Title: Much Ado about Nada
Author: Uzma Jalaluddin
Genre: Romance
Rating: 3.00
Pub Date: June 13, 2023

I received a complimentary eARC from HarperCollins Canada via NetGalley in exchange for an honest review. Opinions expressed in this review are completely my own. #Gifted

T H R E E • W O R D S

Modern • Unexpected • Uneven

📖 S Y N O P S I S

Nada Syed is stuck. On the cusp of thirty, she’s still living at home with her brothers and parents in the Golden Crescent neighbourhood of Toronto, resolutely ignoring her mother’s unsubtle pleas to get married already. While Nada has a good job as an engineer, it’s a far cry from realizing her start-up dreams for her tech baby, Ask Apa, the app that launched with a whimper instead of a bang because of a double-crossing business partner. Nothing in her life has turned out the way it was supposed to, and Nada feels like a failure. Something needs to change, but the past is holding on too tightly to let her move forward.

Nada’s best friend Haleema is determined to pry her from her shell…and what better place than at the giant annual Muslim conference held downtown, where Nada can finally meet Haleema’s fiancé, Zayn. And did Haleema mention Zayn’s brother Baz will be there?

What Haleema doesn’t know is that Nada and Baz have a past—some of it good, some of it bad and all of it secret. At the conference, that past all comes hurtling at Nada, bringing new complications and a moment of reckoning.

💭 T H O U G H T S

I was granted an ARC of Much Ado about Nada, however, it took me nearly a year to pick it up. I don't think the premise of this novel appealed to me as much as some of this author's other books have, yet I still wanted to give it a try. I have never read Persuasion, so the fact this is a loose retelling didn't really impact my experience.

The writing and flow made this an easy second chance romance read set in both the present and past timelines. Uzma Jalaluddin is fantastic at creating fierce female main characters and she stays the course in this one. Nada is faced with balancing cultural and familial expectations with her own personal hopes and dreams.

When it comes to the romance, it is the past timeline that does the majority of the heavy lifting, and in my opinion this is a downfall of the book. Every time I returned to the present timeline, I was withdrawn from their relationship. To the point, that I don't think I would even classify this as a romance per se.

Much Ado about Nada was enjoyable in the moment, but not necessarily a memorable story.
Certainly not my favourite from this author, yet I appreciate her taking classic stories and putting modern and diverse twists on them. I will continue to pick up the stories that she writes and recommend them to anyone looking for romance with depth.

📚 R E A D • I F • Y O U • L I K E
• Persuasion
• the second chance trope

⚠️ CW: bullying, toxic friendship, sexism, misogyny, ableism, mental illness, cursing, hate crime, Islamophobia, pregnancy, injury/injury detail, body shaming, gaslighting, sexual content

🔖 F A V O U R I T E • Q U O T E S

"There's nothing more human than being wrong," she said quietly. "Or being persuaded one way and then regretting your decision. I would argue that learning to live with that regret is the most human thing of all."

An absolute delight of a romance which captures Toronto with fresh verve. I love seeing romances starring Toronto as Toronto. Jalaluddin's hallmarks of wonderfully complex heroines and the heroes that deserve them as well as her attention to painting vibrant communities is wonderfully explored here.

Uzma has done it again! I love love love her novels and the setting of them, as well as the side characters! thank you for the arc!

Cute book. Fun take on the Jane Austen classic Persuasion. This author creates the most interesting and engaging characters

This book is a delightful dive into the theme of second-chance romance. Baz and Nada meet through a mutual friend, but as the story unfolds, we discover that their paths have crossed before in secret. The gradual revelations about the depth of their acquaintance were well-paced and added layers to the plot. As a Muslim who grew up in Toronto myself, I loved seeing that representation. A wonderfully diverse retelling of ‘Persuasion’.

LOVED LOVED LOVED!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
STAYED GLUED TO THIS ONE!!!!!!
Very much enjoyed this read. Was a great flow and was very realistic thru-out.
The characters are nicely characterized. This novel keeps you wanting more out of the story. You want to know about all the characters and what goes on in their heads, in their homes.

I truly enjoyed this book - Nadia's story evolved throughout this book. Nadia ends up at a convention, and via those interactions, we learn so much about her past and why she's avoided this convention for years.

I thought this was a cute short read - I want you to need between some larger, more intense romances.

I have been a fan of Uzma Jalaluddin for sometime. I really loved this retelling of Jane Austen’s Persuasion. It’s a really good book and I highly recommend it!

This is a great second chance romance. Baz and Nada are introduced to each other by their mutual friend. As we slowly learn throughout the book they already secretly know each other. We gradually learn just how well they know each other. I really enjoyed the pacing of the book and the way the plot unfolded. I loved that this story was set in the Muslim community in Toronto. I always like to learn more about other cultures and this one being set in Canada makes it even more interesting to me. The plot is apparently a retelling of Persuasion but I can’t speak to that because I haven’t read it. Overall a great book with interesting characters and one of my favourite tropes with the second chance romance.

Honestly, every single one of Uzma's books are a hit. She has the perfect formula for writing a rom-com with it feeling formulaic. And I love and appreciate that her characters are honest representations of real Muslims in Canada, not ideals or stereotypes. The moment this book landed in my store I made it my staff pick.

I absolutely adored Uzma Jalaluddin's last book - Hana Khan Carries On. I couldn't wait to read her newest novel - Much Ado About Nada - and I loved it just as much.

From the publisher: "A sparkling second-chance romance inspired by Jane Austen’s Persuasion." Perfect!

Nada Seyd is still living with her parents and brothers in the Golden Crescent neighbourhood of Toronto, Canada. Her mother is bemoaning Nada's single status at the ripe old age of 28. Her bestie, Haleema, convinces her to attend a "giant annual Muslim conference downtown, where Nada can finally meet Haleema's fiancé." She reluctantly agrees to go...and what she didn't want to happen....does. She meets up (again) with Baz...

Jalaluddin has created a wonderful lead in Nada. I loved her inner dialogue, her friendships and her family. Now, the book is told in a now and then timeframe. I have to say, I was surprised and a bit disappointed by young Nada. The past chapters end on some cliffhangers, which only had me staying up late to find out what's next. And as the past and present get closer and closer, everything falls into place. Did not see that coming!

The supporting cast is just as endearing. (I had a soft spot for Nada's younger brother) Most of these players have their own struggles, issues, changes and revelations as well. I cared about each and everyone of them. Except for that one guy....you'll know who I mean!

South Asian/Muslim culture plays a large part in Much Ado About Nada. Parental expectations, traditions and moreis woven into the narrative.

And yes, last, but not least - romance and the sometimes rocky road to love are the driving forces behind Much Ado About Nada. Loved every bit of this book. Uzma Jalaluddin is such a talented storyteller. An easy five stars.

While I am familiar with Jane Austen’s Persuasion, I’ve never read it nor have I given it much thought. Even so, Much Ado About Nada drew me in right away and what’s even rarer is that it kept my attention from beginning to end. This was my second Uzma Jalaluddin novel, and as a fan of Ayesha at Last I loved all the cameos and Easter eggs in this book. Although I adore this book, there were also a lot of shocking moments for me. From, the fact that Nada as a child was a full on bully even if it served as a coping mechanism to her problems at home and at school to the actual extent of Nada and Baz’s connection. I went in thinking what they had a short ill-fated romance, but I was completely wrong. The truth was actually more complex and richer than this, and I loved how the chapter alternated between the past and present as seeing the evolution of Nada and Baz’s relationship to their eventual young courtship was so sweet. It also makes the second chance romance all the more swoon-worthy as the reader is able to appreciate the eventual reunion in the present more after seeing how it all started and how they tragically fell apart the first time around. Much Ado About Nada is not only a proudly modern Muslim retelling of Persuasion but it is proudly set in Toronto (Scarborough), and does not shy away from positively representing the South Asian community particularly the women while also criticizing certain aspects of the culture and the consequences of secrets and holding your adult children back in a misguided attempt to shield them from the world.

Having enjoyed the past two novels by this author; ‘Ayesha at Last’ and ‘Hanna Khan carries on’, I was very excited for ‘Much ado about Nada.’

An unmarried, almost thirty muslim girl living at home with her parents, a muslim conference Deen and Duniya’ , a muslim boy band,romantic blast from the past, a wedding, a double crossing business partner, these are some of the elements that make up a muslim re telling of Persuasion.

Nada Syed, like all Austen heroines, has a flawed personality. Baz Haq is the male protagonist and their love/hate relationship is what makes up the crux of the novel.

Similar to Ms Austen, the author depicts the stereotypes, double standards, behavior and etiquettes of the society around her. She cleverly weaves in the perspectives of characters into her narration.

The author had me laughing out loud, cueing in ‘zaynimals’ and raising my eyebrows at others- hijab throwing-(like why?)

Nada evolves throughout the novel, learns to stand up for herself and accept her shortcomings, apologizes for her mistakes and mends her relationship with Baz.

Unfortunately this one just did not vibe with me :(

Narrated in a dual timeline; I found the pacing slow at times and was unable to build a connection with the characters. The ending came across as abrupt and lackluster.

The novel left me wanting more; a faster and cleaner pacing, more character development and a deeper connection with them, a distinct voice for the male protagonist, felt like he was ‘lost’ in the scenes and conversations!

‘Much ado About Nada'; an entertaining one time read!

Much Ado about Nada is a contemporary romance inspired by Jane Austen's Persuasion. And I absolutely loved it!

The book is set in Toronto at a Muslim convention. The narrator is 28 year old Nada (3rd person POV).

The book is told in a past/present timeline, which I absolutely loved. I don't usually find the past to be as interesting. But in this case the past starts when Nada was 11 years old. And moves forward by a few years each time. And the glimpses of the past were very important to the story.

I loved seeing the Muslim culture so prominently featured. And I was fascinated and interested in absorbing all of the information.

A lot of the story focuses on Nada's best friend Haleema who is planning a wedding. And on an app that Nada had created when she was finishing college. Also we meet Baz and find out what he means to her.

This book surprised me in the best possible way. The relationships were complex. I really enjoyed seeing Nada's family. And what was expected for all Muslim adult children. I enjoyed the convention so much. And I especially enjoyed seeing what transpired between Baz and Nada throughout the years.

I found this book to be moving, emotional and educational. I really enjoyed the back and forth in time. I enjoyed her best friend's wedding preparations. And it was so great that the the heroine was not just good. She made mistakes. This book is about family, secrets, friendships and betrayals. This book was so good! I definitely recommend it highly!

Jalaluddin is a Toronto author, writer and high school teacher. Her novels feature Muslim characters and have been optioned for tv and film ("Ayesha at Last", "Han Khan Carries On"). This new release is a rom-com and is loosely based on the Jane Austen's "Persuasion". 29 year old Nada feels like a failure. She still lives at home and although she is an engineer, she does not love her job and the App she developed and released was a failure as someone she had gone to for help with stole her idea and launched first. Now she is being dragged to a huge Muslim conference by one of her best friends. There she will meet the friend's fiancée and his brother Baz...with whom she has a secret past. This is a delightful (albeit non-spicy) rom-com with some surprising depth and a wonderful recommendation for fans of the genre

Fans of Jane Austen retellings will not want to miss this latest from Canadian Muslim author Uzma Jalaluddin!!

I was already a huge fan but her newest book definitely slid into my favorites with its second chance, Persuasion vibes and the great UofT campus references. As an alum, I loved all the flashback scenes set around the university and especially enjoyed the rich Desi South Asian- Canadian culture - something Uzma does like no other!

Highly recommended, especially for fans of books like Jana goes wild by Farah Heron and EXCELLENT on audio narrated by Farah Kidwai. This was my first time listening to the narrator and she truly brought the story to life. I had a physical ARC copy that I struggled to pick up and read and I'm so glad I waited for the audiobook!

Many thanks to NetGalley, Berkley and @prhaudio for early digital and audio copies in exchange for my GLOWING review!! Seriously, if you haven't read something by Uzma yet you are very much missing out!!!!

I have been a fan of Uzma Jalaluddin's since reading and loving her book, Hana Khan Carries On. Now she is back with a new RomCom that is a loose retelling of Jane Austen's classic, Persuasion that has a modern Muslim twist.

Nada Syed's personal and professional lives haven't turned out the way she expected. At the strong urging of her best friend Haleema, Nada attends a Muslim convention in Toronto to meet her BFF's fiancé and is confronted with a blast from her own past - Baz. Baz and Nada have a long history together and readers will feel the tension between them, but not immediately know the reasons, for their unease around each other.

The story is told using flashbacks to Baz and Nada's youth with notable Toronto locations, giving readers a chance to get to know where this couple's problems began while realizing neither of them is blame free. But what stood out for me the most was the page time given to secondary characters and minor storylines which were well-explored and provided compelling aspects to the story that showcase issues with expectations, relationships, culture clashes and betrayal.

I've never read Persuasion, but I enjoyed this slow-burn story featuring a strong Muslim voice and a sweet romance about long-lost love, second chance romance and knowing what you want out of life. There is a fantastic and unexpected twist that I loved which will give readers a different perspective on things. And that's all I'm saying about that!

This is a relatable, modern romance with a wonderful complexity that gives readers a peek into Muslim culture. Jalaluddin skillfully juggles multiple storylines and characters and their many conflicts into a smoothly told story about the complexity of relationships - romantic and familial, expectations, disappointments and a hefty dose of romantic angst and betrayal for good measure.


Disclaimer: My sincere thanks to HarperAvenue - HarperCollins Canada for the advanced copy that was provided in exchange for my honest review.

Much Ado About Nada by Uzma Jalaluddin

A contemporary ode to Jane Austen's Persuasion set in Toronto.
Nada is dragged to Deen&Dunya the big Muslim convention. Her friend Haleema insists that she needs to come, if only to finally meet her fiancé Zayn (whose family runs the convention). Haleema also wants Nada to meet Zayn's brother Baz, because at almost 30, it really is time for Nada to start thinking about marriage. For six years Nada had tried (and succeeded, until now) to avoid Baz, the tall, dark and handsome man, whom she bullied at Sunday school when she was eleven. When she sees him, the memories of their secret past threaten to drown Nada.
Throughout the book, as the author dives between the present and past events, Nada explores her feelings and growth. She tries to right the wrongs of the past and make peace with their consequences. Through the eyes of Nada, Uzma Jalaluddin wonderfully presents the family life, culture and traditions of Indian-Canadian Muslims. The captivating writing brings moments of friendship, laughter, some tears, and unexpected plot twists. I liked the book, and look forward to reading more by the author.

Thank you NetGalley and HarperCollins Canada for sending this ebook for review. All opinions are my own. #MuchAdoAboutNada #BooksOfHCC #NetGalley #ARCBooks #CanLitRomance #Romance #Muslim #RomanceBooks #ContemporaryRomance #Persuasion #Books #BookReview

I really enjoyed this book!
Nada is a relatable character, and though she faces cultural pressure to find a match and marry, those cultural pressures are relatable to many societal norms that people feel in their late 20's and early 30's.
The way that she chose to navigate her life and fight against those norms made for such a good story.
Nada is a strong, independent (as much as her parents allow her to be), determined woman. She grows a lot as a person through this book, and her relationship with Baz.
I am absolutely obsessed with them as a couple, even though their relationship wasn't perfect, I think that it highlights a lot of trouble people face, and the fact that they were both able to grow into their own people and find themselves as individuals, watching them follow that path back to each other was beautiful.

Talk about finishing a book in less than 24 hours! That was me with Much Ado About Nada by Uzma Jalaluddin because it had me from the very first page. If you like books that flip between past and present that you can actually follow, then you will devour this read from start to finish.

Meet Nada. She is in her late twenties and works as an engineer in Toronto. She has been living in heartbreak for six years. Needless to say, she feels stuck. She then runs into her ex because her best friend is marrying his brother, and they are all attending the giant annual Muslim conference downtown. Will Nada and her ex be able to keep their secret, or will complications arise that lead to a moment of reckoning?

Jalaluddin's retelling of Jane Austen’s Persuasion is fresh, complex, and relatable. I love the way she borrows elements of the classic and gives them a Muslim twist. I know it has been said before, but as a reader, it was a lot of fun to draw parallels between Persuasion and Much Ado About Nada. I also love that the story took place in Toronto. If you are unfamiliar, I love stories set in places I can recall with vivid detail. There is something comforting about it, and this novel will keep you company on a day at the beach.

Thank you to Netgalley, HarperCollins Canada, and HarperAvenue for an eARC in exchange for my honest review!