internationalreads's review against another edition
adventurous
emotional
hopeful
inspiring
lighthearted
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
4.5
Content Warnings
Graphic: Death, Death of parent, Chronic illness, Cultural appropriation, Grief, Hate crime, Islamophobia, Injury/injury detail, Medical content, Racism, and Religious bigotry
librocubicularist_x's review against another edition
emotional
funny
inspiring
reflective
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
This book does a great job of demonstrating what modern-day Muslims go through daily. I loved how there was always a positive for every negative, a great reminder of how we shouldn't dwell on everything that goes wrong in our life. The characters' dynamics together were really refreshing to me, it was nice seeing loving and caring families. An accurate representation of the characteristics Muslims aim to exhibit
Content Warnings
Graphic: Islamophobia, Chronic illness, Grief, and Xenophobia
Moderate: Medical content, Death of parent, and Death
Minor: Cultural appropriation and War
thewildmageslibrary's review against another edition
4.0
Hey, I finally read this! Really enjoyed it, what a cute love story.
CW: HP references
CW: HP references
Content Warnings
Graphic: Grief, Chronic illness, and Islamophobia
Moderate: Death of parent and Medical content
Minor: Cultural appropriation, War, and Car accident
ohlovehandles's review
adventurous
emotional
inspiring
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
2.75
The concept of the book is great, but I honestly took a long time to get through it. There were points where I loved the writing and enjoyed where it was going. Then other parts where it dragged on and made it difficult to enjoy.
It's a beautiful love story and I'm glad that we're finally getting to a point where halal romance books could be a mainstream thing that a lot of Muslims could just walk in a bookstore and get. I still would've liked for more care to have gone into the structure and writing.
Overall I think someone who's 13 would enjoy this a bit more and not necessarily be too critical on the writing. The thing is, it's a romance following characters who are 18+ and touching on a lot of dense and dark topics, it should have aimed to be written with the standard of readers within that age range and maturity in mind.
It's a beautiful love story and I'm glad that we're finally getting to a point where halal romance books could be a mainstream thing that a lot of Muslims could just walk in a bookstore and get. I still would've liked for more care to have gone into the structure and writing.
Overall I think someone who's 13 would enjoy this a bit more and not necessarily be too critical on the writing. The thing is, it's a romance following characters who are 18+ and touching on a lot of dense and dark topics, it should have aimed to be written with the standard of readers within that age range and maturity in mind.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Racism, Religious bigotry, Chronic illness, Gaslighting, Grief, Hate crime, and Islamophobia
Moderate: Cursing, Cultural appropriation, and Violence
Minor: Car accident
kingrosereads's review
emotional
funny
hopeful
reflective
tense
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? It's complicated
5.0
“This is a love story. You’ve been warned.”
Fantastic, brilliant, beautiful, effortless YA contemporary romance that is also a drama and somewhat of a coming-of-age.
I’m not even going to go into depth about what the book was about. You just need to know that two very beautiful souls serendipitously meet and they fall in love while going through the hardest things a person can go through.
This book was beautiful from start to finish. It is unapologetically Muslim and I friggin loved every second of it! I love Zayneb’s passion and Adam’s ability to see the beauty in the world. At first I didn’t see the chemistry between them and aside from them both keeping this journal based off an ancient manuscript, I didn’t think they had much in common since they’re SO different. But the book just unfolds in this amazing way, where you fall in love with Zayneb and Adam as individuals then watch them come together and fall in love with them as a couple.
Zayneb is dealing with Islamophobia throughout the book (at school, on a plane, at the pool, etc) and the injustices in the world make her righteously angry. And she tries to “tone down” her anger, but she learns she doesn’t have to hold back, she just learns how to be smarter than the bigots. Then there’s Adam and he is this peaceful soul that I just adored and is more behind-the-scenes in his support. He’s such a family guy and I loved his softer way of caring. They both deal with loss and grief in their own ways that make you want to tear your heart out.
I think this book does a fantastic job depicting a traditional Muslim relationship, grief, anger, prejudice, and dealing with a chronic medical diagnosis. I can’t speak for its accuracy but it seems authentic and raw. I loved that these two opposites started meeting in the middle on their own in a natural way (they weren’t forcing themselves to change to fit with the other). The book had me grinning like a fool, crying like a baby, and it even had me laughing a few times. Just a gorgeous, well written story.
Fantastic, brilliant, beautiful, effortless YA contemporary romance that is also a drama and somewhat of a coming-of-age.
I’m not even going to go into depth about what the book was about. You just need to know that two very beautiful souls serendipitously meet and they fall in love while going through the hardest things a person can go through.
This book was beautiful from start to finish. It is unapologetically Muslim and I friggin loved every second of it! I love Zayneb’s passion and Adam’s ability to see the beauty in the world. At first I didn’t see the chemistry between them and aside from them both keeping this journal based off an ancient manuscript, I didn’t think they had much in common since they’re SO different. But the book just unfolds in this amazing way, where you fall in love with Zayneb and Adam as individuals then watch them come together and fall in love with them as a couple.
Zayneb is dealing with Islamophobia throughout the book (at school, on a plane, at the pool, etc) and the injustices in the world make her righteously angry. And she tries to “tone down” her anger, but she learns she doesn’t have to hold back, she just learns how to be smarter than the bigots. Then there’s Adam and he is this peaceful soul that I just adored and is more behind-the-scenes in his support. He’s such a family guy and I loved his softer way of caring. They both deal with loss and grief in their own ways that make you want to tear your heart out.
I think this book does a fantastic job depicting a traditional Muslim relationship, grief, anger, prejudice, and dealing with a chronic medical diagnosis. I can’t speak for its accuracy but it seems authentic and raw. I loved that these two opposites started meeting in the middle on their own in a natural way (they weren’t forcing themselves to change to fit with the other). The book had me grinning like a fool, crying like a baby, and it even had me laughing a few times. Just a gorgeous, well written story.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Chronic illness, Islamophobia, Xenophobia, and Religious bigotry
Moderate: Hate crime, Xenophobia, Grief, Death, and Death of parent
Minor: Racial slurs, Racism, War, and Murder
maya_ahmed's review against another edition
hopeful
informative
inspiring
lighthearted
reflective
fast-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
4.25
Content Warnings
Graphic: Chronic illness, Islamophobia, and Grief
Moderate: Medical content and Death of parent
Minor: Cursing and Cultural appropriation
aishallnot's review
hopeful
reflective
sad
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
4.5
4.5 stars
this was such a cute love story between two muslims in a halal way! im glad ive got the time to read it especially bc its well received among muslim readers. i was the same age as these characters when this book was released and i think had i read it then, i wouldve related to the characters more. even now i saw parts of myself with zayneb's character and her sense of empathy, justice, and handling her emotions in a healthier way. adam is such a sweetheart 🥺 i really liked him a lot. im definitely going to read the eid gift and can't wait for the second book of adamzayneb
this was such a cute love story between two muslims in a halal way! im glad ive got the time to read it especially bc its well received among muslim readers. i was the same age as these characters when this book was released and i think had i read it then, i wouldve related to the characters more. even now i saw parts of myself with zayneb's character and her sense of empathy, justice, and handling her emotions in a healthier way. adam is such a sweetheart 🥺 i really liked him a lot. im definitely going to read the eid gift and can't wait for the second book of adamzayneb
Content Warnings
Graphic: Islamophobia, Death, Death of parent, and Chronic illness
Moderate: Grief
moonchildshine's review against another edition
hopeful
inspiring
reflective
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
4.0
One thing that makes me want to read this book is the amount of people who are crazy about Adam Chen. The soft-spoken artsy mualaf guy. So, naturally, Im curious about him.
And after finished the book, well, turned out that everyone isn't wrong about him. He's THAT lovable (and I associate him with peace). That's why Zayneb is such a great fit for him, in my opinion. A slytherin-gryffindor girl who's loud and brave.
Reading this remind me of how I love my religion and how grateful I am to be muslim :") and there's alot of Harry Potter and ATLA reference here, i love it alot haha.
PS. NOEMI IS THE FREAKING MVP SHE'S FREAKING HOT. PLS MARRY ME.
And after finished the book, well, turned out that everyone isn't wrong about him. He's THAT lovable (and I associate him with peace). That's why Zayneb is such a great fit for him, in my opinion. A slytherin-gryffindor girl who's loud and brave.
Reading this remind me of how I love my religion and how grateful I am to be muslim :") and there's alot of Harry Potter and ATLA reference here, i love it alot haha.
PS. NOEMI IS THE FREAKING MVP SHE'S FREAKING HOT. PLS MARRY ME.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Chronic illness, Religious bigotry, and Islamophobia
Moderate: Grief
Minor: War and Cultural appropriation
bookcaptivated's review against another edition
emotional
hopeful
inspiring
reflective
sad
tense
slow-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
4.5
Content Warnings
Graphic: Islamophobia, Grief, Death of parent, and Chronic illness
Moderate: Bullying
Minor: Hate crime, Medical content, Murder, War, and Cultural appropriation
literautres's review against another edition
emotional
hopeful
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
5.0
maybe that's what living is - recognizing the marvels and oddities around you.
after i finished this book at one in the morning, i went to sleep with my heart felt as if it was floating in the air like a giant balloon. (which is crazy if you think about it because if my heart is outside my body i'm as good as dead)
anyway, i love it. I LOVE IT. i love it SO MUCH i don't know what to say about it except that i love love love it and that everyone should read it and now i finally found The One. by 'the one' i mean my favorite romance of All Time and the fictional character that i can truly say the love of my life: adam chen. because forget fictional men written by women, this is Fictional Muslim Man Written by Muslim Woman. so you understand the effect it had on me, because of course the writer got EVERYTHING RIGHT.
oh my God i just love it. did i say i love it? because i'm gonna say it again. i love it. the characters, the plot, the discussion on islamophobia, racism, terrorism, activism, the way the story covers the topic on grief as well, the friendship that grows between the characters, the flow of adam and zayneb's relationship, the ups and downs, their interactions, everything. i love that zayneb and adam are solid characters where their story can stand on each their own but also when it blends together it was amazing as well. the fierce zayneb and calm adam argh they are just perfect for each other. the way they yearn for each other. hAAAA. i was really ready to throw a fit if they didn't sort out their misunderstanding and decided to never talk to each other again.
the writing is so honest i wanted to punch myself. i don't know why, i just really wanted to punch myself lmao. i ABSOLUTELY LOVE the water metaphor that's one of my favorite parts and when adam said 'my water' i was about to slam my head on the wall for real (i did get twisted in my blanket, it almost choked me because i was rolling on my bed in such intensity). the marvels and oddities journal, the main aspect of their very lovely fate, i just. that's it. i'm gonna start one now let's see if i can commit to it, whether it will bring me to my own adam chen or not because the concept of it does seem interesting. (the journal concept, i mean)
the elements of islam are written and represented so very accurately that i teared up several times. there were parts where the author quoted qur'an verses (my favorite was the sky one) and i opened my qur'an application and bookmarked them. i also really like that talk between adam and his father when he was eleven, about his father looking for peace through islam. cried on that part too. i think if we're going to talk about how many times i cried during reading the book this will go on pretty long so i'm gonna stop.
anyway, this is so fitting to be a ramadhan read and i'm kinda pissed off at myself for not picking this up sooner but well better late than never!
after i finished this book at one in the morning, i went to sleep with my heart felt as if it was floating in the air like a giant balloon. (which is crazy if you think about it because if my heart is outside my body i'm as good as dead)
anyway, i love it. I LOVE IT. i love it SO MUCH i don't know what to say about it except that i love love love it and that everyone should read it and now i finally found The One. by 'the one' i mean my favorite romance of All Time and the fictional character that i can truly say the love of my life: adam chen. because forget fictional men written by women, this is Fictional Muslim Man Written by Muslim Woman. so you understand the effect it had on me, because of course the writer got EVERYTHING RIGHT.
oh my God i just love it. did i say i love it? because i'm gonna say it again. i love it. the characters, the plot, the discussion on islamophobia, racism, terrorism, activism, the way the story covers the topic on grief as well, the friendship that grows between the characters, the flow of adam and zayneb's relationship, the ups and downs, their interactions, everything. i love that zayneb and adam are solid characters where their story can stand on each their own but also when it blends together it was amazing as well. the fierce zayneb and calm adam argh they are just perfect for each other. the way they yearn for each other. hAAAA. i was really ready to throw a fit if they didn't sort out their misunderstanding and decided to never talk to each other again.
the writing is so honest i wanted to punch myself. i don't know why, i just really wanted to punch myself lmao. i ABSOLUTELY LOVE the water metaphor that's one of my favorite parts and when adam said 'my water' i was about to slam my head on the wall for real (i did get twisted in my blanket, it almost choked me because i was rolling on my bed in such intensity). the marvels and oddities journal, the main aspect of their very lovely fate, i just. that's it. i'm gonna start one now let's see if i can commit to it, whether it will bring me to my own adam chen or not because the concept of it does seem interesting. (the journal concept, i mean)
the elements of islam are written and represented so very accurately that i teared up several times. there were parts where the author quoted qur'an verses (my favorite was the sky one) and i opened my qur'an application and bookmarked them. i also really like that talk between adam and his father when he was eleven, about his father looking for peace through islam. cried on that part too. i think if we're going to talk about how many times i cried during reading the book this will go on pretty long so i'm gonna stop.
anyway, this is so fitting to be a ramadhan read and i'm kinda pissed off at myself for not picking this up sooner but well better late than never!
Content Warnings
Graphic: Grief and Islamophobia
Moderate: Death