Rating: ★★★★
Audience: YA Contemporary Romance
Length: 400 pages
Author: Priyanka Taslim
Publisher: Simon Schuster
Release Date: January 3rd, 2023
Image & Other Reviews on: Goodreads
BOOK SUMMARY:
To All the Boys I’ve Loved Before meets Pride and Prejudice in this delightful and heartfelt rom-com about a Bangladeshi American teen whose meddling mother arranges a match to secure their family’s financial security—just as she’s falling in love with someone else.
Zahra Khan is basically Bangladeshi royalty, but being a princess doesn’t pay the bills in Paterson, New Jersey. While Zahra’s plans for financial security this summer involve working long hours at Chai Ho and saving up for college writing courses, Amma is convinced that all Zahra needs is a “good match,” Jane Austen style.
Enter Harun Emon, who’s wealthy, devastatingly handsome, and…aloof. As soon as Zahra meets him, she knows it’s a bad match. It’s nothing like the connection she has with Nayim Aktar, the new dishwasher at the tea shop, who just gets Zahra in a way no one has before. So, when Zahra finds out that Harun is just as uninterested in this match as she is, they decide to slowly sabotage their parents’ plans. And for once in Zahra’s life, she can have her rossomalai and eat it too: “dating” Harun and keeping Amma happy while catching real feelings for Nayim.
But life—and boys—can be more complicated than Zahra realizes. With her feelings all mixed up, Zahra discovers that sometimes being a good Bengali kid can be a royal pain.
Thank you Book Club Favorites and Simon and Schuster for the gifted copy.
REAL SWEET.
I adored this! I LOVE that it fits perfectly into the young adult category. I know I’m far past that, but it goes to show that it can be a well loved book for all ages too.
Zahra went on a coming of age journey through a dash of a love triangle and I was pleasantly charmed. Not one to generally be a fan of love triangles I liked the way this one worked out. Both boys helped Zahra realize some things about herself and ultimately led to a lot of growth for all parties. I do wish there was a little more romantic relationship development, but that’s really the only thing I needed more of.
Even when I found the mom/daughter dynamics frustrating, I loved how caring they were. Both sides looking out for one another and having that true, real relationship between them. I love supportive and kind families and this had a great one.
The plot moved steadily and I don’t remember being bored with any of it. It’s got a great level of dramatics that only add to the flair of the storyline. I loved Zahra’s friendships and how those weren’t just for show. Growing those relationships, even as things are changing, is such an important aspect of life.
Beautiful debut. I loved learning more about Bangladeshi culture and loved the coming of age tale. Can’t wait for more!
Overall audience notes:
- YA Contemporary Romance
- Language: a little
- Romance: kisses
- Trigger/Content Warnings: loss of a parent (off page, prior to book), low income situations
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