Ahhhh, the cutest summery read! I loved just falling into this book, all the soft feels and the spring break vibes.

I really enjoy S.K. Ali's writing style, it feels very real and the character's voices are incredibly authentic and feel like a teenager narrating. Which i love.

And Love From A to Z has a fun style - two teenagers listing a daily set of marvels and oddities. And sometimes those Marvels are family, and friendship, and first love. But the oddities are not so great - including a challenging diagnosis, islamophobia, and tense relationships.

While there are hard moments in this story, the hopeful dreams of two young people shine through. It's sweet and stirring and really beautiful to read.



Thanks to Netgalley for an advanced reader's copy of this book in exchange for my unfiltered opinion.

When Zayneb gets suspended for challenging an Islamophobic teacher, her parents send her to Doha, Qatar to stay with her aunt. She bumps into Adam during her layover at the airport in London. Adam is traveling home to Doha for spring break, and he is dreading having to break some bad news to his father. Turns out, Zayneb's aunt and Adam's father work at the same international school, and the two spend their break together and learn to face their fears.

I loved S.K. Ali's first novel, Saints and Misfits, and her sophomore book is just as wonderful. I enjoyed so much about this book. I really loved the Doha setting, Adam's kindness, and Zayneb's passion. The "Marvels" and "Oddities" journal format made for a really clever telling as well.

I really enjoyed Ali's debut novel, Saints and Misfits, and was really looking to reading her contemporary romance Love from A to Z. Love from A to Z has all of the traits of what I love in a great contemporary romance: enjoyable characters, a coming of age story where the characters find themselves, a great setting, and of course romance. What elevates Love from A to Z for me personally is that it also unabashedly addresses Muslim identity and features two Muslim teens who fall in love. This is a love story which I found myself quite nicely represented.

Zayneb Malik is a high school senior, hijabi though not extremely religious, who has high ambitions of attending the University of Chicago. When she gets suspended over an incident with an Islamophobic teacher, she starts her spring break early, leaving her town in Indiana to visit her aunt in Doha, Qatar. Her trip is an odd combination of relaxation while also giving her the chance to simmer her emotions down as Zayneb is very hot headed.

Also on the way to Doha, via London, is Adam Chen, returning to his dad and sister. He stopped attending his college classes two months earlier after he was diagnosed with multiple sclerosis, the same illness his mother had, and instead he has been making various things. Interestingly, Adam and his remaining family converted to Islam when he was eleven years old or so. As Adam and Zayneb spend time together, their feelings for one another intensify.

I love how the story is told in alternating viewpoints through the characters' journal entries, each divided into sections of Marvels and Oddities (the good and the bad). The journal entries allows the reader to get a closer look at Zayneb and Adam's emotions and thoughts. Ali does a great job in explaining how relationships work in an Islamic context as the two don't indulge in their physical desire, which is not easy. Muslim identity and culture are authentically and unapologetically infused throughout without overexplanation but are still accessible for a wide audience. Cultural appropriation, racism, the effects of war, and the impact of everyday Islamophobia are all explored with nuance. The only thing I wanted more from this book is the exploration of Zayneb's Islamophobic teacher. I also loved the inclusion of family, particularly that of Aunt Nandy who is not Muslim and Adam's kid sister. Love from A to Z is a great, diverse contemporary romance read.

Zayneb Malik, 18, is a Muslim American high school senior living in Indiana. She is part Pakistani, part Guyanese and Trinidadian, wears a hijab and has a teacher, Mr. Fencer, who delights in spinning his lessons to fit his Islamophobia.

Adam Chen, 18, is a Muslim convert from Doha, Qatar, born in Canada, he's part Chinese and part Finish. He's also university student in London. I should say, was a university student. He hasn't been attending classes for months now, instead staying in his dorm and making things, including a display box for his younger sister Hanna's rock collection.

The thing that these two strangers have in common, besides being devout Muslims, is that they both keep a Marvels and Oddities journal for recording the marvels and oddities in their lives.

Now, Zayneb is on her way to Doha for two weeks after being suspended from school for writing a "threatening note" about Mr. Fencer. And Adam is on his way home to Doha to explain to his father why he hasn't been attending classes. Naturally, they run into each other at the London airport and on the plane, but it's Adam who notices the name of Zayneb's journal. Still, all his plans to try to talk to her on the plane are to no avail.

So imagine Adam's surprise when he sees his fourth grade teacher (and his deceased mother's best friend) Ms. Raymond at the airport and discovers that she is Zayneb's Auntie Nandy. It's a small world, and Zayneb and Adam have one more thing in common, they are both keeping secrets - she hasn't told Auntie Nandy why she is in Doha, Adam hasn't told his family about his multiple sclerosis diagnosis, the same disease that his mother died from when he was a boy.

Attracted to each other from that first meeting in the London airport, their relationship is on a rocky road, but it is also a road filled with marvels and oddities.

In Saints and Misfits, S.K. Ali gave readers a look into the life of a young hijab-wearing Muslim woman, whose religion is very important to her, but who finds herself in a difficult position caused by one of the rising stars of her mosque. I had never read a book before Saints and Misfits that was so focused on the different aspects of being Muslim - not just within the family and mosque, but what life is like in the world at large. Needless to say, I learned a lot, and it is a great book to boot.

So I was really looking forward to reading S.K. Ali's second novel, Love from A to Z, and I was not disappointed. Readers get to know the two main characters through written alternating journal entries as they record the marvels and oddities they experience. And once again, Ali has given readers a strong, independently thinking Muslim character in Zayneb, but she's also a nicely flawed character, having some justifiable anger issues towards Islamophobes but needing to find a more productive way to deal with them. And Ali gives us some really disturbing examples of what a Muslim female who wears a hijab like Zayneb faces on a regular basis.

Adam has his own anger issues, but while the fact that he spends his time building things seems productive, it is also a way of not dealing with his illness. Adam is also a kind, gentle, religious man, and wonderful to his little sister. He isn't exposed to the kind of vitriolic attacks that Zayneb faces, only because his being Muslim isn't as obvious. Both Zayneb and Adam have loving, supportive, understanding families, which is a welcome change from the usual angsty families in YA, though Zayneb's mother would like her to be a little more low profile.

I particularly like that Ali takes her characters (and her readers) to Doha, a place where being Muslim isn't unusual but then shows readers that it, too, is not without prejudice. For example, when Zayneb goes swimming in the pool where her aunt lives wearing a burkini, she is forced out when a resident objects.

And once again, Ali has written a YA novel, a real love story, that has sent me to Google a number of times, not the least of which was to find the Museum of Islamic Art in Doha and the manuscript called The Wonders of Creation and the Oddities of Existence that had inspired their journals and which Adam takes Zayneb to see. It's there and if you ever visit Doha, you can see it, too.

Reading Love from A to Z is a true learning experience wrapped up in a eminently readable, richly textured love story and I can't recommend this book highly enough.

This book is recommended for readers age 13+
This book was an EARC received from NetGalley

I loved everything about this book. Zayneb's anger and strong sense of justice resonated with me and had me rooting for her from the beginning. Adam's thoughtful, sensitive, and vulnerable sides won me over quickly as well. The chemistry and serendipity between them was fun to watch, and their hilarious attempts to put a cap on their feelings with the mistaken notion that it was hopeless made for an entertaining and engaging romantic plotline. I also loved the way this story tackled the darker, sadder things in life and the world head-on, unflinchingly, but also with care. It sparked hope in me.

Another hit from Ali, Love from A to Z is more than just a romance—it’s a story about family and friendship and kindred spirits. It’s a story about fighting back and embracing yourself.
It’s a fantastic book and one I’d recommend to contemporary, romance, and contemporary romance readers alike. There were just so many things to love!
I adored Zayneb and her spitfire nature.
Zayneb was my favorite part of this whole book.
She goes through an almost Taming of the Shrew questioning, deciding whether she should hide her fire and instinct to call out bigotry and hatred, but eventually learns to embrace herself and both her flaws and strong points.
Her early spring break in Qatar was no coincidence, and the role Zayneb’s own tendencies plays in the story were really interesting and something I enjoyed seeing! Even till the end, this was something Ali examined and played with and I think Zayneb’s growth was one of the most notable parts of this story.
The entire concept was so cute!
The Marvels and Oddities journal that both Adam and Zayneb keep were such a cool idea, and I love how they influenced the introduction to the story, the chapter headings, and Adam and Zayneb’s own thinking.
It helps toy with the idea of fate and kindred spirits and I really loved reading that in this and seeing how Adam and Zayneb were brought together. It really brought an extra quirky-in-a-good-way element to the story.
It reminded me a little bit of like Jenn Bennett or Morgan Matson or Jennifer E. Smith romances—things with kind of quirky elements that help make things a little more perfect! Definitely found the Marvels and Oddities journal to be such a great touch.
It takes place in Qatar, and I want so much more internationally-set fiction.
This was one of my favorite parts too, because I loooooved seeing more internationally-set, non-Western fiction.
I don’t just mean like a summer vacation hurrah (although Zayneb is on spring break, but Adam lives in Qatar), but like actual characters who live in the country, and the way Ali grew the setting was so great. I loved getting to explore this area through the characters and Ali’s writing, and it really created a rich environment.
It was tangible and honest and I definitely hope more stories like this get published!
What went wrong?
Honestly, it’s nothing I can pinpoint tangibly. I loved Zayneb, I loved the concept. I feel like I could have had more click with the story, but I think this is largely a me-issue and not a book-issue. I wanted to be head-over-heels in love with this, and although I did really really enjoy it, I felt like something was missing.
Part of it might be that I just liked Zayneb so much more than Adam (Adam is cool! He’s just not as cool as my girl Zayneb). Or maybe it was just me. Who knows?
Overall, definitely recommend!
This is still a really great book and one that touches on so many important topics with a well-needed diverse cast of characters.
Love from A to Z might be a little sad at times, but ultimately it’s a hopeful romance that instills a precious sort of joy in the reader. I would definitely recommend you check this out, and if it sounds like something you’d like, pick it up!

LOVE FROM A TO Z would have to be labeled a marvel because it is amazing and wonderful. I could gush for a while, because there is so much to appreciate with this book, but will calm myself down and just present information.

From the title and description, you might note that this is a romance, but this is not just a story of romantic love. It’s a story of family love. We see the love of siblings, parents, children, grandparents, and aunts. We also see the love within chosen families – friends. We see how family and friends try to protect each other and how they sometimes make mistakes. Yes, this story is about love, but not just one kind of love and that’s why it works so well.

While there is love woven through the pages, there are also many injustices. Islamophobia can manifest itself in big acts of violence, but Zayneb also notes that another kind is insidious and involves many tiny acts of prejudice enacted over and over again. Zayneb and her family experience both and she is simply not able to stand by and watch it happen without responding. Zayneb wants to be angry. Ignoring things doesn’t bring change, but getting angry and focusing that anger on actions can actually do something. Her family wants her to reign in that anger to avoid trouble–and she is just not willing to do that.

Adam has a very different conflict going on in his life. Much of it centers around the earlier death of his mother and his multiple sclerosis diagnosis. Coming to terms with his diagnosis and his symptoms isn’t easy and readers see his struggle for independence and his fears for the future. He is more than his diagnosis though. He’s loves creating things and is a great brother and son. He is a Muslim convert and his religion is important to him. Adam’s beliefs are part of who he is and how he make decisions and lives each day which is also true of Zayneb.

I keep seeing the phrase “unapologetically Muslim” used to describe this book and though I’m not Muslim, it seems accurate. Words and phrases related to Islam pop up periodically and the book is written trusting readers to know what these things mean or to look it up if they are confused or curious. Sometimes the non-Muslim characters ask questions or do things that may lead to information about specific Muslim practices, but otherwise, readers are left to enjoy the story free from excessive definitions and explanations.

Recommendation: Get it soon–especially if you enjoy contemporary romances. Adam and Zayneb will steal your heart and make you think. They may also inspire you to note the marvels and oddities in your own life.

I will not be able to review this book because I was unaware that books downloaded to Adobe Digital Editions expire. So I’m giving a star rating based on 5e average on Goodads.

Overall, I gave this book ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️!

Ali writes in dual perspective- Adam and Zayneb-using their journals of Marvels and Oddities. I have written my thoughts about this book using marvels and oddities.

My Marvels

SOMETHING I FOUND AMAZING

The rawness that is Zayneb. Just like Zayneb, I have a strong temper and am easily fired up. I have not read many books that have this kind of character and I connected deeply with Zayneb based on her personality. Although I am not exactly like her and I do not share her fierce determination to bring about social justice (I wish I did! I could. I need to.), I did see myself in the way she felt so strongly and how anger came out of those feelings. Ali described her in such a raw way that helped me find myself and did not paint Zayneb in a poor light.
The friendships in this book are amazing and made me really jealous. I loved how loyal and open everyone was. Again, Ali painted these friendships in such a real light and showed the struggles of being apart from friends and gaining new friends as well as how friends are able to grow and understand each other. The relationships felt real.
The love in this book was beautiful.
My oddities

SOMETHING THAT GAVE ME PAUSE

Islamophobia. I do not have Muslim friends. I do not have much exposure to Islam. I live in an area with strong racial tension and where racist comments are, unfortunately, common in my family. I do not agree with these comments and attitudes and have distanced myself from most of the people making them. However, Zayneb’s anger and experiences have opened my eyes to the impact that these words and actions that I have seen have on others. As I’ve gotten older and more confident, I have started speaking up more about comments that are hurtful and incorrect. I need to do more and this book has made me realize how necessary it is for me to be stronger.
From the acknowledgments: “Onward, readers, into a better world born from empathy, lit by the sparks of truth, courage, and love.”
Recommendation

I would recommend this book for those in grades 7 and up. There are a couple of instances that discuss romance and although it does not give specifics, I believe that a more mature audience would be better.

I do believe this book needs to be read. It needs to be shared and discussed. It is a sweet romance full of love and friendship, but that has so many other important topics embedded into this story.

Thank you

Thank you to the following for sharing this book with mean exchange for an honest review. All opinions are my own.

NetGalley

Simon and Schuster Children’s Publishing

Salaam Reads / Simon & Schuster Books for Young Readers

3.5 stars
Tackling timely issues like racism, Islamophobia, disability, and activism, as well as themes such as romance, family, and growing up, Love from A-Z both follows the cute mood portrayed by its cover, while going beyond the standard YA contemporary romance to dig in deeper.
What is it like to be fighting for justice all the time? What is it like to constantly feel like the world is watching? Zayneb, a high school girl of Muslim faith, can’t help but feel compelled to speak out about the injustices she sees around her. When the plot to expose a racist and Islamophobic teacher becomes exposed, Zayneb is suspended and sent to spend time with her Aunt in Doha. There, among a series of coincidences, she meets Adam, another Muslim boy, who intrigues and challenges her passionate personality, and shares a deep faith. Adam is dealing with his own troubles — grief over losing his mother to her MS, and the pain of keeping his own secret from his grieving family. Together, the two will find a way to navigate growing up and finding their way in the world, and how to change it for the better.
While Saints and Misfits remains my favorite so far (loved the brief update in this book!), I think this book will offer teens a chance to reflect on issues that affect their own lives. So many teens and young adults are passionate activists, and Zayneb’s struggles will be relatable. How do you fight for those around you while not losing yourself to the struggle? Grief is also dealt well with here, and so I’d offer this to teens who are struggling with loss of a family member. It also features a sweet romance that, while it has the obligatory ups and downs, doesn’t engage in a lot of typical tropes.
I look forward to the next S.K. Ali book!

I binge-read this lovely book about Zayneb and Adam, two Muslim teens who have very different backgrounds and tentatively, carefully fall in love. Their voices ring true and also bring up problems of Islamaphobia and cultural differences. It was slow in parts, but otherwise, a solid 4.5 stars.

Gosh, this was a fun and sweet book! I've said it before, but it bears repeating that I am so picky when it comes to contemporary, and even more so when it comes to romance. But this book hit most of the right notes for me. Let us talk about the things I enjoyed!

•Zayneb was strong-willed and smart and funny, but flawed too. In short, she felt like a very genuine character. Adam was at times self-deprecating, but fiercely loyal and loving. He too felt genuine. Both main characters felt well-crafted and thoroughly developed, which in turn made me care a great deal about what happened to them. I was rooting for them both, no matter how the romance turned out.

•Now I need to go to Doha. Like before this book, did I know that I had to plan a trip to Qatar someday? No I did not. Now, I do. It was a phenomenal backdrop for the story, but also it led me down a really great Google rabbit hole in which I discovered that it was absolutely as lovely as my mind had pictured from the book (so extra props to the author for nailing that, too!), and so here we are.

•Both MCs were Muslim! I have to say, I have not encountered this before in a book, which is unfortunate. But now I have, so yay! Honestly, I also have to say that I learned a great deal about Muslim beliefs and customs, too. Just little, endearing things that seem so very special and I am glad to have learned about. There's other representation too, from Adam's illness, to the characters' respective backgrounds.

•Speaking of, the messages against intolerance and hate were outstanding. Zayneb especially encounters so much disdain from both strangers and people she must deal with in everyday life (including, horrifyingly enough, a teacher). And the thing is, it's portrayed very realistically, which will make you even madder, because no one should have to deal with this. No. One. And Zayneb not taking anyone's nonsense? That is the best.

•Yes, before you start to get stabby, I thought the romance was very sweet. The characters work so, so well together. They're both very passionate about the things they care about, but they're unalike enough to work too.

•Family and friendship are both huge. And okay so Adam and his sister's relationship is probably my fave, but I loved that family was a huge focus for both characters. And while this is a romance, the friendships are quite strong! No one is like, abandoning their friends because they found someone who gives them the feels, you know? If anything, the friendships strengthen during the book, which is incredibly refreshing.

The only thing that I had some trouble with was how quickly things progressed between Adam and Zayneb. I mean, it had to, considering the story setup, but yeah. I had to suspend some disbelief there, but it was cute enough that I was able to. (Also, by quickly, I don't mean physically. I just mean... well read the book and you'll see ;) )

Bottom Line: This is such a charming story, while still being a really important story. If you are at all a fan of contemporary romances, this is one you won't want to miss!

I just couldn't get into this book. I found it difficult to relate to the characters and the writing didn't flow well.

4.5/5 Stars

The Top 5 Marvels of Love from A to Z
Zayneb - Heading to Doha after being suspended from high school, Zayneb is a headstrong, hijabi wearing 18 year old trying to quash her unrelenting anger at the world. She's passionate and caring yet seeking a calmer, more peaceful existence.
Adam - Talk about the absolute sweetest! Adam is such a kind and quiet individual, loving all those around him. He converted to Islam at 9 years old after his Mom died from MS and now he's steeped in fear with his diagnosis.
Anger & Illness - S.K. Ali has such an incredible talent for tackling topics with her writing and in this one she delves both into the struggles of illness (the fear, the pain, the uncertainty) and Islamophobia (from microaggressions to blatant hate). There's such an honesty and poignancy in the writing which makes it so compelling.
Fierce Family -  Both Adam and Zayneb have strong family dynamics in their lives and I adored seeing it on display. Adam has such a strong bond with his dad and sister while Zayneb's family is just as loving. Plus the relationship with her aunt is all kinds of amazing. I also enjoyed how Ali dealt with those loved ones lost and how it impacted individuals.
Marvels & Oddities - I absolutely loved the structure of this novel with both characters having their own journal to reflect on life's ups and downs and especially how it connected Zayneb and Adam together. Plus it makes for a pretty romantic setup.

Overall Love from A to Z by S.K. Ali was a beautiful book with characters full of heart that I just could not put down. Zayneb and Adam were such a joy to read about and their two journeys really speak volumes in terms of growth and understanding. Ali has delivered another insightful and powerful story through this low stakes, character driven novel and I could read about Zayneb and Adam forever. Absolutely recommend picking this one up!

I LOVE a book with a strong female protagonist, and this one sure had her! The characters were so complex and there were many layers to the story. I loved that romance wasn't the center point, but it definitely added to the appeal. The setting was fantastic and the writing really sucked me in. I would highly recommend this book to anyone looking for an authentic story written by an own voices author.

Rating 4.5 out of 5
For me, reading S.K. Ali's Author Note and her acknowledgements left just as much of an impact as reading the Adam and Zayneb's story. In her author's note for LOVE FROM A TO Z, S.K. Ali wrote:

"Onward, readers, into a better world born from empathy, lit by the sparks of truth, courage, and love. "

My experience reading LOVE FROM A TO Z exemplifies why reading is a huge part of my life. I turn to books to make sense of the world, to see myself and to see others. I turn to books to seek refuge, to find strength, and to fall in love. I hope readers experience all of these things when they read LOVE FROM A TO Z.

What I loved:

*Adam and Zayneb's differing approaches to writing in their Marvels and Oddities journals and what they consider a marvel and an oddity. We get to understand their personalities through their writing
*The breaking of the fourth way - when the narrator speaks to the reader clarifying Adam and Zayneb's interpretations of situations
*Zayneb and her aunt - I love how her aunt supports her and helps her effectively channel her anger and frustrations
*The dynamics of the friendships between Zayneb and her friends back home and the new friends she makes in Doha
*A flashback to a tender moment between Adam and his mother making french fries and her giving him permission to cry. This is possibly one of my favorite scenes in the book.

Favorite Quotes:
Maybe that’s what living is— recognizing the marvels and oddities around you.

What I loved most is that LOVE TO A TO Z is a love story through and through. Even with all of the hurt and pain and frustration and anger Adam and Zayneb experience (each in their own way), they find a way to be open and vulnerable and try to give what they are feeling for each other a chance.

Absolutely wonderful.

I really enjoyed this book. The characters were so easy to love that it was so hard to put this book down. One thing I really loved was their character development throughout the entire book and how S.K. made it happen. Being a POC, person of color, I always appreciate a story with POCs as the main characters. I also love learning about different cultures, so this book was so interesting because I learned things I didn’t know before. One of my favorite things about this book is that from the cover it looks like it’s going to be a sweet, maybe funny, contemporary. There are a lot of sweet parts, and there are some funny parts, but this story is so much deeper than that. There is so much emotion going on in both these characters together and separate .

Our first POV is Zayneb. She is the youngest of three kids and is known as the angry one. She embraces that. Zayneb isn’t just angry about everything, or at the world, but she is angry for all the right reasons. Because she decides to wear a hijab she is the target of many racist people. Her main problem is her teacher who is most definitely racist towards her and treats her horribly. He has it out for her and it’s very annoying. It seems everywhere she goes she gets the stares and the comments and I love that she doesn’t back down. When she goes and visits her aunt in Doha, she decides to try not to get so angry and to be more peaceful.

Adam is our second POV. He is the total opposite of Zayneb. He is very quiet and very peaceful. Adam is attending college in London, but while there has found out that he has MS. He isn’t sure how to tell his father without making him totally crumble. Adam is also trying to figure out what he wants to do. Like Zayneb, Adam is going to Doha to visit his parents. Adam and Zayneb’s path crosses and they can’t help but notice each other. Especially Adam when he realizes they have the same journal.

I thought this book was so well written and I am so glad that I got approved for this ARC. I read most of this book, but I did end up listening to some of it as well. From what I heard, the audiobook was well done. I loved the voices for Zayneb and Adam. After reading this book I definitely want to read more of S.K’s books!

I loved this book and it is so needed in our world right now! This books tells the story of Zeynub and Adam through journal entries about them meeting and spending a week together. They both are shouldering burdens that are huge. Zeynub is tackling islamophobia in her school and dealing with the repercussions of speaking up. Set against the backdrop of Doha, these two take on the world! My heart broke in places, and soared high when they had victories! This book should be in every high school.

The story within Love From A to Z was as lovely as the cover! I was expecting this book to be super cute and shippy, but I wound up being very surprised by how much it also hit me emotionally. It's truly one of the best books I've read so far this year, and it's definitely added S.K Ali to my radar of authors to look out for.

Love From A to Z tells the story of two teens who don't know each other but share a lot in common. Zayneb and Adam first stumble upon each other on a flight to Qatar and they think they'll never meet each other again. Life and destiny have got different plans for them though as they find themselves in the same friend group in Qatar. I adored both of these characters so much. They both had such vivid personalities. Zayneb, especially, was a force to be reckoned with. This young woman was so angry at the world, rightfully so, for the way she was constantly treated like dirt just because she is Muslim. Her anger was visceral and I found myself being so upset for the ugly circumstances that befell her. The sad thing is that you know that in today's world there are tons of young Muslim teens like Zayneb who have to encounter racists on a daily basis. It's heartbreaking to think that this is the reality for so many. Zayneb's story is an important one and I hope it will open the eyes of some readers by providing some perspective into what it's really like to live in a world where you are viewed as a threat. Though Zayneb's anger was at the forefront of this book, there were so many more shades to her personality. I loved getting to know this headstrong, beautiful, and kind young woman. She was an inspiration.

Adam was equally endearing for me. My heart ached so much for him. He has been recently diagnosed with MS and hasn't told his loved ones about his condition as he worries it will only bring pain to them. They were still grappling with the death of his mother from MS. It was so much for someone so young to endure, but Adam dealt with all the obstacles with his head held high. He was a sweetheart who stole my heart with his gentleness. I have to say I am really loving this trend of soft and cute boys in books. Adam and Zayneb's romance was also very lovely. It gave me the warm fuzzies. The two connect due to their kinship to their religions and saw life through the same lens. They made for a very complementary couple. I liked how the romance was slow to develop, but the attraction was there from the beginning. Their openness with each other and the innocence in their relationship made their bond so enjoyable for me. The secondary cast also really shone in Love From A to Z. I especially adored Zayneb's aunt who she shared a very strong connection with. She was a very cool addition to this amazing book!

I can't recommend Love From A to Z enough! This truly was an exceptional read that not only has a very very sweet romance, but it also tackles some bold and important themes. Make sure to add this to your TBR.

I find YA books very hit or miss for me. In general I don't read a lot of them because I assume I won't like them that much. (One big exception being Maurene Goo, who I love.) At any rate, Love from A to Z sounded great, so I decided to try it despite it being YA, and I'm really glad I did. Zayneb is a high school senior sick and tired of injustice - from the micro (and macro) aggressions she faces at school and in public due to being Muslim and wearing a hijab to larger worldwide injustices like US military drone strikes. Her anger keeps getting her in trouble, though, and she decides it might be easier to keep quiet. Meanwhile Adam has dropped out of college after a scary health diagnosis and is trying to keep it together for his family's sake (and his own). The story - told through journal entries and the intermittent intervention of a wise narrator - details how they meet and begin to face their challenges together. I really liked both Adam and Zayneb, Zayneb especially. She is wonderful, as is her aunt Nandy. I love the way they both refuse to stand down and acquiesce, and I loved her relationship with her friends. Adam's family is supportive and caring as well.

This book reminded me of a young adult Ayesha at Last, so if you liked that one definitely pick this one up as well.