WRITING MR. RIGHT – Alina Khawaja
Mira
ISBN: 978-0778368663
June 10, 2025
Contemporary Fantasy

Brooklyn, New York – Present Day

Legal secretary by day, romance writer at night, Ziya Khan feels discouraged after receiving her umpteenth rejection from another agent. In frustration, she destroys her manuscript copies, including smashing the thumb drive. After crying, she falls asleep. The next morning, she awakens to discover a strange (and handsome) man in her kitchen. He informs Ziya that his name is Aashiq, and he is her writing muse. He’s there to get her back on track to writing once again. She is stunned, to say the least, and tries to resist Aashiq, but he follows her around, even to work. It turns out that he can sometimes be seen only by her, but in other situations, he can be seen by everyone. Aashiq is soon a part of her life, while he encourages her to start writing again. Is she dreaming, or is this a nightmare?

WRITING MR. RIGHT is definitely a different kind of tale. It is set in the present day, but with a magic…Genie? Aashiq certainly has magical powers, but even he can’t put a spell on Ziya to force her to write. The question of why he was “sent” is never answered. Is he part of her subconscious? He certainly seems real. How does Ziya get around having Aashiq by her side so much? At work, he is job-shadowing her, though he has issues with the copy machine. He might be magical, but it doesn't give him the power to know everything. She soon realizes how much she relies (or enjoys) having him near her. But the most important thing readers probably want to know is…does it work in that Ziya starts writing again?

If you can get past the silliness of having a magical muse appear before your eyes and be in your life nearly 24/7, then WRITING MR. RIGHT is a nice, easy story to read. I actually found it not only intriguing but interesting. Ziya has always been reserved in social situations. She was either busy in college, working, or writing, because her only true friend is her roommate, who accepts Aashiq at face value, especially since he’s introduced as Ziya’s boyfriend. But with a little push from him, she is soon friends with her coworkers and hanging out with them. In the past, she avoided socializing with them. Aashiq is changing Ziya’s life in more ways than one. She is on an adventure that she never thought she’d be.

The big question hovering over Ziya and Aashiq is what happens when she is finally done needing his help. Will he just disappear, or is there a way he can stay, even though he first appeared as a figment of her imagination? She is now falling for her muse! Readers will have to find out the answer by buying a copy of WRITING MR. RIGHT. Hint: You won’t be sorry.

Patti Fischer
Romance Reviews Today

Writing Mr. Right by Alina Khawaja was such a fun, charming read. I flew through it because I was totally hooked on the chemistry, the banter, and the whole “what happens when fiction starts feeling a little too real” vibe. The main character was super relatable, especially with all the writer struggles and daydreaming about the perfect guy—haven’t we all been there? It had that sweet mix of romance, humor, and a touch of vulnerability that made it feel really personal. If you love books about books, flirty tension, and characters figuring themselves out along the way, this one’s definitely worth checking out.

DNF @10%. I didn't finish this book because of the writing. I just wasn't gelling with Ziya's narrative. I didn't enjoy her narration. I can't really pinpoint it, but she rubbed me the wrong way. She was too negative for my liking. As a result, I had a hard time connecting with her and the story. By the time Aashiq came into the picture, I was checked out. I found Aashiq's opening scene a little awkward to read. I wish I liked the writing more because the premise of this story sounds intriguing. Thank you to NetGalley and MIRA for the ARC.

Book: Writing Mr. Right
Author: Alina Khawaja
Rating: 3 Out of 5 Stars

I would like to thank the publisher, Mira, for sending me an ARC. I did enjoy this one a lot. It was a fun read, but there were moments when I lost interest in the story. It was my thing, not the book’s fault.

By day, Ziya Khan works as a legal secretary; by night, she pours her soul into writing stories filled with the kind of diverse characters she longs to see in books. But after yet another rejection lands in her inbox just before her thirtieth birthday, Ziya is ready to give up. She tosses her manuscript and her dreams into the trash. Then, the impossible happens. Ziya wakes to find Aashiq, her fictional muse, standing in her kitchen in the flesh. His mission? To reignite her passion for storytelling. From spontaneous karaoke sessions to helping her speak up for herself at work, Aashiq encourages Ziya to stop hiding and start living. As Ziya rediscovers her voice as a writer, a deeper connection begins to grow between her and Aashiq. But with every word she writes, Aashiq begins to fade. His purpose is nearly fulfilled, and soon Ziya may face an impossible choice: follow her passion or hold on to the one person who brought it back to life.

Ziya Khan is the heart and soul of Writing Mr. Right, and what a vibrant, fully realised character she is. As an aspiring novelist juggling a day job as a legal secretary, Ziya is witty, relatable, and deeply human in her struggles with rejection, self-doubt, and the pressure to find purpose before hitting that societal milestone of thirty. Watching her transform from someone ready to give up on her creative dreams to someone who fully steps into her own power is both inspiring and moving.
The romance, while charming in places, is admittedly a bit strange. Aashiq, the love interest, isn’t just a guy who understands Ziya. He’s her muse. Literally. He’s born from her imagination, designed by her to be the perfect creative spark. So while their chemistry is undeniable, it’s also a little uncanny. At times, it feels like Ziya is essentially dating an idealised version of herself. The line between love and self-love blurs, and although that’s thematically clever, it occasionally veers into uncomfortable territory.
That said, the real beauty of the story lies in Ziya’s emotional arc. Her journey of self-discovery, artistic renewal, and personal empowerment is at the core of this novel. Khawaja does a fantastic job of portraying the loneliness and vulnerability of creative ambition, especially for women of colour navigating spaces where their stories are often sidelined. It’s a story about reclaiming your voice and trusting it.
Still, there were moments when the narrative drifted into “self-help” territory, with scenes and dialogue that felt more like motivational speeches than organic story development. While these parts may resonate with some readers, they occasionally disrupted the emotional flow of the novel for me.
Overall, Writing Mr. Right is an enchanting blend of magical realism and rom-com tropes, anchored by a strong, endearing protagonist. Ziya’s growth is what makes the book shine, even if her happily ever after comes with some metaphysical questions.

This book comes out on June 10, 2025.

A sweet novel about a writer and the muse she has brought to life. Ziya has been struggling with her writing and with her family (mostly their expectations) so she conjures up Aashiq, a hot muse meant to help her write. Make no mistake-Aashiq might be hot but there's no spice here. He becomes a sort of life coach for her, talking her through not only her writing but also her interactions with others. This is a bit clunky in spots but it's got a good heart. The commentary about romance readers is uninformed but it is entertaining to read a perspective on publishing from one who has clearly been through the ropes. Thanks to the publisher for the ARC. Looking forward to more from Khawaja.

Writing Mr Right feels like an ode to anyone who has ever wanted to be a published author and is struggling with rejection after rejection. I loved how there was this balance of feeling hopeless, while also have a character with so much optimism that you can't seem to give up!

Aashiq is not only a golden retriever at the utmost - he is the voice of hope we all need that is saying "don't give up!"

The book is charming and delightful and all about hope in pursuit of someone's dreams!

I wanted to like this book more because I love the cover and the premise, but it was a miss for me. The magical element just didn't work for me here.

“And what if by falling in love with him, I’m falling in love with myself—maybe it’s some weird form of narcissism?”

This quote sums it up for me.

First and foremost, thank you to the publisher and the author for an advanced copy in exchange for an honest review. I loved this story and it was definitely worth the read!

Ziya is an aspiring author who is working full time as a legal secretary. She is very focused on excelling at work and getting her book published. Her health, relationships, and hobbies all take a backseat. When she gets frustrated and ready to give up, her muse shows up to get her back on track. Aashiq is a fun character that helps Ziya against her will.

For the first half of the book, I felt like it should be a women's fiction book. Yes, getting her life sorted out is the first step in getting her writing career going. It's very focused on Ziya's personal growth and not the love story. I enjoyed getting to know Ziya and what motivates her.

I struggled to connect with Ziya and the pacing was a bit slow. I like the creativity and diverse lenses in this book. But, I did find myself rushing to get to the end.

Thank you NetGalley for the ARC.

Ziya is a legal secretary trying to get her first romance novel published while also wanting to pursue a law degree. Frustrated on all fronts and after her most recent rejection letter, she vows to give up on her writing dreams. But in a surprise move, her writing dreams have other plans. I loved the premise (Ziya's muse becomes corporeal to motivate her to keep writing), but the execution fell a little flat for me. The writing is detail heavy, which felt clunky at times. This feels like a love letter to writing and reading more than a romance. There's a lot of self-improvement and self-actualization going on here, which makes sense since Ziya manifested a sexy life coach for herself. The career angst was very relatable. The author has written exactly what Ziya did: a quiet story. And that's not a bad thing, but I couldn't help feeling it was a little *too* quiet. By nature the plot is introspective in focus, and I think I wanted something a bit more than that. I struggled a little to keep reading but I did because I wanted to see how it ended. I think the book was fine overall but maybe I wasn't the best audience for it. I really liked the emphasis on culture and inclusion, and Aashiq's wonder at and enthusiasm for the world was very sweet. Publishes June 10, 2025. This review was based on a complimentary eARC of the book and all opinions are my own.

Ashley Poston fans would love this one! 🫶🏻

This is about a struggling romance author who finds herself making up her ideal man. He comes to life and basically becomes her own cheerleader to finish her novel. What happens when she starts having feelings for him?

Not gonna lie. This was a hard one for me to get into especially the first half of the book. I would stay it got better throughout the second half but I still had a little problem with connecting with the characters. However, this was still a fun, twisty and easy read!

Thank you Netgalley and the publisher for this ARC 💕

Thank you to the publisher and NetGalley for an advanced reader copy

Writing Mr. Right by Alina Khawaja is a first person-POV speculative romance where an aspiring author falls in love with her muse. Ziya is a legal secretary who is also trying to become a romance author but faces rejection from every agent she queries. When she deletes all of her work, her muse, Aashiq, comes out of her mind to try to help her get her mojo back. But when they catch feelings, things become a bit more complicated.

I am not familiar enough with what is and is not considered halal so I cannot say whether or not this book would be labelled as such. Ziya does mention Allah and thanks him and believes he has a plan for her. She also kisses Aashiq but it never goes further than that. We don’t get mentions of Ziya and her family going to service or to a mosque and there are no depictions of prayers, but as Ziya clearly states, it is one depiction of Muslim women among a variety of depictions because they don’t fit neatly into the box they are stereotyped as.

Aashiq is a golden retriever to the max. He is endlessly optimistic and he wants to try anything and everything and adores life because everything is brand new to him. It’s very cute and helps to balance out Ziya’s pessimism and frustration with the fact that neither of her careers are really moving forward despite her hard work. Aashiq also stands up for her to her family, which is something I always want to see in a golden retriever love interest. It’s not quite grumpy x sunshine because I don’t think Ziya is that grumpy, but it does have hints of the trope.

I think what this book really hits on really well is that publishing isn’t a meritocracy and the only way to get published is to keep trying and to get lucky (for most people). Ziya deals with the endlessly frustrating ‘it’s not you, it’s me’ that agents are kind of known for because of how subjective art is and it almost makes her stop trying. I think it’s important for aspiring writers to see this kind because you do hear so many aspiring authors mentioning how they feel demeaned by the process and they wish they didn’t have to go through it. But if you push hard enough, you might get there.

I would recommend this to fans of romances between Muslim SWANA characters and readers of romance who want a speculative twist

While this was a great premise, the execution was a bit lacking. The story felt full of cliches without any depth or heart.

I didn’t know what to expect from Writing Mr Right but it wasn’t a manifestation of a male muse after wishing on a candle. This book was such a cute cozy read. Aashiq is the perfect golden retriever boyfriend and is Ziya’s cheerleader in every way. I loved the cultural representation throughout this book as well. I wish I would’ve seen more of her interactions with her family and learned more but I loved what was shared. There were points that the story seemed too good to be true, but that’s more my preference rather than the author’s ability. If the goal was to make the reader happy and feel like there’s a perfect person for you, that goal was expertly achieved.

This was a pretty cozy and enjoyable read for me. I loved the representation and enjoyed Ziya's development throughout the story. Things did feel a bit slow at times, and I would've loved to see more development on the romance; that said, I do think this book would be a great read for anyone who enjoys a good romcom with elements of magical realism.

𝗙𝗶𝗿𝘀𝘁 𝘁𝗵𝗼𝘂𝗴𝗵𝘁:

This was an interesting read. I usually don’t gravitate toward books with magical realism themes but I went into this one blind so I had no idea this had that as an element. It was fun seeing her muse manifest to help her write a book because of a magical birthday candle wish. It was a little weird that she fell in love with a construct of herself, but I felt by the end her muse developed their own identity so it was ok. Definitely a different read and I enjoyed branching out of to get a little splash of magic on my day.

𝐒𝐲𝐧𝐨𝐩𝐬𝐢𝐬:

Ziya wants to be an author so bad. She works as a legal secretary during the day and writes in the evenings. She is discouraged as her manuscript keeps getting rejections.

Her bestie and roommate gets her a cake for her 30th birthday and it has a magical candle. So Ziya makes a wish to find her muse again. Never in her wildest dreams did she think a handsome man named Aashiq would appear.

Aashiq is there to guide her and help her find her way again. He pushes Ziya out of her comfort zone in all areas of life and helps her to find inspiration in the everyday again.

The only problem is Ziya may be falling for Aashiq and that could never work as he isn’t even a real man.

𝙁𝙖𝙫 𝙌𝙪𝙤𝙩𝙚:

“I see the world and all of its shades so differently now, and that’s because of you.”

𝑳𝒊𝒕𝒆𝒓𝒂𝒓𝒚 𝑻𝒉𝒆𝒎𝒆𝒔 𝒀𝒐𝒖’𝒍𝒍 𝑭𝒊𝒏𝒅:

* Legal Secretary by Day & Author at Night
* She Keeps Having her Manuscript Rejected
* Magical Realism - Makes a Wish on a Candle
* Her Writing Muse Appears
* He Teaches Her How to Have Fun
* She’s Falling for Her Muse - Forced Proximity
* He’s Pushing Her Out of Her Comfort Zone
* He’ll Fade Away When She Doesn’t Need Him Anymore
* Cultural Rep - Pakistani
* New York City near Sunset Park
* Single POV - No Spice

✨🎂✍️💜✨🎂✍️💜✨🎂✍️💜✨

Writing Mr. Right by Alina Khawaja is a sweet story of an author named Ziya who loses faith in her writing and decides to quit. When she does, Aashiq, her muse, turns up in her apartment to give her hope, inspire her, and help her become the person she could be. But what will happen when Ziya rediscovers her passion for writing?

This was a fun story, and I really enjoyed Ziya’s development. There were times it felt a bit slow, but it was fun watching Ziya’s confidence grow. I would have liked to see more of the romance developing.

Thank you to NetGalley and the publishers for access to an advanced copy in exchange for my honest review.

Thank you, Alina Khawaja, Harlequin Trade Publishing and NetGalley for the ARC!

Zaya is a writer who aspires to have her work published while also working as a legal secretary. After receiving another rejection letter on her 30th birthday, she deletes her manuscript and swears off writing. The next morning, she wakes up to a handsome stranger in her apartment who claims to be her writing muse named Aashiq. He works to help gain Zaya gain confidence in herself and enjoy not only writing but life. As she begins to get her writing spark back, Aashiq begins to disappear. Will she have to give up her chance of love for a next book?

This was a cute and quick romance read. The characters were cute, and Aashiq was great at encouraging Zaya to open up to the world. I did feel like the ending was rushed with Aashiq starting to vanish towards the very end of the novel. I would think that would start to happen much sooner maybe. The ending with the candles also felt like they through that in quickly.

Overall it was a cute read!

An aspiring lawyer and want to be romance author finds herself conjuring up the 'perfect man' who is set on encouraging her to be the best writer she can be and finally finishing her first manuscript in this sophomore contemporary love story from Pakistani Muslim Canadian author Alina Khawaja. I loved the unique take on the want to be romance author story, the dreaminess of the MMC and how much this book is an encouraging love letter for aspiring authors! Good on audio and highly recommended for fans of authors like Farah Heron, and books like Ashley Poston's Dead romantics or BK Borison's Good spirits. Many thanks to NetGalley and the publisher for an early digital and audio copy in exchange for my honest review!

Steam level: kissing only

A writer is losing her love of writing…and who should appear but a handsome physical manifestation of her inner desire to write, a muse if you will!

I loved the cultural aspects of this story, following our Muslim Pakistani lead, and I thought the muse’s energy was infectious (if not a little much) and delightful! However, this story lacked a lot of the emotional depth between the characters, and felt much more like a book set to inspire other writers than a romcom! That being said, if that was the goal - it did a great job! I definitely left the book inspired to follow through on my dreams.


Thanks so much to Alina Khawaja and NetGalley for a chance to read this in exchange for an honest review!