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3.88 AVERAGE
3.88 AVERAGE
What I loved most about this book as opposed to other Pride and Prejudice reboots, was the detailed perspectives of both protagonists. Being able to see the story unfold through both of their eyes was a powerful and more balanced representation of this classic plot.
I also liked that it didn't just substitute the original plot. There were original characters and plot points that helped this story feel familiar, but new and different.
I loved the relationship between Ayesha and Nana the most, as they seemed to have a strong bond and understanding of each other, much like Elizabeth and Mr. Bennet.
The only reason I can't give this book a full 5 stars it just took far too long to move this story along. And when we finally approached the climax and twist, the character resolutions felt rushed and incomplete. We didn't get to have a real feel for the main characters post finding each other again. When the story ends, they aren't even in the same room together and that just didn't feel right to me. I wish we could have seen a little more of them getting to enjoy to their newfound peace and discuss their future plans and new endeavors.
Still, I would recommend this book. In the landscape of a romance novel, we also saw discrimination based on race, religion, marital status, and identity. These issues and solutions are important for readers to see and understand.
I also liked that it didn't just substitute the original plot. There were original characters and plot points that helped this story feel familiar, but new and different.
I loved the relationship between Ayesha and Nana the most, as they seemed to have a strong bond and understanding of each other, much like Elizabeth and Mr. Bennet.
The only reason I can't give this book a full 5 stars it just took far too long to move this story along. And when we finally approached the climax and twist, the character resolutions felt rushed and incomplete. We didn't get to have a real feel for the main characters post finding each other again. When the story ends, they aren't even in the same room together and that just didn't feel right to me. I wish we could have seen a little more of them getting to enjoy to their newfound peace and discuss their future plans and new endeavors.
Still, I would recommend this book. In the landscape of a romance novel, we also saw discrimination based on race, religion, marital status, and identity. These issues and solutions are important for readers to see and understand.
Pride and Prejudice retellings are my therapy books, and, boy, have I read some awful ones in the last couple of years. Ayesha at Last was a refreshing surprise that had me up later than I should have been last night so that I could get through those final conflicts and safely to the marriage resolution we (and Ayesha's grandpa) crave at the end of a comedy. Jalaluddin sets this romp in suburban Toronto, in neighborhoods full of the life that recent immigrants bring to a city. Ayesha immigrated to Canada as a child and has grown up embracing both her traditions and her new home. Khalid is a native Canadian (born to immigrant parents) who struggles to feel at home in his country (and family for that matter). The book is full of the food, traditions, and all too human pettiness of their community, and I loved every last page. I came for the Austen, stayed for the Shakespeare, and fell slowly in love with everything in between.
this was such a cute romance that was very slow burn but has so much greatnesses in it. Loved the poetry in it, workplace drama, confusion and family drama, understand of one's self, religion, customs and traditions, and end with a great HEA.
The writing is wonderful for a debut and can't wait for more of her books!
Overall, 4 stars and no steam
The writing is wonderful for a debut and can't wait for more of her books!
Overall, 4 stars and no steam
emotional
informative
reflective
medium-paced
Ayesha is unsure of what she wants to do in the future, but as A Muslim, South Asian woman in Toronto, she knows she doesn't want an arranged marriage. Her cousin, Hafsa, is wrapped up in rishtas, the meeting of many arranged suitors, but for Ayesha, this is not her path. When Ayesha meets Khalid, a serious religious man in a long white robe, with a long white beard, she finds him appealing but too serious. As the story progresses, there are mishaps, mixed up identities and many comedies of errors. This is a romantic comedy, which will make you laugh and is a really fun read. Recommended.
Even though I was forced to read this for a class, I still kind of kept my hopes up but still did not like this. As a retelling this just kind of comes down to ‘enemies to lovers’, mysterious sister past, and the pressure of marriage. All of the characters did not feel tangible, the pacing was so slow, and I didn’t think these two main characters had chemistry whatsoever.
A modern-day Muslim Pride and Prejudice for a new generation of love.
“There is, I believe, in every disposition a tendency to some particular evil, a natural defect, which not even the best education can overcome." "And your defect is a propensity to hate everybody." "And yours," he replied with a smile, "is wilfully to misunderstand them.” This is Pride and Prejudice.
''Everyone has a tendency to some particular evil that not even the most fervent prayers and education can overcome.” “Your defect is a tendency to judge everyone,” Ayesha said. “And yours,” he said with a smile, “is to willfully misunderstand them.” This is Ayesha At Last.
I read 'Hana Khan Carries On' before this book and I can tell the author really grew as a writer over time. 'Ayesha At Last' did not start out as something fast-paced and entertaining (like the aforementioned book) but it does grow on you eventually.
As does Khalid, which surprised me. You can really find that kind of man in our Muslim communities: bonus points for realism and on-point characterization. Love it. Like to other people in the book, I thought him irritating in the beginning, yet as you read more about him, you realize he really is a good man, albeit narrow-minded and inflexible with a lack of experience.
None the less, the second half of the book is very rushed and it feels like very little thought went into it.
☆ The author tried a hundred sublots and explored none; plastering them like post-it notes to perhaps 'spice up' the story. We just ended up with an unsavory mix.
☆ Things happened fast and it was so flimsily written that it seemed the author had a checklist she was ticking off (a Pride and Prejudice checklist), rather than actually staying true to the story and putting effort into it.
☆ Everything else happened without the characters' input - they just 'went with the flow' no matter how ridiculous and illogical the happenings were, and the happenings were blander than water.
All of this dampened the romance considerably.
“There is, I believe, in every disposition a tendency to some particular evil, a natural defect, which not even the best education can overcome." "And your defect is a propensity to hate everybody." "And yours," he replied with a smile, "is wilfully to misunderstand them.” This is Pride and Prejudice.
''Everyone has a tendency to some particular evil that not even the most fervent prayers and education can overcome.” “Your defect is a tendency to judge everyone,” Ayesha said. “And yours,” he said with a smile, “is to willfully misunderstand them.” This is Ayesha At Last.
I read 'Hana Khan Carries On' before this book and I can tell the author really grew as a writer over time. 'Ayesha At Last' did not start out as something fast-paced and entertaining (like the aforementioned book) but it does grow on you eventually.
As does Khalid, which surprised me. You can really find that kind of man in our Muslim communities: bonus points for realism and on-point characterization. Love it. Like to other people in the book, I thought him irritating in the beginning, yet as you read more about him, you realize he really is a good man, albeit narrow-minded and inflexible with a lack of experience.
None the less, the second half of the book is very rushed and it feels like very little thought went into it.
☆ The author tried a hundred sublots and explored none; plastering them like post-it notes to perhaps 'spice up' the story. We just ended up with an unsavory mix.
☆ Things happened fast and it was so flimsily written that it seemed the author had a checklist she was ticking off (a Pride and Prejudice checklist), rather than actually staying true to the story and putting effort into it.
☆ Everything else happened without the characters' input - they just 'went with the flow' no matter how ridiculous and illogical the happenings were, and the happenings were blander than water.
All of this dampened the romance considerably.
Sooooo good! Characters you can grow to care about. Very engaging!
Rating (on a scale of 1 to 5, 5 being excellent)
Quality of writing: 5
Pace: 5
Plot development: 5
Characters: 5
Enjoyability: 5
Ease of Reading: 5
Overall rating: 5 out of 5
Quality of writing: 5
Pace: 5
Plot development: 5
Characters: 5
Enjoyability: 5
Ease of Reading: 5
Overall rating: 5 out of 5