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We Created You in Pairs: Book 1
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.
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.
370 pages, Paperback
Published June 1, 2024
About the author
Lina H. Fredj
4 books63 followersComparative Literature & Humanities Scholar.
Author of: We Created You in Pairs (3 books) and The Lion Tamer & The Butterfly Catcher (2 books).
Author of: We Created You in Pairs (3 books) and The Lion Tamer & The Butterfly Catcher (2 books).
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Displaying 1 - 27 of 27 reviews
July 10, 2026
THIS. BOOK. IS. IT.
𐔌 . ⋮ Reading Summary .ᐟ ֹ ₊ ꒱
▸⋮ ⌗ read ┆apr 25 - apr 27 (2026)
▸⊱ ۫ ׅ rating: 4.90 ✧˖°
▸ spoiler free review
𐔌 . Prefatory Note .ᐟ ֹ . ₊ ꒱
First of all, allow me to begin by addressing the fact that I'm honouring this review with proper punctuation and capital letters. For anyone who habitually reads my reviews, that should suffice it to say how much this book means to me.
Now. MASHALLAHHH the author's note was so advanced, I loved what it was conveying and I deem it a necessity for authors who tackle the issue of representation to do so in a responsible and mature manner, JUST LIKE THIS. THIS IS THE STANDARD YOU GUYS. Also, a 1200 page manuscript written in a few months?? That's actually insane.
I loved everything about this book. Genuinely, I am not even exaggerating in the slightest sense, I loved it despite all its flaws, all the tears shed, and the beauty of a love story I dream of for myself.
WHY has no one read this book?! WHY IS IT NOT AS HYPED AS THIS MASTERPIECE DESERVES TO BE?? WHERE IS THE FANDOM? WHY MUST I SUFFER IN SOLIDARITY BECAUSE EVERYONE LACKS GOOD TASTE IN BOOKS? My new mission in life is to force every single person I encounter to revel in the work of art that is this book like the advocate I was meant to be.
I could go on and on and on but frankly, I'm losing my mind and I need to stick to structure before I descend into the delirium of my book high because THIS. FLIPPING. TRILOGY. IS. EVERYTHING. I CANNOT EXPLAIN THE OVERWHELMING ADORATION AND REVERENCE I CARRY TO THE VERY DEPTH OF MY BONES FOR THIS STORY. THIS IS WHY I READ. THIS IS WHY I AM A HOPELESS ROMANTIC. THIS IS THE ANSWER.
Sigh okay lemme review ಥ_ಥ
𐔌 . Story .ᐟ ֹ . ₊ ꒱
This tale of young lovers (spoiler alert; its an age gap, but only like eight years and he wears the maturity really well; in fact, it contributes to a fun dynamic 🥰) is one that will forever remain engraved in my heart, the very crevices of my mind, because it does not matter how many love stories I read, how many romance novels, it does not matter, because when day turns to night, this, and nothing else, is the sort of love I want.
Ilyanna met Riyadh by accident - literally. By almost running him over at an intersection in the middle of the night. This intro had me hooked from the very first words, interactions, jokes. The sparks that dazzled on the pages, the deadpans that had me wheezing for air, the endless cultural satire, and of course, a blossoming love that left me lightheaded. I read this entire book while either grinning from the humour or smiling bashfully at the romance.
Because the romance, good people, the romance does not even begin to compare to anything else you've read. Even if you are not the targeted audience for this specific story, no one can deny the artistry that has been crafted here.
This love story is a halal one (aka, abiding by what is permissible in Islam) with practicing Muslim characters, countless remarks to religion, and infused with a seamless element of faith. This love story resonated with the very core of my being, because so rarely do I see representation of this kind, with characters who are of me, my people, and stand for who they are in a world where they don't always fit in.
The presence of Islam in this book was so heartwarming; it didn't feel forced, it didn't feel halfhearted. Instead, it felt right. It served as a reminder. It was beautiful.
Also, I gotta salute the author for including an in-depth glossary of translations, explanations and other notes for non-Muslims, non-Arabs, non-mc fans, and whatever else needed background info 😅 Greatly appreciated, considering my own Arabic is rather rusty.
𐔌 . Characters .ᐟ ֹ . ₊ ꒱
Ladies and gentlemen, the cast for this story is I N C R E D I B L E.
⋆. Ilyanna Ghazouani 𐙚 ̊
professional baker, mc enthusiast, law student, Maghrebi, love of his life.
Ilyanna is, hands down, the fmc I relate to on an molecular level. Her fiery heart inspires me, her determination is beacon, and I aspire to have her level of self-preservation and sass.
This girl is golden, truly. I adore her for carving out her own path in life, for being true to herself, for being so unforgivably Arab and Muslim. I adore her, because she shows you can be modest and still have a sense of humour, be chaste without being a bore, be a woman, Muslim, immigrant, unconventional in every way and still make a life for yourself in this world.
⋆𐙚 Riyadh Badri ̊.
neuropsychiatrist, biker, cat dad, poet, Syriani, love of her life
This man is the definition of respect, yearning, patience, emotional intelligence, all kinds of intelligence actually, and HE HAS A CAT NAMED BESBOUSSA !!!! CAN WE ACKNOWLEDGE THIS ???
Riyadh presented to me everything I didn't know I desired in a relationship. His mind, his heart; he is amazing. His dedication towards Ilyanna is something truly admirable, the way he goes out of his way for her, puts down everything for her, reshapes his entire world to circle around her.
His words, they made me swoon, and his actions, they did so further; his entire being had me in a chokehold. He showers Ilyanna with the praise and adoration befitting every woman, he is the standard for the male species, and his strength of heart and faith is so so so utterly beautiful to read about.
⋆˚˖The Ghazouani Brothers࿔⊹ ࣪
Ya Allah, these side characters made this book. Ali is my spirit animal. Hamza, you absolute fool, how excited I am to read your story. And Saber; how much I see my own little brother in him.
They are the sort of boys that make me wish I had more siblings, the sort of familial relations you wish you could grow up around. Alhamdulillah, though, we're all written our own paths.
𑣲⋆ The Badri Sisters ⋆˙⟡
I'm DEAD because WHY were they so cute 😆😭
𐔌 . More Rambling Thoughts .ᐟ ֹ . ₊ ꒱
I've read the few reviews on this book commenting on how the halal-love isn't perfect, while Riyadh is too perfect, and I just have to disagree with the sentiment behind both those points because
1. The author clearly states before the book has even started (if some people would take it upon themselves to read the author's note, it's not there for aesthetic purposes) that she endeavored to portray realistic, flawed characters for the purpose of making them relatable. They are Muslim, yes, but they listen to music. They are Muslim, yes, but they text each other before they are married (and besides, please, for the love of Allah, they are still perfectly proper with each other). They are still Muslim. They are human and they are flawed. We were not made to be perfect. Besides factors like this, it's rare to see such an authentic representation of Muslim characters. The goal wasn't perfection, it was realism.
2. What is this about Riyadh being too perfect, too much, a red flag? Did we read the same book? My man is a tortured soul, a poet, a man in love. He expresses himself through his words, he is not love-bombing the subject of his affections. The moment Ilyanna clarified her boundaries and need for space, he obliged without question, as he should have. And, if one would bother to read the next books before throwing shame on a character who we do not yet fully know, one will encounter the demons that live in Riyadh's mind, too. Realistic enough yet?
and 3. If that all wasn't enough, this is a work of ~f i c t i o n~
let them be perfect !! let it be unrealistic at times !! LET ME ENJOY THE FLIPPING STORY!!
𐔌 . quotes .ᐟ ֹ . ₊ ꒱
every single quote now lives rent-free in my head.
(heads up; I've included a loooot of quotes. There's also a "Bottom Line" section succeeding all these quotes)
first line of the book btw.
ilyanna is me and i am her.
indeed we cannot fight the culture 😭❤🩹
oh a man who yearns like riyadh yearns for ilyanna. this man literally did not have a bad track.
SWOON.
riyadh for president.
i can envision this so clearly lmao.
she's the light of his eyes.
𐔌 . Bottom Line .ᐟ ֹ . ₊ ꒱
I just know I'm gonna re-read this a thousand times. This is it, guys, I've found my book (alongside As Long As The Lemon Trees Grow, ofc). Riyadh, I will not cease reading this until I've manifested you by sheer force of will and lots of duas.
Dear author, I thank you for bringing this story into the world.
For your information, my soul, I love you to the point of madness.
𐔌 . ⋮ Reading Summary .ᐟ ֹ ₊ ꒱
▸⋮ ⌗ read ┆apr 25 - apr 27 (2026)
▸⊱ ۫ ׅ rating: 4.90 ✧˖°
▸ spoiler free review
𐔌 . Prefatory Note .ᐟ ֹ . ₊ ꒱
First of all, allow me to begin by addressing the fact that I'm honouring this review with proper punctuation and capital letters. For anyone who habitually reads my reviews, that should suffice it to say how much this book means to me.
Now. MASHALLAHHH the author's note was so advanced, I loved what it was conveying and I deem it a necessity for authors who tackle the issue of representation to do so in a responsible and mature manner, JUST LIKE THIS. THIS IS THE STANDARD YOU GUYS. Also, a 1200 page manuscript written in a few months?? That's actually insane.
I loved everything about this book. Genuinely, I am not even exaggerating in the slightest sense, I loved it despite all its flaws, all the tears shed, and the beauty of a love story I dream of for myself.
WHY has no one read this book?! WHY IS IT NOT AS HYPED AS THIS MASTERPIECE DESERVES TO BE?? WHERE IS THE FANDOM? WHY MUST I SUFFER IN SOLIDARITY BECAUSE EVERYONE LACKS GOOD TASTE IN BOOKS? My new mission in life is to force every single person I encounter to revel in the work of art that is this book like the advocate I was meant to be.
I could go on and on and on but frankly, I'm losing my mind and I need to stick to structure before I descend into the delirium of my book high because THIS. FLIPPING. TRILOGY. IS. EVERYTHING. I CANNOT EXPLAIN THE OVERWHELMING ADORATION AND REVERENCE I CARRY TO THE VERY DEPTH OF MY BONES FOR THIS STORY. THIS IS WHY I READ. THIS IS WHY I AM A HOPELESS ROMANTIC. THIS IS THE ANSWER.
Sigh okay lemme review ಥ_ಥ
𐔌 . Story .ᐟ ֹ . ₊ ꒱
This tale of young lovers (spoiler alert; its an age gap, but only like eight years and he wears the maturity really well; in fact, it contributes to a fun dynamic 🥰) is one that will forever remain engraved in my heart, the very crevices of my mind, because it does not matter how many love stories I read, how many romance novels, it does not matter, because when day turns to night, this, and nothing else, is the sort of love I want.
Ilyanna met Riyadh by accident - literally. By almost running him over at an intersection in the middle of the night. This intro had me hooked from the very first words, interactions, jokes. The sparks that dazzled on the pages, the deadpans that had me wheezing for air, the endless cultural satire, and of course, a blossoming love that left me lightheaded. I read this entire book while either grinning from the humour or smiling bashfully at the romance.
Because the romance, good people, the romance does not even begin to compare to anything else you've read. Even if you are not the targeted audience for this specific story, no one can deny the artistry that has been crafted here.
This love story is a halal one (aka, abiding by what is permissible in Islam) with practicing Muslim characters, countless remarks to religion, and infused with a seamless element of faith. This love story resonated with the very core of my being, because so rarely do I see representation of this kind, with characters who are of me, my people, and stand for who they are in a world where they don't always fit in.
The presence of Islam in this book was so heartwarming; it didn't feel forced, it didn't feel halfhearted. Instead, it felt right. It served as a reminder. It was beautiful.
Also, I gotta salute the author for including an in-depth glossary of translations, explanations and other notes for non-Muslims, non-Arabs, non-mc fans, and whatever else needed background info 😅 Greatly appreciated, considering my own Arabic is rather rusty.
𐔌 . Characters .ᐟ ֹ . ₊ ꒱
Ladies and gentlemen, the cast for this story is I N C R E D I B L E.
⋆. Ilyanna Ghazouani 𐙚 ̊
professional baker, mc enthusiast, law student, Maghrebi, love of his life.
Ilyanna is, hands down, the fmc I relate to on an molecular level. Her fiery heart inspires me, her determination is beacon, and I aspire to have her level of self-preservation and sass.
This girl is golden, truly. I adore her for carving out her own path in life, for being true to herself, for being so unforgivably Arab and Muslim. I adore her, because she shows you can be modest and still have a sense of humour, be chaste without being a bore, be a woman, Muslim, immigrant, unconventional in every way and still make a life for yourself in this world.
⋆𐙚 Riyadh Badri ̊.
neuropsychiatrist, biker, cat dad, poet, Syriani, love of her life
This man is the definition of respect, yearning, patience, emotional intelligence, all kinds of intelligence actually, and HE HAS A CAT NAMED BESBOUSSA !!!! CAN WE ACKNOWLEDGE THIS ???
Riyadh presented to me everything I didn't know I desired in a relationship. His mind, his heart; he is amazing. His dedication towards Ilyanna is something truly admirable, the way he goes out of his way for her, puts down everything for her, reshapes his entire world to circle around her.
His words, they made me swoon, and his actions, they did so further; his entire being had me in a chokehold. He showers Ilyanna with the praise and adoration befitting every woman, he is the standard for the male species, and his strength of heart and faith is so so so utterly beautiful to read about.
⋆˚˖The Ghazouani Brothers࿔⊹ ࣪
Ya Allah, these side characters made this book. Ali is my spirit animal. Hamza, you absolute fool, how excited I am to read your story. And Saber; how much I see my own little brother in him.
They are the sort of boys that make me wish I had more siblings, the sort of familial relations you wish you could grow up around. Alhamdulillah, though, we're all written our own paths.
𑣲⋆ The Badri Sisters ⋆˙⟡
I'm DEAD because WHY were they so cute 😆😭
𐔌 . More Rambling Thoughts .ᐟ ֹ . ₊ ꒱
I've read the few reviews on this book commenting on how the halal-love isn't perfect, while Riyadh is too perfect, and I just have to disagree with the sentiment behind both those points because
1. The author clearly states before the book has even started (if some people would take it upon themselves to read the author's note, it's not there for aesthetic purposes) that she endeavored to portray realistic, flawed characters for the purpose of making them relatable. They are Muslim, yes, but they listen to music. They are Muslim, yes, but they text each other before they are married (and besides, please, for the love of Allah, they are still perfectly proper with each other). They are still Muslim. They are human and they are flawed. We were not made to be perfect. Besides factors like this, it's rare to see such an authentic representation of Muslim characters. The goal wasn't perfection, it was realism.
2. What is this about Riyadh being too perfect, too much, a red flag? Did we read the same book? My man is a tortured soul, a poet, a man in love. He expresses himself through his words, he is not love-bombing the subject of his affections. The moment Ilyanna clarified her boundaries and need for space, he obliged without question, as he should have. And, if one would bother to read the next books before throwing shame on a character who we do not yet fully know, one will encounter the demons that live in Riyadh's mind, too. Realistic enough yet?
and 3. If that all wasn't enough, this is a work of ~f i c t i o n~
let them be perfect !! let it be unrealistic at times !! LET ME ENJOY THE FLIPPING STORY!!
𐔌 . quotes .ᐟ ֹ . ₊ ꒱
every single quote now lives rent-free in my head.
(heads up; I've included a loooot of quotes. There's also a "Bottom Line" section succeeding all these quotes)
⤷ ゛I could imagine nothing more pathetic than dying with the Spotify Premium ad playing on full blast in my comm speaker, and yet tonight, I almost had. ˎˊ˗
first line of the book btw.
⤷ ゛"So which are you?" she eventually said. Faced with my puzzled air, she clarified. "Are you a therapist? Or an imam?"
She said it as a joke, and I relished the look of shock on her face as I replied.
"Neuropsychiatrist at Royal Free Hospital, actually. Junior Dr Riyadh Badri. At your service, Ilyanna." ˎˊ˗
⤷ ゛I rolled my eyes. "I just had time on my hands." I hadn't been this busy in months. "Don't read too much into it." I have been obsessively thinking about you. "We're even now." Not even close. "Why are you smiling like you've just won the lottery?" I want my kids to have that exact same smile. "Are all doctors this disarticulated?" Please say something, before I further embarass myself. ˎˊ˗
⤷ ゛Ali concurred. "Mama always says there are only two men in that house, and she doesn't include any of her sons in that definition." ˎˊ˗
ilyanna is me and i am her.
⤷ ゛"Of course, I care, Riyadh. I am Arab. I am, 24/7, riddled with the crippling fear that someone may go hungry in my presence. The pressure of three generations of women weighs down on me constantly. I cannot fight the culture." ˎˊ˗
indeed we cannot fight the culture 😭❤🩹
⤷ ゛Ya Allah, if I do not marry this girl, then may You rob me of my sight and bereave me of my soul, for she might be the only comfort for my eyes and ease for my spirit, that I will ever find in this dunya. ˎˊ˗
oh a man who yearns like riyadh yearns for ilyanna. this man literally did not have a bad track.
⤷ ゛"This is for you." I opened my riding vest and retrieved the single red rose I'd kept there. It was a little shrivilled up at the edges, but otherwise intact. I stretched dangerously, balancing the weight of the bike between my legs, and gave her the rose through her window. She blinked and blushed in surprise. ˎˊ˗
⤷ ゛"You've started seeing someone? As in, a therapist? Or a suitor?"
I resist the childish urge to reply, "Both." ˎˊ˗
⤷ ゛"My sons are good for nothing," Baba grumbled, going into the house. "They'll never amount to anything. They'll be lucky if a girl ever wants to marry them. She'd have to come herself and ask for their hand." ˎˊ˗
⤷ ゛He was the man I'd always forbidden myself to dream about too hard, lest reality break my heart. ˎˊ˗
⤷ ゛I was a textbook case study, but at least I was aware, right? ˎˊ˗
⤷ ゛"I don't trust myself to be alone with you right now, Ilyanna." ˎˊ˗
SWOON.
⤷ ゛Seven letters, twenty-two phone calls, three more encounters with her father and as many Friday prayers alongside her brothers later, I'd finally reached the night befoore Ilyanna became my fiancée. ˎˊ˗
⤷ ゛"I'm not stressed, Mama." Even Iblis probably cringed at the lameness of my lie. ˎˊ˗
⤷ ゛"Time turns memories into fonder reconstructions far removed from what the actual experience was like." ˎˊ˗
⤷ ゛And those arms. God forgive me. ˎˊ˗
⤷ ゛We all were tired from our days. We all were fastning the same number of hours, male and femala alike. I didn't see how that was any justification for that unsubstantiated division of domestic labour along gender lines. ˎˊ˗
riyadh for president.
⤷ ゛If Mama was in a good mood, the whole house was in a good mood. ˎˊ˗
⤷ ゛When it was time to settle the bill, the party turned into a bloodbath. Naturally. One did not simply gather thirty Arabs for food and expect a peaceful payment, to each his share. The culture ran deep. ˎˊ˗
i can envision this so clearly lmao.
⤷ ゛Nour Einy. ˎˊ˗
she's the light of his eyes.
⤷ ゛Ilyanna wasn't letting go. She clutched my neck like she never intended to let go. Her family started to laugh.
"What happened to your reputation?" I whispered to her.
She sniffed. "Shut up. You have no idea how much I've been looking forward to this hug."
I tightened my hold on her and burrowed my face in her shoulder. I did have an idea. ˎˊ˗
⤷ ゛"How is it?" Ilyanna asked, watching me chew carefully.
It was divine. Of course, it was. Ilyanna had poured her enitre heart into this cake, and it not only showed, but tasted like it, too.
I swallowed. "Could be better. Bit dry. Odd flavour combinations."
Her reaction was delightful: she put her plate down and threw her fork over it loudly, refusing to taste her work.
"I want a divorce," she snapped. "Right now. Bring me that contract we just signed. So I can rip it to shreds." ˎˊ˗
𐔌 . Bottom Line .ᐟ ֹ . ₊ ꒱
I just know I'm gonna re-read this a thousand times. This is it, guys, I've found my book (alongside As Long As The Lemon Trees Grow, ofc). Riyadh, I will not cease reading this until I've manifested you by sheer force of will and lots of duas.
Dear author, I thank you for bringing this story into the world.
⤷ ゛"Ala fikra, roohi, ana bhabek bijounoun."ˎˊ˗
For your information, my soul, I love you to the point of madness.
July 30, 2025
‘’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.
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.
October 22, 2024
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
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
August 30, 2024
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 !!
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 !!
July 8, 2025
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.
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.
Read
March 22, 2026maybe rtc. this was cute but hella unrealistic
January 14, 2026
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.
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.
February 4, 2025
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
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
May 14, 2026
Um I don't know what to say at all. This did take me a while to finish but this is a really one of a kind book. Yk those books that are absolutely the most incredible, the stealer of our hearts type of book well this one for sure was it. I am absolutely in love with this book. Ilyana and Riyadh omg especially Riyadh absolutely stole my heart. May Allah grant us a naseeb like Riyadh who is religious, mature, loves us for the way we are, respects us and our family, wants to grow with us, and just a MAN like him. AMEEN!! Thank you Lina for this wonderful book even if this only the 1st book. I absolutely loved it.
April 20, 2025
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!!
March 9, 2026
The best best best book ever. Everyone needs to read this especially Muslim girls <3
November 8, 2025
🌸 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.📖🤍
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.📖🤍
July 5, 2026
This was like a breath of fresh air to me
It was such a good and wholesome book for me
The way it explored real struggles with the families, the society, patriarchy as whole was relatable and such beautiful duas made it all more sacred and precious
And ofc it was fictional cause NO MALE would do THAT and if he did pls i want one 😭😭💔
Although i was slightly disappointed by the way they touched eachother after being engaged like yes it wasn’t intimate and barest of touches like hand holding and hand kissing but still u aren’t allowed to do that until she is your wife in islam and i hate that, this fact was completely disregarded
But anyway other than that loved it
It was such a good and wholesome book for me
The way it explored real struggles with the families, the society, patriarchy as whole was relatable and such beautiful duas made it all more sacred and precious
And ofc it was fictional cause NO MALE would do THAT and if he did pls i want one 😭😭💔
Although i was slightly disappointed by the way they touched eachother after being engaged like yes it wasn’t intimate and barest of touches like hand holding and hand kissing but still u aren’t allowed to do that until she is your wife in islam and i hate that, this fact was completely disregarded
But anyway other than that loved it
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
October 22, 2024
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.
March 14, 2026
I need me an arab man as down bad as riyadh 🤭
February 27, 2025
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😭🫶🏻
November 10, 2025
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 🩷🩷
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 🩷🩷
July 7, 2024
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!!!
June 27, 2026
This was an easy 5 stars! I enjoyed every minute of reading it. Riyadh and Ilyanna make such a sweet couple. I loved their fun banter. It also helped me learn more about Islam. I can't wait to read book 2.
April 28, 2026
You just have to read it once......I absolutely fell in love with the characters and of course Riyadh and Ilyana especially. The way every character in this book has flaws makes it all the more relatable and also makes you strive to be better in this world. This was my first halal romance book and I'm soo grateful it is cause this was just amazing. The development in the relationship between Riyadh and Ilyana made me kick my feet and cry all at the same time. 💖💖💖💖💖
April 10, 2026
This book was honestly so heartwarming but also so relatable. Literally teared up from the amount of times the author managed to just perfectly portray Ilyanna’s insecurities and worries. (I am usually a stone-cold girl I swear).
Anyways love love LOVE this. Please read it I begggg.
Anyways love love LOVE this. Please read it I begggg.
November 10, 2025
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.
August 2, 2025
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 ❤️🫶🏼
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 ❤️🫶🏼
July 3, 2026
4 ⭐️, this book gave a toothache from how sweet it wassss. Godness me the bar was set too high for any courting opportunity in the future.
I enjoyed both characters, the FMC felt like a lost 21 year old gurl who is still not sure who she is and the portrayal was accurate and on point (even though in the first 30% of the book she felt veryyyy annoying to me). As for the MMC, the maturity THE ROMANCE akhhhh i was melting with each conversation they had. I think that there is yet to be much character development since the book took place literally in a span of a month, but excited to see the rest.
Although it did feel like a lot of the “disagreements” were only mentioned and not tackled yet(?) i do beleive more is yet to come but still i wanted to see his mom appear more and bring in a storm and i wanted to see more of the spoken about only disagreements between the FMC and MMC.
Also i want to give kudos to the writer because the way the arab culture was portrayed was very on point and i loved it wether it was the men relaxing after iftar and women being exhausted in the kitchen, or all the family joining together and teasing the bride and groom at the wedding, it was simply lovely to read.
Lastly, because this book only focuses on the talking till nikah stage it was like the “honeymoon” phase of a relationship which means reading it and enjoying it depends heavily of the mood of reading the person is going after.
I enjoyed both characters, the FMC felt like a lost 21 year old gurl who is still not sure who she is and the portrayal was accurate and on point (even though in the first 30% of the book she felt veryyyy annoying to me). As for the MMC, the maturity THE ROMANCE akhhhh i was melting with each conversation they had. I think that there is yet to be much character development since the book took place literally in a span of a month, but excited to see the rest.
Although it did feel like a lot of the “disagreements” were only mentioned and not tackled yet(?) i do beleive more is yet to come but still i wanted to see his mom appear more and bring in a storm and i wanted to see more of the spoken about only disagreements between the FMC and MMC.
Also i want to give kudos to the writer because the way the arab culture was portrayed was very on point and i loved it wether it was the men relaxing after iftar and women being exhausted in the kitchen, or all the family joining together and teasing the bride and groom at the wedding, it was simply lovely to read.
Lastly, because this book only focuses on the talking till nikah stage it was like the “honeymoon” phase of a relationship which means reading it and enjoying it depends heavily of the mood of reading the person is going after.
June 1, 2026
This was NOT a halal romance and it was sooo unrealistic
July 28, 2026
I’m torn between 2.75 and 3★
I had high hopes for this book given all the positive reviews, but I was disappointed.
There were parts I enjoyed, whilst others were...cringe.
If I were Ilyanna, I definitely wouldn’t have taken things any further with Riyadh because what was all that love bombing right from the start?? It was meant to make him seem like the perfect man, but it just didn’t work for me.
Or perhaps it’s just me who’s far too "avoidant" 😅
Despite that, I still want to give the other books a chance.
I had high hopes for this book given all the positive reviews, but I was disappointed.
There were parts I enjoyed, whilst others were...cringe.
If I were Ilyanna, I definitely wouldn’t have taken things any further with Riyadh because what was all that love bombing right from the start?? It was meant to make him seem like the perfect man, but it just didn’t work for me.
Or perhaps it’s just me who’s far too "avoidant" 😅
Despite that, I still want to give the other books a chance.
Displaying 1 - 27 of 27 reviews