We Created You in Pairs: Book 1

by Lina H. Fredj

Two hearts, one divine plan… in this life, and in the next.

When Ilyanna and Riyadh nearly collide at an intersection one fateful night in London, it does not feel like an accident. Rather, it looks like fate—the hand of God—propelling them onto each other's path.

Ilyanna, an ambitious North African law undergraduate with an adrenaline addiction and dazzling baking skills fighting to achieve the strong independent woman fantasy, initially distrusts Riyadh's marriage intentions. On paper, he sounds too perfect to be an attractive junior doctor, sharing her love of superbikes, and head over heels for her after mere minutes of having met her, seems a little too easy.

But after all, does not God write the best love stories? Does He not bring together the two halves of the same soul according to His perfect design? What if Ilyanna is Riyadh's missing rib? What if they are truly meant for each other?

As they learn to wade a tempestuous sea of cultural stigma, religious growth, personal traumas and familial conflicts, Ilyanna and Riyadh need to find trust between each other. Through their love, they get closer to God, and closer to achieving the fairy tale ending, which they had both been too scared to dream of for themselves, lest reality break their heart.



We Created You in Pairs is a contemporary fiction novel in three instalments, centring around a young Muslim romance perfect for fans of S. K. Ali's Love from A to Z.

Genres: Muslims

370 pages, Paperback

Published June 1, 2024

Reviews

[sara سارة · Rating 3 out of 5]

‘’Qadr, the conviction that everything in the universe happened for a reason willed by Allah, was something I did not take lightly.’’

i really wanted to like this book. i really did. but there comes a point where i just give up and accept the harsh reality: this was not a ‘halal romance’, nor was it cute. it was cringe.

there were some things that made me smile and moments where i really did enjoy the book, but 95% of the time, i was either really pissed off at one of the main characters, questioning how this could ever be seen as a good romance book, or just wondering how a male main character could be portrayed as THIS perfect, almost like he was made with a little help from ChatGPT. i really do think that some things he said were AI generated because what?

i am ALL for halal romances. i search for them and i try my very best to be understanding and lenient when it comes to my ratings, but i really couldn’t with this story. here’s why.

1- ilyanna and riyadh, our two main characters, meet due to a near- car crash situation. everything is going good, they’re talking the situation out and being good citizens. then - out of nowhere - this man says ‘’.. her large brown Arabian princess eyes called to me.’’ GAG. IMMEDIATE GAG. this man doesn’t even know her on a first name basis, and he’s out here gazing into her eyes like some creep. i’m sorry, that is NOT cute. also, isn’t this supposed to be a halal romance. LOWER. YOUR. GAZE.

2- you really think he stopped there? no, he didn’t. when i thought this man couldn’t say anything worse, he says that he somehow ‘’knew’’ that he was staring at his ‘’future wife’’. i honestly don’t know if i should see this as cute or be concerned. i know his feelings towards her were supposed to be a ‘’love at first sight’’ situation, but no. he then continues with his weird thoughts, like calling her ‘’breathtakingly gorgeous’’ while she was crying, fantasizing about how he could magically get her or her father’s number, and other ‘interesting’ things.

3- when i really thought this man couldn’t say anything else, he really said ‘let me take it to the next level!’. while she’s riding his motorcycle (long story), he says this: ‘’…her tiny silhouette clinging on tight to my motorcycle, far too big for her..’’ PAUSE. EVERYBODY PAUSE. this man is MUSLIM. not only is he muslim, he’s nearing the age of thirty, yet clearly not matured. again, LOWER. YOUR. GAZE. this is strike two.

4- a week or so after their encounter (i may have messed up the timelines), this man sends her a love letter. no, you did not read wrong. a love letter, ladies and gentlemen! isn’t that so cute? let’s completely forget the fact that he’s not only flirting with her, but he’s JUST met her and out here calling her ‘’habibti’’, ‘’thief of my heart’’, ‘’occupier of my imagination’’, and so on and so forth. i wasn’t only here questioning how he found the confidence to do this, but how SHE was comfortable with it and accepting of it. not ONCE did she think to herself ‘’oh, this man may be a red flag because he’s practically love bombing me to death’’, she just continued her relationship with him. and here, my dear reader, is strike three. i could not give him any more excuses. i was done.

5- they begin physical touch after they get engaged. which i know, for some cultures is fine. but this - again - is a halal romance. i cannot stress this enough. if you want to write a halal romance, please put culture and practices aside and actually give your reader what you advertised your story to be. not only is it disappointing, it’s tiring.

2.75 stars. this was not it.

[dedareads · Rating 5 out of 5]

Update no.1 (because I know I’ll write another review I just need to collect my thoughts )
WOW WTH WAS THIS ARRGGGHH
I’ve never cried in a book like I did in this book and it wasn’t even sad !!! Lina how do you feel after you wrote a book I will NEVER get over 😍!! How am I supposed to marry a normal man after reading about Riyadh 😍💔

** I have things to say about certain things that are religiously unexpected ^haram^ but I thought the author maybe doesn’t know about **
1.chatting and calling with a non-mahram ( even with the intention of getting married he has to propose first )
2. Meeting alone ( khalwa + you have to have mahram around looking at you )
3. Holding hands or touching in general ( even if you’re engaged she is still not your wife yet )
4. Riyadh was real flirty but ngl I liked that I mean GUILTY I know but my guy is PERFECT !!

[Lina H. · Rating 5 out of 5]

As the author, it may feel conceited to review my own book--but having worked hard on it, I'd like to think it deserves the five-star rating!!
This novel is contemporary fiction, featuring a halal / Muslim romance, Arab characters, cultural and religious practises, and urban life. It will also appeal to motorsports enthusiasts, fans of urban fiction, and baking lovers.
For anyone having read it, reading it, or debating doing so, thank you, and feel free to let me know your thoughts and opinions!! I do hope you enjoy reading it as much as I have enjoyed writing it.

The book is available for purchase on Amazon, and one third of author sales profit is donated to humanitarian causes.

Best x
Lina

[zen.aa · Rating 5 out of 5]

Rate : 6 stars

At first, I didn’t know what to expect. I opened this book just to see what it was about. But what I found… was something I didn’t even know I needed. This book wasn’t just a love story it was actually Therapy.

I loved the way Riyadh always knew what to do, like every step he took was the right one. The way he had endless patience with Ilyanna, the way he understood without needing words. Everything about him felt like calm, quiet perfection.

But Ilyanna, I loved her softness. Her affection for others. The way she overthinks everything, and still tries to protect everyone but herself. She thought she didn’t deserve love, but the truth is, she deserved it more than anyone.

I love them so much . Ilyanna and Riyadh own my heart now. I genuinely can’t wait to read the rest of the series, and honestly… I just hope everyone gets a Riyadh in their life Inshallah.

[Nomad · Rating 5 out of 5]

I loved the start of Ilyanna and Riyadh’s love story.
Their love was beautifully written and the Islamic reminders throughout the book were perfect; tied it all together.
Ilyanna is one FMC who I could relate to… a lot. Whenever I read her chapters, it felt as though she was talking directly to me.
And Riyadh???? His chapters were my favourite to read; his love for Ilyanna was so pure, you could see it in every single one of his words 🩷

"I want to spend the next decades of my life learning every single thought behind those bewitching eyes … Entrust me with your doubts, Ilyanna, like I've entrusted you with my heart. Tell me what's on your mind, and I'll only love you harder for it."

Dr Riyadh Badri the man you are! ***faints***

"If you're even remotely interested in paradise, Ilyanna, you'll go home and wait for me to call you when I'm not so close to breaking every single rule in the book.
The last thing I wish for is to dishonour myself and you. Let me be the man you deserve."

I did not want this book to end at all.
I’m still reading and rereading the parts I tabbed 🩷
Can’t wait to continue reading to see how their story develops

[Lyna Lakhdari · Rating 5 out of 5]

Amazing!!! I got hooked literally from the first pages and couldn’t stop reading. The story pulls you in right away, and you get attached to the characters so fast!! like, I fell in love with them almost instantly. It’s one of those books where you feel like you’re living inside the story. Super emotional, super engaging. I honestly loved it!!

[Lyna · Rating 5 out of 5]

🌸 Re-read Review
I just finished re-reading it, and… it did me so much good. Truly. It felt like a breath of fresh air after a long time underwater. I’m hoping this marks the end of my long and painful reading slump (please ya Allah 😭).

What I can say is that this experience was even more intense, more touching than my first read. Maybe because I already knew the heart of the story, I was able to focus on the details—those little things I hadn’t fully noticed before. And those details, once you take the time to sit with them, change everything. They bring so much depth to the story and make all the difference.

💫 It was also a rediscovery of Lina’s writing. Knowing the rest of the trilogy allowed me to fully appreciate how much her style has evolved-freer, more poetic, more vibrant. But even in this first volume, you can already feel the sincerity, the softness, and the intention behind every word.

🕌 One aspect I only briefly mentioned in my original review, but that deserves to be fully highlighted here, is the presence of faith. Islam is there throughout the book—not in a heavy or forced way, but as a gentle light that guides every step, every thought, every emotion between the characters. And that’s what, to me, makes this story so deeply beautiful and unique.
Illyanna and Riyadh’s love story is already incredibly moving—full of tenderness, vulnerability, and sincerity. But it’s the way faith is integrated that truly elevates it. Their love is pure, rooted in something greater than themselves. Their belief carries them, unites them, protects them.

As a Muslim reader, I’ve always been drawn to stories that center Islam not as a setting, but as a core. Here, it’s present in everything : in their choices, their reflections, their prayers. And it makes the entire relationship feel authentic, inspiring, and precious.

🌙 And during this re-read, especially reflecting on this book within the context of the trilogy, one thought really settled in my heart: in Islam, love doesn’t stop at “till death do us part.” No. It’s “till Jannah brings us together again” or "Fi dunya wal akhirah" ( in this world and the next) .
This isn’t something directly stated in the book, but it’s a reflection I had while reading. The protagonists are young, certainly, but that is their goal. A goal that many people dream of. I felt it through Lina’s beautiful writing, through Illyanna’s thoughts, through Riyadh’s actions. And that vision of love -spiritual, eternal- truly moved me. It gave their story a kind of peace and depth that stayed with me long after I closed the book.

❤️ This is the kind of story that resonates deeply, because it blends love and faith so harmoniously. It shows us that love can be intense, tender, and emotional, while staying true to our values. It’s the kind of love many of us dream of: a man who is kind, grounded, and protective. A woman who is sweet, modest, and sincere. A story built on respect, trust, and shared purpose.

✨It’s a tribute to spiritual love, to pure intentions, to the strength and serenity that come with faith.
Thank you, Lina, for writing something so beautiful (and so needed). 🌸


✨ Review 1
Honestly, it was a lovely surprise. I didn’t expect to enjoy it as much when I first started the book. I was more intrigued than anything else. But believe me, Lina’s writing is gentle, addictive, engaging, and poetic. Even without any real action or a gripping plot to follow, she manages to draw us into a simple love story that would usually lose my interest quickly. It’s rare for authors to give depth and intrigue to such a straightforward tale. Sure, the rapid development of Riyadh and Illyana’s relationship bothered me a bit at first, but you quickly adapt and overlook it as you turn the pages. And of course, I can’t share my thoughts without mentioning what makes this book unique: its religious aspect. The book beautifully conveys the essence of faith in a gentle manner; I felt chills with every reference to our sacred text, and I even cried while reading certain verses included in the story. In short, it’s a beautiful book by a very promising author.📖🤍

[Tima’s Library · Rating 4 out of 5]

The writing is great u can’t tell this is a debut! The characters are well written and have depth to them
I like how ilyanna had multiple interests and wasn’t just a one dimensional character
We love a soft mmc :)) + he has a cat! green flag
I liked the portrayal of culture and religion, if you’re not familiar with it you might find it hard to understand the characters and how they act but I appreciated how relatable it felt as this is something I don’t usually get from stories with a different background
The romance was very cute I got very jealous while reading haha

The story didn’t necessarily follow a plot, it focused on following the progression of the relationship dealing with all the doubt that comes with it so some might find it slow
One thing I didn’t like tho was the lack of character development, that might be more prevalent in the next books however.

[aya · Rating 4 out of 5]

This is genuinely one of the cutest books I've ever read. What I really loved about the book is the exposure of normalized problems in the Muslim world. Our society would be so much better if we legitimately followed the laws and rules of Islam that guide us to be better, but sadly culture tends to get mixed up and the 'traditions' we must follow even though Islam made it simple and easy for us. I also loved how you showed us the valid fears and insecurities we Muslim women feel because in this generation, sadly boundaries have faded away and I related so hard to Ilyana. I pray that Allah sends all the good Muslim men towards our way and the bad ones away from us. Really enjoyed the book and look forward to reading the second!!! Huge props to you Lina!!!

[sara࿎ · Rating 4 out of 5]

i went into this expecting it to be like the other “halal” romances i’ve read, but i was pleasantly surprised to find that the muslim representation was so good in here!! reading this felt like it wasn’t just for my own entertainment, but also to help strengthen my eman! i loved both characters so much, i frequently found myself pausing mid-reading to raise my hands and pray that my future husband is as wonderful as riyadh😭🫶🏻

[diyala · Rating 4 out of 5]

i really enjoyed this book a lot!! it was honestly such a sweet and comforting read 🩷🩷

what i loved most was how islam was such a natural part of the story. it wasn’t forced or heavy, it just flowed so naturally in their story. the reminders were sweet and the custom duas were honestly such a cute touch. you can tell the author wrote this w good intentions and love for the deen 🩷

now abt our mcs, riyadh’s patience and calm energy?? green flag fr and ilyanna was so relatableee her overthinking, her kindness and how selfless she is.

now i do have to mention a few things that didn’t sit right w me islamically. the physical touch and flirty moments before nikah weren’t appropriate even if they were engaged and that kinda took away from the otherwise faith-centered vibe. i also felt like their love story moved really fast like it could’ve used a bit more buildup before getting that deep 😭 but overall it was such a wholesome read 🩷 i liked how it showed the reality of trying to balance faith and feelings without making it messy or dramatic. it was definitely worth reading hehe it left me smiling and i was lowk making dua to one day meet my own riyadh 😓

also the writing?? absolutely beautiful!! so poetic and there were so many lines that made me stop and reread bcs they were just that gooddd and im excited to read the rest of the trilogy and see how their story grows from here insha’Allah 🩷🩷

[mina · Rating 4 out of 5]

That was so cute !!!
This is obviously a fiction so it isn't a realistic description of a relationship as Riyadh character is absolutely perfect without any flaws and their encounter and the development of their relationship is also completely idyllic (and not completely halal). But this is why we read fictions and love stories not to get a 100% realistic love story.

May Allah grant us this kind of healthy and sincere love.

[trice · Rating 5 out of 5]

i’m so bad at writing reviews but please believe this is such a beautiful love story i was kicking my feet and smiling ear to ear through the whole book!!!

[rhy · Rating 3 out of 5]

Interesting premise, had some good moments but I can’t say I was really fond of how either character conducted themselves in some moments or the very lax nature of some of their conversations despite not being married yet.

[yousra 🥀 · Rating 5 out of 5]

I NEED TO SCREAM

This book truly holds a special place in my heart. It’s not just a love story: it’s a heartfelt journey.

Before anything, I’d like to say that I have a thing for character driven stories. I always love a good plot but it never hits as hard as GOOD characters you can see growing and learning.

This story explores characters who go through struggles that many of us can relate to, especially as Muslims trying to keep the connexion with our faith through life’s ups and downs. The way Lina captured those moments of doubt and growth really touched me.

I have a soft spot for Ilyanna. She’s genuinely moving, both in her sensitivity and in her quiet, undeniable strength as she slowly tries to find her way through life. I mean, please, that’s literally what’s on her mind:

« 𝓞 𝓐𝓵𝓵𝓪𝓱, 𝓶𝓪𝓴𝓮 𝓶𝓮 𝓵𝓸𝓿𝓮𝓵𝓲𝓮𝓻 𝓪𝓷𝓭 𝓶𝓸𝓻𝓮 𝓵𝓸𝓿𝓪𝓫𝓵𝓮, 𝓶𝓪𝓴𝓮 𝓶𝓮 𝓰𝓮𝓷𝓽𝓵𝓮𝓻 𝓪𝓷𝓭 𝓭𝓸 𝓷𝓸𝓽 𝓼𝓮𝓪𝓵 𝓶𝔂 𝓱𝓮𝓪𝓻𝓽 𝓯𝓻𝓸𝓶 𝓰𝓮𝓷𝓽𝓵𝓮𝓷𝓮𝓼𝓼 »

SUCH A SWEETHEART

Ilyanna and Riyadh found each other at such a pivotal time in their lives. Without even realizing it, they help one another heal and grow. I like to think they perfectly complement each other, it’s so beautiful to witness. Ilyanna’s presence feels both refreshing and almost fleeting, like she goes where the wind takes her and that freedom both excites and terrifies her. She reminds me of a little flower. 🌸 Riyadh, on the other hand, seems to carry this facade of confidence that begins to crack the more he opens up around her. Watching that slow unraveling, that vulnerability, is just so moving.

I especially loved how Ilyanna didn’t fall for Riyadh’s overly playful front in the beginning. She’s so refreshingly honest with him, especially when she tells him directly that she doesn’t appreciate being mocked or impressed with empty charm. It showed just how much quiet strength she has. She’s soft, yes, but never passive and that makes her unforgettable. It just shows how well Lina knows her characters and that’s exactly what sets a good writer apart from the rest:

« 𝒲𝑒𝓁𝓁, ℐ’𝓂 𝓃𝑜𝓉 𝒾𝓃𝓉𝑒𝓇𝑒𝓈𝓉𝑒𝒹 𝒾𝓃 𝓃𝒾𝒸𝑒 𝓈𝓉𝑜𝓇𝒾𝑒𝓈, ℛ𝒾𝓎𝒶𝒹𝒽. 𝒴𝑜𝓊 𝓌𝒶𝓃𝓉 𝓊𝓈 𝓉𝑜 𝑔𝑒𝓉 𝒶𝒸𝓆𝓊𝒶𝒾𝓃𝓉𝑒𝒹, 𝓉𝒽𝑒𝓃 𝒷𝑒 𝓊𝓅𝒻𝓇𝑜𝓃𝓉 𝒶𝒷𝑜𝓊𝓉 𝒾𝓉. 𝒯𝑒𝓁𝓁 𝓂𝑒 𝓉𝒽𝑒 𝓉𝓇𝓊𝓉𝒽, 𝒶𝓃𝒹 𝒹𝑜𝓃’𝓉 𝓉𝓇𝓎 𝓉𝑜 𝒾𝓂𝓅𝓇𝑒𝓈𝓈 𝓂𝑒. ℐ𝓉’𝓈 𝓉𝒾𝓇𝑒𝒹. »

She knows, deeply, what she wants and she’s honest about it. I love that about her.

I also particularly adored the way the characters’ relationships with their families were explored, it added such beautiful depth and dimension to each of them. You can feel that it was written with sincerity and love ❤️

(and Ilyanna’s brothers are hilarious)

(I’m LITERALLY holding myself back from jumping straight into The Lion Tamer before finishing the first trilogy… because, well, HAMZA)

Thank you for giving me the opportunity to read such a beautiful story, with such a beautiful writing. Please never stop giving us such gems!! can’t wait to see what will happen next ❤️🫶🏼