Reviews

The Flame Must Burn by Beena Khan

randi_reads's review

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3.0

This is a sweet take on a forbidden romance story about Cyrah, a young woman from Iran, who is in Canada for two months studying at Dale University. She is very conservative and doesn't want to do anything to shame her baba. But...she meets and falls for Ryder, who is of Pakistan descent. Cyrah knows nothing can happen between them as her baba has an arranged marriage waiting for her once she returns home.

Overall, I enjoyed this. I felt some of the writing was choppy, though. I did enjoy learning about Cyrah's culture and her inner dialogue about her fear of shaming her baba. In the end, she became a strong woman and knew what she wanted. She had a decision to make-do what is expected of her or go with her heart. Also, the twist at the end was a good one and I did not see it coming, so that was an added bonus.



kkecreads's review

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3.0

Sweet story

The Flame must Burn by Beena Khan

The flame must burn.

Beena Khan is a new author who has written four beautiful stories so far. Beena brings a colorful mix of humor, romance, and diversity to each of her novels. Her characters are so carefully crafted, from a perspective of the uncommon, which is refreshing. She writes such lovely stories, filled with a mix of cultural diversity that provides an insight into a world many of us have never seen.

Cyrah, on her own for the first time in a foreign country, trying to find herself while making sure she upholds her family honor. She struggles to abide by all of her Baba’s rules.

Ryder, a carefree college student who can't wait to escape his small hometown and stretch his wings, who is looking for peace he feels only when he's near the ocean. He longs for the freedom that can only be found outside of his hometown, that is until a pair of blue eyes come into his life.

This is the third book from Beena Khan that I have read, and she keeps getting better with every chapter she writes. Her stories flow smoothly, and she writes characters that have so much to say.

Something I appreciate about Beena’s writing is how heavily influenced it is by her culture. As someone who is not familiar with Southeast Asian culture, it is an educational moment to read about the practices and traditions being upheld. Beena does a beautiful job of showing respect and honor to her culture and the other cultures and writes about.

This book discusses the concept of arranged marriage and goes into the patriarchal stance of family. I enjoyed learning more about this practice and getting a glimpse into a Pakistani home.

This is a reasonably unconventional love story, and there are times when you can't help but truly love the sweet, shy, and good Cyrah. I enjoyed this story very much.


Be sure to keep an eye out for Beena Khan’s upcoming releases!

sasbookreviews's review

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4.0

The Flame Must burn Beena Khan

rh_author's review

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4.0

I have to be honest when the author approached me giving me the opportunity to read her book I was like, of course! Then I start reading it and I wasn`t connecting that much with the book, but I don`t like to just not finish a book so I kept going and I fall in love with it! The main guy in this book it`s just so dreamy! He is perfection, can I get him for Christmas? Please!!!

The female character in this book, I have to say it was something new for me, her background and her culture was really cool reading about her, it`s something we don`t see every single day.

The writing style of this author is really nice too, it`s turn page, funny, dreamy, I really enjoy this book! I definitely recommend this book, but trigger warning for sexual assault.