readingwithhippos's review against another edition
4.0
You’ve Got Mail-inspired romance between owners of rival halal restaurants in Toronto. Hana works in her family’s struggling restaurant but her real dream is to work in radio. She connects with a man through her podcast, not knowing he’s the same person who’s opening a competing restaurant in her neighborhood and trying to drive her family out of business. A great followup to Jalaluddin’s [b:Ayesha at Last|43124133|Ayesha at Last|Uzma Jalaluddin|https://i.gr-assets.com/images/S/compressed.photo.goodreads.com/books/1544037862l/43124133._SX50_.jpg|57683370], which if you haven’t read, you absolutely must!
kristen_eden's review against another edition
3.0
I loved 'Ayesha at Last,' and so I had high hopes here. This just didn't really do it for me. A sweet enough story but that's about it.
afrathefish's review against another edition
3.0
Really good at capturing the diaspora existence, the line “blood ties cannot be maintained over oceans” hasn’t left my head. Also really nice seeing a Muslim existence being portrayed without it being a textbook on Islam nor the oppressed angle. Lovely read, tho probably won’t be a reread
readbycarina's review against another edition
emotional
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? No
3.25
Content Warnings
Graphic: Hate crime and Islamophobia
Moderate: Bullying
Minor: Car accident, Child death, and Grief
renuka__'s review against another edition
emotional
funny
hopeful
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? It's complicated
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
3.5
i enjoyed the writing of this book more than the most popular novel from Uzma Jalaluddin, Ayesha at Last. I thought that there were fewer tropes utilized un this book and that there were more poignant reflections on the realities of living in the diaspora.
thegalinthetower's review against another edition
4.0
I am so happy this was my first book of the year. Hana has a special place in my heart. This story was good, and funny, and serious when It had to be. I love how Uzma write about the importance of community, and how if you follow your passion eventually you will find your vocation.
The romance and the family mystery had me at the edge for most of the book, it felt like a telenovela at some point, and I love every single minute of it
Also, I've never had poutine, or biryani poutine, but I’ll try it
The romance and the family mystery had me at the edge for most of the book, it felt like a telenovela at some point, and I love every single minute of it
Also, I've never had poutine, or biryani poutine, but I’ll try it
beka_ray's review against another edition
adventurous
hopeful
lighthearted
reflective
relaxing
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
natcommon's review against another edition
3.0
3.5
This was good and I'm a sucker for the You've Got Mail concept, but I didn't love this as much as Ayesha At Last. It's light on the romance (which I'm ok with, strangely enough) and the twist at the end was a little corny for me. But it was still a really good story about family, community, racism, being true to yourself, and of course, finding love.
This was good and I'm a sucker for the You've Got Mail concept, but I didn't love this as much as Ayesha At Last. It's light on the romance (which I'm ok with, strangely enough) and the twist at the end was a little corny for me. But it was still a really good story about family, community, racism, being true to yourself, and of course, finding love.
waywardwraith's review against another edition
4.0
I can't even begin to describe how much I loved this book. It's my first time reading a muslim romance kind of story, or in general a book with muslim main characters and I absolutely loved it.
How beautiful is it to finally have some good muslim representation? Not the netflix kind of representation, but a real accurate one. One where the girl isn't oppressed, where she makes her own choices and is fully supported by her family, one where she doesn't say Bismillah before breaking her fast with a shot
How beautiful is it to finally have some good muslim representation? Not the netflix kind of representation, but a real accurate one. One where the girl isn't oppressed, where she makes her own choices and is fully supported by her family, one where she doesn't say Bismillah before breaking her fast with a shot