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tessa_talks_books's review against another edition
3.5
My Top-Five-style Review:
5. Maya's belief that she was cursed became frustrating as the story progressed, especially since her behavior lacked common sense. Because of this, the story kept me at arm's length. Maya wasn't cursed as much as annoyingly naive.
4. The inclusion of infidelity in this story was a significant disappointment for me. Both characters showed a lack of respect for the female main character's engagement, which was frustrating. This element felt entirely out of character, especially for two characters who seemed to be deeply committed to their religion and beliefs. It felt like a betrayal on multiple levels.
3. This book cleverly employs a few fantastic tropes: fake dating, road trip/travel mishaps, and forced proximity. These elements added a delightful layer of fun and excitement to the story, keeping me thoroughly entertained.
2. The setting of this story is truly one-of-a-kind—Switzerland and Pakistan. The vivid descriptions of these places took me on a delightful journey, making me feel like I was right there. It's a testament to the author's skill in painting a vivid picture of these unique locales.
1. I truly savored this book. It's a charming, heartwarming romance that beautifully showcases cultural diversity. The author's skillful storytelling and insightful cultural explanations made it a truly enlightening read. I always find joy in exploring cultures different from my own, and this book was a delightful journey in that regard.
5. Maya's belief that she was cursed became frustrating as the story progressed, especially since her behavior lacked common sense. Because of this, the story kept me at arm's length. Maya wasn't cursed as much as annoyingly naive.
4. The inclusion of infidelity in this story was a significant disappointment for me. Both characters showed a lack of respect for the female main character's engagement, which was frustrating. This element felt entirely out of character, especially for two characters who seemed to be deeply committed to their religion and beliefs. It felt like a betrayal on multiple levels.
3. This book cleverly employs a few fantastic tropes: fake dating, road trip/travel mishaps, and forced proximity. These elements added a delightful layer of fun and excitement to the story, keeping me thoroughly entertained.
2. The setting of this story is truly one-of-a-kind—Switzerland and Pakistan. The vivid descriptions of these places took me on a delightful journey, making me feel like I was right there. It's a testament to the author's skill in painting a vivid picture of these unique locales.
1. I truly savored this book. It's a charming, heartwarming romance that beautifully showcases cultural diversity. The author's skillful storytelling and insightful cultural explanations made it a truly enlightening read. I always find joy in exploring cultures different from my own, and this book was a delightful journey in that regard.
akaur_97's review against another edition
5.0
“No one is incapable of love, but we all have the ability to sabotage our own happiness, even if we don’t realize it.”
I really enjoyed this book. It was an sweet, adorable heartwarming romance. I love the desi representation in this book and how the author went about explaining the culture in her story. I always enjoy reading books that have desi culture but I enjoyed this book even more because I felt I could relate to the FMC Maya as a desi woman. This story reminded me of all the classic Bollywood movies I adore so much.
Thank you NetGalley and Alina Khawaja for this ARC in exchange for my honest review.
I really enjoyed this book. It was an sweet, adorable heartwarming romance. I love the desi representation in this book and how the author went about explaining the culture in her story. I always enjoy reading books that have desi culture but I enjoyed this book even more because I felt I could relate to the FMC Maya as a desi woman. This story reminded me of all the classic Bollywood movies I adore so much.
Thank you NetGalley and Alina Khawaja for this ARC in exchange for my honest review.
readingwithjen_'s review against another edition
3.0
This story was unique as it takes place in Switzerland and Pakistan (neither is a country I've read as the setting of a romance book) and it was charming at times, however there were too many issues in my tastes for me to overlook. Early on, you can tell Maya is agreeing to marriage to please her mom and the expectations placed on her as a Desi daughter. But her and Sarfaraz definitely took place in some sort of emotional affair, and for him to allow their kiss knowing she was his brother's fiancé was not something I was a fan of either.
I wish the book's conclusion had Maya get to have some sort of the independence she was craving. Thank you MIRA, Harlequin, and NetGalley for an ARC of this book.
I wish the book's conclusion had Maya get to have some sort of the independence she was craving. Thank you MIRA, Harlequin, and NetGalley for an ARC of this book.
accidentalra's review against another edition
4.0
This book, which leans heavily into the fake relationship, roadtrip/travel mishaps, and forced proximity tropes, was so much fun!
After a long arranged engagement, Maya, who thinks she's cursed, is traveling to Pakistan for her wedding, and of course she gets stuck next to surly seatmate Sarfaraz for the long flight. Thank goodness she'll never see him again once they safely reach their destination. Except, you guessed it, mishaps and shenanigans subvert all of her expectations, but not nearly as much as Sarfaraz does.
I was briefly concerned that I would struggle with how the author planned to achieve the HEA that every reader knows is coming. And, even though the wrap up is a bit too tidy and convenient, it absolutely worked within the narrative.
If you're tired of reading the same old female protagonist falling for the same old male love interest, then Maya's Laws of Love will be a much needed breath of fresh air. Highly recommended!
[I received an ARC of this title in exchange for an honest review.]
After a long arranged engagement, Maya, who thinks she's cursed, is traveling to Pakistan for her wedding, and of course she gets stuck next to surly seatmate Sarfaraz for the long flight. Thank goodness she'll never see him again once they safely reach their destination. Except, you guessed it, mishaps and shenanigans subvert all of her expectations, but not nearly as much as Sarfaraz does.
I was briefly concerned that I would struggle with how the author planned to achieve the HEA that every reader knows is coming. And, even though the wrap up is a bit too tidy and convenient, it absolutely worked within the narrative.
If you're tired of reading the same old female protagonist falling for the same old male love interest, then Maya's Laws of Love will be a much needed breath of fresh air. Highly recommended!
[I received an ARC of this title in exchange for an honest review.]
slowburnsrus's review against another edition
adventurous
emotional
funny
lighthearted
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.0
Content Warnings
Graphic: Vomit
Minor: Gun violence, Medical content, and Kidnapping
miareadsgud's review against another edition
adventurous
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
3.5
bookwormali's review against another edition
hopeful
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
btwnprintedpgs's review against another edition
adventurous
lighthearted
reflective
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? No
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
2.0
I can see why a lot of people took issue with this book. I'm not Muslim, but I know what is haram and what isn't, and saying "technically" to skirt the rules doesn't mean you're not absolutely skirting them... The fact that a number of things were mentioned to be haram in the first place, but still done by the FMC baffled me. I understand why the author had that note at the beginning because I know that the way this story is put together would definitely be scandalous to a lot of Muslim people. I'm going to let other voices shine here, because I'm not own voice, but I will say the amount of touching and kissing in this book was a surprise to me.
I am also disappointed by the infidelity element of this story. Both characters had no regard for her engagement and it was frustrating. Beyond that, it felt entirely against type for anything to go so far with two character who are seemingly devoted to their religion and beliefs. It felt like a betrayal on multiple levels and made me respect both of them a lot less.
The two standouts were her therapy sessions - yay for positive POC therapy sessions - and the beautiful descriptions of their travel. Unfortunately, this book as a whole though was a miss for me.
TW: infidelity, vomit, robbery/kidnapping; mentions divorced parents, divorce.
Plot: 1/5
Characters: 2/5
World Building: 3/5
Writing: 3/5
Pacing: 4/5
Overall: 2/5
ARC gifted by HCC Frenzy in exchange for an honest review.
I am also disappointed by the infidelity element of this story. Both characters had no regard for her engagement and it was frustrating. Beyond that, it felt entirely against type for anything to go so far with two character who are seemingly devoted to their religion and beliefs. It felt like a betrayal on multiple levels and made me respect both of them a lot less.
The two standouts were her therapy sessions - yay for positive POC therapy sessions - and the beautiful descriptions of their travel. Unfortunately, this book as a whole though was a miss for me.
TW: infidelity, vomit, robbery/kidnapping; mentions divorced parents, divorce.
Plot: 1/5
Characters: 2/5
World Building: 3/5
Writing: 3/5
Pacing: 4/5
Overall: 2/5
ARC gifted by HCC Frenzy in exchange for an honest review.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Infidelity and Vomit
Moderate: Kidnapping
amyka's review against another edition
lighthearted
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
3.5
I liked this book. I enjoyed learning about desi culture (which was a stated goal of the author), and the characters were fun. There was not a lot of strong character development, and some of the motivations around the "hate" trope at the beginning were a little forced, and it was a little slow, but as the book went on, it picked up in pace and was an overall enjoyable fun read. If you are looking for a little light reading (although I did look up a lot of the terms and food on the internet to increase my understanding of desi culture), it's a great one.