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dalmavatai's review against another edition
emotional
hopeful
inspiring
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
2.5
Ah, this book. The first half worked for me just fine, but it kind of lost me in the second half. I thought there was just way too much telling and not enough showing, which meant we didn't really get to know any of the side characters and their relationships with the main characters. It also meant that I often felt disconnected from what was happening as well as from our main characters' emotions.
Basically, I enjoyed Adam's storyline because his struggle with MS was something I've never read about and his internal conflict about telling his father definitely made me feel for him. I even teared up at the end of one chapter when he recounted the french fries story about his mom, which was honestly so beautiful and touching.
Unfortunately I had a harder time connecting with Zeyneb because her main struggle was with this Islamophobic teacher at school, and I just didn't feel there was enough internal conflict or complexity involved for me to feel invested. Basically she and her friends are trying to hold this teacher accountable for his Islamophobic comments, but nothing interesting really happens, like there's no deeper conversation about why someone might be Islamophobic, or exploring the structural and systemic dimensions, etc. There were so many things I would've enjoyed reading about if the author had explored it. That said, Zeyneb's story is a very important one and I'm sure it reflects so many people's lived experience which is awesome and very needed, especially because Muslims are a marginalized and deeply stigmatized community in 'Western' countries.
The romance was very slow-burn, we don't get much dialogue between these two and we don't really understand why they're even falling for each other. For this reason, I didn't even get to enjoy Adam's chapters in the second half of the book.
Overall, I thought the concept and the emotional and social dimensions explored were super interesting, but there was so much telling without showing that made me disconnect from the characters, and I felt that there was no growth/direction in Zeyneb's storyline.
Basically, I enjoyed Adam's storyline because his struggle with MS was something I've never read about and his internal conflict about telling his father definitely made me feel for him. I even teared up at the end of one chapter when he recounted the french fries story about his mom, which was honestly so beautiful and touching.
Unfortunately I had a harder time connecting with Zeyneb because her main struggle was with this Islamophobic teacher at school, and I just didn't feel there was enough internal conflict or complexity involved for me to feel invested. Basically she and her friends are trying to hold this teacher accountable for his Islamophobic comments, but nothing interesting really happens, like there's no deeper conversation about why someone might be Islamophobic, or exploring the structural and systemic dimensions, etc. There were so many things I would've enjoyed reading about if the author had explored it. That said, Zeyneb's story is a very important one and I'm sure it reflects so many people's lived experience which is awesome and very needed, especially because Muslims are a marginalized and deeply stigmatized community in 'Western' countries.
The romance was very slow-burn, we don't get much dialogue between these two and we don't really understand why they're even falling for each other. For this reason, I didn't even get to enjoy Adam's chapters in the second half of the book.
Overall, I thought the concept and the emotional and social dimensions explored were super interesting, but there was so much telling without showing that made me disconnect from the characters, and I felt that there was no growth/direction in Zeyneb's storyline.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Bullying, Chronic illness, Islamophobia, Grief, and Death of parent
Moderate: Death, Racism, Medical content, Cultural appropriation, and War
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
lilybear3's review against another edition
emotional
funny
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
4.0
Content Warnings
Graphic: Chronic illness, Xenophobia, Islamophobia, and Grief
Moderate: Death and Death of parent
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
courtneyfalling's review against another edition
emotional
hopeful
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? It's complicated
3.5
I liked how this YA romance tackled Adam's MS and Zayneb's anger at the Islamophobia she faced, especially from her teacher, but I found the meta framing annoying and unneeded, and both Adam and Zayneb felt so aggressively and naively young, which I think bothered me so much because the plot essentially hinges on ongoing non-communication . It also seemed like the ending with Zayneb's teacher resolved way too quickly compared to the hurdle he had been built up to be. And did Zayneb's suspension record get scrubbed? How did her activism grow during college? Way too much substance just... left too easily.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Chronic illness, Terminal illness, and Islamophobia
Moderate: Death of parent, Murder, and War
s__'s review against another edition
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
4.0
Content Warnings
Moderate: Islamophobia and Death of parent
tuma's review against another edition
emotional
inspiring
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
4.25
Content Warnings
Graphic: Chronic illness
Moderate: Islamophobia and Death of parent
atinybitbookish's review against another edition
hopeful
inspiring
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
Moderate: Chronic illness, Islamophobia, and Death of parent
Minor: Cultural appropriation