First of all thank you netgalley and Dutton book for this arc. I tried so hard to finish reading this book but had to give up and like 20% but I wasn't able to do so. To me as a Muslim women, the way Islam was being portrayed here was very uncomfortable. And the book pace is so slow, never in the blurb was it mentioned that even after being a Muslim the fmc will be queer or will be someone with an active sex life, these things are literally HARAM. At least mention these detail so that people like me don't go in the book feeling all pumped and getting back bummed out.

Thank you Netgalley for the chance to read this book in exchange for an honest review.

The premise of this novel was unique and thought-provoking. I think it explores very important themes of Western savior-complex, the juxtaposition of womanhood and religion, and international aid corruption. Sara's character was so compelling and the sisterly love that develops between her and Nadia is heartwarming. I also admire how the one prominent Muslim male character was gentle, kind, and insistent about how doing the right thing was true Islam. The plot took a while to pick up, but the last third of the book was fast paced and exciting.

However, to be honest, as a Muslim woman, I do find Islam to be characterized in a way that made me feel uncomfortable. It's unclear if Nadia's disrespect and at times condescension towards it is meant as a genuine message of the book or not. Towards the end, it appears more to be like dramatic irony because of how it contrasts with her conviction that Sara refuses to change her beliefs after her experiences. But non-Muslim readers might dangerously associate this with old stereotypes about "radical Islam." Furthermore, I worry that people who lack a nuanced understanding of the rise of Islamic fundamentalism will enter this book without awareness of the role the West played in its growth. (Of course there are practical flaws with how Muslims implement their faith, but modern theocratic structures didn't emerge from a vacuum.) The language is aggressively British (which I found funny) and millennial (which I found cringey.) I also felt like it could sometimes be unexpectedly sexual at points where it feels like it's distracting from the plot. But I did research the author and she has personal and academic experience with many aspects of the story, which stands for something. Maybe I'm just not the ideal audience for this story.

Stunning! Fundamentally is witty and provocative and I loved every moment. The writing is sharp and full of insightful and often hilarious observations and opinions. I work in a similar industry and was definitely laughing and nodding along at some of the situations Nadia described.

I adored Nadia’s inner monologue and found her to be an extremely compelling protagonist. I was captivated as she contemplates her moral compass and navigates her relationships with Sara, Tom, Sherri, and others. Highly recommend, especially to readers in the mood for a thought-provoking, funny, and surprisingly tender read.

Thank you very much to Dutton and NetGalley for the opportunity to read this exciting debut.