Published: April 30th, 2019 by: Salaam Reads
Pages: 384
Rating: 4.5/5 stars
Zayneb is the only Muslim in her class, and this leaves her as the target for a number of snide remarks and racist teachings from her teacher. When she is suspended for finally confronting him, she decides to refuel in Doha, Qatar, with her eccentric aunt. Zayneb is determined to start off new in a place where nobody knows her. Then she meets Adam, a kind international student who is concealing his recent diagnosis of MS from his still grieving father. Zayneb and Adam meet under unlikely circumstances, but they soon form a bond, and help heal each other.
When I saw this book at the library, a mere one week after it was published, I was so excited! My library has a very small YA section, so this was a big deal to me. I thought this book was adorable, and I flew through it.
The characters were extremely lovable in this novel. Adam was my favourite. I found him to be so kind-hearted, and I really felt very bad for him at times. I thought his relationship with Zayneb was wholesome and cute, and I found them to have just the right amount of chemistry for still being teens. I didn't find them to speak a lot older than they were.
My only teensy issue I had this book is that *sometimes* Zayneb got on my nerves. Her character is meant to be a very fiery one, however I found that sometimes she flipped out on issues that could have been handled better. Flipping out on your racist teacher? That's totally fine with me. However there were times were I found she wasn't really fair to Adam because of how she treated him.
This book was a warm hug after Saints and Misfits by: Ali. I enjoyed that novel, but it has some harsher themes and got a little dark at times, whereas this book was light, fluffy, and a perfect summer read. Give it a go!
Have you read Love From A to Z? What did you think?
Emily @ Paperback Princess
I flipped out on a teacher once (well... more than one... but there were big gaps between them... so that counts in my favour... maybe...? Lol.) - not for racism, just for being a complete douche. Unfortunately angry tears don't create the impression I wanted to create...
ReplyDeleteI think it freaked them out, though, cos b/c I was quiet everyone tended to think I was shy and... they're not the same thing! Lol. In my defence, I went to a terrible primary school (8-12ish) and an even worse comp. (12-18ish.)
At least you spoke up! I was too chicken to say anything to anyone in elementary and high school. I think the angry tears show an emotional connection to the cause :)
DeleteHa, I think they realised I was upset!
Delete'Emotional connection to the cause' - yeah, let's go with that ;)
I cry when I'm angry, I can't help it, and then people are like, 'stop getting so emotional!' and I'm there like 'no, *sob* I'm really *sob* pi**ed off at you *sobs*' and then they're just like '*backs away slowly*' lol!
My primary school teacher called me a liar and rude for explaining I was bored and unhappy, and had already done most of the work we were supposed to do for the year because other teachers used to send me to older classes for maths etc. So I screamed at her. And cried. And ran out of the classroom (I was eight, so...)
And then when I was eighteen I had a... difference of opinion... with a teacher who'd failed to help us with a meaningless qualification for two years, then expected us to, a) care and b) get it all done, in the last couple of months while I was trying to improve a grade in a different qualification from a D to a B. I still think I could've got it to an A if I hadn't had him bugging me about this meaningless thing...
Sorry, I kind of went off on one there! I have poor schooling stories for every occasion! Lol! XD
I do cry when I’m angry too. It’s kinda frustrating because I’ll be trying to get my point across but the tears get me all choked up. Anyways, looks like your schooling career was eventful haha!
DeleteI love your review, but I'll have to say, I actually loved Zayneb more than I did Adam haha. The museum scene in particular made me so frustrated with Adam, because I felt like he should have handled it better. It felt very awkward and weird that he would judge Zayneb based on being (rightfully) angry, without listening to her. Zayneb could have reacted better, true, but she was angry and felt like the person she was starting to love was questioning her, and protecting an adult male he never even met with, and who's hurt her over and over again. At least that's what I thought. Great review! :)
ReplyDeleteThanks Veronika! Glad you enjoyed the book too. I definitely think that we can see their argument both ways. I just felt like poor Adam didn’t mean to hurt her and he felt really bad about it. Props to Zayneb though for overall being a badass throughout the novel!
DeleteThis sounds so cute! I can't even imagine flipping out on a teacher in high school, but good for her. I was such a good student lol. But there is no better reason than the teacher being racist.
ReplyDeleteI would be way too scared as well, so I think that’s why I admire this character so much!
DeleteI've never heard of this book before, but your review made me want to read it! It sounds so adorable (even just that title!). I think the only time I've really flipped out on someone like that would have been with my classmates during musical production season at my school. Working on setting up logistics for the show, we were all running on empty haha. Thanks for sharing :)
ReplyDeleteclaire @ clairefy
Thanks Claire! I would totally recommend this book if you want something light and fluffy. I have definitely flipped out on classmates before, just never teachers lol!
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