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cmillerwang's review against another edition
challenging
funny
hopeful
informative
inspiring
reflective
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.75
This book is on the verge of 5 stars for me. The characters are beautifully written, widely diverse, realistic teenagers. With the format of a sweet rom-com, this book could easily be a stepping stone for young-adult readers to delve into learning about Islamophobia and standing up for their beliefs in safe, productive ways, while also getting to read a cute book about falling love, friendship, school, family, and some of the hardships of the real world. I remember being an impassioned teenager and young adult who was angry like Zayneb, angry and wanted to see the world change and be a better place immediately. This is a must read, and I hope to get to read more of Z and A's story again!
Content Warnings
Moderate: Chronic illness, War, Islamophobia, and Death of parent
malak_elsafory's review
challenging
emotional
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
4.25
I think you don’t realize how much a book that you can relate to can have an affect on you until you read one. I’ve never read a book that the character where like me.
Love story wise I wished they had more conversations to be honest, it felt rushed and a bit of insta love. What I do like though is that because it’s a Muslim love story; emotional is the only way they can build a relationship (no physical relationship) and so it’s build up is organic. I’m familiar with all the sayings and duas and the feeling of familiarity and warmth I got while reading this book was so unexpected.
I loved the combatting islamophobia plot lines, especially the swimsuit plot line because I have seen it happen numerous times.
Love story wise I wished they had more conversations to be honest, it felt rushed and a bit of insta love. What I do like though is that because it’s a Muslim love story; emotional is the only way they can build a relationship (no physical relationship) and so it’s build up is organic. I’m familiar with all the sayings and duas and the feeling of familiarity and warmth I got while reading this book was so unexpected.
I loved the combatting islamophobia plot lines, especially the swimsuit plot line because I have seen it happen numerous times.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Chronic illness and Islamophobia
Minor: War
librocubicularist_x's review
emotional
funny
inspiring
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? Yes
5.0
This book does a great job of demonstrating what modern-day Muslims go through daily. I loved how there was always a positive for every negative, a great reminder of how we shouldn't dwell on everything that goes wrong in our life. The characters' dynamics together were really refreshing to me, it was nice seeing loving and caring families. An accurate representation of the characteristics Muslims aim to exhibit
Content Warnings
Graphic: Islamophobia, Chronic illness, Grief, and Xenophobia
Moderate: Medical content, Death of parent, and Death
Minor: Cultural appropriation and War
thewildmageslibrary's review against another edition
4.0
Hey, I finally read this! Really enjoyed it, what a cute love story.
CW: HP references
CW: HP references
Content Warnings
Graphic: Grief, Chronic illness, and Islamophobia
Moderate: Death of parent and Medical content
Minor: Cultural appropriation, War, and Car accident
kingrosereads's review against another edition
emotional
funny
hopeful
reflective
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? It's complicated
5.0
“This is a love story. You’ve been warned.”
Fantastic, brilliant, beautiful, effortless YA contemporary romance that is also a drama and somewhat of a coming-of-age.
I’m not even going to go into depth about what the book was about. You just need to know that two very beautiful souls serendipitously meet and they fall in love while going through the hardest things a person can go through.
This book was beautiful from start to finish. It is unapologetically Muslim and I friggin loved every second of it! I love Zayneb’s passion and Adam’s ability to see the beauty in the world. At first I didn’t see the chemistry between them and aside from them both keeping this journal based off an ancient manuscript, I didn’t think they had much in common since they’re SO different. But the book just unfolds in this amazing way, where you fall in love with Zayneb and Adam as individuals then watch them come together and fall in love with them as a couple.
Zayneb is dealing with Islamophobia throughout the book (at school, on a plane, at the pool, etc) and the injustices in the world make her righteously angry. And she tries to “tone down” her anger, but she learns she doesn’t have to hold back, she just learns how to be smarter than the bigots. Then there’s Adam and he is this peaceful soul that I just adored and is more behind-the-scenes in his support. He’s such a family guy and I loved his softer way of caring. They both deal with loss and grief in their own ways that make you want to tear your heart out.
I think this book does a fantastic job depicting a traditional Muslim relationship, grief, anger, prejudice, and dealing with a chronic medical diagnosis. I can’t speak for its accuracy but it seems authentic and raw. I loved that these two opposites started meeting in the middle on their own in a natural way (they weren’t forcing themselves to change to fit with the other). The book had me grinning like a fool, crying like a baby, and it even had me laughing a few times. Just a gorgeous, well written story.
Fantastic, brilliant, beautiful, effortless YA contemporary romance that is also a drama and somewhat of a coming-of-age.
I’m not even going to go into depth about what the book was about. You just need to know that two very beautiful souls serendipitously meet and they fall in love while going through the hardest things a person can go through.
This book was beautiful from start to finish. It is unapologetically Muslim and I friggin loved every second of it! I love Zayneb’s passion and Adam’s ability to see the beauty in the world. At first I didn’t see the chemistry between them and aside from them both keeping this journal based off an ancient manuscript, I didn’t think they had much in common since they’re SO different. But the book just unfolds in this amazing way, where you fall in love with Zayneb and Adam as individuals then watch them come together and fall in love with them as a couple.
Zayneb is dealing with Islamophobia throughout the book (at school, on a plane, at the pool, etc) and the injustices in the world make her righteously angry. And she tries to “tone down” her anger, but she learns she doesn’t have to hold back, she just learns how to be smarter than the bigots. Then there’s Adam and he is this peaceful soul that I just adored and is more behind-the-scenes in his support. He’s such a family guy and I loved his softer way of caring. They both deal with loss and grief in their own ways that make you want to tear your heart out.
I think this book does a fantastic job depicting a traditional Muslim relationship, grief, anger, prejudice, and dealing with a chronic medical diagnosis. I can’t speak for its accuracy but it seems authentic and raw. I loved that these two opposites started meeting in the middle on their own in a natural way (they weren’t forcing themselves to change to fit with the other). The book had me grinning like a fool, crying like a baby, and it even had me laughing a few times. Just a gorgeous, well written story.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Chronic illness, Islamophobia, Xenophobia, and Religious bigotry
Moderate: Hate crime, Xenophobia, Grief, Death, and Death of parent
Minor: Racial slurs, Racism, War, and Murder
calamitywindpetal's review
emotional
hopeful
informative
lighthearted
sad
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: Chronic illness, Islamophobia, and Racism
Moderate: Death of parent, Death, and War
Minor: Alcohol, Blood, and Animal cruelty
thepurplepixel's review against another edition
hopeful
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? No
5.0
Content Warnings
Moderate: Islamophobia
Minor: Violence, War, and Cursing
All of the cursing and islamophobia is within the context of illustrating the protagonist’s experience and her combatting that. All violence and war is portrayed in a negative light, and as something the protagonist wants to see rid from the world.moonchildshine's review against another edition
hopeful
inspiring
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? No
4.0
One thing that makes me want to read this book is the amount of people who are crazy about Adam Chen. The soft-spoken artsy mualaf guy. So, naturally, Im curious about him.
And after finished the book, well, turned out that everyone isn't wrong about him. He's THAT lovable (and I associate him with peace). That's why Zayneb is such a great fit for him, in my opinion. A slytherin-gryffindor girl who's loud and brave.
Reading this remind me of how I love my religion and how grateful I am to be muslim :") and there's alot of Harry Potter and ATLA reference here, i love it alot haha.
PS. NOEMI IS THE FREAKING MVP SHE'S FREAKING HOT. PLS MARRY ME.
And after finished the book, well, turned out that everyone isn't wrong about him. He's THAT lovable (and I associate him with peace). That's why Zayneb is such a great fit for him, in my opinion. A slytherin-gryffindor girl who's loud and brave.
Reading this remind me of how I love my religion and how grateful I am to be muslim :") and there's alot of Harry Potter and ATLA reference here, i love it alot haha.
PS. NOEMI IS THE FREAKING MVP SHE'S FREAKING HOT. PLS MARRY ME.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Chronic illness, Religious bigotry, and Islamophobia
Moderate: Grief
Minor: War and Cultural appropriation
bookcaptivated's review against another edition
emotional
hopeful
inspiring
reflective
sad
tense
slow-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? No
4.5
Content Warnings
Graphic: Islamophobia, Grief, Death of parent, and Chronic illness
Moderate: Bullying
Minor: Hate crime, Medical content, Murder, War, and Cultural appropriation
snikhtha's review
emotional
hopeful
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? It's complicated
3.75
This was a cute story and Adam and Zainab are wonderful, vibrant characters. I especially connected with Adam, which surprised me. I also loved the portrayal of a Muslim relationship with coming-of-age characters and thought it was really well done. The pacing is great, and the weird third-person narration that comes in sometimes is also super cute.
On the other hand, being Muslim, some parts where they speak on their identity just didn't fully connect with me. Which makes sense- people don't all have the same experience. I also thought that the hurdles standing in the way of their relationship were pretty unsubstantial, especially on Zainab's part. I think if it focused more on her inner conflict with the relationship rather than the outside problems stopping her, I would've understood it more, as I did with Adam's problems.
I also would've liked more scenes of Adam and Zainab just talking and connecting. The scenes we did get were some of my favorites, so I wish there were more of those just sprinkled throughout the book. Enjoyable overall!
On the other hand, being Muslim, some parts where they speak on their identity just didn't fully connect with me. Which makes sense- people don't all have the same experience. I also thought that the hurdles standing in the way of their relationship were pretty unsubstantial, especially on Zainab's part. I think if it focused more on her inner conflict with the relationship rather than the outside problems stopping her, I would've understood it more, as I did with Adam's problems.
I also would've liked more scenes of Adam and Zainab just talking and connecting. The scenes we did get were some of my favorites, so I wish there were more of those just sprinkled throughout the book. Enjoyable overall!
Content Warnings
Minor: Cultural appropriation, War, Xenophobia, and Sexual violence