The comparison between a woman’s life in Palestine in 1947 and a Palestinian American’s life in the US in 2025 was compelling. Zayna’s story was so heartbreaking. I would have read an entire book focused on her life. I felt I was missing some depth in Mia’s story.

The narrator was great, emotive and used different voices/accents to differentiate between characters. I was confused by the choice of accents used in the flashbacks at times.

Mia, a young Arab American, is a secret stand up comedian who is pulled between her loyalty to keeping up her “good” girl persona to protect her grandparents and the desire to find love and pursue her dreams 10 years after 9-1-1. When her grandmother finally invites her to read her story of her own desires of a young girl and how she broke apart from her family expectations, it gives Mia the courage to follow her own path.

The audiobook narrator did a great job conveying comedy and Mia’s POV as well as the other characters. Overall, i enjoyed the two timelines but found myself drawn into her grandmother’s story and wished that could have gone deeper. The current timeline was fun but felt a little too YA romance for my taste. Overall I enjoyed the unique cultural perspective, I was just hoping for something less surface level.

3.75 Stars

What Will People Think is a dual timeline family story about a Palestinian-American woman living in New York and a her grandmother and her sister's story in Palestine in the 1940s. The two stories deal with parallel themes around family approval, racism, and individuality and each was interesting and had unexpected twists.

The modern day part of the book reads like a fairly predictable romance where the FMC is hiding from her family that she performs as a stand-up comic. The historical story, told through diaries that the FMC finds in her grandparents' storage space, feels more serious. In both cases, something about the writing stopped me from connecting strongly with the characters and feeling that they were real. I did really get into the last 1/3 of the book, though I found myself consistently disappointed when the narrative would shift back to the modern day story. Even the title was a bit on the nose.

Looking at the reviews--I think this book is having some trouble partially because it doesn't really pick a lane between the lit fic and romance genres--I read both genres and wanted it to do more in one or the other of the categories (though given the strength of the historical story, I'd argue that lit fic is the direction for it to push.) Other readers wanted romance and found the historical story to be a bit too heavy.

Overall the story was interesting and I think the writer has a point of view worthy of sharing. I'll look forward to her future books and hope that she develops her characters' perspectives a bit better on the next one.

Thank you to Macmillan Audio for giving me an advance listening copy for an unbiased review.

This was a great listen - the narrator was awesome (especially with the accents!). The story was not just entertaining and captivating, but there was some unexpected depth there about the challenges of being undocumented and multi-generational households. I really enjoyed this one. Thanks to Net Galley and the publisher for the opportunity to listen and offer my honest review.

Sara Hamdan's *What Will People Think?* is a heartfelt and engaging coming-of-age story that beautifully explores family expectations, hidden passions, and the power of embracing your true self. Mia Almas is instantly relatable as she balances her conservative Palestinian-American family's approval by day with her daring pursuit of stand-up comedy by night. While Mia’s personal journey is compelling, it’s her grandmother’s story from 1940s Palestine that truly stole my heart.

Mia's grandmother’s narrative, uncovered through an emotionally rich written account, deeply resonated with me. Her heartbreaking journey—from favored daughter to ostracized family member due to a scandalous romance with a British soldier—was poignant and moving. The historical backdrop of Palestine, particularly her grandmother’s escape to Lebanon amidst strife, provided a profound context for Mia’s own struggles with familial shame and cultural expectations. Seeing the parallels unfold between their experiences across generations made Mia’s fears feel authentic and grounded.

One of the most touching aspects of the book is how Mia's grandparents ultimately embrace her despite their conservative leanings. This unconditional family love beautifully underscores the novel’s exploration of identity and acceptance.

However, one aspect that didn't entirely click for me was Mia’s stand-up comedy itself. Considering Mia is portrayed as a rising comedian, I expected sharper humor. Instead, some of her jokes felt forced and a bit cringe-worthy. Having read other novels featuring female comedians, I've found that crafting convincing comedic performances on the page requires a special flair for humor that didn't fully translate here. Perhaps Mia pursuing another performance art form, such as music, might have felt more authentic and natural.

Overall, *What Will People Think?* excels in portraying complex family dynamics and cultural tensions with warmth and depth. It's a memorable read that beautifully captures the essence of discovering oneself and finding courage through the bonds of family and love.

3.5 ⭐️ Rounded up
Hamdan’s debut is a funny and emotional story about Mia, a 20-something New Yorker trying to figure out life and love while secretly doing stand-up comedy.

It’s 2011, and Mia works as a fact-checker by day and sneaks out to perform comedy sets at night—something her old-school Palestinian grandparents wouldn’t approve of.

After a public outburst against a racist heckler gets media attention, Mia is forced to face some tough truths about her family’s past, her dad’s death on 9/11, and what she really wants for herself.

There is a dual timeline of family secrets which comes together nicely in the end.

Lots of cultural diversity topics in this book.
Racism, arranged marriage, immigration and sexual orientation to name a few.
Overall, an enjoyable book and the narrator did a great job.

Thank you NetGalley and Macmillan audio for this arc in exchange for my honest opinion.

Release date: May 20, 2025

What Will People Think is a brilliant and deeply moving exploration of family, identity, and the weight of societal expectations. Sara Hamdan masterfully weaves a dual narrative that captures not only the complexities of personal growth but also the richness of cultural heritage and history. The infusion of culture is not only thoughtful—it’s immersive, grounding each character’s journey in a beautifully rendered context that feels both personal and universal.

The audiobook production itself is exceptional. Every element—from the narration to the sound design—feels intentional and artistic, creating a listening experience that is as emotionally resonant as it is intellectually engaging. This is not just an audiobook; it’s a work of art.

As an educator, I can’t help but think of its potential in the classroom. The language is rich, the themes are relevant, and the structure invites deep reflection and discussion. I would absolutely adapt this audio for educational use—it’s the kind of text that can spark meaningful conversations about culture, belonging, and self-determination.

Overall, this is a stunning production that lingers long after the final chapter. Brilliant, heartfelt, and beautifully executed.

Thanks to NetGalley and Macmillan Audio for the advanced audio book.

All Mia Almas wants to do is be able to share her stand up comedy, openly. But because she lives with her very traditional Arab grandparents, she hides her passion from everyone--including her friends, coworkers, and the guy she has a crush on. When Mia is unknowingly recorded during one of her sets, along with an article gets about her, her house of cards comes crashing down and she must decide what's most important--protecting her family or being true to herself.

This was a great coming-of-age story from a perspective we don't often get: a young woman who feels torn between her family's traditional roots and her modern Americanness. Layered on top of the typical coming-of-age in your twenties story--a love interest, friction with friends, figuring out what your career should be--Mia's story is made more complex by the loss of her parents (which happened before the book starts) and the fact that her ethnicity often makes her a target for bigoted commentary. Sara Hamdan did a good job of balancing all these elements without being too heavy handed. A great read.

What Will People Think? is out May 20, 2025

I absolutely loved this story! I loved the past and present timelines. The past timelines made me feel like I was in Palestine with this family and rich culture. It was everything I look for when I read books by diverse authors. I adored Mia and her quest for family and understanding about who they are.

What Will People Think by Sara Hamdan is a beautifully emotional love story that feels both deeply personal and universally relatable. The book masterfully blends heartwarming romance with poignant reflections on societal pressures, all while keeping a lighthearted, hopeful tone. I laughed, cried, and fell in love with the characters, their journey is full of raw emotion and tender moments that stayed with me long after finishing. If you enjoy love stories that tug at your heartstrings while addressing real-world issues with grace, this book is an absolute must-read!

a Palestinian American woman navigates her secret comedy career, forbidden office crush, and hidden family secrets. I appreciate the lightheartedness of this story while finding the book a bit unfocused and surface level

Wonderful story! It is really hard to write a character doing stand up comedy in a novel, and I think Sara Hamdan nailed it. It was funny, it was serious, and at times it was heartbreaking.

This book isn't just about family, it's a book about how our actions can affect our family, and making decisions about who's happiness us ultimately the most important. Sometimes choices must be made and prices must be paid. Mia has a secret career in comedy, that could affect her grandparents, but years ago someone in her family had a secret love that then changed the course of everything.

I enjoyed the story of Mia much more than the story that took place in the past. The characters were likable, and easy to root for. I don't think I learned much about being Palestinian, but I did learn a lot about what it's like to be a Palestinian in the US, navigating both bias, and just plain lack of tact that must be dealt with every day.

I would definitely recommend this book to those that like family, and found family, those who try to pursue a career in the arts (especially with a conservative family) and those who still believe in the power of love.

Thank you so much to Netgalley who gave me a copy of this audiobook. All opinions are my own.

Mia is a Muslim woman and is trying to deal with her hidden life onstage as a comedian, having undocumented grandparents that are very traditional and a secret love. Throughout this book you see the side that Mia hides from her family and friends, and you also see the side of her that is considered acceptable behavior for Muslim women. Woven into Mia's story is a story of a family scandal. The way the stories come together is very well written. Overall, I'm not sure how I feel about this book. Mia's comedy acts made me laugh and I liked her enough to keep reading and see how the dual timelines came together but it wasn't something that pulled me in to where I couldn't stop listening. Thanks NetGalley for the audiobook ARC, the narration was really great and made Mia's journey feel more like you were listening to somebody tell her story to you directly.

Absolutely loved this book. Sara Hamdan does an amazing job creating complex, real characters who feel like actual people. The story is layered and thought-provoking, exploring identity, love, and cultural expectations in such a relatable way.

And the writing—wow. It’s gorgeous, so effortless and immersive. Every scene feels vivid, and the emotions really hit. The main character’s journey kept me hooked the whole time, making me think about the unspoken rules we all live by and what it takes to break free from them.

Such a brilliant, heartfelt read. Highly recommend!

I knew I would like this book but I didn't expect to love it as much as I did!
The story takes place in multiple timelines and oftentimes I'm more interested in one timeline over the other but that was not the case in this book.
I was hooked by both storylines.
I also felt like the main character was really relatable in her exploration of self identity as a first gen kid just trying to figure things out.
I also LOVED the narrator of this book, she did a phenomenal job and brought the story to life.

Mia, an Arab-American female comedian, has been hiding her funny and her real job from the grandparents who have raised her and with whom she, at 25, still lives. Her strict grandmother, now in her 70s, wants her to be settled down (ie married) and happy. Yet her grandmother is hiding her own secret from her life in Jaffa as a Palestinian before the partition. Over the course of this novel, Mia must tell her grandparents the truth. In doing so, she will help her grandmother unlock the secrets of her past and move forward toward the things she truly desires.
It’s a sweet book about love, parental as well as romantic, and loss. About taking chances and following your heart. The audiobook is well narrated. 4.25 stars.
My thanks to the author, publisher, @MacmillanAudio, and #NetGalley for early access to the audiobook #WhatWillPeopleThink for review purposes.

What will people think,explores the life of Mia who wants to experience life but not shame her middle eastern grandparents. Fact checker by day and comedian by night. With a secret crush

This book is wonderful, I really enjoyed it. It follows Mia, a third generation Arab-American and her family generations before in Palestine. As Mia navigates multiple cultures, work, family expectations, a possible office romance, and her ambitions as a stand-up comic, she learns more about the secrets her grandparents have kept from her. Shedding light on these secrets helps Mia to understand so much more about who and where she came from and herself in the process.

This book discusses many difficult topics, providing insight into what it’s like to grow up different while striving to live your dreams with complex influences and pressures. There is romance, lovely descriptions of both New York and Palestine, and lots of humor. I listened to the audiobook version and the narrator navigates all the characters and accents perfectly. A joy to listen to. I highly recommend this book to anyone who appreciates humor, cultural descriptions, believable romance, and a well-told story.

Thank you so much to Macmillan Audio and NetGalley for this ALC, it was an ideal listen! #WhatWillPeopleThink #NetGalley