrated name in Kannada literature. Though originally writing in Kannada, her works have reached a wider audience through English translations. Her writing is known for its strong female characters and realistic portrayal of coastal Karnataka life. Her contribution to Indian literature was recognized with numerous awards, cementing her legacy as a voice for the voiceless.

The title "Breaking Ties" also implies a confrontation with societal expectations and norms. Abubakar may critique the ways in which societal pressures can dictate our choices, stifle our individuality, and limit our potential. The book may encourage readers to question these norms and expectations, advocating for a more authentic and self-directed approach to life.

The central conflict arises when Nadira’s father, unable to get money from Rashid for a second daughter’s marriage, manipulates a divorce (talaq) to take Nadira back to his house. When reconciliation is later sought, the community’s religious leaders impose a harsh rule: to remarry her first husband, Nadira must first marry another man for a single night—a practice known as halala —and wait through a three-month period to ensure she is not pregnant.