Completely and utterly adorable; my heart wanted to burst the entire time and I wanted hug the book with as much force as I could.

Thanks to #partner @netgalley, @salaamreads, and @simonteen for the digital ARC of Priyanka Taslim’s The Love Match. The book is out today!

After my epic, #readausten22 buddy read in 2022, I’m primed for some amazing retellings of Jane Austen’s books, and Priyanka Taslim’s The Love Match exceeded my expectations.

Zahra Kahn is a Bangladeshi American teenager who has just graduated from high school. She lives with her mother and two younger siblings in a small apartment in Paterson, New Jersey, where they try to make ends meet after her father’s death several years before. (This book is billed as a retelling of Pride and Prejudice, but there are some elements of Sense and Sensibility woven in, too!) Zahra was accepted to Columbia University but knows her family can’t afford either the tuition or the loss of her income, so she has deferred her acceptance. Now, she’s trying to figure out what her future might be as she works at the tea shop owned by her friends’ family.

Her mother has a firm idea of the right answer: marriage. Specifically, marriage to someone wealthy who can support Zahra. With that goal in mind, she begins matchmaking, resting her eye on Harun Emon, the son of a wealthy—and “new money”—family who might be willing to make a match in exchange for the Zahra’s family’s distant (very distant!) connection to Bangladeshi royalty. The only problem? Harun. Zahra immediately nicknames him the robot because of his apparent lack of interest in her . . . or anything, really.

That lack of interest is in strong contrast to the reaction Zahra gets from Nayim Aktar, the new, handsome employee at the tea shop.

I loved so much about The Love Match. Zahra is an amazing character: she’s smart, confident, and devoted to her family, even when they frustrate her. Her friendships with Dalia and Daniya Tahir and with Dani’s girlfriend Ximena provide a strong center for her, but they also provide conflict as they other girls make preparations to attend college, emphasizing how out of reach Zahra’s dream is.

Watching Zahra grow and change as she comes to understand both how important her family is to her and also how necessary becoming a writer is to her happiness follows the pattern of many coming of age books, yet Taslim offers something new here. Because of the death of her father, Zahra approaches life and her responsibilities with a sense of maturity that many people her age would not feel.

I’m typically okay with love triangles, but I think even those opposed might like this one: both Harun and Nayim (once Zahra gets to know them) offer compelling reasons for Zahra to develop an attachment. As Harun and Zahra pretend to date to divert their parents’ attention and matchmaking efforts, their developing friendship becomes another anchor for Zahra. And Nayim’s encouragement of her writing gives her the courage to take some risks related to that goal for herself.

Taslim plays with the notes of Austen’s novels—Zahra compares Harun to Mr. Darcy more than once—in a way that pays tribute to her source material without being beholden to it. She incorporates details of Bengladeshi culture, opening the novel with a note to the reader about her choices in writing the story to make it more faithful to her real, Paterson, NJ community. She also weaves details of Zahra’s and her friends’ Muslim heritage into the book, enriching the depth of the story.

There’s so much going on in The Love Match, yet it never felt like too much. Whether you’re an Austen fan or not, Priyanka Taslim’s YA novel is well worth putting at the top of your 2023 TBR!

I really, really liked this one! I got different tropes/story comparison feels as I read the book. Of course there was the Pride and Prejudice as the blurb compares it to, and then the whole grumpy-sunshine trope as well as the underdog hero as well. Another thing I loved about this was the cultural aspect. Learning more about the difference between cultures that so many people like myself don’t know to separate Indian and Bengali, or other cultures as well.

There were a lot of characters in this book. We had our “love triangle” in the Pride and Prejudice scenario. There were also the all the aunties and other community and family members. There were Zhara’s besties and their family and significant others. I love how the gossip line was done through text groups occasionally throughout the book.

When Zhara realizes that maybe she and Nayim aren’t meant to be, the author brings him back later in the book in such a spectacular way, but also a way that you kind of can’t hate him. He doesn’t quite fit the Wickham character from P&P. But that’s okay, I always love the differences created with retellings like this. I loved how Harun and Zhara’s friendship grew through their own schemes and fake dates to try to get their parents to NOT match-make them. And I really enjoyed how all of Zhara’s friends got to have their own relationships and lives that filled in all of the story.

If I had any complaints it is just that it seemed a little long, but overall I really liked this one and will be sharing with my students!

Priyanka Taslim said this book is her version of a Bengali Natok, and boy did she stay true to that promise! I have been waiting for The Love Match for over a year now, I guess? I am so glad I got the chance to read it early. :') This book was everything I wanted and more!

I am a Sylheti-Bangladeshi like the author + the main characters in the book as well, and I was absolutely elated about that fact! Never in my life did I think that I'd see Sylheti words like "Saa" (tea) , "afa" (sister) and so many other words from my local dialect in a romance novel. The Love Match is a dream come true just for that factor only. I loved how Priyanka mentioned that she'll use Sylheti words ro stay true to her and Zahra's roots. 🇧🇩 The family dynamics in the book were messy, raw and so very real and portrayed the South-Asian household I grew up in really well! There was drama - loads of it, and it was so very addictive. I am generally not a fan of love triangles. But I enjoyed the trope so much in The Love Match. And ummmmm... I was so happy that the guy I was rooting for won the game in the end. 😭

I liked how the author didn't focus on the romance aspect of the storyline, but shed light on the South-Asian community as a whole. Topics like classism, financial struggles, parental + social expectations were represented in the plot perfectly. ❤️ Zahra's troubled relationship with her mom, and the conflict resolution of the same was one of my favorite parts about The Love Match.

But, I wanted to see more depth in the romance between Zahra and one of her love interests. It felt like their relationship needed more....pace, I guess? I wanted to see some more details about some major events mentioned in the epilogue too. 🥺

I can't wait to read more from Priyanka Taslim! The Love Match felt like home, especially now that I live in a different country. My heart felt so full after finishing it! 🇧🇩❤️

Zahra Khan has taken on the responsible role in her family ever since they lost her dad, which means that she's putting off going to college and following her dream of being a writer until her family doesn't need her anymore. The thing is her mom is convinced that the best way to do that is marrying her off to a rich guy of her choosing who will then take care of her and her family. Never mind that Zahra is only 18 and that she has no desire to get married any time soon. In comes the Emon family and their standoffish son, Harun, who teams up with Zahra to show their parents how incompatible they are despite all signs pointing to the contrary. There's also new and mysterious Nayim who seems to understand all of Zahra's dreams but is obviously all wrong from her mother's point of view. It suddenly becomes imperative for Zahra to decide if she wants to follow her heart or be a responsible Bengali daughter, but nothing is really what it seems.
It's a story I've read many times before, but there's something about Taslim's writing and how alive the Bengali culture is within the story that manages to make it fresh. I can't even point out a specific part or element that makes it stand out from the rest. I just know that I was constantly forgiving of the fact that I've read this story before simply because I was so enamored of Zahra as a character. The things she struggles with are culturally specific but universal in that most teens face similar issues. It makes the story both familiar and original.

Happy thanks to NetGalley, Salaam Reads, and Simon Schuster Books for Young Readers for the early read!

THE LOVE MATCH was such a delight to read! I could not help but fall in love with Taslim's relatable, down-to-earth, and oh-so-swoony characters. In all honesty, I wasn't the biggest fan of love triangles...until this book came along. Both Nayim and Harun are perfect book boyfriends who I suspect will live rent-free in my mind for many months to come. Who Zahra picks keeps you on your toes--because you simply can't pick which one to root for, there are too many romantic moments with both of them--which is truly the mark of a well-written love triangle.

This story was such a refreshing spin on the fake dating trope that delicately and beautifully discusses the weight of familial expectations and familial love. I admire Zahra's determination, and wish that I could have just a sliver of her confidence and grit.

This book was so special; I could not put it down! Although I'm not from Bangladesh, I am Asian-American, and the Asian representation was so heartwarming to read. I know that this book and it's wonderfully written life lessons and values will resonate with so many young readers such as myself.

Thank you to the publisher and to NetGalley for this eARC!

Zahra Khan lives in New Jersey and is descended from Bangladeshi royalty. That doesn't pay bills, so she works long hours to save up for college. Her mother wants to match her to the wealthy and handsome Harun Emon, but Zahra knows it’s a bad match. Instead, she has a connection with Nayim Aktar, the new dishwasher at the tea shop. When Zahra finds out Harun is just as uninterested in this match as she is, they decide to sabotage their parents’ plans. This lets her fake date Harun and spend time with Nayim, but it is far more complicated than she thought could be possible.

Zahra has done everything in her power to be A Good Bangladeshi Daughter, from working long hours, getting good grades, and helping out at home. She doesn't even think twice about deferring her wants for the sake of her younger siblings, grandmother, and mother. Harun doesn't have to defer anything due to his family's money but also feels compelled to make his parents happy because of that wealth. Nayim is an orphan and had worked his way across Europe before arriving in New Jersey with nothing more than a guitar and a dream to play in New York and have his own music shop. She finds that Harun isn't as bad as she thought he would be, and staying behind as her friends get ready for college is more painful than she thought it would be. She continues to sacrifice her money and time for her family; as angry as she is about that, she never once vilified her mother for wanting her financially comfortable. It's a hard balance to make, especially with keeping to the cultural ideals within her community.

THE LOVE MATCH is just the type of read that will restore your faith in contemporary romance. Not that it’s bad, but this one just hits differently. This book is a reminder that brown girls are deserving of anything in the world, from fake dating to grand romantic gestures.

Zahra Khan was just everything I could’ve asked for in a protagonist. She is headstrong, knows exactly what she wants, and loves her little messy family. An aspiring writer and a romantic, she works part-time at Chai Ho, that’s owned by her friends’ dad, to make ends meet. One particular thing I liked is the way the author chooses to portray the working class. It’s all too realistic and while it’s a part of the plot, you don’t feel that it is.

Enter Harun Emon, the wealthy son of the family that runs Gitanjali, the famed Bengali restaurant in New Jersey. In the snap of a finger, Harun is a potential suitor for Zahra and upon their families’ agreements, they are now to go on dates frequently, though they have no interest whatsoever. But Zahra is finding herself falling in love with her new coworker, Nayim Aktar, who’s literally a Prince Charming.

I’m not usually a fan of love triangles unless they’re done well, and they seldom are. But Priyanka Taslim wove a unique story out of this all-brown cast and hell yeah, I love this! Shy and broody Harun is contrasted with charming Nayim in a way that readers aren’t sure whom to root for. But the strings tie together in the end beautifully in a way that’s both pleasing and satisfying.

The side characters were such a joy to read! Dahlia, Dani, Arif, and Resna were all lovable characters. And the aunties of the community even have a group chat for themselves where they gossip, how cool is that? This isn’t just a romantic novel but a celebration of all things diaspora and I can’t even begin to describe how fabulous of a book THE LOVE MATCH was.

In a nutshell, if you’re looking for a read that’s both refreshing and familiar, this romantic novel is just the one you might be looking for. So stop second-guessing and buy THE LOVE MATCH already!

Thank you to Netgalley and Simon and Schuster Children’s Publishing for providing me with an ARC of this book in exchange for an honest review.

4.5 ⭐️

the love match was a truly wonderful book and one i was most excited to read in the past year. it was a great and heartwarming story about friendship and family, full of cultural references and south asian rep!

i loved almost everything about this book and i was unable to put it down. the characters were top notch and reading about them felt like watching a movie.

This book was... interesting. In Desi rep, we usually only get Indian or Pakistani characters, almost never Bangladeshi, so I was so intrigued with how this story was going to go. Unfortunately, I don't think that this was meant for me at all.

Here were some of my thoughts as I read the book:

1. I don't like how she uses Allah's name in vain.

2. People these days actually DON'T want home wives, especially if they're super liberal (like the characters in this book). They want looks AND education, a job is everything. The only exception is if someone is SUPER religious, but none of these characters are even close to religious.

3. Why is everyone so bratty? Yes, I don't like the situation either, but what Zahra's mom says comes from a place of love. I desperately hate society, but how are you going to overthrow it? She's only trying to do what she thinks is best for her daughter, so I hate how she's villianized.

4. The aunties of the book said that love marriages have higher divorce rates than arranged marriages, but in her head, Zahra contradicted them, saying that arranged marraiges have more, and I couldn't let go of how inaccurate that was. Love marriages will always have higher divorce rates than arranged because the entire foundation is built on love, so if love disappears, so too does their mutual union. However, in arranged marriages, couples stay on together for either the kids, society, parents, or religious purposes. They don't give up on their marriages no matter what, and I hate how innacurately that was mentioned in the book. There's a reason why there's higher divorce rates in the West than the East.

5. Bangladeshi and Urdu are really different, but I loved how I could pick up or guess at a few meanings from time to time lol (like "etheem khana")

6. How do these parents actually... Applaud romance and physical interactions so much? (My dad would go crazy if a guy talked to me conversationally lol)

7. Despite how this is a copy of TATBILB, the instigator of the fake relationship trope, I have to admit that I was glad Zahra at least went through with it even if she didn't want to so that her mom was happy.

8. I liked how accurate the book was about religion being one thing and cultural double standards about romance were another.

9. Great, I throw my arms up. This is getting worse than Saints and Misfits with the physical intimacy and all

10. Homosexuality is not cool in Islam, so how is there no opposition at ALL in this book?? Like it barely even mentions that it's forbidden.

11. Zahra is so against the marriage that she would do anything. Can she not see all the valid reasons her mom brings up? It's not out of hate or society or whatever, but literal, actual, logic.

12. Zahra treating Harun that way is pretty brutal. Even if she doesn't want this marriage to happen, hurting him is a pretty low way to go.

13. They're not saying that you only have one path in life, and that is to be taken care of by another man. At least, not Amma. Stop being so dramatic, Zahra. You and Nayim can both barely make money as it is, how are you going to survive in the future? Money doesn't come as easy unless you have some sembelance of a degree. Fine, support Nayim if you want to, but how are you going to do that without a degree. You have to work hard and it will take years for you both to not struggle to live. I'd judge maybe 20-30 years at the least. Amma sincerely, truly cares about you, and that's why she's trying to help you pursue your dreams.

[SPOILER ALERT STARTS HERE]

14. Oh, great. Now, instead of Nayim doing the chivalric thing and apologizing for having Zahra's heart and pushing her to more wealthier prospects like a true gentleman (like *cough* Aspen from the Selection series. That series was a mess, but at least Aspen acted properly unlike Nayim here), he's suggesting running away!! Like are you serious??

15. I figured his family was still alive when he acted like running away was such a little thing. That it would be so okay to leave them behind and run around the world.

[SPOILER ALERT ENDS HERE]

16. Well. At least Zahra is finally coming back to her senses a bit. Realizing that family is the most important thing in the world, no matter how bad your differences are.

17. Well, at least she's finally starting to apologize.

18. *Sighhh* I can't believe she jumped from the frying pan into the fire. Even if it's Harun, doing it without parental permission is not allowed

19. At least Dalia knows their location, though it's a small consolation

20. Halal dating isn't appropriate either but... that'd be preferable to what they're doing...

21. Okay, touching, I like how the tables turn a little bit. I like how Dani is the one acting like a typical teen, but Zahra sees the logic in both sides, and she's giving good advice. That's one good thing.

22. Andddd, here's the bad stuff again. The arrangement for marriage is because of Islam, not culture. They'd been acting so sensibly up until now.

23. Okay, the writing thing was pretty sweet.

24. I wasn't too sure about the ending. She picked the right choice but for all the wrong reasons, and that's exasperating.

This is a truly sweet romance, perfect for those who like a "clean" YA romance.

Zahra has just graduated from high school. Her best friends, Dalia and Daniya, twins, are going to Rutgers. Dani's girlfriend Ximena is going to college, too, and Zahra is going to miss them so much. She was accepted to Columbia, but she knows her family can't afford for her to go there yet. Her father is dead, and her income helps support her mother and two siblings.

Zahra's mother would love to marry her off to someone rich so she wouldn't have to worry anymore and could go to college. Her latest match-up is Harun Emons, whose parents own three convenience stores and a large popular restaurant that is often a Bengali wedding venue. Zahra's family isn't rich, but they are related to Bengali royalty. Many families from Bangladesh are in arranged marriages, and Zahra and Harun's parents want to arrange a marriage between them.

Neither Zahra or Harun want to be engaged to each other, so they hatch a plan. They try to show their parents how unsuitable they are for each other. But their growing friendship makes that hard.

This book gives you a small window into the world of arranged marriages and Bengali customs. I loved that Zahra loves her family and does all she does to make sure they will survive without her father, and the support she gets from her wonderful friends. Her romance with two boys (!) is fun to read, as is the romance of Dani and Mena.

If you love sweet romances, check this one out! Thanks to Netgalley for the advance copy of this book.

A super fun and swoony romance about Zahra, an 18-year-old Bangladeshi girl who hates the idea of an arranged relationship/marriage, but who organizes a fake dating scheme to placate her family. Before long, she catches feelings for both her fake boyfriend and a sensitive, musician dishwasher at the cafe she works at, and twists and turns of the love triangle are delightful. Throughout, Zahra navigates her conflicting feelings for the two boys with her loyalty to her mother and family traditions, in a nuanced and rich portrayal of the Bangladeshi diaspora. A great read!

Thank you to the publisher for providing me with an advanced copy in exchange for an honest review.

The Love Match was one of my most anticipated books, and it surpassed my expectations. It was such a sweet and refreshing story with loveable characters. Zahra was a strong and relatable heroine with a group of friends that I would love to have. I loved the peek into the Bangladeshi culture and could honestly keep reading more. The main highlight was the romance. It had fake dating, secret romance, and love triangle. I was rooting for both the love interests, Harun and Nayim. They were both sweet with their unique quirks. Add in, the meddling aunties, and 'well-meaning' uncles . It had all the drama, pining, and strong relationships that I wished for. The sucker that I am for a drama, I wished to see a more dramatic ending but didn't feel too bad about it. I would definitely recommend this book if you are looking for a YA romcom with an adorable cast of characters.

The Love Match is a pitch-perfect rom-com to start off the new year.

Zahra wants a love story. Who doesn’t? But she’s not ready for one yet. She just graduated from high school. She wants to go to college, to explore, to figure herself out. But that’s not what her family needs. Her family needs money, and marriage is the way to achieve that.

From the beginning, Zahra is a bright, compelling character. Though she’s Bangladeshi, her hopes and dreams are universal. She’s someone you want to root for and care where she ends up.

The Love Match is a rom-com, and going into it, you know boy and girl are going to end up together at some point. That’s how this genre generally works. But how the two end up together and which boy the girl ends up with are a complete mystery.

The story is about the journey, and author Priyanka Taslim does an excellent job driving. She’s introduced enough twists and turns to make for an enjoyable ride. Her pacing is excellent and banter works well. And while her supporting characters aren’t particularly deep, her main ones are well fleshed out.

The Love Match is a heartfelt YA romance. It’s warm, bright and funny, and makes for a great escape from the wintertime cold

I absolutely adored this book. It was such a refreshing take on YA romance. I loved the representation in this novel. Normally I don’t like love triangles but this was done so well. I cannot wait to see more from this author!!!!!!

I have been so excited to read The Love Match since it was announced, back in late 2020-early 2021. It's a book that I knew I would enjoy reading from the premise itself. And I did. I really loved this. I haven't read YA rom-coms in a while, but this...this was so good. I had so much fun reading TLM and this book is definitely one of my favourite YA books that I have read this year.

I always enjoy reading books that are centred around family and familial bonds. In The Love Match, we get to see Zahra and how much she cares for her family. And how much she is sacrificing for them. She's put her own dreams on hold. This reminded me a little bit of myself, especially me after I moved to Australia. Dealing with parental and familial expectations for your education, for your career and just life, in general, can be hard. I really admired Zahra's tenacity in dealing with everything.

In terms of romance, I'd say I am definitely rooting for Harun more than Nayim. Nayim's actions in the story (no spoilers) are something that I did not like. But I have to say; both the boys go through really good character development and I loved seeing that.

All in all, I have to say, this is one book that I am going to be recommending to my family and friends. I think they'd enjoy reading this. The Love Match is a truly wonderful YA romcom and tells a lovely story about the importance of family, love (romantic and platonic), friendships and of course, growing up.

I LOVE The Love Match! I cannot wait to get a physical copy for myself!! This book felt so very romcom, and I just kept thinking that I could see this being made into a movie one day!

Zahra is a modern day heroine in the vein of Elizabeth Bennet. She is a feminist with notions of marrying for love (though she absolutely does not want to be married right now), while toeing the line of the good Bangladeshi daughter as she tries to support her family. In fact, the only reason Zahra even supports her mother's ideas of marriage to Hurun, a rich, broody guy, is because her father died and she is one of the main caretakers in the house. Luckily, Zahra and Hurun come to an agreement to work against their parents' wishes for marriage!

Zahra puts her dreams of going to college on hold because she knows her mother would never be able to support their whole family alone. Though Zahra has a solid group of friends, it seems like no one really understands what she's going through until she meets Nayim. He's poor and beautiful and Zahra is willing to risk a lot to be with him.

Honestly, I was torn between both guys even by the final pages! Will there be a sequel?? Will there, Priyanka??

This was my first Bangladeshi book, and it made me sooooo interested in reading other Bangladeshi stories to see more sides of this culture. While I'm not Bang;adeshi, (this might not make a lot of sense) this book felt like my Asian American experience in a lot of ways, even though I'm not the same kind of Asian. I'm looking forward to more from this author!

This book was so good! I had so much fun reading about the love triangle between Zahra, Nayim, and Harun, as well as the family dynamics throughout the book. And as a fan of Jane Austen, I loved all the drama and shenanigans that came with an Austen-style match while Zahra tried to find her own love match before it's too late. Culturally, I appreciated the look into Bangladeshi family dynamics, recipes, traditions, etc. We need even more of these stories, and I'm so grateful for this one.

I loved this book because obviously, a. Brown people and b. Fake dating but even more so because they were bangladeshi brown people. I loved seeing the bangla words and different bangladeshi cultures and history on paper. It rarely happens so this made me really happy

I was super excited to read this because the main character and I have several similarities: we are both Bengali, Muslim, and come from immigrant parents.

Other than that, however, we have no other shared experiences.

The novel revolves around Zahra Khan, an 18 year old graduating from high school, and her family's financial struggles, all while her mom tries to set her up with a rich Bengali boy when she wants to be with another (poor) boy.

Struggling financially? I understand. My family dealt with that back home and when initially coming to this country. After that, I'm left confused.

The characters identify as Muslim, which is well and good, but a lot of what is identified as Muslim activity or even alluded to being Muslim is very much just Bengali culture. You know how in America, Christmas is celebrated by the nonreligious as much as the devout Christians? Yeah, you can say the same now about Muslims and the Eid celebration. It's just about having a day to be joyous and happy. . . Islamically, there's more to it but this novel doesn't go into it at all. I could go on but I'll leave it here.

The novel begins with a little tidbit about natoks, or Bengali dramaserials. This book is meant to be like the dramas-- I never knew how illogical those dramas could be. The ending of this novel confused me like no other. Why was one of the guys more worthy than the other? I didn't get it.