THE LOVE MATCH tells the story of Zahra, a young Bangladeshi girl whose family has fallen on hard times since the death of her father. Zahra dreams of being a writer, but at the moment, her top priority is helping her family pay the bills. Her mother thinks that the best way to make sure both Zahra and the rest of the family are cared for is to find her a good match, so her mother sets her up with Harun, a young, rich boy about her age. But Harun and Zahra don't click, not like Zahra and Nayim, the mysterious orphaned dishwasher at the tea shop where Zahra works.

I loved the twists, but I also loved Zahra as a character. Her determination, her devotion to her family, and her conflict between wanting what's best for her family and what's best for herself were so relatable, and I was cheering for her the entire way through the book. I couldn't put this down!! I love that this has two POC Muslim love interests for a Muslim protagonist. The south Asian rep was heartwarming and I adored the cultural references. Honestly, this was so much fun to read and I loved the family drama in this!

Thank you for #NetGalley for this ARC in exchange for an unbiased review. Taslim paints a vivid portrait of Zahra's turmoil when it comes to her love life after graduating. There is constant conflict for Zahra making her family proud and following the rules of her culture and religion and breaking free of the restriction. The choices she makes and the rationale are very much of an 18 year old caught between two worlds and you feel for her on her journey.

A little disappointing because I was expecting more from the Bangladeshi representation. While I am happy to see my culture being celebrated in these pages, I felt that the writing could have been stronger and made better use of the many deshi cliches thrown in here. Longer review to come soon.

The Love Match by Priyanka Taslim is a Young Adult Women’s Fiction more than a Romance as expected by the cover and the love triangle between the heroine, Zahra, her mother’s choice in future fiancé Harun, and the free spirit Nayim, who Zahra is extremely attracted to and is led to believe that he was an orphaned wanderer. The initial premise of a financially struggling Zahra and her family needing a monetary leg up by matching her to Harun, who comes from the same ethnic and religious background. Having Muslim representation is extremely important and this story definitely provides the customs and expectations of courtship, but Zahra and Harun couldn’t be more disinterested in dating each other. They’ve graduated from high school and are about to embark on their independent lives. Harun will be attending Zahra’s dream college because he can. He can afford the tuition, which is paid by his well to do family. And as an only child, he is essentially a prince to his parents. But Zhara doesn’t have the same fortune. She doesn’t even have enough money to matriculate into community college because she has to work to support her mother, grandmother, and siblings after the death of her father. The beauty of needing to work is finding a job at a tea shop, owned by her two best friends. Yet, I don’t know how much he can afford to pay her that would help a family of five, but I digress.
When Zahra and Harun first meet, they’re both so against this union for obvious reasons: they’re Americanized and for as much as they love their parents, they want to live their romantic life on their own terms. Harun has suffered heartbreak, American style, by someone his parents would never in a million years accept as his life partner. Zahra has no interest in marriage because she wants to be a writer. She wants to live freely as her friends are able to do. The last thing she wants is the embarrassment of marrying to support her family. While this is very much a patriarchal trope—marrying for dowry, moving a female child out of the home for one less child to feed, the author had a wonderful way of delivering cultural references and language that kept me reading until the very end. There were some frustrating aspects in this scheme to marry Zahra. She didn’t want to be with Harun. They were very clearly friends. When it came to the Nayim, a nomad who breezes into her New Jersey community, she fell for his good looks and charm, and who wouldn’t fall for a handsome man with a guitar? Yet, many rules of dating as a Muslim were broke, taking a risk for a young man she barely knew and only accepted the stories created by the community who “helped” him integrate into American life.
Despite the two men’s declarations of love for Zahra toward the end, I wasn’t sold on the notion of this story being a romance. The narrative was more like a declaration of her own independence and meeting her Muslim ethnicity in the middle. Yes, she gets the one that was intended to be the love of her life, the point seemed more about Zahra coming into her own as a writer and a student.
I enjoyed the author’s writing. I think the characters were fleshed out well. There were a few points in the story that I wasn’t sold on, but didn’t affect my completing the book and giving it the favorable rating and review.
Thank you to the Author, Publisher and Netgalley for the opportunity to read this novel in exchange for an honest review.

I really enjoyed this YA novel and the leads. strugling witbh the normal teen stuff but also financialy insecurity for her family and making ends meet

Thank you so much @simonandschuster , @netgalley and my beloved @bhootbabe for the advanced copy!❤️✨

The moment I saw the widget of "The Love Match", I cried. Then I called my friends - screamed, jumped and laughed like a maniac to celebrate the very existence of this book. How can I not? For the past 17 years, Sylhet has been my home and witnessing Sylheti folks being represented in a western book- It is one of the most historic moments of my life, one I never dreamed in my wildest dreams. Also guess what? The female lead actually shares my name! I'm truly, very honored.

Zahra Khan embodies the typical Bangladeshi-American girl who feels pressurised to marry at 18 due to her mother's persistent grumbling. After her father passed away, she had to step up and shoulder many responsibilities, as most Asians do. Her fierce loyalty to her family puts her in a compromising situation and soon she's forced to opt out from her dream college. What stood out to me the most were the intricacy of details - how Priyanka mentioned the liberation war, the years-old feud between Bangladesh and Pakistan, the nextdoor aunties' urge to spill the teas. She went above and beyond to perfect the portrayal and it made us so happy!

Now taking its historical value into consideration, I would rate the book 10000/ 10 but as a romance book, it's an 8.5 for me. The beginning of the relationships was slow which I loved but then, everything escalated all of a sudden. I wish Harun had more of a spotlight. The 'natok' was well-done, just as dramatic as one can expect. The ending was genuinely a shocker. I swear any Asian would double over laughing. Can't recommend the book enough❤️❤️❤️

This book suffers from an author that doesn't actually know teens as well as they think they do. While Taslim's use of common teen phrases is cute, it isn't enough to write a book that throws around phrases and words and for that to be substantial.

As a whole this book is a sweet quick read and I do think it's enjoyable but this isn't a book that I will have the desire to read again. There are parts that feel rushed and it detracts from the overall loveliness of the story. The description and main character's "voice" are good, even if she is an annoying decision maker (most teens are).
I kept going back and forth between being awed by a great section of writing to frustrated at another that just left me feeling meh. These feelings are mostly in regard to the love story aspect.

This is an own voices book but I am not part of the community and cannot give insight on it. I am aware that this is a very specific view of Desi culture that isn't seen in books so I love that it was given a chance.

I absolutely adored The Love Match by Priyanka Taslim. This young adult book is about Zahra Khan who lives in New Jersey with her mom and siblings. Her father passed away. Allegedly her family is Bangladeshi royalty but they've fallen on hard times. So, Zahra works hard to contribute to family finances by working at a local tea cafe. She dreams of writing someday. Her mother tries to set her up with Harun, who is from a wealthy family with a good future ahead. Unfortunately, the two aren't a love match. However, they scheme and fake date and are trying to convince their parents they aren't a good match. Meanwhile, there's a new employee at the cafe who may be perfect for Zahra, Nayim.

When is the next book by Priyanka Taslim out? Seriously, I had such a good time with The Love Match. Zahra is a wonderful character. Her friends are a delight to read about. The romance was sweet and while yes I did see who she would end up with coming -- I enjoyed the journey to get there. Truly, this was SO great. Also, it nails what being financially insecure and struggling is like. Oh and also, when things would work out for Zahra I would find myself just cheesing because I was so happy and invested in her character.

I really loved this book - it is a beautiful and honest story, with realistic characters, and friendships and love that will make you smile. I loved the way Priyanka wrote a love triangle that is so satisfying by the end of the story. This unique story was refreshing yet familiar, and reminded me why I love contemporary YA books so much! I'm excited to read more from Priyanka in the future.

Thank you to NetGalley and Salaam Reads / Simon Schuster Books for the ARC!

Zahra and Harun are two young teens with big dreams for their futures. Their parents only have one goal for them: find a perfect match to marry. Neither of them are interested in being set up, but their parents aren't making it optional.

Enter Nayim, the handsome new guy in town. Zahra wants to get to know him better, but that means getting Harun out of the picture. Harun and Zahra agree to sabotage their "relationship" so their parents will let them move on. Through their scheming, the two become fast friends, and Zahra will have to decide which boy is a better match for her.

“The Love Match” is full of cute little moments that made me laugh, and the ending was adorable.

Actual Rating: 3.75

This needed to be fleshed out a littleee more and I felt rushed by the ending. I did enjoy the individual characters and the relationships in the book, although it's always frustrating reading non-halal romances with Muslim characters. I do think the other aspects of religion and culture were done well and I could really emphasize with Zahra's sense of responsibility for her family. Overall, this just needed more work.

I've been excited to read this book since its announcement in 2021 and now that I've finally read it, I just want everyone to know: love triangles, meddling mothers, and adorable desi cultural references is the most fun and sweet mix.

The only love triangles I root for is where I don't know which love interest to root for —when they're both appealing and especially when they're wildly opposite to each other. Of course, adding fake dating to the mix is a power move. Full review will be posted on the blog on March 08, 2023 and will be updated on here too.

🍓 The Love Match ~ by Priyanka Taslim 🍓

Okay, this book by @bhootbabe
put me through a range of emotions! Frustration, love, heartbreak, joy, hope & anger. And I loved every single word!

Rating: 🍓🍓🍓🍓🍓
Spice: YA Bangladeshi Romance - a couple sweet kissing scenes.

1. 🇧🇩 I learned so much about Bangladesh traditions, celebrations, family structure, meals, and of course the matching process. I am so appreciative of the education received through this YA Fiction book, and think it's such a wonderful way to introduce young readers to traditions and ways of life that may be different from their own! And also providing a space where other Bangladeshi teens can see themselves represented! 🥰

2. 🏳️‍🌈 While not the main characters, two very supportive and important female characters are given their beautiful storyline of coming out and dating one another since middle school. And their struggles when their ideas after high school don't match up.

Thank you Priyanka, for page after page of real, authentic and raw representation for not only queer people, but also Bangladeshi Americans! This alone was a beautiful story in and of itself.

3. 💗 The love triangle between Zahra, Harun, & Nayim was SO well written. It had me back and forth on who I thought she'd pick in the end. And I am absolutely satisfied with that ending. My goodness. My heart feels lighter and happier after this love filled read.

4. 👩‍🎓 The found family + the healing that happened within the actual families was a huge part of "The Love Match," and I appreciate the ups and downs everyone had to go through to end up where they did.

It's hard to graduate high school and know you're leaving your friends behind and might let your parents down by what you want to do with your life, and those feelings were laid out so well in this book.

🍓 I just can't say enough good things about "The Love Match," and I think so many readers will also fall in love with the story!

I absolutely loved The Love Match by Priyanka Taslim! This delightful rom-com had me hooked from the first page and I couldn't put it down until the very end. The author's writing style is charming and witty, and the diverse and inclusive cast of characters made the story all the more enjoyable.

I appreciated the representation of Bangladeshi culture and the exploration of what it means to be Bangladeshi American. The love triangle between Zahra, Nayim, and Harun was so well-written and had me invested in each character's journey. The matchmaking shenanigans and fake dating trope were a lot of fun, and the tea shop setting added a cozy and charming feel to the story.

Despite touching on some heavy topics like grief, colorism, and sexism in South Asian communities, the overall tone of the book was uplifting and joyful. The author handled these topics with sensitivity and care.

Overall, I highly recommend The Love Match to anyone looking for a heartwarming and diverse YA romance. I can't wait to read more from this talented author in the future!

Pretty weak writing, but it's good to see Bengali representation. I had to google some of the ethnic terms used.

What an amazing read!

Zahra Khan was the perfect protagonist. She’s headstrong, knows exactly what she wants, and loves her (sometimes messy) little family. This is the first YA book that I read with Bangladeshi representation and this did not disappoint. I learned a lot about the culture through Zahra’s character as she references Bangladeshi history throughout the novel.

Oh, and of course, I love a good love triangle! Thank you NetGalley and Salaam Reads / Simon & Schuster Books for Young Readers for the digital ARC in exchange for my honest review.

💕 So much to love here! The Love Match by Priyanka Taslim is a fun, modern take on Jane Austen's novels centering finding that perfect marriage match. Here, new elements come into play. Top of the list, I really enjoyed the Bangladeshi American representation and the modern teenage perspective (from both partners!) on arranged marriages in today’s US society. I also appreciated Zahra’s coming-of-age story. How she comes into her own and finds the courage to speak up for what she wants, both when it does and doesn’t align with her parents’ desires felt authentic. Strong characters and a solid story. Definitely worth reading next time you’re looking for a coming-of-age story and/or a sweetly romantic teen love triangle.

This story feels almost like a love letter to the oldest daughters who had to sacrifice their own childhood to become breadwinners, stand-in parents, etc. I am sure this story would resonate even more for readers living in diaspora, or from bipoc communities, as so much of Zahra's hardships are compounded by these two aspects of her identity.

One important aspect to this story is Bangladeshi culture. I am not Bangladeshi; therefore, I will not be commenting on the authenticity or representation portrayed throughout this story. However, I will say that it never felt like Zahra, or any of the characters, were ashamed of their culture, but rather that they were incredibly proud of it! Priyanka Taslim also described many different aspects of Bangladeshi culture throughout the story. I found myself frequently looking up the delicious meals discussed, the beautiful clothing being described, and now have a list of natoks that I desperately need to watch! There are also important discussions about socio-economic status, arranged marriages, colorism, and sense of familial duty. Something I personally enjoyed was the use of the Bengali language in this novel; Google Translate has translation services available for this language and there are also Bengali-English translators available online. Many times, the reader can understand the context from reading the entire conversation, so it is certainly easy to understand. It is clear that the author wanted to celebrate her Bangladeshi roots and critically analyze the types of diaspora communities that she herself grew up within. As a reader, I completely see her passion and love pouring through these pages!

While this story explores themes of loss of a parent, financial hardships, racism, and intergenerational conflict, this is also a story of love and hope. We see Zahra as she struggles with her self-worth, financial responsibility for her family, navigating changing friendships, and romantic relationships that start blooming. Zahra cares deeply for her family and I related in many ways to her struggles of juggling everyone else's needs before her own. Zahra's growth over this novel was so impactful and I love how female friendship played such an important part in her journey. Her friends Dani, Dalia, and Ximena were very well-rounded characters and I like that we also get glimpses into their own struggles during this transitional time where so much change is happening. I will be crossing my fingers that Priyanka Taslim writes a sequel where we follow Dalia especially because I would love to follow along with these characters over the years!

Additionally, I felt like both of our main love interests were well-rounded and that we really get a sense for who they are - for better or worse! However, I do think one part of the love triangle needed a little bit more fleshing out in terms of the development of their relationship. I found this specific dynamic to be a bit rushed and while I enjoyed the coupling, I would have liked more time and space given to see them come together. Another aspect that I struggled with is that the last 50 pages were a whirlwind of miscommunication. I am not a big fan of the miscommunication trope, so this could certainly be something that is a negative for me, but not for another reader. However, it took me out of the story quite a bit as I wasn't fully understanding the choices being made and felt that it required quite a suspension of belief.

Delightful and sweet story with a Bangladeshi Muslim protagonist! I am a "different" Desi but really enjoyed this natok in book form.

Many thanks to NetGalley + Simon and Schuster/Salaam Reads for the e-arc!!

such an adorable and amazing book!!!! i loved LOVED LOVED everything about it, especially rabeardranath the adorable bearded pet dragon. i cannot wait to read more by priyanka taslim!