natcommon's review
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
photokat's review against another edition
5.0
I loved Ayesha at Last, Jalaluddin’s first book but I love this one more. I love how it kept the rom-com storyline but had important things to say about faith, family and Canadian society. I enjoyed learning more about what it means to be Muslim living in Canada, even the really difficult truths.
Well written, well thought out. Loveable characters, a family I would want to know in real life and several beautiful love stories with more to them than 20 something angst. It takes itself seriously but was fun. A very quick read.
Well written, well thought out. Loveable characters, a family I would want to know in real life and several beautiful love stories with more to them than 20 something angst. It takes itself seriously but was fun. A very quick read.
suswana's review against another edition
emotional
funny
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.0
There were a lot of relatable themes in this book for me - living life as a Muslim woman, the burdens we put on ourselves as first generation children, fighting to be independent in the face of our parents expectations and being able to tell our stories by us for us instead of being told them. There were some great comedic moments through the book to ease the tension between heavier moments. There were some interesting questions posed about morality and the right thing to do in the face of extenuating circumstances. There was definitely a plot twist in there that I wasn’t expecting. Overall, an enjoyable read.
kaleys23's review
emotional
funny
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: Racial slurs, Xenophobia, Racism, and Islamophobia
Minor: Pregnancy, Suicide attempt, Miscarriage, and Panic attacks/disorders
khairun_atika's review against another edition
4.0
"Choice. That was what my parents had gifted me. There is nothing more powerful than being able to make up your own mind about something. Nothing headier than reaching out your hand and saying, This. I choose this." - Hana Khan Carries On by Uzma Jalaluddin.
Hana Khan, oh Hana Khan. You embody the spirit of an admirable and ambitious modern Muslim woman. Flawed, of course, but so full of dreams and ideas, of passion and light, that makes this book one of my favourite reads of the year.
Light-hearted, witty and with a healthy dose of drama, this is the story of Three Sisters Briyani Poutine Restaurant, and how the threat of gentrification and a new halal restaurant jeopardises its living. Hana's mother has been running the restaurant for fifteen years, and Hana is adamant to save it from ruin, resorting in hijinks and schemes as she fights her attraction towards her new rival, Aydin Shah. On top of it all, Hana is struggling with a dream internship at a radio station, and hosting a podcast where she forms a whimsical relationship with one of her listeners.
This may have rom-com written all over it (You've Got Mail vibes all around), but it is so much more layered than that. For one, I loved how it represents a close-knit and loving Muslim family by having the characters shut donw the misrepresentation of Muslim narratives. Hana is determined to share the real stories of real Muslims, and is strong-willed in having it followed through. While it portrays the warm Muslim household, it also shows the darkness of being victims of hate crime, as Hana and her family also struggles with racism and discrimination in their community.
There is a healthy balance of romance, realism and drama in this novel. A sparkling comedy with layers of long-buried family secrets and legendary family members, this is a heartwarming story of the loving support of families at its core, and I enjoyed every word of it.
Hana Khan, oh Hana Khan. You embody the spirit of an admirable and ambitious modern Muslim woman. Flawed, of course, but so full of dreams and ideas, of passion and light, that makes this book one of my favourite reads of the year.
Light-hearted, witty and with a healthy dose of drama, this is the story of Three Sisters Briyani Poutine Restaurant, and how the threat of gentrification and a new halal restaurant jeopardises its living. Hana's mother has been running the restaurant for fifteen years, and Hana is adamant to save it from ruin, resorting in hijinks and schemes as she fights her attraction towards her new rival, Aydin Shah. On top of it all, Hana is struggling with a dream internship at a radio station, and hosting a podcast where she forms a whimsical relationship with one of her listeners.
This may have rom-com written all over it (You've Got Mail vibes all around), but it is so much more layered than that. For one, I loved how it represents a close-knit and loving Muslim family by having the characters shut donw the misrepresentation of Muslim narratives. Hana is determined to share the real stories of real Muslims, and is strong-willed in having it followed through. While it portrays the warm Muslim household, it also shows the darkness of being victims of hate crime, as Hana and her family also struggles with racism and discrimination in their community.
There is a healthy balance of romance, realism and drama in this novel. A sparkling comedy with layers of long-buried family secrets and legendary family members, this is a heartwarming story of the loving support of families at its core, and I enjoyed every word of it.
livrad's review against another edition
4.0
This is the story of Hana Khan, whose family runs a rundown halal restaurant in Toronto. As its closing is looming, another halal restaurant is about to open in the same neighborhood, stealing what few customers they have left. Hana also runs an anonymous podcast and turns to a listener for advice--all while dealing with a rising anti-Islamic movement in the city.
This book has great Muslim representation and is an updated and social justice-focused version of You've Got Mail. There was a great depth of character for everyone in the book, and their world was so clear in how Jalaluddin crafted it.
This book has great Muslim representation and is an updated and social justice-focused version of You've Got Mail. There was a great depth of character for everyone in the book, and their world was so clear in how Jalaluddin crafted it.
fionak's review against another edition
2.0
DNF. This book is really annoying me. I might just be in a mood but it all seems so formulaic and the characters are very stock, so when the protagonist is made a bad driver, I have to nope out. It's such a horrible cliché that women can't drive and makes the character unlikable, when I wasn't endeared by the narrative voice in the first place.
shaelinsans's review against another edition
4.0
uzma never disappoints! i loved her first book Ayesha at Last so much when i first read it last year and her second book did not disappoint at all. i loved and enjoyed reading about these characters, the dynamic hana has w her family and how she’s also dealing with her own life, i love the strong sense of community hana’s neighborhood has and reading about it, and i love the romance between her and aydin so much