This review is based on an Advanced Reader Copy (ARC) provided by NetGalley and Harlequin Trade Publishing in exchange for an honest review. This review may contain spoilers

This was such a heartwarming and cozy romance, perfectly blended with just the right amount of magical realism to make it a fun and whimsical read! I especially loved how the book celebrated a culture different from my own, featuring diverse characters that brought new perspectives. It was fascinating to explore foods and references I hadn’t encountered before, and I enjoyed doing some research to learn more.

The story touched on a variety of themes including falling in love, self-care, and perseverance. It was truly inspiring and a reminder to always strive for better and never give up. The romance between Ziya and Aashiq was so beautifully written—capturing the giddiness of falling in love, the tension, the sweetness, and the challenges and decisions they faced together.

Beyond the love story, we also got to experience Aashiq’s amusing journey of adapting to the real world, as well as Ziya’s struggles with her career, writing, and navigating the complexities of being a single woman in a Pakistani Muslim family. While the resolution of the story felt a little rushed, which was a bit disappointing, the overall conclusion was still satisfying and wrapped up beautifully.

I’d definitely recommend this book to anyone looking for a heartwarming, uplifting love story with no spice.

Thanks to NetGalley and Harlequin Trade Publishing for this opportunity 

This is a great read for someone who is one the verge of giving up their dreams. Also, sometimes the best inspiration for yourself is yourself. Sometimes being too realistic keeps you from believing that good things can happen for you. I related so much to losing myself to the process/ end result that I have almost given up on things that I love. The romance isn’t the focal point of the book, and it adds to the storyline instead of evolving into the main point of the book. There were too many topical references for my liking but that’s just me. 

Also thank you Harlequin Trade Publishing & NetGalley for the ARC! 

Comforting like an early 2000s rom-com. Everything feels familiar but not overdone. Even the beats you know are coming are still heartwarming or heartbreaking. Alternated between crying and kicking my feet for the last 10%.

Thank you Harlequin Trade Publishing & NetGalley for the ARC! 

The first word that comes to mind for this book is cozy. It’s a sweet romance that follows Ziya who has decided to give up writing for good, but her muse Aashiq comes to life and has plans to inspire her to pick it back up. As the story unfolds, you get to experience New York City (and honestly life in general) through a refreshing point of view and watch Ziya slowly grow outside her bubble. There’s no external issues that are looming or intense plot twists. This is a low stakes romance that feels like what you want to read when you are looking for a breather between really intense books.  

I will say what really held me back on this book was how meta it was. I had that thought pretty early on in the book, but as the book progressed, that thought just grew more and more. It got to the point that I couldn’t even be present with the main storyline because I was feeling too much of the two overlapping. My focus went from just enjoying the story unfolding to feeling like I was almost being told more from what she was writing than what she was experiencing. And it also just made some of the resolution at the end feel a little rushed.  

But I don’t think that everyone will feel this way! If you’re looking for a cozy sweet romance, you might really enjoy this one. 

Also, one of the reasons I requested this book was because it reminded me of Ashley Poston’s magical spin on romance novels, and I feel like this definitely fit that thought! So if you are wanting a low stakes romance novel that feels like a love letter to romance writers, then this might be just the read for you :)

Thank you Harlequin Trade Publishing for this early copy! All opinions are my own :)

ARC REVIEW

This was a delightful and positively unique read. The magical elements provided a fun and fresh concept to the plot. This book was both inspiring and tense, witty and serious, and romantic and light hearted. 

For all those who like their romance with a twist of fantasy, this one’s for you.