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The Mis-Arrangement of Sana Saeed

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I truly love re-tellings of a good classic novel and this one is inspired by Jane Austen's Persuasion. We're getting a Muslim couple with all the great romance tropes like: second chance, arranged marriage, childhood crushes, and complex family dynamics.

Noreen Mughees weaves in so much personality and authenticity to her characters making them feel like people I've known or met. You have south asian parents holding grudges, sibling drama, doomed crushes, and so much banter. She also makes space to discuss more serious topics like Islamophobia and parental death. I always want more stories about Muslim people finding love and happiness so I'm so glad this book exists. I can't wait to read more of Noreen's work in the future!

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Writing: as a white American, this was a breath of fresh air to read. Mughees blended the native language and slang with english explanations without making me feel stupid for not knowing. I felt I got an in-depth perspective of the middle eastern culture in modern day America. Also, the food in this book sounds so delicious. I wish there were recipes in the back for some of this food!

Book: This was such a great story of a 33yo muslim woman who just wants to do right by her family, but hates all the men she's introduced to in the traditional richta meetings. She finally agrees to one man because he was nice, caring, open to help take care of her autistic brother (who she wants guardianship over long-term), and is willing to cherish her in ways that will allow love to follow in their future. He's great.

That's the plan until Daniel shows back up after years of never talking to Sana. They were best friends as kids and a family drama tore them apart. She always loved him and compared all men to him since.

Thank you to the author for sending me an e-arc of this book. I'm sorry it took me this long to read it. I regret not reading it sooner!

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I really wanted to like this book, but ultimately the story felt weak in several regards. I loved all of our characters, especially Daniel. However, I did not feel like Daniel and Sana had a lot of chemistry, despite their supposedly unforgettable spark being the focal point of the plot. I think this could have been remedied with more scenes showing the two characters getting to know each other now (instead of reminiscing over their old friendship), but it felt like every scene we had of the two was overwhelmed with other story elements, like the case they are working on or Daniel's family. I did not feel like we had enough to say that these two characters were truly meant for each other. That being said, I liked all the other story elements! I would not want to see any of them removed, as I think they made our two main characters feel like real people that I could appreciate singularly. I think we just needed more pages to allow all the storylines to be developed fully. This especially came to a front with the incredibly rushed ending. The last 15% were a whirlwind, and not in a good way.

Ultimately, I don't think there are many people I would recommend this to as the construction of the story led to an unpleasant reading experience. However, I think this book showed a lot of promise, and so I will definitely be keeping an eye out for future books from this author!

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This debut, closed door romance was so fun! The cover was perfection! I loved the following tropes: workplace romance, childhood friends to lovers, and forbidden romance. This is great South Asian romance representation and I loved every second of reading this. The characters were so lovable.

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The Mis-Arrangement of Sana Saeed intrigued me with the Muslim rep since we don't get that often in romance books. However, there was a lot of miscommunication and misleading information in the book. I wasn't a fan of that. I wanted to like the characters, but I had difficulty connecting to them. I will not be reviewing this book on my platform.

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*Plot and Characters*
The journey of Sana as she grapples with familial expectations, love, and her commitment to her autistic brother, Zia, is both touching and relevant in today's society. The author vividly paints the picture of how tradition and individual desires can clash and how families can sometimes impose seemingly impossible choices upon their loved ones. The element of childhood love with Shahir and the story of a family rift adds layers of depth and history to the narrative.

*Cultural Representation*
It's always refreshing to read a story that gives readers a window into different cultures and practices. The book sheds light on certain aspects of Islam and the practice of wearing hijab. However, a point of contention arises in the portrayal of physical interactions between males and females. If the story is aiming for a realistic representation of practicing Muslims, then this is a significant oversight that might unsettle readers familiar with the culture.

*Language and Style*
While the writing is engaging and the storytelling absorbing, there's room for improvement in terms of linguistic inclusivity. The use of non-English terms without context or definition can disrupt the flow for readers who aren't familiar with the language or cultural context. A glossary or in-text explanations would greatly enhance the reading experience and make the story more accessible to a wider audience.

*Recommendation*
For readers looking for a tale of love, family ties, and cultural nuances, this is a recommended read. While it might benefit from a bit more clarity in certain areas, the heart of the story is strong and resonates deeply.

Rating: ⭐⭐⭐ ½

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I recently read: The Mis-Arrangement of Sana Saeed by noreen mughees

Synopsis:
Thirty-three-year-old hijabi Sana Saeed is unsure if she'll ever find love or marriage. The arranged dates she’s agreed to have all failed time after time, but she wants to prove to her mother that she can be the stable care giver her younger brother Zia, who has autism, needs when her mother is one day unable to care for him.

Coincidentally, Sana finally agrees to give a new arranged marriage a try with Adam, at the same time as her estranged former best friend (and childhood crush), Daniel, suddenly walks right back into her life and becomes her new boss... Who will she choose?

My thoughts:
I enjoyed this book, the premise was interesting and I loved that Sana was just finding love at age 33. I also loved her connection with her brother, and saw so many connections between this book and the one I read right before it, House Rules by Jodi Picoult, which also featured a teen with autism and a sibling who ends up being a caregiver at times. As far as the storyline goes, I did find it a little slow going and didn't think the dual POV (Daniel's perspective) was necessary.

Overall, it is a sweet, tame romance novel, filled with well-loved tropes such as the grumpy-sunshine, forced proximity, friendship to lovers/enemies to lovers (at the same time lol), and love triangles. I loved the arranged marriage and cultural values that were so important in this story. I would definitely recommend this book for people who are looking for a more diverse romance novel!

Thanks to Netgalley and the publisher for giving me the chance to read and review this one!

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DNF p 172/304

This book is so much drama and the beginning was so much fun and silly, but at the same time there are so many heavy elements coming up that sometimes the silly element of the drama feels discordant. I would probably try Noreen Mughees’ future books, but this one ended up hitting a point where I just wanted things with Adam to be resolved and Sana and Daniel to work their mess out and get together because everyone (except Sana’s mother because of her own pain and trauma) could see they were meant to be.

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I love reading this romance that also teaches me about cultures and the way traditions can put a hamper on what Western culture idea of love, love at first sight, choosing who we love without any interference. I find that even though this highlights Islam culture, there are a lot of similarities to my own Asian culture and upbringing with arranged marriages and how parents and families have a lot to say about whom we love and marry.

I found the writing sweet and love the nod to pride and Prejudice.

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Thank you Netgalley and the publishers for this ARC for an exchange for an honest review.

Very good book, I had fun reading it.

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I loved that this romance gave us so much insight into love while having an arranged marriage and how someone with special needs copes and lives within the community and outside of it.


There were a lot of heartfelt moments and a lot of moments of genuine human feelings. The feud between Sana and Daniel's family shows us that no matter how irrational, it is hard to make someone change their minds and feelings when they don't want to.

I was satisfied with the end - I felt like this book wrapped up many loose ends and finished, which made me feel good about this story, and the romance between Daniel and Sana was finally happening, which is the ultimate satisfaction.

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This book was a delightful discovery, offering insights into Islam and Pakistani culture, which I found really enlightening as someone who's always eager to learn. It's important to note, though, that the book does tackle issues like Islamophobia and racism, so readers should be prepared for these themes.

On a lighter note, the romance in the story is incredibly sweet. I appreciated how the author creatively adapted common romantic tropes like arranged marriages, office romances, childhood crushes, and family feuds to fit the narrative and reflect the characters' cultural backgrounds. While some readers found Daniel’s portrayal inconsistent across different perspectives, I felt it was justified, given Sana's initial prejudices against him. In fact, the more I think about it, the story has echoes of a "Pride and Prejudice" retelling.

The side characters add great depth too. Zia, Sana’s brother, whose autism is portrayed in a way that reminded me of a family member, shares a beautifully pure and loving relationship with Sana.

Overall, this book was a pleasant surprise and I would wholeheartedly recommend it to anyone looking for an engaging and enjoyable read.

TW: death of parent, Islamophobia.

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Thank you to Alcove Press for my review copy!

The Mis-Arrangement of Sana Saeed isn’t a strict Persuasion retelling, but it has many elements. Persuasion is my second favorite Austen novel, but Sana Saeed loves Pride and Prejudice too, which is referenced several times, so we got along just fine!

I completely devoured this book, and I hope my review can do it justice because I could not stop listening to it. Like Persuasion, this is a second chance romance that involves a lot of family meddling. I thought the family drama was SO well done - I was completely riveted. There was a great balance of love and respect and also disagreement - like I’m sure we’ve all experienced.

Not only was this a second chance romance, but it was a workplace romance - Daniel has just come back to town and is working on an important case with the Department of Environmental Conservation. I love when lovers have a shared project to work on together - and this was a juicy one! Lots of good forced proximity moments.

The last part I need to mention is that there is a love triangle - Sana is still attracted to her childhood best friend and first love Daniel, but before they are reunited, she has agreed to pursue an arranged marriage with a man named Adam.

I think in order to really get the full impact of the story, you have to have some empathy for the practice of arranged marriage. (Which is very different from forced marriage!!!) This was not the first story I’ve read where arranged marriage was a significant theme, and that element may be difficult for some readers. I think When Dimple Met Rishi was a really good fiction primer to understand some of the cultural and religious importance of arranged marriage in some families. (Although I guess Fiddler on the Roof was maybe my FIRST experience with this idea!) I appreciate that Noreen Mughees didn’t overly explain this concept, so if you’re open to it, you can absolutely dive in!

🎧 The narrators were brilliant and really brought the story to life! Highly recommend listening on audio.

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I received this book for free for an honest unbiased review from Netgalley.

I wish more books were this well written. Characters were witty and the setting fantastic.

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I really wanted to get to this one, as it seemed interesting. This was requested when I first found out about NetGalley and I had requested so many ARCs that I could not get to all of them before they were archived. If I can find this somewhere for a reasonable price, I will try to get it!

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I wanted to like this book so much more than I did. The cultural representations were on point, and I enjoyed delving into the lifestyles of the families described here. What finally got to me was the relationship between the central characters. I think that in a cinematic format, there would have been a lot more background interactions and such that would have highlighted the balance and made the relationship pop a little more. In the book, however, I wanted more time to settle into their emotions and spend some time with the things that they value.
All the pieces were interesting and also unique, and if this book had been split into parts, I would have definitely rated it higher.
Sana has a career plan in mind. She has an agenda, one that she wants to accomplish, along with taking over the care of her brother (who is on the spectrum). Her mother, on the other hand, is manipulating her, something that is never completely addressed, even after everyone is living happily ever after. The revelations were quite shocking to just breeze past like they did!
Sana works well at her job, taking on more than is her due because she believes in the work they are doing. I found that aspect to be something I wanted more of. She had a romance left behind long ago, and the old flame, in a new name, ends up moving into close proximity to her. This happens at the same time as Sana agrees to an arranged marriage.
This last part was something that I both liked and felt uncomfortable with. I have been married for ten years and have been through this process myself. It is not always as dramatic or scandal-ridden as some people may make it out to be, solely because we have the time and space to talk it out (for many of us, at least - I know of several people like me). It is like a purposeful blind date. Sana treats it as such and has a conversation with her future fiance, and he is open about his hopes for their possible relationship and what he will bring to it, as well as what he hopes from the other end. Sana talks this through, and even when she starts to have doubts and almost acts on them, she does not let him into the conversation, and this does not seem to fit into the character she is portrayed as being.
This last part works in a filmy manner and adds to the cinematic ambitions of the book. I would definitely read another book by the author and recommend this to people who like the concept of old romance resurrecting and want to peek into a different culture.
I received an ARC thanks to NetGalley and the publishers, but the review is entirely based on my own reading experience.

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This book dives into the intriguing world of arranged marriages within the Muslim community, and it's a real eye-opener. The story centers around Sana, a woman from a strict Muslim family where arranged marriages are the norm. What makes her story stand out is her personal quest: she's not just looking for love, but also a partner who can help her take care of her younger brother. This adds a layer of urgency and complexity to her journey.

I was totally hooked on Sana's story. She's 33 and still hung up on her teenage crush, which throws a wrench into the whole arranged marriage process. Watching her navigate the clash between her family's traditional expectations and her own desires was fascinating. It's like she's caught between two worlds – the one she's grown up in and the one she dreams of.

The way the author handles this clash of cultures and personal desires is really impressive, especially for a debut novel. It's a heartfelt story that gives you a peek into a different way of life, while still being super relatable. Whether you're familiar with the intricacies of Muslim culture or just love a good story about finding your path, this book is a great read. I'm definitely keeping an eye out for more from this author.

Thank you Alcove Press for the eARC!

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“The Mis-Arrangement of Sana Saeed” by Noreen Mughees offers a refreshing and heartwarming perspective on love, family, and the intricate dance between tradition and desire. The protagonist, Sana Saeed, a 33-year-old hijabi, puts her childhood dream of an all-consuming love, known as ishq, on hold due to the challenges posed by arranged dates and her responsibilities, particularly caring for her sweet, autistic brother, Zia. The narrative takes an insightful dive into the lives of South Asian women facing the prospect of arranged marriages. Mughees skillfully weaves in the cultural practice of wearing the hijab, challenging stereotypes and highlighting the agency, independence, and assertiveness of her characters. In doing so, the novel prompts readers to reconsider what constitutes empowerment and agency within feminist contexts.

The story unfolds as Sana, working in the Department of Environmental Conservation, encounters her childhood friend Daniel Malik after eighteen years. However, their rekindled connection faces challenges – Daniel is not only Sana’s new boss, but her mother would disown her if she pursued a relationship with him. The clock is ticking for Sana to secure her brother’s guardianship, a condition her mother imposes unless she is married. Navigating familial pressures, Sana agrees to an arranged marriage, hoping it might blossom into love as she has witnessed in other arranged marriages. The narrative delves into intergenerational conflicts, immigrant experiences, and the pressures faced by women to conform to societal expectations of becoming wives and mothers. The story is grounded in deep family ties, portraying marriage as the union of not just two individuals but two families. It explores the emotional and life-changing aspects of arranged marriages within the close-knit South Asian community, highlighting the challenges faced by Sana, Daniel, and other characters.

Mughees successfully introduces South Asian readers to familiar cultural concepts like rishta, biodata, and chaperones, incorporating Urdu seamlessly into dialogues. The novel also tackles critical issues such as hate crimes, xenophobia, and the impact of societal expectations on women. “The Mis-Arrangement of Sana Saeed” is a timely and compelling novel, addressing uncomfortable yet significant topics within the South Asian diaspora. With well-rounded characters and a narrative grounded in familial and cultural complexities, Mughees adds a fresh voice to the romance genre, making this debut a worthwhile read for those seeking a blend of cultural richness and contemporary love stories.

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**I was provided with an ARC through Netgalley in exchange for an honest review**

The Mis-Arrangement of Sana Saeed was definitely the chaotic story akin to a desi serial that I expected with all the drama you would expect packed right in.

To put it simply the book centres on a woman who has family pressure on her to get married, she finally gives in and accepts a rishta only for her childhood best friend - Shahri but you can call me Daniel, whom there is a lot of family history with - returns back into her life and things get complicated.

I really liked Sana, her characterisation was great and I also really loved the cultural aspects of the story. However, I think there was maybe one too many things going on in the overarching plot to the point that some things weren’t fleshed out as they could have been.

For starters this is a second chance romance book with a sort of love triangle there too but I found the romance occurring in the present day to be a little flimsy especially towards the beginning.. There are moments when Sana and Shahri/Daniel are forced to work a law case together (wish this part of the story had gotten more page time though) that we start to see more of their common interests but they were outshone by the childhood flashbacks between the two of them which I absolutely loved!

Then tying in with the flashbacks is the family drama, which despite being a little cliché, was also portrayed really well. The downside here was that there was A LOT of back and forth going on so it started to feel a little tedious. Most of the supporting characters also really pissed me off because there was next to no concern for the feelings of the MC Sana with the decisions being made around her and no challenging of them directly until the very end. The only other relationship besides the romance that I was invested in was the one between Sana and her little brother.

That all being said Mughees is a great writer and the story does strengthen in the second half and is overall and entertaining read. I look forward to checking out what she puts out in the future.
Final Rating – 3.25/5 Stars

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muslim romance books always got me excited to see how the author can make a halal romance got me giggling and kicking my feet. amidst the societal pressure to get married, sana finally decided to marry the charming adam that her family arranged for her. but that's until she reunited with her childhood best friend daniel. i have to admit, daniel was not really admirable at first... it took me some time to finally recognize his virtues as for much of the book i just wanna tell sana to marry adam. though i know they're not supposed to interact much until they're a halal couple, i YEARNED for more cute interactions between sana and daniel outside of work, they deserve more cute halal conversations!! the representation of pakistani weddings are an exciting touch though sometimes i get a bit confused due to the unfamiliar cultural elements for me. love all the pakistani wedding rep it's exciting to see though sometimes i get a bit confused cs it's something new to me. while the story unfolded at a slow pace for my taste, it was unquestionably an engaging and light read especially if you want to read more muslim rep romance.

thank you to the author and netgalley for the arc!

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