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kitabtrovert's review against another edition
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
Content Warnings
Graphic: Racism, Racial slurs, Blood, Gun violence, and Islamophobia
a_libra_library's review against another edition
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.
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.
Content Warnings
Moderate: Hate crime, Islamophobia, Racial slurs, Religious bigotry, Xenophobia, Ableism, Gun violence, Medical content, and Racism
amberinpieces's review
emotional
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? Yes
4.0
Content Warnings
Moderate: Hate crime, Racial slurs, Religious bigotry, Xenophobia, Injury/Injury detail, Islamophobia, and Medical content
Minor: Gun violence
goldenelegy's review
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
Content Warnings
Graphic: Islamophobia, Gun violence, and Racism
Moderate: Racial slurs
librocubicularist_x's review against another edition
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
And also I’d to make a quick tribute to Dassan❤️ Hassan and Dua's relationship is everything I want
Content Warnings
Graphic: Violence, Islamophobia, and Gun violence
Moderate: Racial slurs and Racism
Minor: Blood
afi_whatafireads's review against another edition
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.
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.
Content Warnings
Moderate: Racial slurs, Racism, and Mass/school shootings
arireadsitall's review against another edition
emotional
funny
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
4.0
Content Warnings
Minor: Racial slurs and Racism
whatirinreads_18's review against another edition
emotional
funny
hopeful
informative
inspiring
lighthearted
relaxing
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
Salaam, With Love is a YA novel about Dua, a Pakistani-American teenager who spends Ramadan at her uncle's place and unexpectedly learns important lessons on family, faith and love. This was such a heart-warming book with a great Muslim representation (one of the best I have ever read tbh) 💗 My heart is so full. I am really happy that books with Muslim characters like this one are being published, especially in the YA corner of the book community. Swipe right to read synopsis!
The story turned out to be quite different than I expected it to be. It is cute and wholesome, yes, but the plot deals with some serious issues like Islamophobia as well. I loved how Dua's POV revolved around faith and how spiritually fulfilling Ramadan is in general. I wouldn't call this a romance novel because the plot doesn't focus solely on Dua and Hassan's blooming relationship. Salaam, With Love is more about a girl's journey of wholeheartedly connecting with Islam ~ and becoming a better person with her through her faith. I loved how different Surahs from the Quran were quoted throughout the book, and Dua's prayers (duas) for herself and her family were presented in the chapters too. ALSO, Dua and Hassan connected mostly because he helped her memorize verses from the Quran 🥺
I wish the issues that the book talked about, like Islamophobia and Mahnoor's concerns about her marriage ~ were more fleshed out. Those are my only complains about the book! I hope the author writes a sequel, though! Salaam, with Love has really motivated me in terms of religious aspects too. I am going to write a Ramadan Checklist every year from now onwards like the ones mentioned in the book :')
The story turned out to be quite different than I expected it to be. It is cute and wholesome, yes, but the plot deals with some serious issues like Islamophobia as well. I loved how Dua's POV revolved around faith and how spiritually fulfilling Ramadan is in general. I wouldn't call this a romance novel because the plot doesn't focus solely on Dua and Hassan's blooming relationship. Salaam, With Love is more about a girl's journey of wholeheartedly connecting with Islam ~ and becoming a better person with her through her faith. I loved how different Surahs from the Quran were quoted throughout the book, and Dua's prayers (duas) for herself and her family were presented in the chapters too. ALSO, Dua and Hassan connected mostly because he helped her memorize verses from the Quran 🥺
I wish the issues that the book talked about, like Islamophobia and Mahnoor's concerns about her marriage ~ were more fleshed out. Those are my only complains about the book! I hope the author writes a sequel, though! Salaam, with Love has really motivated me in terms of religious aspects too. I am going to write a Ramadan Checklist every year from now onwards like the ones mentioned in the book :')
Content Warnings
Moderate: Islamophobia, Racial slurs, and Gun violence
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