by Farah Heron
My Ratings
Summary
Reena Manji doesn’t love her career, her single status, and most of all, her family inserting themselves into every detail of her life. But when caring for her precious sourdough starters, Reena can drown it all out. At least until her father moves his newest employee across the hall–with hopes that Reena will marry him.
But Nadim’s not like the other Muslim bachelors-du-jour that her parents have dug up. If the Captain America body and the British accent weren’t enough, the man appears to love eating her bread creations as much as she loves making them. She sure as hell would never marry a man who works for her father, but friendship with a neighbor is okay, right? And when Reena’s career takes a nosedive, Nadim happily agrees to fake an engagement so they can enter a couples video cooking contest to win the artisan bread course of her dreams.
As cooking at home together brings them closer, things turn physical, but Reena isn’t worried. She knows Nadim is keeping secrets, but it’s fine— secrets are always on the menu where her family is concerned. And her heart is protected… she’s not marrying the man. But even secrets kept for self-preservation have a way of getting out, especially when meddling parents and gossiping families are involved.
My Ratings
Summary
Reena Manji doesn’t love her career, her single status, and most of all, her family inserting themselves into every detail of her life. But when caring for her precious sourdough starters, Reena can drown it all out. At least until her father moves his newest employee across the hall–with hopes that Reena will marry him.
But Nadim’s not like the other Muslim bachelors-du-jour that her parents have dug up. If the Captain America body and the British accent weren’t enough, the man appears to love eating her bread creations as much as she loves making them. She sure as hell would never marry a man who works for her father, but friendship with a neighbor is okay, right? And when Reena’s career takes a nosedive, Nadim happily agrees to fake an engagement so they can enter a couples video cooking contest to win the artisan bread course of her dreams.
As cooking at home together brings them closer, things turn physical, but Reena isn’t worried. She knows Nadim is keeping secrets, but it’s fine— secrets are always on the menu where her family is concerned. And her heart is protected… she’s not marrying the man. But even secrets kept for self-preservation have a way of getting out, especially when meddling parents and gossiping families are involved.
The Review
In South Asian culture, the parents intrude in their children’s lives for many years into adulthood. It is a given, a statement of fact, a way of life that has been accepted as the norm over the years.
Reena Manji is a 30-something woman who hates her job, loves making sourdough bread, ran a successful food blog, and has highly intrusive parents in their meddling.
Whether that is her career, her relationships, and well… her life overall.
When Reena runs into her new neighbour, Nadim, she is taken by his good looks, a British accent, and his charismatic personality. But he lets it slip that he is her husband-to-be. Which then puts him and her parents quickly on her ‘Never gonna happen’ list.
Unfortunately for Reena, she gets laid off from her job and needs Nadim’s help to make her dreams of winning a scholarship to culinary school come true. All while lying to her parents about their relationship. As the circumstances evolve, so does their relationship until it boils over in a beautiful crescendo that turns her culture on its head in a single moment.
I loved that this book addressed difficult familial relationships, that it shows everyone has secrets, and that the secrets that feel serious to one person can be quite silly ones to be keeping. I especially loved Reena’s mother in this book. She is traditional, but her secret was quirky yet really endearing.
Reena and Nadim’s relationship was a quick burn. I saw it all coming and still enjoyed every moment of the journey with them. Character development for both parties was very well done and never felt fake or contrived.
Nadim babysitting the sourdough starter for a weekend and being unable to throw away the extra each day, thus putting it into more jars/bowls, shows who he is as a person on a deeper level. However, I would have liked to have some chapters from his perspective to get a better look into his personality. I feel I scratched the surface of him, seeing little bits, but not ever more than the character he portrays outwardly. His charisma and charm are what kept me turning the pages, but I couldn’t connect with his character as much as I did with Reena’s messy thought processes.
I liked that Farah Heron addressed mental health issues, sexual proclivities and added LGBTQIA characters with respect. It didn’t come across as though they were just the ‘token’ character thrown in for a bit of diversity. The supporting characters, from friends to family, were well fleshed out and very enjoyable to read.
Overall, it was a refreshing PG-13 palate cleanser. I’ve been reading a few saucy books of late and needed one that was light, fresh, and flirty, without getting into steamy love scenes, huge conflicts, and causing inner turmoil. This was perfect.
This is just the perfect little read that helps you learn more about other cultures and traditions, with a romance coming to bloom like a beautiful Lotus flower.
“I’m just kidding. This will be fun. Nice to have someone to keep me company while you’ll be gone. Does Brian prefer quiet nights at home or long walks on the beach?”
Nadim, discussing babysitting sourdough starter
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