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A review by kelly_e
Ayesha At Last by Uzma Jalaluddin
funny
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
4.0
Title: Ayesha at Last
Author: Uzma Jalaluddin
Genre: Romance
Rating: 4
Pub Date: June 12 2018
T H R E E • W O R D S
Lighthearted • Delightful • Modern
📖 S Y N O P S I S
Ayesha at Last is a modern day retelling of the beloved classic Pride & Prejudice with Muslim protagonists. Ayesha dreams of being a poet, but she's put that dream aside for a teaching job in order to repay her uncle. Her boisterous family is constantly reminding her she's still single, but she knows she doesn't want an arranged marriage. When she meets Khalid, she's immediately off-put by his conservative and judgmental nature. His father having recently died, Khalid is focused on his career, and trusts his mother to find him a wife. When a new boss is put in place, he faces pressures to conform to different ways than what he knows. When the two are thrown together to plan event to help save an organization near and dear to them both, they're about to get to know each other a whole lot better.
💠T H O U G H T S
What a pleasant surprise Ayesha at Last was, I still cannot wrap my head around the fact this is a debut novel. The writing follows an easy flow, offering alternating third person accounts of both Ayesha and Khalid's lives. While marketed as a romantic comedy, this story is so much more than just romance. It takes a deep dive into the complexities of family relationships, religious standards, and finding oneself. Uzma Jalauddin explores many themes including identity, family, community, faith, and of course, love. The connection between the characters is magnetic. The humour an added bonus. The culture embedded within informative. The author has done a phenomenal job portraying the many different challenges faced by immigrants in Canada, in this feel-good story. For all of these reasons, this novel was an enjoyable reading experience I won't soon forget.
I've never read Pride & Prejudice so I cannot speak to its authenticity in relation to it, but this title stands strong all on its own. It is a fun, informative enemies-to-lovers done right novel that has be looking forward to Hana Khan Carries On, this author's latest release.
📚 R E C O M M E N D • T O
• Pride & Prejudice lovers
• Cultural romance readers
• those that enjoy romance without all the steam
🔖 F A V O U R I T E • Q U O T E S
"We are all just cosmic players in the eternal dance of life."
Author: Uzma Jalaluddin
Genre: Romance
Rating: 4
Pub Date: June 12 2018
T H R E E • W O R D S
Lighthearted • Delightful • Modern
📖 S Y N O P S I S
Ayesha at Last is a modern day retelling of the beloved classic Pride & Prejudice with Muslim protagonists. Ayesha dreams of being a poet, but she's put that dream aside for a teaching job in order to repay her uncle. Her boisterous family is constantly reminding her she's still single, but she knows she doesn't want an arranged marriage. When she meets Khalid, she's immediately off-put by his conservative and judgmental nature. His father having recently died, Khalid is focused on his career, and trusts his mother to find him a wife. When a new boss is put in place, he faces pressures to conform to different ways than what he knows. When the two are thrown together to plan event to help save an organization near and dear to them both, they're about to get to know each other a whole lot better.
💠T H O U G H T S
What a pleasant surprise Ayesha at Last was, I still cannot wrap my head around the fact this is a debut novel. The writing follows an easy flow, offering alternating third person accounts of both Ayesha and Khalid's lives. While marketed as a romantic comedy, this story is so much more than just romance. It takes a deep dive into the complexities of family relationships, religious standards, and finding oneself. Uzma Jalauddin explores many themes including identity, family, community, faith, and of course, love. The connection between the characters is magnetic. The humour an added bonus. The culture embedded within informative. The author has done a phenomenal job portraying the many different challenges faced by immigrants in Canada, in this feel-good story. For all of these reasons, this novel was an enjoyable reading experience I won't soon forget.
I've never read Pride & Prejudice so I cannot speak to its authenticity in relation to it, but this title stands strong all on its own. It is a fun, informative enemies-to-lovers done right novel that has be looking forward to Hana Khan Carries On, this author's latest release.
📚 R E C O M M E N D • T O
• Pride & Prejudice lovers
• Cultural romance readers
• those that enjoy romance without all the steam
🔖 F A V O U R I T E • Q U O T E S
"We are all just cosmic players in the eternal dance of life."
Content Warnings
Graphic: Racism, Islamophobia, and Religious bigotry
Moderate: Alcoholism, Misogyny, Grief, and Death of parent
Minor: Body shaming, Bullying, and Abortion