Accidentally Engaged has secured a spot as one of my favorite romances of all time. A fake engagement and a cooking competition? Sign me up!

If I had one word to describe this book (even though I am ready to write a 10 page essay on my love for this book) it would be heartwarming. I would pause while reading Reena and Nadim's banter and realize I had the biggest smile on my face. And I literally was giggling out loud! Their chemistry was electric and they were also so, so sweet together. I also found Reena's family to be heartwarming and even though they have their challenges, it was really wonderful to see their growth throughout the book. I also loved Reena's friends and thought they each added something important to the story.

I loved the conversations about food and how it kept Reena and Nadim connected to their Indian and East African culture. I have never read a book that made me want to bake so badly! The descriptions of the food had my mouth watering and planning my future bakes. I would compare it to the wonderful depiction of food in Jasmine Guillory's novels. You'll definitely want to make some sourdough after finishing it! I also adored how food was a common passion for both Nadim and Reena.

One thing that really stood out to me while reading this was seeing Reena's personal growth. I definitely felt for Reena and her lack of self-confidence, which was impacted by failed relationships and layoffs. I loved that this book had such a real representation of coping and growth. Witnessing Reena believe in her inner strength was really beautiful. Additionally, I loved the conversations around mental health in this book! It was really refreshing to see in a romance that real life challenges weren't shied away from and were addressed. Seeing therapy talked about in such a positive way made me so incredibly happy.

I highly recommend this book. I really have a select few favorite books and I am so excited to add this one to my list. It will be a book I buy a physical copy of and reread time and time again.

This was a super cute romance. It was a little slow to start but overall it was a solid story. I thought it was a unique premise and would recommend to rom-com fans. 3.5 stars rounded up.

WARNING: DO NOT READ WHILE HUNGRY!⁣
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𝗔𝗰𝗰𝗶𝗱𝗲𝗻𝘁𝗮𝗹𝗹𝘆 𝗘𝗻𝗴𝗮𝗴𝗲𝗱 is a complex, layered romcom novel that is the most recent book I’ve read with @lovearctually. I loved the witty banter and discussion of good food. I also absolutely love a curly hair lead character and that her love interest loved her curls! 👩🏽‍🦱⁣
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AE takes place in Toronto with Reena and Nadia, who are neighbors in an apartment building owned by her father. Reena’s passion is baking bread and Nadim is intoxicated by this smell from across the hall. Nadim has just moved from Tanzania to start a new job with Reena’s father. She also finds out that her dad also wants her to marry Nadim. Reena’s dream is to cook professionally and is offered an opportunity on a cooking show, but the catch is that she must be engaged or married to be on it. If only she knew someone who could help and shared her passion for food?⁣
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I loved this book for many reasons. Number 1 is all the food references! I looked up and pinned many recipes to my Pinterest. I want to try so many of them and I’m so happy a few made it into the end of the book! Number 2, Reena stayed true to herself under so much family pressure; to join her dad’s company, to marry the men her parents wanted, etc. She evens moves into her own place which isn’t really done in their culture. Number 3, she talks so openly and honestly with Nadim. I loved their communication! And lastly, I loved all her friendships and how all of them would do anything for each other. ⁣
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My favorite scene is when the family finally all sits down and confesses all the secrets they have been hiding from each other. I won’t spoil it for anyone, but this is the best scene!⁣
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Thank you so much to @readforeverpub, @netgalley, and @farahheronauthor for my advanced reader copy.

“I’ve moved a lot, but my soul always knows when I’m home.” This quote hit me extremely hard, and the book just kept getting better.

Accidentally Engaged follows Reena and Nadim through their fake relationship filled with a cooking contest, comforting food and company, and an inevitable pull between them (even as they fight against family pressure).

I was very excited to read this ARC, and it did not disappoint! While I do not share Reena and Nadim’s culture, I do share in the experience of having this connection to my culture through food. Reading this book reminded me of how grateful I am to have that culture. Additionally, it was comforting to read about Nadim’s experience moving around (re: the quote above), as it felt similar to my own experiences of moving extremely often.

This romcom is beautifully has a nice bit of tension, tradition, love, and food. I loved that the book dives into Reena and Saira's relationship, her sister, and their familial struggles. I loved the interactions between Reena and Nadim. I loved how human and relatable all of the characters were. This book feels like the warmth of the bite of freshly baked bread. Absolutely going on my Must Reads of 2021.

You know it's a good sign when you start wondering about the author's backlist before you even finish the book you're reading. And, I'm happy to say Farah Heron has a backlist that I will be exploring!

There are so many reasons why I loved this book. I really liked Reena and found her particularly relatable as she struggled to figure out her own worth. And Nadim was adorable, and he is also looking for some kind of redemption And Reena's family is both a piece of work and totally entertaining. And I could smell all the incredible food through the pages, especially the bread. I now want my own sourdough starter, and I want Indian food asap!

Read this if you like fake engagements, books with amazing food descriptions (including a reality cooking competition), complicated families, and a really great best friend.

Thanks to NetGalley and Forever Publishing for an advance copy of this book in exchange for an honest review.

This is a perfect book for fans of The Great British Baking Show! Loved this fake relationship romance and the female main character's journey to working through her issues with her family (especially her sister) and discover what she really wants to do. As someone who took a couple of detours and spent some time unemployed, I could related very much to her. And of course, I love when an author writes about food!

This was such a lovely read! And it had that rate mix of feeling both fun and substantial. I totally believed in the feelings that developed, and I loved that the chemistry between the main characters was both physical and mental. I was swept away in their story and am eager to read future books by this author!

Delightful, romantic, and funny! I generally avoid romances written in first person unless the point of view switches between characters but it worked in this story. I was engaged from the very beginning. Reena and Nadim are perfect for each other and their journey was entertaining.

Prepare to be hungry while reading this book! What a lovely read. Slow-ish paced and not very steamy, but I loved and really believed the chemistry between Reena and Nadhim. I enjoyed learning about the food of their cultures and their reflection/culture in general. There’s also a theme of sibling, specifically sister, relationships that I identified with. Overall, I think that parts could have been shortened/edited down, but this was a light-hearted & fun read. If you don’t want to make some sourdough bread after this....!

Meddling parents, business deals, Indian family traditions, a cooking show completion, lots of good food and an undeniable attraction are what I’d use to describe this book. There was so much going on to keep you entertained but it was all woven together so well. Loved this book!

Full review will be on my blog and Instagram closer to publication day ‘March2nd.

i was so excited for this book because FAKE DATING!! god tier trope!

reena was just trying to live her life and make bread while trying to avoid her meddling family's constant attempts to set her up with men. she ends up asking her new neighbor, and intended fiancé, nadim to pretend they're engaged to enter a cooking contest. we all know what happens next...

books about cooking are always so fun! i adored nadim so much. i loved reena's friends (and found family) so much. i'm glad reena was able to make things right with her family.

i liked how the book dealt with serious topics such as mental illness. reena's coping mechanisms were unhealthy and it's good that she finally figured out that seeking help is okay.

Accidentally Engaged is the perfect rom-com read. It includes #ownvoices, diverse characters, and culture. I fell in love with both Reena and Nadim quickly. I love that this book focused heavily on culture and FOOD! That made this book extremely unique.

Reena Manji has seen better days. For longer than she cares to admit she’s been unhappy in in her job and unsuccessful in finding love. Her meddling parents have wanted to intervene on both counts- having her come work for the family business and finding her an acceptable suitor to marry. But Reena is a modem Indian woman who wants to find her own way. With her dreams of becoming known for her amazing recipes dashed, she feels like she’ll never measure up.

Then she meets the new sexy neighbor in the building, Nadim. She’s drawn to his forward nature, but disappointed to find out he works for her father and is just another setup. Still, she can’t deny the brewing attraction between them. Added to the mix is a surprising opportunity that might make all her culinary dreams come true. Should she take comfort in maybe finally finding the one, or just stick to comfort food instead?

Reena is a strong female lead that Heron makes you want to root for. Like
so many modern women, she torn between pleasing her parents and pleasing herself. Her attraction to Nadim is immediate and vice versa. While I liked their banter, admittedly I typically enjoy my romances on more of a slow simmer than a rapid boil. The other main character in this book is the food. As a lover or Indian food myself, I found my mouth watering at all the delectable creations.

If you like books that give you a pinch of family dynamics, a splash of cultural acceptance and a main course of romance, Accidentally Engaged just might satiate your reading appetite!

Thanks to NetGalley and Forever for the advanced copy!

WOW! Just wow! I absolutely ADORED this book. I devoured it. (Ha, get it?) The characters were messy and flawed, but lovable. I was rooting for Reena and Nadim. The writing was gorgeous, the romance intimate and believable. I also really want some bread.

One of the best romances I've ever read!

What a breathtaking combination of sizzling chemistry between two fake love birds along with mouthwatering culinary treat!! This is my first book by author Farah Heron and it was such a delight to get lost in her captivating story plot and well built characters that I can’t wait to pick up her debut novel “The Chai Factor”

Reena Manji is a 31 year old single girl who is not happy with her finance job, her current life and her family’s intrusion to get her married! There is one thing she LOVES and that is cooking and baking esp. sourdough and rye breads!! She was one time successful blogger, that got sabotaged by her own sister. Oh boy! this book has such a vivid culinary details that you can’t help craving those yummy breads and Indian snacks!! Reena comes across her new neighbor Nadim, who looks like a brown Mr. Captain America, with British accent, a Tanzanian descent with Indian roots. He is employed at her dads and they are strongly pushing her to get married to him.

This book is all about love, family drama, wedding, cute charades and lots and lots of of cooking and baking with food contest and falling for the guy you did not plan for!! Get a copy as soon as possible to read if Reena make a career out of her passion for cooking, or does she end up marrying the guy chosen by her parents??

This was a 5 star read for me and I highly recommend this book to any romcom fan who is looking for a light, laugh out fun read with love for food!! Thank you @foreverpublisher, @netgalley and @farahheron for a gifted copy of this book in exchange of my honest review!

4 delicious + steamy + spicy stars to this romance! I love a good fake dating trope and as the title of this book suggests- I wasn’t disappointed! Reena’s traditional Muslim parents want her to consider an arranged marriage to her dreamy new neighbor Nadim. Except Reena doesn’t want to get married...and especially not to anyone that her parents choose for her. Despite Reena’s refusal to marry him, the two actually become close friends after a series of happenstance run ins. He even agrees to be her fake fiancé so Reena can participate in a family cooking show TV competition. Reena starts to develop feelings for Nadim...can this failed arranged marriage turned fake engagement turn into an actual relationship?

I loved the chemistry between these characters and felt their connection immediately through their flirty + fun banter. I also really enjoyed the family elements of this story and the supporting characters. It was fun to learn about traditional Indian dishes + cooking as well. The mouthwatering descriptions of Reena’s culinary endeavors left me craving!

Thank you to Forever Publishing + Netgalley for this advanced reader copy in exchange for an honest review. Pub day is March 2nd! Mark your calendars for this fun, sweet treat!

This was an extremely welcome and charming read that made me hungry for all the bread! Reena and Nadin were perfect fake relationship goals from her constant refusal to actually marry him and all their family secrets. This book had me both googling Indian food recipes and considering keeping my own sourdough starter and although it was a closed door romance there was plenty of steam!

I highly recommend this book to anyone looking for an upbeat romance that manages to cover some fairly heavy topics in an approachable and nuanced way.

Fun, flirty, and filled with delicious descriptions of food, Farah Heron’s Accidentally Engaged leaves the reader feeling simultaneously like they should visit their family, as well as maybe an Indian restaurant or French bakery.

Reena Manji has never had great luck — not with her job, her family, or her love life. When she runs into her new, very hot next door neighbor, her luck seems to be turning. After discovering that he is not only her father’s newest employee but has also been picked out to marry her, Reena is less enthusiastic. But even if she isn’t going to marry the man, a friendship (based on a love of sourdough bread and shared experiences of meddling parents) wouldn’t hurt anyone, right? And if he just so happened to play along as her fiancé for a cooking contest...well, what was the harm in that?

Accidentally Engaged is filled to bursting with delicious descriptions of food — be sure to have a plate of samosas or a fresh loaf of sourdough when you dig into this sweet, fresh novel. Aside from the mouthwatering food, there is plenty of delicious family drama to enjoy in this novel as Reena tries to balance family loyalty with figuring out who she really is — and what she really wants.

The characters are quirky while staying grounded in reality, and the discussion surrounding the mental health issues of Reena and her sister Saira is given weight without being heavy handed. The world that Reena inhabits feels real and full, with interesting side characters and interconnected family, friends, and bitter rivals. Plus, anyone who lived through the great sourdough starter craze of 2020 is sure to enjoy the scenes with Brian and Al — his and hers sourdough starters.

Thank you to NetGalley and Forever for the ARC!

Accidentally Engaged was a cute romance! It had so much that I love in romance books, food, a meddling family, sassy characters, and a man with a British accent *swoon*

Reena and Nadim seemed to be connected from the moment they met. I loved the evolution of their story and the look at what it was like to be a first-generation child of an immigrant family. I also loved the descriptions of the food and bread. I also appreciated how Farah Heron used food as a comfort, as I know this can be true, and as a tool to bring Reena and Nadim together. It was fun to read about Reena and Nadim's growing relationship and watch them navigate their cultures and expectations.

I think that Farah Heron did an excellent job showing how Reena had to deal with the pressures of her family and her culture. Reena's growth was awesome to watch, I especially loved when she got closer to her sister.

One thing that I found confusing was that Reena, Nadim, and Reena's family did things that were Haram (unlawful or prohibited) as Muslim. It would have been nice if they had stayed true to Islam.

Overall this book was a cute read and full of drama!

I can't turn down a fake boyfriend/fiance/husband story! And this one was totally adorable even though I binged too much rom-com lately, lol. A fake relationship, on a reality cooking competition? {Chef's kiss} Super easy read, thoroughly enjoyable!