Back of Book: 

A something you find amazing. Even ordinary-amazing. Like potatoes—because they make French fries happen. Like the perfect fries Adam and his mom used to make together.

An whatever gives you pause. Like the fact that there are hateful people in the world. Like Zayneb’s teacher, who won’t stop reminding the class how “bad” Muslims are.

But Zayneb, the only Muslim in class, isn’t bad. She’s angry.

When she gets suspended for confronting her teacher, and he begins investigating her activist friends, Zayneb heads to her aunt’s house in Doha, Qatar, for an early start to spring break.

Fueled by the guilt of getting her friends in trouble, she resolves to try out a newer, “nicer” version of herself in a place where no one knows her.

Then her path crosses with Adam’s.

Since he got diagnosed with multiple sclerosis in November, Adam’s stopped going to classes, intent, instead, on perfecting the making of things. Intent on keeping the memory of his mom alive for his little sister.

Adam’s also intent on keeping his diagnosis a secret from his grieving father.

Alone, Adam and Zayneb are playing roles for others, keeping their real thoughts locked away in their journals.

Until a marvel and an oddity occurs…

Marvel: Adam and Zayneb meeting. 

Oddity: Adam and Zayneb meeting. 

Book Number: One 

Genre: Young Adult | Contemporary | Romance 

Review: 🌟🌟🌟🌟

A sweet Muslim romance in which two people who find the world filled with marvels and oddities end up finding each other over their spring breaks in Doha, Qatar. 

For Zayneb and Adam, a marvel is something they find beautiful and an oddity is something that gives them pause. Unbeknownst to each other, Zayneb and Adam are both journaling their personal marvels and oddities. Zayneb is mainly focused on the oddities in her life, mainly due to her racist and Islamophobic teacher who makes her life a constant battlefield. Adam on the other hand tries to dwell on the marvels, despite the fact he was recently diagnosed with multiple sclerosis, the same condition that his deceased mother was afflicted with. Both young adults want to keep their parents from strife, even if it means keeping big secrets from them. When the two suddenly meet on a flight to Doha, Qatar where they will both be spending their spring breaks, sparks fly. As the two begin to examine all the marvels and oddities that being in each other's presence seems to exude, they begin to realize that there may be more to their relationship than just physical attraction. 

As far as it comes to being unflinchingly honest, this book certainly doesn't shy away from any topic. It faces racism, Islamophobia, sexism, and chronic conditions head on and with a positive gusto. I learned a ton about the experiences that many Muslim women and those who suffer from physical chronic illnesses go through over the course of this book. Standing up for the social issues in this world is super important, so I give this book a ton of kudos for tackling them head on. 

One of my best friends who is a Muslim women herself recommended me this book, and as far as I can tell, this book is a great representation of Islam and the prejudice that many Muslims (especially women) experience in their lifetimes. Zayneb is constantly greeted with people who are less than civil and treat her as different just because she wears a hijab and is vocal about the prejudice that her fellow sisters face. Zayneb is very passionate about civil rights, and she is definitely a spitfire who isn't afraid to speak her mind. It is refreshing to see her talk so openly about the things that plague her which she finds unfair rather than force herself to assimilate to the ways of the masses. 

Adam on the other hand, is a quiet, artsy mama's boy who is ailed by depression and multiple sclerosis. I have never read a book featuring a character with MS, so all of his experiences were really enlightening for me. I can relate to his bouts of depression he battles, though. I really came to appreciate Adam's character in almost every aspect. He is a kind, respectful young man who adores his little sister, is super respectful to everyone, and is willing to stand up for what he believes in in his own quiet ways. I found myself finding his relationship with all his family members to be really sweet (I especially adore his little sister Hanna), making the time spent in Adam's household to be quite a joy. 

I've come to realize that I usually like Muslim romances because they usually end up being spice free in the early stages. I personally love a slow burn with little to no steam, so books such as this one serve my palate really well. I'm not saying that Islamic people don't feel the same attraction as everyone else, I'm just saying that it's refreshing that most Muslim characters want to get to know each other better before they start thinking of making out with the other person (which is something one can't take for granted in romance novels). Zayneb and Adam see each other off and on throughout this whole book, but the romance between them takes a while to develop despite their instant attraction to one another. I thought that their relationship was paced well, and I look forward to seeing where it evolves in the short story and second book that follow this one. 

"Love from A to Z" is a cute title, but I am a bit stumped on why this book isn't entitled "Marvels and Oddities." With Adam and Zayneb both having their own journals of marvels and oddities, this was one of the main gimmicks going on throughout this book. This is a minor complaint, but like, a perfectly missed opportunity this was.  

Overall, "Love from A to Z" is a really cute Muslim romance that simultaneously tackles social issues (such as racism and Islamophobia) and the chronic illness that is multiple sclerosis. I learned a ton during the course of this book while also having a great time the whole way through. I am looking forward to diving into the rest of this series and seeing where Zayneb and Adam's relationship ends up going now that these two are officially a couple. 

Back of Book: 

Adam and Zayneb —engaged but continents apart for so long— are finally in the same city!

Even though it’s during Ramadan, a month of fasting and spiritual devotion, A and Z can’t help spending any and all free time with each other. Enter parents and their idea for a nikah at the end of Ramadan, on Eid day itself.

Which would appear to be the greatest Eid gift of all — except that, unbeknownst to each other, A and Z have been working on spectacularly surprising Eid gifts for the other all along.

The only thing? In true “The Gift of the Magi” fashion, these Eid gifts are at complete odds with the other. Along with a nikah day over-run with “benevolent” family interferences, A and Z are up for either recording this Eid as the best one ever, as a real marvel...or as a completely upsetting oddity.

Author's Note:

WHEN IT TAKES PLACE:

The Eid Gift is a part of the Love from A to Z storyline; it occurs shortly before the epilogue. (If you haven’t read Love from A to Z yet, please consider doing so before reading this story—some of what occurs will not make sense otherwise.)

SOMETHING TO KEEP IN MIND:

While there’s nothing explicit in the story, it is more mature than S. K. Ali’s previous YA novels—there’s more physical touch here than in Love from A to Z—so readers are asked to exercise awareness of their reading comfort zones. 

Book Number: 1.5 (Note: Read above author's note for further info.) 

Genre: Young Adult | Contemporary | Romance 

Review: 🌟🌟🌟

A short festive story based on "The Gift of the Magi" that reunites Adam and Zayneb four years after their initial meeting in which they are given the best present of all—each other. 

This story isn't terribly deep, but it is a pretty cute short story that can be read rather quickly. It mainly focuses on Adam and Zayneb preparing to move in with one another after their nikah, which is the Muslim way of sealing their marriage after their engagement. Adam and Zayneb are both preparing gifts for one another, but they don't end up working out as well as they want them to, which is where "The Gift of the Magi" comes in. It is so sweet to see them go out of their ways to please each other, only to have their misguided gifts bring them closer together in the end. 

If this story wouldn't have had me thinking so much about Muslim culture and the ways different people show affection for one another, I don't think I would have enjoyed it as much. This story really has me grateful that I have the choice to get as physical as I want to with those I date as soon as I want, but it also gives me mad respect for those that are willing to patiently wait to give themselves to their partners. I mean, Adam and Zayneb waited four entire years before they even got to hold each other's hands! I love me a slow burn romance on paper and in real life, but even I don't think I could show that much restraint. It really does make for a magical moment when they do get to touch each other for the first time though. Let's just say, I don't exactly blame Adam for how horny he is during this entire short story. *awkward laugh* 

Overall, "The Eid Gift" is a quick read that has me excited to read book two in this series. I don't think I would have enjoyed this one as much if it didn't have me pondering things such as nikah, attraction, love languages, sex, patience, and the balance that is necessary in healthy relationships. Anyway, I'm feeling touch deprived after this one. I'm definitely giving my boyfriend a giant hug as soon as possible. 

Back of Book: 

Adam and Zayneb. Perfectly matched. Painfully apart.

Adam is in Doha, Qatar, making a map of the Hijra, a historic migration from Mecca to Medina, and worried about where his next paycheck will come from. Zayneb is in Chicago, where school and extracurricular stresses are piling on top of a terrible frenemy situation, making her miserable.

Then a marvel Adam and Zayneb get the chance to spend Thanksgiving week on the Umrah, a pilgrimage to Mecca and Medina, in Saudi Arabia. Adam is thrilled; it’s the reboot he needs and an opportunity to pray for a hijra in real to migrate to Zayneb in Chicago. Zayneb balks at the trip at first, having envisioned another kind of vacation, but then decides a spiritual reset is calling her name too. And they can’t wait to see each other—surely, this is just what they both need.

But the trip is nothing like what they expect, from the appearance of Adam’s former love interest in their traveling group to the anxiety gripping Zayneb when she’s supposed to be “spiritual.” As one wedge after another drives them apart while they make their way through rites in the holy city, Adam and Zayneb start to was their meeting just an oddity after all? Or can their love transcend everything else like the greatest marvels of the world? 

Book Number: Two 

Genre: Young Adult | Contemporary | Romance 

Review: 🌟🌟

A new adult romance in which two lovebirds try to juggle a long-distance relationship until a chance to go on Umrah, the lesser pilgrimage to Mecca arises and they are forced to deal with their relationship issues. 

Adam and Zayneb may be engaged, but that doesn't mean that their relationship is going smoothly. Zayneb is overwhelmed by her studies in law school as well as by all of the shade that her school's media keeps flinging her way. Adam, on the other hand, is in between gigs and is scared that he won't be able to financially support himself, much less be able to support his future wife. The two have a few things in common though: they're both overwhelmed, unwilling to share their struggles with one another, and looking forward to the cozy vacation to England they have planned over Thanksgiving break. The plan goes awry when Adam's father offers to pay for them to go on Umrah instead. Unable to say no to the holiest city in the world and a chance to reconnect with his faith, Adam takes the opportunity despite Zayneb's obvious hesitation. Now, the two are traveling to Mecca and are forced to face their problems face to face or risk losing each other for good. 

I am saddened to announce that I did not in fact, enjoy reading this book. The first one was a great balance of social issues, cute romance, and endearing characters. This book for me didn't have any of the charm that the first book did. I still enjoyed learning about Islam, especially the aspects of Umrah and all of the activities that go into a holy pilgrimage. It did feel a little weird eavesdropping on such a sacred experience, but it was also enlightening for me. 

There are two things that I truly couldn't get over as I was reading this book. The first one is that ninety-nine percent of the conflicts arose due to the fact that Adam and Zayneb were unwilling to tell each other literally anything. For any relationship to work (not just romantic relations) open communication has to be at the forefront. The fact that these two have been together for over four years and are still unable to talk about basic things was incredibly frustrating to me as a reader. I know that most people struggle with communicating with others which makes this book relatable in that way, but it also made it extremely challenging to read through. I can appreciate how these two work through their issues in the end, but I wish they wouldn't have built up so much strife in the volcano before letting it blow. 

The other thing being that this story is sort of narrated from the cat's point of view. This bothered me for several reasons. Firstly, if one hadn't read the short story available through SimonTeen, one would have no idea who Bertha Fatima is. Secondly, I was so distracted about WHY they story was told by the cat to stay one hundred percent focused on what was happening. I still don't think there was a great reason for this weird narrative choice. Thirdly, I love how the first book felt like reading Zayneb and Adam's personal journals. It was so cute how they had used their Marvel and Oddity journals for years and years. What I don't get is why they just completely abandoned them as soon as they "grew up" or found one another (whichever way one wants to look at this). The chapter headers in this one didn't add anything for me, and they felt rather clunky. 

Overall, "Love from Mecca to Medina" was quite a disappointment for me. I was saddened that this one didn't click with me after reading the first book and enjoying it, but I still see the merit in reading this book. The lessons it conveys about keeping faith, being brave, and overcoming hardships are all super valid and it's beyond normal to struggle to tell the people you love that you are doing less than okay. However, I often found Zayneb and Adam's plight petty and I couldn't enjoy my time reading this book. Let's just say, due to this addition to Adam and Zayneb's tale, I'm now walking away from this world with very mixed feelings.