Love, In The Most Suprising Way

by Khairun Atika Kamsan

“You’re not someone a person can easily forget.

I wouldn’t forget you, even if I wanted to.”

***

Alisa, a bright-eyed, passionate preschool teacher, can’t stand Gadafi: the arrogant, conceited man who, despite his charming looks, does not fit Alisa’s standards at all. Just the thought of him makes her shudder. Never, not in a million years!

Yet life keeps drawing her path and Gadafi’s together. Through family ties and unexpected moments, Alisa begins to see another side of him—and, to her surprise, the gentleman turns out to be… quite alright.

But when the truth about Gadafi’s past reveals itself, leaving her sister heartbroken, Alisa’s fragile trust shatters. Her perception of him turns sour once again.

Was he only pretending to be good?

No matter how hard she tries to walk away, Alisa cannot deny that Gadafi is always there for her whenever she needs help—leaving her even more confused. Should she listen to her own heart, or fall prey to her doubts?

—

Being an Austenite herself, this book is Khairun Atika Kamsan’s modern reimagining of Jane Austen’s beloved novel Pride and Prejudice.

Genres: Romance

354 pages, Paperback

Published September 25, 2025

Reviews

[honestlyjaen · Rating 4 out of 5]

When I said romance is better in books, this is what I meant. As someone who doesn't usually read slice-of-life romance, I found this book surprisingly enjoyable. While reading it, I felt exactly the same feelings I get when watching my **very limited list** of favv romance shows 𐔌՞ ܸ.ˬ.ܸ՞𐦯

I genuinely felt like I was one of Alisa's friends, and reading her POV was incredibly entertaining, especially with how she dealt with all the men in her life. She felt so relatable that I found myself feeling happy, sad, and even frustrated over everything that happened to her and her family. I swear I was even more invested in the blossoming relationship between Julia and Bazli, and I kept giggling whenever Alisa talked about them 🤭

I also loved that the romance wasn't overdone, while the family-centered themes were incredibly heartwarming. I especially adored how peaceful and loving Alisa's small family was. Her relationship with her sister, Julia, was my favorite part of the book. It made me realize just how incredible their parents were for raising both girls to become such strong and mature women.

Despite that, since the story is told from Alisa's POV, it didn't really show that Gadaffi was interested in her at the beginning, especially given how brief their interactions were whenever they met. And I totally understood how ridiculous and confused Alisa must have felt when he suddenly confessed his feelings, like, "𝘭𝘢𝘩 𝘦𝘯𝘨𝘬𝘰 𝘯𝘪 𝘵𝘪𝘣𝘦𝘳𝘳??", especially when she didn't have any positive feelings toward him.

Still, I appreciated their little moments together, especially when Gadaffi tried to make up for his mistakes and genuinely put in the effort to get to know Alisa better after that. Even though some scenes felt straight out of a K-drama, I didn't find them cringe at all. I just went, "Well, I don't know how rich people live, so who am I to judge?" 😌

Overall, this book is such a simple yet heartwarming love story. It made me reflect on how everything happens by Allah's will, and it lowkey had me wondering whether I'm someone who's meant to love and be loved someday haha (This kind of book is dangerous for my lonely heart, you know 👁️👁️)

[sella · Rating 3 out of 5]

this book is easy to read, light and fun

however, i have a few things or plot in this book that doesn’t feel right to me (my personal opinion)

first, the Gadafi’s first impression towards Alisa… for me when someone did a bad comment about me without knowing me at all and especially comment about my appearance when we totally strangers… like you have no right to say something hurtful to someone you doesn’t even know… it is totally absurd.. i wouldn’t be friend with that person at all but in this book they carry that plot to make it looks like enemy to lovers (i think) and suddenly out of nowhere Gadafi confesses to Alisa saying he like her… like what going on here ??

like Gadafi is kind of gentlemen after he confessed his feelings… i agree but that the problem to me, when i read throughout the book i keep getting flashbacks of his first impression like suddenly he likes the person he used to talk bad about.. like it not click enough to make sense to me… but maybe if we can see Gadafi POV in this book and look how he saw Alisa from his perspective maybe it can change the way i think….

second is i was pissed off when Bazli suddenly left Julia like it feels soo wrong especially when he the one who pursued Julia at first and he be the one who left without explanation…and Julia found out through social media is soo disrespectful like you wouldn’t or could never do that to someone you love… i hate it… just because he think he doesn’t ready and think Julia not really committed in their relationship… you lost me at there… he should communicate with Julia rather than asking someone opinion about YOUR relationship… and this book make everything look easier like Julia can easily forgive Bazli just like that what about her feeling being not enough and left behind…

overall, maybe bcs i didn’t watch or read pride and prejudice so my opinion a bit different from others but this book have good family connections, islamic values about relationships and how to have faith in Allah in finding soulmate

3.5/5 🌟

[✨ sufina ✨ (thebadassreader) · Rating 4 out of 5]

🔸In this modern reimagining of Pride and Prejudice, two sisters learn the true meaning of moving forward and finding their new beginnings.

✫ I'm beyond happy that New Beginnings got republished into this beauty by @rumaa.books . It came with a new cover and a better version of it.

✫ We have Alisa who hated this guy, Gadafi, whom she overheard saying something unkind at her sister's wedding ceremony. But fate decided to meddle and have them crossed paths every so often.

✭ It’s family centred with the main plot being romance for marriage. It was refreshing to read romance within Islamic compliance.

✭ My favourite message of the book has to be that love will always find its way even if you've been hurt before or if you tried to close the door. Sometimes, even if you've been hating that person with every atom of your being.

Overall, I enjoyed the simplicity as much as I did the first time. Read it in just 3 hours and I felt so calm the whole time reading this book.

[qist · Rating 5 out of 5]

"if it's meant to be, he will come back. have faith"

loved every aspect of it (: the beauty of halal romance is everything; the yearning, the patience, the intentions, it all fell into the place.

bazli and julia's storyline got me hooked the most, and i really really loved their development from start to finish. got me screaming and kicking at their little moments, and i hope to have such a dynamic for sure

overall beautifully written and easy to follow story. yay to the first five star read in 2026

[Fatin Azira · Rating 4 out of 5]

A lovely read I would say! Finished this within 3 hours (cant seem to put the book down once I started it). Love how the plot is moving though I initially was going blewrghdgh with rich guys in novel hahaha. I like how Alisa keeps with her stance—and actually courageously voice them out too.

She’s a badass and I live for it.

[Haslina · Rating 5 out of 5]

This was such a super sweet book! Loved it very much!

[Nur Fateha · Rating 5 out of 5]

Dh lama tk baca buku cinta tp ringan , tk brt dgn conlict, ade kisah klrga, shbt, cinta yg islamik, adab.. mmg santai baca.. tahu2 1 hari dh hbs baca dh..

[Izzah Berhan · Rating 3 out of 5]

3.5 ✨️

[soph⊰⊹ · Rating 5 out of 5]

I'm not sure if I'm a bit biased because this is a Pride and Prejudice retelling... But this was such A GOOD BOOK! I LOVE IT, HANDS DOWN!

[Amalina · Rating 5 out of 5]

Because of this book, I understand Jane Austen's Pride and Prejudice better.

[septvloom · Rating 5 out of 5]

love, in the most suprising way 🌷 by @khairun_atika_writes

4.8/5 🌟

if Mr. Darcy’s second confession sounded like “if however your feelings have changed, i would have to tell you you have bewitched me body and soul.. and i love you and i never wish to be parted from you from this day on.”
then we HAVE mr. Gadafi’s second confession that sounded like
“I want to be honest with you, Alisa. I’ve never stopped having feelings for you. I want to be here, where you are, so i can always make you smile. You should know that my feelings for you haven’t changed. Then I suppose it’s time for me to have a chat with your Abah.” 🫰🏻💘🌷💗😋😍🥹🎀💘😘💞💟💘❤️‍🔥❤️‍🩹❤️‍🔥🩶

the way she feared being called boring for loving books, yet he thought that’s exactly what made her unforgettable🥹🤍

ehem ehem pride and prejudice enjoyersss where u att, same exact plot from pride and prejudice but in the modern setup plus islamic vibes and we LOVE it 😍💗 i hv nothing to complain bcs its just perfectly potrayed by the characters. sisterhood of alisa and julia ohmy exactly the same with lizzy and jane 💘
the friendship, the family punya support from abah and umi alisa ohmy pure of love and affection. its so heartwarming

would i recommend it ?
OMG YES YES YES lagi lagi if u enjoy slow burn kinda romance + enemies to lovers trope with a very supportive family dynamic
will i reread it ?
YES again and againnnnn🤍🤍🤍

Not to mention, I finished this book in just two days, even after my classes had already started. I literally brought this book everywhere and ANYWHERE because I couldn’t wait to find out what happens next, even though I already knew the plot. (I’m not lying, okay you could literally see me reading it ANYWHERE I could!)

[minty iced latte · Rating 5 out of 5]

First of all, I thoroughly enjoyed reading this masterpiece. Atika Kamsan, you may just become my next favourite author, right after Norhafsah Hamid. This book had me giggling and kicking my feet, and it was an utterly delightful way to begin my February.

I would most definitely reread this book. And Gadafi? He is truly a modern-day Mr Darcy—utterly unforgettable and impossible to overlook.