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We Created You in Pairs: Book 2
A tale of two soulmates… In this life, and in the next.
Now that their souls have been united before God, Ilyanna and Riyadh embark on the next chapter of their intertwined destinies. After bidding farewell to the blessings of Ramadan, Ilyanna battles mental demons and societal pressures, while Riyadh remains her steadfast support—from the oppressive London grey skies to the bustling sun-drenched streets of Casablanca.
Meanwhile, prepping for their elaborate wedding festivities is filled with laughter, tears, and unexpected conflicts. Between overcoming trauma, culture, pride and evil eye, the fresh couple attempts to face these new trials and triumphs head-on, without letting their faith waver or their dreams falter.
Grand gestures, quiet intimacy, individual aspirations and shared dreams—their love story is only just beginning, as they collaborate on the grander project of building their hereafter. Through it all, bride and groom learn the most valuable lesson of all: safeguarding their peace and privacy, by relying on the mercy of their Creator, and the perfection of His divine plan.
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.
Now that their souls have been united before God, Ilyanna and Riyadh embark on the next chapter of their intertwined destinies. After bidding farewell to the blessings of Ramadan, Ilyanna battles mental demons and societal pressures, while Riyadh remains her steadfast support—from the oppressive London grey skies to the bustling sun-drenched streets of Casablanca.
Meanwhile, prepping for their elaborate wedding festivities is filled with laughter, tears, and unexpected conflicts. Between overcoming trauma, culture, pride and evil eye, the fresh couple attempts to face these new trials and triumphs head-on, without letting their faith waver or their dreams falter.
Grand gestures, quiet intimacy, individual aspirations and shared dreams—their love story is only just beginning, as they collaborate on the grander project of building their hereafter. Through it all, bride and groom learn the most valuable lesson of all: safeguarding their peace and privacy, by relying on the mercy of their Creator, and the perfection of His divine plan.
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.
392 pages, Paperback
Published July 17, 2024
1 person is currently reading
58 people want to read
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Displaying 1 - 11 of 11 reviews
September 27, 2024
Finished it this afternoon and it’s time for a review
I knew this was going to be a five stars !!! And Riyadh just kept more and more perfect !!! I did take a long time reading it so I don’t remember everything
This book has a triggering subject which is SA’ that got me uncomfortably sobbing and gasping for air while crying so you may wanna bring a tissue BOX with you
This tackles a lot of important things about marriage and intimacy between muslim newlyweds that i this EVERYONE should read about and how not just because you married that woman that means you can do whatever you want to her it’s her body too and she has the right to say so
Seeing everyone becoming a family was so heart warming and I fear I’m so attached to them ☹️💕
There were a little bit of cringy lines but Riyadh perfection made everything not important
And seeing ilyanna saying things that I actually agree with and would have thought of if was in the same situation made me convinced that I’m not alone in this and it’s normal 😭😭
This is already long enough but ABSOLUTELY RECOMMEND UNTIL I GO TO HEAVEN
I knew this was going to be a five stars !!! And Riyadh just kept more and more perfect !!! I did take a long time reading it so I don’t remember everything
This book has a triggering subject which is SA’ that got me uncomfortably sobbing and gasping for air while crying so you may wanna bring a tissue BOX with you
This tackles a lot of important things about marriage and intimacy between muslim newlyweds that i this EVERYONE should read about and how not just because you married that woman that means you can do whatever you want to her it’s her body too and she has the right to say so
Seeing everyone becoming a family was so heart warming and I fear I’m so attached to them ☹️💕
There were a little bit of cringy lines but Riyadh perfection made everything not important
And seeing ilyanna saying things that I actually agree with and would have thought of if was in the same situation made me convinced that I’m not alone in this and it’s normal 😭😭
This is already long enough but ABSOLUTELY RECOMMEND UNTIL I GO TO HEAVEN
August 13, 2024
need me a riyadh
June 3, 2025
The second novel in this trilogy delves deeper into the lives of Ilyanna and Riyadh as they navigate the complexities of love, faith, and the world around them.
What I loved most about this book is how the author (myself, at the risk of sounding ridiculously self-important) and her writing have matured. The characters are better fleshed out and their relationships more developed. This second instalment dives deeper into the themes introduced in book 1, such as the overshadowing influence of culture in matters of religion, the trials of young Muslim women living in the West, the spiritual significance of endurance and patience, and of course, romantic attachments and their evolution within the setting of an Islamic marriage.
For those who enjoyed the optimism and passion of the first book, I hope you’ll find this next chapter a thoughtful continuation that brings depth and nuance to Ilyanna and Riyadh’s journey. I believe their story will resonate with anyone who understands that love, in its truest form, is both a beautiful gift and a challenging test for the believer.
As we move toward the conclusion in the third book, I am excited to bring Ilyanna and Riyadh's journey to a final point. Thank you for accompanying them thus far—your support and connection to these characters mean more than words can express.
All the best,
Lina
xx
What I loved most about this book is how the author (myself, at the risk of sounding ridiculously self-important) and her writing have matured. The characters are better fleshed out and their relationships more developed. This second instalment dives deeper into the themes introduced in book 1, such as the overshadowing influence of culture in matters of religion, the trials of young Muslim women living in the West, the spiritual significance of endurance and patience, and of course, romantic attachments and their evolution within the setting of an Islamic marriage.
For those who enjoyed the optimism and passion of the first book, I hope you’ll find this next chapter a thoughtful continuation that brings depth and nuance to Ilyanna and Riyadh’s journey. I believe their story will resonate with anyone who understands that love, in its truest form, is both a beautiful gift and a challenging test for the believer.
As we move toward the conclusion in the third book, I am excited to bring Ilyanna and Riyadh's journey to a final point. Thank you for accompanying them thus far—your support and connection to these characters mean more than words can express.
All the best,
Lina
xx
July 16, 2025
Before I read all the letters — 4 stars.
After finishing — 4.5 stars.
After reading this book, I’ve come to a conclusion: if my future man isn’t like Riyadh, I respectfully do not want him.
Tell me why this man has me blushing over every single word he says? And don’t even get me started on when he speaks Syrian Arabic, I actually melt. As a Syrian myself, it made me feel so special to understand his words on that deeper level.
Now… 15 letters? Are you serious? I was not emotionally prepared.
The reason I didn’t give it a full 5 stars isn’t because the book was bad ( not at all ) but because of my own personal taste.
I don’t usually like continuing a series when book one already had a perfect ending. I just want it to stop there.
But honestly? This book was adorable. I really enjoyed it, even though it didn’t hit exactly like the first one.
Still, I absolutely loved all the characters. And I genuinely cried reading about the growing bond between Ilyanna and her parents, especially her dad. As someone whose father has passed away, those scenes hit me really hard. It felt emotional, personal, and honestly left a mark on me.
In short:
Please read this book.
But DISCLAIMER: your standards for future men will rise higher than Mount Everest. Just saying.......
After finishing — 4.5 stars.
After reading this book, I’ve come to a conclusion: if my future man isn’t like Riyadh, I respectfully do not want him.
Tell me why this man has me blushing over every single word he says? And don’t even get me started on when he speaks Syrian Arabic, I actually melt. As a Syrian myself, it made me feel so special to understand his words on that deeper level.
Now… 15 letters? Are you serious? I was not emotionally prepared.
The reason I didn’t give it a full 5 stars isn’t because the book was bad ( not at all ) but because of my own personal taste.
I don’t usually like continuing a series when book one already had a perfect ending. I just want it to stop there.
But honestly? This book was adorable. I really enjoyed it, even though it didn’t hit exactly like the first one.
Still, I absolutely loved all the characters. And I genuinely cried reading about the growing bond between Ilyanna and her parents, especially her dad. As someone whose father has passed away, those scenes hit me really hard. It felt emotional, personal, and honestly left a mark on me.
In short:
Please read this book.
But DISCLAIMER: your standards for future men will rise higher than Mount Everest. Just saying.......
April 20, 2025
This sequel is exactly what you hope for after reading Book 1. It keeps the same vibe, the same emotional depth but goes even further. Early on, there’s a really tough scene. It’s heavy, for sure, but it’s written in such a thoughtful and powerful way. It adds so much depth to the story and to the characters it’s not just there for shock, it means something. And just like in the first book, the characters are amazing. I cared about every single one of them. Honestly, so proud of how this was written!!
June 24, 2025
it took me a long time to finish this (i blame school) but i’m really so glad that i did!! i’m in LOVE with ilyanna and riyadh’s relationship, they’re everything i want in this life🤧
i am, once again, amazed at how good and well thought-out the lessons and topics discussed in this book were?? there were so many chapters and paragraphs and little quotes that healed some part of me. so many things in it that i felt i couldn’t have read at a more perfect time
this book was with me during rough school nights and my grandpa’s funeral, and i’m eternally grateful to the lovely author for sharing it with me💞
i am, once again, amazed at how good and well thought-out the lessons and topics discussed in this book were?? there were so many chapters and paragraphs and little quotes that healed some part of me. so many things in it that i felt i couldn’t have read at a more perfect time
this book was with me during rough school nights and my grandpa’s funeral, and i’m eternally grateful to the lovely author for sharing it with me💞
December 11, 2025
riyadh badri just kept raising my expectations more and more all the way till the end 🥹🩷🩷
February 8, 2026
five stars ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐
ok book two?? yeah this is where everything stops being just cute romance and starts feeling REAL.
we created you in pairs book two picks up with ilyanna and riyadh stepping fully into their commitment, and immediately you can tell the tone is more mature. no more dreamy “will they won’t they” — now it’s “ok you chose each other… now build a life.”
first of all, the wedding prep?? not just pretty vibes. it comes with pressure, expectations, emotions running high — the kind of stuff that makes you realize marriage isn’t just about love, it’s about patience and teamwork too.
ilyanna really shines in this book. you see her navigating internal struggles while trying to stay grounded in her values. she doesn’t magically become perfect just because she’s in love — she reflects, she questions, she grows. that emotional awareness makes her feel very real.
and riyadh… character development was SERVED.
he’s still deeply devoted, but it feels calmer now. less intense speeches, more quiet reliability. instead of just professing love, he actually shows it through support, reassurance, and presence. it reads less like idolising and more like intentional partnership.
we LOVE to see it.
one thing that stood out is how the story leans into the idea that love gets tested. there are outside expectations, family influences, emotional weight, and moments where they both have to choose understanding over ego. it never feels like drama for the sake of drama — more like the natural growing pains of two people merging their lives.
also the setting shift adds freshness. the world feels bigger, like their relationship exists within an actual life rather than a romance bubble.
and can we talk about how faith stays woven into everything?? their decisions keep circling back to trust, purpose, and building something meaningful together. it gives the relationship depth instead of just vibes.
BUT — keeping it honest:
if you go in wanting the emotional chaos of book one, you might pause and go
“wait… why is this calmer?”
because this is not butterflies romance.
this is steady, grounded, choosing-you-every-day romance.
and personally? that kind of love feels stronger.
did it make me squeal every five seconds? yes.
did it make me feel warm and secure? yes.
did the maturity elevate the story? absolutely.
honestly it reads like watching a relationship exhale after the intensity of falling in love.
am i continuing the trilogy?
100%.
because once you watch characters step into real partnership, you NEED to know how life shapes them next. the emotional investment is already locked in — stopping here would feel illegal.
final thought:
book one was about finding each other.
book two is about keeping each other.
and lowkey… that might be even more beautiful.
ok book two?? yeah this is where everything stops being just cute romance and starts feeling REAL.
we created you in pairs book two picks up with ilyanna and riyadh stepping fully into their commitment, and immediately you can tell the tone is more mature. no more dreamy “will they won’t they” — now it’s “ok you chose each other… now build a life.”
first of all, the wedding prep?? not just pretty vibes. it comes with pressure, expectations, emotions running high — the kind of stuff that makes you realize marriage isn’t just about love, it’s about patience and teamwork too.
ilyanna really shines in this book. you see her navigating internal struggles while trying to stay grounded in her values. she doesn’t magically become perfect just because she’s in love — she reflects, she questions, she grows. that emotional awareness makes her feel very real.
and riyadh… character development was SERVED.
he’s still deeply devoted, but it feels calmer now. less intense speeches, more quiet reliability. instead of just professing love, he actually shows it through support, reassurance, and presence. it reads less like idolising and more like intentional partnership.
we LOVE to see it.
one thing that stood out is how the story leans into the idea that love gets tested. there are outside expectations, family influences, emotional weight, and moments where they both have to choose understanding over ego. it never feels like drama for the sake of drama — more like the natural growing pains of two people merging their lives.
also the setting shift adds freshness. the world feels bigger, like their relationship exists within an actual life rather than a romance bubble.
and can we talk about how faith stays woven into everything?? their decisions keep circling back to trust, purpose, and building something meaningful together. it gives the relationship depth instead of just vibes.
BUT — keeping it honest:
if you go in wanting the emotional chaos of book one, you might pause and go
“wait… why is this calmer?”
because this is not butterflies romance.
this is steady, grounded, choosing-you-every-day romance.
and personally? that kind of love feels stronger.
did it make me squeal every five seconds? yes.
did it make me feel warm and secure? yes.
did the maturity elevate the story? absolutely.
honestly it reads like watching a relationship exhale after the intensity of falling in love.
am i continuing the trilogy?
100%.
because once you watch characters step into real partnership, you NEED to know how life shapes them next. the emotional investment is already locked in — stopping here would feel illegal.
final thought:
book one was about finding each other.
book two is about keeping each other.
and lowkey… that might be even more beautiful.
September 13, 2024
i fear i will never find someone after this bc my expectations are SO HIGH (higher than it already was) 😭😭😭😭 i love them
April 3, 2025
The letters. Fifteen letters…? ALHAMDULILAH I GOT TO READ THEM 😭😭 also they killed me. I can go to Jannah now 😭😭🤲🏽🩷🩷🩷
May 9, 2025
I really enjoyed the first book, but this one? Wow! A possible favorite? I’m not entirely sure, but it’s definitely something special. This book felt so much deeper, much more mature, and it seems like Lina's writing has truly been set free. In the first book, the characters' emotions were present, but they weren’t fully explored enough for us to really connect with them. This time, it’s an explosion of feeling. The author conveys emotions in such a poetic way that you find yourself dreaming of a love story like this one.
If there’s one thing I’d mention, it’s the lack of a gripping plot that pulls you in. But honestly, it didn’t bother me because it made for a more laid-back read, one that you enjoy to clear your mind. I find it fascinating, though, how noticeable the shift is between the two books, despite them being written in what feels like the same tone. It’s a huge leap forward in the author’s writing style.
And I can’t wrap up this review without mentioning the central thread that runs through the trilogy – the Muslim faith. Lina seamlessly weaves in the sacred aspects of the religion without overwhelming the reader. It’s beautifully balanced. What’s even better is that this book can be enjoyed by anyone, whether you’re a practicing Muslim, unfamiliar with the religion, or just curious. The little footnotes at the bottom of the pages that explain traditions and stories make it so accessible to all readers.
This book is not only a journey through a beautiful love story but also an exploration of faith, culture, and identity, all done in a way that feels welcoming to everyone. I can’t wait to see where the rest of this trilogy takes us. It’s a beautiful evolution of the author’s craft, and I’m hooked.
If there’s one thing I’d mention, it’s the lack of a gripping plot that pulls you in. But honestly, it didn’t bother me because it made for a more laid-back read, one that you enjoy to clear your mind. I find it fascinating, though, how noticeable the shift is between the two books, despite them being written in what feels like the same tone. It’s a huge leap forward in the author’s writing style.
And I can’t wrap up this review without mentioning the central thread that runs through the trilogy – the Muslim faith. Lina seamlessly weaves in the sacred aspects of the religion without overwhelming the reader. It’s beautifully balanced. What’s even better is that this book can be enjoyed by anyone, whether you’re a practicing Muslim, unfamiliar with the religion, or just curious. The little footnotes at the bottom of the pages that explain traditions and stories make it so accessible to all readers.
This book is not only a journey through a beautiful love story but also an exploration of faith, culture, and identity, all done in a way that feels welcoming to everyone. I can’t wait to see where the rest of this trilogy takes us. It’s a beautiful evolution of the author’s craft, and I’m hooked.
Displaying 1 - 11 of 11 reviews