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A review by mollified_moments
Maya's Laws of Love by Alina Khawaja
funny
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.75
Maya Mirza, convinced she's cursed in romance, is headed to Pakistan for an arranged marriage. But disaster strikes, leaving her stranded in Switzerland with a cynical lawyer, Sarfaraz. As they navigate mishaps and missed connections, Maya wonders if meeting Sarfaraz before her wedding is fate or misfortune. With secrets looming, Maya must decide if this unexpected detour could lead to something truly unexpected.
When I perused the reviews on Goodreads, I encountered a fair amount of criticism, particularly regarding the book's portrayal of a Halal romance. Some readers raised concerns about certain interactions in the book that may not align with their interpretation of Islamic principles regarding relationships and physical contact. It's important to acknowledge these differences in understanding while also respecting the author's intention to portray a variety of experiences within the Pakistani Muslim community.
Moving on to what I personally enjoyed about the book, I loved that *Maya's Law of Love* had Bollywood vibes and that the female main character (FMC) was a fan of K-dramas. It was a delightful surprise to see references to one of my personal favorite K-dramas, and I enjoyed how the book incorporated elements from it. The highlight of the book for me was the banter between Maya and Sarfaraz. Their enemies-to-lovers dynamic, along with their grumpy x sunshine personalities, led to some amusing situations and entertaining arguments. As they spent more time together, their bond grew stronger, and it was rewarding to see them support each other through various challenges.
However, there were some aspects that didn't quite work for me. While the male main character (MMC) was sweet, thoughtful, and attentive, he exhibited some concerning behaviors that felt like red flags. Additionally, I found the FMC to be overly naive and almost childish at times. Her tendency to attribute mundane life experiences to a supposed curse became tiresome over time, and after a while, I just wanted her to grow up, take responsibility, and be more accountable for her actions.
Despite these drawbacks, I still found *Maya's Law of Love* to be a charming read overall. I look forward to exploring more books by this author in the future.
When I perused the reviews on Goodreads, I encountered a fair amount of criticism, particularly regarding the book's portrayal of a Halal romance. Some readers raised concerns about certain interactions in the book that may not align with their interpretation of Islamic principles regarding relationships and physical contact. It's important to acknowledge these differences in understanding while also respecting the author's intention to portray a variety of experiences within the Pakistani Muslim community.
Moving on to what I personally enjoyed about the book, I loved that *Maya's Law of Love* had Bollywood vibes and that the female main character (FMC) was a fan of K-dramas. It was a delightful surprise to see references to one of my personal favorite K-dramas, and I enjoyed how the book incorporated elements from it. The highlight of the book for me was the banter between Maya and Sarfaraz. Their enemies-to-lovers dynamic, along with their grumpy x sunshine personalities, led to some amusing situations and entertaining arguments. As they spent more time together, their bond grew stronger, and it was rewarding to see them support each other through various challenges.
However, there were some aspects that didn't quite work for me. While the male main character (MMC) was sweet, thoughtful, and attentive, he exhibited some concerning behaviors that felt like red flags. Additionally, I found the FMC to be overly naive and almost childish at times. Her tendency to attribute mundane life experiences to a supposed curse became tiresome over time, and after a while, I just wanted her to grow up, take responsibility, and be more accountable for her actions.
Despite these drawbacks, I still found *Maya's Law of Love* to be a charming read overall. I look forward to exploring more books by this author in the future.