samhuss's review against another edition
emotional
funny
hopeful
inspiring
mysterious
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
5.0
spoofy's review against another edition
emotional
funny
informative
lighthearted
relaxing
sad
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
5.0
annagracehewitt's review against another edition
emotional
funny
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? Yes
3.75
jessswith's review against another edition
emotional
funny
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? No
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.0
Content Warnings
Moderate: Fatphobia, Racism, and Body shaming
farzanaali's review against another edition
4.0
loved the book. sofia is very funny even if she is reminiscent of 2012 tumblr zoella era. needed to read for my module at uni and don’t regret one second of it even if it took me ages.
zaheerah's review against another edition
3.0
Sofia Khan is single and ready to mingle, all in the name of her forthcoming Muslim dating book. Sofia is a Pakistani, hijabi Muslim working in the publishing industry. Age thirty and, to her parent's exasperation, unmarried, Sofia finds herself writing a Muslim dating guide at the point in her life where she's very much crossed it off forever.
Sofia Khan is neither a tragedy or a issues book which most books around Muslims tend to be about. Which I absolutely commend this book on, but this book just sits right on the middle for me. I didn't actually hate it, but I didn't love it either. I think what I liked about this book was how unlikeable Sofia was to me. She's a witty protagonist who makes poor, poor decisions. Who finds herself in the worst situations that she works well to get out of. I liked how light-hearted it all was, yet critical of a culture that places women's value on marriage. The moments of culture-clash were relatable and hilarious especially in her workplace which Sofia called 'the most white-centric, middle-class industry there is', and she's not wrong.
I really enjoyed the way the book lays out, with its diary-like entries and text message. It's somewhat choppy as some points, but Sofia's voice really comes through this way. I loved the family dynamics and the customs that I literally see every day.
I was certainly thrown off by the central romance, mainly because I hadn't expected that to come. I was so fixed on a particular part that I hadn't realised it was going in a completely opposite way. The surprise in the final pages was actually quite interesting. It literally took me until the last line to realise what was happening.
I think what I actually dispised about this book a lot was the microaggressions. And, in my opinion, it really ruined the book for me. Sinead @ Huntress of Diverse Book put it to words more easily than I could ever, with specific examples that didn't sit well with me either. She's also quite hypocritical and narcissistic in a way that she doesn't seem to realise and I was hoping it would kick in when she recognises the double standards that she holds.
Like Sofia's mother, and her innocently asking 'What is this click?', Sofia Khan is not Obliged merely didn't click with me. But I am interested in reading its sequel because of that last chapter actually surprised me.
Sofia Khan is neither a tragedy or a issues book which most books around Muslims tend to be about. Which I absolutely commend this book on, but this book just sits right on the middle for me. I didn't actually hate it, but I didn't love it either. I think what I liked about this book was how unlikeable Sofia was to me. She's a witty protagonist who makes poor, poor decisions. Who finds herself in the worst situations that she works well to get out of. I liked how light-hearted it all was, yet critical of a culture that places women's value on marriage. The moments of culture-clash were relatable and hilarious especially in her workplace which Sofia called 'the most white-centric, middle-class industry there is', and she's not wrong.
I really enjoyed the way the book lays out, with its diary-like entries and text message. It's somewhat choppy as some points, but Sofia's voice really comes through this way. I loved the family dynamics and the customs that I literally see every day.
I was certainly thrown off by the central romance, mainly because I hadn't expected that to come. I was so fixed on a particular part that I hadn't realised it was going in a completely opposite way. The surprise in the final pages was actually quite interesting. It literally took me until the last line to realise what was happening.
I think what I actually dispised about this book a lot was the microaggressions. And, in my opinion, it really ruined the book for me. Sinead @ Huntress of Diverse Book put it to words more easily than I could ever, with specific examples that didn't sit well with me either. She's also quite hypocritical and narcissistic in a way that she doesn't seem to realise and I was hoping it would kick in when she recognises the double standards that she holds.
Like Sofia's mother, and her innocently asking 'What is this click?', Sofia Khan is not Obliged merely didn't click with me. But I am interested in reading its sequel because of that last chapter actually surprised me.
leanne29's review against another edition
emotional
funny
hopeful
inspiring
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
3.75
thebookguru's review against another edition
4.0
4.5 STARS
so this book is good. it's funny and cute and RELATABLE. Why? well because the main character is a hijabi Muslim woman living in London. she's working in publishing too! It's also set in South London where I live so everything is very familiar.
the plot? Sofia accidentally pitches a book about Muslim Dating (the halal way of course) and they love it so she has to actually WRITE A BOOK ON THE MUSLIM DATING SCENE. haha. hilarity ensues.
It's written in diary form and yes she can be quite ditzy and stupid (she can't cook which i think is unacceptable. like you don't have to make biryani but you can at least use the kitchen without burning something smh). So Sofia is a practicing Muslim meaning she prays five times a day and is conscious of her faith in every day life.
Tbh i didnt really bond with all her friends. I like Suj but that's the only one.
i also didnt really like her sister Maria. and ALL of the brown guys were pretty useless (which on the one hand is true but then it's like????? there must be SOME decent brown Muslim guys? idk i havent met any tbh).
Conall. he is the best thing about this book tbh. okay well 2nd best. i love Conall. He is a great character. very unrealistic. I HAVEN'T MET ANY CUTE IRISH GUYS NEXT DOOR?! um rude.
PRAISE THE LORD FOR THIS BOOK AND FOR THE ENDING. i am so glad for the ending honestly it was such a relief after all the bloody DRAMA.
i guess this may have been inspired by Bridget Jones? idk. coz she seemed to be TOO STUPID at times.
Naim is a loser don't fall for his charms he is a total player.
as for Imran let's not even go there.
I LOVE THE ENDING SO MUCH AND THE SNEAK PEEK FOR THE NEXT BOOK YES PLEASE!!!
so if you like books about love, relationships, dating, friends, family or want to know more about British Pakistanis or just read a funny book then try this!!!
Similar books: No Sex and the City by Randa Abdel Fattah and The Story of Maha by Sumayya Lee (both feature amazing Muslim women and are funny but also deal with various issues)
Happy Reading!
=D
p.s there are some really good quotes. my fave being:
Naim: Your hijab is like a social condom
Sofia: yes. to protect me from socially transmitted diseases. like you.'
so this book is good. it's funny and cute and RELATABLE. Why? well because the main character is a hijabi Muslim woman living in London. she's working in publishing too! It's also set in South London where I live so everything is very familiar.
the plot? Sofia accidentally pitches a book about Muslim Dating (the halal way of course) and they love it so she has to actually WRITE A BOOK ON THE MUSLIM DATING SCENE. haha. hilarity ensues.
It's written in diary form and yes she can be quite ditzy and stupid (she can't cook which i think is unacceptable. like you don't have to make biryani but you can at least use the kitchen without burning something smh). So Sofia is a practicing Muslim meaning she prays five times a day and is conscious of her faith in every day life.
Tbh i didnt really bond with all her friends. I like Suj but that's the only one.
i also didnt really like her sister Maria. and ALL of the brown guys were pretty useless (which on the one hand is true but then it's like????? there must be SOME decent brown Muslim guys? idk i havent met any tbh).
Conall. he is the best thing about this book tbh. okay well 2nd best. i love Conall. He is a great character. very unrealistic. I HAVEN'T MET ANY CUTE IRISH GUYS NEXT DOOR?! um rude.
PRAISE THE LORD FOR THIS BOOK AND FOR THE ENDING. i am so glad for the ending honestly it was such a relief after all the bloody DRAMA.
i guess this may have been inspired by Bridget Jones? idk. coz she seemed to be TOO STUPID at times.
Naim is a loser don't fall for his charms he is a total player.
as for Imran let's not even go there.
I LOVE THE ENDING SO MUCH AND THE SNEAK PEEK FOR THE NEXT BOOK YES PLEASE!!!
so if you like books about love, relationships, dating, friends, family or want to know more about British Pakistanis or just read a funny book then try this!!!
Similar books: No Sex and the City by Randa Abdel Fattah and The Story of Maha by Sumayya Lee (both feature amazing Muslim women and are funny but also deal with various issues)
Happy Reading!
=D
p.s there are some really good quotes. my fave being:
Naim: Your hijab is like a social condom
Sofia: yes. to protect me from socially transmitted diseases. like you.'
dahabow's review against another edition
5.0
This book!!!! It made me laugh, snort and cry. If you're after a funny book full of second hand embarassment but also tender moments between family and friends then this is the book for you! Sofia Khan is unapologetically Muslim and navigates the London dating scene and ends up falling when she researches for a book. Honestly, I went in just knowing that it was a book with a Muslim protagonist and light and i got that AND MORE! This book dealt with so many topics like pressures to get married, culture, love and religion all in a light-hearted manner and I could not stop reading if it wasnt for the fact that I was really tired and made the mistake of opening the ebook in bed. Suffice to say, EVERYONE NEEDS THIS BOOK! I enjoyed the 1st person pov and present tense and it was a joy so...now unto the sequel! Because after that chapter, how can I NOT?