This book gave me all the feels....it was a beautiful modern re-telling of "Pride and Prejudice" that I was thrilled to read.
Ayesha feels indebted to her uncle, he did pay for her schooling to become a teacher after all, so whenever something is asked of her she has a hard time refusing. Hafsa, her younger cousin, has been receiving, and rejecting, marriage proposals right and left..which is something that their family can't quite stop talking about. While Ayesha doesn't want an arranged marriage she can't help but wonder if maybe that is what is going to happen...how can she meet anyone? Enter Khalid, a smart yet
conservative man that sparks an interest in Ayesha....but is that spark love or hate?!
Jalaluddin has written a lovely book that had me cheering for Ayesha until the last page (even though I knew the ending...to a point). I can't wait to read more from this talented writer.

Modern versions of Pride and Prejudice only succeed if they capture the flavor and intent of the original but offer the reader something new; Jalaluddin's novel succeeds on both accounts. Set in a Muslim community in Toronto, the author skillfully creates a main couple who have their own prejudices about marriage, about religion, about life goals, and need to work them out as they dance around a relationship that stretches the bounds of propriety. This novel has a really strong plot line, as well as humor, and it carefully explores the themes of P&P but without being a retelling. The Muslim life-style was interesting to read about and consider and the Canadian setting added another dimension to this. Highly recommended.

This was such a great Pride and Prejudice retelling!

The perfect blend of sweet and swoony, this modern retelling was everything my P&P obsessed heart needed. I especially loved that this was centered around Muslim characters and family's. It was so great getting to learn about Ayesha and Khalid's culture and different (but also very relatable) perspectives on marriage, life and love.

From nearly the first page, I was completely drawn in and I found myself unable to put this book down for hours. I read this nearly in one sitting and I was stunned when I would pause to drink water or check the time only to realize that I hadn't moved in hours. Ayesha is such a relatable character and I love that throughout this book we get to go on this journey with not only Ayesha but Khalid as well and watch them grow.

So why 4 stars? Around 75% into the book I started to lose my steam a bit and things started to drag a little. Not that it wasn't enjoyable, because I still was having a great time but at the same time I was starting to become impatient to have all the drama end already. I also wish there was a bit more romance in this book. Because of the plot and the characters, I knew that this wasn't going to be a steamy read by any means and the little moments we got made my heart skip a beat a few times but still...I wanted a little more. And finally, my last (and this is a bit silly) complaint is the emphasis the book seemed to put on Ayesha's age and how she's this "old maiden" and too old for the hero even though she's only a year older than him. I do understand it, and understand that it's a cultural thing but after the second time, it became a bit annoying.

Ayesha at Last was a fantastic debut from the author and is the perfect romance to read if you're a fan of Pride and Prejudice and looking for a more modern take, that still sticks to all the things we love most about the classic. I cannot wait to read more from this author!

Rating: 4.5/5 Penguins
Quick Reasons: super adorable, intriguing retelling of a well-beloved classic; LOVELOVELOVE the dual POVs; the humor and snark are real with this one; believable, easy to love characters; I felt there were only a few "forced" moments; gorgeous purple prose

HUGE thanks to Uzma Jalaluddin, Berkley Books Publishing, and Netgalley for sending a complimentary egalley of this title my way! This in no way altered my review of or opinions on this book.


---"If I do not weed my garden, my beloved flowers will die, asphyxiated by vicious forces whose only goal is colonization. If you choose to plant the flowers, you make a choice to be responsible over other living things. Khalid is not a man who takes his responsibilities lightly."---


I know what you all are thinking, Penguins. I can just HEAR you all wondering when I'm going to give up my fanatic obsession with all things Pride and Prejudice and leave you all to enjoy your bookaholicism in peace. I have news for you. The answer is.......... NEVER. Which is how we've found ourselves here, in the midst of yet another post where your Royal Penguin Princess fangirls her little heart over YET ANOTHER P&P retelling/adaptation. I take my bookish duties seriously, y'all. You'll never catch me doing otherwise.

And this retelling might well be a favorite of mine, for several reasons. First and foremost: this is a DIVERSE retelling. The fact that I learned a little about a different culture in the process of reading...I don't think it gets much better than that! The fact that the author is also a WOC...uggggggh, let me die happy now! The subjects tackled in this book were far-ranging and beautifully handled. Uzma Jalaluddin approached this novel with expert crafting and sensitivity, while still ensuring readers came out of the journey looking at the world with freshly-opened eyes. I tip my beak to her, y'all--she helped me see things in a WHOLE new light, which isn't always easy.


---"I admire your bravery. Where will you go? Dreamers need to eat too."

"I was thinking overseas. See the world, write."

Mr. Evorem nodded. "Just remember to pack light. Dreams tend to shatter if you're carrying other people's hopes around with you."---


I really enjoyed how much snark and witty banter flowed between these pages. It was a blast to see the world through Ayesha's eyes, and experience several POVs that were distinct and easy to tell apart. There were only a few moments that seemed more "forced" for the sake of the original content/story line. I actually REALLY enjoyed how Uzma Jalaluddin managed to play in some of the more prominent characters--she took time to think outside the box in several instances, and caught me by surprise more than once.

This was such a fantastic read, filled with beautifully crafted prose and true-to-life situations. The lessons and growth these characters faced were believable and thought-provoking, if a small bit contrived in certain instances. I would definitely recommend to readers seeking their next diverse, witty retelling--especially those with a soft spot for all things P&P, like me! Are you ready to unveil these pages, Penguins?!

Ayesha At Last is described as a modern Muslim Pride and Prejudice, which is really all it takes to make me want to read a new book. Hardworking first-year teacher and aspiring poet Ayesha is constantly being reminded of all the proposals her pretty younger cousin Hafsa is getting. She lives at home, with her warm, loving and slightly lacking in boundaries family. Fortunately, she has her best friend Clara for support.

The romance is solid, of course, and obviously I loved wealthy Khalid falling in love with spirited Ayesha, but I found Clara and Ayesha's friendship to be the most compelling part of this story. The two young women have different career paths, romantic goals, and values, but they offer each other kind support and real affection, since their school days. Women's friendship can be a rich topic in fiction, and there's a lot to explore in why we chose our besties and how we maintain those friendships with the competing pressures of career and family.  I particularly enjoyed the resolution of Clara and Rob's storyline, because it showed old-fashioned respect for the institution of marriage, crossed with modern respect for women. There was also mutual respect and appreciation for differing marriage traditions.

Now, I don't want to be an arbiter of what counts as Pride and Prej -- wait, no, I absolutely do. That would be a great job, please hire me.  But any Elizabeth Bennet needs sisters, and this Elizabeth only has a little brother and dear cousin. Also, there's no Bingley. This was just as much a modernized P&P as it was any Shakespearean hidden-identity comedy.

I don't mean that I didn't enjoy this book! No, it was a great read, after the misleading description.  It's a Canadian/Indian Muslim romantic comedy, with nods to the bard's twin comedies and Jane Austen. (Which would also have been really compelling logline for me.) The romantic plot hinges less on the classism of P&P and more on a mistaken identity in the style of Comedy of Errors or Twelfth Night. I often get those twin comedies confused, although I love the women-dressed-as-men romance polygons, especially how they straighten out for marriages by the end of the play.  There's another nod to Shakespearean pairoffs in this novel when (the real) cousin Hafsa and self-obsessed "promoter" Collins fall for each other.

My only concern was finding the mean and racist boss Sheila too evil, there was no nuance or motivation here.  To me, a more insidious villain lets you know that they believe all the negative stereotypes of your ethnic group, but don't worry, you're not like the rest of them. Or someone who needs to be educated, over and over, about stereotypes. (Double jerk points for innocently insisting they're just curious.) Meeting Khalid and immediately deciding to fire him seemed a bit flatly villainous to me. Fortunately, it put the more nuanced plot in motion, allowing us to see Khalid under pressure and testing his commitments.

Sadly this book just wasn't for me! The writing style felt stiff and informative, rather than immersive and emotional (like the classic Pride and Prejudice). However, I loved the representation we get with diverse characters and their religion/culture.

Longer review to come on my blog, closer to publication date! :)

I thoroughly enjoyed reading Ayesha at Last and it is with pleasure that I review it.
This is the best Muslim/ South Asian romantic comedy book I have read, and I can see why it will be made into a film. It is refreshing to read a well-written traditional Muslim romance.
Ayesha at Last has captivating, deep, and likeable characters that consistently grow throughout the novel. The nice surprise was that the male protagonist Khalid was the most complex and interesting character, more so than the (still likeable) female protagonist Ayesha.
Uzma's distinct gift is gently portraying traditional Muslim characters- like Khalid- in an honest, relatable way, rather than the usual stereotypical and judgmental way. For this I applaud Uzma. I found myself rooting for and identifying with Khalid's awkwardness and earnest intentions.
As a rule I dislike the common theme of Pride and Prejudice homages, because the classic is incomparable, but this book is still a standalone hit.
I was sad when the book ended, and I look forward to the sequel- hopefully with another wedding scene.

Thank you so much Netgalley and Penguin Random House for this ARC!

I’m not typically a big fan of romance. The premise of the book sounded interesting though, and I’m so glad I gave it a shot. I loved this book! I didn’t put it down! The story was sweet, but not in a way that I tend to find off-putting in a lot of romances. It was thoughtful and happy and an incredibly enjoyable read.

Between teaching high school so she can repay her debts to her wealthy uncle and being constantly reminded that her younger cousin has rejected dozens of marriage proposal, Ayesha Shamsi has a lot on her plate. Although she'd like to find someone, she does not want an arranged marriage. She meets Khalid, who is smart and handsome but way too conservative for her, which is fine, until he becomes engaged to her cousin. It's a modern day Pride and Prejudice set in Muslim Toronto, full of wonderful and odious characters and happily ever after.

This was a cute book if a little predictable. I liked the twist on Austen, I wish it would have gone a little further in what happens next.

Ayesha is unsure of what she wants to do in the future, but as A Muslim, South Asian woman in Toronto, she knows she doesn't want an arranged marriage. Her cousin, Hafsa, is wrapped up in rishtas, the meeting of many arranged suitors, but for Ayesha, this is not her path. When Ayesha meets Khalid, a serious religious man in a long white robe, with a long white beard, she finds him appealing but too serious. As the story progresses, there are mishaps, mixed up identities and many comedies of errors. This is a romantic comedy, which will make you laugh and is a really fun read. Recommended.

I loved this book! Set in Toronto, this is a take on Pride & Prejudice that features Muslim protagonists. Ayesha is a substitute teacher by day and poet by night, and I absolutely loved her - she's warm, caring, and fiercely outspoken. Khalid, who works in e-commerce, is very religious, stiff, and immediately disapproving of Ayesha. He's very endearing too - always saying things he doesn't mean, or accidentally causing offense. Ayesha and Khalid's initial battles give way to affection, however, as they work together on a conference for their mosque. The story also features a wonderful supporting cast of characters, from Ayesha's flaky cousin, supportive best friend, kind and knowing grandparents, and grief-stricken mother to Khalid's overbearing mother and partying friends. In addition to the Pride & Prejudice themes, there's Shakespeare in the plot too, including some mistaken identities. I don't want to give too much away but this book is delightful. Read it!

Ayesha At Last by Uzma Jalaluddin is really a great book with a interesting premiere, great characters and intriguing plot.

An adorable modern-day Muslim romance about aspiring poet Ayesha and the more traditional Khalid who accidentally fall for each other in spite of their differences. A case of mistaken identity, personality clashes, and family get in the way—especially when Khalid agrees to his mother’s wishes of arranging a marriage. And that marriage just happens to be with Ayesha’s cousin.

I will say, despite being marketed as a Pride and Prejudice retelling, the first two-thirds of the book really don’t follow the story or characters much at all (save for a couple of quotes). That said, I think it stands on its own as a sweet romance, and the last third of the books does follow some Pride and Prejudice storylines more closely. A good pick for romance fans, particularly those looking for something more chaste and lighthearted.

Delightful! Just an absolute joy. Ayesha is wonderful. It took me a while to warm up to Khalid as a love interest, but that's kind of the point, isn't it? I love how this story came together, the lessons learned, and the imperfect but sincere characters involved. I broke my ankle and am stuck at home until I can have surgery, and this book was exactly the brain candy I needed to get me through it.

This modern Muslim retelling of Pride and Prejudice is absolutely fantastic! I could not put it down. I raved about this to our selector and she's already put in an order for a few copies. I can't wait to get this into patrons' hands.

I'm a sucker for a Pride and Prejudice retelling and I wanted to love this - Muslim spin, sign me up!. I did love Ayesha, Khalid, the religious freedom storyline and thinking about what makes someone a "good Muslim". However, the secondary characters were too cardboard cutout for me and the plot just felt flimsy.
Thanks to the publisher and NetGalley for a free copy in exchange for my honest opinion.

This was a great story! I loved the spin on P&P. Anyone that loves romance will love this book. The storyline and ARC were just wonderful!

Sure, it's a P&P retelling, and that might be what makes you pick it up in the first place, but it is also its OWN story, which is much more remarkable. I actually really enjoyed Khalid's arc, especially how he tries to maintain his sense of self at work, and the HEA was well earned. I didn't want to put it down!

This story was great. It's the kind of book you can easily devour in a day. Ayesha and her family were lovely, especially Nani and Nana. The romance is wonderful and the best kind of slow burn.

I also enjoyed the allusions to Pride and Prejudice. Many retellings get it wrong and make "Darcy" mean. Here, both Khalid and Ayesha had to grown and change. The both realized they were guilty of making assumptions based on initial impressions.

Even though this is a retelling, the story stands on its own. It would definitely make a great beach read. Highly recommended!