Hana Khan Carries On is a Muslim Rom Com! A perfect summer read. This book is absolutely precious.
ABOUT THE BOOK
Sales are slow at Three Sisters Biryani Poutine, the only halal restaurant in the close-knit Golden Crescent neighbourhood. Hana waitresses there part time, but what she really wants is to tell stories on the radio. If she can just outshine her fellow intern at the city radio station, she may have a chance at landing a job.
In the meantime, Hana pours her thoughts and dreams into a podcast, where she forms a lively relationship with one of her listeners. But soon she’ll need all the support she can get: a new competing restaurant, a more upscale halal place, is about to open in the Golden Crescent, threatening Three Sisters.
When her mysterious aunt and her teenage cousin arrive from India for a surprise visit, they draw Hana into a long-buried family secret. A hate-motivated attack on their neighbourhood complicates the situation further, as does Hana’s growing attraction for Aydin, the young owner of the rival restaurant—who might not be a complete stranger after all.
As life on the Golden Crescent unravels, Hana must learn to use her voice, draw on the strength of her community and decide what her future should be.
NFF EVALUATION
| AREA OF FOCUS | RATING |
|---|---|
| COVER | ★★★ |
| CHARACTERS | ★★★★ |
| ATMOSPHERE | ★★★★ |
| WRITING STYLE | ★★★★★ |
| PLOT | ★★★★★ |
| INTRIGUE | ★★★★ |
| LOGIC/ RELATIONSHIPS | ★★★★ |
| EXPERIENCE | ★★★★ |
PERFECT IF :
- you’re looking to read a diverse rom-com
- you love YA Romance novels and are looking to dive into the New Adult Genre.
HIGHLIGHTS
- Muslim Rom -Com
- Racism
FOR FANS OF :
When Dimple Met Rishi
{Cute Rom-Com , Supernatural Ability, Spooky Element}
That Can Be Arranged by Huda Fahmy
{Muslim Love Story}
It’s Not About The Burqa by Mariam Khan
{Hijab, Islamophobia}
THINK TWICE IF:
- You are triggered with Hate Crimes related to Islamophobia.
- You prefer plot over character driven books.
TRIGGER
- Hate Crime{Islamophobia}
REP/DIVERSITY
- Muslim Hijabi Character
{Main Character} - Muslim Author of Colour
THOUGHTS
BROWN GIRL RAMBLES – PODCAST
I loved Hana’s Character. She is passionate about her career in the Radio, keen on supporting her family business and runs a podcast named Brown Girl Rambles that showcases her excellent storytelling skills. She has an anonymous admirer who turns out to be Aydin. 😛 It is pretty obvious for it to be a spoiler. The meet cute aspect of this book is absolutely adorable and made me smile throughout multiple chapters. Although what made this absolutely precious, was the podcast episode featuring Khwab Khala.
I can see how this podcast would be a hit in real life too. Besides, some of her podcast episodes are truly motivational and begs you to give it a second thought.
ISLAMOPHOBIA
If there had been more visible Muslims, more South Asian making art and telling their stories, maybe I wouldn’t have felt so alone and targeted. I would have been able to point to a character in a TV Show or movie, or in a book we had read in school, for my “proof”. Instead, all I had was myself, and it hadn’t been enough.
Hana Khan Carries On, Uzma Jalaluddin
There are a couple hate crime related scenes in this book, but Rashid the supporting character has handled it so well. The scenes are realistic, and the snow ball effect of going through such experiences in life is done brilliantly. Apart from Aydin and Hana, this book has strong supporting characters ultimately reinforcing the message of the results of Islamophobia and lack of the right kind of Muslim South Asian Representation through Rashid, Khwab Khala, Hana’s Mom and Dad, & the residents and business owners of Golden Crescent.
I adored the family dynamics and the back story of Aydin. All this, while keeping the tone of the book cute and mushy and primarily romantic.
RATING : 4.0/5.0
Overall, Hana Khan Carries On is a New Adult Romance novel with a ton of YA Tropes. It’s cute and mushy while also putting light on some serious issues like islamophobia and the need for particularly Muslim South Asian Representation that tells their stories in a way that isn’t only limited to wearing a hijab and terrorism.
DETAILS
Pages : 368
Genre : Adult, Contemporary , Romance
Published On : 13 April, 2021
Publisher : HarperAvenue
Where To Buy : Amazon | Book Depository