Reviews with content warning for Racism - Salaam, with Love

Reviews tagging 'Racism'

Salaam, with Love by Sara Sharaf Beg

14 reviews

kitabtrovert's review against another edition

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emotional hopeful lighthearted reflective relaxing fast-paced

Plot- or character-driven? A mix
Strong character development? No
Loveable characters? Yes
Diverse cast of characters? Yes
Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes

4.5

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a_libra_library's review against another edition

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emotional funny informative inspiring lighthearted tense 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? No

4.75

One of the best coming-of-age stories ive read in a while. It was a bit slow in the beginning but I thought that matched Dua's attitude towards her family, warming up as the story continues
As a non-Muslim I never felt lost, or confused about the traditions of Ramadan, but the reader isn't spoon fed everything going on either.

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annamorgan27's review against another edition

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emotional hopeful 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

3.0

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onthesamepage's review against another edition

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emotional 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 mean, it should probably be 4 stars, but my heart was so full after finishing this that I just don't care.

"I know Ramadan is supposed to be this amazing, special time of year for us. But...I don't feel that. And with being here, it's too different. You should hear how Mom and Dad speak of you all--they think you're perfect young Muslims, and that's not me. I don't measure up." My voice cracked. "I don't fit in."

The Muslim representation here is the closest I've ever come to what I felt like growing up as a teenager. At the beginning of the book, when her parents tell Dua that they will be spending Ramadan with her much more religious uncle and his family, Dua is annoyed because she doesn't want to spend the entire month being preached at. Her struggle with finding a connection to her faith and to Allah reminded me of my own struggles, and how I used to see Ramadan as an opportunity to improve the things I felt were lacking. And even as an adult, the struggle is still real. It's not like it suddenly becomes easier after you hit your twenties; I'm still constantly looking to do better, and some days are better than others. I loved the steps Dua took, and the plan she created for herself to find that closeness to God.

I read this book during Ramadan, which made it extra special and relatable. It's in the minor details, like having low energy levels because of fasting, the extra prayers, the importance of the last ten nights. I really appreciated the way the author highlighted the characters actually practicing Islam--there was praying, supplication, reading Quran. Usually a Muslim book will show some of these aspects, but I've never read anything else where it's this often and constant, and such a major part of the story, and I loved it.

The book also has some great, diverse representation. Dua and her family are desi, while Hassan and his family are Arab. There's also disability representation in Ibrahim. There is a very sweet, wholesome, halal romance between Dua and Hassan, which isn't the focus of the book, but I thought it was really cute nonetheless. I also liked the way the author explored interracial/intercultural relationship and the challenges that come with that.

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karina_dreamsinwords's review against another edition

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challenging emotional informative inspiring lighthearted fast-paced

Plot- or character-driven? Character
Strong character development? Yes
Loveable characters? Yes
Diverse cast of characters? Yes

5.0

I absolutely adore Salaam, with Love! Rich in culture, faith and family, this young adult novel is a delightfully heartwarming read. You can feel how grounded the author is in her faith and family because of how beautifully she was able to portray that on the page.

As a non Muslim reader, I truly appreciated the backdrop of Ramadan and watching our protagonist partake in it's traditions with her extended family. The ultra sweet, slow burn romance between Dua and Hassan was so darn cute- especially with the wholesome ending!! YES.

From perusing reviews by Islamic readers, the representation in this gem is amazing! Further still, I encourage you to check out some own voice reviews to get the full effect on how incredible this book is.

I hope Beg has future projects in the works because I will definitely be reading anything she puts out.

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goldenelegy's review against another edition

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emotional funny hopeful inspiring reflective 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? Yes

4.5

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fiwwa's review against another edition

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emotional hopeful 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

4.5

"No one deserves to be insulted because of their faith or because of how they choose to dress. It's not right."

Salaam, with Love was my first muslim romance book that I read and let me tell you I. LOVE. THIS. BOOK. SO MUCH. It has the perfect combination of romance, friendship, family, and faith with a great representation of Islam particularly during Ramadan.

Let's talk about the characters first, starting with Dua. Oh, that girl. As a muslim girl, I can relate so much to Dua's characters, we have a lot of similar views on Islam and even about ourselves. Dua's character growth is wonderful, especially how she nailed her Ramadan list. And she isn't the only one who has grown in faith because seeing her development inspired me so much, so I did too.

And Hassan? The perfect boy I need, every muslim girls dream boy, the ideal man muslim parents want their daughters to marry. He's the perfect golden boy; smart, respectful, and not to mention he's a hafiz (yes, as in a person who has memorized the whole Quran) (yes, I did screamed when they mention that).

Each of the supporting characters aka Dua's family and friends, is endearing in their own way. The family dynamics amongst them are incredible, I loved how supportive they are of one another. They even treat their friends as though they were family. Haya and Mahdi would probably be my favorites. Haya is the type of girl who can brighten our day and cheer us up when we're down, she's the best friend and sister we could ever ask for. And Mahdi, as the youngest child is just the cutest, I loved how honest he is.

I see nothing is missing from the plot. There was one part of the book that shattered my heart, no one deserves to be treated like that. I liked how the author shows that a Muslim woman's appearance, whether they're a hijabi or not, does not reflects their faith. And the ending? Perfect. Yes. Definitely interested.

A perfect wholesome read for Ramadan and would totally recommend this especially when you need more proof that halal relationship is indeed possible. When you have free time, read this before Ramadan ends.

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librocubicularist_x's review against another edition

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emotional hopeful inspiring reflective 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? Yes

5.0

This book beautifully highlights the struggles and positives of being a modern day Muslim, it gives outsiders a clear representation of how Muslims truly are and how no matter what they'll always have faith in Allah. As a Muslim myself it really gave me a chance to reflect and rethink certain aspects of my life

And also I’d to make a quick tribute to Dassan❤️ Hassan and Dua's relationship is everything I want

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alychee's review against another edition

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emotional funny hopeful inspiring lighthearted relaxing 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? Yes

4.5

the only thing this book didn't have is the spice of a double pov, everything else was so cute and so perfect !

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afi_whatafireads's review against another edition

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emotional funny inspiring lighthearted 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? Yes

5.0

I might rewrite this review in the morning, but this is my very jumbly thoughts after finishing this book at 1AM, with my eyes half opened.

Firstly, without saying anything first, I would like to say to EVERYONE ESPECIALLY to my Muslim friends, PLEASE, PLEASE , PLEASEEEEE pick this book up! Especially, since its so perfect for Ramadan. A book that portrays the concept of Islam so beautifully, in the eyes of a Pakistani author , and the REPRESENTATION in here, made it so much delightful to read.

Also, DISCALAIMER ALERTS , there will be two parts of the review which one really talks about my reflection of what I've gotten out of this book, and of one more, where I will be SCREAMING CAPSLOCKING EVERY SINGLE THING because, lowkey, the romance was HALAL AND CUTE AND GRR HALAL .

Personal Ratings : Overall 4🌟, but WITH THE WAY IT MADE ME FEEL, ITS A 5🌟

Short Summary
Dua is a Muslim from a Pakistani family, and an only child. When her father decided to take her to stay with her uncle's family in New York for Ramadan, Dua was not only stressed out with the long stay, she was also stressed in reconnecting with her extended family members. A story that is set of the month of the Holy Ramadan, the celebration of Eid, reconnecting family ties and mostly, on the stories of living as a Muslim in a country where the religion is painted as something horrid.

Personal Thoughts
I blame my half-awake mode, but this will be a very messy review. You guys have been warned.

Firstly, when I first saw the cover, my first thought was "Oh, this gonna be something cute and fun and ngawwwwwww another halal muslim story." ONLY TO COME OUT WITH CRYING, BAWLING, A WHOLE LOAD OF REFLECTING with the addition of THE GIGGLING GIDDINESS that I expected to feel when I came in the book.

This book, and this story, is more than just a contemporary romance. Its of love, its of family and most of all, its of finding about your faith again, when you feel like you've lost it while living in this place we call dunya.

I don't know which part to start, so lets start off with the REFLECTION part of the review on what made me strongly recommend this book for everyone to read, especially, to my Muslim friends.

✨ A Great Representation of Muslim and Ramadan ✨

You know how tiring it gets when your religion is always misrepresented in the media, and mygosh was it a good change to see it represented so well, written so beautifully and was explained so intricately. I loved how the author painted Ramadan as our Holy Month, the activities that we can do during Ramadan, and most of all, I love how the author highlighted that Ramadan is a month that we can try our very very best to become better people and better Muslims. Its represented and painted so well, that I teared up at some parts, on how Dua, as a character herself was so adamant into being a better person overall. And that leads me to my next point which is Characterisation

✨ Relatable Characters as a Muslim ✨

There are times when I felt that it wasn't easy to become someone good. Humans are imperfect, and I loved that the characters in this book was flawed, but they are so very relatable. Someone has bound to feel what Dua had gone through in her daily life. She's not a bad muslim in general, she prays, but sometimes is late; she reads the Quran, but sometimes she doesn't get the meaning; and at the end of the day she is still a Muslim. I loved reading her reflections and how she worked so hard to become a better person, especially during the Holy Month of Ramadan. It was beautiful and it made me cry so so much as I can relate to Dua as a person. I love reading her soul-searching journey, in hopes in finding God again, and being a better Muslim. I loved reading her prayers and her thoughts when she prayed because it felt so sincere, and mostly, I loved how that whatever she went through, there are times that as a human, we struggle to become better too.

"Mom said that would come once I learned to love God more. I wasnt' sure how that was supposed to happen naturally. What did that feel like> To love with your whole being, and know without a doubt that the object of your love cared for you more than you cared for Him?"

The book really shows a theme of soul-searching which I really appreciate, in the world where we can be forgetful and be lost. I love Dua's journey and I teared up at some parts reading it and it makes me happy that she had found what she was looking for.

✨ Family Relationships ✨

Growing up in a big family, I get that it was not easy, and in the case for Dua being the only child and living far away from her extended family, its always easy to feel like you're the only one left out. I loved reading about her family and how they reconnected. I loved that they all had an appreciation for music and that it was not something that can deter you as a good Muslim. Their family relationship, and how it was more the highlight of this book, (with subtle proses of Dua and Hassan), its a book that made me smile and just laugh at certain of their antiques. The author also included celebration of Eid and I loved reading about it too.

✨ Inclusion of Islamphobia ✨

There is a part of the book that made me tear up so so much. About how the religion was painted due to a certain group that seemed radical. It was something to paint the religion as such, its another thing where assault and murder attempts has been made just because you're a muslim, or brown or different. Its something that I am thankful for living in Malaysia as I can practice my religion freely, but its another thing where you're living in a world that is just so scary and prejudiced. While not everyone would act that way, it creates a certain stigma that will definitely scar a person for life. I liked how the author showcased this, even if this is categorized under YA Contemporary.

With all that being said, YOU WILL STILL GET BUTTERFLIES that you expected when you come in this book. All the things that I mentioned were plus points that made this book such a wholesome read that I had devoured and enjoyed so very much!

THE ROMANCE IN HERE WAS HALAL. IT WAS ANGSTY AND SUBTLE AND VERY BOLLYWOOD-VIBES, WHERE THE MAIN LEAD STEALS A LOOK AT THE FEMALE LEAD AND THEY BOTH BLUSH. Yup thats how the entire romance played out in this book and I FREAKING LOVED IT . It was not only cute but MY GOSH IT LEFT ME SMILING AND SCREAMING, cause they DID NOT EVEN TOUCH EACH OTHER BUT IT WAS SO FREAKING CUTE LIKE WHAT EVEN IS THIS.

Besides the romance, the APPRECIATION FOR MUSIC, was what made me loved this book even more. excuse me, BE RIGHT BACK FINDING AN USTAZ THAT CAN TEACH YOU TO READ SURAH (MENGAJI) AND PLAY DRUMS, AND SEND DRAWINGS AND RANDOM THINGS AND SUBTLY DOES LITTLE THINGS FOR YOU :')

Anywho, if you came across this review unedited (I lowkey will edit this), you're in luck because, you'll see how much unfiltered this review is. I loved how it made me feel.

Was it the best books out there? Not really. A lot of things still can be improved.
But did it made me feel happy, whole and just went on a soul-searching journey myself as well? BIGGGGGG YES!

This book is perfect for my muslim friends of any age. It will comfort you, it will make you smile , and mostly, it will bring you closer to God, which well, was something you won't expect when you came in this book.

Thank you to Times Reads for generously providing me this gorgeous copy of the book.

Disclaimers: All my reviews are my thoughts of the book and according to my personal preferences. Even though I had received a review copy, it does not affect my review and honest thoughts for the book.

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