Accidentally Engaged kicks off with a fantastic "meet cute". Reena Manji, somewhat dutiful daughter, Bread Goddess, mother of Brian the Rye starter, and neighbor to Nadim. It's funny and crammed full of quotable quips, especially Reena's internal monologue. I mean, with a family like hers you need a sense of humor. If this isn't snatched up to be a Netflix or Hallmark movie I'll be surprised. This is going to be a runaway hit.

This was a delightful romance! I am a sucker for the 'fake fiancé' trope and this ticks all the boxes for a fun and flirty fake relationship turned into true love.

Thank you to Netgalley for the ebook in exchange for an honest review!

I absolutely adored this book by an own voices author! I was able to join a book club meeting with her virtually, and she’s a delight!

This book has a fake engagement trope, which oddly enough I’ve read a lot of recently! It also has some steamy chemistry, a look at family dynamics, navigating the loss of a job, and a LOT of food. Especially bread. You’re going to be hungry the whole time. And you’ll want to make your own sourdough starter! Trust me on that!

I like the representation, witty banter, the family relationships/drama that exist long into your adult years, all of the carbs, the writing style, and the romance! Definitely pick this one up when it releases March 2nd!

I need to make sourdough bread now.

Accidentally Engaged is the story of Reena and Nadim. Unexpectedly arranged to be married, both resist family expectations and struggle with trust. Working together through resisting their parents AND by competing in a home cooking reality show contest, their trust in each other grows. I love themes of good communication and personal growth. Mixing this with bread and food and family and romance only makes it better. Stories with strong ties to culture and family always draw me deeper into a story and this one does just that.

After seeing Accidentally Engaged everywhere for months, I was excited to dive into the story of a bread-baking Indian-Canadian woman and her fake engagement to a hot, British-accented, ‘brown Captain America’. I was especially excited the book was set in nearby Toronto, a city I’ve spent countless hours in throughout my life. Accidentally Engaged was funny, touching, romantic, and dealt with a lot of relatable, real-life issues.

I really liked Reena. She wasn’t happy with her life - she hated working in finance but wasn’t sure what else to do; her meddling family drove her crazy; she’d had a string of unsuccessful relationships; and she had struggled with her mental health in the past. The only thing she truly loved was cooking, especially bread making. I really appreciated the fact Reena was in her thirties and was still figuring things out; she felt lost and uncertain and like everyone around her had their life together, which I think a lot of people can relate to. When she began to form a connection with Nadim, she didn’t believe it could really be that easy, so she tried to keep it light and friendly, especially since her parents wanted them to be together, plus she knew he was keeping secrets. I enjoyed these two together so much - their banter was funny, they had great chemistry, and they balanced each other nicely.

I loved the cultural aspect of the book. As a white Canadian who grew up in an area with very little diversity, I love learning about other cultures, and I loved the Canadian ties in this book. I found Nadim’s history so interesting - he was originally from Dar es Salaam, Tanzania, then he was sent to boarding school in England before working in London, and then he was eventually sent by his dad to Toronto to work for Reena’s dad. I loved that the pair shared a passion for and connected over the food they grew up with. I also loved how Nadim, who had lived all over, connected home to the senses - a feeling, a scent, a taste - and he found a home in Reena.

I also really appreciated the complicated family relationships in this book and that nothing was resolved ‘neatly’. Reena’s whole family dynamic was wrapped in secrets, lies, jealousy, and resentments. Throughout the course of the book, the Manjis learned to open up and be more honest with each other - usually when forced rather than voluntarily - and instead of things being magically solved with a hug and a five-minute conversation, they learned to (mostly) accept and love each other. I liked how realistic it felt. It also helped that some of the interactions, especially when confessions were involved, were absolutely hilarious.

I loved the beginning of the book and found it compelling and fun, but the middle - and the main conflict - made me lose a bit of interest in the story. It was all so complicated and dramatic, and there were so many characters - people we never even met, only heard about - and I found it hard to keep track of all of them. The story began to drag for me and I went from loving the book to setting it aside for longer periods of time. Thankfully it picked up again and I ended up appreciating how things were resolved, and I thought the ending was really sweet and romantic.

Overall, I really enjoyed Accidentally Engaged and I know I’ll recommend it often to fellow romance lovers.

3/5 Stars

Reena Manji may not be happy with her career, her love life, or her life's general direction, BUT she is doing things her way. She's had enough of her parents' meddling in her life. So no she will not join the family business, even though she's technically unemployed. And no, she will not fall for the latest "good Muslim" man her parents are attempting to set her up with, no matter how hot he may be. Though initially, annoyed her parents are setting her up again, she isn't necessarily upset about her new neighbor, Nadim, being some serious eye-candy. A girl can flirt, and at least he is nice to look at, but she definitely isn't marrying him. That is, until Reena is laid off once again and the key to her happiness could be right around the corner. The catch is Reena needs Nadim to agree to a fake engagement. Because, if they can be a convincing pair and win a couples contests with a few cooking videos, Reena could finally take the artisan bread-making course she has been dreaming about, which may just set her life in a new direction and finally get her parents off her back.

I'm such a sucker for a fake relationship trope! Of course there is the classic noncommunication that leads to confusion about the relationship status, but there are some twists included that I didn't see coming. Some I found surprising and fun, especially being an avid romance reader, I love when the author can switch things up and make the story feel fresh. Yet, some felt distracting like the on-going feud with Reena's sister Saira and all the family secrets/drama.

However, for me a few things didn't sit right in the story, like the descriptions of Reena and Saira throughout the novel. Reena is described as shorter, curvier (due to her affinity for bread), and darker skinned than her sister Saira, who is then described as being more beautiful for not possessing these characteristics. There is also the casual mention of gentrification toward the end of the book that left a sour taste in my mouth.

Overall, I thought the chemistry between the two main characters was solid, flirty, and fun. The food descriptions in this one left me wishing scratch and sniff books were a real thing and I think all the bread-making bits will definitely be fun for all those that picked it up as a quarantine hobby.

t/w: food, disordered eating, and mental illness

Thanks to Forever (Grand Central Publishing) and Netgalley for this free digital review copy.

“You feel like home.”⁣
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WARNING 🛑 : do not read this book if you are hungry, hangry, or have no snacks in your house, cause I promise you, if you weren’t hangry before you started reading snackless you will be hangry after. ⁣
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Anyways, this book was wonderful. Who doesn’t love a fake engagement trope? Especially a tall sexy man with a British accent who knows how to swoon the pants off the ladies and has excellent swag and banter. ⁣
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Also, I am actually starving now that I’ve read this. I think I can smell the sourdough bread at this point. The talk of all the delicious Indian and African cuisines made me so hungry. ⁣
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Reena is so likable and just real. Normally I don’t love a character that pushes everything under the rug and could’ve dealt with their issue in the beginning, but in this situation her and her sister deal with depression and mental illness and personal insecurities and in their family, feel like they have to hide their true selves to appease their family. ⁣
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Their entire family keeps secrets and avoids conversations, which could lead to anxiety and depression in anyone, and that was portrayed so beautifully. The growth in the Reena, Saira, Nadim and even Reena’s parents was really great to read throughout the story as well; and proved how important it is to truly listen to someone and hear them instead of believing gossip and letting things spiral. I really loved the culture, banter, and growth in this story, there were swoonworthy parts, laugh out loud parts, and tough important discussions. ⁣
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🥖🥖🥖🥖🥖⁣
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Thank you @readforeverpub and @netgalley for an ARC for my honest review.⁣
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#bookstagram #books #romance #romcom #accidentallyengaged

the bread, oh the bread! Cooking details stayed on point and weren’t long winded. Some books have way too many details about the kitchen. But this novel had just the right amount Of hilarious banter. Between family issues, next door neighbor struggles and baking joys the text will keep you laughing for hours. Farah’s writing style - I loved diving into Reena’s world and living her mishaps with her. Who wouldn’t love failing and getting back up again with life?!

Bread and baking
Insta-like
Authentic family and friendship relationships
Muslim representation

I really enjoyed Farah Heron’s book The Chai Factor and I was so excited to read Accidentally Engaged. This book was entertaining, sweet and emotional. I love banter and this one had it! Put this one your TBR - and while you’re waiting for it to be released in March, pick up her other book The Chai Factor!

Why to make me salivate like crazy Heron! I even went and made my own sourdough after reading this beauty.

I was interested in this book because a fake relationship trope is one of my favorites. Also, this is set in Toronto area. I have read very few books set there and I feel like I NEED more books set in Canada.

Reena and Nadim had such amazing chemistry. I loved reading about these characters. Their fetishes, their likes and dislikes, family issues, and most importantly their combined love of food.

I appreciated that big topic were introduced with solid reasoning and dealt with eventually in a conclusive way that didn't feel ingenuine.

This was a closed door romance for the most part. There was some mild language.

Thank you Forever Pub and Netgalley for the advanced copy!

This story was lovely. Reena and Nadim had amazing chemistry from the start and the dialogue between them is truly funny. The lice part had me laughing out loud. It was so random yet sort of romantic. The conversation with Nadim about his fetish was a cute moment too. I love how they accept all their weird quirks and low moments. The romance grew naturally and didn’t seem rushed. I learned so much about bread and all the food sounded so delicious. It was nice to have a story with family issues and it made the story more relatable because a lot of it like joining a food show contest and being the daughter of a real estate mogul is not very relatable to many. The side characters were entertaining and you can see the bond between Reena and her cousins and friends.. Overall, a funny and cute fake dating to lovers romance! Read it for the delicious food too!

This would make an amazing movie since there is so much going on. But, I like less "plot-y" romances and wanted more scenes just between the main couple. I really liked the characters, but I would have liked more character moments and quiet conversations rather than so much plot advancement. But, this is a personal preference.

I did like all the side plots, but there were almost too many to keep track of.

Also, I did not realize this was "book 2" in a series, which does not impact the enjoyment of this one, but I would have liked to know that going in.


Also, fun fact, there is a lice plot and then I had a dream that I had lice which was not fun.

Reading Notes:
- Yes! I love a meet-cute right at the beginning.
- I feel like we’re missing a touch more backstory. A few too many things have been dropped in without explanation. I don’t mind a couple extrapolations but there’s just one too many here.
- Loving. The. Chemistry. This is so cute.
- Omg this book is gonna make me so hungry. Seriously, this is Foodie Fiction with capital Fs.
- This book is addicting.
- Definitely still feel like I’m missing backstory at certain points though. But the author does slip it in eventually. It just seems delayed.
- Also, seriously, I’m so hungry. 😂
- Non-graphic love scenes, for those looking for the sex rating... I’d say it’s PG13.
- I love these two main characters. It just gets better as the book goes on.
- Occasionally the language was a bit stilted or had unnecessary exposition in it (though that may be a personal preference) but overall it’s just so sweet that I don’t care.
- Oh heck. There’re recipes at the end. I need to go ingredients shopping. Immediately.
- Overall, 4 Stars. I loved it. I’m already adding it to my friends and family’s must-read 2021 Romance lists.

Farah Heron crafted a delicious romance that I couldn’t put down.

As the middle child, Reena was used to her parents chastising her for not being married and settled down. Despite all of their nagging, she didn’t expect the tenant next door to be introduced as her potential fiancé. While Reena and Nadim agreed that they wouldn’t get married, they formed a comradery and even fake engagement as Reena competed on a cooking show.

I had a blast reading Accidentally Engaged and absolutely adored the heart that Heron poured into this book. It was easy to fall into Reena’s world and understand her family dynamic and how Reena felt stuck in life. For Reena, Nadim was a breath of fresh air. He was fun, a bit quirky, and was absolutely in love with her food which was a major confidence boost for Reena. I loved their banter how their fake relationship naturally blossomed into a deeper affection. Besides the romance, I appreciated the progression of Reena’s relationship with her sister, Saira. The two always held each other at an arm’s length and it was nice to see them finally come together.

Accidentally Engaged is both parts fun and emotional. Come for the romance, stay for all of the delicious food that Reena cooks (with recipe cards in the back of the book)!

Accidentally Engaged- 3.5⭐

I thought The Dating Plan made me hungry but oh my goodness this book took it to another level. I've seen book reviewers talk about not loving food talk in rom coms but honestly I'm all about it (#givemeallofthefood ) The bread and all of the yummy recipes that Reena & Nadim made sounded amazing - some were even included at the end of the book.

Overall, I really enjoyed this sweet & diverse rom com. While there wasn't much steam in this novel, the chemistry and tension were still strong. The obstacles between the couple were real and not overly drawn out, making the book real and relatable.

Who should read this? If you prefer a rom com lighter on the steam, are a foodie, or just want to have a legitimate excuse to stuff yourself full of bread, this is the book for you!

This book is so wonderful!

Reena is unhappy at her finance job and finds her family to be overly meddling, especially when she learns her father has arranged her engagement with Nadim as part of a business agreement. But when she happens to meet him as her new neighbor, and he’s already smitten with the fresh-baked bread smells always coming from her apartment, she’s unwillingly attracted to him. When she loses her job and runs into Nadim at the local bar, they drunkenly submit a video to a cooking contest and find themselves faking their engagement in order to win prestigious baking course.

This was really fun and sweet, full of wonderful friendship and complicated familial relationships. I loved seeing the development between Reena and Saira, her younger sister, especially and how even a tense sibling bond can change with effort and time. I also loved how central food was and how much love was included in the meals Reena and Nadim made. I appreciated how they wanted to stay true to their roots as East African-Indian Muslims and refused to dilute or colonize their food.

I will admit I almost set this book aside because I was feeling bored and there’s more fatmisia than I’m wholly comfortable with, but I’m glad I stuck it out because the ending especially was super sweet. This has such a sweet romance and I think it played wonderfully with the fake dating trope. Definitely recommend if you’re interested in a romance where friendship and food are central, and family is complicated but still loving in their imperfect ways.

Oh my goodness, the number of times my mouth salivated during this read is embarrassing! This book was so cute and great and all things wonderful. I loved the main characters and how seamlessly they fit together, even though they are not “engaged” really. I loved seeing their relationship progress and the ending of the book!

I love fake dating books and this one was such a cute one. I loved Reema and her love of baking bread and her and Nadim's relationship was so adorable.
The family aspect was good as well and I loved how Reema loved her family but had a hard time pleasing them.
Overall it was a cute romance read.

This novel is fun and there is a lot to really get on board with (food! Check!). But there may be too much going on honestly. I got very overwhelmed reading this book which made it lose the enjoyment.

Accidentally Engaged is the first book by Farah Heron that I've read, but it definitely won't be my last. I enjoyed Heron's writing, the development of the characters and the storyline was delicious and engaging.

Reena Manji has not had much luck in the job or love department. She has a younger sister and an older brother along with her parents and her family is very involved in her life. So much so that Reena tends to keep things to herself to keep her well-meaning family from stepping in. Her love is cooking and baking. She loves making bread and her dream is to take a class at a well known university in Toronto, but the price tag doesn't allow her to pursue that passion.

Nadim moves in across the hall from Reena and immediately finds her alluring. He hits on her when he first meets her before he realizes that she is the woman that he is supposed to enter into an arranged marriage with. As Nadim begins working for Reena's father, he and his neighbor become tentative friends. They spend some time together and end up making a drunken cooking video that may change their lives completely.

When that video leads to them making the finals in a cooking contest, that could deliver that class Reena wants to take, the two have to pretend to be engaged due to the fact it's a couples contest. They begin to make plans and they realize they really do like one another as they work together on this show. Will they end up being the perfect combination when it looked like they would be anything but?

I enjoyed this book for many reasons. The characters were fantastic, I learned about different cuisine and baking and it showed just how intricate families and their interactions can be. I would definitely recommend picking up Accidentally Engaged!

**I voluntarily read an early copy of this title courtesy of NetGalley and the publisher in exchange for an honest review**