TW to start: There are multiple scenes of infidelity, domestic violence and SA.

Set in modern day Pakistan, specifically in the wealthy Lahore area, this novel explores themes of love, betrayal, revenge and forgiveness. Mona, a 53 year old Pakistani woman, and her husband, Bilal, are navigating marriage years after Mona's infidelity that resulted in a son with her much younger lover, who died before the child was born. This secret has been long buried, as fall out from it being known would destroy their entire family's standing in their posh Pakistani society-- a society built on centuries of traditional, conservative views. But one day, a anonymous text message to Mona threatens to expose it all!

From the mansions of the rich and famous to the slums of organized crime and terrorism, this novel moved quickly and kept me interested until the very end.

A couple issues I had with the story:
-Being that the story is set in posh Lahore, there are continuous and repetitive themes of ageism that felt overdone by the end.
-While interesting and quick moving, the story also just felt slightly underdeveloped. There was just a bit of depth missing to the over storytelling.
-I get that there needed to be some miscommunication and secret keeping to help the story evolve, but the ENTIRE story was just one big miscommunication and secret keeping.

I learned in the author's notes upon finishing the novel that it was actually a sequel to the author's first novel. I think this novel read perfectly fine as a standalone, and had I not read the author's notes and learned otherwise, I didn't feel like I was missing any context from the first to the second story.

Entertaining if scarcely believable, the strength of Awais Khan's narrative rests with his protagonist, whose spirit is as notable as she is flawed. The plot is bafflingly handled, and there are more moments which made me furrow my brow than I care to admit, but the book did ultimately deliver on its initial promise of being a zippy read.

Another beautifully written story with a heart felt storyline. Awais manages to capture the mix of real life issues and related stories with class and grace. I really enjoy his writing style, and as someone with no knowledge of the topic he covers in the story he explains things throughout. Loved this!

Huge apologises my review is late but life got in the way

Huge apologies I meant to get to this book closer to publication day but unfortunately life has got in the way. I loved the first book in the series so will definitely be reading this book at some point

Although this book is a sequel, it is easy to follow as a standalone and I read this book in a day. In the Shadows of Love is action packed, controversial dark, thrilling and has elements of love, poor judgement/human error and vulnerability woven through it which pans out like a movie across the pages of the book - there is no dull moment!

We are introduced to Lahore's elite society, a side of Pakistan that I would never have been introduced to before, especially in this fictional setting that feels realistic. The premise revolves around a successful businesswoman, Mona, who is pursuing a second chance at her life after facing violence and abuse in her past; since becoming a mother for the third time in her forties, there are whispers that surround her wherever she goes, nevertheless she progresses in life unperturbed with the support and love of her husband.

Until one day, she receives a text message that threatens to reveal her deepest darkest secret to society around this late pregnancy and questioning the paternity of her youngest child. How will Mona protect her recently acquired status?

The writing was fast paced and a breath of fresh air - I have not read Awais Khan's previous books before but I am tempted to now. I would warn that there are many triggering elements in this book and it is incredibly misogynistic but it also is central to the plot to depict a certain society (the society being flawed and therefore reflected in the narrative but I can imagine this will gring on some readers. Do not expect a progressive perspective). I would be sure to check such themes before reading but overall for the creativity and imagination within the plot, I couldn't put this book down and definitely gasped at the twist in the middle, the book later did become predictable but I did enjoy this overall.

I have read Awais Khan three previous books and was looking forward to this one. Despite not being from Pakistan I always feel the author makes you feel your could be as he explains things well and this book had a good mixture of characters from all walks of life. I didn't see the ending coming which is always a good sign of a good book.
I found myself reading several chapters in one go as I felt on gender books for Mona and whether her secret would be found out as Lahore society does not take scandal well and is frowned upon.
Overall a good read.

I hadn't read the prequel book, In the Company of Strangers, so this was my first introduction to Mona and the high society of Lahore, but I'm pleased to report that this book works perfectly as a stand alone, although I'm sure it adds depth and richness to the story if you have read the first one, which was Awais' debut, and which he's delighted to have the opportunity to revisit. The story revolves around Mona and her husband Bilal, and the bumpy seas they've weathered over the course of their marriage, when Mona was unfaithful and there was a resultant child. However, Bilal changed his abusive ways and fully accepted the baby, Arslan, as his own son, and in the present day the father-son relationship is very close and loving. Lahori high society seems to be a hotbed of gossip and intrigue where your reputation is everything, and when Mona receives a text threatening to expose her secret, the rug is firmly pulled from under her and her world begins to crumble about her ears. At this point in the book the reader gets to do a degree of eye rolling and head shaking as you're mentally yelling at Mona to just TALK to either Bilal or her best friend, Meera, which will avert the impending crisis, but for good (although frustrating!) reasons she doesn't, and the plot tangles ever thicker...
The final quarter of the book brings such surprising revelations, heart stopping action and breakneck pace, that you're just left reeling - absolutely brilliant! A gripping, eye-opening triumph from this talented author - I will for sure be back for more!

With Mona heartbroken from memories of her past, she hides her pain behind becoming the perfect wife, attending high profile gathering
Each day appeared identical for her until she received a threatening text message. Everything in Mona's life changes in an instant. How long will Mona's past secret be kept hidden?

This is the sequel to Awaid Khan's debut novel, In The Company of Strangers. We can see the author's writing style has improved. I finished this book in 2 sittings only as the plot is gripping. It's full of twists and turns, and the climax is mind-blowing. Characters are very well written. The writer maintains the suspense throughout the story. I love how Bilal character evolves in the sequel.

The story is about love, affection, and care. How does the loss of a near one affect your life? It can either make you or break you.

This is a thrilling story of the lengths people go to hide the secrets that threaten to destroy their families. The story kept me gripped all day. It's a heartwarming family take mixed with suspense.

I liked the first book in the series but was amazed by the sequence.

Highly recommended

A mediocre book which is a sequence to the debut work of the author. When I went through the advanced praises mentioned in the book, I had high hopes to find that the book was going to be a blend of melodrama and thrill. Unfortunately, the book is a lame revenge story of an alleged past lover who is all set to take revenge on the woman he once loved.

I haven’t read the previous book though I got a fair idea that the story was about infidelity of the mc who goes through a series of abuse. Firstly, the book is highly problematic in the sense that the woman simply brushes off the abuse and gives a second chance to the husband. Besides, there are certain scenes in the book where abusive imagery is recalled and that’s something really disturbing.

Besides, the book portrays infidelity as an escape from abuse. Apparently, the mc justifies that “if the husband is abusive then a woman has all the rights to escape with another man who treats her right”. Well, I think rather than escaping, the best way is to seek divorce and then settle down somewhere else. Throughout the book, most of the characters are hooking up, talking about sleeping as if it’s an everyday norm, and Mona’s character was unbearable for me because not only she gave her husband a second chance, but even when she did so, she wasn’t completely loyal to him.

Throughout the book, we find husband being the innocent victim and the wife acting as a reckless brat who is not even clear about her emotions regarding her husband, remembers her past through 90% of the book, and still expects the husband to never cheat on her. This sounded hypocritical and problematic. In fact, right when she gets back with the ex, she starts remembering about her husband. So we see that her character is a complex and extremely problematic one which needed intensive therapy. The entire thriller is invited by the woman mc herself and that’s something which makes it bland.

There is no actual thrill in the book. In fact the climax as well as the villain of the story was predictable right from the beginning. We find nothing but remorse, recollections and resolutions till the ending. There is another letter in the book from the author where he says that “He wanted to bring the positive side of Pakistan in front of the western readers while removing the image that Pakistan is famous for terrorism and crime alone.” Ironically, much of the book is about how Pakistan is a crime hub and there is no safe space out here and how is the population booming every moment (I don’t have a problem with showing these realities to the outside world, but my problem is again the hypocrisy of calling your work a positive effort in order to show a good picture of Pakistan among the western audiences, and still developing the entire book on the crime gang adventures where members are actively involved in sodomy).

As a new author, it’s a nice effort on his part, but the sequel in my opinion was unnecessary because nothing much happens except some events, a few kidnappings, and a moronic act of chivalry involving a duel or what we should say a scuffle for a fifty-year-old woman between two men with boosting egos.

Excellent drama 👏 I haven't read the first book, but I enjoyed this sequel very much. Mona and her husband Bilal both are likable and relatable characters. Though it shows that Bilal was not compassionate from the start. The situations are real life like, and the behavior of characters is defined thoroughly. The book shows the elite high society in Pakistan, the unjust behavior and the show-off of the wealthiest, and the crimes happening all over. The emotional aspect is strong. I recommend the book. Thanks to Netgalley and the publisher for the eARC.

In the Shadow of love is a brilliant sequel to In the Company of Strangers. It gives us a glimpse of life in Pakistan. It had me hooked from start to finish. It took me just over a day to finish it. It is a beautiful book. I would highly recommend you read it.

A book that reads like an action packed fast paced movie in which you will get an unlikely dangerous love triangle and kidnappings and crime scenes?!

Don’t look any further. Just grab this one filled with drama of high society people! I can tell you that you won’t be able to get a moment of boredom if you dare to expect some of it while reading this book.

Based in modern Pakistan, the story revolves around a successful businesswoman who ultimately gets to enjoy the life she wanted after facing abuse and violence in her past, got heartbroken and amidst the rumours of her child she’s getting even more successful with the love and support of her husband.

Things do get crazy when she receives a text message of threat black mailing her of her past secrets.

Well, the secret isn’t that secret but see how much it affects so many lives in the years to come.

I am thoroughly impressed with the author’s writing and I am surprised I haven’t read the author’s previous books. Well, I will read them all - three to be exact! They all sound so interesting!

Thank you, Hera, for the ARC.

Mona seems to have it all, but as usual within marriages and peoples lives she like others puts on a brave face and continues to hide her struggles.

I loved this descriptive tale set in Pakistan. It is rich in detail and paints a colourful picture of how things are.

I did not have any expectation with the plot so this made my reading time quite exceptional. It is a vivid depiction of how the other half live whilst having the same heartbreaks and sadness like the rest of us.

In The Shadows of Love is a wonderful read and I loved Mona..

Absolutely loved this beautiful take that not everything you see and here about a person and what you presume to be a perfect privileged live is true. I think this book will hit home to so many people to not judge a book by its cover and that we all have our different struggles and dreams and that’s what makes us the unique human people that we are