Description: "After Kiran Noorani's mom died, Kiran vowed to keep her dad and sister, Amira, close...But when Amira announces that she's dating someone, Kiran's world is turned upside down. Deen Malik is thrilled that his brother, Faisal, has found a great girlfriend...When the families meet, Deen and Kiran find themselves face to face. Again. Three years ago...Kiran and Deen dated in secret. Until Deen ghosted Kiran"--
Brief description:
Farah Naz Rishi (she/they) is a Pakistani-American writer and voice actor. She received her B.A. in English from Bryn Mawr College, her J.D. from Lewis & Clark Law School, and her love of weaving stories from the Odyssey Writing Workshop. When she's not writing, she's probably hanging out with video game characters. You can find her at home in Philadelphia, or on Instagram/TikTok at @farahnazrishi.
Review Quotes:
"Replete with desi and Muslim cultural references, this romantic drama offers an emotionally wrought story of owning one's self and one's past." - Bulletin of the Center for Children's Books
"A multilayered coming-of-age narrative that addresses growth and identity, Islamophobia, struggles with faith, and capricious twists of fate (or divine intervention)." - Kirkus Reviews
"This coming-of-age tale deftly incorporates elements of desi and Muslim culture, grief, and overcoming trauma into a story about love and change, what it means to be a family, and how relationships can shift over time." - School Library Journal
"High-stakes scheming is afoot in Rishi's second novel, which explores what two characters are willing to do to protect the people they love. A story that will entice many readers." - Booklist (starred review)
"Rishi brings nuance and freshness to the familiar You've Got Mail dynamic with desi Muslim teenagers in this deftly layered novel." - Publishers Weekly