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onegalonelife27's review
emotional
funny
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? It's complicated
4.5
This is a wonderful twist on Pride and Prejudice!
The plot navigates between Ayesha, a young woman putting her dreams aside in order to do what’s right for the family-such as paying back the debt she feels she owes her uncle after he helped her family move from India to Canada when she was little-leading her to care for and be pushed around by her cousin Hafsa. And Khalid, who’s own family troubles have led him to turn to religion, bringing his strict beliefs everywhere and onto everyone, earning him some ire from his new boss. So when he finds himself roped into joining some male colleagues-and that’s a stretch of the word-into a lounge he thinks she’s not a good Muslim to which she responds with some smackdown poetry. However when Hafsa volunteers, and then consequently bails, to help out at their local mosque leaving Ayesha to take her place and finding herself working with Khalid. Which leads to some great internal exploration for both characters, seeing how they really connect to their families, and truly getting their own happily ever after.
There’s also a few cuts to other points of view, such as Claire-Ayesha’s best friend and Khalid’s coworkers who wants to help them both while navigating her own love life, Khalid’s mother who is so sure she knows what’s best for everyone especially her son, Ayesha’s grandmother who I’d hire to be a PI any day of the week, adding to some of the great tension to the plot.
Not really sure if the whole “double identity” thing had to go on as long-felt a good call from Hasfa’s parents to the Iman could really helped this part out. Like the Iman just assumes Ayesha is Hafsa and never lets her speak during introductions and Ayesha decides to go along with it to get some more spite for Khalid. Like did Hafsa's parents not tell him to expect two women?
And UGH-Hasidim boss is definitely the worst-all the trigger warnings for her. Makes my skin crawl whenever she’s around. She does get some good karma thrown at her which made me sigh in relief. Also the sweet karma for the Wickham character-whoo! I also found myself feeling sympathetic towards characters I didn’t expect and wanting good things for them too.
Also didn’t realize this came after Much Ado about Nada or would be related, but a few characters’ lines and names clued me in. So guess I should pay attention to book release dates.
Overall, a great story for those who want a good retelling of the classic Pride and Prejudice!
Content Warnings
Graphic: Racism, Islamophobia, and Religious bigotry
Moderate: Alcoholism, Misogyny, and Death of parent
Minor: Fatphobia and Abortion
ms_read's review against another edition
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
4.75
Content Warnings
Graphic: Emotional abuse, Islamophobia, Religious bigotry, and Death of parent
Moderate: Alcoholism, Misogyny, Racism, Sexism, Toxic relationship, Pregnancy, and Sexual harassment
Minor: Body shaming, Fatphobia, Trafficking, Abortion, and Murder
thewildmageslibrary's review against another edition
4.0
It's been a while since I read this, but I remember liking it! Going in, the synopsis had given me certain expectations that I was glad were not true. I enjoyed the story much better with mistaken identity being the conflict! Khalid was such a cinnamon roll.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Emotional abuse and Grief
Moderate: Fatphobia, Misogyny, Racism, and Islamophobia
Minor: Abortion and Death of parent
myfriendthatcanread's review against another edition
emotional
funny
reflective
tense
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? It's complicated
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.0
Content Warnings
Graphic: Emotional abuse, Xenophobia, Islamophobia, and Grief
Moderate: Alcoholism, Fatphobia, and Death of parent
tfortilney'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? It's complicated
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.5
Content Warnings
Graphic: Death, Racism, Xenophobia, and Islamophobia
Moderate: Fatphobia
Minor: Abortion