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ksaratom's review against another edition
emotional
funny
hopeful
lighthearted
reflective
medium-paced
3.25
this felt like a 2000s rom com: scenarios and antics that were cheesy and a silly side character made for comedic relief. I will say there was only like a hint, a smidgen, a speck of romance. it was more of a contemporary story that follows a muslim woman facing islamophobia and prejudice in her workplace and neighborhood.
I enjoyed the strong sense of community and how important it was to the narrator, but I found hana’s actions to be very childish/immature. this was definitely more ya. the ending reveal felt rushed and anticlimactic, but the story was already being dragged out.
overall, I was entertained by their banter, but I really thought I was getting a romance. this was definitely written for a western audience in mind.
bethyj's review against another edition
emotional
hopeful
inspiring
lighthearted
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? No
4.0
anggia's review
emotional
funny
hopeful
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
5.0
that upgrade from idk if we can be friends, since you're about to bulldoze my family business to my husband, definitely made me cry
writingbookscoffee's review
emotional
funny
hopeful
informative
mysterious
reflective
tense
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
4.0
farhana101's review against another edition
5.0
*4.5 stars
This book was so enjoyable. It centred around the big Fs (Family, friends and food!!). Everything about this book sucked me in- the well-rounded characters, the tight-knit community, the authenticity the authors brings both about Hana’s culture and religion. The romance was really cute too and my only complaint was that the ending was a little rushed/ended abruptly. I really wish the author had added in an epilogue or given us some insight to Aydin’s thoughts while he processed everything going on in his life. Overall, a highly enjoyable read!
This book was so enjoyable. It centred around the big Fs (Family, friends and food!!). Everything about this book sucked me in- the well-rounded characters, the tight-knit community, the authenticity the authors brings both about Hana’s culture and religion. The romance was really cute too and my only complaint was that the ending was a little rushed/ended abruptly. I really wish the author had added in an epilogue or given us some insight to Aydin’s thoughts while he processed everything going on in his life. Overall, a highly enjoyable read!
kirbyworming's review against another edition
emotional
hopeful
inspiring
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? No
5.0
moniipeters's review against another edition
adventurous
emotional
funny
hopeful
inspiring
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
thephdivabooks's review against another edition
5.0
I was so excited to read Hana Khan Carries On after absolutely loving Uzma Jalaluddin’s previous book, Ayesha at Last and it totally lived up to what I was hoping for! Charming, fun, and with amazing characters—contemporary romance fans won’t want to skip this.
Hana Khan is going to be your new favorite leading lady. Smart, savvy, impulsive, and funny, I loved getting to know Hana! A 24-year-intern at a local radio stations, part-time worker at her family’s restaurant, and podcaster, Hana Khan’s life is already full. The restaurant, Three Sisters Biryani Poutine, is struggling to make it, despite the efforts from her family. And Hana’s internship isn’t as perfect as it sounds. She does have her podcast—Ana’s Brown Girl Rambles—to provide an outlet.
When a new restaurant Wholistic Burgers and Grill is slated to open right near her family restaurant claiming to be a modern take on halal, things begin to look even more dire for Hana’s family and their ailing restaurant. This could be the end of their fifteen year run. And to complicate things more, the man in charge of the new restaurant Aydin Shah is using money from his wealthy father to spearhead the venture, further threatening to gentrify the small local neighborhood Hana and her family call home.
Hana confides in a devoted follower of her podcast, StanleyP, about the troubles in her life. Soon, Hana comes up with a plan to help her family’s restaurant survive. But the attraction between Hana and Aydin is becoming harder to ignore. Will the conflict between the restaurants get in the way of the budding romance, or will Hana find a way to find love and save her family?
Though this book is framed as a reimagining of You’ve Got Mail, I think even that description undersells the book. There is so much depth to the characters and the plot itself. A story element about racism and Islamaphobia, for instance, brings an important and timely conversation to light, and highlights the undercurrent of tension about modernizing while still honoring and celebrating your heritage and ethnicity.
While Hana and Aydin are the stars, many of the side characters brought so much fun as well. Particularly Hana’s family members (her cousin is a fantastic addition).
This is a mix of a feel good romance, cultural impact, and the push and pull between generations and how to appreciate what those before you bring. A must-read!
Thank you to Berkley Publishing for my copy. Opinions are my own.
Hana Khan is going to be your new favorite leading lady. Smart, savvy, impulsive, and funny, I loved getting to know Hana! A 24-year-intern at a local radio stations, part-time worker at her family’s restaurant, and podcaster, Hana Khan’s life is already full. The restaurant, Three Sisters Biryani Poutine, is struggling to make it, despite the efforts from her family. And Hana’s internship isn’t as perfect as it sounds. She does have her podcast—Ana’s Brown Girl Rambles—to provide an outlet.
When a new restaurant Wholistic Burgers and Grill is slated to open right near her family restaurant claiming to be a modern take on halal, things begin to look even more dire for Hana’s family and their ailing restaurant. This could be the end of their fifteen year run. And to complicate things more, the man in charge of the new restaurant Aydin Shah is using money from his wealthy father to spearhead the venture, further threatening to gentrify the small local neighborhood Hana and her family call home.
Hana confides in a devoted follower of her podcast, StanleyP, about the troubles in her life. Soon, Hana comes up with a plan to help her family’s restaurant survive. But the attraction between Hana and Aydin is becoming harder to ignore. Will the conflict between the restaurants get in the way of the budding romance, or will Hana find a way to find love and save her family?
Though this book is framed as a reimagining of You’ve Got Mail, I think even that description undersells the book. There is so much depth to the characters and the plot itself. A story element about racism and Islamaphobia, for instance, brings an important and timely conversation to light, and highlights the undercurrent of tension about modernizing while still honoring and celebrating your heritage and ethnicity.
While Hana and Aydin are the stars, many of the side characters brought so much fun as well. Particularly Hana’s family members (her cousin is a fantastic addition).
This is a mix of a feel good romance, cultural impact, and the push and pull between generations and how to appreciate what those before you bring. A must-read!
Thank you to Berkley Publishing for my copy. Opinions are my own.
mamaofperfectpayton's review against another edition
emotional
hopeful
sad
tense
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
3.5
This book fell flat for me. I love reading books about Muslim experiences, but I didn’t really love this one. I don’t know if there were too many storylines, or that I didn’t love the characters (except Rashid!), or if the Muslim/immigrant/racist tropes were too much. It was a good read, but there were parts I didn’t care for at all.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Hate crime, Islamophobia, and Racism