Reviews

wholesome overall, but it felt like it was written for a middle grade audience. maybe it's because it's the author's first book (as far as i know). everything that happened felt like it came out of nowhere. I don't know why dua and hassan like each other. there is almost no chemistry between them and they don't even have much screen time together to develop their relationship. everything was rushed. it's a nice book with nice ideas but could have been done better.

Content Warnings

moony_reads_'s review against another edition

Go to review page

emotional funny hopeful informative inspiring lighthearted reflective 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

3.0

ensara's review against another edition

Go to review page

2.0

⭐️4/5
This review might have some minor spoilers ahead. Thank you NetGalley and Random House Children’s for providing me with an eARC of this book!

There’s so many pros yet also a few cons you can spot in this book.

I’ll begin with the cons so we can get them over with, and end this review on a good note, because this story deserves so much love.

– Our MC, Dua, let out a breath she didn’t realize she was holding at least twice, and that made me feel like completely shutting the book.

– I love what the author did with this story, and I realize I was reading an ARC, but whoever edited this should step up their editing game. There’s some hiccups on the text that could very well not have been there if an editor had looked at it.

– Hafidh and in a band? The heart that holds the Quran truly cannot hold music, and vice versa, at least from what I’ve learned.

– Boy (19) teaches girl (17) Quran when there are female teachers available? Not very ideal, not ideal at all.

– It felt like the whole MSA situation was definitely a little forced with those counselor emails.

– The uncle being mad about Asr time, when it’s usually not prayed that soon? Maybe the uncle follows a secret Madhhab.

But nonetheless, these are not MAJOR parts of the book. The majority of the book was enjoyable and had great representation! I LOVE LOVE LOVED seeing the Surahs, joy of Eid, warmth of Ramadan, it was so beautiful. The whole time I was experiencing everything good with our MC.

I’ve read a few books where MC is filled with internalized Islamophobia, but while Dua struggled with her faith in the beginning of the story, by the end she truly understood what her faith can do and how important it is. I loved seeing Dua learn and grow about and through Islam.

I didn’t have a lot of problems with the music aspect. Sometimes it was strange, sometimes I thought we could’ve left that out, but I think Nasheeds are a step towards a better direction, InshaAllah.

The romances are sooooo cute and just cheesy enough! The romances were halal (for the most part), and incredibly likable. I was mad at Mahnoor for a quick moment, but it’s ok she recovered.

The family ties are just top-tier (lol). Child-parent, relatives, MC-cousins, it’s all so wonderful! The way that they all learn and grow throughout the book is very comforting.

It’s very hard to dislike any characters, at least for me. Adam and Kat were probably some of my favorites. I can’t wait to (force) recommend my sister to read this book. It’s definitely a light-ish read that can put you out of a slump. Wrote this review very late so I hope it makes sense!

I look forward to reading more works of Sara Sharaf Beg in the future.

Salaam, With Love

Ensara Sejko < 3