Book Review: Love From A to Z
Rating: ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️
Genre: Romance
*4.5
My muslim heart is so happy! This was the cutest halal romance I’ve read (well I haven’t read too many but still). I always hesitate before picking up a book with a muslim character, because yes, I support muslim representation, but most of the time it isn’t done right lol. This one definitely exceeded my expectations 💖
Continue reading for more details.
Synopsis:
A marvel: something you find amazing. Even ordinary-amazing. Like potatoes—because they make French fries happen. Like the perfect fries Adam and his mom used to make together.
An oddity: whatever gives you pause. Like the fact that there are hateful people in the world. Like Zayneb’s teacher, who won’t stop reminding the class how “bad” Muslims are.
But Zayneb, the only Muslim in class, isn’t bad. She’s angry.
When she gets suspended for confronting her teacher, and he begins investigating her activist friends, Zayneb heads to her aunt’s house in Doha, Qatar, for an early start to spring break.
Fueled by the guilt of getting her friends in trouble, she resolves to try out a newer, “nicer” version of herself in a place where no one knows her.
Then her path crosses with Adam’s.
Since he got diagnosed with multiple sclerosis in November, Adam’s stopped going to classes, intent, instead, on perfecting the making of things. Intent on keeping the memory of his mom alive for his little sister.
Adam’s also intent on keeping his diagnosis a secret from his grieving father.
Alone, Adam and Zayneb are playing roles for others, keeping their real thoughts locked away in their journals.
Until a marvel and an oddity occurs…
Marvel: Adam and Zayneb meeting.
Oddity: Adam and Zayneb meeting.
Review:
Zayneb was filled with passion and anger, which we see doesn't necessarily have to be a bad thing. She stood up against the things she believed were wrong and wouldn’t hear anything or anyone who disagreed with her. This, to me, didn’t seem like a good thing especially with the way she burst out and said and did things that hurt the people around her in some shape or form. I believed all this anger was bad, but in the end of the book, both her and I learned that having all that anger isn’t bad if one can control it and use it to truly make a difference in the world rather than letting it go out of control and causing trouble.
“I'm not a violent person. I'm not advocating violence. But I am an angry person. I'm advocating for more people to get angry. Get moved.”
Adam was the sweetest 💖. He’s so strong, he takes care of things when his dad seems to be a bit out of it at times, and he’s such a caring older brother to his younger sister. I was down bad as soon as he said salam (muslim greeting) to Zeynab first to show her he’s muslim. Adam cares more about the people around him than himself, allowing himself to deal with his problems himself rather than sharing his struggles with the people around him. He doesn’t want to put any more stress on his family or make his friends uncomfortable.
I would die for a love story like Adam and Zayneb’s. They coincidentally met on the airplane and had the same exact journal! The way they balanced each other out, with Zayneb’s hot head and Adam’s more calm demeanor, and the way he likes to think through things fully before coming to conclusions. Also, their relationship never fully crossed the line of haram (“not allowed”) in terms of religion. They were, sure, at the lines at times, but for a fiction book, this was much better than I expected. The way Adam made sure Zayneb understood he would never go against the rules and Zayneb already trusted in him and believed that he wouldn’t. I could go on about them for ages! Like as they spent time together in Doha for two weeks, they also helped each other grow. Or the way he used water to represent her because she always wore a brilliant blue hijab 💗 you guys won’t completely understand what I mean until you read about them.
“This is a love story. You’ve been warned.”
Another thing I loved: dual povs! We could watch both of them fall for each other, long for each other, and care for each other…so cute! The way they both couldn’t get each other out of their minds and wanted to see each other all the time.
I enjoyed the way the book was written with each chapter being a “marvel” or “oddity” and how it seemed like someone else was narrating their story. I do love first povs, but when it feels like someone else is telling the story of two people, it just makes it seem like an actual love story ❤️.
“Maybe that's what living is--recognizing the marvels and oddities around you.”
I was intrigued in the plot not only because I enjoyed the interactions Adam and Zayneb had but also because I was really curious about how their story would end. Honestly, I was looking forward to them getting married or engaged at least because it was a muslim love story, but Zayneb was still in high school (senior) so that would’ve been weird. Though we got an amazing epilogue!! My heart was so happy 💗.
“Make sure that you make the beginning of whatever you begin beautiful.”
This book was also a good mixture of regular teen/ya stuff but also muslim/islamic cultural aspects and topics. This made this not just any other story, but an actual muslim/islamic story. The usage of common Arabic words every muslim recognizes and uses, the rules for romance in islam, then of course, the islamophobes. That’s a staple in every muslim story and makes me so grateful for my loving and accepting community. This book touches my heart in a way not all books can because of the way it feels like a big part of me.
I also want to give some appreciation to the side characters. For example: Zayneb’s friends back home. One (ayman) for giving her a second chance, and the other (her bestie) for not replacing her while she was away because that is a legitimate worry when one is away for a while. Her friends in Doha, the three emmas (loll), were also so supportive and sweet. They tried their best to be there for Zayneb when she went through some struggles and understand her as best as they could. Adam’s friend, Conner (I think), was also always there for Adam and helped him out multiple times just by being a good friend, everyone needs a Conner in their life.
“They say friends are the family you choose”
Overall,
Recommended for Lovers Of:
- Islam
- Doha life
- Cute romances
- fmc who stand up for what they believe in
- a gentlemen mmc
- great friendships
- discussions of prejudice
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