Delightful and sweet story with a Bangladeshi Muslim protagonist! I am a "different" Desi but really enjoyed this natok in book form.

Many thanks to NetGalley + Simon and Schuster/Salaam Reads for the e-arc!!

such an adorable and amazing book!!!! i loved LOVED LOVED everything about it, especially rabeardranath the adorable bearded pet dragon. i cannot wait to read more by priyanka taslim!

My Thoughts:

This romance fits all the necessary elements of a "meet-cute." Although this term is usually used in movies or television shows, this is really about an amusing or charming first encounter between characters that eventually leads to romance. I think the concept of meet-cute in books also mashes in the element of reluctant participants to allies/lovers element to add to the meet-cute trope. This novel hits all the right culturally relevant buttons without alienating anyone, including the parents.

The Love Match has all of this as well as, of course, a love triangle (as seen on the cover). What makes this different is that in the hands of Bangladeshi American author Priyanka Taslim, the main character, Zhara balances both her American teenage emotions with her Bengali heart and values. I think these new YA novels coming from culturally diverse American authors like Taslim are opening up great subversive conversations around what it means to grow up and find love in America as a non-white teen. What I really like is that the girl next door idea of the American teen now comes from the diverse communities that truly exist outside of middle America.

From the Publisher:

Zahra Khan is basically Bangladeshi royalty, but being a princess doesn’t pay the bills in Paterson, New Jersey. While Zahra’s plans for financial security this summer involve working long hours at Chai Ho and saving up for college writing courses, Amma is convinced that all Zahra needs is a “good match,” Jane Austen style.

Enter Harun Emon, who’s wealthy, devastatingly handsome, and…aloof. As soon as Zahra meets him, she knows it’s a bad match. It’s nothing like the connection she has with Nayim Aktar, the new dishwasher at the tea shop, who just gets Zahra in a way no one has before. So, when Zahra finds out that Harun is just as uninterested in this match as she is, they decide to slowly sabotage their parents’ plans. And for once in Zahra’s life, she can have her rossomalai and eat it too: “dating” Harun and keeping Amma happy while catching real feelings for Nayim.

But life—and boys—can be more complicated than Zahra realizes. With her feelings all mixed up, Zahra discovers that sometimes being a good Bengali kid can be a royal pain.

Publication details:
Author: Priyanka Taslim
Publisher: Salaam Reads/Simon & Schuster Books for Young Readers (January 3, 2023)

Zahra was working hard from the start of this book. Not just to take care of her family but also to figure herself out and what’s best for her. I loved Harun from the beginning, he was definitely giving off some aloof Darcy vibes and I loved it. While the writing of Nayim made me understand his appeal I was not a big fan of his from the beginning. I loved the cultural aspect with all the aunties and the gossip network they had, they work HARD! I enjoyed this read even if I would have preferred if Nayim wasn’t part of it.

There was a lot going on in this book-- some great, some just fine. I loved the characters and resolution, but it was about 50 pages too long and felt like too many plot elements were unncessary or unbelievable. There was too much dramatic secrecy and dishonesty and not enough communication. That said, I loved Zahra and her friends. I will probably try another book by this author, but for a debut it was a little mixed for me

This book was absolutely phenomenal! I loved seeing Zahra's character development throughout the story and seeing the contrast between the different relationships in her life. It was so great to see South Asian characters, and I appreciated how Taslim was able to bring South Asian themes into the story. Will definitely be re-reading in the future!

This was a really well written YA novel! The main character, Zahra, had a great voice, it was really easy to read from her POV. (This is hard for me to explain, but I love when books have a MC whose voice just really flows, and it's nice to be in their head.) Overall, I would definitely recommend this book!

I received an e-ARC from the publisher.

Fun, Cute and Romantic

This was such a fun read! Wonder why I stopped reading cute romantic novels like this?

Have you ever been to a big fat desi wedding? If you haven’t, let me tell you, trouble always starts at Desi Weddings. Because weddings are the ‘prime hunting ground of matchmaking aunties and uncles’ and like most of us, Zahra was forced to go to this wedding. Yes, you were right, she was set up with a blind date.

Most of us dream of having our own love story, the one with ‘time to date and dream’. Our protagonist surprisingly gets the opportunity to. Zahra is everything we could ask for in a protagonist. Head strong, hardworking and a person who always puts her loved ones first. I was able to relate to her pretty much as the elder daughter of a family, all the sacrifices and effort she had to put to help her family. The way she was saving every bit to start the course she dreamt of and giving a big chunk of that money for her mother when she was in need, that was just so painful. The best part about her is that she loves Mr.Darcy too. (I do too). but, not the repressed type apparently.

Zahra’s mom was the typical desi mom, hunting for suitable grooms not in a bad intention but wishing that her daughter will have better life. I personally was able to relate to this as my parents have been doing this for some time too. “How can we live in peace when we haven’t found you the right match?” is a constant complain that I hear at my house.

Then enters Harun, the suitable man according to Zahra’s mom. But he did seem to tick all the boxes along the way. Loved the way he looked (in my head of course).

What I loved the most about this book was the culture. The Bangladeshi culture was written in vivid description. There was so much colour and glamour in it. It was so loud in my imagination. (Literally). Adding Bengali dialogues in between made it even more authentic. I loved how live it felt.

Loved how beautiful the relationships in this story. Especially the friendship between Dani, Dalia and Mena. It was heart warming. How they stood for each other and understood that they have their own dreams and timelines to conquer. The bond Zahra shared with her grandmother and brother was the most precious. They understood her the most than anyone. (As an elder sister to a brother, it reminded me of my own brother). The bond Mr.Tahir had with his daughter was a beautiful one too. Like any father he was quiet and strict but still would do anything for his children. That hit deep!

I usually don’t enjoy love triangles because I hate the fact that one person has to get hurt at the end. Both Harun and Nayim were so good, I was confused which side I should take! (I realized that I belonged to Team Harun) This love triangle was written well and it ended well too. I didn’t expect that twist though! What a banging proposal that was!

As much as the story represented the Bengalis, the author did a great job representing the South Asians as well. The gossip aunties played their part really well like they always do. They’ll never stop, will they? And the Chai, finally chai gets their spotlight in a romance novel!

Overall, I very much enjoyed this LOVE MATCH! Finished reading it in one sitting!

If you loved ‘Mismatched’ the Netflix Series, you’ll definitely love this!!

The Love Match is a fun, cute, and totally sweet YA romance complete with fake dating, a love triangle, meddling family, and a happily ever for now. The Bangladeshi community in Paterson, NJ is the perfect setting for this adorable story and I loved learning more about the Bangladeshi culture throughout. This story didn't quite live up to my expectations as it felt too long and had one too many conflicts, but it resolved well.

Thank you to Netgalley and the publisher for my complimentary e-arc of this book. All opinions here are my own.

As you all can see, there’s a love triangle….. And if you’ve been following me for anytime at all, you know this kind of scared me a bit lol But I didn’t have to be worried at all. This book was so cute! It did have some flaws, but most of them do.

So I guess we start with that. The love triangle and the romance. I knew the end game from the beginning lol But I could also tell why Zahra thought she liked him. However, the way she was written, it seemed like she was, I don’t know, just really mean. I mean I have no idea of the pressure of my family trying to put me together with someone, but man, I agreed with her momma in that last scene. Like I get what you’re doing, but you don’t have to be so nasty about it. When they finally got it together, it was actually really cute. I liked seeing them finally work it out.

This book also explores socioeconomic status. Zahra’s dad died from stomach cancer. I was immediately drawn to that because my mom is a stomach cancer survivor. It really scared me. The family goes on to fall on financial hardships. It’s explained that it’s because her father had been the one to have the job and to do all the bills etc. I think the book did a good job of showing it versus just telling about it. The main character had to help with some bills, they had to make sacrifices, and everything. I hated it because she was only a teen, but at the same time, it was definitely realistic. In today’s society, these things would really happen.

The plot in this was the thing that was really lacking to me tho. It was kinda boring? I mean I get that it was trying to show the way the parents were putting them together, but it didn’t feel like anything else besides that? I wanted more. And the Bridezilla was just a bitch for no reason. There was no reason for her to act like that. I hated it. Idk, it just seemed like there could have been something else going on.

The narration was the best! I have only listened to one other book by her. I didn’t even realize it. As it turned out, it was an anthology tho. There’s some there that I haven’t read, so I guess I’ll be adding them to the list because it was really good.

The main character being mean and the plot itself being a little iffy is the main reason it took me a little bit to read this. I can usually finish a book in one day if I’m listening to audios, but this one took a minute. I had to keep restarting it or rewinding and relistening to some things. I don’t think my issues will be an issue for everyone else tho, so I really hope y’all go out and get this book! (Real rating 3.5)

The Love Match is the kind of book that will remind you of other rom-coms, but it has a story line that is all its own. Told from the perspective of Zahra Khan, a Bangladeshi American teen who has a lot on her plate, there's a good mix of emotions throughout the story. Zahra is trying to come to grips with the sudden loss of her father, which results in her working a lot more hours than normal to build up college savings when she has to postpone going away to college to be there for her family and help out financially. In the midst of this, she dreams of becoming a writer, though her mother's viewpoint is that writing is just a hobby, and Zahra should marry a wealthy Bangladeshi boy who can support her (and in return, Zahra's family). Zahra struggles when she meets a boy who doesn't check her mother's boxes, and her mother arranges for her to date a boy whom Zahra feels no connection with at first. It should come as no surprise, though, that Zahra feels conflicted about the two boys. While the description of this book compares it to To All the Boys I've Loved Before and Pride and Prejudice, I personally think it stands pretty well on its own. Zahra's feelings are ones that most teens could relate to even if they are not culturally connected to her. Some parts of the book are a little over the top (the events at the festival at the end were a little hard to believe for me), and I struggled a bit as someone who is not part of the Bangladeshi culture to understand some of the vocabulary and cultural references. Despite that, I was able to understand enough of the story to enjoy it.

Published: January 3, 2023
Genre: YA Romance
Trigger warnings: death of a parent, financial hardship
Rating: 5/5 stars – original YA romance

Summary from Amazon
To All the Boys I’ve Loved Before meets Pride and Prejudice in this delightful and heartfelt rom-com about a Bangladeshi American teen whose meddling mother arranges a match to secure their family’s financial security—just as she’s falling in love with someone else.

Zahra Khan is basically Bangladeshi royalty but being a princess doesn’t pay the bills in Paterson, New Jersey. While Zahra’s plans for financial security this summer involve working long hours at Chai Ho and saving up for college writing courses, Amma is convinced that all Zahra needs is a “good match,” Jane Austen style.

Enter Harun Emon, who’s wealthy, devastatingly handsome, and…aloof. As soon as Zahra meets him, she knows it’s a bad match. It’s nothing like the connection she has with Nayim Aktar, the new dishwasher at the tea shop, who just gets Zahra in a way no one has before. So, when Zahra finds out that Harun is just as uninterested in this match as she is, they decide to slowly sabotage their parents’ plans. And for once in Zahra’s life, she can have her rossomalai and eat it too: “dating” Harun and keeping Amma happy while catching real feelings for Nayim.

But life—and boys—can be more complicated than Zahra realizes. With her feelings all mixed up, Zahra discovers that sometimes being a good Bengali kid can be a royal pain.
Review: This realistic YA romance has shades of Pride and Prejudice will appeal to teens and adults. This novel was refreshing because it accurately depicted the life of a single parent and her children struggling with the death of their spouse and father while also continuing to live and celebrate each other’s accomplishments. Zahra is one of the best young adult protagonists I have met in a while – I enjoyed her resilience and humor as she navigates tough times, love and learned about the Bengali/ Bangladeshi culture and community. Zahra Khan must cope with the pressure of family and the old ways of her culture in order to follow her dreams. Zahra must contend with family pressure to be the proper Bengali kid while also longing to follow her heart and her dreams. Just like a good Jane Austen novel, appearances can be deceiving, and Zahra will learn that you cannot always judge someone based on first impressions. I loved this story because it was heartbreakingly accurate when dealing with first love, surviving financial hardship and the complication of staying true to oneself. I also thought this story was a learning experience for me – I do not know much about Bengali culture, and feel that I learned a little bit by reading this book. I recommend this coming of age story to all teens – I especially enjoyed how the characters worked hard to make their dreams come true and supported one another as friends.

I have to be honest. I did not finish reading this book. It just wasn't for me, I really did tried. I read until the half point but I wasn't into it. I got a bit little bored with it. But I will recommend to anyone who loves YA diverse romance with a love triangle trope and meddling parents and aunties.

Oh, this was such a beautiful story, and I am so grateful to have gotten a chance to read it in the culture within the book was very pleasing to read

A swoony and sweet story with twists and turns that will keep young readers hooked on every word. Taslim expertly portrays adolescent trials and cultural responsibilities. Highly recommend!

From my blog post: This was another book that had me at the cover and it gave us a love triangle! I’m usually not one for them but I was sold on this one. Our MC, Zahra, was juggling so much between her family & work so it was refreshing to read her have these moments where she could be a teenager discovering herself as well as what romance is & what she is worthy of. Did I pick a team, I sure did (I don’t know how people can be neutral) and no, I will not tell you who I was rooting for…I was rooting for Zahra and her happiness first & foremost. She also had really great friends who often cracked me up.

4.5/5

This was a great read, I have never read a book about Bangladashi or about its culture. It was wonderful to read a book where I could learn about another culture especially one I don't know that much about. From their food to cultural celebrations it was wonderful to read.

From the plot to the characters this was a wonderfully written book. I love the relationships that Zahara develops with both her friends, family and with her two love interests. It was so refreshing to see such fully formed characters and relationships.

I loved Zahara's growth throughout the book she moves from high school on to college and watching her struggles and how she matures was beautiful to read. I will say both of the love interests were both such strong and fun characters that I didn't know who to root for.

Thank you netgally for gifting me for an advanced copy of this book in return for my honest review.

Overall, I enjoyed this book. Everything in it is just amazing. Although those last few chapters really put on the edge of the seat because we are already almost to the end, then an issue or plot twist happened?!? But all is well because I love how this book ended.

When you start a romance, you're not really expecting too many twists and turns. Generally, you know who ends up together and you can guess at how. But in Priyanka Taslim's THE LOVE MATCH, I was surprised that the ending was not exactly what I'd expected. Taslim had surprises around every bend, and the romance was very cute. At times, the story did seem to drag slightly, but overall, it was thoroughly enjoyable. I'll definitely be checking out more of Taslim's books in the future!

(Thank you to NetGalley and the publisher for providing me with an ARC in exchange for an honest review. Any quotes are taken from an advanced copy and may be subject to change upon final publication.)

The Love Match is just so good🤧 First of all, it meant everything to see a Bengali heroine and to see her fall in love. I loved Zahra, her friends, and her family. There is a love triangle… and I really don’t like that trope but Priyanka Taslim’s writing made this an exception.

Overall, this was a truly relatable and heartwarming book with a dramatic flair not unlike the Bengali soap operas that you would usually see.