📖 Overview
After a painful breakup two years ago, Kiran and Deen's paths converge again when their siblings announce their engagement. The former couple must now work together as wedding planners while confronting their shared past.
Kiran keeps everyone at a distance through her online gaming persona, while Deen maintains a perfect image as the golden child of his Pakistani-American community. Their forced proximity leads them to question the real reasons behind their breakup and face truths they've both been avoiding.
This contemporary romance explores cultural expectations, family dynamics, and the challenge of balancing traditional values with personal authenticity. The narrative examines how past experiences shape present relationships and the courage required to be vulnerable.
👀 Reviews
Readers describe this YA romance as an authentic portrayal of Pakistani-American culture and complex family dynamics. Many appreciate the dual perspectives between the main characters and the exploration of grief, forgiveness, and cultural expectations.
Readers highlight:
- Realistic portrayal of Muslim families without making religion the main focus
- Strong sibling relationships
- Gaming/tech elements that feel natural to the story
Common criticisms:
- Pacing drags in the middle sections
- Some found the characters' actions frustrating or immature
- Several note the ending feels rushed
Ratings:
Goodreads: 3.8/5 (6,800+ ratings)
Amazon: 4.2/5 (180+ ratings)
StorygGraph: 3.75/5
"The gaming references and South Asian representation were spot on" - Goodreads reviewer
"Too much back and forth between the characters that could have been resolved with simple communication" - Amazon reviewer
"Loved the cultural details but wished the romance had more development" - BookTok review
📚 Similar books
Love from A to Z by S.K. Ali
Two Muslim teens navigate romance, faith, and family expectations in alternating journal entries.
Love, Hate, and Other Filters by Samira Ahmed An Indian-American Muslim teen balances her photography dreams with her parents' expectations while confronting Islamophobia in her community.
The Beauty of Your Face by Sahar Mustafah The principal of a Muslim school faces a school shooter while reflecting on her journey through family trauma, faith, and identity.
Internment by Samira Ahmed A Muslim-American teen leads a resistance movement in a dystopian internment camp for Muslim Americans.
A Place for Us by Fatima Farheen Mirza A Muslim Indian-American family reunites at a wedding, revealing the fractures and bonds shaped by culture, faith, and choices.
Love, Hate, and Other Filters by Samira Ahmed An Indian-American Muslim teen balances her photography dreams with her parents' expectations while confronting Islamophobia in her community.
The Beauty of Your Face by Sahar Mustafah The principal of a Muslim school faces a school shooter while reflecting on her journey through family trauma, faith, and identity.
Internment by Samira Ahmed A Muslim-American teen leads a resistance movement in a dystopian internment camp for Muslim Americans.
A Place for Us by Fatima Farheen Mirza A Muslim Indian-American family reunites at a wedding, revealing the fractures and bonds shaped by culture, faith, and choices.
🤔 Interesting facts
🌟 Author Farah Naz Rishi works as a lawyer by day while pursuing her passion for writing young adult fiction
💫 The book explores South Asian Muslim representation in contemporary romance, drawing from the author's own cultural background
🌟 The story's format alternates between past and present timelines, weaving together two parallel love stories
💫 The novel incorporates elements of online gaming culture, featuring a fictional MMORPG called "Spellbound"
🌟 The book tackles complex themes including grief, family secrets, cultural expectations, and the impact of social media on modern relationships