Scan barcode
sarahmreads's review against another edition
emotional
hopeful
reflective
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.5
Zayneb is suspended from her school for attempting to stand up to her Islamophobic teacher, so for her extended spring break she travels to Doha to spend time with her Aunt. However, on that trip the last thing she expects is to meet Adam, a fellow Muslim and cute boy with an interesting history. How will this spring break end? And can they help each other?
I liked this book. The plot was interesting but also kind of non-existent? The only consistent plots lines are Adam traversing his diagnosis as well as Zayneb trying to figure out how to get back at her teacher while also navigating her anger. The style of writing was also a bit hard to get into, since it's kind of in a journal format but also not? It was a bit hard to tell. Because of that, the story as a result felt rough to really get into. There was one day where I sped through the middle section of the story but the rest was a tad choppy.
I do think the representation in this book was well executed, although I cannot fully speak to the true accuracy of it as I am neither Muslim nor someone who has MS. But I did like how the story opened my eyes more to the struggles of people who are Muslim and people diagnosed with MS and the impacts is has on their lives.
In terms of characters, I felt I related a lot more to Zayneb and her struggles than Adam. Adam I kind of related to, as I had a relative diagnosed with a disease, and although we did not lose her, I understood where he was coming from. It did feel like their love story didn't really progress until 2/3 of the way through the book, so I wish there was some more buildup with that.
Overall, if you're looking for a diverse, cute romance, Love from A to Z is for you.
I liked this book. The plot was interesting but also kind of non-existent? The only consistent plots lines are Adam traversing his diagnosis as well as Zayneb trying to figure out how to get back at her teacher while also navigating her anger. The style of writing was also a bit hard to get into, since it's kind of in a journal format but also not? It was a bit hard to tell. Because of that, the story as a result felt rough to really get into. There was one day where I sped through the middle section of the story but the rest was a tad choppy.
I do think the representation in this book was well executed, although I cannot fully speak to the true accuracy of it as I am neither Muslim nor someone who has MS. But I did like how the story opened my eyes more to the struggles of people who are Muslim and people diagnosed with MS and the impacts is has on their lives.
In terms of characters, I felt I related a lot more to Zayneb and her struggles than Adam. Adam I kind of related to, as I had a relative diagnosed with a disease, and although we did not lose her, I understood where he was coming from. It did feel like their love story didn't really progress until 2/3 of the way through the book, so I wish there was some more buildup with that.
Overall, if you're looking for a diverse, cute romance, Love from A to Z is for you.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Islamophobia
Moderate: Racism, Medical content, and Death of parent
lunagirl_alice's review against another edition
inspiring
reflective
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
5.0
Content Warnings
Graphic: Chronic illness, Death, Hate crime, Terminal illness, Islamophobia, Grief, Religious bigotry, and Death of parent
Minor: Racial slurs, Racism, Medical content, and Cultural appropriation
thebankofbooks's review against another edition
emotional
funny
hopeful
inspiring
reflective
sad
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
5.0
This beautiful book shone a light on MS, Islamophobia, and finding love in between.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Chronic illness, Racism, Islamophobia, Medical content, Religious bigotry, and Death of parent
Moderate: Death, Grief, Cultural appropriation, and Gaslighting
taliabasma's review against another edition
emotional
funny
hopeful
informative
inspiring
lighthearted
reflective
sad
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
5.0
Wow. This is the Muslim Rep Romance I've been looking for all my LIFE. I've had this book on my TBR since it came out and I'm an utter FOOL for not reading it sooner. This was so good. It is better than Saints N Misfits in my opinion and Adam was the epitome of a cinnamon roll while Zayneb was SO relatable to teen (and current) me. I cannot recommend this book enough to my Muslim Romance fans.
The Muslim Representation in this book follows most of the Islamic rules while still keeping it grounded in reality to how the "average Western Muslim" may experience and exemplify their religion.
The Muslim Representation in this book follows most of the Islamic rules while still keeping it grounded in reality to how the "average Western Muslim" may experience and exemplify their religion.
Content Warnings
Moderate: Death, Racism, Xenophobia, Islamophobia, Medical content, Grief, Death of parent, and War
Minor: Cultural appropriation
ciea's review against another edition
challenging
emotional
funny
hopeful
informative
inspiring
lighthearted
reflective
relaxing
sad
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
4.0
Content Warnings
Graphic: Racism, Islamophobia, and Grief
iamsammie27's review against another edition
emotional
funny
inspiring
lighthearted
reflective
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.5
Content Warnings
Graphic: Racial slurs, Racism, and Islamophobia
Moderate: Chronic illness and Terminal illness
biacedbooks's review against another edition
emotional
funny
hopeful
informative
sad
slow-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
5.0
Very cute book. I love that at the end it reveals that Adam and Zayneb did get married ❤️
Content Warnings
Graphic: Chronic illness, Racism, Xenophobia, Islamophobia, Medical content, Grief, and Death of parent
Moderate: Cursing
redbookpanda's review against another edition
emotional
hopeful
inspiring
slow-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.0
Content Warnings
Graphic: Racism, Islamophobia, and Religious bigotry
Moderate: Death of parent
annalisaely's review against another edition
emotional
funny
hopeful
informative
inspiring
lighthearted
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
5.0
I absolutely loved this book! It is so sweet and happy sappy while still addressing racism, Islamophobia, appropriation, and more. The relationship between these two was so sweet and as I said in an earlier post I really enjoyed reading about how the main characters experienced and practiced their faith and seeing how much I had in common with them. It also inspired me to buy my own burqini, which should be arriving any day now, despite public pools not being something I anticipate using until vaccines are widely available (I did look into it and found that the creator is happy for non-Muslims to use them). I've had bad anxiety about people being able to see my body for years and it has kept me from swimming, something I enjoy a great deal. It made me feel so free to realise there was a solution.
Other reasons to read this book include really sweet familial relationships and a male love interest who likes to make crafts!
Content Warnings
Graphic: Bullying, Islamophobia, and Grief
Minor: Death, Racism, Sexism, and Mass/school shootings
sophiesbookmusings's review against another edition
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.75
Love from A to Z - S.K. Ali
Read by Priya Ayyar and Tim Chiou
After confronting her Islamophobic teacher Zayneb is suspended from school in Indiana, where she is a senior. Adam a freshman, who has recently been diagnosed with MS, is returning home for spring break and is struggling to tell his father of his diagnosis. The both meet briefly on the plane to Qatar before being reunited at a party. Love from A to Z follows Zayneb and Adam as they fall in love, with the dual-POV allowing the reader to better understand and explore the realities of Islamophobia, racism and living with a chronic illness.
This was all kinds of wonderful, with so many layers to it that I wasn’t expecting. Yes, this is a book about first love, family, friendships and the challenges that come with these relationships. It is also about Islamophobia, drone warfare, racism, chronic illness, activism and loss. Throughout the Muslin experience is centred, while also making clear that no one experience is the same.
I don’t think I’ve ever read a book where I’ve rooted for the main characters quite as much as I did for Zayneb and Adam. The strength, compassion and love they both show, they both care so deeply, while not being without their flaws.
A wonderful and heartfelt story, and I can only imagine how important it must be for so many to be able to truly see themselves in a book.
Warning: Racism, islamophobia, death, chronic illness, cultural appropriation, drone warfare
Content Warnings
Graphic: Chronic illness, Death, Racism, and Islamophobia
More...