“You feel like home.”⁣
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WARNING 🛑 : do not read this book if you are hungry, hangry, or have no snacks in your house, cause I promise you, if you weren’t hangry before you started reading snackless you will be hangry after. ⁣
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Anyways, this book was wonderful. Who doesn’t love a fake engagement trope? Especially a tall sexy man with a British accent who knows how to swoon the pants off the ladies and has excellent swag and banter. ⁣
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Also, I am actually starving now that I’ve read this. I think I can smell the sourdough bread at this point. The talk of all the delicious Indian and African cuisines made me so hungry. ⁣
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Reena is so likable and just real. Normally I don’t love a character that pushes everything under the rug and could’ve dealt with their issue in the beginning, but in this situation her and her sister deal with depression and mental illness and personal insecurities and in their family, feel like they have to hide their true selves to appease their family. ⁣
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Their entire family keeps secrets and avoids conversations, which could lead to anxiety and depression in anyone, and that was portrayed so beautifully. The growth in the Reena, Saira, Nadim and even Reena’s parents was really great to read throughout the story as well; and proved how important it is to truly listen to someone and hear them instead of believing gossip and letting things spiral. I really loved the culture, banter, and growth in this story, there were swoonworthy parts, laugh out loud parts, and tough important discussions. ⁣
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🥖🥖🥖🥖🥖⁣
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Thank you @readforeverpub and @netgalley for an ARC for my honest review.⁣
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#bookstagram #books #romance #romcom #accidentallyengaged

the bread, oh the bread! Cooking details stayed on point and weren’t long winded. Some books have way too many details about the kitchen. But this novel had just the right amount Of hilarious banter. Between family issues, next door neighbor struggles and baking joys the text will keep you laughing for hours. Farah’s writing style - I loved diving into Reena’s world and living her mishaps with her. Who wouldn’t love failing and getting back up again with life?!

Bread and baking
Insta-like
Authentic family and friendship relationships
Muslim representation

I really enjoyed Farah Heron’s book The Chai Factor and I was so excited to read Accidentally Engaged. This book was entertaining, sweet and emotional. I love banter and this one had it! Put this one your TBR - and while you’re waiting for it to be released in March, pick up her other book The Chai Factor!

Why to make me salivate like crazy Heron! I even went and made my own sourdough after reading this beauty.

I was interested in this book because a fake relationship trope is one of my favorites. Also, this is set in Toronto area. I have read very few books set there and I feel like I NEED more books set in Canada.

Reena and Nadim had such amazing chemistry. I loved reading about these characters. Their fetishes, their likes and dislikes, family issues, and most importantly their combined love of food.

I appreciated that big topic were introduced with solid reasoning and dealt with eventually in a conclusive way that didn't feel ingenuine.

This was a closed door romance for the most part. There was some mild language.

Thank you Forever Pub and Netgalley for the advanced copy!

This story was lovely. Reena and Nadim had amazing chemistry from the start and the dialogue between them is truly funny. The lice part had me laughing out loud. It was so random yet sort of romantic. The conversation with Nadim about his fetish was a cute moment too. I love how they accept all their weird quirks and low moments. The romance grew naturally and didn’t seem rushed. I learned so much about bread and all the food sounded so delicious. It was nice to have a story with family issues and it made the story more relatable because a lot of it like joining a food show contest and being the daughter of a real estate mogul is not very relatable to many. The side characters were entertaining and you can see the bond between Reena and her cousins and friends.. Overall, a funny and cute fake dating to lovers romance! Read it for the delicious food too!

This would make an amazing movie since there is so much going on. But, I like less "plot-y" romances and wanted more scenes just between the main couple. I really liked the characters, but I would have liked more character moments and quiet conversations rather than so much plot advancement. But, this is a personal preference.

I did like all the side plots, but there were almost too many to keep track of.

Also, I did not realize this was "book 2" in a series, which does not impact the enjoyment of this one, but I would have liked to know that going in.


Also, fun fact, there is a lice plot and then I had a dream that I had lice which was not fun.

Reading Notes:
- Yes! I love a meet-cute right at the beginning.
- I feel like we’re missing a touch more backstory. A few too many things have been dropped in without explanation. I don’t mind a couple extrapolations but there’s just one too many here.
- Loving. The. Chemistry. This is so cute.
- Omg this book is gonna make me so hungry. Seriously, this is Foodie Fiction with capital Fs.
- This book is addicting.
- Definitely still feel like I’m missing backstory at certain points though. But the author does slip it in eventually. It just seems delayed.
- Also, seriously, I’m so hungry. 😂
- Non-graphic love scenes, for those looking for the sex rating... I’d say it’s PG13.
- I love these two main characters. It just gets better as the book goes on.
- Occasionally the language was a bit stilted or had unnecessary exposition in it (though that may be a personal preference) but overall it’s just so sweet that I don’t care.
- Oh heck. There’re recipes at the end. I need to go ingredients shopping. Immediately.
- Overall, 4 Stars. I loved it. I’m already adding it to my friends and family’s must-read 2021 Romance lists.

Farah Heron crafted a delicious romance that I couldn’t put down.

As the middle child, Reena was used to her parents chastising her for not being married and settled down. Despite all of their nagging, she didn’t expect the tenant next door to be introduced as her potential fiancé. While Reena and Nadim agreed that they wouldn’t get married, they formed a comradery and even fake engagement as Reena competed on a cooking show.

I had a blast reading Accidentally Engaged and absolutely adored the heart that Heron poured into this book. It was easy to fall into Reena’s world and understand her family dynamic and how Reena felt stuck in life. For Reena, Nadim was a breath of fresh air. He was fun, a bit quirky, and was absolutely in love with her food which was a major confidence boost for Reena. I loved their banter how their fake relationship naturally blossomed into a deeper affection. Besides the romance, I appreciated the progression of Reena’s relationship with her sister, Saira. The two always held each other at an arm’s length and it was nice to see them finally come together.

Accidentally Engaged is both parts fun and emotional. Come for the romance, stay for all of the delicious food that Reena cooks (with recipe cards in the back of the book)!

Accidentally Engaged- 3.5⭐

I thought The Dating Plan made me hungry but oh my goodness this book took it to another level. I've seen book reviewers talk about not loving food talk in rom coms but honestly I'm all about it (#givemeallofthefood ) The bread and all of the yummy recipes that Reena & Nadim made sounded amazing - some were even included at the end of the book.

Overall, I really enjoyed this sweet & diverse rom com. While there wasn't much steam in this novel, the chemistry and tension were still strong. The obstacles between the couple were real and not overly drawn out, making the book real and relatable.

Who should read this? If you prefer a rom com lighter on the steam, are a foodie, or just want to have a legitimate excuse to stuff yourself full of bread, this is the book for you!

This book is so wonderful!

Reena is unhappy at her finance job and finds her family to be overly meddling, especially when she learns her father has arranged her engagement with Nadim as part of a business agreement. But when she happens to meet him as her new neighbor, and he’s already smitten with the fresh-baked bread smells always coming from her apartment, she’s unwillingly attracted to him. When she loses her job and runs into Nadim at the local bar, they drunkenly submit a video to a cooking contest and find themselves faking their engagement in order to win prestigious baking course.

This was really fun and sweet, full of wonderful friendship and complicated familial relationships. I loved seeing the development between Reena and Saira, her younger sister, especially and how even a tense sibling bond can change with effort and time. I also loved how central food was and how much love was included in the meals Reena and Nadim made. I appreciated how they wanted to stay true to their roots as East African-Indian Muslims and refused to dilute or colonize their food.

I will admit I almost set this book aside because I was feeling bored and there’s more fatmisia than I’m wholly comfortable with, but I’m glad I stuck it out because the ending especially was super sweet. This has such a sweet romance and I think it played wonderfully with the fake dating trope. Definitely recommend if you’re interested in a romance where friendship and food are central, and family is complicated but still loving in their imperfect ways.

Oh my goodness, the number of times my mouth salivated during this read is embarrassing! This book was so cute and great and all things wonderful. I loved the main characters and how seamlessly they fit together, even though they are not “engaged” really. I loved seeing their relationship progress and the ending of the book!

I love fake dating books and this one was such a cute one. I loved Reema and her love of baking bread and her and Nadim's relationship was so adorable.
The family aspect was good as well and I loved how Reema loved her family but had a hard time pleasing them.
Overall it was a cute romance read.

This novel is fun and there is a lot to really get on board with (food! Check!). But there may be too much going on honestly. I got very overwhelmed reading this book which made it lose the enjoyment.

Accidentally Engaged is the first book by Farah Heron that I've read, but it definitely won't be my last. I enjoyed Heron's writing, the development of the characters and the storyline was delicious and engaging.

Reena Manji has not had much luck in the job or love department. She has a younger sister and an older brother along with her parents and her family is very involved in her life. So much so that Reena tends to keep things to herself to keep her well-meaning family from stepping in. Her love is cooking and baking. She loves making bread and her dream is to take a class at a well known university in Toronto, but the price tag doesn't allow her to pursue that passion.

Nadim moves in across the hall from Reena and immediately finds her alluring. He hits on her when he first meets her before he realizes that she is the woman that he is supposed to enter into an arranged marriage with. As Nadim begins working for Reena's father, he and his neighbor become tentative friends. They spend some time together and end up making a drunken cooking video that may change their lives completely.

When that video leads to them making the finals in a cooking contest, that could deliver that class Reena wants to take, the two have to pretend to be engaged due to the fact it's a couples contest. They begin to make plans and they realize they really do like one another as they work together on this show. Will they end up being the perfect combination when it looked like they would be anything but?

I enjoyed this book for many reasons. The characters were fantastic, I learned about different cuisine and baking and it showed just how intricate families and their interactions can be. I would definitely recommend picking up Accidentally Engaged!

**I voluntarily read an early copy of this title courtesy of NetGalley and the publisher in exchange for an honest review**

This is one of those books that you don't want to read on an empty stomack.

It is so much fun. I love when there is more to the story than romance. Give me a good story of food to keep me engaged. This is full of Naan and Tandori, and things that I haven't tried, but now want to try.

The two main characters are also lots of fun, and there is always family that gets in the way. And although they are set up to get married by their parents, they resist that, and just date instead, because of course that is the way to resist your parents interfering in your life.

<em>Thanks to Netgalley for making this book available for an honest review.</em>

So I found this book while looking through 2021 romance book releases. Immediately upon seeing that gorgeous cover art and reading the description, I knew I had to try this one: diverse romance, baking, a competition, family dynamics annnd an arranged marriage set up?? Sign me up!

The premise was promising and checked a lot of boxes for my preferred reads, but it was a new to me author... Luckily, I have to say that this book exceeded my expectations and was such an amazing read 💕💕

I’m not even sure where to start for this one, it was just such a fun read! 😊 First, I have to give a shout out to the fact that this was a diverse romance - I love to see representative reads, it’s so fun to get to have a lens into different experiences and viewpoints. In this case our heroine is Canadian and Muslim and her (very involved family) is of South Asian descent. Our leading man has a similar background with and a British accent too (who can resist 🤗)

Reena and Nadim have a great connection from the beginning and I was rooting for them - despite Reena’s steadfast refusal to consider another set up by her parents. This book had all the makings of the classic romcom, with some funny and endearing bits. I loved so many of the characters- and loved the show of dysfunctional but loving family dynamics. I appreciated the side characters and how they were fleshed out and the fact that they caught my interest and held their own throughout the book.

I enjoyed the competition and the baking - I loved seeing Reena and Nadim’s story unfold. I also really appreciated seeing the relationship changes for Reena and her sister and the closeness they developed throughout (surprising since I disliked her sister at the beginning).

I can honestly say I cannot wait to try another of this authors books (and was so excited to see this wasn’t her debut so I don’t have to wait!! 😊) Highly recommend for fans of romantic comedies!

Thank you to NetGalley and Forever Publishing for the chance to read this fabulous story!

** Review posted to GoodReads 2/9/21

** Review / Recommendation posts to Booksta and Amazon for release week

Book Review Time

Accidentally Engaged by Farah Heron

Also thank you to Netgalley and Read Forever Publishing for providing me this ARC for an honest review!

Rating: ★ ★ ★ ★ ☆

I’ll never turn down a book with a fake engagement, across the hall mystery man, and girl who loves to eat all the carbs (well homemade bread that is)!

Pros:
-All of the culture involved in this book. You’ve got a Canadian setting, but Indian characters that are actually also African. I never knew about Tanzania before this book and I loved learning snippets about this country!
-All the food! I need to go learn to cook homemade bread right away.
-All the cooking video banter! So sweet and precious.
-I have to say I loved Amira and Duncan. They are side characters I wish we could see more of, maybe a book 2 😉 I feel like they were the definition of being different but still finding that no matter what they loved each other unconditionally.
-Family secrets coming out
-Brian and Al

Cons:
-These dads. I mean I kind of get that it’s how they were raised, but man. I think every dad in this book just wasn’t the best. I think there was redemption at the end, but still.
-My top con anytime is that there isn’t an epilogue. Good things are eluded, but I need confirmation that it 100% worked out 😂

My thoughts:

I feel like I’ve read multiple romcoms that are focused around the Indian culture (or am I supposed to say Desi?). But I loved that this sort of had a different vibe. In the others the HUGE family played a big part, and while there is plenty of family (but not a ton like the other books I read) in this book, this family was more “dysfunctional” in a sense. It wasn’t a happy loving supportive family that always got along. They all had secrets, resentments, things they had to work through, and very pushy and judge mental parents. It wasn’t just about Reena and Nadim and their relationship. Reena has 2 siblings, friends, and her mom and dad that she had to build relationships with as well. It also had some found family vibes. I loved that this wasn’t the same type of book I had been reading. You got to learn about a different aspect of the Indian culture and more, as well as a great romcom love story thrown in! Also if you like Indian food then this book will have your mouth watering!

The perfect book for springs. Full of romance, distain to love, and humor, the words make you laugh and want to cry. The cover is as beautiful as what is inside. I also love the diversity of this book and what the means for romantic fiction in the future. I need more cultural love stories and I think Farrah Heron could be the one to give us just that.

Just finished reading ACCIDENTALLY ENGAGED by Farah Heron. I received this ARC from Forever Publishing via Netgalley in exchange for an honest review. Official publication date is March 2nd, 2021.

A cooking contest, all the breads 🤤, and a fake fiancé... I was hooked from the synopsis! Make sure you have snacks on hand while reading this one.

Reena Manji our 31 year old MC is coasting through life. The highlight of her days are spent in her kitchen making bread. When she stumbles into Nadim the new neighbor with a sexy British accent and hot body things start to look up. Until she comes to learn he's her father's latest employee, and her newest arranged marriage prospect.

But Nadim’s not like the other prospects for husband material that her family has tried to pawn her off on. Nadim is different and this unlikely duo become good friends, with a promise to never marry each other. However when Nadim volunteers to help Reena enter a national cooking contest as her fake finacé, things heat up in the kitchen on screen and off screen. Reena will need to decide what her feelings mean, if she is ready to take things to the next level, while also navigating the gossip and drama that comes with her family.

I was hooked on Reena & Nadim, both characters were lovable and I enjoyed reading along to watch their relationship grow. I also loved Reena’s extended family, all their secrets, and the South Asian cuisines throughout. Farah Heron you have a hit on your hands 🙌.

I absolutely loved it!!!!! Quick read and full of goodness on every page. Highly recommend this one.