I like that the voices and settings are from a different culture to the typical romance book. It is refreshing to read. I also like that it opens from the male POV, as it so usually is dominated from the female POV and it is nice to get a different perspective. Khalid's arranged marriage adds another dimension, and it is clearly going to be one of the main points of conflict.
I like the last paragraph of chapter one, the play on the Jane Austen quote 'Because while it is a truth universally acknowledged that a single Muslim man must be in want of a wife, there's an even greater truth: To his Indian mother, his own inclinations are of secondary importance.' This at the end of the first chapter sets the tone of the novel, and the stakes are clear. I like traditional novels, including the romance classics by Jane Austen, but I love even more a modern twist on them, and this appears to be one such book.
I preferred Ayesha's voice at first, although will likely settle in to Khalid's voice if they alternate, which it seems that they will do. I like how descriptive and artistic she is, and the fact that she bunked off teaching to write poetry in the toilets. I also like the relationship she has with her friend Clara, who you already get a good feel for from their phone conversation. Ayesha's voice is to the point, slightly humorous and likeable. It is distinctly different from Khalid's voice, and what they want in life also appears to be different. This sets up good points of conflict for the rest of the book, including Ayesha's conflict between romance, her career, and societal pressures from her two cultures. She wants to do well in her career and feels pressure from her family as they have moved across the world so that she can have these opportunities, while her friend Clara wants to see her in a happy relationship - Ayesha does not feel that she can have both at the same time.
'Ayesha at Last' has an interesting, compelling and diverse cast. I like the seemingly random coincidence of Khalid working with Clara. I also like the alternating voices - it is good to get a balance of both POV characters in a romance novel, as often it ends up being rather one sided.
The cover is striking and sets the tone for a Muslim romance novel. I would likely pick this up in a book shop.
I like the last paragraph of chapter one, the play on the Jane Austen quote 'Because while it is a truth universally acknowledged that a single Muslim man must be in want of a wife, there's an even greater truth: To his Indian mother, his own inclinations are of secondary importance.' This at the end of the first chapter sets the tone of the novel, and the stakes are clear. I like traditional novels, including the romance classics by Jane Austen, but I love even more a modern twist on them, and this appears to be one such book.
I preferred Ayesha's voice at first, although will likely settle in to Khalid's voice if they alternate, which it seems that they will do. I like how descriptive and artistic she is, and the fact that she bunked off teaching to write poetry in the toilets. I also like the relationship she has with her friend Clara, who you already get a good feel for from their phone conversation. Ayesha's voice is to the point, slightly humorous and likeable. It is distinctly different from Khalid's voice, and what they want in life also appears to be different. This sets up good points of conflict for the rest of the book, including Ayesha's conflict between romance, her career, and societal pressures from her two cultures. She wants to do well in her career and feels pressure from her family as they have moved across the world so that she can have these opportunities, while her friend Clara wants to see her in a happy relationship - Ayesha does not feel that she can have both at the same time.
'Ayesha at Last' has an interesting, compelling and diverse cast. I like the seemingly random coincidence of Khalid working with Clara. I also like the alternating voices - it is good to get a balance of both POV characters in a romance novel, as often it ends up being rather one sided.
The cover is striking and sets the tone for a Muslim romance novel. I would likely pick this up in a book shop.