What do you think?
Rate this book
Maybe They Won't
Ratings & Reviews
Friends & Following
Create a free account to discover what your friends think of this book!
Community Reviews
Displaying 1 - 10 of 10 reviews
August 28, 2024
This review is both positive and negative. No hate to the author whatsoever, but this is quite a strong opinion.
Growing up as a South Asian in the West, reading this book was definitely an interesting experience.
I didn't like the characters in the book because their mentality and personalities reminded me of the negative cultural attitudes from Sri Lanka, which I don't appreciate.
There was a paragraph in his book which says: ‘I never thought to marry someone that can-do girly
things, though my perception of marriage always has been that of the west. Where women aren’t civilized as much as I had thought to and it might be harder to catch a fish which was feminine enough to live in the same fish bowl, with the other fish being optimistic and little narcissistic for its own good.’
The paragraph suggests that the author believes Western women are not as skilled or willing to perform traditional housework roles compared to their own cultural expectations. The author implies that they find it challenging to find a partner in the West who meets their expectations of femininity and domesticity. I think it’s absolutely appalling coming from a man who hasn’t even lived or experienced a western country. Many, and I mean MANY women are JUST AS civilised here compared to women back home, if not, more. As a female, this has made me quite upset. I wonder how many men in Sri Lanka still think this way; These attitudes need to change.
I have been a romance reader for as long as I can remember, and seeing a Sri Lankan male author write and publish a romance book is truly amazing and an impressive achievement. However, the writing style did not resonate with me. The prose was often very straightforward and explicit, for example, the sentences with sex, which could have been written more eloquently. Many contemporary romance books avoid using the word 'sex' so directly, which might have been a better approach here. Additionally, there was a lot of repetition of certain words within the same paragraph.
On the positive side, I appreciated how the author educated readers on cultural aspects, such as Eid, and I enjoyed the strong representation of Sri Lankan culture. The detailed descriptions of items and places added a vivid dimension to the story that I really liked. For readers who are not familiar with these cultural references, a glossary for words mentioned in italics, like 'pol roti,' would have been helpful. I also love books that include each character's point of view. The portrayal of the marriage felt realistic but also quite toxic at times but that’s a personal opinion.
However, the frequent use of rhetorical questions in nearly every chapter became frustrating; feelings and thoughts could have been conveyed more effectively through direct sentences. Additionally, this novel should include a trigger warning at the beginning, as it discusses sensitive topics like relationships and rape. There were also some grammatical issues, although they did not significantly detract from my reading experience.
Overall, while I liked the plot and could see it being adapted into a movie, the writing style was not to my taste and needs some improvement. Compared to other romance novels, the plot is very unique and I commend the author for that but the writing style is a letdown which is a shame. It reads like a straightforward conversation rather than a book that should flow. While the author continuously mentions on his instagram that many romance novels aren't realistic, perhaps a look at the current book market might change that perspective.
Growing up as a South Asian in the West, reading this book was definitely an interesting experience.
I didn't like the characters in the book because their mentality and personalities reminded me of the negative cultural attitudes from Sri Lanka, which I don't appreciate.
There was a paragraph in his book which says: ‘I never thought to marry someone that can-do girly
things, though my perception of marriage always has been that of the west. Where women aren’t civilized as much as I had thought to and it might be harder to catch a fish which was feminine enough to live in the same fish bowl, with the other fish being optimistic and little narcissistic for its own good.’
The paragraph suggests that the author believes Western women are not as skilled or willing to perform traditional housework roles compared to their own cultural expectations. The author implies that they find it challenging to find a partner in the West who meets their expectations of femininity and domesticity. I think it’s absolutely appalling coming from a man who hasn’t even lived or experienced a western country. Many, and I mean MANY women are JUST AS civilised here compared to women back home, if not, more. As a female, this has made me quite upset. I wonder how many men in Sri Lanka still think this way; These attitudes need to change.
I have been a romance reader for as long as I can remember, and seeing a Sri Lankan male author write and publish a romance book is truly amazing and an impressive achievement. However, the writing style did not resonate with me. The prose was often very straightforward and explicit, for example, the sentences with sex, which could have been written more eloquently. Many contemporary romance books avoid using the word 'sex' so directly, which might have been a better approach here. Additionally, there was a lot of repetition of certain words within the same paragraph.
On the positive side, I appreciated how the author educated readers on cultural aspects, such as Eid, and I enjoyed the strong representation of Sri Lankan culture. The detailed descriptions of items and places added a vivid dimension to the story that I really liked. For readers who are not familiar with these cultural references, a glossary for words mentioned in italics, like 'pol roti,' would have been helpful. I also love books that include each character's point of view. The portrayal of the marriage felt realistic but also quite toxic at times but that’s a personal opinion.
However, the frequent use of rhetorical questions in nearly every chapter became frustrating; feelings and thoughts could have been conveyed more effectively through direct sentences. Additionally, this novel should include a trigger warning at the beginning, as it discusses sensitive topics like relationships and rape. There were also some grammatical issues, although they did not significantly detract from my reading experience.
Overall, while I liked the plot and could see it being adapted into a movie, the writing style was not to my taste and needs some improvement. Compared to other romance novels, the plot is very unique and I commend the author for that but the writing style is a letdown which is a shame. It reads like a straightforward conversation rather than a book that should flow. While the author continuously mentions on his instagram that many romance novels aren't realistic, perhaps a look at the current book market might change that perspective.
September 4, 2024
As much I wanted it to be a comforting love story it was a reminder of remember of the negative reality of being a women in a cultural background like this. (The story takes place in Sri Lanka)
It is the story of a hopeless romantic Amir and of his love with his wife - Fathima. The story started out slow - happy times they were to be honest. But it was slow and didn't keep me engaged but flow was perfect in the later half of the book while the ending felt a bit too fast and ambiguous - everything happened very quickly.
The instances of SA took me by surprise and I hesitated in continuing further,(should be a warning about that) I felt pity for the FMC, blood boiling anger on her behalf and fear of her experiences getting in my own life made me afraid. How I wish I was the author and could rewrite the story without the r*pes done to her (but yeah his story). I was comforted by the relationship Amir and Fathima had, it was the best part.
The ending was pretty unexpected - I was baffled and started questioning things (I almost felt hurt 😂) but I look forward for the completion of the story and some further clarity about the ending (sequels?)
The idea of author to write a poem for every chapter was a beautiful one. I loved some of them.
Amir, The MC is a man longing to be loved and Fathima, The FMC is a woman with insecurities, a 'filthy' past (as she says it) and a lot of guilt and emotions bottled up. Two broken people trying loving each other but the demons of their pasts keep coming back. Amir's goofiness is pretty relatable - especially the first chapter, for me it was pure Nostalgia. Except being a person who really really loves his wife and his family - I found no other depth in Amir nor I truly understood his past (like his schizophrenia). From the Start to the end, I didn't feel like Amir developed as a character at all.
However, It felt so good seeing Fathima be better with herself - although I wanted her to love herself a little more and overcome her feelings of guilt and thinking herself as 'filthy', I think she did. But the last part again as I said happened too quick. I never came know if she ever did that.
I wish there was more about the supporting characters though - like Anfah, Azarah. they are both Amir's sisters. Anfah is the older one, Azarah is a sweet little sister who accompanies Fathima. Anfah wasn't there in the story that much - all a little bit of it. I wish there was more about Aunt noor, a pity that all she did she was work.
The writing style is poetic and sometimes overly so. But specific lines touch my heart, they are elegant and beautiful. Sometimes, the sentence structure feels overwhelming, maybe the author should tone down a little bit. The metaphoric use of the garden of daffodils and the azure butterfly is poignant.
For me personally, This book was a realisation - death is imminent and uncertain (but I kinda hate death being used again and again though), maybe I hate it because It's the realest thing ever - like it could literally happen to me and anyone alive. So yeah
The relationship and understanding between the two leads was what I liked the most. The ambiguity in the ending and the cultural cues there was the thing that I least liked. Well would recommend that you read and try it out (of course for the relationship of Amir and Fathima)
I haven't really read much romance, but I tried my best to convey the thoughts I had :)
It is the story of a hopeless romantic Amir and of his love with his wife - Fathima. The story started out slow - happy times they were to be honest. But it was slow and didn't keep me engaged but flow was perfect in the later half of the book while the ending felt a bit too fast and ambiguous - everything happened very quickly.
The instances of SA took me by surprise and I hesitated in continuing further,(should be a warning about that) I felt pity for the FMC, blood boiling anger on her behalf and fear of her experiences getting in my own life made me afraid. How I wish I was the author and could rewrite the story without the r*pes done to her (but yeah his story). I was comforted by the relationship Amir and Fathima had, it was the best part.
The ending was pretty unexpected - I was baffled and started questioning things (I almost felt hurt 😂) but I look forward for the completion of the story and some further clarity about the ending (sequels?)
The idea of author to write a poem for every chapter was a beautiful one. I loved some of them.
Amir, The MC is a man longing to be loved and Fathima, The FMC is a woman with insecurities, a 'filthy' past (as she says it) and a lot of guilt and emotions bottled up. Two broken people trying loving each other but the demons of their pasts keep coming back. Amir's goofiness is pretty relatable - especially the first chapter, for me it was pure Nostalgia. Except being a person who really really loves his wife and his family - I found no other depth in Amir nor I truly understood his past (like his schizophrenia). From the Start to the end, I didn't feel like Amir developed as a character at all.
However, It felt so good seeing Fathima be better with herself - although I wanted her to love herself a little more and overcome her feelings of guilt and thinking herself as 'filthy', I think she did. But the last part again as I said happened too quick. I never came know if she ever did that.
I wish there was more about the supporting characters though - like Anfah, Azarah. they are both Amir's sisters. Anfah is the older one, Azarah is a sweet little sister who accompanies Fathima. Anfah wasn't there in the story that much - all a little bit of it. I wish there was more about Aunt noor, a pity that all she did she was work.
The writing style is poetic and sometimes overly so. But specific lines touch my heart, they are elegant and beautiful. Sometimes, the sentence structure feels overwhelming, maybe the author should tone down a little bit. The metaphoric use of the garden of daffodils and the azure butterfly is poignant.
For me personally, This book was a realisation - death is imminent and uncertain (but I kinda hate death being used again and again though), maybe I hate it because It's the realest thing ever - like it could literally happen to me and anyone alive. So yeah
The relationship and understanding between the two leads was what I liked the most. The ambiguity in the ending and the cultural cues there was the thing that I least liked. Well would recommend that you read and try it out (of course for the relationship of Amir and Fathima)
I haven't really read much romance, but I tried my best to convey the thoughts I had :)
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
September 1, 2024
In a road paved with roses, the hidden thorns picked my heart.
One thing that made me pick up the book was the hopeless romantic author himself. It feels really good to have a man talk about his dreams of romance that he wants and the silly but vivid fantasies of his that I've seen most girls fantasize about. the author not only describes his wishes for a perfect wife who takes care of him but a wish about himself that he wants to takes care of her not even daring to raise his voice towards her. The idea he puts forward of a perfect muslim wife gives us the expectations of "perfect wife" the society tries to mold most women to be, when the author shows the messy, not so perfect woman who strives to be perfect for the love of her life. I'm surprised by the dimensions the story goes through. It explores very gruesome and necessary topics which should be addressed more. I really liked how the author shows how a damaged childhood can affect someone's adulthood in different ways. How people channel them both positively and negatively. And the way he showed how someone's past doesn't define them. The interactions between the family, between the couple and friendship were very subtle and beautiful at the same time.
The story progression is at a faster pace than what we're used to seeing...It felt like some parts were missing that I started doubting my ebook. It was as if the author skipped some parts or timelines. He could've added more details on their talks before their wedding, nikah and such, rather than more details at other places where it seemed unnecessary. I felt like that could've helped us feel Fatima's emotions more in the beginning. The writing style also needs improvement..in some places, we are unable to feel the depth of their emotions because of the words used to describe them.
The poems at the end of each chapter are amazing. Sometimes it's kind of a summary for that chapter executed so beautifully.
Usually, when a book becomes sad after all the lovey-dovey stuff, I kinda lose interest or my pace of reading slows down. But with this, all I wanted was for them to resolve everything and for them to find happiness that both of them DESERVE. Two broken souls set out to mend each other's.
Reaching the end of the book was heartbreaking for me. I kind of got mad too. The book cover now picks at my heart every time I look at it because of its reference in the novel. And I hereby nominate Amir for the "delulu club president". I hope the next book is released soon.
"Maybe they won't", I really hope they do...
One thing that made me pick up the book was the hopeless romantic author himself. It feels really good to have a man talk about his dreams of romance that he wants and the silly but vivid fantasies of his that I've seen most girls fantasize about. the author not only describes his wishes for a perfect wife who takes care of him but a wish about himself that he wants to takes care of her not even daring to raise his voice towards her. The idea he puts forward of a perfect muslim wife gives us the expectations of "perfect wife" the society tries to mold most women to be, when the author shows the messy, not so perfect woman who strives to be perfect for the love of her life. I'm surprised by the dimensions the story goes through. It explores very gruesome and necessary topics which should be addressed more. I really liked how the author shows how a damaged childhood can affect someone's adulthood in different ways. How people channel them both positively and negatively. And the way he showed how someone's past doesn't define them. The interactions between the family, between the couple and friendship were very subtle and beautiful at the same time.
The story progression is at a faster pace than what we're used to seeing...It felt like some parts were missing that I started doubting my ebook. It was as if the author skipped some parts or timelines. He could've added more details on their talks before their wedding, nikah and such, rather than more details at other places where it seemed unnecessary. I felt like that could've helped us feel Fatima's emotions more in the beginning. The writing style also needs improvement..in some places, we are unable to feel the depth of their emotions because of the words used to describe them.
The poems at the end of each chapter are amazing. Sometimes it's kind of a summary for that chapter executed so beautifully.
Usually, when a book becomes sad after all the lovey-dovey stuff, I kinda lose interest or my pace of reading slows down. But with this, all I wanted was for them to resolve everything and for them to find happiness that both of them DESERVE. Two broken souls set out to mend each other's.
Reaching the end of the book was heartbreaking for me. I kind of got mad too. The book cover now picks at my heart every time I look at it because of its reference in the novel. And I hereby nominate Amir for the "delulu club president". I hope the next book is released soon.
"Maybe they won't", I really hope they do...
September 3, 2024
As this is my first review to ever write AND publish, it was definitely a new experience to look at a novel with a critical eye rather than that of a plain devouring bookworm. I really love the preface and all small explanations left by the author to present his source of inspiration in a sweet way.
The character development is really well done for Amir, maybe could have even added a bit more information at times, whilst I wasn't so certain about Fathima regarding the last significant event that she underwent. It was a bit concerning that she didn't "develop" from her past as she claimed to have.
But nontheless one can clearly see and feel that it's more about their growth together - I mean this novel was written for us hopeless romantics :). Further, if one has found true love like I found with my husband, these unspoken feelings sometimes left out between the lines will be visible. not to the eye but to ones heart.
Another point I really liked about the story was the unhinged mention of sexuality and intimacy which is refreshing if you know that in islamic circles its a weird taboo to talk about, which I to this day don't understand as its clearly mentioned on the prophet's sides as well as the quran.
The plot pacing is a bit quick at times and could have been designed a bit more streched to leave the emotions conveyed to linger in the minds of the readership. Sometimes there were also repetitions of certain words or phrases that have already appeared once before throughout the story. On the other handside there were time jumps that really satisfied me due to their eloquentless and right placement. It a mix of both.
When it comes to the overarching theme, I can 100% guarantee You that I didn't expect the ending at all (maybe cuz i have been too emerced into the plot or maybe because the author covered it up skillfully). Regardless of which it was in the end, the theme of the ups and downs of romance, combined with haunting traumas and issues we all face one way or another in our lifespan undoubtedly met my taste at least. I generally prefer when the narrator keeps a rather neutral tone and the reader is led to FEEL the narrated story by their own capabilities. It was also very nice to see cultural and religious (islamic) mentions woven into the plot.
I'd also add that some questions which developed on my side throughout the read-through, were later on resolved due to the ending that sorta solves and explains everything! Literally leading to a big "aha"-moment of enlightenment. All in all I can say that I'd read a second novel of this author again, also just to watch him bloom throughout his career.
The character development is really well done for Amir, maybe could have even added a bit more information at times, whilst I wasn't so certain about Fathima regarding the last significant event that she underwent. It was a bit concerning that she didn't "develop" from her past as she claimed to have.
But nontheless one can clearly see and feel that it's more about their growth together - I mean this novel was written for us hopeless romantics :). Further, if one has found true love like I found with my husband, these unspoken feelings sometimes left out between the lines will be visible. not to the eye but to ones heart.
Another point I really liked about the story was the unhinged mention of sexuality and intimacy which is refreshing if you know that in islamic circles its a weird taboo to talk about, which I to this day don't understand as its clearly mentioned on the prophet's sides as well as the quran.
The plot pacing is a bit quick at times and could have been designed a bit more streched to leave the emotions conveyed to linger in the minds of the readership. Sometimes there were also repetitions of certain words or phrases that have already appeared once before throughout the story. On the other handside there were time jumps that really satisfied me due to their eloquentless and right placement. It a mix of both.
When it comes to the overarching theme, I can 100% guarantee You that I didn't expect the ending at all (maybe cuz i have been too emerced into the plot or maybe because the author covered it up skillfully). Regardless of which it was in the end, the theme of the ups and downs of romance, combined with haunting traumas and issues we all face one way or another in our lifespan undoubtedly met my taste at least. I generally prefer when the narrator keeps a rather neutral tone and the reader is led to FEEL the narrated story by their own capabilities. It was also very nice to see cultural and religious (islamic) mentions woven into the plot.
I'd also add that some questions which developed on my side throughout the read-through, were later on resolved due to the ending that sorta solves and explains everything! Literally leading to a big "aha"-moment of enlightenment. All in all I can say that I'd read a second novel of this author again, also just to watch him bloom throughout his career.
August 27, 2024
I struggled getting through the first few pages of the book, because I kept thinking of all the points I needed to include in this review and all the things that I felt were ‘wrong’ in it. The writing style could have been better. However, as I pushed myself to keep reading, I found myself on the verge of tears during the scene where Fathima confronts Amir about the truth on her father. This scene, with tears in my eyes, made me realize the essence of a good story which is to touch the reader’s heart. It did touch my heart and made me feel a whirlpool of emotions. I also really liked the little quotes added before the start of each chapter. The book spoke about traumatic moments that some might get triggered by. It is important to cultivate an openness on the main topic of r*pe as discussed in the book as South Asian culture is still very rigid around it. The blend of Islam and culture tied in the book was inspiring and greatly appreciated. The idea of not letting your past dictate your future and to not hold yourself back because of your past are both pointers from the book that I believe are extremely important to speak out about for today’s generation. Your past does not define you and there is always space for you to rise above it. For every Fathima struggling out there, is an Amir to hold her from falling apart. For every Amir losing himself out there, is a Fathima to keep him grounded. Both are not perfect, and no one ever really is. If you are alone, know that you can be your own Fathima and Amir, you can hold yourself together from falling apart. All it takes is a bit of courage. Everyone has their own baggage to deal with and it is essential to be kind and understanding in this world. Abdhullah AzminAbdhullah Azmin
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
September 8, 2024
I’d like to start by saying how proud I am of the author for coming so far in their writing journey, and I wish them the very best in their career. That said, this book wasn't quite my favorite. It gave me strong Wattpad vibes, which might appeal to some, but not necessarily to me. While I understand that English isn’t the author’s first language, I noticed a number of grammatical errors and issues with sentence structure. At times, the writing felt repetitive, which affected the overall flow of the story.
There were moments where the pacing felt inconsistent—some scenes seemed rushed, jumping quickly from one situation to another, while others dragged on for too long. This imbalance made it difficult to stay engaged, and the lack of detailed descriptions left me struggling to visualize the scenes. While leaving room for the reader’s imagination can be a great tool, it’s important to establish a solid foundation for readers to build upon, which I felt was missing.
Additionally, the story felt somewhat confusing, especially with the constant pattern of something good happening, only for it to be followed by something extremely bad. This contrast felt exaggerated and unrealistic at times. The characters are described as Muslims, but there wasn’t much in the narrative that truly connected to their faith, making those references feel a bit unnecessary in certain scenes.
Overall, the story felt repetitive and reminded me of the type of content I’d expect to find on Wattpad. I’d encourage the author to explore more realistic storytelling and perhaps take inspiration from writers like Khaled Hosseini, who masterfully crafts detailed scenarios and characters. Thank you for the opportunity to read your work, and I wish you continued success in your writing career!
There were moments where the pacing felt inconsistent—some scenes seemed rushed, jumping quickly from one situation to another, while others dragged on for too long. This imbalance made it difficult to stay engaged, and the lack of detailed descriptions left me struggling to visualize the scenes. While leaving room for the reader’s imagination can be a great tool, it’s important to establish a solid foundation for readers to build upon, which I felt was missing.
Additionally, the story felt somewhat confusing, especially with the constant pattern of something good happening, only for it to be followed by something extremely bad. This contrast felt exaggerated and unrealistic at times. The characters are described as Muslims, but there wasn’t much in the narrative that truly connected to their faith, making those references feel a bit unnecessary in certain scenes.
Overall, the story felt repetitive and reminded me of the type of content I’d expect to find on Wattpad. I’d encourage the author to explore more realistic storytelling and perhaps take inspiration from writers like Khaled Hosseini, who masterfully crafts detailed scenarios and characters. Thank you for the opportunity to read your work, and I wish you continued success in your writing career!
August 25, 2024
I didn't expect the ending--although the foreshadowing of the ending was very well-done.
There were so many plot twists throughout the novel, and I really like all the messages littered throughout the writing--like those on Islam, relationships, mental health, and friendship. Every character in the novel truly had their own voice.
The characters--especially the Amir and Fathima--were also developed very well by the author. I wish Amir had a deeper backstory, but I liked reading about Fathima. Her story broke my heart.
My favorite part was that the Preface explains that the novel is inspired by this idea of a "perfect" Muslim girl, but the novel goes on to describe this very hurt girl with a horrible past who is struggling to achieve the picture perfect life. I found the message really beautiful, and I know it would touch the hearts of many hopelessly romantic Muslim girls.
As for the ending, goodness gracious, the ending hurt. I was caught off guard even after all the foreshadowing (i.e. hinting at schizophrenia). I like how there's still hope for Amir at the end.
I only dunked a star off the novel because the author definitely could've used a beta reader or an editor--I noticed that "didn't" was spelt "dint" somewhere. I also noticed that the beginning of the novel is in third-person before switching to first-person omniscient. The switch was a little off-putting, but I'm glad the author chose to write in first-person--the choice helped me connect with the characters a bit more.
There were so many plot twists throughout the novel, and I really like all the messages littered throughout the writing--like those on Islam, relationships, mental health, and friendship. Every character in the novel truly had their own voice.
The characters--especially the Amir and Fathima--were also developed very well by the author. I wish Amir had a deeper backstory, but I liked reading about Fathima. Her story broke my heart.
My favorite part was that the Preface explains that the novel is inspired by this idea of a "perfect" Muslim girl, but the novel goes on to describe this very hurt girl with a horrible past who is struggling to achieve the picture perfect life. I found the message really beautiful, and I know it would touch the hearts of many hopelessly romantic Muslim girls.
As for the ending, goodness gracious, the ending hurt. I was caught off guard even after all the foreshadowing (i.e. hinting at schizophrenia). I like how there's still hope for Amir at the end.
I only dunked a star off the novel because the author definitely could've used a beta reader or an editor--I noticed that "didn't" was spelt "dint" somewhere. I also noticed that the beginning of the novel is in third-person before switching to first-person omniscient. The switch was a little off-putting, but I'm glad the author chose to write in first-person--the choice helped me connect with the characters a bit more.
October 9, 2024
MAYBE THEY WONT BY ABDULLAH AZMIN
A beautiful debut novel by the author that takes you on a rollercoaster ride with lots of emotions, feelings, and situations that’ll drive you crazy and make you cry.
Twists and turns in life are much needed, as they make your life interesting and challenging, isn’t it?
This book is a beautiful portrayal of how forgiving, loving, and caring a husband and wife should be.
Does the past really matter? Of course they do.
Not for separations but for healing your life without regrets and bringing more happiness.
I was in awe while reading this book as well in “oh noooo” situations as well.
The main characters, Amir and Fathima, get into an arranged marriage and become soul mates for life and beyond.
I truly adored the positive energy and thoughts filled in each character in this novel. Anfah, Azrah, and Bashith; Aunty Noor; and who else? I love all of them and for their kindness ♥️
When you know someone’s perspective over something, you will never really hate them, and hats off to the author for bringing up the point of view of Amir, Fathima, and a third-person view on situations and experiences.
However, the book does not shy away from depicting the harsh realities of the time, life, and certain people, which can be unsettling but necessary to reveal the reality of life we all are living.
This book is a must-read for anyone interested in exploring themes of love and romance, human injustice, child abuse, and more. Do give it a try so you won’t regret it later.
Zainab Mushtak
A beautiful debut novel by the author that takes you on a rollercoaster ride with lots of emotions, feelings, and situations that’ll drive you crazy and make you cry.
Twists and turns in life are much needed, as they make your life interesting and challenging, isn’t it?
This book is a beautiful portrayal of how forgiving, loving, and caring a husband and wife should be.
Does the past really matter? Of course they do.
Not for separations but for healing your life without regrets and bringing more happiness.
I was in awe while reading this book as well in “oh noooo” situations as well.
The main characters, Amir and Fathima, get into an arranged marriage and become soul mates for life and beyond.
I truly adored the positive energy and thoughts filled in each character in this novel. Anfah, Azrah, and Bashith; Aunty Noor; and who else? I love all of them and for their kindness ♥️
When you know someone’s perspective over something, you will never really hate them, and hats off to the author for bringing up the point of view of Amir, Fathima, and a third-person view on situations and experiences.
However, the book does not shy away from depicting the harsh realities of the time, life, and certain people, which can be unsettling but necessary to reveal the reality of life we all are living.
This book is a must-read for anyone interested in exploring themes of love and romance, human injustice, child abuse, and more. Do give it a try so you won’t regret it later.
Zainab Mushtak
September 10, 2024
it was heart-wrenching, to say the least.
I thought that I was in for some sweet, halal romance. I never thought it was THAT dark.
the things that Amir and Fathima went through were so much that I ended up breaking down with tears. I spent at least 40 minutes crying over it.
to be completely honest, almost the first half was kinda boring, but the rest of the novel kept bombarding me with plot twists on every turn and corner. every single time things went smoothly, there was something bad bound to happen. almost every single plot twist has taken me aback for I didn't see it coming.
my head is now throbbing from how much I cried and I really wanna complain about it, but it's actually a proof that this was well-written.
the things both Fathima and Amir went through made their characters' development even more significant. the way the author was able to make me hate Fathima and then love her in a couple of pages was quite astonishing. the way Amir was always so willing to understand her and accept her just the way she is, the way he simply forgave her and the way she did the same was simply heart-touching.
the way every scene led to the ending was seriously impressive, and it's not about the plot itself, but the way the author managed to distract me from it by filling the novel with another dozen of plot twists that left my mind reeling and me struggling to catch my breath.
if you're ready to go through seriously messed up plots and events, then you're most welcome to read this book.
p.s: just wanted to point out that the poems in this book are SPLENDID. if you're a poems lover you're literally missing out on some real good poems!
I thought that I was in for some sweet, halal romance. I never thought it was THAT dark.
the things that Amir and Fathima went through were so much that I ended up breaking down with tears. I spent at least 40 minutes crying over it.
to be completely honest, almost the first half was kinda boring, but the rest of the novel kept bombarding me with plot twists on every turn and corner. every single time things went smoothly, there was something bad bound to happen. almost every single plot twist has taken me aback for I didn't see it coming.
my head is now throbbing from how much I cried and I really wanna complain about it, but it's actually a proof that this was well-written.
the things both Fathima and Amir went through made their characters' development even more significant. the way the author was able to make me hate Fathima and then love her in a couple of pages was quite astonishing. the way Amir was always so willing to understand her and accept her just the way she is, the way he simply forgave her and the way she did the same was simply heart-touching.
the way every scene led to the ending was seriously impressive, and it's not about the plot itself, but the way the author managed to distract me from it by filling the novel with another dozen of plot twists that left my mind reeling and me struggling to catch my breath.
if you're ready to go through seriously messed up plots and events, then you're most welcome to read this book.
p.s: just wanted to point out that the poems in this book are SPLENDID. if you're a poems lover you're literally missing out on some real good poems!
November 20, 2025
It was ass.
Displaying 1 - 10 of 10 reviews