Thank you to Harper Collins Canada for the ARC of this book in exchange for my honest review. This is the first book I have read by this author.
Synopsis
From the author of Ayesha at Last comes a sparkling new rom-com for fans of “You’ve Got Mail”.
Hana Khan's family-run halal restaurant is on its last legs. So when a flashy competitor gets ready to open nearby, bringing their inevitable closure even closer, she turns to her anonymously-hosted podcast, and her lively and long-lasting relationship with one of her listeners, for advice.
But a hate-motivated attack on their neighbourhood complicates the situation further, as does Hana's growing attraction for Aydin, the young owner of the rival business. Who might not be a complete stranger after all...
A charmingly refreshing and modern love story, Uzma Jalaluddin's tale is humorously warm and filled with gorgeous characters you won't be able to forget. Now in development for film with Mindy Kaling and Amazon Studios.
My Thoughts
I enjoyed the podcast episodes scattered throughout the novel. This book features elements of family, friendship, a sense of belonging, and the experiences of being an immigrant to Canada. There are strong characters in this book. I really enjoyed the bonds between the family members and the story behind the restaurant and its name. Even though I had suspected all along who the loyal listener to Hana's podcast really was, there was still a good surprise or two at the ending.
While this book touches on some serious issues, there are parts of the book that read like a romantic comedy movie. Parts of this book remind me of one of my favourite rom com movies, You've Got Mail starring Tom Hanks and Meg Ryan, so if you enjoyed that movie, you should definitely read this book.
I really appreciated how the author made sure the reader knew how things turned out in the end for Hana and Aydin and the members of Hana's family.
My Rating: 5/5
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Book Details
Author: Uzma Jalaluddin
Publisher: Harper Collins Canada.
Publication Date: April 6, 2021.
Genre: Rom-Com. Contemporary romance. Fiction. Romance. Chick-Lit. Cultural - Canada.
Edition: Paperback.
Pages: 368.