Okay. Deep breath. Where do I even begin with this review? ๐คญ๐คญ
I finished Veiled about a week ago and I was tempted to post something right away, but then I told myself, no. I need to marinate. Because if thereโs one recommendation you ever take from me, let it be this one. Veiled is not just an incredible, itโs the kind of book that gets under your skin and refuses to leave. The kind that makes you go, โWaitโฆ thatโs it? I need more.โ I got so attached to the characters so fast. I was in a reading slump after reading one of my most anticipated books of the year, and then I started reading Veiled, and completely snatched me out of it. I was not prepared for how addictive this story would be.
From the very first chapter, I was immediately hooked. Serayaโs writing scratches my brain in exactly the right way, best way possible. Itโs fluid, immersive, addictive. She knows how to make us blush !!!!!
I was reading while cooking, during breaks, between everything, it was always on my mind. Iโm a romance girly through and through. Iโve read so many romance books and Iโm very serious when I say this one hits hard...๐๐
The enemies to lovers tension was pure perfection. They actually have a reason to dislike each other, real stakes. Both Azara and Michael are smart, layered characters. I love how Seraya gave us a strong, career driven, emotionally complex FMC who knows what she wants and stands on business but also at the same time vulnerable and cares about her family a lot.
Now, Michael Young? Donโt even get me started. Heโs a MMC who is equally driven, vulnerable, and intelligent and emotionally so interesting to read about. I had full butterflies whenever I was reading his chapters, Iโm not even kidding. I fell head over heels in love with him. He made me want to throw the book across the room , and then beg him to step out of the pages. Heโs easily top 10 book boyfriends material for me. He fell first, he fell hard, and the way he cares and aches for Azara? I swear to god, there are pages from his POV that are entirely highlighted !!!! ๐ฉ๐คญ๐ฅ
Azara, on the other hand, is one of those characters who feels so real. There were times I wanted to shake her, scream at her, hug her, cry with her and thatโs when I realized she reminds me of myself. Her layers, her flaws, her inner battles, they were so raw, so relatable, I felt seen. Sheโs not just a character written for a trope. And I rooted for her the whole way through. She also stands on business and I loved her personality !
The romance had me kicking my feet and squealing, but this book is so much more than just the romance. The writing is rich, dynamic, and cultured. As a Moroccan girl and a STEM graduate myself, I felt represented ๐ฅนThe medical world was portrayed with precision and respect, and the cultural depth of the story added so much texture. Every choice Seraya made, from the character arcs to the plot tension, felt intentional and meaningful. This is the kind of book, that if it had an additional 200 pages, I wouldnโt even complain and I would have devoured it even more !
The tension, not just romantic, but plot wise, was so smart. Every character had a motive, a purpose, a goal. Nothing felt random. Everything felt earned.
I am genuinely so honored to have been an ARC reader for Veiled. Iโll read everything Seraya publishes from now on. And Iโm praying this book gets the success it deserves (which it will!) and gets adapted. Iโd love to see a movie or TV series based on these characters and this love story! โฅ๏ธ
Itโs my first 5 star ๐ romance read of the year, and it sets the bar high. Iโll definitely be rereading it the minute I need a romance that hits.