Rating: 3.75
I started this book thinking it was going to be a run YA romance, boy did it surprise me! It was so much deeper than I expected. Syed Masood really focused on the Indian culture and how arranged marriages are still prevalent today. Not only that but he used the main character's nomination in a school competition to speak of colonialism, how the Indians were treated by the British, and how many of those principles are still alive today. Masood used his book to bring up many points about how 'the mind-set of supremacy based on race and nationality' from decades ago, is still alive today and he does it in a simple uplifting way that doesn't make the reader feel shamed but shows the growth in the main character, Danyal and left me feeling inspired.

Things I liked:
- How Danyal didn't let traditions, shame or familial and societal expectations rule his decisions - he went after the girl he wanted despite his family's desires and fought for what he wanted for his future
- Danyal's connection to cooking, how it calms him
- The introspective of cultural and societal pressures for academic success, future career and marriage.
- Danyal's confidence, not the surface confidence that he begins the story with but how he really grows in his confidence to speak out to others.

Things I didn't like:
- I was annoyed by how much people were making fun of Danyal for being an idiot. Danyal was not book smart and though I see how this was an important piece of the plot, it was hammered in a little too hard.

In More than Just a Pretty Face, Danyal Jilani is seen as "just a pretty face," but not much going on elsewhere. His parents are disappointed with his lack of academic ambition, and see his goals of becoming a chef not worthwhile. When he is selected to compete in the Renaissance Man academic competition at his school, he is not confident. But when he begins to seek help from a rishta candidate who was uninterested, he begins to gain confidence in himself and maybe a little more.

I LOVED THIS BOOK. I did not know what I was getting into when I started, but I was definitely ALL IN by the time I finished. I felt so bad for Bisma and I loved Danyal and how he did not allow her past to jade his judgement of her. Her little sister is also amazing. The growth between Danyal and his father throughout the book was also very sweet and relatable for people who grew up with strict parents and high expectations. As a teacher, I loved seeing Danyal begin his research and become passionate about it as he learned more. Wow. I can't say enough how much I enjoyed this.

Pakistani American Danyal Jilani is in his senior year at high school and is coasting through life on charm and good looks. He has little interest in school and wants to become a chef, much to the displeasure of his parents and his crush, Kaval, who want him to go to college and pursue an appropriate career. But then Danyal’s life is upturned: he meets Bishma as a potential match for an arranged marriage and he is surprisingly selected by his cranky History teacher to be a candidate in his school’s annual Renaissance Man competition giving him a chance to shine academically in front of his parents and Kaval.

But when Danyal, with Bishma’s guidance, starts to research his History teacher’s beloved Winston Churchill, he discovers that there are many skeletons in Churchill’s colonial closet, including his role in the Bengal Famine in which 3 million people starved to death. Should he tell this story or should he follow his parents’ and Kaval’s instructions to toe the line?

Though this is a breezy romantic novel, it does tackle some serious topics, including colonialism, slut shaming and gender equity. All of the major characters are Muslim South Asian Americans and the cultural and religious customs as well as the demands and rewards of that community are central to the novel. As Danyal, guided by Bishma, prepares his essay and presentation for the tournament, he begins to see that only by making himself proud can he hope to inspire that in others.

Thanks to Little, Brown and Netgalley for the digital review copy.

Wow. What an amazing read. I loved the characters and the writing really surprised me.I highly recommend this one.

This book was a much-needed interruption to my daily life of selfish thoughts and meaningless concourses. I feel it's only appropriate to quote Mean Girls when describing this book, "...[This book] punched me in the face...It was awesome."

I'm going to start with the negative since this time, it's all wrapped in positives. I often found myself thinking this book was boring yet intriguing. Even odder, there was never a middle ground. I was never mildly interested; only bored or intrigued. This is what contributes to the less than a five-star review. However, my intrigue outweighed my boredom and I finished the book with a smile.

We experience this book through the eyes of Danyal, a good-looking, confident young man who lacks in the intelligence department. So when he's asked to participate in an academic competition, things get interesting. Danyal has a very distinct and consistent voice throughout the book. We learn that he's confident about his looks and flirting with girls, but insecure in his inability to differentiate helium from hydrogen. He is insanely committed to his goal of becoming a chef but fickle in his exact obedience to his religion.

These are a few of the things that make him the best possible narrator through which to experience this story. There were some heavy topics discussed throughout the book, but when presented through Danyal's playful and teenager-y voice, it lessened the blow. Or maybe made it feel more important and attainable.

Along with Danyal, we get to meet some other characters who have left a smile on my face. First on my list is Mr. Tippett, Danyal's history teacher and Renaissance Man sponsor. He and Danyal have a hate/really hate relationship that is both entertaining and insightful. Mr. Tippett is always pushing Danyal to do more and become a better student to which Danyal always protests. I love Mr. Tippett.

Then we have the chef that runs the restaurant Danyal works at, Chef Brodeur. Similar to Mr. Tippett, she is always pushing Danyal to become a better chef and person, but she does so in a way that is both humorous and scary. She is a woman to be feared in the absolute best way. I think I learned almost as much from her as Danyal and his speech. I love Chef Brodeur.

Lastly, we have Bisma. Without giving too much away, I just have to say that I love the dynamic between Bisma and Danyal. It just works. I love Bisma.

These people all work with Danyal in his attempt to portray what he feels and learns about Winston Churchhill and perception vs. truth. My head nearly fell off with all the wisdom that was bestowed upon me as I read this book that I have to wonder what kind of knowledge Masood spits out on the daily. But seriously, the message this book communicates is enlightening, thought-provoking, and much needed in our world today. There were many times as I read this book that I had to stop and just think about what I read. I don't get enough of that in my contemporary romance novels.

Overall, this was a great book on change, love, and speaking up about what you know to be right. There is the perfect amount of romance mixed with the plea to think and act differently than you did before you read this book. I would recommend this book to anyone who is looking to receive a chastening, and who is willing to put up with some boring bits to get to the good stuff.

1) love this cover
2) I’m not sure how to rate this one! So I’ll give it a 3.5 to not nudge the scales?? but more positive than average?
3) I appreciated some parts so much. Doctors were casually mentioned as black and brown women, casually badass lesbian head chef etc.
4) I’m not sure how this representation will land depending on family and values ?
5) speaking of landing the writing style / content that was young but then coupled with marriage and sex make it a little tricky as I consider what age range I would pass this to.

Thanks to Netgalley and the publisher for an ARC in exchange for an honest review

This book could not have come at a better time. In the midst of the romance storyline in More Than Just a Pretty Face, there was also a smaller storyline that spoke to the injustice the Indian people faced at the hands of William Churchill––someone seen as an important historical figurehead. Lately the news cycle has been focused on nothing but injustice faced by oppressed groups. I loved and appreciated how Danyal focused his big paper and presentation on this injustice––going against what others thought he should do to do what he knew he needed to do. What an important lesson for all of us.

I love that this book was written entirely from the POV of a high school man. Almost of the YA books I read are written from the perspective of a young woman (or split between a man and woman), so I loved the uniqueness of the narration here. As a non-Muslim, white woman reading this book, I found it interesting to learn more about the traditions and beliefs of the faith. I can't speak to how accurate those descriptions were, and I know other reviewers have more opinions on this part of the novel, but it seemed to line up with other books I've read in the past. This was a wonderful #OwnsVoices YA romance read that I would be happy to recommend to individuals interested in not just romance, but also social justice.

Before I end this review, I wanted to share a bit near the end that really stuck with me:

"There's no point in having a voice if you don't use it, and it isn't enough to use your voice to only speak your truth. . . . We've got to use our voices against narratives of inequality whenever they're repeated, even if we benefit from them. If we're silent in the face of injustice, then we're unjust too." (pages 200-201)

Thank you to NetGalley and Hachette for an advance copy of this book.

I received a copy from the publisher through NetGalley in exchange for an honest review.

Danyal Jilani doesn't want to go to college; he wants to be a chef. His parents believe he should marry a nice girl, go to college, and be successful. Danyal's parents set up a rishta, which is the Muslim tradition of starting the process for an arranged marriage. He meets Bisma, who is very different from the girl he is crushing on, Kaval. Danyal also gets thrown into a competition he didn't want to compete in nor does he think he'll do well in. Throughout the novel, Danyal struggles with balancing his family's traditions, needing to make his father proud, and his dream of being a chef.

I really liked More than Just a Pretty Face. It was interesting to see how Muslim traditions differ from Western traditions and to see them explained. As a Christian, I only know what I've learned in school about Islam. I learned more reading a contemporary novel written by an amazing Pakistani author than I would have in school. There is huge character growth throughout the whole novel. It really shines with Danyal and Sohrab (Danyal's best friend). There are two quotes in the novel, one on page 130 and one on page 143, that show the idea of growth in the characters and really stood out to me. Both quotes involve speaking up for your beliefs and not being silent as that won't cause any change in the world.

I would be delighted to read more novels by Syed M. Masood in the future.

This book is a gem! I loved Danyal so much! He was funny and charming. Danyal spent much of the book chasing his perfect girl Kaval. Their friendship was a great part of this book. Bisma is the true star of this story, she's perfectly flawed. She knows she's messed up in the past but is still strong and confident. She helps Danyal with his Renaissance Man project and they become friends. I loved watching all these characters grow. I loved this one!

This was a really cute love story. I loved reading the two characters, both so distinct from each other. Their interactions and them slowly falling each other was so sweet to read. As a desi, it was so heartwarming to read all of the obstacles and insecurities both were trying to tackle. I absolutely adored seeing the beautiful, stupid boy asking the smart girl for help in school work trope only with brown kids and the smart girl isn't an awkward lovestruck girl but a smart and witty woman and the pretty boy is kind and naive at times. As much as I loved reading about two brown kids falling in love, I did not really like brown culture and Islam was used as a plot device or a matter for something the main characters to make a joke out of; the author picked and chose elements of Islam or brown culture to introduce to the reader for convenience. This might not really be a bothersome thing to other people but it definitely irked me a little bit. Regardless, this was a cute book I would recommend to brown kids trying to see more representation in the genre.

-- 4 stars --

This is genuinely one of the best books I've read in a long time. There wasn't an aspect I didn't enjoy—I thought the pacing was smart, the plot was engaging, the food descriptions were wonderful, and I immediately fell in love with the characters. I'm truly sad that I can't be friends with Bisma and Danyal in real life. I could have read an additional 400 pages about these characters and what happens next!

I wanted to enjoy this book but it kept falling short for me. The writing doesn’t flow like I would hope it would. It was very choppy. The culture was nice to see, but sometimes there wasn’t a lot of explanation. I saw myself getting lost in traditions or says without explanation. Also what was present seemed very stereotypical and present such a poor light into the Muslim community.

I didn’t enjoy the story and I kept hoping it would turnaround, but the dialogue that was used felt cheap and made me disconnect with the characters. I didn’t like the way that each person was depicted. I really wanted to like this story but I just think this book wasn’t for me.

I am torn on how to rate this book.

I am not Muslim, so I cannot speak to the representation of that in this book. I have, however, read other reviews by people of that culture who see big problems with how it's portrayed. So I would encourage people to read those reviews.

This book was very crass and full of, frankly, unnecessary language. I can turn a blind eye to a curse word here or there, but this book is saturated with it. If it was a movie, it would be rated R based on language alone.

Also, Danyal (the main character) was stupid. I mean, I get that he's not supposed to be great in school. And that's fine. But to get to be 19 years old and not know the phrase "break a leg" means good luck, not know that helium (not argon or hydrogen) is what gives you a high voice when inhaled, thinking a book said "lions" instead of "loins?" I mean, those felt like very childish things. It made me think of him as an elementary school aged kid instead of a legal adult. There's a way to make a character charmingly less smart than others, but this just made him seem straight up stupid and unlikable.

That being said, I think the story and the conversation presented in this book are very important. People need to read about these things and talk about these things and ponder them.

"History is told by the victors" is a HUGE conversation in this book. Whitewashed history is a problem. Holding people (Winston Churchill is the example in this book) up like heroes while sweeping their terrible decisions under a rug is a problem. This book has given me the desire to learn more about actual history, not just the pretty, neatly packaged kind most of us are fed.

I just wish the author had done it in a...classier way? Because while I want my children to read books that discuss these topics as they get older, I sure don't want them reading books that drop f-bombs multiple times on each page.

Danyal Jilanli is a pretty boy and underachiever who dreams of opening his own restaurant and marrying his best friends’s beautiful twin sister. When he is entered into his school’s Renaissance Man competition, Danyal enlists the help of Bisma, a failed arranged marriage prospect, to prove himself to his family and crush that he’s ~more than just a pretty face~⁣
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I enjoyed Danyal as a main character. He’s goofy and doesn’t take anything too seriously. He’s consistently called dumb and incompetent by everyone around him, but he was a line cook at a rather prestigious restaurant, clearly proving he was determined to chase his dreams. I loved Bisma as a love interest. She was kind, thoughtful, complex, and big old nerd.⁣
⁣
My favorite part was Danyal’s Renaissance Man presentation where he goes for the jugular on Winston Churchill despite everyone telling him to just write a paper praising the man. Instead, he opts to give an honest portrait of Churchill as a tool of British colonialism and it’s negative effects on India and Pakistan. Let’s go!!!!⁣
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This book struggles to find its footing until about 40% in. The plot waffles around and seems unsure where to go. We’re told all about Danyal’s feelings but never really shown how much he’s grown to care for Bisma. I love that this is #ownvoices about a Pakistani Muslim boy, but a couple own voice reviewers on Goodreads wrote about their concern with how Masood portrayed Islam and the purposes of arranged marriages - remember it’s always good to read own voice reviews!⁣
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In the past, one character is non-consensually filmed during sex, and the book does not handle it well. I understand conservative Muslim communities would struggle with this, but as the book is intended for a teen audience it’s disheartening to read so much slut-shaming. Danyal is adamant it doesn’t matter, but that’s not enough. What happened was a crime, and the book needs to pushback more against any other thought.⁣

I'm usually not a huge fan of YA novels, but I loved this one. It had a fun, rom-com feel to it. I loved watching the friendship develop between Danyal and Bisma. I loved their banter and the slow turn from friendship into romantic feelings. I highly recommend this book!

To start off, I am gonna say that I am definitely going to be purchasing this book for my library (probably multiple copies) because it is just so good.

This book follows Danyal a guy who has always been seen as someone with nothing more to offer than his pretty face. Growing up Indian and from a Muslim family there are expectations that they have for their boys- incredibly smart, driven, and going to college. All of which Danyal does NOT identify as. He feels that he is always disappointing his father by not being the brightest and wanting to go to culinary school.

This book is a love story from the boys perspective- think of the traditional geek girl meets jock scenario but you are instead in the jocks point of view. Add on top of that, he shows true vulnerability and emotions that are not often portrayed in male characters.

I know for a fact that my diverse school (with a magnet academy population) would devour this book just as I did. This book has so many quotable lines, and great moral messages! I learned many things I would have never known about Winston Churchill and food. It was a quick and fun read- I look forward to seeing what this author has to follow up with this fabulous first novel!

More than Just a Pretty Face ​by Syed M. Masood will be out in August of 2020!

“They say the devil is in the details, and I’ve always been taught to avoid tangling with the devil whenever possible. In a way, living carefree is the most Muslim thing you can do.”
Honestly, I’m a little conflicted about this book.
On one hand, More Than Just a Pretty Face was a hilarious rom com with a desi twist. Danyal is great; he’s witty, charming, and confident in what he wants. Though his family is traditional, he has made peace with the fact that his father won’t accept his ambitions. He’s an amazing chef (who cooks daal and creme brulee with equal competence), fully acknowledges his flaws, and an overall sweet person. He’s wise, empathetic, and hardworking when he wants to be. His characters develops through the story, in exactly the ways you would expect from this synopsis: what he always wanted was not actually right for him etc.
Truth be told, I came here for the culture, and I got it. From getting thrashed by chappal to Kuch Kuch Hota Hai references, this book was absolutely iconic.
However, the story packs in A LOT more than this. We delve into the arranged marriage structure, which is apparently being pushed on seniors in high school, and the glaring issues that come with it. We also get to follow along Danyal’s project for Renaissance Man, and then hear his entire speech at the end. This is a whole subplot involving history, racism, and colonialism. In fact, there is a point where this exchange between Danyal and his history teacher goes down:
“The history of your country, Mr. Jilani. You were born in India, correct?”
“San Diego, actually.”
Tippett sighed. “Yes, but your parents were born in India, were they not?”
I shook my head. “Pakistan.”
“Those are very nearly the same thing.”
I guess I could say that I’m lucky enough to have grown up in a place where no one makes such awkward racial assumptions, but I literally live in the same city as Danyal. Yes, I’ve been on day trips to Lake Elizabeth just like Danyal and Bisma, and I can take the BART to San Francisco just like he does. Somehow, the subplot of history hiding the horrors of colonialism did not sit well with me because every single history teacher I’ve ever had has gone out of their way to show both sides of the story. Never have I ever had to worry about failing history because I wrote about a lesser-known aspect of it. History,, is history?? As long as your paper is factually accurate and well-written, your teacher won’t fail you just because your opinion differs from their own (unless they’re a horrible human being).
We also get to hear a lot about being Muslim, and more generally, the struggles of balancing a somewhat antiquated culture with being American. Danyal finds himself stuck between his friend Sohrahb, who is becoming increasingly obsessed with Islam, and his friend Intezar, who believes that the traditional rules need not be applied so strictly. Danyal’s struggles with these ideas, and where he finds himself on the spectrum, make up a hefty subplot as well.
Overall, More Thank Just a Pretty Face was a sweet story, with a likable and fresh protagonist. However, the heavy subplots may diminish the glamour of the book if you are not familiar with these subjects. If you, like me, have given significant thought to being a second-generation immigrant, the boundaries of religion, and the truth about colonialism, you will be able to coast through this book. If these topics are difficult for you, you may find this book more somber than it was intended to be.

YES blatantly cocky boy rights! Fun stuff, love the muslim representation and I love how it’s ownvoices which makes everything better.

This book is a Muslim YA romcom OWN voice written by a Muslim male.  Woah, right? And the actual story, sigh (blush) I enjoyed it, and part of me is disappointed in myself for how much I enjoyed it.  Most of the characters are Muslim and all over the spectrum in their religiosity so to speak, there are a lot of jokes at the expense of tenants in Islam and trivializing of certain concepts which really isn't something to celebrate, but it reads real and there is a lot of Islam that is front and center and deep and though provoking. For most non Muslim readers, I'm sure 15 or 16 and up would be fine with the content and 353 page length, but as a former Islamic School Librarian, I'd have to reserve recommendations to college age.  The protagonist is 19, there is talk of sex, but not crass, the main female character has a past that includes a sex tape, and there is a lot of language, but its also really funny and really relatable and really sweet and takes place in high school.

SYNOPSIS:

Danyal is a pretty face, but he isn't very bright.  He goes to an elite private school though somehow, and while he is admittedly dingy, he is also very kind, innocent and generous.  He was held back at some point in school and is 19 as a senior in high school.  He works in a French restaurant and dreams of being a chef.  He has no desire to go to college and as the only son of Pakistani immigrants, they are not thrilled with their son't future plans.  Danyal is pretty chill about it though and his mom wants to arrange his marriage, and he is willing, although he is crazy in love with his friend's twin sister.  He is religious and hasn't really broken any of the Islamic relationship rules, he prays fajr, and just kinda floats through life doing the best he can and forgiving himself and others when they mess up.  

When his mom arranges a meeting with Bisma he is willing to get to know if they are a match.  She however, fully discloses her past to him when they head out for coffee, which involves her rebelling, once a few years earlier, against her father and going to a party, further rebelling and getting drunk and then making the poor and regrettable choice to sleep with someone.  To make matters worse, the event was video taped and spread around the community forcing the family to move.  Bisma is pretty religious and really studious and really sorry, but her father and most community people don't let it go.  Danyal thinks that is stupid, one mistake shouldn't haunt her forever, unfortunately he doesn't think chivalry and pity are enough of a reason to marry her as he doesn't think they are meant for each other.  Basically, he is still really crushing on Kaval.  So he and Bisma decide to be friends.

When Danyal's history teacher in a fit of spite nominates Danyal for a prestigious Renaissance Man competition, Danyal calls on Bisma for help.  The topic is Winston Churchill, the beloved British leader, but Danyal quickly learns he is not beloved by most Indian subcontinent people.  Kaval offers to help so that Danyal can win the competition, impress her parents and then maybe give them a chance.  But, suddenly Danyal doesn't know if that is what he wants.  He wants to be himself, he wants to be accepted, he wants Bisma.

WHY I LIKE IT:

You know how it is going to end, you don't know entirely how it is going to get there, but you know where it is headed, yet the book is still compelling and fun.  Between the banter of the religious friend, and the no longer religious friend, the advice the French Chef bestows on Danyal and Danyal's complete and utter cluelessness to everything, the book is really warm and the characters really like-able.  I dislike the stereotype of the "religious" character, but the other side characters are better developed.  

On occasion I think Danyal's stupidity is over done, he isn't an idiot, he just isn't book smart. So when he doesn't know what "break a leg" implies for example, it seems a tiny bit off.  I know his friends say he isn't funny, but I think he is hilarious, especially with his commentary on the Desi community.  "It is the curse of brown boys everywhere.  We either die young or we live long enough to see ourselves become uncles."

The role of Islam is incredibly prominent, and the characters understand what it means to be Muslim differently.  Sometime I agreed with them, sometimes I didn't, sometimes the characters didn't agree with each other, sometimes they did.  There is a lot to think about: destiny, Allah's mercy, Qalb-e-saleem (a pure heart), caring for the less fortunate.  Even politically there is a strong thread of colonialism, which the characters wrestle with and with being immigrant's children.   There is a lot packed in, but it flows so smooth and the writing rich with authenticity, that quite often I would laugh out loud and read various lines to my young children.

FLAGS:

Talk of sex and losing virginity, but not detailed, just stated.  The chef is a lesbian.  There is lots of language including the F word, not thrown in effortlessly, usually for a reason, and often reprimanded.  There are a few kisses on the cheek and lips between Danyal and Bisma, but in a Disney princess movie sort of way.

TOOLS FOR LEADING THE DISCUSSION:

Not for middle or even high school book club. I don't think that it is a completely "halal" romance story, but I think I wouldn't be concerned if juniors and seniors were reading it, I think they would love it, and I might just have a few that I want to suggest it to...

I absolutely LOVED this book! I've been in a YA romance slump and this is just what I needed!

This is about Danyal who isn't the brightest pea in the pod. He's muslim and his parents are quite conservative and don't approve of his dream of going to culinary school... the food in this all sounds so good. His parents are trying to set him up with. a "good muslim girl." however, he thinks he's in love with Kaval, a girl who's super beautiful and smart and "out of his league." anyways, she thinks she's better than him and never really paid attention to him because everyone thinks he's stupid.
his parents try and set him up with a beautiful, smart girl, who comes from a good family. immediately he wonders why her parents would even think of giving their daughter to him for marriage, but then he finds out that she's "damaged." Bisma just broke my heart. she's so sweet and so kind and deserved so much love, and I hated everyone who hurt her.
they end up having a friendship and she helps him with the renaissance man which he was chosen for. it's like this project that only super smart people get chosen for, but his teacher chose him kind of out of spite. anyways, she helps him study, and soon he realizes he actually likes her!
their romance is so sweet and fun and funny and I found myself smiling and laughing throughout this entire book! 100% recommend!