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Beige and Blue
Samar loves the thrill of sneaking out with Bassel, a sexy cop who makes her heart race. Yet what she doesn't know is that Bassel is corrupt, he's a monster in disguise.
She escapes Bassel's controlling grip with the help of Ziyad, a man with a troubled past. Ziyad is a criminal, someone who should never be trusted.
The corrupt police officer or the criminal?
Who should she avoid and who should she run away from?
- GenresRomance
290 pages, Kindle Edition
First published March 31, 2019
5 people are currently reading
99 people want to read
About the author
Sara Badawieh
4 books93 followersSara Badawieh is a practicing architect and a mother. She loves to read a variety of genres and to work out her fingers on her keyboard.
Music, cake, and coffee are her best friends.
Sara lived in Montreal, Dubai, and in Amman. She holds a Bachelor's degree in Architecture from McGill University and a Masters degree in Sustainable Architecture from BUID.
She is married to the most wonderful man in the world and has two sons.
In her free time, she loves to bake and jump around with her kids.
Music, cake, and coffee are her best friends.
Sara lived in Montreal, Dubai, and in Amman. She holds a Bachelor's degree in Architecture from McGill University and a Masters degree in Sustainable Architecture from BUID.
She is married to the most wonderful man in the world and has two sons.
In her free time, she loves to bake and jump around with her kids.
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Want to read
October 7, 2019A few weeks ago, I found the author in a group I follow on Facebook, I added her book to my kindle on the spot, and now that I'm not so busy, I slipped into her story. It's funny to read a book set in Amman, it makes me smile. This is part romance, part thriller I suppose.
Samar, a 24 architect, meets Bassel, a cop and falls in love with him, but it seems like Bassel is not a good man.
Samar, a 24 architect, meets Bassel, a cop and falls in love with him, but it seems like Bassel is not a good man.
June 24, 2023
"The hardest thing in the world is watching someone you love weaken."
Hmmmm, let's say I can't really decide.
The writing is simple but I didn't like it, I don't like the way events are described.
The main character was so very annoying and I wanted to slap her in the face she's uuuhhhhhhh. I didn't like how she treats everything around her like she's the center of the world and always the victim. Her reactions were stupid and very bad.
But I liked the plot twists and the excitment; I couldn't predict what will happen. Oh and I liked the beautiful presence of Amman.
I think it was fine, then turned awful.
Hmmmm, let's say I can't really decide.
The writing is simple but I didn't like it, I don't like the way events are described.
The main character was so very annoying and I wanted to slap her in the face she's uuuhhhhhhh. I didn't like how she treats everything around her like she's the center of the world and always the victim. Her reactions were stupid and very bad.
But I liked the plot twists and the excitment; I couldn't predict what will happen. Oh and I liked the beautiful presence of Amman.
I think it was fine, then turned awful.
November 22, 2020
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DISCLAIMER : Thank you, Sara Badawieh for providing me with a review copy of this book. I am leaving this review voluntarily.
Beige And Blue by Sara Badawieh is a romantic drama / romantic thriller. The story is about Samar, who is an architect and an artist with big dreams. She has always lived a sheltered life, and her parents are very religious and overprotective of her. This makes her naive when it comes to dealing with people. She meets Bassel and forms a relationship with him after a couple of meetings. Bassel's life is full of danger, and slowly it starts to affect Samar's life as well. Bassel is not what he seems, and Samar decides to break up with him after a misunderstanding. Later on, she meets Ziyad, who is at the center of her conflict with Bassel, and forms a friendship with him that then turns to more. Stuck between two men who hold secrets and dangers lurking around every corner, Samar has to make a choice.
I got a review copy from the author and was excited to read. This story is set in Amman, and I have never read one that's set in Amman before. The synopsis sounded really interesting, and it reminded me of Turkish dramas with love triangles and dangerous love interests with dramatic endings. The pacing was ok in the first half and picked up speed in the second half. It was fast-paced towards the end, and I did finish the story in 2 sittings. The plot was full of twists and turns, and I don't know how I feel about that. The part about her profession and her art was interesting. I could feel the passion the character had for it. The characters and their story progression throughout was a bit difficult for me to accept. Samar was very naïve and indecisive and made irrational decisions. Her relationships also were complicated and not in a good way.
The lack of clarity when it came to the writing also presented issues for me personally. The story is written in a way where the progression of it got confusing at times, especially when shifting between moments. The plot is a bit far-fetched, and I couldn't excuse the behaviors or even agree with some of the justifications given in the book. Overall I thought the book was ok, and given that it is a debut book, I can see the potential in the writer. I have seen a lot of people love this book. So, I guess it is a personal preference when it comes to certain aspects, and it made it difficult for me to accept them. I am giving this book 2.5-3 stars. It was engaging and fast-paced, but just not my cup of tea. I am sad I didn't like it as much as I thought I would. My lack of enjoyment had more to do with the characters and scenarios than the overall story. I would recommend readers to try it for yourself. Just because it didn't work out for me doesn't mean it may not work for you.
SUBSCRIBE TO MY CHANNEL : YOUTUBE
FOLLOW ME ON : TWITTER INSTAGRAM
FR REVIEW :
DISCLAIMER : Thank you, Sara Badawieh for providing me with a review copy of this book. I am leaving this review voluntarily.
Beige And Blue by Sara Badawieh is a romantic drama / romantic thriller. The story is about Samar, who is an architect and an artist with big dreams. She has always lived a sheltered life, and her parents are very religious and overprotective of her. This makes her naive when it comes to dealing with people. She meets Bassel and forms a relationship with him after a couple of meetings. Bassel's life is full of danger, and slowly it starts to affect Samar's life as well. Bassel is not what he seems, and Samar decides to break up with him after a misunderstanding. Later on, she meets Ziyad, who is at the center of her conflict with Bassel, and forms a friendship with him that then turns to more. Stuck between two men who hold secrets and dangers lurking around every corner, Samar has to make a choice.
I got a review copy from the author and was excited to read. This story is set in Amman, and I have never read one that's set in Amman before. The synopsis sounded really interesting, and it reminded me of Turkish dramas with love triangles and dangerous love interests with dramatic endings. The pacing was ok in the first half and picked up speed in the second half. It was fast-paced towards the end, and I did finish the story in 2 sittings. The plot was full of twists and turns, and I don't know how I feel about that. The part about her profession and her art was interesting. I could feel the passion the character had for it. The characters and their story progression throughout was a bit difficult for me to accept. Samar was very naïve and indecisive and made irrational decisions. Her relationships also were complicated and not in a good way.
The lack of clarity when it came to the writing also presented issues for me personally. The story is written in a way where the progression of it got confusing at times, especially when shifting between moments. The plot is a bit far-fetched, and I couldn't excuse the behaviors or even agree with some of the justifications given in the book. Overall I thought the book was ok, and given that it is a debut book, I can see the potential in the writer. I have seen a lot of people love this book. So, I guess it is a personal preference when it comes to certain aspects, and it made it difficult for me to accept them. I am giving this book 2.5-3 stars. It was engaging and fast-paced, but just not my cup of tea. I am sad I didn't like it as much as I thought I would. My lack of enjoyment had more to do with the characters and scenarios than the overall story. I would recommend readers to try it for yourself. Just because it didn't work out for me doesn't mean it may not work for you.
August 14, 2020
Beige and Blue is one of the most amazing debut book I have read recently, Sara's world buildings and character building has made me fall in love, totally.
Samar has a creative job she loves and a happy home with her parents. Still, after Bassel, a sexy cop, rescues her when she's lost one night, she starts sneaking out with him… and enjoying it. But the danger of Bassel's life begins to be her danger, and she is pierced to the soul by the green eyes of Ziyad, a man with a troubled past and a criminal present.
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☕The story revolves around Samar, such a wonderfully penned character, the book felt light initially but as it proceeds, author weaves many loose ends to give a spine tingling story which is filled with twists and turns. I loved the way it is filled with so much of action, drama and romance. There were times when I actually could relate with Samar, not for the choices she made but for the character she is, I truly had mixed feelings for Bassel but as things started to unravel, I got more cautious about him as a person, well he is not really the way she seems, Ziyad on the other hand, is a character you will be more and more curious about, a man with a criminal past! Samar is stuck with two dangerous men, a new job and a beautiful life that's just a past.
.
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The storyline is truly entertaining, the second half of the book is truly fast paced, you just can't stop reading once you are 100 pages in. It's a multi genre book with deals with many themes but the way the protagonist character is brought, it's just something I was looking for when it's comes to w thrilling story. The way tension builds and the way all the characters come into a single frame makes it a worthy read. I felt, I was watching a movie, it's gripping, fascinating and captivating. Also, the author way it ended it again makes me so curious to see what more it holds. Can't wait to read it.
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Until then, make sure you read this one because it's truly amazing and breathtaking.
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Rating: 4.5🌟
April 24, 2019
** Kindle copy **
Oh My God! This one is reeeally good.
I was skeptical about Beige and Blue and didn't know what to expect, because from what I understood from the description, it wasn't enough to build an opinion or assumption how this read is going to be.
However, I ended up finishing it on 3 sittings! The first day I started reading it I finished 10 chapters, which is 25%. The second time I reached 75% in one sitting! And just today I managed to finish it all together because I couldn't put it down, I had to know what happens in the end.
It's about the 24 year old Samar, an architect who is passionate about art and painting, who by coincidence meets Bassel, a police officer, when she lost her back home and asks him for directions. After the third time Bassel and Samar run into each other, Bassel asks her out. She was happy dating Bassel, as he acted the gentleman she was falling in love with him, after a while Bassel starts to act differently, more controlling and jealous, until one day, Bassel sees what Samar has painted, something she shouldn't have, that's when he loses his temper which led into a huge fight and a break up.
Bassel has warned Samar from interacting or even being in the same room with Ziyad, a handsome green-eyed man, who is a head-turner but also a criminal. Samar accepts a new job opportunity to become the art teach of Maya, Ziyad's little sister, and while spending time at Abu Khalid's mansion, learning little by little the secrets this mansion holds, she started to have feelings for Ziyad.
One day, Samar finds herself in love with Ziyad, the criminal, but the wife of Bassel, who turned out to be a corrupt police officer and the loyal employee of Abu Khalid. And that's when the real action starts.
The turn of events, plot-twists, drama, are just well-written. I felt for Samar, yet hated her a bit for the stupid decisions she made. This story will leave you anticipating and guessing what will happen next, who is getting out sane, alive or very much dead, most importantly who will Samar choose since her heart is torn between the two men. But I wished at particular events, the author could be more descriptive just to give it more power and reality. And I still don't understand how her friends ended up in the house when she needed rescue.
One more thing, when I learned that there is a sequel, I sighed in relief; I want more.
My rate: 4.0/5.0
r.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
March 25, 2020
A mixture of love, crime, thriller, action all set in our beautiful city Amman, read my full review of Sara Badawieh novel Beige and Blue at https://bit.ly/3ajoxc9
#books #novel #review
#books #novel #review
August 9, 2020
The premise of this book sounded interesting, and I was happy to jump into a romance/thriller novel after so many fantasy reads in the last couple of weeks. But I wasn't expecting THIS. This book was a wild ride, and not particularly a great one.
First of all, I had issues with the writing. I must admit, I'm not the biggest romance reader here, and I'm not quite sure if present tense is often used in romance novels, but in this case, I think it was a first for me and.. I really disliked it. It distracted me from the story at first, and now I'm sure, this kind of writing isn't for me at all. I also found some inconsistency in the beginning of the book where for example, the main character Samar was yelling one minute at her parents, got out of the apartment to calm herself and in the next second thought "what a beautiful sky!". I mean she was supposed to be angry, how did she calm herself in like one second? Some reactions were not logic nor realistic and it bothered me when I read it.
I enjoyed the setting in Amman though. It was the first book I read set in Jordan, and I really enjoyed it. I always love reading books set in a different country or culture than mine, and I find it always fascinating to learn different cultures, so the setting was my favorite aspect of this book.
The story was also easy to read, fast-paced, and full of intrigue. The plot, on the other hand, was completely unrealistic. It was too far-fetched to be believable and that is mainly why I couldn't connect to the characters. The main character Samar made stupid decisions after stupid decisions and I could not connect to her or the others. I did however enjoy some of the relationships in this book, mostly the friendships. They were really sweet and made a nice contrast to the problematic romance. Because, yes, I found the romance in this book extremely problematic from the beginning to the end, and I just couldn't handle it.
However, the plot wasn't predictable at all, it was full of plot twists and that is what kept me going because I really wanted to know what would happen, and how the story would end. The ending disappointed me though, honestly I couldn't understand the main character's decision.
Overall, even if I didn't enjoy this book as much as I wanted to and despite a lot of issues with the writing or the plot, this book succeeded in taking my mind off real life with the intrigue, which was okay, so I'm still rating this book 2 stars for the wild ride.
Thank you to the author for sending me a copy of this book in exchange of an honest opinion.
First of all, I had issues with the writing. I must admit, I'm not the biggest romance reader here, and I'm not quite sure if present tense is often used in romance novels, but in this case, I think it was a first for me and.. I really disliked it. It distracted me from the story at first, and now I'm sure, this kind of writing isn't for me at all. I also found some inconsistency in the beginning of the book where for example, the main character Samar was yelling one minute at her parents, got out of the apartment to calm herself and in the next second thought "what a beautiful sky!". I mean she was supposed to be angry, how did she calm herself in like one second? Some reactions were not logic nor realistic and it bothered me when I read it.
I enjoyed the setting in Amman though. It was the first book I read set in Jordan, and I really enjoyed it. I always love reading books set in a different country or culture than mine, and I find it always fascinating to learn different cultures, so the setting was my favorite aspect of this book.
The story was also easy to read, fast-paced, and full of intrigue. The plot, on the other hand, was completely unrealistic. It was too far-fetched to be believable and that is mainly why I couldn't connect to the characters. The main character Samar made stupid decisions after stupid decisions and I could not connect to her or the others. I did however enjoy some of the relationships in this book, mostly the friendships. They were really sweet and made a nice contrast to the problematic romance. Because, yes, I found the romance in this book extremely problematic from the beginning to the end, and I just couldn't handle it.
However, the plot wasn't predictable at all, it was full of plot twists and that is what kept me going because I really wanted to know what would happen, and how the story would end. The ending disappointed me though, honestly I couldn't understand the main character's decision.
Overall, even if I didn't enjoy this book as much as I wanted to and despite a lot of issues with the writing or the plot, this book succeeded in taking my mind off real life with the intrigue, which was okay, so I'm still rating this book 2 stars for the wild ride.
Thank you to the author for sending me a copy of this book in exchange of an honest opinion.
June 29, 2020
This is a quick read, a romantic thriller full of suspense.
The plot takes place in Amman, Jordan, although it’s considered to be among the most liberal and westernized Arab cities, some conservative customs are still respected, so keep that in mind while reading so you can understand the characters way of thinking, especially Samar, I felt sad for all she had to suffer, she was so sheltered, the overprotection of her parents left her vulnerable to the wickedness of people, I wanted to shake her a bit for the poor choices she made.
Samar has two love interests one is good and the other one is a criminal, but have Samar chosen the right one?
I want to say that I was right all along, though for a brief moment I hesitated, but my trust was deposited in the right man….yayyy.
At the end there is love, forgiveness and hope, but it also ends with a massive twist that suggest there would be a sequel.
Thank you Sara Badawieh for giving me a copy of your book in exchange for an honest review.
The plot takes place in Amman, Jordan, although it’s considered to be among the most liberal and westernized Arab cities, some conservative customs are still respected, so keep that in mind while reading so you can understand the characters way of thinking, especially Samar, I felt sad for all she had to suffer, she was so sheltered, the overprotection of her parents left her vulnerable to the wickedness of people, I wanted to shake her a bit for the poor choices she made.
Samar has two love interests one is good and the other one is a criminal, but have Samar chosen the right one?
I want to say that I was right all along, though for a brief moment I hesitated, but my trust was deposited in the right man….yayyy.
At the end there is love, forgiveness and hope, but it also ends with a massive twist that suggest there would be a sequel.
Thank you Sara Badawieh for giving me a copy of your book in exchange for an honest review.
October 5, 2025
Every time I read one of her books she gets to amuse me every single time...this book was amazing and you can't predict anything and the plot twists are another whole thing the way she writes her books and the ideas she has are wonderful....I really liked this book especially the last couple chapters were just WOW....She writes about Bassel and Ziyad in a way you can't even choose a side and I honestly liked them both
May 21, 2020
So i finished reading "beige and blue" novel..even though the novel is intense, it's an interesting one..it kinda reminds me of action movies filled with crime and love :) and the way each character is described ...you would think that they are real ones..because each character has intense characteristics, also i didn't think that the ending will be that way, which was a surprise!
December 14, 2020
first thing first, the cover is marvelous. It's beyond amazing and the plot is flabbergasted.
when I read it I was curious to know what will happen( it will force you to do so) but at the same time, I just wanted to live with it for a while.
The words are used cautiously and carefully and for sure it will make you live with every scene like it's happening in front of you.
when I read it I was curious to know what will happen( it will force you to do so) but at the same time, I just wanted to live with it for a while.
The words are used cautiously and carefully and for sure it will make you live with every scene like it's happening in front of you.
January 12, 2021
Have you ever felt that you are saying some words about something and them You feel no no i have underestimated it!! This is how i felt when i tried to gather words to put for this book. I loved how the writer put together those characters in words, i was latterly seeing them in front of me by reading her words.. i felt every single situation it was very close to the heart.. i started trying to read the book since few months and i was interrupted a lot by work, trainings and studying, however, i decided to finish and the three days i have read the reminding 180 pages, and i regret the time i wasted before.. amazing book, from amazing local writer that i am proud and waiting for her next book impatiently.
June 1, 2025
I woul have never picked up this book but it was the pick of a Jordanian woman in our book club and I happily read it. Quite different meaning of "romance" than in the US - much more chaste! This dilemma of a woman caught between two lovers was made exciting with twists and turns and intrigue. Worth a read to see how another culture interprets "romance".
October 1, 2019
Very interesting, full of suspense. Couldn’t put it down till I finished reading. Recommend it highly.
April 17, 2020
‘Today a monster has been born.’
This is not how typical romance books begin, and Sara Badawieh’s Beige and Blue is anything but a typical romance book. It is an intense, fast-paced, romantic thriller that follows Samar, the twenty-something protagonist, as she tries to come to terms with her life choices while being pulled deep into the darkness of the Middle Eastern underworld. There are many things that I found enjoyable about this novel, but three of them definitely stand out: the engaging pace, the picturesque setting, and the omnipresent love of art.
The Pace
I do love a well-structured narrative, the one that leaves no loose strands and offers no deus ex machina resolutions. It goes without saying that this is an extremely well-plotted and fast-paced novel. Beige and Blue intertwines elements of romance and thriller to create an ultimately exciting story. At the beginning, we are introduced to Samar, a young architect working on her first major project. Badawieh does a stupendous job portraying the cultural climate in present-day Jordan, the blend of modern and traditional, that greatly affects Samar’s prospects.
After a particularly uncomfortable dinner surprise orchestrated by her parents, Samar strolls aimlessly down the streets of Amman, contemplating the rift that has started growing between her own dreams and wishes and what is expected of her as an obedient daughter. Filled with rebellious desire to fulfill her own destiny, Samar lands in the midst of a highly dangerous situation and into the arms of an even more dangerous man. What happens from then until the very ending of the book, is a swift and thrilling rollercoaster of emotions, lies, treachery, and crime, where at some points you yourself, as the reader, do not know where to look and whom to trust.
The Setting
Badawieh takes her readers on a literary tour of her hometown of Amman, the beautiful capital of Jordan. You get to follow the protagonist down the narrow streets, where the smell of shisha, Arabic coffee, and traditional dishes wafts out of the restaurants and cafes. You get to discover the classical architecture and the breathtaking Citadel and take a stroll along the beaches of the Dead Sea. Furthermore, the author’s national pride is not only present in her description of the setting, but also in the ultimate plot twist and novel’s climax, however, that is the bit that I will leave the readers to discover, since I myself found it a very pleasant and refreshing surprise.
The Love of Art
Samar enjoys painting, she teaches painting, and she paints with all her heart. The novel’s title, Beige and Blue, is derived from the name of one of her paintings and it bears manifold symbolism. On the one hand, there is the contrast between the colours of beige and blue which could stand to represent the contrast between the two men contending for the protagonist’s heart, the contrast between the two choices that she has to make. On the other hand, there is the more literal representation of the blue of the Dead Sea and the contrasting beige of the surrounding rocks and sand. It is the painting that represents both love and treachery, the painting that brings a lot of disquiet into Samar’s world, and the painting that ends up in the hands of a mysterious buyer.
The novel ends with hope, love, and regeneration, however, it also ends with a neatly written twist that leaves you wanting more. If Sara Badawieh were to write a sequel, I would definitely read it.
This is not how typical romance books begin, and Sara Badawieh’s Beige and Blue is anything but a typical romance book. It is an intense, fast-paced, romantic thriller that follows Samar, the twenty-something protagonist, as she tries to come to terms with her life choices while being pulled deep into the darkness of the Middle Eastern underworld. There are many things that I found enjoyable about this novel, but three of them definitely stand out: the engaging pace, the picturesque setting, and the omnipresent love of art.
The Pace
I do love a well-structured narrative, the one that leaves no loose strands and offers no deus ex machina resolutions. It goes without saying that this is an extremely well-plotted and fast-paced novel. Beige and Blue intertwines elements of romance and thriller to create an ultimately exciting story. At the beginning, we are introduced to Samar, a young architect working on her first major project. Badawieh does a stupendous job portraying the cultural climate in present-day Jordan, the blend of modern and traditional, that greatly affects Samar’s prospects.
After a particularly uncomfortable dinner surprise orchestrated by her parents, Samar strolls aimlessly down the streets of Amman, contemplating the rift that has started growing between her own dreams and wishes and what is expected of her as an obedient daughter. Filled with rebellious desire to fulfill her own destiny, Samar lands in the midst of a highly dangerous situation and into the arms of an even more dangerous man. What happens from then until the very ending of the book, is a swift and thrilling rollercoaster of emotions, lies, treachery, and crime, where at some points you yourself, as the reader, do not know where to look and whom to trust.
The Setting
Badawieh takes her readers on a literary tour of her hometown of Amman, the beautiful capital of Jordan. You get to follow the protagonist down the narrow streets, where the smell of shisha, Arabic coffee, and traditional dishes wafts out of the restaurants and cafes. You get to discover the classical architecture and the breathtaking Citadel and take a stroll along the beaches of the Dead Sea. Furthermore, the author’s national pride is not only present in her description of the setting, but also in the ultimate plot twist and novel’s climax, however, that is the bit that I will leave the readers to discover, since I myself found it a very pleasant and refreshing surprise.
The Love of Art
Samar enjoys painting, she teaches painting, and she paints with all her heart. The novel’s title, Beige and Blue, is derived from the name of one of her paintings and it bears manifold symbolism. On the one hand, there is the contrast between the colours of beige and blue which could stand to represent the contrast between the two men contending for the protagonist’s heart, the contrast between the two choices that she has to make. On the other hand, there is the more literal representation of the blue of the Dead Sea and the contrasting beige of the surrounding rocks and sand. It is the painting that represents both love and treachery, the painting that brings a lot of disquiet into Samar’s world, and the painting that ends up in the hands of a mysterious buyer.
The novel ends with hope, love, and regeneration, however, it also ends with a neatly written twist that leaves you wanting more. If Sara Badawieh were to write a sequel, I would definitely read it.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
April 27, 2020
"He keeps watching me intensely, studying my every move and listening to every word I say. He’s making me feel like the most important person in the world ... and I like it."
~
I received this excellent book from the author in exchange for an honest review and let me tell you, I was so enthralled by it that I read it in one sitting.
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Samar is a 24-year-old woman living in Amman, Jordan. She works as an architect and still lives with her parents who want to marry her off as soon as possible. One night, Samar gets lost and asks an incredibly good looking police officer for help. After her parents set up a date with a potential husband Samar flees her home and takes a walk through the city. By chance she encounters the police officer, Bassel, again and agrees to go on a date with him. In secret of course. On one date she meets Ziyad, whose brilliant green eyes she can't get out of her head. Bassel tells her to stay away from him, as he's a criminal. Quickly things start to spiral out of control.
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The story was incredible. It was fast paced and absolutely gripping. Again, it only took me a couple of hours to finish it. It's a romantic thriller and both parts work perfectly together. There were twists and turns I did not see coming. I also loved the focus on art and the process of creating something. The characters were well written. I connected to Samar, even though some of her actions were incomprehensible. I wanted to reach into the novel and shake some sense into her.
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The last page is a total cliffhanger and I had to read it twice because I couldn't believe that it was over so I'll definitely read the sequel.
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I received this excellent book from the author in exchange for an honest review and let me tell you, I was so enthralled by it that I read it in one sitting.
~
Samar is a 24-year-old woman living in Amman, Jordan. She works as an architect and still lives with her parents who want to marry her off as soon as possible. One night, Samar gets lost and asks an incredibly good looking police officer for help. After her parents set up a date with a potential husband Samar flees her home and takes a walk through the city. By chance she encounters the police officer, Bassel, again and agrees to go on a date with him. In secret of course. On one date she meets Ziyad, whose brilliant green eyes she can't get out of her head. Bassel tells her to stay away from him, as he's a criminal. Quickly things start to spiral out of control.
~
The story was incredible. It was fast paced and absolutely gripping. Again, it only took me a couple of hours to finish it. It's a romantic thriller and both parts work perfectly together. There were twists and turns I did not see coming. I also loved the focus on art and the process of creating something. The characters were well written. I connected to Samar, even though some of her actions were incomprehensible. I wanted to reach into the novel and shake some sense into her.
~
The last page is a total cliffhanger and I had to read it twice because I couldn't believe that it was over so I'll definitely read the sequel.
April 29, 2020
This was a quick read that only took me a day. Trust me, you won't want to put it down because there is so much to unravel. I liked how the author kept us on our toes and there was lots of suspense.
I liked Samar in the beginning because I related to her a lot (middle eastern, only daughter, strict but loving parents) however, as the story went on it seemed that she didn’t know what, or who, she wanted and would make rash decisions without thinking of the consequences. She would be with Bassel but she'd be thinking about Ziyad and then when she was with Ziyad, she'd be thinking of Bassel. It kind of felt like she fell in love with the idea of having a man rather than the actual men. I just wanted to shake her and tell her to make up her mind on who she wanted!
I personally prefer romance novels that are realistic and this one was not. Some scenes were really rushed and the author didn't really give us time to process some of the 'surprises'. Maybe because my favourite books are the ones that are based on real life/memoirs so this was definitely a change for me!
The ending wasn't what I was hoping for. The author kind of gave us an 'open ended' ending where we're not sure whether she did choose herself or finally one of the guys. I was hoping for a clear ending or even a happy ever after but it kind of just suggested there would be a sequel.
I did enjoy that this took place in Jordan and that I could relate to some of the cultural aspects that was present in the novel. I was personally team Ziyad but that unfortunately did not end as I thought it would. All in all, it was an entertaining novel and a quick read. There was lots of action to keep me entertained. If you're looking for a romance with lots of suspense, this is the one.
I liked Samar in the beginning because I related to her a lot (middle eastern, only daughter, strict but loving parents) however, as the story went on it seemed that she didn’t know what, or who, she wanted and would make rash decisions without thinking of the consequences. She would be with Bassel but she'd be thinking about Ziyad and then when she was with Ziyad, she'd be thinking of Bassel. It kind of felt like she fell in love with the idea of having a man rather than the actual men. I just wanted to shake her and tell her to make up her mind on who she wanted!
I personally prefer romance novels that are realistic and this one was not. Some scenes were really rushed and the author didn't really give us time to process some of the 'surprises'. Maybe because my favourite books are the ones that are based on real life/memoirs so this was definitely a change for me!
The ending wasn't what I was hoping for. The author kind of gave us an 'open ended' ending where we're not sure whether she did choose herself or finally one of the guys. I was hoping for a clear ending or even a happy ever after but it kind of just suggested there would be a sequel.
I did enjoy that this took place in Jordan and that I could relate to some of the cultural aspects that was present in the novel. I was personally team Ziyad but that unfortunately did not end as I thought it would. All in all, it was an entertaining novel and a quick read. There was lots of action to keep me entertained. If you're looking for a romance with lots of suspense, this is the one.
April 28, 2020
A light read romance novel, blended with suspense and action. The rich culture of Amman, Jordan was featured here as the setting of the story. It has been awhile since I read a romance genre, so I was excited to devour on this. The plot though is very fictitious. I really hope tht it's not happening in reality. It's a bit disturbing that the girl protagonist cannot make up her mind, always in a state of confusion. But that's where the thrill comes in. It made me also wonder who's the man with good intentions. Overall, I enjoyed it. It was hard to stop reading during the climax and towards the end of the story. If you’re a fan of the genre it's worth adding to your library.
April 12, 2020
Beige and Blue by Sara Badawich
Samar is living a happy life with her family doing a job she enjoys. When she meets police officer Bassel, she risks sneaking out on her parents to built her love life for the first time. However, what she doesn’t expect is being caught in crossroads involving gangsters and illegal business once she meets Bassel. A new man Ziyad promises to be her saviour. Will Samar be able to go back to her normal life or she will be forced to live forever fearing gun on her head?
The book is fast paced, as such plot rightly requires, and that made it extra interesting to read. It is fairly well written and characters add strength to the plot in good measure. It felt like I was watching an action movie with regular twists. The setting of Amman was new to me. I thoroughly enjoyed the gangster background.
Rating : 3.5/5
Samar is living a happy life with her family doing a job she enjoys. When she meets police officer Bassel, she risks sneaking out on her parents to built her love life for the first time. However, what she doesn’t expect is being caught in crossroads involving gangsters and illegal business once she meets Bassel. A new man Ziyad promises to be her saviour. Will Samar be able to go back to her normal life or she will be forced to live forever fearing gun on her head?
The book is fast paced, as such plot rightly requires, and that made it extra interesting to read. It is fairly well written and characters add strength to the plot in good measure. It felt like I was watching an action movie with regular twists. The setting of Amman was new to me. I thoroughly enjoyed the gangster background.
Rating : 3.5/5
October 16, 2019
The author literally draws the reader by the hand through the streets of Amman...a privilege the local can immerse in!
Elaborate description of the places and spaces! In every page, in every line... you feel the architect in the author reflected in her heroin, a crucial aspect in the essence of the novel as an architect's character is known for its strong will, determination colored with a vivid spirit and sensational approach to life.
The plot is built up in an intertwining manner; the three main characters are so connected but still, each in his own dimension. Each of them is the product of an extreme upbringing where love could have been intense to the extent of causing rebel, or it has been scarce to the point of emptiness and harshness.
However, I found the most intriguing thing was the way the climax eased into somewhat a relived ending only to spark again in the last line of the last page; it felt as if the author took us back towards another height where only one's imagination can unfold its layers.
In short...this is a novel worth its while!
Elaborate description of the places and spaces! In every page, in every line... you feel the architect in the author reflected in her heroin, a crucial aspect in the essence of the novel as an architect's character is known for its strong will, determination colored with a vivid spirit and sensational approach to life.
The plot is built up in an intertwining manner; the three main characters are so connected but still, each in his own dimension. Each of them is the product of an extreme upbringing where love could have been intense to the extent of causing rebel, or it has been scarce to the point of emptiness and harshness.
However, I found the most intriguing thing was the way the climax eased into somewhat a relived ending only to spark again in the last line of the last page; it felt as if the author took us back towards another height where only one's imagination can unfold its layers.
In short...this is a novel worth its while!
October 28, 2019
I’m the type of person who’d judge a book by its cover -sue me if you like- but I honestly didn’t have great expectations of this one, especially that I won it in a giveaway! Not just the cover, the way the story has began and the stereotypes about Arab girls was just too much to bear to be honest. Not to mention the grammatical mistakes and the language was kinda weak and revealing that the author was -unfortunately- thinking in Arabic and writing in English.
BUT, and I cannot stress this out enough, the story was SO good, how things have changed so dramatically and how involved I got with the characters, and the suspense, omg that was just so mesmerizing!! It’s out of this world.
I’m giving this book a 4-star rating for the reasons above, keeping in mind that the next book is -I hope- going to ace it and get a 5-star rating from me for sure, since everything I have mentioned can be easily fixed.
I LITERALLY CANNOT WAIT FOR YOUR NEXT BOOK SARA BADAWIEH!
BUT, and I cannot stress this out enough, the story was SO good, how things have changed so dramatically and how involved I got with the characters, and the suspense, omg that was just so mesmerizing!! It’s out of this world.
I’m giving this book a 4-star rating for the reasons above, keeping in mind that the next book is -I hope- going to ace it and get a 5-star rating from me for sure, since everything I have mentioned can be easily fixed.
I LITERALLY CANNOT WAIT FOR YOUR NEXT BOOK SARA BADAWIEH!
May 17, 2019
Beautiful. Wonderful. Lovely. A Masterpiece. Heart-warming. Fantastic. Sensational. Emotionally evoking.
I could go on and on and still not justify the magnitude of this story's brilliance— what it means, what it stands for, and how deeply it has affected me!!!! I felt every pain and heartache displayed within these broken characters, as well as every rejoice.
Beige and blue; it’s about 24 year old Samar, an architectural who is trying to find her own way to love and life. The novel discusses issues that every girl in her twenties facing such as:(Family, Love, Marriage, Work & Friends); but these issues what made Samar stronger! And letting herself falling in love with a corrupt police officer and a criminal was the real struggle!
@Sara Badawieh you are an awesome writer ☺️
I look forward to more books from you.
I could go on and on and still not justify the magnitude of this story's brilliance— what it means, what it stands for, and how deeply it has affected me!!!! I felt every pain and heartache displayed within these broken characters, as well as every rejoice.
Beige and blue; it’s about 24 year old Samar, an architectural who is trying to find her own way to love and life. The novel discusses issues that every girl in her twenties facing such as:(Family, Love, Marriage, Work & Friends); but these issues what made Samar stronger! And letting herself falling in love with a corrupt police officer and a criminal was the real struggle!
@Sara Badawieh you are an awesome writer ☺️
I look forward to more books from you.
January 21, 2024
Sara Badawieh❤️ I’ve gotten the chance to meet sara two times at the books fair in Amman, she’s one of the most kind and sweet people I’ve met and she’s very humble too🫶🏼.
First of all i have to say, calling the book “Beige and Blue” is smart I really like the meaning behind it. One of the things that got me to buy and actually continue reading the book is its setting in Amman it’s my very first book i read in such setting and i really liked it because i related to almost all the places she mentioned. At the very first i liked the book i liked the way she described Amman and the way she wrote the architecture of it, as a senior year architecture student myself i could really sense sara the Architect ❤️❤️ which i also loved because that what architecture does to you, you fall in love with it and you can never tear yourself away from it.
For me personally the events were so fast paced and I couldn’t really connect with an event before we jump quickly to the next one, most of the events felt unrealistic to me, the way samar was responding to the whole thing got into my nerves.
After the first couple chapters i started feeling like giving up on the book because of the reasons mentioned earlier but i still managed to continue
The plot twists were unpredictable tbh which made me feel excited while reading the last 4-5 chapters of the book i liked the ending and how Bassel made it like they don’t know each other and the last two lines I didn’t really expect that so great work there Sara❤️.
I’m not here to judge, the author still did a great job , as a reader i can really sense she has something more to offer maybe not this book , with more practice and more books she will be a well known author inshallah. 🫶🏼🫶🏼
(Oh one more thing i wish if the cover was the beige and blue canvas samar has painted that would have been amazing!)
First of all i have to say, calling the book “Beige and Blue” is smart I really like the meaning behind it. One of the things that got me to buy and actually continue reading the book is its setting in Amman it’s my very first book i read in such setting and i really liked it because i related to almost all the places she mentioned. At the very first i liked the book i liked the way she described Amman and the way she wrote the architecture of it, as a senior year architecture student myself i could really sense sara the Architect ❤️❤️ which i also loved because that what architecture does to you, you fall in love with it and you can never tear yourself away from it.
For me personally the events were so fast paced and I couldn’t really connect with an event before we jump quickly to the next one, most of the events felt unrealistic to me, the way samar was responding to the whole thing got into my nerves.
After the first couple chapters i started feeling like giving up on the book because of the reasons mentioned earlier but i still managed to continue
The plot twists were unpredictable tbh which made me feel excited while reading the last 4-5 chapters of the book i liked the ending and how Bassel made it like they don’t know each other and the last two lines I didn’t really expect that so great work there Sara❤️.
I’m not here to judge, the author still did a great job , as a reader i can really sense she has something more to offer maybe not this book , with more practice and more books she will be a well known author inshallah. 🫶🏼🫶🏼
(Oh one more thing i wish if the cover was the beige and blue canvas samar has painted that would have been amazing!)
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
February 12, 2023
To begin with, I’m utterly proud of Jordan’s loveliest author.
Though it is the first novel by Sara, I read her second book ‘Dalia’ first, making ‘Beige and Blue’ my second read for her. I was – yet again – immensely impressed.
Reading this book was one nerve-racking experience.
With the remarkable characters, the unexpected yet outstanding events and the astounding plot twists, I had two moods; either leave the book sitting on the table for hours afraid to finish it, or devour the book at once because my hands couldn’t stop flipping page after another.
The events were extremely well-constructed, and I was especially overjoyed and satisfied with the sequence of the events and the manner in which they were linked. It is beyond doubt action-packed, and will keep you on the edge of your seat.
Bassel is undoubtedly one of the best fictional characters I’ve ever read in a book. His character is exceptionally well-written, one can’t help but fall for him.
The author did a beautiful job painting Amman with words. The mentioning of places and streets I’m familiar with from time to time throughout the story brought a sense of warmth to my heart.
It is indeed a page-turner, and consequently I had so much fun reading it.
I have a thing for Sara’s novels, mainly because I admire the fact that they include Arabic names, Arab characters, and are set in Jordan. It gives me the ability to relate to the characters on a different level. In this regard, I thank our respectable author Sara Badawieh for giving us the opportunity to enjoy such novels as Arab readers. With that being said, I’m downright excited for your upcoming novel, and I wish you all the best. 💌
Though it is the first novel by Sara, I read her second book ‘Dalia’ first, making ‘Beige and Blue’ my second read for her. I was – yet again – immensely impressed.
Reading this book was one nerve-racking experience.
With the remarkable characters, the unexpected yet outstanding events and the astounding plot twists, I had two moods; either leave the book sitting on the table for hours afraid to finish it, or devour the book at once because my hands couldn’t stop flipping page after another.
The events were extremely well-constructed, and I was especially overjoyed and satisfied with the sequence of the events and the manner in which they were linked. It is beyond doubt action-packed, and will keep you on the edge of your seat.
Bassel is undoubtedly one of the best fictional characters I’ve ever read in a book. His character is exceptionally well-written, one can’t help but fall for him.
The author did a beautiful job painting Amman with words. The mentioning of places and streets I’m familiar with from time to time throughout the story brought a sense of warmth to my heart.
It is indeed a page-turner, and consequently I had so much fun reading it.
I have a thing for Sara’s novels, mainly because I admire the fact that they include Arabic names, Arab characters, and are set in Jordan. It gives me the ability to relate to the characters on a different level. In this regard, I thank our respectable author Sara Badawieh for giving us the opportunity to enjoy such novels as Arab readers. With that being said, I’m downright excited for your upcoming novel, and I wish you all the best. 💌
August 28, 2020
𝑻𝒊𝒕𝒍𝒆: Beige and Blue
𝑨𝒖𝒕𝒉𝒐𝒓: Sara Badaweih
𝑴𝒚 𝑹𝒆𝒗𝒊𝒆𝒘:
The story starts with Samar returning from Zeina's wedding. She was driving by herself and has lost the way. It was about midnight so she was worried that her parents may have called her so many times to ask her about her whereabouts. So, she parked her car at the roadside and she found one handsome police officer Bassel who helped her to find way back to Airport Street.
She met this police officer Bassel again and they started gosipping and dating. She got involved with a boy which is definitely against her parent's rule for their only daughter. On one date, she met Ziyad, a man with beautiful green eyes. Grab a copy of this book and read this story yourself to find out what happened next.
The pace of the story is fine and the characters are well developed. The twists and turns in this romantic thriller made it much more interesting. Romance and thriller both are my favorite genres so I enjoyed reading this story. Looking forward to read next book from the author.
𝑴𝒚 𝑹𝒂𝒕𝒊𝒏𝒈: 4.5/5
𝑨𝒖𝒕𝒉𝒐𝒓: Sara Badaweih
𝑴𝒚 𝑹𝒆𝒗𝒊𝒆𝒘:
The story starts with Samar returning from Zeina's wedding. She was driving by herself and has lost the way. It was about midnight so she was worried that her parents may have called her so many times to ask her about her whereabouts. So, she parked her car at the roadside and she found one handsome police officer Bassel who helped her to find way back to Airport Street.
She met this police officer Bassel again and they started gosipping and dating. She got involved with a boy which is definitely against her parent's rule for their only daughter. On one date, she met Ziyad, a man with beautiful green eyes. Grab a copy of this book and read this story yourself to find out what happened next.
The pace of the story is fine and the characters are well developed. The twists and turns in this romantic thriller made it much more interesting. Romance and thriller both are my favorite genres so I enjoyed reading this story. Looking forward to read next book from the author.
𝑴𝒚 𝑹𝒂𝒕𝒊𝒏𝒈: 4.5/5
August 30, 2020
If you like to read romantic novels along with a blend of suspense then Beige and Blue would be a perfect pick for you. The story is set in Amman, Jordan. The main character of a story is a young girl Samar. Her encounter with the police officer Bassel when she lost the way to her home is the beginning of their love story. Bassel is a handsome guy with good masculine body who can attract any female.
She has followed her parents advice whole life but when Bassel asked her to go on a date, she couldn't find herself sticking to the rules set by her parents and she agreed to meet him at the restaurant. Slowly and slowly love blooms. But Samar was unaware of the risk she was inviting in her life due to the job of Bassel. Now, Samar has to choose between love and safety.
Beige and Blue is an intense story. It is so gripping that I couldn't put it down until I finished it. It has love, romance, action, suspense, etc. The plot is built well and so are the characters. This is the debut novel of the author and I enjoyed reading the story overall. I recommend it to romantic thriller fans.
She has followed her parents advice whole life but when Bassel asked her to go on a date, she couldn't find herself sticking to the rules set by her parents and she agreed to meet him at the restaurant. Slowly and slowly love blooms. But Samar was unaware of the risk she was inviting in her life due to the job of Bassel. Now, Samar has to choose between love and safety.
Beige and Blue is an intense story. It is so gripping that I couldn't put it down until I finished it. It has love, romance, action, suspense, etc. The plot is built well and so are the characters. This is the debut novel of the author and I enjoyed reading the story overall. I recommend it to romantic thriller fans.
February 23, 2021
𝒲𝑒 𝓁𝒶𝓊𝑔𝒽 𝒷𝑒𝒸𝒶𝓊𝓈𝑒 𝓉𝒽𝑒 𝓅𝒶𝓈𝓉 𝒹𝑜𝑒𝓈𝓃’𝓉 𝓂𝒶𝓉𝓉𝑒𝓇 𝒶𝓃𝓎𝓂𝑜𝓇𝑒; 𝒶𝓁𝓁 𝓉𝒽𝒶𝓉 𝓈𝒶𝒹𝓃𝑒𝓈𝓈 𝒾𝓈 𝑔𝑜𝓃𝑒 𝓃𝑜𝓌 𝓉𝒽𝒶𝓉 𝓌𝑒’𝓇𝑒 𝓉𝑜𝑔𝑒𝓉𝒽𝑒𝓇.”🍂
I'm speechless ...
A book that really leaves you speechless, no matter how much you want to say you cannot because words are few to describe a book like this.
A book that makes you believe that your appearance is a lie, just as the appearance of Ziyad lied to me in the beginning.
I felt tears, joy, I felt a mixture of emotions while reading this book.
Maya's death made me cry more, I do not know why but for a moment I felt like I was in the place of Sammara, this part has shocked me a lot.
I definitely recommend this is part romance and part thriller (I suppose).
I have to summarize myself a little bit from this book because @sara you broke my heart as well.
I'm speechless ...
A book that really leaves you speechless, no matter how much you want to say you cannot because words are few to describe a book like this.
A book that makes you believe that your appearance is a lie, just as the appearance of Ziyad lied to me in the beginning.
I felt tears, joy, I felt a mixture of emotions while reading this book.
Maya's death made me cry more, I do not know why but for a moment I felt like I was in the place of Sammara, this part has shocked me a lot.
I definitely recommend this is part romance and part thriller (I suppose).
I have to summarize myself a little bit from this book because @sara you broke my heart as well.
June 20, 2020
Samar has a job she loves and a happy home. After Bassel, a cop, rescues her when she’s lost one night, she starts sneaking out with him. But the danger of Bassel’s life begins to be her danger. Samar must make the hardest choice of her life: between love and safety, between family and the right side of the law.
Beige and Blue is an intense and intriguing story, a mix of suspense, action and romance that kept me turning pages until the end.
Thank you Sara Badawieh for giving me a copy of your book in exchange for an honest review.
http://www.instagram.com/booksandcoff...
Beige and Blue is an intense and intriguing story, a mix of suspense, action and romance that kept me turning pages until the end.
Thank you Sara Badawieh for giving me a copy of your book in exchange for an honest review.
http://www.instagram.com/booksandcoff...
September 11, 2021
I finally finished reading it and I freaking loved this novel and the end is so mind-blowing, I gotta admit I didn't expect to like it at the beginning but once I got to the plot twists which are so unpredictable and you will fall in love with the whole story without even knowing, it's so beautifully written and the writer is so talented you can totally see that, so yeah this novel is one of the best I read this year and I highly recommend it, if you like stories with a love triangle, enemies to lovers, fake dating, bad boy good girl trope this book is for you 💜
March 2, 2025
This is a fast paced romantic thriller that has one of my all time favorite tropes, arranged marriage. Which is when I got interested in the story. The book’s plot is fun, but I didn’t like the main character Samar or her poor choices ..
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