Misfit in Love

Saints and Misfits #2

by S.K. Ali

In this fun and fresh sequel to Saints and Misfits, Janna hopes her brother’s wedding will be the perfect start to her own summer of love, but attractive new arrivals have her more confused than ever.

Janna Yusuf is so excited for the weekend: her brother Muhammad’s getting married, and she’s reuniting with her mom, whom she’s missed the whole summer.

And Nuah’s arriving for the weekend too.

Sweet, constant Nuah.

The last time she saw him, Janna wasn’t ready to reciprocate his feelings for her. But things are different now. She’s finished high school, ready for college…and ready for Nuah.

It’s time for Janna’s (carefully planned) summer of love to begin—starting right at the wedding.

But it wouldn’t be a wedding if everything went according to plan. Muhammad’s party choices aren’t in line with his fiancée’s taste at all, Janna’s dad is acting strange, and her mom is spending more time with an old friend (and maybe love interest?) than Janna.

And Nuah’s treating her differently.

Just when things couldn’t get more complicated, two newcomers—the dreamy Haytham and brooding Layth—have Janna more confused than ever about what her misfit heart really wants.

Janna’s summer of love is turning out to be super crowded and painfully unpredictable.

Genres: Romance, Young Adult, Contemporary, Fiction, Audiobook, Realistic Fiction, Muslims

320 pages, Hardcover

First published May 25, 2021

About the author

S. K. Ali writes the characters she never saw growing up into the stories she never saw growing up. Find her on instagram at https://www.instagram.com/skalibooks/ , on twitter at https://twitter.com/SajidahWrites , on TikTok at https://www.tiktok.com/@skalibooks , and on her website at https://skalibooks.com/.

Reviews

[Nilufer Ozmekik · Rating 4 out of 5]

I’m so happy to return back to Saints&Misfits universe. I already engaged with those lovely characters and I am so curious to read Janna’s own story.

After seeing the cover and reading blurb tells me she finds herself in love square : I screamed yes! I was intrigued more and went blind. But to be honest without reading more about his rivalries, I was a little biased to be at team Nuah before starting to read it because at the first book I felt like a JaNu couple story will be about to come as sequel!

I don’t want to give spoilers but I can only say: I was extremely wrong and to be honest the team I supported was the winner! (At least this was a huge relieving. )

But I have to admit this book is not only about love square centered in heroine’s brother’s wedding. There are so many characters we’ve been already introduced at the first book like Adam and Zeyneb making cameos and it’s so refreshing to see how their stories blended with the other characters’ including Janna’s parents who struggle with deep marriage issues.

It’s too hard to digest the changes for Janna suddenly occur inside her close circle : estrangement of her parents , marriage of her brother Muhammad and her long time admirer Nuah acts weird around her. After she decides to give a chance to take a step into a relationship with him but now he seems like the reluctant one!

And when two newcomers involve into love game: sweet Haytham and annoying Layth: she finds herself more confused than before.

It’s a heartfelt, emotional, lovely , soft, quick read also contains sensitive issues like self discovery, racism, divorce.

I loved the first book of the series and I mostly recommend you to read that one to enjoy more this sequel! It truly warmed my heart as like the first one did.

I’m looking forward to read more books of the series!

Special thanks to Netgalley and Simon&Schuster Children’s Publishing/ Salaam Reads for sharing this impressive digital reviewer copy with me in exchange my honest thoughts.

[Salma19 (And I Darken stan) · Rating 4 out of 5]

#MuslimReviewer☪️
#MuslimAuthor☪️
#NetGalley✨

🎉HAPPY RELEASE DAY TO THIS CUTIE! 🎉

✨First of all, it is with great satisfaction that I can review today S.K. Ali's highly-anticipated third novel "Misfit in Love", the sequel companion to her 2017 debut "Saints and Misfits", coming out May 25th in 2021. To express my gratefulness, I first have to sincerely thank Netgalley and Salaam Reads for providing me with the ARC of one of my most anticipated releases of this year. This does not influence my opinion on the text in any shape or form. Again, many thanks to them. Also, as a Canadian Muslim of Arab heritage, my review is written in an own voices perspective. All comments on the representation is based on my own experience as a member from this minority demographic. ✨

S.K. Ali' s writing still strikes me emotionally with the entwinements of family life, conflicts, hobbies, pain, faith while celebrating the different kinds of love a person experiences. "Saints and Misfits" follows Janna's adventures two years after the ending of the first book. Now a 17-year-old young woman, our hijabi heroine is about to attend college and enjoys her last few summer weeks to celebrate her older brother's "big fat Muslim wedding", as she likes to describe. However, this wedding organization also means her reunion with her long-time crush Nuah, a guy who has a precious place in her heart after being for her in the hardest moments...

Although the summary may seem too romance-driven, there is a lot about stepfamily and learning how to let people leave your heart and moving on to let others enter in, which I immensely appreciate. Not all people are meant forever, but it does not necessarily make them villains. Especially, at that age, when many leave for college, work and other opportunities, not everyone will stay around you or in touch. The most important is to stay open to meet new people and keeping good memories, even those who you cut ties with. It think that would help many young adults who will be reading this book.

In my opinion, S.K. Ali is hands-down the best author portraying Muslims in her books. She carefully incorporates the most important parts of being Muslim such as prayers, duas, Qu'ran verses. It feels like home to read such relevant parts in my life in fiction. Also, she normalizes parent-teen communication on topics such as remarriage, anti-racism, romantic love and crushes. I used to only see on TV and books the harmful stereotype vilifying Muslim parents, showing medias' intention to smear a marginalized community with ignorance & poor research. I am glad the wheel has turned with this book.

Concerning the writing style, it is fluid and quick to read. Perfect to cure a slump. S.K. Ali words may be simple, but the messages she expresses through them are not any less meaningful. However, I find Janna's character way too angsty at times, especially when it comes to boys. As the cover suggests, they are 3 love-interests. I know it may be strange to say, but the whole situation does not read like a love square. As a hater of love geometry, I have to admit that it was relieving! It rather reads like Janna casually converse with them at separate moments in the books, which is normal. To not give away any spoiler, it would be better to read this book expecting a contemporary suggesting romance rather than only Romance. Also, at the middle of the book, I found Janna too desperate about guys and romantic love. However, I am glad she realizes that at some point and gets over the Love Fever to enjoy time with relatives and growing as a young person first. I think "Love From A to Z" stays my ultimate favourite because I prefer Zayneb’s loudness and directness, which I relate to more.

To wrap up, I know this is technically book #2 in this series, but I still think you can read "Misfit in Love" as a standalone (if you are more sold in the "Muslim wedding" premise). However, I think the experience may be more enriching if you have read " Saints and Misfits" first because many characters from this book make an appearance in this one. Also, you will understand more some relationships Janna has with certain characters and witnessing their development. Plus, if you are a fan of S.K. Ali's somophore novel "Love from A to Z", you may find yourself wanting to pick this one up; Adam and Zayned make a cute cameo. S.K. Ali wins my love for her books a third time with this book and I cannot wait for what she has in store in the future. Before finishing off my review, "Misfit in Love" comes out in May 25th, 2021, a week and a half after Aid El-Adha, the perfect time to gift this duology to many Muslims. ;-)

[Fizah(Books tales by me) · Rating 4 out of 5]

Thanks to Hear Our Voices Book Tours and Netgalley for this e-ARC in exchange for an honest review.

It is one of my most anticipated read of 2021. I was beyond excited when I got this e-ARC. I totally love S.K Ali’s writing and the Muslim rep is always so on the point.

Muhammad’s and Sarah’s wedding is around the corner and everyone is busy in preparation. It’s been a couple of years since Saints and Misfits. Janna is mentally ready to be with Noah who is away for study and will come to the wedding. It is a fast-paced book that takes place in a week.

At the start, I thought it is going to be a love triangle and I wasn’t happy with this idea. Fortunately, I was wrong and it turned out way more than I thought. This book is a FAT-MUSLIM-WEDDING family drama with a few serious topics. I loved and enjoyed everything about it. It is the first time I read a book that focused on a Muslim wedding.

S.K Ali talks about racisms within a community and religion. I really liked her approach of talking about such things without making it over the top. Most of the new characters were so interesting and old characters developed really well with time. Haytham and Layth were so opposite but fun to read. Janna is mature than before and her character development was interesting. I love Muhammad and Janna’s bonding. I really liked the ending. This book was everything I was expecting it to be and more.

[aforestofbooks · Rating 5 out of 5]

How to write a non-spoilery review...

I just want to cry happy tears.

This book was a perfect mix of every emotion. We have the drama, the romance, lots of confused feelings, and some serious moments too. I really liked how this book touches on some of the issues that are prevalent in Muslim communities. They’re ones I’ve experienced first hand or witnessed myself and seeing it addressed in this way was very well done.

Janna’s character growth in this book exceeded all of my expectations. We get to see her still healing after the events in Saints and Misfits, and it really goes to show how trauma can’t be just brushed away with some therapy. It comes back to Janna at times and it’s really difficult for her to understand what she’s feeling and why.

There’s just so much that happens in this book and it’s all so good.

Mohammad though lol...brothers can be so annoying but he’s so sweet and protective and caring I just can’t.

And Sarah ahhhhh. I wasn’t a huge fan of her during my first read of Saints and Misfits (because she reminded me of someone), but on my second reread and then reading this book, I just felt so happy. She has such a pure heart and tries so hard to make everyone happy and seeing Janna love her so much makes me want to cry while writing this review.

Also, the Zayneb and Adam cameo 😭😭😭

I just almost cried a lot while reading this book.

I won’t say much about the guys that show up to the wedding and lead Janna on a very confusing and messy and sometimes sad journey of discovery. I did love how things ended. A lot. And if anyone of you know me well enough, you know that’s high praise.

Weddings have always been a difficult thing for me since I’ve never enjoyed them, but despite the messy aspects and the drama (that is just so typical and expected), the ending was perfect in every way. Seeing family and friends gather from different backgrounds, with different histories, it was very wholesome and feel-good and made me almost cry again.

I think the best way to sum this book is: Sakina almost cried multiple times, so you’ll enjoy this too.

5/5 stars

[Fadwa]

CW: racism, anti-Blackness (challenged), talk of trauma and sexual assault.

I...am pleasantly surprised by how much I loved this. Not because Sajidah's stories have ever failed me, but because of my bad streak with YA contemporary.

The premise was a bit misleading but the story I found was better than what I expected and exactly what I hoped for. I loved that the first book explored Jannah's trauma, but this showed her healing journey and her opening her world up to more people. That is such an important thing to show. And her character's journey felt so real, her growth slow, hitting some (frustrating) bumps but ultimately rewarding and heartwarming to see.

I also appreciated the call in for racism and particularly anti-Blackness in the Muslim community. All around a good book that I picked up hesitantly and on a whim but 100% do not regret.

[Jamilah Thompkins-Bigelow · Rating 5 out of 5]

For me, an anti-racist, observant Muslim who loves great character development and the occasional romcom***, this story about a weekend leading up to a wedding, appealed to me on a number of levels. I'll try to capture all of this without adding spoilers… here goes!

So, let's begin with the characters because in true S.K. Ali fashion, they are deep and real and lovable. With so many coming together for the wedding that culminates at the end of this book, there is a rather large cast of characters in addition to main character, Janna and I found myself caring about and rooting for most of them. It was also nice to see the return of characters from Saints and Misfits and to get to know them in different ways–especially Janna's mom and Sarah. Janna's love interests–there are three–manage to be swoon-worthy but flawed while also dealing with their own real struggles. The unapologetic Muslimness, as in other S.K. Ali books, also shines through in many of the characters. Janna as the mc grows a lot, from dealing with how her assault (from the previous book) still affects her, to learning to love herself rather than finding love from a guy, to accepting her mother's new relationship, and finally, developing an anti-racist voice to call out intra-Muslim racism.

As stated, this book confronts racism too. While Janna contends with racist family members, Janna ultimately confronts her own desire to be oblivious to and avoid conversations about racism. And these conversations are as meaningful as they are memorable. The one that stands out the most and that I needed to read multiple times because it was just so resonant is one between Janna and Nuah, a Black Muslim who is also Janna's love interest.

This is an important book that could be the basis of many deep conversations for Muslim spaces and other BIPOC spaces in which multiple forms of racism (absent white people) can occur. Yet and still, it manages to be a warm, funny, and ebullient romcommy story of a weekend wedding. As you can imagine, I experienced a range of emotions while reading. And the characters stayed with me after. It is just such an amazing read!

***Warning though: If you're looking for this story to be a romance in a traditional sense with an ending focused on the girl getting with the boy, you may be disappointed. Although it starts off like a romcom and has that feel throughout, it gradually shifts away from that to a narrative Janna needs to grow.

[ikram · Rating 4 out of 5]

AHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHH. I love Janna even more. 🥺

-------

Pre-release reaction: I know I haven’t finished Love from A to Z, and I haven’t read Saints of Misfit but I’m excited for this one!

[Basma · Rating 4 out of 5]

This was one of my most anticipated releases on the year and I was overjoyed to have been approved for an ARC! The sequel to Saints and Misfits, Misfit in Love picks up two years later, in the midst of wedding preparations for Janna's brother. Everybody knows what a drama fest weddings can turn into, and of course that's exactly what happens here. In addition to last minute wedding changes, Janna is dealing with drama of her own, as she attempts to understand her feelings about the love square (yes, you heard that right) that seems to be closing in.

First things first, let's get this out of the way: the Muslim rep was impeccable. S.K. Ali always does a phenomenal job making me feel represented, and she carried that through this book. Muslim weddings can look a lot different than what most non-Muslims do, but this was handled beautifully and you do not have to be Muslim to understand and enjoy the festivities depicted. I actually DM'd the author at one point because she included one of Kareem Salama's songs that I haven't heard since I was a child and I immediately burst into tears. Books that can do THAT. That's what we need.

There was a lot of character growth in this book. Janna is a flawed main character, she has a lot of faults and can be a little frustrating at times. A stark contrast to S.K. Ali's other MC, Zayneb (who makes an appearance!!!), Janna is relatable in her strengths and shortcomings, and I absolutely love seeing her grow on the page. This Janna is a far cry from the Janna we met in Saints and Misfits, she's become more comfortable in her own skin and is continuing to develop after the events of the first book. In addition to battling her feelings for Nuah, and the introduction of two(!!) other love interests (it was WILD), Janna also undergoes changes in her relationships with her parents. This book brought up the discussion of anti-blackness in the community when speaking to Janna's father, as well as the way different cultural groups can often view each other. I absolutely loved how protective Janna was of her mother, and the development in their relationship.

While I was expecting a romantic contemporary, this book is so much more than that. It's a celebration of love and growth, and learning that life isn't always what we expect, but that doesn't necessarily mean it's bad. I couldn't stop smiling while reading this, and I will definitely doing a reread ASAP.

Some spoiler thoughts: I am SO happy she doesn't actually end up with anyone. The fact that she chooses HERSELF was amazing. Also, Nuah was kind of irritating but that's okay because LAYTH IS RIGHT THERE.

I received an e-arc of this title from the publisher via Netgalley in exchange for an honest review.

[Ilhaam · Rating 4 out of 5]

4.25/5 stars
First of all, this was one of my most anticipated releases of the year and it did not disappoint. actually sk ali has literally never disappointed me, i love her. when i got approved for an arc of this i told myself that i would read one chapter and give it a rest but i ended up reading the whole book in one?? sitting?? like i havent done that in forever. with three very compelling love interests and an adorable mc this was a cute, summery read that made me so happy. plus layth gives so much jess mariano and i was right in the middle of my gilmore girls moment so how could i not love him?
the whole premise of the story, the way sk ali deals with racism in family situations and coming from people who we had never thought it would was perfect. i didnt expect it but it was refreshing to see it dealt with in such a healthy way. all in all this is the perfect summer read, go add it to your tbr right now. honorable mentions to the Adam cameo- i genuinely was ascending just from seeing him and zayneb like that. a 10/10 experience.

[Zainab Bint Younus · Rating 4 out of 5]

The long-awaited sequel to @skalibooks's "Saints and Misfits" is here!!!!!

I was thrilled to be reunited with Janna and her misadventures - which, in this book, are far more lighthearted than the heavy content of book 1. Her brother Muhammad is about to get married, and there's so much to be done! And, of course, Janna is reeeaaallly looking forward to seeing her (halal) crush again: the ever-kind, ever-compassionate Nuah, who had gently supported her through the harrowing aftermath of sexual assault.

But before she realizes it, Nuah isn't the only handsome Muslim dude in her vicinity. Can anyone blame a seventeen year old girl for feeling just a little flustered? No spoilers, but - I am absolutely Team-Muslim-Jesse! (That's a Gilmore Girls reference for the uncultured fyi).

Someone might frown upon this entire plot as being wildly inappropriate and encouraging Muslim girls to engage in less-than-halal antics, but it really isn't like that! The author regularly stresses the importance of Islamic values, but what makes Misfit in Love so great is that it presents quite the accurate perspective of an angsty Muslim teenage girl. (Having once been an angsty teenage girl, I can confirm that everything in this book was relatable. Down to every moment that snobbier readers may consider cringe or dramatic. That's what being a teenager is like, okay?)

My absolute favourite parts were definitely the cameos! We had Adam and Zayneb ("Love from A to Z") and my own personal heroine, Sausan, the Niqabi Ninja... she of epic badass YouTube fame and unparalleled bluntness. (I may or may not feel a personal kinship to Sausan. She's also half South African!!!!)

Absolutely without a doubt, Misfit in Love is a fresh, fun read that playfully pulls you in and has you laughing (and groaning!) as Janna figures out her way to love.

[Finitha Jose · Rating 2 out of 5]

"Misfit in Love" is a companion novel to "Saints and Misfits" one of the most popular works of S. K. Ali. Since many advocated it as a standalone, I went blindly without even checking what happened in the first book. Well, surely you can read it as a standalone, but not knowing Janna's back story clearly puts you at a disadvantage.
It took me half of the pages to warm up to her character. Even with all her grand ideas of studying British lit to deconstruct it, I felt she is just a regular love struck teenager who cannot make any sense of the undercurrents in her own family. In a way, that is true. But what makes her different is the way she comes in terms with the realities around her, determined to be the liberal minded being she always preaches of.
A girl who is hard on herself having the courage to analyse her own actions must surely be applauded. A braver man would have floundered in a similar situation. It does make you look at weddings in a different light. No doubt they are scary with all the family drama getting unravelled, but it could be an occasion for a happy beginning too. And I do love the way the love story proceeded. It is not always I get to be right about the suitor among all the misdirection

[nunu 🍁 · Rating 4 out of 5]

4.5 🙌🏼

[totesintobooks · Rating 2 out of 5]

The reason why I read S.K. Ali’s books is mainly because I truly enjoy her writing despite the predictable plot. It feels like taking a breath of fresh air and you feel like a teenager all over again who, by the way, has a MAJOR crush on Haytham - the ✨perfect✨ guy who writes haikus, sings nasheeds, is good with kids, fun to be around, a great help and who bakes. YES, HE BAKES. Where can we find a perfect man except in fictional characters, right? A lady can always dream.

Imagine interracial wedding and wedding planning madness! This book is all about that. Experiencing racism outside is pretty normal but what if it comes from one of your family members? What would you do to address their prejudice?

2.5⭐️ because of Haytham mostly HAHA. I really like Saints & Misfits because of the email corespondents with Amu but this one focuses more on the different characters in Janna’s life and who they’re paired up with so it was just pretty meh for me (perhaps because I’m very single and I’m done seeing couples everywhere in real life LOL!).

[Desiree · Rating 4 out of 5]

"Let there be all kinds of love. And taking first steps. And changing my world."

It's a big weekend for Janna; not only because it's her brother's nikah but because it's the start of her perfect summer! She is going to get to spend time with her mom, her friends, and Nuah; her longtime crush that she never got to pursue but NOW is the time! It's Janna's summer! Until it's not...
Her mom is spending more time with a longtime friend, Nuah, who has always been there for her, is acting weird, and two new guys are thrown into the mix. Haytham, a gorgeous, caring, singer who is cousin to Janna's new sister-in-law, and Layth, brooding, mysterious, and nephew to the same friend that her mother is spending time with. Throw all that on top of the usual wedding drama and revelations about her father and Janna's perfectly planned summer is flipped upside down.

*Full warning! I have NOT read Saints and Misfits! My opinion will be solely based on this book and this story!*

So my rating for this is actually 4.5 stars (I always feel bad there is no half star ratings on this platform)

This story was so heartwarming and really made me smile by the end. Throughout there are a lot of emotions to be felt as Janna navigates the above mentioned issues, in addition to continuing to cope with things that happened in the first book. It really hit home when she was dealing with her mother possibly finding new love and then her coming to terms with the fact that once we are older our parents do begin to have lives that aren't 100% intertwined with our own and make choices that do not include us. It can be a hard pill to swallow but it comes with growing up.
It touches beautifully on the presence of racial microagressions and other aspects of racism that occur within communities. I have a friend who has been through very similar things when it comes to the race issues and the battle of cultural identity within minority communities. To read of them from a firsthand perspective makes it that much more impactful.
Janna really grows throughout the book. We watch her in the beginning be somewhat bitter and passive aggressive with her anger at some people, but by the end of the book she is calm, collected, and clear about her feelings and how peoples action affect those feelings; even if she is scared she stands her ground and handles situations beautifully!
There was growth by all characters in this story and I can't say enough good about this book! I can't wait to go back and read Saints and Misfits and then reread this again when it comes out! It will be such a great summer read for people and, for those who want to expand their reading into diverse authors, this is definitely a book to put on your TBR.

Thank you to NetGalley and Simon & Schuster Canada for the eARC in exchange for an honest review. These are my own opinions.

[Rameela (Star) · Rating 4 out of 5]

I received this for the publisher in exchange for a review. This does not affect my review which is unbiased and honest.

This picks up a little bit after Saints and Misfits so I would definitely recommend reading the first one before reading this! What I loved about this book is that Janna is a really flawed young woman that is constantly learning and growing. She’s so different from Zayneb from Love From A to Z which is my favorite of Ali’s books but I love that there’s such a distinct difference between these two leading ladies because we get to see different perspectives of Muslim stories.

Getting to see Janna grow up and see her flaws and try to grow up was a big highlight of this book which I truly appreciated it. It’s not often we see a flawed character actually address her flaws.

Of course, this book was not without its drama! Not only does Janna have to deal with some new boys on the block that may or may not be showing some interest in her… she also has finally built up the courage to talk to Nuah about her feelings for him! I loved getting to know these new characters and see each of their stories.

Of course, I think what really stood out to me in this book was Janna’s relationship with her mother and father. I loved that Janna was fiercely protective over her relationship with her mother and wasn’t afraid to call out problems within her father’s mentality. It brought up a lot of interesting discussions about anti blackness in the desi community and family relationships between different cultural groups within the Muslim community.

I loved getting to know the new characters in this book and revisit old characters and see them all interact! The drama was so fun to read while also giving me the appropriate amount of anger and excitement that book drama tends to give! I was pleasantly surprised by the ending especially because it took a turn that I didn’t think it would take. And I’m really glad I got to feel every emotion surrounding a big desi wedding! Would definitely re read and recommend to everyone for some fun drama as well as great openings to important discussions!

I would recommend this to anyone who likes books that start important discussions of anti blackness and antiracism, big family weddings filled with big family drama, and flawed characters that have growth. If you like planning weddings, lake houses with movie nights, ice cream, and flower decorations for weddings this is definitely a book you should check out!

[Emily · Rating 1 out of 5]

I really, really wanted to like this series, but this book did not at all impress me. In reality, it bothered me.
The series does add much-needed Islamic literature to the pool of YA novels, but I didn't feel that the characters were at all good role models.
Janna is about to confess her feelings for one guy she has put off for two years, but then is confused and attracted to not one, but two additional guys? How is that a good example for 13-15 year olds who have no idea how to act in a relationship?
I felt that Janna was whiney and immature. She was petty, as well, and that was the biggest turn-off for me of her character. She also had very strange views on what a relationship was: in chapter seven, she reflects, "Whenever my uncle sees Nuah, his face lights up and he slaps him on the back, and while talking to him, he does that nonstop smiling nod... Whenever I see Amu like that, I get all glowy, because I know Nuah's already mine. So it's like someone is admiring something that belongs to me ."
But they aren't even together yet??

[zaheerah]

I used Saints and Misfits in my final year dissertation. i need this book like yesterday.

[Maryam Siddiqui · Rating 4 out of 5]

omgggg Haytham and Sausannnn SO CUUTE AND HOW HE WAS SO NERVOUS i want a book dedicated to themm AND LAYTH AND JANNA YES

[Pavitra (For The Love of Fictional Worlds) · Rating 4 out of 5]

Disclaimer: An eARC was provided via Colored Pages Book Tours and The Author as part of the Blog Tour. The Thoughts, opinions & feelings expressed in the review are therefore, my own.

Trigger Warnings: Racism, Mentions of Sexual Assault, Loss

Okay, Misfits in Love could technically be considered the sequel to Saints and Misfits and occurs around two years after. But this book can also be read as stand-alone.

Before, I dive into the book; you have to know that I am not really the one for love triangles - in fact, it really does end up affecting my whole experience for the book itself.

Now, the blurb of the book, may mention Love triangles, but I certainly enjoyed the first book and I was curious to know what happens next for our protagonist, Janna.

S. K. Ali builds up to a few very important topics revolving around the family drama of a Big Fat Muslim Wedding - and I actually enjoyed how the author handled the mix of drama, comic and seriousness of issues involved!


Janna, while yes conversing with boys who could have been a love interest, but certainly never portrayed as such, is now finally at a place to move forward with her personal life. I enjoyed Janna, she might have been a little dramatic, but she had the temerity to handle the drama with aplomb!

I loved the representation of Muslims, their culture, their traditions and the family dynamics the way it should be, in the main stream media - and considering the fact that this is #ownvoices book - it is one I would recommend purely for the well done representation.

Misfits in Love is more than just the romantic journey of our protagonist, it is a well worn family drama that will always always be a part of the Asian Culture, that any one part of this culture would truly empathise with 😉



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[On the Same Page · Rating 3 out of 5]

CWs: racism

In this much more lighthearted sequel, Janna has decided to finally tell Nuah that she likes him, too. But things get a bit muddled when two other young men suddenly pop into her life as a result of her brother's wedding. Between her feelings, the wedding, and her mother suddenly blushing at a man, Janna doesn't really know where to focus her attention.

While I enjoyed this book, it didn't impact me the way Saints and Misfits did. Janna is still a great character to follow, but the themes tackled here felt a lot more surface level compared to the first one. The author touches on racism/colourism amongst Muslims, and while Janna gets justifiably upset at this, other than a handful of brief discussions on the subject, we don't really dive very far into it.

Not to say that every book needs to be equally heavy; if you're looking for something more lighthearted, this is a good story to pick up. Most of it is about wedding preparations and Janna slowly exploring her feelings towards Nuah, Haytham and Layth. She's pretty indecisive, which was a bit frustrating to read about since she kept swinging between "I'm going to confess now!" and "nope can't do it I'm too shy". I did appreciate how the author handled the lingering trauma Janna still deals with because of the events of the first book. It's clear that she still has times where she really struggles, and I think it was good to show that it's okay to not be okay for however long it takes.

The pacing was a bit slow, and it took me a while to get into this. The Muslim representation is great, but that's always the case with S.K. Ali. And for fans of Love From A to Z, look for the cameos.

[aashna · Rating 4 out of 5]

super super cute !! i loved this a lot more than book 1 and janna's growth throughout this book was really well written. once again, i love how sk ali tackles social issues through her writing and i loved the cameos as well.

[belle ☆ﾐ (thisbellereadstoo) · Rating 4 out of 5]

janna was going to make use of her brother's wedding to confess to nuah about her feelings but things get complicated when nuah started feel a little off with her, her dad's prejudices coming to light, and her mother might be falling for an old friend of hers.

there's just so much drama, emotions and feelings everywhere. i actually liked how janna took care of certain situations. even though things might be daunting or filled with uncertainty, she bravely stood by her own principles and morals. since janna's close to her mother, she couldn't help but feel like her mother would soon be taken away by a stranger who janna never knew about before this wedding. in between the dramatics and the light-hearted moments, there were serious conversations about racisms and standing up for what people one thinks is right despite the fear of being talked over.

in misfit in love, janna finds her eyes straying towards the handsome haytham, her thoughts towards the brooding layth and her feelings towards the sweet nuah. overall, things are complicated but also not. with haytham, there's this comfortable air between them whenever they hang out and there wasn't much of a romance since we find out haytham's adoration for sausun. if i'm not wrong, they're actually going to get married at the end of the book! eeeeppppp. as for nuah, things aren't as easygoing between them although janna's ready to reciprocate his feelings. i was afraid of a cringe-y moment between the two of them when they talked. i felt so bad for janna because she was looking forward to this moment. however, i kinda liked this turn of events as it showed the unpredictability of emotions and feelings with time. i loved janna's attitude when she found out that he didn't like her anymore. she took her time to get over the sting and bounced back as a stronger person. janna didn't like layth the first time they met. his silent and broody personality just made janna want to stay away. however, we soon find out he's also really sweet and love animals. he's slightly more complicated emotionally because of what had happened in the past but his gentleness and sensitivity towards janna's needs whenever things get awkward or confusing or bad was just cute.

overall, i really enjoyed misfit in love. janna's character development was really great, not just in her romance journey but also pointing out racism even when the other person's a very close person. i loved the vibrancy of a muslim wedding. it's noisy and fun and chaotic at times.

books in the series:
1. saints and misfits: ✰✰✰½
2. misfit in love: ✰✰✰✰

[Diya · Rating 4 out of 5]

s.k ali never misses 💃

[putri · Rating 5 out of 5]

Saints and Misfits leave such an impression on me that it makes me want more of a halal romance story. In this sequel of Saints and Misfits, we follow through the wedding preparation of Muhammad and Sarah.
The book is written in simple sentences packed in a medium-length chapter; I definitely enjoy every single one of them.
Misfit in Love opened my eyes to the fact that there is racism in the Muslim community.
I really like Janna's character, although at first, it irritates me how dense she was. She grows into a better person towards the end. How she recognizes not only other people's flaws but also hers.

P.S: Also A & Z cameo!! Was so excited when they came out!

[Ice Angel · Rating 4 out of 5]

“Let there be all kinds of love.
And taking first steps.
And changing my world.”
It was so cute when Zayneb from love from A to Z appeared and I’m happy that this book is able to draw up reasons why we should prioritize ourselves . Though it just ended abruptly, the characters and the way the plot went was really magical especially with the wedding theme. It’s a cute read and lovely sequel to Saints and Misfits.

[hayaat ♥]

just the thought of a potential sequel makes me tear up

[s. · Rating 4 out of 5]

the character development??? from a naive girl seeing everything in rose colored glasses to a woman finally learning how to cope with loss, new beginnings and changes in her family. but also opening her eyes to other sides of racism, particularly anti-blackness.

i’ll admit i was a bit frustrated with janna at first because she refused to communicate with nuah and assumed they’d both live happily ever after despite them not seeing nor talking to each other (muhammed’s roast talks don’t count sorry!) in forever but i get it… she was hopelessly in love. and eventually got her shit together again which i was extremely proud about!

“i’m done thinking that I need a boy to be whole. to be secure.”

i was extremely happy to meet janna again as well as her (not so) little family. tats, sarah, muhammed, sausun (whose name pronunciation am still wondering about… it does seem to sound like my quite, unique and original name), haytham and layth were all precious characters to me. i’m gonna miss them so much. and of course my blue eyed boy, my darling nuah 🤍 nuah whom i still wish were her endgame


i also appreciated a lot that instead of taking the easy route and make the book about janna’s love life, sk ali decided to dive deeper into the topic of racism, intertwined with culture and religion. showcasing that, those suffering from prejudice are also quite often, the ones exerting it on others.




don’t wanna start yapping so i’m gonna end my review here however! for anyone reading this and thinking of starting this duology or ali’s other series go for it! i’d blindly recommend them both (though janna’s has a very special place in my heart 🤎)

[h i n d · Rating 4 out of 5]

Absolutely loved it. I read this in one sitting and a half which is something I haven't done in sooo long

This was so chaotic in the best way. It's a half Arab half Desi wedding like does it get any more chaotic
The family relationships, the drama ugh so good

Misfit in Love is the sequel to Saints and Misfits

What I liked most about it is that while it deals with racism, divorce, and the aftermath of the assault that Janna is still dealing with, S.K. Ali manages to balance important topics without the book becoming too heavy. She says it like it is, but still gives us the joy we deserve to see in representation.

I loved the large cast, all of the characters were really interesting and omg Zayneb and Adam had a cameo!!

Another thing I really liked is the wedding invitation in the beginning and the to-do lists before each part. Otherwise S.K. Ali is so iconic for starting the book and ending it with the pool/water/burkini scene that she started Misfits in Love with.

Finally, the ending in my opinion couldn't have been more perfect. It leaves you satisfied with Janna's character arc of self discovery. I really hope we get a third book a few years down the line

[Brinley · Rating 4 out of 5]

I liked this one so much more than the first book in the series! The characters were way more developed, the pacing was more consistent, and the plot was more coherent. While I did expect this to be more of a romance based off the title and blurb, I loved the direction this book took.

I think the one thing this series has done so well is the family aspects. The sibling relationship between Muhammad and Janna is done super well, and I loved seeing it become an even larger part of this one. There were so many funny moments between the members of this family, especially when it came to the wedding planning. By the end, I loved every character, and I didn't want to let go of them.

The romance aspect of this had me so confused. In a good way, but still confused. It took me the entire book to decide whether I shipped Janna with Nuah, Haytham, or Layth. By the end, I had made my choice, and i was super happy with the way this ended. I definitely wouldn't complain if we got another book about Janna and her partner though...

After the first book being a minor disappointment, I'm super happy to say that I loved this one! It was cute, funny, and the perfect read for a summer day. I'd definitely recommend it!

I was provided a free copy of Misfit in Love by Turn the Page Tours. This didn't impact my final opinion or review at all.

[Fai · Rating 4 out of 5]

Miss Girl S.K.Ali does it again, with the picturesque ‘Misfits in Love’.
First of all, why was I not informed of this sequel??!? 🤡

Second of all, love the relatable narrative thru Janna, as an introvert, so many of her thoughts and actions just made sense.

Also, A LOVE SQUARE?!???!
( although what I loved more that the love square itself was Janna’s self-reflection built up near the end, & learning that racism + prejudice stems from limiting your heart to love all. Hence, by examining her fathers actions as well as evaluating her own in her frustration + confusion in her mums new love interest, was able to open her heart & take action as opposed to continually avoiding the issue as proposed from the starting duration of the novel.

There were so many things that I loved here:

The moment of self-reflection in Janna when the drama peaked in intensity. It really emphasised on how life is chaotic & utterly out of our control, and through the reliance on a support network of family, friends & upmost God himself, you can guarantee whatever pans out is in your best interest.

Although there was an emphasis on LOVE for the great duration of the book, and ngl as a Nuah+Janna shipper at the start I was def supporting this! But Nuah’s inattentiveness & general blasé in perspective of his and Janna’s romance which had developed from the 1st book was maddeninggggg!! I’m not the most avid rom reader, but when 1 person puts an excessive amount of time + effort into a relationship that the other person is indifferent towards is straight up a pet peeve. So in the end when Janna comes into terms of this & develops a ‘ain’t nobody got time for boys’ mindset it was empowering. Love will happen when it happens & there’s no need or point to force it to occur. In the end when she in a sense, instead learnt to love herself more, the character development reaching that point was impeccable.

Points on Eurocentrism & imposing views of racism inherent in muslim society (alongside Black prejudice, which in all acts as a puzzle piece in the whole big picture). It was integrated into the story really well & then as we got the climax it became more focused on as well. This was initially focused through Layth + Jannas interactions, but later on branched out to include Nuah (acknowledging anti-blackness), her dad (prejudice across cultures, hence discriminating between those of different backgrounds, excluding white-prevailing ones ofc :P) & Haythum (continuing on with addressing prejudice across cultures). For the vast majority of the novel, although Janna is seen as an advocate in abolishing this establishment, but when met with this in her own family, she adapts a more flight response as opposed to fight. Hence why it was pivotal when she later on identifies this & choses to take action against it, primarily by learning more about it with her family.

“The first duty of a revolutionary is to be educated. One cannot lead a revolution through common sense or gut feelings."
Lowkey wanna learn about Che Guevara now.


Sausan is badass as ever + stuck through with her promise of saving her sister.
And why did I love the Layth + Janna interactions so much??? As it developed onwards, they became so cathartic. Their smart banter was just so genuine, and it meant so much for both of them :,)) If there was an endgame lad, I would def be voting for the Zayn Malik lookalike/volunteering animal sanctuary enthusiast/hard on the outside, soft on the inside, Layth. (But I like the current outcome the best 😤)


Overall, it was a fantastic read, books with 1. Character development & 2. An amazing message, will always be close to my heart. And catch me reading about Zayneb & Adam in ‘Love from A-Z’.

P.s. I forgot how emotional releasing it is to write long reviews. I should start journaling, ciao