A funny, banter filled must-find-a-husband-before-I-turn-thirty rom com that also explored an array of issues. Unfortunately many south Asian girls are caught up with finding Mr. Perfect. This story was weaved around that idea. Zara knows she can’t just meet any man without her mother’s approval. But she meets Hamza a British Egyptian with a lovely Arabic accent at a chocolate making event. He is nothing more than real proper gentleman who really likes Zara. But I must say it’s a shame she doesn’t fancy him. I think my main issue is that Zara learns about herself but doesn’t seem able to apply that knowledge to herself or her relationships or those she interacts with. This is frustrating to read. This book has all the ingredients that one needs to make it relatable and entertaining, surprising readers with unexpected twists and revelations with an unpredictable ending.

This book was my companion whilst I was in hospital with a serious virus that infected my knee. As I went through a roller-coaster of emotions, Tasneem asked me, ‘What can I do? How can I help you?’ The hours dragged on in the hospital and I wished out loud, if only her book was published. She then generously sent me a digital copy of her book with her final edit notes on it, weeks before release! Boy, was I excited! What a privilege!

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just because Zina is normalised doesn’t mean it’s normalised by everyone and a lot of the youth want to do it the Islamic traditional way. The book is about a Bengali but there’s no Islamic aspect to this book at all. I get the main character was desperate but come on! My biggest shout out today is buy your self a copy of Finding Mr Perfectly Fine, about Zara why she has to find a husband. The plot of the book was quite good and relatable. As a south Asian woman coming up to my 30s I understand the pressure of society to get married so I was actually interested in Zara's story of choosing Mr. perfectly fine or someone who she might love. This is why I was torn over my annoyance for Zara leading the men on in the book but also I understood why she did it. Ultimately as south Asian's we want to choose the person our parents would approve of and I felt like that is what Zara ultimately was trying to find rather than her own happiness. It did confuse me though how Zara's Mr. perfectly fine (Hamza) was everything she wanted yet she felt no attractiveness to him. Just personally, if someone matches all my criteria then I would for sure feel somewhat attracted to them but maybe it isn't for everyone. In addition, Hamza had his faults but it was like Zara didn't realise the flaws and if his flaws had been used to justify her unattractiveness I would have been on her side but she never comments on his controllingness, how he put her in awkward situations without her consent or knowledge and how he basically ghosted her for ages. If the author has made Zara not like him for that I could understand but she didn't and that was a let down. I enjoyed Adam in the book and found his relationship with Zara to be cute but it felt more like crush/lust rather than I want to be and marry this man. So personally I couldn't root for any of the two men. I was quite surprised to learn that this was the author’s debut novel but I can honestly say she’s done a fantastic job. I think that people from the South Asian community can relate to Zara as a person but can also relate to what she is going through. As for the ending of this book I need to read book two urgently because I already know that Zara’s story is far from over. I found this book worked for me on several levels including the story of Zara as a young woman engaged in her job, family and friends who has to negotiate another hurdle, and the internal debate about what is truly necessary for the happily ever after which her mother and other relatives want for her. It overturns expectations in many ways and challenges things like the culture of social drinking, while being solidly down to earth in the perils of late nights, the question of what to wear and the distractions of social media. This book’s greatest strength lies in its cast of characters, ranging from the determined mother to the work colleagues who have so much influence on Zara’s thoughts. There is the quiet Nani who quietly takes Zara’s side, as well as a whole group of female relatives who alternatively support Zara and make her life more complicated. Zara describes her mother “I’m lumbered with a mum that is the worst of both my worlds; tech savvy and cynical like a Western mum, but still clinging on to old traditions like the village mum she claims she isn’t.” Needless to say Zara and her mother clash, most significantly over the hunt for a husband that her mother claims is all she needs for happiness, while Zara has reservations.

RIAS International Top Charts Week 15". Recording Industry Association (Singapore). Archived from the original on April 20, 2021 . Retrieved April 21, 2021.Listening to Zara’s voice, one that is unfortunately not very often listened to, or shared, is probably the most beautiful thing about this novel. Zara’s story stands for Muslim women, women of colour and countless people who try to find love, are being heart-broken and stand up again. Zara’s heart beats for love, family and friendship and I think it is safe to say that there is a little bit of Zara in all of us because she is such an authentic and flawed, crazy and beautiful character (I think I sound like Adam now). Lipshutz, Jason (February 11, 2021). "Taylor Swift Announces Re-Recorded 'Fearless' Album, 'Love Story' Single Drop". Billboard. Archived from the original on March 14, 2021 . Retrieved April 7, 2021. The first one is all about dating life. The reader follows Zara, how she puts herself out there, wants to date, find love with all the excitement that goes with it. At the same time, she is vulnerable for showing the world who she is and what she wants. No matter who you are, straight, queer, male, female, non-binary, etc. putting yourself out there, into the dating world, always comes with risks of being hurt, heartbroken and rejected as Zara and other characters in the novel experience.