Scan barcode
jcrawford31's review against another edition
emotional
funny
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? Yes
5.0
Content Warnings
Moderate: Sexual content
100_pages_hr's review against another edition
hopeful
inspiring
lighthearted
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
3.5
I've really enjoyed reading more Own Voices lately. This glimpse into Indian culture was a treat. I loved learning more about their family customs and food.
The meet cute in this book was such a fun start and I really enjoyed watching Nadim and Reena get to know each other. I love books with strong friendships.
This book is full of secrets and that made it a little hard for me to love it.
I didn't realistic at first that this was teach a book 2 so I'm looking forward to going back and reading the first one.
The meet cute in this book was such a fun start and I really enjoyed watching Nadim and Reena get to know each other. I love books with strong friendships.
This book is full of secrets and that made it a little hard for me to love it.
I didn't realistic at first that this was teach a book 2 so I'm looking forward to going back and reading the first one.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Cursing
Moderate: Mental illness and Sexual content
Minor: Eating disorder
rrubin97's review against another edition
funny
lighthearted
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.75
Lighthearted and amusing. I liked reading about a modern Muslim girl finding her way through a comedy of errors
Content Warnings
Minor: Sexual content
booksandprosecco's review against another edition
funny
hopeful
inspiring
lighthearted
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
Content Warnings
Graphic: Sexual content
Moderate: Mental illness
Minor: Eating disorder
emfass's review against another edition
emotional
funny
hopeful
lighthearted
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
2.25
I liked all the attention paid to food in this book, although I would've gladly traded some of the time spent on the page for getting to know the hero better, or exploring the heroine's mental health in more depth. I did appreciate the representation of being so wrapped up in family dynamics and trying to keep everyone happy, and the paradox of simultaneously trying to lead a life of your own.
There were some things I did like about this book, but ultimately I struggled with a lot of it. There was a moment 75% of the way through where Reena, the heroine, is having a reckoning with herself about needing to face her issues. She's taking stock of her life and the things she's dealt with. As her issues were being listed, I noticed that most of these things had taken place off page, or before the book had started, which made me feel a bit...left behind? I found I didn't care as much as I wished I did in this moment of her story. I think this connects into my main struggle with the book: there was a lot of pulling into Reena's mind in the middle of a scene or conversation so that we as the reader could get context/background for what was going on, but it led to me feeling detached from the scene we were currently in, especially when it would go on for a couple paragraphs or pages. Additionally, my number one complaint that arises when a book doesn't really grab me applies here: too much telling, not enough showing.
I was incredibly wary when we met Nadim, especially because of how much he was flirting with Reena after she'd made it clear (I thought) that she wasn't interested, or certainly before she was showing him any mutual interest. With that said, I thought consent representation was pretty great when it came up throughout the rest of the book.
I didn't love the myriad subplots, though I mostly found them hard to track in the moment of revelation when they all came together at the end. In trying to follow the reveals, my brain got tired, and in emerging from the other side, I'm not sure how well they served the story as opposed to just diffusing focus.
Lastly, I am always bummed by fade-to-black steamy scenes. I'm happy for them to exist that way for those readers that want them, but I want to be present for all the moments of the main characters getting to know each other and building intimacy.
There were some things I did like about this book, but ultimately I struggled with a lot of it. There was a moment 75% of the way through where Reena, the heroine, is having a reckoning with herself about needing to face her issues. She's taking stock of her life and the things she's dealt with. As her issues were being listed, I noticed that most of these things had taken place off page, or before the book had started, which made me feel a bit...left behind? I found I didn't care as much as I wished I did in this moment of her story. I think this connects into my main struggle with the book: there was a lot of pulling into Reena's mind in the middle of a scene or conversation so that we as the reader could get context/background for what was going on, but it led to me feeling detached from the scene we were currently in, especially when it would go on for a couple paragraphs or pages. Additionally, my number one complaint that arises when a book doesn't really grab me applies here: too much telling, not enough showing.
I was incredibly wary when we met Nadim, especially because of how much he was flirting with Reena after she'd made it clear (I thought) that she wasn't interested, or certainly before she was showing him any mutual interest. With that said, I thought consent representation was pretty great when it came up throughout the rest of the book.
I didn't love the myriad subplots, though I mostly found them hard to track in the moment of revelation when they all came together at the end. In trying to follow the reveals, my brain got tired, and in emerging from the other side, I'm not sure how well they served the story as opposed to just diffusing focus.
Lastly, I am always bummed by fade-to-black steamy scenes. I'm happy for them to exist that way for those readers that want them, but I want to be present for all the moments of the main characters getting to know each other and building intimacy.
Content Warnings
Moderate: Alcoholism, Eating disorder, Emotional abuse, and Mental illness
Minor: Sexual content
thespinystacks's review against another edition
funny
informative
lighthearted
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
3.75
Let me say, I thoroughly enjoyed this Canadian rom-com. It threw in Tim Hortons and a few ‘eh’ comments to remind me of things I love about my old home.
Reena, our main character takes us on a light cultural journey through the eyes of a Muslim daughter, toeing the line between being her own modern woman while still wanting to make her parents proud.
I loved that this wasn’t a lesson in Islam, but would weave Muslim culture through the story giving the reader the opportunity to go and research elements of the religion that they don’t know / understand. It is assumed that the reader will have some base level of knowledge, and that’s how it should be in my opinion.
This is a solid rom-com that will have you craving bread and rich dips.
Reena, our main character takes us on a light cultural journey through the eyes of a Muslim daughter, toeing the line between being her own modern woman while still wanting to make her parents proud.
I loved that this wasn’t a lesson in Islam, but would weave Muslim culture through the story giving the reader the opportunity to go and research elements of the religion that they don’t know / understand. It is assumed that the reader will have some base level of knowledge, and that’s how it should be in my opinion.
This is a solid rom-com that will have you craving bread and rich dips.
Content Warnings
Minor: Sexual content
linesiunderline's review against another edition
emotional
lighthearted
slow-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
3.0
The concept of this romance really drew me to the book. Fake romance meets competitive cooking contest? Yes please!
Unfortunately for me, the overall execution did not meet expectations.
Best bits
- Ah the food, so many descriptions of mouth-watering yummy things. This was a real strength.
- I enjoyed the glimpse into Reena’s Indian Muslim family. The author brought this community to life.
Howevers
- Way too many things happening - so many plot threads that they couldn’t possibly be developed or attended to in a satisfying way.
- Something about the writing felt flat, more telling than showing.
- I am by no means a widely read romance reader, but I didn’t find the sex scenes to be confidently written, there was an awkwardness to them.
- Considering Nadim was pretty critical to the success of the story, I found him to be underdeveloped.
I am interested to read more Own Voices reviews of this title since some of the reviews I’ve read find the way that some characters’ relationship with alcohol is represented throughout the book to be problematic. A head’s up.
Unfortunately for me, the overall execution did not meet expectations.
Best bits
- Ah the food, so many descriptions of mouth-watering yummy things. This was a real strength.
- I enjoyed the glimpse into Reena’s Indian Muslim family. The author brought this community to life.
Howevers
- Way too many things happening - so many plot threads that they couldn’t possibly be developed or attended to in a satisfying way.
- Something about the writing felt flat, more telling than showing.
- I am by no means a widely read romance reader, but I didn’t find the sex scenes to be confidently written, there was an awkwardness to them.
- Considering Nadim was pretty critical to the success of the story, I found him to be underdeveloped.
I am interested to read more Own Voices reviews of this title since some of the reviews I’ve read find the way that some characters’ relationship with alcohol is represented throughout the book to be problematic. A head’s up.
Content Warnings
Moderate: Eating disorder, Infidelity, and Sexual content
decklededgess's review against another edition
emotional
funny
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
4.0
trigger warnings: job loss, depression, alcohol abuse, sex and nudity mention, biphobia mention, cheating mention, incest mention, eating disorder mention, islamophobia mention
bro this book was wild lmao. a wild foot fetish appears. i loved it either way though it was pretty funny and the romance was super adorable.
bro this book was wild lmao. a wild foot fetish appears. i loved it either way though it was pretty funny and the romance was super adorable.
Content Warnings
Moderate: Alcoholism, Eating disorder, Infidelity, Mental illness, Sexual content, Islamophobia, and Death of parent
Minor: Biphobia, Body shaming, Incest, Mental illness, Misogyny, Religious bigotry, and Death of parent
qace90's review against another edition
emotional
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
4.75
I received an advance copy from the publisher via Netgalley for review purposes. This in no way influences my review; all words, thoughts, and opinions are my own.
This is a great blending of family and friendship and romance, as well as finding your own path and finding love along the way. Really enjoyed this! Full review closer to release.
Full review:
This book is so wonderful!
Reena is unhappy at her finance job and finds her family to be overly meddling, especially when she learns her father has arranged her engagement with Nadim as part of a business agreement. But when she happens to meet him as her new neighbor, and he’s already smitten with the fresh-baked bread smells always coming from her apartment, she’s unwillingly attracted to him. When she loses her job and runs into Nadim at the local bar, they drunkenly submit a video to a cooking contest and find themselves faking their engagement in order to win prestigious baking course.
This was really fun and sweet, full of wonderful friendship and complicated familial relationships. I loved seeing the development between Reena and Saira, her younger sister, especially and how even a tense sibling bond can change with effort and time. I also loved how central food was and how much love was included in the meals Reena and Nadim made. I appreciated how they wanted to stay true to their roots as East African-Indian Muslims and refused to dilute or colonize their food.
I will admit I almost set this book aside because I was feeling bored and there’s more fatmisia than I’m wholly comfortable with, but I’m glad I stuck it out because the ending especially was super sweet. This has such a sweet romance and I think it played wonderfully with the fake dating trope. Definitely recommend if you’re interested in a romance where friendship and food are central, and family is complicated but still loving in their imperfect ways.
This is a great blending of family and friendship and romance, as well as finding your own path and finding love along the way. Really enjoyed this! Full review closer to release.
Full review:
This book is so wonderful!
Reena is unhappy at her finance job and finds her family to be overly meddling, especially when she learns her father has arranged her engagement with Nadim as part of a business agreement. But when she happens to meet him as her new neighbor, and he’s already smitten with the fresh-baked bread smells always coming from her apartment, she’s unwillingly attracted to him. When she loses her job and runs into Nadim at the local bar, they drunkenly submit a video to a cooking contest and find themselves faking their engagement in order to win prestigious baking course.
This was really fun and sweet, full of wonderful friendship and complicated familial relationships. I loved seeing the development between Reena and Saira, her younger sister, especially and how even a tense sibling bond can change with effort and time. I also loved how central food was and how much love was included in the meals Reena and Nadim made. I appreciated how they wanted to stay true to their roots as East African-Indian Muslims and refused to dilute or colonize their food.
I will admit I almost set this book aside because I was feeling bored and there’s more fatmisia than I’m wholly comfortable with, but I’m glad I stuck it out because the ending especially was super sweet. This has such a sweet romance and I think it played wonderfully with the fake dating trope. Definitely recommend if you’re interested in a romance where friendship and food are central, and family is complicated but still loving in their imperfect ways.
Content Warnings
Moderate: Eating disorder and Mental illness
Minor: Ableism, Alcoholism, Body shaming, Fatphobia, and Sexual content
More...