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fatima_ff's review against another edition
inspiring
lighthearted
relaxing
slow-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
3.75
arayofreading's review against another edition
3.0
Did not enjoy this as much as the first book but still a fun contemporary with lots of personal growth for the main character!
First, I'm not someone who is completely opposed to love triangles (*gasp* I know). I think they can often allow the main character to understand themselves better, better grasp how they want and deserve to be loved, and in some cases navigate unrequited feelings. While I think the love square hit on some of these notes, much of the love square felt really unnecessary. Only two players were actually key contenders that we should've explored, and one was introduced too late to really get invested in.
Another note—I appreciated how S.K. Ali brought up the anti-Blackness in the Arab and South Asian communities. This is something grossly normalized and similarly to Saints and Misfits, I commend S.K. Ali for highlighting intra-Muslim community issues. At the same time, I'm not sure if the issue was explored with enough depth to give the topic justice.
First, I'm not someone who is completely opposed to love triangles (*gasp* I know). I think they can often allow the main character to understand themselves better, better grasp how they want and deserve to be loved, and in some cases navigate unrequited feelings. While I think the love square hit on some of these notes
Spoiler
like how Jana had to realize that Nuah had moved on, and just because she was finally ready to express her feelings does not mean that he is able to reciprocate themAnother note—I appreciated how S.K. Ali brought up the anti-Blackness in the Arab and South Asian communities. This is something grossly normalized and similarly to Saints and Misfits, I commend S.K. Ali for highlighting intra-Muslim community issues. At the same time, I'm not sure if the issue was explored with enough depth to give the topic justice.
finitha's review against another edition
2.0
"Misfit in Love" is a companion novel to "Saints and Misfits" one of the most popular works of S. K. Ali. Since many advocated it as a standalone, I went blindly without even checking what happened in the first book. Well, surely you can read it as a standalone, but not knowing Janna's back story clearly puts you at a disadvantage.
It took me half of the pages to warm up to her character. Even with all her grand ideas of studying British lit to deconstruct it, I felt she is just a regular love struck teenager who cannot make any sense of the undercurrents in her own family. In a way, that is true. But what makes her different is the way she comes in terms with the realities around her, determined to be the liberal minded being she always preaches of.
A girl who is hard on herself having the courage to analyse her own actions must surely be applauded. A braver man would have floundered in a similar situation. It does make you look at weddings in a different light. No doubt they are scary with all the family drama getting unravelled, but it could be an occasion for a happy beginning too. And I do love the way the love story proceeded. It is not always I get to be right about the suitor among all the misdirection
It took me half of the pages to warm up to her character. Even with all her grand ideas of studying British lit to deconstruct it, I felt she is just a regular love struck teenager who cannot make any sense of the undercurrents in her own family. In a way, that is true. But what makes her different is the way she comes in terms with the realities around her, determined to be the liberal minded being she always preaches of.
A girl who is hard on herself having the courage to analyse her own actions must surely be applauded. A braver man would have floundered in a similar situation. It does make you look at weddings in a different light. No doubt they are scary with all the family drama getting unravelled, but it could be an occasion for a happy beginning too. And I do love the way the love story proceeded. It is not always I get to be right about the suitor among all the misdirection
mariemsbooks's review against another edition
emotional
funny
hopeful
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
Every muslim should read this at least once before getting married.
threemad10's review against another edition
okay alright im a sk ali whore i will read anything by her and her muslim rep is fam atlas tic and makes me feel so seen and just represented . i liked love from A to Z more then saints and misfits . It seemed like a more mature tale and without the cliches. the start of this boook ngl i was dissapointed . i didn’t want it to just be about her and finding romantic love and well the ending surprised me. I loved it and I can really relate to the having your beliefs up in your head . Your head a safe comfortable space. But you’ve got to do more to take action to. To not turn a blind eye against racism or any forms of prejudice whether it comes from your family or not. And the whole cultural superiority thing is very true.. just my opinion but i remember thinking how being an arab muslim would be cooler then being a desi muslim? Idk where that came from but ya. I liked the end so much . Also I thought layth was going to be cliche oh bad boy!(god that sounds so cringe) but I liked the way he turned out. And them just talking about stuff that genuinely mattered to both of them . So I’m really happy with the end of this book . Thank you sk ali for this beautiful tale <3
bookishbasma's review against another edition
4.0
This was one of my most anticipated releases on the year and I was overjoyed to have been approved for an ARC! The sequel to Saints and Misfits, Misfit in Love picks up two years later, in the midst of wedding preparations for Janna's brother. Everybody knows what a drama fest weddings can turn into, and of course that's exactly what happens here. In addition to last minute wedding changes, Janna is dealing with drama of her own, as she attempts to understand her feelings about the love square (yes, you heard that right) that seems to be closing in.
First things first, let's get this out of the way: the Muslim rep was impeccable. S.K. Ali always does a phenomenal job making me feel represented, and she carried that through this book. Muslim weddings can look a lot different than what most non-Muslims do, but this was handled beautifully and you do not have to be Muslim to understand and enjoy the festivities depicted. I actually DM'd the author at one point because she included one of Kareem Salama's songs that I haven't heard since I was a child and I immediately burst into tears. Books that can do THAT. That's what we need.
There was a lot of character growth in this book. Janna is a flawed main character, she has a lot of faults and can be a little frustrating at times. A stark contrast to S.K. Ali's other MC, Zayneb (who makes an appearance!!!), Janna is relatable in her strengths and shortcomings, and I absolutely love seeing her grow on the page. This Janna is a far cry from the Janna we met in Saints and Misfits, she's become more comfortable in her own skin and is continuing to develop after the events of the first book. In addition to battling her feelings for Nuah, and the introduction of two(!!) other love interests (it was WILD), Janna also undergoes changes in her relationships with her parents. This book brought up the discussion of anti-blackness in the community when speaking to Janna's father, as well as the way different cultural groups can often view each other. I absolutely loved how protective Janna was of her mother, and the development in their relationship.
While I was expecting a romantic contemporary, this book is so much more than that. It's a celebration of love and growth, and learning that life isn't always what we expect, but that doesn't necessarily mean it's bad. I couldn't stop smiling while reading this, and I will definitely doing a reread ASAP.
Some spoiler thoughts:
I received an e-arc of this title from the publisher via Netgalley in exchange for an honest review.
First things first, let's get this out of the way: the Muslim rep was impeccable. S.K. Ali always does a phenomenal job making me feel represented, and she carried that through this book. Muslim weddings can look a lot different than what most non-Muslims do, but this was handled beautifully and you do not have to be Muslim to understand and enjoy the festivities depicted. I actually DM'd the author at one point because she included one of Kareem Salama's songs that I haven't heard since I was a child and I immediately burst into tears. Books that can do THAT. That's what we need.
There was a lot of character growth in this book. Janna is a flawed main character, she has a lot of faults and can be a little frustrating at times. A stark contrast to S.K. Ali's other MC, Zayneb (who makes an appearance!!!), Janna is relatable in her strengths and shortcomings, and I absolutely love seeing her grow on the page. This Janna is a far cry from the Janna we met in Saints and Misfits, she's become more comfortable in her own skin and is continuing to develop after the events of the first book. In addition to battling her feelings for Nuah, and the introduction of two(!!) other love interests (it was WILD), Janna also undergoes changes in her relationships with her parents. This book brought up the discussion of anti-blackness in the community when speaking to Janna's father, as well as the way different cultural groups can often view each other. I absolutely loved how protective Janna was of her mother, and the development in their relationship.
While I was expecting a romantic contemporary, this book is so much more than that. It's a celebration of love and growth, and learning that life isn't always what we expect, but that doesn't necessarily mean it's bad. I couldn't stop smiling while reading this, and I will definitely doing a reread ASAP.
Some spoiler thoughts:
Spoiler
I am SO happy she doesn't actually end up with anyone. The fact that she chooses HERSELF was amazing. Also, Nuah was kind of irritating but that's okay because LAYTH IS RIGHT THERE.I received an e-arc of this title from the publisher via Netgalley in exchange for an honest review.
bear_miya90's review against another edition
lighthearted
reflective
relaxing
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
4.25
yasmeexn's review against another edition
4.0
SO GOOD. i love how it’s actually so realistic and has amazing Muslim representation. Jannas character growth is amazing.