I stayed up late last night to finish this book because I just couldn’t put it down! I’m giving this book 4.5/5 stars because although I loved it, it started out a bit slow for me. Once I got into the story though, I really enjoyed it.

Danyal is such a lovable character, and I liked that Bisma spoke her mind. Their relationship was so cute and awkward, so I loved it! Also, there were some parts that made me laugh a lot, which is always a plus for me.

This story is also very relevant to what’s going on in the world right now. I liked how the author was able to incorporate history that isn’t discussed very often and should be made known. It was also interesting to learn more about Islam even if the characters didn’t exactly practice it completely.

There were a few characters that were hard to deal with because of how harsh they were. I felt that almost everyone in Danyal’s life was cruel to him and didn’t actually care about him as a person.

Overall, this book was definitely worth reading and I would recommend it to everyone because of the relevance of the topics discussed in it.

i loved the concept. i really did. but this just wasn't for me.

maybe i'll read it later once it's officially out.

Wow, wow, wow! There are not enough good things I can say about this book.

YA/new adult love stories sometimes lean so much into the cutesy and cheesy that while enjoyable, are just ok. More Than Just a Pretty Face did not have that problem! The main characters, Danyal and Bisma are incredibly lovable. They have great chemistry and they give good banter. They feel real feelings and deal with real, complex problems. So while this book takes place in a high school setting, it is so much more than your everyday high school drama. I also loved that it was unique to other arranged marriage stories in that it had a modern twist.

I loved the representation of Pakistani culture and Muslim religion and the important conversations about whitewashing history. Based on some reviews, the representation may not have always been accurate? It felt respectful and was written by a Pakistani immigrant but as I am neither Pakistani nor Muslim, and do not know much about the culture, I cannot speak to that aspect.

I could not put it down, and I completely fell in love with Danyal and Bisma. Thank you NetGalley, author, and publisher for the ARC in exchange for an honest review.

I think this book could have been good but it's written very childish. I didn't like any of the characters and the plot was boring.

YA Fiction novel MORE THAN JUST A PRETTY FACE is the best Muslim-authored book of 2020.

At first, this WHEN DIMPLE MET RISHI meets THE CHAI FACTOR romance catches the eye because it is written by the rare male Muslim fiction author. It holds the attention because of its savage (yet accurate) trolling of the Desi community: "uncles-in-training" who are the "sworn Guardians of the Hymen" and can be found at "dawats that still suck despite awesome food."

Characterization is not as strong as the
overall theme of acceptance in the novel: the two inconsistent main characters - 19-year old chef Danyal and his damsel-in-distress romantic interest Bisma- dim the pages while put- together 'mean girl' Kaval shines.
.
MORE THAN JUST A PRETTY FACE dives into an emerging genre within Muslim-authored fiction, it explores the individual trauma from community judgment, rather than the hardships from external Islamophobic factors.

Like Thor's mom tells him in Avengers Endgame, "everyone fails at who they're 'supposed' to be," because each person is more than just a pretty face.

Danyal's determination to pursue dishonored Bisma and his chef passion, despite his father's and community's disapproval, shows that it is vital to stop pressing expectations on others- a lesson that is lost on the Desi community. Beyond its laugh out loud humor and sweet romance, Masood's stark novel contains a depth and lasting impression that has not yet been seen in YA fiction.

Thank you very much for the ARC in exchange for an honest review!

This book deserves the Michelin star of books.

What a beautifully written tale! A tale that the YA shelves definitely needs!

Masood writes a generous spectrum of Muslim characters from the very serious, intense, and devoted to the more relaxed characters (e.g. Sohrab vs. Intezar). Moreover, I like how he portrays and includes this dynamic interpretation of what it means to be Muslim not just in the friend group but within families as well (e.g. Sohrab vs. Kaval).

Personally, I liked Intezar's character because I felt I related to him the most. He didn't fit in with the non-Muslims because he was Muslim, but he didn't fit in with the Muslims either because he wasn't considered Muslim enough, or a good Muslim. I especially liked how Masood expressed this through the simple decision of picking a lunch table. The MSA would have made space, but they would have also judged them. I felt the same way at both my high school and university, and often still do when socializing in a setting where there are others from my faith.

Finally, I normally do not read historical reads, however, Masood embeds history into this story artfully.

There were many relatable, moments in this book for me and I thoroughly enjoyed it. Stay tuned for quotes of these moments on rukhsandbooks.tumblr.com.

Looking forward to Masood's next book.

Highly recommend this to fans of Sandhya Menon.

Thank you Netgalley and Little Brown Books for Young Readers for this ARC.

Danyal...what a character. Charming, self-assured, yet not fitting the mold of what his society or parents want. I think many students could identify with that, and also with the idea that being intelligent doesn't always result in academic success. I enjoyed learning about colonial British history, as well as some facets of Islam, during this read, and felt enlightened by Danyal, as was likely the author's intent.

This is a great and much needed book for right now. It speaks to so many things that are happening in our society like racism and whitewashing of history.
I loved the slow burning romance. I liked how the relationship between Danyal and Bisma developed.

This book is beautifully written and carries so much weight. This book hits on the topics of high school and wanting to make your parents proud without giving up your own dreams.

Thank you to NetGalley and the publisher for this ARC!

Reads like Mike Gayle but for teens. Really enjoyed this one, with a flip from the usual teen romance in that it was from the teen guy’s perspective. Narrator was funny, self-deprecating, and sympathetic.

Rating: 3.75
I started this book thinking it was going to be a run YA romance, boy did it surprise me! It was so much deeper than I expected. Syed Masood really focused on the Indian culture and how arranged marriages are still prevalent today. Not only that but he used the main character's nomination in a school competition to speak of colonialism, how the Indians were treated by the British, and how many of those principles are still alive today. Masood used his book to bring up many points about how 'the mind-set of supremacy based on race and nationality' from decades ago, is still alive today and he does it in a simple uplifting way that doesn't make the reader feel shamed but shows the growth in the main character, Danyal and left me feeling inspired.

Things I liked:
- How Danyal didn't let traditions, shame or familial and societal expectations rule his decisions - he went after the girl he wanted despite his family's desires and fought for what he wanted for his future
- Danyal's connection to cooking, how it calms him
- The introspective of cultural and societal pressures for academic success, future career and marriage.
- Danyal's confidence, not the surface confidence that he begins the story with but how he really grows in his confidence to speak out to others.

Things I didn't like:
- I was annoyed by how much people were making fun of Danyal for being an idiot. Danyal was not book smart and though I see how this was an important piece of the plot, it was hammered in a little too hard.

There were so many parts of this book I loved, from the romance to the religious aspects.

In this swoony, sweet, honest, and hilarious YA romance you are introduced to Danyal Jilani. A high school student who is over high school and ready to be a chef. But when he gets chosen as the history Renaissance Man he asks for Bisma’s help. Bisma and Danyal met under awkward circumstances but as their friendship grows so does Danyal’s attraction.

There is no better time to read this book than right now. It speaks about so many things that are happening in our society right now. It dives in colonialism, racism, and the whitewashing of history. Danyal leaves about how history is written by “winners” and how Winston Churchill was a huge jerk. Don’t get me wrong the romance was perfect and so sweet. The slow burn of this relationship really causes the reader to feel invested.

Without writing my own thesis, this is a YA romance that must be read. It’s beautifully written and cares weight with every word. I never knew much about Indian culture or the Muslim religion. That is until I watched Hasan Minhaj’s comedy special Homecoming King. This book is mildly reminiscent of that, it speaks about high school and wanting to make your parents proud without giving up your own dreams.

I received this arc from Netgalley in exchange for an honest review. But I will be buying it when it’s released in August.

In More than Just a Pretty Face, Danyal Jilani is seen as "just a pretty face," but not much going on elsewhere. His parents are disappointed with his lack of academic ambition, and see his goals of becoming a chef not worthwhile. When he is selected to compete in the Renaissance Man academic competition at his school, he is not confident. But when he begins to seek help from a rishta candidate who was uninterested, he begins to gain confidence in himself and maybe a little more.

I LOVED THIS BOOK. I did not know what I was getting into when I started, but I was definitely ALL IN by the time I finished. I felt so bad for Bisma and I loved Danyal and how he did not allow her past to jade his judgement of her. Her little sister is also amazing. The growth between Danyal and his father throughout the book was also very sweet and relatable for people who grew up with strict parents and high expectations. As a teacher, I loved seeing Danyal begin his research and become passionate about it as he learned more. Wow. I can't say enough how much I enjoyed this.

Pakistani American Danyal Jilani is in his senior year at high school and is coasting through life on charm and good looks. He has little interest in school and wants to become a chef, much to the displeasure of his parents and his crush, Kaval, who want him to go to college and pursue an appropriate career. But then Danyal’s life is upturned: he meets Bishma as a potential match for an arranged marriage and he is surprisingly selected by his cranky History teacher to be a candidate in his school’s annual Renaissance Man competition giving him a chance to shine academically in front of his parents and Kaval.

But when Danyal, with Bishma’s guidance, starts to research his History teacher’s beloved Winston Churchill, he discovers that there are many skeletons in Churchill’s colonial closet, including his role in the Bengal Famine in which 3 million people starved to death. Should he tell this story or should he follow his parents’ and Kaval’s instructions to toe the line?

Though this is a breezy romantic novel, it does tackle some serious topics, including colonialism, slut shaming and gender equity. All of the major characters are Muslim South Asian Americans and the cultural and religious customs as well as the demands and rewards of that community are central to the novel. As Danyal, guided by Bishma, prepares his essay and presentation for the tournament, he begins to see that only by making himself proud can he hope to inspire that in others.

Thanks to Little, Brown and Netgalley for the digital review copy.

Wow. What an amazing read. I loved the characters and the writing really surprised me.I highly recommend this one.

This book was a much-needed interruption to my daily life of selfish thoughts and meaningless concourses. I feel it's only appropriate to quote Mean Girls when describing this book, "...[This book] punched me in the face...It was awesome."

I'm going to start with the negative since this time, it's all wrapped in positives. I often found myself thinking this book was boring yet intriguing. Even odder, there was never a middle ground. I was never mildly interested; only bored or intrigued. This is what contributes to the less than a five-star review. However, my intrigue outweighed my boredom and I finished the book with a smile.

We experience this book through the eyes of Danyal, a good-looking, confident young man who lacks in the intelligence department. So when he's asked to participate in an academic competition, things get interesting. Danyal has a very distinct and consistent voice throughout the book. We learn that he's confident about his looks and flirting with girls, but insecure in his inability to differentiate helium from hydrogen. He is insanely committed to his goal of becoming a chef but fickle in his exact obedience to his religion.

These are a few of the things that make him the best possible narrator through which to experience this story. There were some heavy topics discussed throughout the book, but when presented through Danyal's playful and teenager-y voice, it lessened the blow. Or maybe made it feel more important and attainable.

Along with Danyal, we get to meet some other characters who have left a smile on my face. First on my list is Mr. Tippett, Danyal's history teacher and Renaissance Man sponsor. He and Danyal have a hate/really hate relationship that is both entertaining and insightful. Mr. Tippett is always pushing Danyal to do more and become a better student to which Danyal always protests. I love Mr. Tippett.

Then we have the chef that runs the restaurant Danyal works at, Chef Brodeur. Similar to Mr. Tippett, she is always pushing Danyal to become a better chef and person, but she does so in a way that is both humorous and scary. She is a woman to be feared in the absolute best way. I think I learned almost as much from her as Danyal and his speech. I love Chef Brodeur.

Lastly, we have Bisma. Without giving too much away, I just have to say that I love the dynamic between Bisma and Danyal. It just works. I love Bisma.

These people all work with Danyal in his attempt to portray what he feels and learns about Winston Churchhill and perception vs. truth. My head nearly fell off with all the wisdom that was bestowed upon me as I read this book that I have to wonder what kind of knowledge Masood spits out on the daily. But seriously, the message this book communicates is enlightening, thought-provoking, and much needed in our world today. There were many times as I read this book that I had to stop and just think about what I read. I don't get enough of that in my contemporary romance novels.

Overall, this was a great book on change, love, and speaking up about what you know to be right. There is the perfect amount of romance mixed with the plea to think and act differently than you did before you read this book. I would recommend this book to anyone who is looking to receive a chastening, and who is willing to put up with some boring bits to get to the good stuff.

1) love this cover
2) I’m not sure how to rate this one! So I’ll give it a 3.5 to not nudge the scales?? but more positive than average?
3) I appreciated some parts so much. Doctors were casually mentioned as black and brown women, casually badass lesbian head chef etc.
4) I’m not sure how this representation will land depending on family and values ?
5) speaking of landing the writing style / content that was young but then coupled with marriage and sex make it a little tricky as I consider what age range I would pass this to.

Thanks to Netgalley and the publisher for an ARC in exchange for an honest review

This book could not have come at a better time. In the midst of the romance storyline in More Than Just a Pretty Face, there was also a smaller storyline that spoke to the injustice the Indian people faced at the hands of William Churchill––someone seen as an important historical figurehead. Lately the news cycle has been focused on nothing but injustice faced by oppressed groups. I loved and appreciated how Danyal focused his big paper and presentation on this injustice––going against what others thought he should do to do what he knew he needed to do. What an important lesson for all of us.

I love that this book was written entirely from the POV of a high school man. Almost of the YA books I read are written from the perspective of a young woman (or split between a man and woman), so I loved the uniqueness of the narration here. As a non-Muslim, white woman reading this book, I found it interesting to learn more about the traditions and beliefs of the faith. I can't speak to how accurate those descriptions were, and I know other reviewers have more opinions on this part of the novel, but it seemed to line up with other books I've read in the past. This was a wonderful #OwnsVoices YA romance read that I would be happy to recommend to individuals interested in not just romance, but also social justice.

Before I end this review, I wanted to share a bit near the end that really stuck with me:

"There's no point in having a voice if you don't use it, and it isn't enough to use your voice to only speak your truth. . . . We've got to use our voices against narratives of inequality whenever they're repeated, even if we benefit from them. If we're silent in the face of injustice, then we're unjust too." (pages 200-201)

Thank you to NetGalley and Hachette for an advance copy of this book.

I received a copy from the publisher through NetGalley in exchange for an honest review.

Danyal Jilani doesn't want to go to college; he wants to be a chef. His parents believe he should marry a nice girl, go to college, and be successful. Danyal's parents set up a rishta, which is the Muslim tradition of starting the process for an arranged marriage. He meets Bisma, who is very different from the girl he is crushing on, Kaval. Danyal also gets thrown into a competition he didn't want to compete in nor does he think he'll do well in. Throughout the novel, Danyal struggles with balancing his family's traditions, needing to make his father proud, and his dream of being a chef.

I really liked More than Just a Pretty Face. It was interesting to see how Muslim traditions differ from Western traditions and to see them explained. As a Christian, I only know what I've learned in school about Islam. I learned more reading a contemporary novel written by an amazing Pakistani author than I would have in school. There is huge character growth throughout the whole novel. It really shines with Danyal and Sohrab (Danyal's best friend). There are two quotes in the novel, one on page 130 and one on page 143, that show the idea of growth in the characters and really stood out to me. Both quotes involve speaking up for your beliefs and not being silent as that won't cause any change in the world.

I would be delighted to read more novels by Syed M. Masood in the future.

This book is a gem! I loved Danyal so much! He was funny and charming. Danyal spent much of the book chasing his perfect girl Kaval. Their friendship was a great part of this book. Bisma is the true star of this story, she's perfectly flawed. She knows she's messed up in the past but is still strong and confident. She helps Danyal with his Renaissance Man project and they become friends. I loved watching all these characters grow. I loved this one!

This was a really cute love story. I loved reading the two characters, both so distinct from each other. Their interactions and them slowly falling each other was so sweet to read. As a desi, it was so heartwarming to read all of the obstacles and insecurities both were trying to tackle. I absolutely adored seeing the beautiful, stupid boy asking the smart girl for help in school work trope only with brown kids and the smart girl isn't an awkward lovestruck girl but a smart and witty woman and the pretty boy is kind and naive at times. As much as I loved reading about two brown kids falling in love, I did not really like brown culture and Islam was used as a plot device or a matter for something the main characters to make a joke out of; the author picked and chose elements of Islam or brown culture to introduce to the reader for convenience. This might not really be a bothersome thing to other people but it definitely irked me a little bit. Regardless, this was a cute book I would recommend to brown kids trying to see more representation in the genre.

-- 4 stars --