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mynameislaura's review against another edition
hopeful
lighthearted
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
3.25
fluffycamel's review against another edition
4.0
Fun read. Warning: it will make you want to drink a warm mug of chai, constantly.
catherine_hopper's review against another edition
4.0
Such a fun read! Modern interpretation of Pride and Prejudice set in a Muslim neighborhood in Toronto.
maeilis's review against another edition
lighthearted
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
3.75
forloveoflit_'s review against another edition
4.0
I really did love this book, I’m trying to be stingier with my 5 star reviews though. The story like it’s inspiration “Pride and Prejudice” can be highly frustrating at times. Normally I burn through books pretty quickly but this one had to be taken in doses.
There are a lot of cultural aspects of this book that I genuinely enjoyed getting a picture of. The book is set in a majority immigrant community in Canada and so you can imagine the diverse characters.
When I did get over the initial culture shock I laughed out loud and loved the witty misinterpreted characters and their crazy plans.
This book honestly covers a lot of ground, it touches on religious prejudice and in the dangers of letting other people run your life and dictate who you will be.
I loved this one and highly recommend it.
There are a lot of cultural aspects of this book that I genuinely enjoyed getting a picture of. The book is set in a majority immigrant community in Canada and so you can imagine the diverse characters.
When I did get over the initial culture shock I laughed out loud and loved the witty misinterpreted characters and their crazy plans.
This book honestly covers a lot of ground, it touches on religious prejudice and in the dangers of letting other people run your life and dictate who you will be.
I loved this one and highly recommend it.
sumayyaha's review against another edition
2.0
Rating - 2 Stars // Own Voice Review // Recieved an ARC via giveaway
____________________________________
Me at the end: "So much for holding on to ideals.."
I can't exactly explain my rating, there are no words to describe my conflicting feelings for this book.
However, I can say that I did not expect this book to have so much of a Bollywood feeling to it. At first, I thought it would be about two young adults trying to find their way in the world while falling in love. But then it just turned out to be this mess of family drama and a whole lot of throwing around the word 'sexist' and 'judgemental'. This book was just a whole lot of oof.
Can I just say the only character I connected with was Nani Laik, she and I just seem to be bread from the same batter.
____________________________________
Me at the end: "So much for holding on to ideals.."
I can't exactly explain my rating, there are no words to describe my conflicting feelings for this book.
However, I can say that I did not expect this book to have so much of a Bollywood feeling to it. At first, I thought it would be about two young adults trying to find their way in the world while falling in love. But then it just turned out to be this mess of family drama and a whole lot of throwing around the word 'sexist' and 'judgemental'. This book was just a whole lot of oof.
Can I just say the only character I connected with was Nani Laik, she and I just seem to be bread from the same batter.
buddinbookworm's review against another edition
funny
hopeful
lighthearted
relaxing
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
4.75
bookph1le's review against another edition
3.0
3.5 stars
It is a truth universally acknowledged that if something is Jane Austen-esque, I'm gonna wanna check it out. So, not surprisingly, as soon as I saw the premise for this book, I was sold.
All in all, I applaud the shades of Pride and Prejudice that exist in this book. Some of the dialogue was, I think, lifted verbatim from that work--but that's not to say I found this derivative. I loved how the author took that great work and updated it, using it as a setting for a sweet and fun story about her Muslim characters.
When it's subtle, it's great. I really felt for Khalid, who's often ostracized for wanting to adhere to the tenants of the religious faith that are so important to him. I felt the sting every time someone brought up how he dressed or made comments about his bear. These are not problems that Christians have. If you walk around wearing a cross necklace, no one is going to racially profile you, and the NSA is not going to pull you out of the line at the airport so they can pat you down. And in Ayesha, we see a different approach to the same faith. It was very interesting to watch these two characters discuss their faith and their differing approaches to it.
However, when the book is not so subtle, it tips into over-the-top territory. I found Sheila to be a straight-up caricature. It's not that I don't believe people like her exist, because I do, but her horribleness is so obvious and blunt that it spoils some of the finer points of the story. In fact, I found her so off-putting that I almost quit reading this book--and I'm really glad I didn't. Critiquing this aspect of the book makes me feel a bit uncomfortable, since I am a white, non-Muslim woman, but while I can understand creating an obvious villain as a narrative choice, I think a more subtle villain who exposes the daily microaggressions people like Khalid and Ayesha face would have had more impact.
I liked things from the first half of the book, but I think it's a lot rougher than the second half, when I felt the book found its footing. Ayesha's struggles to figure out her life were relatable and interesting, and I really enjoyed her meditations on her feelings for Khalid, and his for her. I thought they had all the spark of Elizabeth and Darcy, and watching them interact with one another was extremely satisfying and gratifying.
There are many reasons why I'm happy about the renaissance of the rom com, and this book is on that list. I love reading about people falling in love, and I love it even more when I get to read a book that gives me a window into a world with which I'm unfamiliar. I definitely plan on keeping an eye out for Jalaluddin's next work.
It is a truth universally acknowledged that if something is Jane Austen-esque, I'm gonna wanna check it out. So, not surprisingly, as soon as I saw the premise for this book, I was sold.
All in all, I applaud the shades of Pride and Prejudice that exist in this book. Some of the dialogue was, I think, lifted verbatim from that work--but that's not to say I found this derivative. I loved how the author took that great work and updated it, using it as a setting for a sweet and fun story about her Muslim characters.
When it's subtle, it's great. I really felt for Khalid, who's often ostracized for wanting to adhere to the tenants of the religious faith that are so important to him. I felt the sting every time someone brought up how he dressed or made comments about his bear. These are not problems that Christians have. If you walk around wearing a cross necklace, no one is going to racially profile you, and the NSA is not going to pull you out of the line at the airport so they can pat you down. And in Ayesha, we see a different approach to the same faith. It was very interesting to watch these two characters discuss their faith and their differing approaches to it.
However, when the book is not so subtle, it tips into over-the-top territory. I found Sheila to be a straight-up caricature. It's not that I don't believe people like her exist, because I do, but her horribleness is so obvious and blunt that it spoils some of the finer points of the story. In fact, I found her so off-putting that I almost quit reading this book--and I'm really glad I didn't. Critiquing this aspect of the book makes me feel a bit uncomfortable, since I am a white, non-Muslim woman, but while I can understand creating an obvious villain as a narrative choice, I think a more subtle villain who exposes the daily microaggressions people like Khalid and Ayesha face would have had more impact.
I liked things from the first half of the book, but I think it's a lot rougher than the second half, when I felt the book found its footing. Ayesha's struggles to figure out her life were relatable and interesting, and I really enjoyed her meditations on her feelings for Khalid, and his for her. I thought they had all the spark of Elizabeth and Darcy, and watching them interact with one another was extremely satisfying and gratifying.
There are many reasons why I'm happy about the renaissance of the rom com, and this book is on that list. I love reading about people falling in love, and I love it even more when I get to read a book that gives me a window into a world with which I'm unfamiliar. I definitely plan on keeping an eye out for Jalaluddin's next work.
onegalonelife27's review against another edition
emotional
funny
reflective
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
4.5
This is a wonderful twist on Pride and Prejudice!
The plot navigates between Ayesha, a young woman putting her dreams aside in order to do what’s right for the family-such as paying back the debt she feels she owes her uncle after he helped her family move from India to Canada when she was little-leading her to care for and be pushed around by her cousin Hafsa. And Khalid, who’s own family troubles have led him to turn to religion, bringing his strict beliefs everywhere and onto everyone, earning him some ire from his new boss. So when he finds himself roped into joining some male colleagues-and that’s a stretch of the word-into a lounge he thinks she’s not a good Muslim to which she responds with some smackdown poetry. However when Hafsa volunteers, and then consequently bails, to help out at their local mosque leaving Ayesha to take her place and finding herself working with Khalid. Which leads to some great internal exploration for both characters, seeing how they really connect to their families, and truly getting their own happily ever after.
There’s also a few cuts to other points of view, such as Claire-Ayesha’s best friend and Khalid’s coworkers who wants to help them both while navigating her own love life, Khalid’s mother who is so sure she knows what’s best for everyone especially her son, Ayesha’s grandmother who I’d hire to be a PI any day of the week, adding to some of the great tension to the plot.
Not really sure if the whole “double identity” thing had to go on as long-felt a good call from Hasfa’s parents to the Iman could really helped this part out. Like the Iman just assumes Ayesha is Hafsa and never lets her speak during introductions and Ayesha decides to go along with it to get some more spite for Khalid. Like did Hafsa's parents not tell him to expect two women?
And UGH-Hasidim boss is definitely the worst-all the trigger warnings for her. Makes my skin crawl whenever she’s around. She does get some good karma thrown at her which made me sigh in relief. Also the sweet karma for the Wickham character-whoo! I also found myself feeling sympathetic towards characters I didn’t expect and wanting good things for them too.
Also didn’t realize this came after Much Ado about Nada or would be related, but a few characters’ lines and names clued me in. So guess I should pay attention to book release dates.
Overall, a great story for those who want a good retelling of the classic Pride and Prejudice!
Content Warnings
Graphic: Racism, Islamophobia, and Religious bigotry
Moderate: Alcoholism, Death of parent, and Misogyny
Minor: Abortion and Fatphobia