What do you think?
Dina Gets Lucky: A Novel
Not yet published
Expected 27 Oct 26At a sumptuous family wedding, two former friends rediscover their own love story and the lies that tore them apart in a chaotic and swoony second-chance romance by the author of
Yours for the Season
.
Toronto attorney Dina Haq is looking forward to her influencer sister’s lavish South Asian wedding. She wouldn’t dream of overshadowing the event of the season by revealing her carefully guarded Her own marriage has gone bust. She just needs to make sure her odious ex keeps his mouth shut, too. Complications arise once she discovers that the groom’s best man is none other than Luqman “Lucky” Latif, a law school crush who ghosted her six years ago.
Forced to abandon his lawyerly ambitions to help his struggling family in Chicago, Lucky rebuilt his life, and a successful contracting business, and has moved on from past hurts…or so he thinks. Then he sees Dina again, the woman who not only rejected him but also had the nerve to marry his best friend instead. He’s not sure his heart can survive another encounter.
As the wedding festivities unfold, Dina and Lucky rediscover their connection and begin to unravel the part her manipulative ex-husband played in their almost-love story. The past isn’t quite what they thought, but is it too late to imagine a new future together?
Toronto attorney Dina Haq is looking forward to her influencer sister’s lavish South Asian wedding. She wouldn’t dream of overshadowing the event of the season by revealing her carefully guarded Her own marriage has gone bust. She just needs to make sure her odious ex keeps his mouth shut, too. Complications arise once she discovers that the groom’s best man is none other than Luqman “Lucky” Latif, a law school crush who ghosted her six years ago.
Forced to abandon his lawyerly ambitions to help his struggling family in Chicago, Lucky rebuilt his life, and a successful contracting business, and has moved on from past hurts…or so he thinks. Then he sees Dina again, the woman who not only rejected him but also had the nerve to marry his best friend instead. He’s not sure his heart can survive another encounter.
As the wedding festivities unfold, Dina and Lucky rediscover their connection and begin to unravel the part her manipulative ex-husband played in their almost-love story. The past isn’t quite what they thought, but is it too late to imagine a new future together?
283 pages, Kindle Edition
Expected publication October 27, 2026
About the author
Uzma Jalaluddin
9 books2,873 followersI write funny, nuanced stories about Muslims, South Asians, Canadians, people. MUCH ADO ABOUT NADA (June 2023), THREE HOLIDAYS AND A WEDDING (Sept 2023), HANA KHAN CARRIES ON (2021) and AYESHA AT LAST (2019). Find out more at www.uzmajalaluddin.com and thanks for visiting!
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 40 reviews
2026
May 15, 2026Valentine's Day TBR
📱 Thank you to NetGalley and Lake Union Publishing
📱 Thank you to NetGalley and Lake Union Publishing
May 22, 2026
If Uzma writes it, I read it. And I was particularly excited about this book as a soon-to-be-practicing-female-Muslim-lawyer myself! I adored Dina and her strong sense of self despite her struggles in figuring out how to make everyone (her family especially) accept her. And I also really loved how Lucky was somewhat unconventional as an MMC, at least in the Muslim/desi sense. He was a tradesman and suffered a lot of turned up noses because of that, but he also had a strong sense of self and was content with his life. They made a really great couple because they were both opposites and the same — they filled each other’s gaps in a really compatible way.
I will say that I was STRESSED reading this though!! I kept hoping and praying that all the secrets would come out soon and kept wanting to hide behind my fingers whenever more miscommunications happened. I think that the ending was a tad rushed in that sense, because after all the build-up with the secrets, things came out and were resolved a bit too quickly. But I didn’t even mind because I was just happy that Dina and Lucky actually COMMUNICATED!
And, in true Uzma fashion, the side characters stole the show. Deepak and Hassan made me laugh. And Lisa and Aliyah made the best girl gang ever — I want to be friends with them. Also, Arshad can go die in a hole ✌️
—————————
Thank you to Netgalley and Lake Union Publishing for the ARC!
I will say that I was STRESSED reading this though!! I kept hoping and praying that all the secrets would come out soon and kept wanting to hide behind my fingers whenever more miscommunications happened. I think that the ending was a tad rushed in that sense, because after all the build-up with the secrets, things came out and were resolved a bit too quickly. But I didn’t even mind because I was just happy that Dina and Lucky actually COMMUNICATED!
And, in true Uzma fashion, the side characters stole the show. Deepak and Hassan made me laugh. And Lisa and Aliyah made the best girl gang ever — I want to be friends with them. Also, Arshad can go die in a hole ✌️
—————————
Thank you to Netgalley and Lake Union Publishing for the ARC!
July 10, 2026
I recently read a review copy of Dina Gets Lucky by @uzmajalaluddin, and this fun romance is one you will want to add to your TBR!
Dina, Arshad and Lucky were in law school together, and make a great trio for studying, and also a bit of a love triangle... When Arshad noticed a connection between his two friends and had to find a way to keep them from getting together, as it really wasn't really part of his plan to watch his friend get the girl. When Lucky and Dina each separately tell Arshad about their feelings for each other and ask his advice about acting on their feelings, Arshad is quick to shut them both down rather than letting them know that the feelings were mutual. Shortly after, Lucky moves to Chicago and loses touch with Arshad and Dina.
6 years later, Dina and Arshad have been married and are now divorced, but are keeping the end of their relationship a secret from Dina's family partly because her sister's wedding is coming up and she doesn't want to bring any dark clouds to her sisters quite grand series of events, and partly because both Dina and Arshad know that this news will make a big impact at work since they both happen to work for the same law firm, the one run by her father! Dina and Arshad are both pretty surprised when Lucky shows up as part of the groomsmen. How will Dina get through this crazy multiday wedding celebration with her jerk of an ex husband looking for ways to get back at her, the man she had feelings for suddenly back in her life, all while keeping the divorce a secret from everyone around her? You'll just have to read to find out!
This fun romance is just what you would expect from Jalaluddin, filled with quirky characters and situations and events that quickly get out of hand! It is a fairly quick and light read, with a little bit of light mystery/suspense thrown in near the end (reminiscent of her cozy detective series). Whether your a Jalaluddin fan like me, or new to this author, Dina Gets Lucky is a great book to add to your TBR, it comes out this October! Thanks to @netgalley and @amazonpublishing for giving me the chance to read and review this fun book!
Dina, Arshad and Lucky were in law school together, and make a great trio for studying, and also a bit of a love triangle... When Arshad noticed a connection between his two friends and had to find a way to keep them from getting together, as it really wasn't really part of his plan to watch his friend get the girl. When Lucky and Dina each separately tell Arshad about their feelings for each other and ask his advice about acting on their feelings, Arshad is quick to shut them both down rather than letting them know that the feelings were mutual. Shortly after, Lucky moves to Chicago and loses touch with Arshad and Dina.
6 years later, Dina and Arshad have been married and are now divorced, but are keeping the end of their relationship a secret from Dina's family partly because her sister's wedding is coming up and she doesn't want to bring any dark clouds to her sisters quite grand series of events, and partly because both Dina and Arshad know that this news will make a big impact at work since they both happen to work for the same law firm, the one run by her father! Dina and Arshad are both pretty surprised when Lucky shows up as part of the groomsmen. How will Dina get through this crazy multiday wedding celebration with her jerk of an ex husband looking for ways to get back at her, the man she had feelings for suddenly back in her life, all while keeping the divorce a secret from everyone around her? You'll just have to read to find out!
This fun romance is just what you would expect from Jalaluddin, filled with quirky characters and situations and events that quickly get out of hand! It is a fairly quick and light read, with a little bit of light mystery/suspense thrown in near the end (reminiscent of her cozy detective series). Whether your a Jalaluddin fan like me, or new to this author, Dina Gets Lucky is a great book to add to your TBR, it comes out this October! Thanks to @netgalley and @amazonpublishing for giving me the chance to read and review this fun book!
Review of advance copy received from NetGalley
Okay, so where do I start? I‘ve got a lot of words swimming around in my brain, and I honestly don’t know if I’ll be able to package them in a way that I’ll be understood.
The urge to DNF this book was really strong right after chapter one because of the miscommunication trope that was introduced very early in the story. Without it, there actually wouldn’t have been a book, because it really could have been that easy - Lucky and Dina just had to have a 5 minute conversation and everyone would have been happy.
The writing style also didn’t agree with me, as I felt it was stilted and didn‘t flow nicely. I forced myself to keep reading though, because I hate writing a review without having read every single letter in a book (yes, even the acknowledgments).
The story did pick up around the 20% mark and I found myself enjoying the book somewhat. I especially liked the suspense and thrill of Dina and Lucky‘s reunion after years of no contact. I have a soft spot for second chance romances, so I flew through those parts.
Where the story lost me again was when I realised that Dina literally cannot make a single decision on her own. The way she let herself be ordered around actually made me mad.
I also just do not get how Lucky and Dina kept talking in circles, with one weird misunderstanding after another. They would seem to be making some progress, and then one of them would randomly decide, for no rational reason whatsoever, to just run away from the situation. It got really frustrating. The way they were acting was really immature and just plain infuriating. They sounded more like 16 year olds than people in their 30s.
Another thing I hated, was how Lucky doesn’t know Dina is divorced, yet he keeps pursuing her and having all these moments with her.
As readers we know she is divorced, but he doesn’t and Dina knows that he doesn’t. So from both of their perspectives, she is still a married woman. That made all of their romantic moments feel really uncomfortable to me. I have a strong aversion to any cheating related tropes or whatever, no matter if it’s not technically cheating. If everyone involved believes it is, then for all intents and purposes, it still feels like it. Also it was really weird and icky to read how Lucky had married women approach him before but he always felt sorry for them but when it comes to Dina he just thinks she’s amazing and can do no wrong. If something is wrong and immoral, it’s wrong and immoral for everyone. Just because you like someone they shouldn’t become an exception.
Which brings me to my next point: the Muslim representation really didn’t work for me. The book presents Lucky and Dina as ostensibly practising Muslims, yet many of their interactions felt completely disconnected from that identity. It’s not that Muslim characters can never struggle or make mistakes, but the narrative treated behaviour that would generally be considered religiously inappropriate as though it carried no weight or internal conflict. Apart from wearing hijab and occasionally dropping Arabic words, there really wasn’t much that reflected a lived Muslim experience I could identify with. As a Muslim reader, that felt very surface-level and ultimately inauthentic.
Dina’s sister Hania was insufferable, their father just plain annoying and their mother seemed like a very unpleasant person. Arshad was an Asshat, as expected, but honestly his villainy became almost caricature-like. His actions and role as the antagonist were built up so much, only for everything to end up feeling pretty insubstantial. It was a very anticlimactic payoff.
Samir and his family were really the only likable characters.
The book touched on some genuinely difficult themes, such as grief, loss, the stigma surrounding divorce in many cultures and how lonely and lost one can feel while outwardly appearing to have the perfect life. Sadly, all those topics were dealt with quite superficially, lacking the depth and nuance they deserved.
To sum it up, it was a fun read, but sadly it lacked any real depth or substance for me.
Thanks to NetGalley and Lake Union Publishing for the eARC in exchange for an honest review!
The urge to DNF this book was really strong right after chapter one because of the miscommunication trope that was introduced very early in the story. Without it, there actually wouldn’t have been a book, because it really could have been that easy - Lucky and Dina just had to have a 5 minute conversation and everyone would have been happy.
The writing style also didn’t agree with me, as I felt it was stilted and didn‘t flow nicely. I forced myself to keep reading though, because I hate writing a review without having read every single letter in a book (yes, even the acknowledgments).
The story did pick up around the 20% mark and I found myself enjoying the book somewhat. I especially liked the suspense and thrill of Dina and Lucky‘s reunion after years of no contact. I have a soft spot for second chance romances, so I flew through those parts.
Where the story lost me again was when I realised that Dina literally cannot make a single decision on her own. The way she let herself be ordered around actually made me mad.
I also just do not get how Lucky and Dina kept talking in circles, with one weird misunderstanding after another. They would seem to be making some progress, and then one of them would randomly decide, for no rational reason whatsoever, to just run away from the situation. It got really frustrating. The way they were acting was really immature and just plain infuriating. They sounded more like 16 year olds than people in their 30s.
Another thing I hated, was how Lucky doesn’t know Dina is divorced, yet he keeps pursuing her and having all these moments with her.
As readers we know she is divorced, but he doesn’t and Dina knows that he doesn’t. So from both of their perspectives, she is still a married woman. That made all of their romantic moments feel really uncomfortable to me. I have a strong aversion to any cheating related tropes or whatever, no matter if it’s not technically cheating. If everyone involved believes it is, then for all intents and purposes, it still feels like it. Also it was really weird and icky to read how Lucky had married women approach him before but he always felt sorry for them but when it comes to Dina he just thinks she’s amazing and can do no wrong. If something is wrong and immoral, it’s wrong and immoral for everyone. Just because you like someone they shouldn’t become an exception.
Which brings me to my next point: the Muslim representation really didn’t work for me. The book presents Lucky and Dina as ostensibly practising Muslims, yet many of their interactions felt completely disconnected from that identity. It’s not that Muslim characters can never struggle or make mistakes, but the narrative treated behaviour that would generally be considered religiously inappropriate as though it carried no weight or internal conflict. Apart from wearing hijab and occasionally dropping Arabic words, there really wasn’t much that reflected a lived Muslim experience I could identify with. As a Muslim reader, that felt very surface-level and ultimately inauthentic.
Dina’s sister Hania was insufferable, their father just plain annoying and their mother seemed like a very unpleasant person. Arshad was an Asshat, as expected, but honestly his villainy became almost caricature-like. His actions and role as the antagonist were built up so much, only for everything to end up feeling pretty insubstantial. It was a very anticlimactic payoff.
Samir and his family were really the only likable characters.
The book touched on some genuinely difficult themes, such as grief, loss, the stigma surrounding divorce in many cultures and how lonely and lost one can feel while outwardly appearing to have the perfect life. Sadly, all those topics were dealt with quite superficially, lacking the depth and nuance they deserved.
To sum it up, it was a fun read, but sadly it lacked any real depth or substance for me.
Thanks to NetGalley and Lake Union Publishing for the eARC in exchange for an honest review!
Review of advance copy received from NetGalley
Dina Gets Lucky was an enjoyable second-chance romance with plenty of wedding chaos, family drama, and emotional misunderstandings, but it wasn't without some frustrations for me.
Uzma Jalaluddin does a wonderful job capturing the energy of a large South Asian family wedding. The festivities, family dynamics, and cultural details brought the story to life, and I found myself invested in Dina and Lucky's history from the start. Their chemistry was believable, and I appreciated how their relationship was built on a foundation that had existed long before the events of the novel.
That said, I struggled with Dina at times—not because she wasn't a sympathetic character, but because I found myself frustrated by how much power she allowed the people around her to have over her decisions. Intellectually, I understand why. Family expectations, cultural pressures, and emotional manipulation are significant forces, and they are central to the story. Still, as a successful attorney, I found it difficult to watch Dina repeatedly prioritize keeping the peace and protecting others at the expense of her own happiness.
Of course, that frustration is partly a reflection of my own biases as a reader. I have a hard time with stories where accomplished women allow fathers, husbands, or family members to exert so much influence over their lives. While it serves an important purpose in the narrative, there were moments when I wanted Dina to stop worrying about disappointing everyone else and start choosing herself.
Fortunately, Lucky was a strong counterbalance. I appreciated his growth, his loyalty, and the way he genuinely cared for Dina. As the layers of the past were peeled back and the truth about their separation emerged, I found myself rooting for them despite my frustrations.
Overall, this was a warm, entertaining romance with strong family themes, a compelling second-chance storyline, and plenty of heart. While some aspects of Dina's journey didn't fully work for me, I still enjoyed the ride and would recommend it to readers who enjoy family-centered romances with emotional depth and a satisfying reunion.
Thank you to NetGalley and the publisher for providing an advance copy in exchange for an honest review.
Uzma Jalaluddin does a wonderful job capturing the energy of a large South Asian family wedding. The festivities, family dynamics, and cultural details brought the story to life, and I found myself invested in Dina and Lucky's history from the start. Their chemistry was believable, and I appreciated how their relationship was built on a foundation that had existed long before the events of the novel.
That said, I struggled with Dina at times—not because she wasn't a sympathetic character, but because I found myself frustrated by how much power she allowed the people around her to have over her decisions. Intellectually, I understand why. Family expectations, cultural pressures, and emotional manipulation are significant forces, and they are central to the story. Still, as a successful attorney, I found it difficult to watch Dina repeatedly prioritize keeping the peace and protecting others at the expense of her own happiness.
Of course, that frustration is partly a reflection of my own biases as a reader. I have a hard time with stories where accomplished women allow fathers, husbands, or family members to exert so much influence over their lives. While it serves an important purpose in the narrative, there were moments when I wanted Dina to stop worrying about disappointing everyone else and start choosing herself.
Fortunately, Lucky was a strong counterbalance. I appreciated his growth, his loyalty, and the way he genuinely cared for Dina. As the layers of the past were peeled back and the truth about their separation emerged, I found myself rooting for them despite my frustrations.
Overall, this was a warm, entertaining romance with strong family themes, a compelling second-chance storyline, and plenty of heart. While some aspects of Dina's journey didn't fully work for me, I still enjoyed the ride and would recommend it to readers who enjoy family-centered romances with emotional depth and a satisfying reunion.
Thank you to NetGalley and the publisher for providing an advance copy in exchange for an honest review.
Review of advance copy received from Netgalley
3/5
This is an honest review of this ARC received from NetGalley and Lake Union Publishing.
Good girl Dina Haq is hiding something from her family...she's divorced and keeping up a farce to get through her influencer sister's wedding. She just wants to get this over and done with, but the universe throws a wrench in her plans by way of Lucky Latif, her former uni crush...and the groom's best man. Dina is forced to confront her emotions, Arshad -her slimeball ex-husband who is clearly up to something at her dad's law firm, Lucky and Arshad's unspoken tension from their uni days, and keeping up family appearances. Behind the scenes shenanigans, lots of yearning, and wedding drama has Dina running ragged. Will she finally run towards what she really wants?
Uzma has done it againnnnn. This was such an entertaining read, I could barely put it down.
Mainly plot heavy, it focuses on Dina reclaiming her sense of self from her family and societal expectations.
Now, as a Muslim reader, there are lots of elements in this book that don't comply with the faith and has some very liberal characters. I think the author may alienate part of her audience with that.
As reader who can analyze and separate fact from fiction, I didn't really have any major issues with this. The following much be a spoiler, read on if you don't care. These elements include:
The only thing that feels a little unreal is a woman hiding her divorce from the community. For Dina and Arshad to have gotten divorced, they would've needed to go through a dissolution process with a local religious leader. How would they have kept that quiet?
Lots of loopholes in this plot as it's built on lots of things a practising Muslim would not do...it almost seems like it wasn't written for a Muslim cast? It just felt like the faith was an accessory and not a lifestyle which doesn't align with the plot. Liberal Muslims exists and do all the above that I have listed. As a reader with a little insight, the plot falls apart if the faith was actually practised in the story.
I still enjoyed my time reading this. Uzma has a way with hooking you in, laying out the drama, and you get to laugh along and gasp as you read.
I might read this again in the near future to see if my perspective has changed.
Any thoughts?
This is an honest review of this ARC received from NetGalley and Lake Union Publishing.
Good girl Dina Haq is hiding something from her family...she's divorced and keeping up a farce to get through her influencer sister's wedding. She just wants to get this over and done with, but the universe throws a wrench in her plans by way of Lucky Latif, her former uni crush...and the groom's best man. Dina is forced to confront her emotions, Arshad -her slimeball ex-husband who is clearly up to something at her dad's law firm, Lucky and Arshad's unspoken tension from their uni days, and keeping up family appearances. Behind the scenes shenanigans, lots of yearning, and wedding drama has Dina running ragged. Will she finally run towards what she really wants?
Uzma has done it againnnnn. This was such an entertaining read, I could barely put it down.
Mainly plot heavy, it focuses on Dina reclaiming her sense of self from her family and societal expectations.
Now, as a Muslim reader, there are lots of elements in this book that don't comply with the faith and has some very liberal characters. I think the author may alienate part of her audience with that.
As reader who can analyze and separate fact from fiction, I didn't really have any major issues with this. The following much be a spoiler, read on if you don't care. These elements include:
The only thing that feels a little unreal is a woman hiding her divorce from the community. For Dina and Arshad to have gotten divorced, they would've needed to go through a dissolution process with a local religious leader. How would they have kept that quiet?
Lots of loopholes in this plot as it's built on lots of things a practising Muslim would not do...it almost seems like it wasn't written for a Muslim cast? It just felt like the faith was an accessory and not a lifestyle which doesn't align with the plot. Liberal Muslims exists and do all the above that I have listed. As a reader with a little insight, the plot falls apart if the faith was actually practised in the story.
I still enjoyed my time reading this. Uzma has a way with hooking you in, laying out the drama, and you get to laugh along and gasp as you read.
I might read this again in the near future to see if my perspective has changed.
Any thoughts?
Review of advance copy received from NetGalley
The story is centered on Dina who is a Toronto lawyer and she’s dead set on not ruining her sister's wedding day by keeping her divorce a secret, and even hoping her awful ex stays quiet too. But things get messy fast when she meets the groom’s best man: Luqman “Lucky” Latif, her old crush who vanished without a word.
Lucky’s got his own side of the story. He gave up his dreams to help his family, built a great business from scratch, and thought he was over Dina. After all, she “rejected” him and married his best friend, Arshad! Seeing her again brings all those old feelings rushing back, and he’s not sure if he can handle it.
As all the fun, crazy wedding events go on, they start reconnecting and realize everything between them was a lie. Arshad manipulated them both just to get close to Dina and her family’s law firm. Now the truth is out, they hope it's not too late for a little rekindling.
It’s such a fun, sweet second-chance romance, full of wedding chaos, family drama, and old misunderstandings. Dina and Lucky’s chemistry feels totally real, it’s not just a quick spark, it’s based on years of knowing each other.
I really loved how Uzma Jalaluddin writes about the South Asian cultures: the delicious food, loud joyful family gatherings, and how divorce can still carry a stigma in these communities.
As for the characters, I really like Lucky. He’s such a great guy. Loyal, hardworking, kind, and exactly the steady support Dina needs. Meanwhile, Dina's character is a little disappointed. She’s such a smart, successful lawyer, but she lets people walk all over her and puts everyone else’s feelings before her own. Even though, I understand how family pressure and manipulation are hard things to fight, especially for someone like Dina who comes from restrict family, I really want to see her stand up for herself.
Overall, Dina Gets Lucky is such a warm and enjoyable read, perfect if you crave a second-chance romance with great characters and lots of lovely cultural details.
Thank you to Lake Union Publishing and NetGalley for providing me with the review copy.
Lucky’s got his own side of the story. He gave up his dreams to help his family, built a great business from scratch, and thought he was over Dina. After all, she “rejected” him and married his best friend, Arshad! Seeing her again brings all those old feelings rushing back, and he’s not sure if he can handle it.
As all the fun, crazy wedding events go on, they start reconnecting and realize everything between them was a lie. Arshad manipulated them both just to get close to Dina and her family’s law firm. Now the truth is out, they hope it's not too late for a little rekindling.
It’s such a fun, sweet second-chance romance, full of wedding chaos, family drama, and old misunderstandings. Dina and Lucky’s chemistry feels totally real, it’s not just a quick spark, it’s based on years of knowing each other.
I really loved how Uzma Jalaluddin writes about the South Asian cultures: the delicious food, loud joyful family gatherings, and how divorce can still carry a stigma in these communities.
As for the characters, I really like Lucky. He’s such a great guy. Loyal, hardworking, kind, and exactly the steady support Dina needs. Meanwhile, Dina's character is a little disappointed. She’s such a smart, successful lawyer, but she lets people walk all over her and puts everyone else’s feelings before her own. Even though, I understand how family pressure and manipulation are hard things to fight, especially for someone like Dina who comes from restrict family, I really want to see her stand up for herself.
Overall, Dina Gets Lucky is such a warm and enjoyable read, perfect if you crave a second-chance romance with great characters and lots of lovely cultural details.
Thank you to Lake Union Publishing and NetGalley for providing me with the review copy.
Review of advance copy received from NetGalley
4 stars
Ah, Uzma, do you ever miss?
Dina Gets Lucky follows Dina Haq, a Toronto-based attorney and recent divorcee, as she tries her best not to overshadow her influencer sister’s lavish wedding. Things get complicated when Luqman “Lucky” Latif, her law school crush who ghosted her six years ago, reappears as the groom’s best man. As the wedding festivities unfold, Dina and Lucky rediscover their connection and begin to unravel the role her manipulative ex-husband played in their almost-love story.
I absolutely devoured this book. I read it in one sitting—I started at 9 p.m. and couldn’t put it down until 2 a.m. It’s such a quick, enjoyable read; it’s genuinely hard not to love.
It’s not often I connect with a character so deeply that I feel like physically fighting people on her behalf, but here we are. Dina must be protected at all costs. Even though the book is centered on Desi culture (specifically Desi in the diaspora), Dina’s experiences feel like a universal POC experience, especially when it comes to navigating family expectations. It’s incredibly relatable.
I was triggered beyond belief while reading. I needed her to swing at Arshad so badly (and maybe her little sister at times). He’s such a cartoonish villain that it’s hard to take him seriously. But honestly, that kind of adds to the book’s enjoyability. He kind of reminds me of a villain from a Zee World drama (I really hope people get this reference).
I loved that the story was centered around a wedding. Not only did it give Dina and Lucky a perfect excuse to spend time together (forced proximity, my beloved), but it was also a wonderful way to showcase Desi culture.
The only thing I didn’t love was how cowardly Dina could be at times. After the fifth time she backed off from telling her parents her marriage had ended, I was like, “Girl, you’re doing this to yourself now.” Whatever Arshad gets away with is because she’s allowing it. Grow a pair, Dina!
Anyways, I enjoyed the book. Which is not a surprise; Uzma Jalaluddin is definitely one of my if they write it, I'll read it authors.
Ah, Uzma, do you ever miss?
Dina Gets Lucky follows Dina Haq, a Toronto-based attorney and recent divorcee, as she tries her best not to overshadow her influencer sister’s lavish wedding. Things get complicated when Luqman “Lucky” Latif, her law school crush who ghosted her six years ago, reappears as the groom’s best man. As the wedding festivities unfold, Dina and Lucky rediscover their connection and begin to unravel the role her manipulative ex-husband played in their almost-love story.
I absolutely devoured this book. I read it in one sitting—I started at 9 p.m. and couldn’t put it down until 2 a.m. It’s such a quick, enjoyable read; it’s genuinely hard not to love.
It’s not often I connect with a character so deeply that I feel like physically fighting people on her behalf, but here we are. Dina must be protected at all costs. Even though the book is centered on Desi culture (specifically Desi in the diaspora), Dina’s experiences feel like a universal POC experience, especially when it comes to navigating family expectations. It’s incredibly relatable.
I was triggered beyond belief while reading. I needed her to swing at Arshad so badly (and maybe her little sister at times). He’s such a cartoonish villain that it’s hard to take him seriously. But honestly, that kind of adds to the book’s enjoyability. He kind of reminds me of a villain from a Zee World drama (I really hope people get this reference).
I loved that the story was centered around a wedding. Not only did it give Dina and Lucky a perfect excuse to spend time together (forced proximity, my beloved), but it was also a wonderful way to showcase Desi culture.
The only thing I didn’t love was how cowardly Dina could be at times. After the fifth time she backed off from telling her parents her marriage had ended, I was like, “Girl, you’re doing this to yourself now.” Whatever Arshad gets away with is because she’s allowing it. Grow a pair, Dina!
Anyways, I enjoyed the book. Which is not a surprise; Uzma Jalaluddin is definitely one of my if they write it, I'll read it authors.
Review of advance copy received from NetGalley
Many times in romance novels, miscommunication is part of the plot--the reason that romantic relationships are either destroyed before they start or ruined in progress, leading this reader to want to pull out my hair or yell at one or more of the characters because all that agony could have been avoided. But, of course, then there might not be much of a plot.
In Dina Gets Lucky by Uzma Jalaluddin, miscommunication is the overarching plot device, preventing attorney Dina from finding happiness with Lucky (Luqman), her law school crush, and leading to her marriage to fellow law student Arshad and ultimately their divorce. Now she is about to attend her younger sister's extravagant South Asian wedding week in Toronto, and she is worried that Lucky might attend, as he is a friend of the groom. Naturally, it turns out that he is indeed the best man. Neither one knows why the other didn't care enough to try for a lasting relationship. and Dina doesn't understand why Lucky had moved from Toronto to Chicago without letting her know. Neither realized that Arshad might have had a hand in it, nor did they question him about it. To further aggravate the situation, Dina decided to wait until after the wedding to tell her family that she and her loathsome husband had divorced months ago. Arshad had agreed but promised there would be a payback.
It was fun reading about the over-the-top wedding, but I had a difficult time connecting with Dina, her super-influencer sister Hania, and their wealthy parents. Lucky is sweet but not decisive enough. Arshad knows how to present a charming front but has absolutely no redeeming qualities. And Dina and Lucky shy away from asking the questions that would have been enlightening to both. I would have enjoyed a bit more nuance to be able to root for the protagonists without reservation. On the positive side, it was a quick read that had a pleasing ending and a brief epilogue.
My review is based on a complimentary pre-release copy of this book.
In Dina Gets Lucky by Uzma Jalaluddin, miscommunication is the overarching plot device, preventing attorney Dina from finding happiness with Lucky (Luqman), her law school crush, and leading to her marriage to fellow law student Arshad and ultimately their divorce. Now she is about to attend her younger sister's extravagant South Asian wedding week in Toronto, and she is worried that Lucky might attend, as he is a friend of the groom. Naturally, it turns out that he is indeed the best man. Neither one knows why the other didn't care enough to try for a lasting relationship. and Dina doesn't understand why Lucky had moved from Toronto to Chicago without letting her know. Neither realized that Arshad might have had a hand in it, nor did they question him about it. To further aggravate the situation, Dina decided to wait until after the wedding to tell her family that she and her loathsome husband had divorced months ago. Arshad had agreed but promised there would be a payback.
It was fun reading about the over-the-top wedding, but I had a difficult time connecting with Dina, her super-influencer sister Hania, and their wealthy parents. Lucky is sweet but not decisive enough. Arshad knows how to present a charming front but has absolutely no redeeming qualities. And Dina and Lucky shy away from asking the questions that would have been enlightening to both. I would have enjoyed a bit more nuance to be able to root for the protagonists without reservation. On the positive side, it was a quick read that had a pleasing ending and a brief epilogue.
My review is based on a complimentary pre-release copy of this book.
September 20, 2026
This leans a bit more 3.5/5 for me, but rounding up to 4 stars.
I love me a good wedding drama romance novel, and I’m happy to say Dina Gets Lucky by Uzma Jalauddin is one of them.
This story follows Dina Haq, a lawyer out of Toronto who is getting ready to celebrate her sister Hania’s big day despite the fact that her own marriage to her fellow law school friend Arshad has gone kaput. They haven’t told anyone and Arshad agrees to play along for the wedding. When she arrives for the celebration, she learns that the groom’s Best Man is Luqman “Lucky” Latif, her law school crush that ghosted her six years ago. Lucky’s life hasn’t been easy. After his father passed away six years ago, he’s been rebuilding his life and now has a successful contracting business. He’s never forgotten about Dina though. As they start to reconnect, they uncover what happened six years ago and the meddling of Arshad. Their past has been rocky, but maybe their future will be brighter.
Generally, I liked this one! I thought it was well plotted and though Dina and Lucky’s story is a bit of a slow burn, I liked the way it was told. I also liked the wedding dynamic, with Hania’s extravagance contrasted with Dina wanting to stay out of the limelight, but appease her sister. I liked the dynamic between Lucky’s family as well and the way they were fleshed out. I did struggle a bit with Dina’s relationship with Arshad, as he felt a bit too snivelly. I also wished Dina’s big reveal to her family had come a little sooner, as it felt like there was a lot packed into the ending and the epilogue.
Thank you to Lake Union Publishing and Netgalley for this ARC in exchange for an honest review.
Release Date: 10/27
May 25, 2026
‘Dina gets Lucky’ is a story about the fallout of a friendship between three friends— Dina, Luqman (aka Lucky) and Arshad from their years together in Law School to several years later when Dina and Arshad get married. Dina and Arshad’s marriage orchestrated by the opportunistic Arshad (who had his sights set on Dina’s family law firm), also culminates in a divorce years later, after Dina sees him for the narcissistic jerk that he is.
The story is centred around the events of a big fat Indian wedding; between Dina’s sister, Hania and Samir, who is part of Lucky’s friend circle, during which Dina and Arshad have to carefully keep their divorce under wraps to let Hania enjoy her big day. More importantly, Dina and Lucky who had lost touch after college meet during the festivities and navigate their past friendship and some confusing feelings reignite between them.
I adored this book for its representation of the Indian diaspora living in the west, the rich descriptions of the food and festivities, the sense of community even among different religions and the representation of the stigma around divorce in South Asian families. The characters were all written really well and my favorite remains Dina, who is self-assured and refused to tolerate the self-serving, social climber of a husband any longer. Apart from some pacing issues and my general dislike of pop culture references in books I liked everything else about this book. My first Uzma Jalaluddin book and it did not disappoint.
The story is centred around the events of a big fat Indian wedding; between Dina’s sister, Hania and Samir, who is part of Lucky’s friend circle, during which Dina and Arshad have to carefully keep their divorce under wraps to let Hania enjoy her big day. More importantly, Dina and Lucky who had lost touch after college meet during the festivities and navigate their past friendship and some confusing feelings reignite between them.
I adored this book for its representation of the Indian diaspora living in the west, the rich descriptions of the food and festivities, the sense of community even among different religions and the representation of the stigma around divorce in South Asian families. The characters were all written really well and my favorite remains Dina, who is self-assured and refused to tolerate the self-serving, social climber of a husband any longer. Apart from some pacing issues and my general dislike of pop culture references in books I liked everything else about this book. My first Uzma Jalaluddin book and it did not disappoint.
Review of advance copy received from Netgalley
REVIEW
Thanks to Netgalley and the publisher for this ARC. I voluntarily read and reviewed an advanced copy of this book. All thoughts and opinions are my own.
STORYLINE :
Dina and Luqman, aka Lucky, had a past that never came to fruition. Then they meet again at Dina's sister's wedding. But, there's the shadow of Dina's secret divorce over them.
I liked the storyline, and I really enjoyed reading the book. I literally couldn't put it down once I started, and I finished it in three hours. It was really good.
The chemistry between the MCs was really good. The Desi wedding was a good backdrop, too
However, what I didn't like was the secret divorce shadow. It didn't show the romance the way I would have liked it. If she had come clean earlier, it would have been more interesting.It was close to the ending when she fessed up, and I just didn't get more of 'them' and their clean, honest romance.
The book was really good. I just wanted more, much more.
CHARACTERS:
FMC, Dina Haq, is a lawyer and first daughter in the family. I liked her, she was an okay person. I just would have liked it more if she had told her family what's up earlier.
MMC, Lucky Latif is an incredible man. I loved his love for Dina. It was so cute! He's also responsible and hardworking. He's an amazing man.
WRITING STYLE:
It was good and well paced.
SETTINGS:
I liked the settings, especially the big Desi wedding, it was well described.
OVERALL:
A very good book with an even better romance. It could have been better, but it was still good. I would definitely recommend it!
Thanks to Netgalley and the publisher for this ARC. I voluntarily read and reviewed an advanced copy of this book. All thoughts and opinions are my own.
STORYLINE :
Dina and Luqman, aka Lucky, had a past that never came to fruition. Then they meet again at Dina's sister's wedding. But, there's the shadow of Dina's secret divorce over them.
I liked the storyline, and I really enjoyed reading the book. I literally couldn't put it down once I started, and I finished it in three hours. It was really good.
The chemistry between the MCs was really good. The Desi wedding was a good backdrop, too
However, what I didn't like was the secret divorce shadow. It didn't show the romance the way I would have liked it. If she had come clean earlier, it would have been more interesting.It was close to the ending when she fessed up, and I just didn't get more of 'them' and their clean, honest romance.
The book was really good. I just wanted more, much more.
CHARACTERS:
FMC, Dina Haq, is a lawyer and first daughter in the family. I liked her, she was an okay person. I just would have liked it more if she had told her family what's up earlier.
MMC, Lucky Latif is an incredible man. I loved his love for Dina. It was so cute! He's also responsible and hardworking. He's an amazing man.
WRITING STYLE:
It was good and well paced.
SETTINGS:
I liked the settings, especially the big Desi wedding, it was well described.
OVERALL:
A very good book with an even better romance. It could have been better, but it was still good. I would definitely recommend it!
Review of advance copy received from NetGalley
This is the first book I have ever read that made me want to do unspeakable illegal (the bad kind) of things to a man. That man made me so mad I genuinely wanted to rip his hair apart. This just shows the author's amazing ability of writing. I absolutely loved the way she portrayed the characters. The little notes were the sweetest parts about their relationship. The way the author constantly represents Indian culture made me feel so seen. The constant questions about marriage to Lucky made it seem incredibly realistic.
I loved Diya as a character, especially the way she handled her responsibilities. Her family annoyed me to an extent. Her sister made me wanna rip MY hair out atp. BUT I loved the romance between Lucky and Dina. The continuous glances, the small convos and the stolen glances made it far more enjoyable. The way they cleared out the misunderstandings and spoke about it to each other made me SWOONNNN!!!
The marriage setting made it more entertaining. Mostly, because I do not go to such events. Hence, it was breathtaking to read the way the author described the wedding and its rituals.
I am so glad that I got to read this book. Thank you to Netgalley and the publisher for the ARC copy!
I loved Diya as a character, especially the way she handled her responsibilities. Her family annoyed me to an extent. Her sister made me wanna rip MY hair out atp. BUT I loved the romance between Lucky and Dina. The continuous glances, the small convos and the stolen glances made it far more enjoyable. The way they cleared out the misunderstandings and spoke about it to each other made me SWOONNNN!!!
The marriage setting made it more entertaining. Mostly, because I do not go to such events. Hence, it was breathtaking to read the way the author described the wedding and its rituals.
I am so glad that I got to read this book. Thank you to Netgalley and the publisher for the ARC copy!
Review of advance copy received from NetGalley
I knew from the first page that I would love this book and I was not wrong! I just adored Dina, a people pleaser who seemingly had the perfect life, but was actually hiding so many things from the people she loved the most. I loved how strong she became over the course of the book, despite the absolute chaos of her sister's wedding and her family who obviously loved her, but were totally unaware of what was actually going on in her life.
Arshad, wow, what a villain! Yikes! I have not met a character I disliked as much in a lonnnnggg time. Excellent work in writing him, he was truly awful!
And Lucky. OMG I pretty much fell for him from the get go. Kind, caring, selfless and not obsessed with money or status. I loved how gentle, patient and honest he was, but also his strength and determination.
This was a rollercoaster from start to finish and had me feeling all the feels. Also, I could not put it down. I NEEDED to know what was going to happen next, whether Dina would actually tell Lucky how she felt, exactly WHAT Arshad was up to and whether the wedding would go ahead without any drama.
Honestly, loved it, it felt like being welcomed in by a big Indian family and I will be seeking out more books from this author.
Arshad, wow, what a villain! Yikes! I have not met a character I disliked as much in a lonnnnggg time. Excellent work in writing him, he was truly awful!
And Lucky. OMG I pretty much fell for him from the get go. Kind, caring, selfless and not obsessed with money or status. I loved how gentle, patient and honest he was, but also his strength and determination.
This was a rollercoaster from start to finish and had me feeling all the feels. Also, I could not put it down. I NEEDED to know what was going to happen next, whether Dina would actually tell Lucky how she felt, exactly WHAT Arshad was up to and whether the wedding would go ahead without any drama.
Honestly, loved it, it felt like being welcomed in by a big Indian family and I will be seeking out more books from this author.
Review of advance copy received from NetGalley
I read anything that Uzma writes. I was looking forward to this one right after the Detective Aunty series. In this story, we follow Dina in the middle of a big family desi wedding. I enjoyed reading about the wedding festivities, especially all the detailed descriptions of food. As a south asian myself, family wedding stress is real and this book captures that well. I was stressed for the family members!
It was nice to read about Lucky moving through grief and finding joy in art. It's rare to read about South Asian men being valued for roles related to their hands like construction. I also enjoyed the side characters. Lisa was hilarious and fun addition.
There are elements of the story that fell a little flat for me. Dina was a difficult main character to like. She let everyone push her around and her origin story was disproportionate to her "doormat" energy. Hania was insufferable. There really was nothing redeeming about the sister. I would have loved for her to have a more thoughtful growth arc. Arshad's character was super annoying as well and two-dimensional.
Overall, this was a quick enjoyable read.
Thank you to Netgalley and the publisher for an advance reader copy.
It was nice to read about Lucky moving through grief and finding joy in art. It's rare to read about South Asian men being valued for roles related to their hands like construction. I also enjoyed the side characters. Lisa was hilarious and fun addition.
There are elements of the story that fell a little flat for me. Dina was a difficult main character to like. She let everyone push her around and her origin story was disproportionate to her "doormat" energy. Hania was insufferable. There really was nothing redeeming about the sister. I would have loved for her to have a more thoughtful growth arc. Arshad's character was super annoying as well and two-dimensional.
Overall, this was a quick enjoyable read.
Thank you to Netgalley and the publisher for an advance reader copy.
May 27, 2026
**Review of an ARC. Thank you to Netgalley and the publisher for the opportunity!**
This was a solid 3.5 stars for me. I really enjoyed the way this was written, it was a quick, easy and enjoyable read. I feel like I also learned a lot about Desi and Muslim culture through this book which is something that I hadn’t really researched a lot into in the past.
Reading about the wedding and the different celebrations and rituals that take place was super fun.
The main characters, Dina and Lucky, were definitely likeable and relatable. I did really enjoy the small, subtle moments between them like the little stolen glances etc.
Arshad is the worst. I do think he was perhaps maybe a little overly villainous at times, and that he was kind of bordering on cartoon villain behaviour, but that was just a minor thing for me.
The main thing I did not enjoy about this book was the miscommunication. The miscommunication trope has never been my favourite, and I do wish that the miscommunication in this book hadn’t gone on for as long as it did. If that trope is your thing though then you will probably enjoy this a little more than me.
This was a solid 3.5 stars for me. I really enjoyed the way this was written, it was a quick, easy and enjoyable read. I feel like I also learned a lot about Desi and Muslim culture through this book which is something that I hadn’t really researched a lot into in the past.
Reading about the wedding and the different celebrations and rituals that take place was super fun.
The main characters, Dina and Lucky, were definitely likeable and relatable. I did really enjoy the small, subtle moments between them like the little stolen glances etc.
Arshad is the worst. I do think he was perhaps maybe a little overly villainous at times, and that he was kind of bordering on cartoon villain behaviour, but that was just a minor thing for me.
The main thing I did not enjoy about this book was the miscommunication. The miscommunication trope has never been my favourite, and I do wish that the miscommunication in this book hadn’t gone on for as long as it did. If that trope is your thing though then you will probably enjoy this a little more than me.
Review of advance copy received from NetGalley
Cute second chance romance filled with quirky characters, delightful customs and a destination wedding. This was my second read by this author and like that first book I read, this one was a cozily good read.
Dina Haq is a Toronto attorney getting ready to attend her influencer sister’s South Asian wedding. The only hitch is hopefully not having her divorce blabbed about by her ex - Dina’s hiding that. When she arrives she learns that Luqman “Lucky” Latif, a law school crush who ghosted her six years ago is the best man. Forced to abandon his law career, Lucky dropped out of school to help his family. What these two discover besides the ghosting reason is that Dina’s ex played a role in breaking these two up. Will there be a happy ending for Dina?
What I have enjoyed about this author’s books is her bringing to life the customs that bind these Muslim families together - it’s refreshing and in our world of hate a much needed relief to read a story based on a real person of the Muslim faith who writings honestly and truthfully. In this second chance romance family loyalty is a big theme and we glimpse into the tough things immigrant families face - I must add I’m thankful the story is primarily set in Canada! There’s a lot of humor and love to go around for every one
Lovers of second chance romances pay attention to this one. It’s a worthy read for anytime of year.
My thanks to NetGalley and Lake Union Publishing for granting me access to this ARC.
Dina Haq is a Toronto attorney getting ready to attend her influencer sister’s South Asian wedding. The only hitch is hopefully not having her divorce blabbed about by her ex - Dina’s hiding that. When she arrives she learns that Luqman “Lucky” Latif, a law school crush who ghosted her six years ago is the best man. Forced to abandon his law career, Lucky dropped out of school to help his family. What these two discover besides the ghosting reason is that Dina’s ex played a role in breaking these two up. Will there be a happy ending for Dina?
What I have enjoyed about this author’s books is her bringing to life the customs that bind these Muslim families together - it’s refreshing and in our world of hate a much needed relief to read a story based on a real person of the Muslim faith who writings honestly and truthfully. In this second chance romance family loyalty is a big theme and we glimpse into the tough things immigrant families face - I must add I’m thankful the story is primarily set in Canada! There’s a lot of humor and love to go around for every one
Lovers of second chance romances pay attention to this one. It’s a worthy read for anytime of year.
My thanks to NetGalley and Lake Union Publishing for granting me access to this ARC.
September 21, 2026
Dina Gets Lucky is a second-chance romance following Toronto attorney Dina Haq as she is getting ready to attend her influencer sister’s wedding. She’s determined to keep her failed marriage a secret until the event is over. Things get complicated when Luqman “Lucky” Latif, her law school crush that ghosted her six years ago, turns out to be the groom’s best man. As they start to reconnect, they begin to unravel the part Dina’s ex-husband played in their almost-love story.
I had the best time reading this one. It was so entertaining and had me hooked the entire time. I loved the romance between Dina and Lucky, they had so much chemistry and I loved their banter. I liked how fleshed out their characters were. They felt very genuine and relatable. I also loved Lucky’s dynamic with his family.
I do wish the big reveal had happened a bit earlier and to have seen more of the aftermath. After so much build up, the ending felt rushed with everything being revealed and resolved too quickly.
Overall, it was such a fun read. If you love second chance romance and family drama, I highly recommend this one!
Thank you Lake Union Publishing and NetGalley for the ARC!
I had the best time reading this one. It was so entertaining and had me hooked the entire time. I loved the romance between Dina and Lucky, they had so much chemistry and I loved their banter. I liked how fleshed out their characters were. They felt very genuine and relatable. I also loved Lucky’s dynamic with his family.
I do wish the big reveal had happened a bit earlier and to have seen more of the aftermath. After so much build up, the ending felt rushed with everything being revealed and resolved too quickly.
Overall, it was such a fun read. If you love second chance romance and family drama, I highly recommend this one!
Thank you Lake Union Publishing and NetGalley for the ARC!
Review of advance copy received from NetGalley
First of all, I just want to say I really loved Dina as a character! Her personal struggles are really sympathetic. It made sense to me why she was so scared to tell her family about her divorce. And I also loved Lucky and the conflicts he'd had to overcome and I love how we got his POV in this story too. The shenanagins about the wedding and Dina's sister were really fun, too. As were some of the side characters. Reading about Dina and Lucky as they met again and yearned and the misunderstanding was quite delicious, even if I wish it was revealed a tad bit earlier!
I did think the ex husband might have been a bit too comically villainous, plus I wish Lucky and Dina got together a little bit earlier, I would have liked to linger in the after of it a bit more, seeing more reactions and stuff as they settled into a relationship.
But this was such a sweet fun read! Thank you to Netgalley and the publisher!
I did think the ex husband might have been a bit too comically villainous, plus I wish Lucky and Dina got together a little bit earlier, I would have liked to linger in the after of it a bit more, seeing more reactions and stuff as they settled into a relationship.
But this was such a sweet fun read! Thank you to Netgalley and the publisher!
Review of advance copy received from Netgalley
First of all, thank you to Lake Union Publishing, Uzma Jalaluddin, and NetGalley for the complimentary copy of 'Dina Gets Lucky' in exchange for an honest review. All opinions expressed in this review are my own.
'Dina Gets Lucky' was a feel-good read, with an endearing second-chance romance plot and a bunch of endearing characters that add warmth. The pacing was steady and the writing easy to follow, which made the book flow well.
This is the second novel by Uzma I've read (and enjoyed), and 'Dina Gets Lucky' didn't disappoint. This book has that same witty humour throughout, which had me laughing out loud at times, and multilayered characters that you can get behind as a reader.
Typically, I'm not a fan of the miscommunication trope. However, I didn't mind it here, particularly because of how the plot plays out.
Overall, this was a really enjoyable book that I would recommend to any fan of a second-chance romance and a character-driven plot.
'Dina Gets Lucky' was a feel-good read, with an endearing second-chance romance plot and a bunch of endearing characters that add warmth. The pacing was steady and the writing easy to follow, which made the book flow well.
This is the second novel by Uzma I've read (and enjoyed), and 'Dina Gets Lucky' didn't disappoint. This book has that same witty humour throughout, which had me laughing out loud at times, and multilayered characters that you can get behind as a reader.
Typically, I'm not a fan of the miscommunication trope. However, I didn't mind it here, particularly because of how the plot plays out.
Overall, this was a really enjoyable book that I would recommend to any fan of a second-chance romance and a character-driven plot.
Review of advance copy received from Netgalley
I love the plot, and the angst and the tension between Dina and Lucky kept me invested. The yearning too, of course! Arshad and Hania successfully annoyed me, so that's a good sign.
Reading this feels like watching a Bollywood movie, the conflict is shown well but there's always a plot twist, no matter how tiny it is. Since it's been a while since I last read a romance, it was a good, light read, which is what I needed when I first picked up this book.
However, if the main characters are not represented as Muslims, I'd give this one a 5. I've been wondering on why, while the characters being Muslims, behave the way they do when it comes to Islamic boundaries for non-mahrams, especially regarding physical contact and intimacy. But maybe they're just not practicing Muslims, idk. Still, I don't feel good about that part.
Reading this feels like watching a Bollywood movie, the conflict is shown well but there's always a plot twist, no matter how tiny it is. Since it's been a while since I last read a romance, it was a good, light read, which is what I needed when I first picked up this book.
However, if the main characters are not represented as Muslims, I'd give this one a 5. I've been wondering on why, while the characters being Muslims, behave the way they do when it comes to Islamic boundaries for non-mahrams, especially regarding physical contact and intimacy. But maybe they're just not practicing Muslims, idk. Still, I don't feel good about that part.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
Review of advance copy received from NetGalley
- How many stars do I give this book? 5 ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐ out of 5.
- I received a complimentary copy of this book. Opinions expressed in this review are completely my own.
- Thanks NetGalley and Lake Union Publishing for the opportunity to read this ARC.
**NOW ONTO THE REVIEW: This is the first book I read from Uzma Jalaluddin and I loved it from start to finish!
The fact that Dina felt she had to be perfect for her parent's standards was thoroughly explored alongside Lucky's struggle after moving from Toronto to Chicago with his family. Overall I was so pleased the love triangle was done without falling into bad clichés.
Even the supporting characters were well developed and felt real; for example Lisa whom was Dina's best friend reminded me of my own best friend!
I really love it when I come across a good written story 🧡
#NetGalley #DinaGetsLucky
- I received a complimentary copy of this book. Opinions expressed in this review are completely my own.
- Thanks NetGalley and Lake Union Publishing for the opportunity to read this ARC.
**NOW ONTO THE REVIEW: This is the first book I read from Uzma Jalaluddin and I loved it from start to finish!
The fact that Dina felt she had to be perfect for her parent's standards was thoroughly explored alongside Lucky's struggle after moving from Toronto to Chicago with his family. Overall I was so pleased the love triangle was done without falling into bad clichés.
Even the supporting characters were well developed and felt real; for example Lisa whom was Dina's best friend reminded me of my own best friend!
I really love it when I come across a good written story 🧡
#NetGalley #DinaGetsLucky
Review of advance copy received from Netgalley
Dina Gets Lucky was enjoyable as a palate cleanser. The characters are lovable and relatable on their own but man, this book uses a lot of miscommunication tropes (and the lack of communication, thereof), which is one of my book pet peeves. Ergo, the three-star rating. The main villain of the story, Arshad, was so well-written that I hated every time he showed up to do his evil palm-rubbing.
The wedding subplot was fun and ridiculously entertaining. I got to learn a bunch of Desi culture stuff like the food, clothes and wedding shenanigans. I sorta expected to have the Muslim/Islamic aspect of the characters and/or wedding itself be highlighted, but sadly it was barely there. So if you're reading this book expecting to learn about actual Muslim weddings (there's a difference!), this is not it.
Again, I enjoyed this book more than I expected. I like Uzma Jalaluddin's other works, though, namely Ayesha at Last.
The wedding subplot was fun and ridiculously entertaining. I got to learn a bunch of Desi culture stuff like the food, clothes and wedding shenanigans. I sorta expected to have the Muslim/Islamic aspect of the characters and/or wedding itself be highlighted, but sadly it was barely there. So if you're reading this book expecting to learn about actual Muslim weddings (there's a difference!), this is not it.
Again, I enjoyed this book more than I expected. I like Uzma Jalaluddin's other works, though, namely Ayesha at Last.
Review of advance copy received from NetGalley
3.5 stars
I enjoyed this book! It was an easy and engaging read and I found myself really supportive of the main character Dina from the start. I liked her morals and her character development.
I loved the inclusion of an ex within the story. It added another dimension that you don’t normally get. Uzma Jalaluddin is really good at creating a character you can’t help but dislike! I loved all the cultural elements of the book that gave it more depth.
Personally I would have liked the relationship between the two main characters to develop a bit further throughout the story and I felt most of their progression happened right at the end.
Overall it was a really fun read!
With thanks to Netgalley and Lake Union Publishing for the arc in exchange for an honest review
I enjoyed this book! It was an easy and engaging read and I found myself really supportive of the main character Dina from the start. I liked her morals and her character development.
I loved the inclusion of an ex within the story. It added another dimension that you don’t normally get. Uzma Jalaluddin is really good at creating a character you can’t help but dislike! I loved all the cultural elements of the book that gave it more depth.
Personally I would have liked the relationship between the two main characters to develop a bit further throughout the story and I felt most of their progression happened right at the end.
Overall it was a really fun read!
With thanks to Netgalley and Lake Union Publishing for the arc in exchange for an honest review
Review of advance copy received from NetGalley
It's Uzma, Did you expect anything less?
The story goes like this. Dina, Lucky and Arshad were best friends of college, studying law. Dina belongs to a wealthy family while the others didn't. Dina and Lucky has huge crushes on each other. A wrong thing both of them did was to confess that to Arshad instead of each other. Arshad played in the middle. Lucky had to move to Chicago, both of them unaware of the other's attraction and Arshad marrying Dina 9 months later.
Now, 6 years later, Arshad and Dina are working in Dina's familial law company and are having dents in their married life. Incoming the marriage of Dina's sister to Lucky's best friend from Chicago. This forces the friends in each others circle and sparks fly again. What follows is a story of betrayal, love, familial bond and understanding.
Read this if you are into second chance closed door romances.
The story goes like this. Dina, Lucky and Arshad were best friends of college, studying law. Dina belongs to a wealthy family while the others didn't. Dina and Lucky has huge crushes on each other. A wrong thing both of them did was to confess that to Arshad instead of each other. Arshad played in the middle. Lucky had to move to Chicago, both of them unaware of the other's attraction and Arshad marrying Dina 9 months later.
Now, 6 years later, Arshad and Dina are working in Dina's familial law company and are having dents in their married life. Incoming the marriage of Dina's sister to Lucky's best friend from Chicago. This forces the friends in each others circle and sparks fly again. What follows is a story of betrayal, love, familial bond and understanding.
Read this if you are into second chance closed door romances.
Review of advance copy received from NetGalley
Dina Gets Lucky is a warm, funny novel about family expectations, finding your footing, and discovering that life rarely follows the plan you imagined. Uzma Jalaluddin has a knack for creating characters who feel like real people, complete with flaws, good intentions, and the occasional bad decision. I especially enjoyed the family dynamics, which felt just as important to the story as the romance.
One thing I appreciated was that Dina doesn't have everything figured out. She stumbles, reassesses, and keeps moving forward, which made her easy to root for. There were a few moments where I wished the pacing moved a little faster, but the humor and heart kept me turning the pages. My sincere thanks to the publisher and NetGalley for providing me with a free advance review copy.
One thing I appreciated was that Dina doesn't have everything figured out. She stumbles, reassesses, and keeps moving forward, which made her easy to root for. There were a few moments where I wished the pacing moved a little faster, but the humor and heart kept me turning the pages. My sincere thanks to the publisher and NetGalley for providing me with a free advance review copy.
Review of advance copy received from NetGalley
A big thank you to NetGalley and the publisher for the ARC!
If you love lavish wedding backdrops, forced proximity, and swoony second-chance romances filled with deep history, this is an absolute must-read!
What I Loved:
✨The Wedding Setting: The chaotic, sumptuous energy of a high-profile South Asian family wedding provided the perfect high-stakes setting for drama and romance to collide.
✨Dina & Lucky's Chemistry: The history between them is tangible. Rebuilding their trust while navigating lingering feelings and painful past misunderstandings kept me completely hooked.
✨The Ex-Husband Drama: Unraveling the deceit from the past and watching them realize their true narrative was so satisfying to read.
If you love lavish wedding backdrops, forced proximity, and swoony second-chance romances filled with deep history, this is an absolute must-read!
What I Loved:
✨The Wedding Setting: The chaotic, sumptuous energy of a high-profile South Asian family wedding provided the perfect high-stakes setting for drama and romance to collide.
✨Dina & Lucky's Chemistry: The history between them is tangible. Rebuilding their trust while navigating lingering feelings and painful past misunderstandings kept me completely hooked.
✨The Ex-Husband Drama: Unraveling the deceit from the past and watching them realize their true narrative was so satisfying to read.
Review of advance copy received from NetGalley
Thank you to NetGalley for the ARC of this book.
I was excited to read this book because I had enjoyed Uzma Jalalludin's "Yours for the Season" when I read it last fall. "Dina gets Lucky" features a young, recently divorced FMC who reunites with her previous crush at a wedding. This book has some family drama, some villainous ex-husband energy, and a sweet second chance romance. These characters have been through some hard times since their love story was thwarted in its earliest stages. Enjoy this heartwarming, sweet story of recovery from a bad relationship, betrayal and mitigating circumstances. Cheer as these characters go on to find true love where it had always been.
I was excited to read this book because I had enjoyed Uzma Jalalludin's "Yours for the Season" when I read it last fall. "Dina gets Lucky" features a young, recently divorced FMC who reunites with her previous crush at a wedding. This book has some family drama, some villainous ex-husband energy, and a sweet second chance romance. These characters have been through some hard times since their love story was thwarted in its earliest stages. Enjoy this heartwarming, sweet story of recovery from a bad relationship, betrayal and mitigating circumstances. Cheer as these characters go on to find true love where it had always been.
Review of advance copy received from NetGalley
Okay, where to begin? First, I am a die-hard Uzma Jalaluddin fan; I devour her books. Usually within 24-72 hours. But this book took me months!!! Dina and Lucky were so frustrating. One conversation years before and their misunderstanding could have been solved. But it wasn't just those two characters...the dialogue just seemed so off and dare I say, fake most of the time. Dina's sister was also unbearable. Her ex-husband too. SO many unlikeable people. I will have to reread Ayesha At Last or Much Ado About Nada to recover from this.
A very big thank you to NetGalley and Lake Union Publishing for the eARC in exchange for an honest review!
A very big thank you to NetGalley and Lake Union Publishing for the eARC in exchange for an honest review!
Review of advance copy received from NetGalley
Uzma Jalaludin’s books are a joy to read. They flow easily so sometimes I find myself reading well into the night.
This title was kindly given as a Net Galley offering. The characters were interesting and the story although riddle in tropes was engaging and fun. I love how these books capture the Indian/Desi diaspora in Canada and capture personalities we grew up with.
This was a solid 3.5, I had to knock some off for the over the top extremes of uber wealth, convinient plot outcomes and main character flaw that is so ridiculous for such a smart girl.
This title was kindly given as a Net Galley offering. The characters were interesting and the story although riddle in tropes was engaging and fun. I love how these books capture the Indian/Desi diaspora in Canada and capture personalities we grew up with.
This was a solid 3.5, I had to knock some off for the over the top extremes of uber wealth, convinient plot outcomes and main character flaw that is so ridiculous for such a smart girl.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
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