This was a good story about a young woman who is a fact checker for a digital magazine by day and (secretly) a stand up comedian at night. She lives with her grandparents and doesn’t want them to think she’s wasting her Ivy League education. She is also of Arab ancestry and fears that her traditional grandparents may not approve of her American lifestyle. She also has a long term crush on a co-worker and some secret family history that makes her current situation delicate. There’s a lot going on in this novel and some of the storylines could have been more fully developed, but overall I really enjoyed the story and would definitely read this author again.
Thank you Netgalley and Henry Holt &Company for the digital ARC.

What Will People Think is a compelling read with a lot of heart, exploring themes of identity, family expectations, and romance within an Arab cultural context. I really enjoyed the diverse representation of Arab characters—it felt authentic and refreshing to see such varied perspectives and personalities.

The story’s emotional core shines, particularly in the family moments. The last scene was especially touching and left me satisfied. Hamdan clearly loves her characters, which makes their journeys engaging, even when they make the characters harder to root for (like the main character kissing a guy who already has a girlfriend).

That said, I wish some of the twists had been foreshadowed earlier. A few developments felt abrupt, and more setup could have made them even more impactful. Still, the book’s strengths—its rich cultural backdrop, messy but relatable characters, and swoony romance—make it a worthwhile read.

Sara Hamdan’s debut novel is brimming with heart, ambition, and the kind of layered storytelling that signals a promising new voice in fiction. WHAT WILL PEOPLE THINK follows Mia, an aspiring stand-up comic navigating an office romance, generational tension with her traditional grandparents, and the broader complexities of Muslim American identity, especially in a post-9/11 context.

The book takes on a lot, and while each storyline is engaging, the sheer volume occasionally leaves some arcs feeling underexplored. The highlight for me was the glimpse into Mia’s grandmother’s past, told through journal entries. That thread was especially compelling, and I found myself wishing it had more room to breathe.

Still, Mia is a standout protagonist—witty, thoughtful, and easy to root for. Some pacing bumps aside, this is a strong, heartfelt debut. I’m excited to see what Hamdan does next.

Thank you to @NetGalley and @HenryHoltBooks for the Advanced Reader Copy. All opinions are my own.

This book exceeded my expectations.

This was heartbreaking and heartwarming. This book has so many layers to it. Hands down one of the most incredible books I’ve read this year. I was completely enthralled when the past was being discussed.

So many important points discussed - Facing war, fleeing your homeland, being immigrants in America, being undocumented, being Arab in America, the patriarchal constructs in traditional Arab societies, sibling envy, what it’s like post-911 for an Arab, trying to find your way in the world as a minority whilst not wanting to embarrass your family and so much more.
Thanks NetGalley, Henry Holt & Company and Sara Hamdan for giving me an ARC of this book!

This was a really good book. It was a dual timeline book and both stories were extremely compelling. The characters were well developed and the book dealt with family secrets and the impact on a young Palestinian American forging her way in 2011 New York. The book was thought provoking and was not overtly political. I really enjoyed it and would highly recommend it.

emotional, well done story with some great plotting. our protagonist is a fact-checker during the day but is a standup comedian at night, and the writing is great. 5 stars. tysm for the arc.

Mia Almas doesn’t want her Arab grandparents to know she has a crush on her boss, nor that she is secretly performing raunchy stand-up comedy. But she is surprised to learn her grandparents have secrets, too. Told in two timelines decades apart, the story explores the tension between tradition and self-discovery through Mia’s experience as a child of immigrants. Sara Hamdan’s debut novel is a funny, heartfelt story about the courage to live life on your own terms. (Recommendation will be sent to readers of WordSmarts.com email newsletter)

I went into this thinking that it might be a light read and what I found was one of the most beautiful stories about loss, love, family and friendship.

Told in dual timelines, we get to know the Almas family story in present day and later on through the secret journal from the family’s matriarch. Mia and her Teta will always hold a special place in my heart.

Loved!

Thank you to NetGalley and the publisher for this e-arc in exchange for my honest review.

This book really just touched on the feels - and I love the way that some really hard and critical topics are explored such as immigration, and finding your identity as an American-Muslim woman.

Mia is a beautiful multi dimensional character; she's got the esteemed career as being respectable in the world of media, but she's also go the kind of "underground" career where she performs in the cities comedy clubs! Throw in a forbidden romance also with the "wrong" type of man and well, will it harm her family when it all comes to light or not? The humor is fun, the journey of self-discovery, and the path to learning to trust yourself is truly well written.

Would be great for a book club to read also!

What Will People Think? is a heartfelt, funny, and sharply written story about figuring out who you are when the world—especially your family—has very specific ideas about who you should be. Mia is juggling a secret comedy career, an off-limits crush on her boss, and a complicated family legacy, all while trying to stay true to herself—and it’s messy in the best way.

I loved how the story wove together Mia’s present-day journey with her family’s past—especially the history tied to Palestine. A coming of age novel that explores what it means to honor your culture and still chase your own version of happiness.

This one made me laugh, made me tear up, and had me rooting for Mia the whole way through. Post to come on instagram!

Sadly, this book missed the mark for me. There was just too much going on, and I was never able to fully engage or connect with the storyline or the characters.

Thank you Henry Holt and Co. and NetGalley for an advanced early reader for What Will People Think?

Review: ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️

What Will People Think? is a heart-bursting exploration of what it means to discover and embrace the hidden parts of yourself, and how love in all forms can make you whole. This is a slow burn women’s contemporary romance between a black, Jewish Colombian coworker and third-cultural Palestinian writer.

The complexities of Arab families is their ability to control a narrative. This review is rooted in my personal experiences with a Lebanese family; I can relate to Mia’s story. The buried feelings and emotions that should not be uttered nor the family secrets of those long gone but still hushed with shame. So glad Mia’s character stood out as an independent thinker and went against the crafted world of her family. (What a family shocker that twisted the lives of two sisters in the 1940).

Orphaned at 15 years old, Mia goes to live with her grandparents in the basement of Julliard school apartments. Though classmates took Arab jabs at her after 9/11 she turns their bullying into a comedy set as an adult. The author uses a comedic wall to break down cultural barriers and unite readers regardless of background. Expect laughter and a grumbling tummy. You’re going to be hungry. So many delectable dishes shared among Mia’s friends and family. Sahtayn! (If only I could take home a container of stewed okra)

Noteworthy is author, Sara Hamdan’s lengthy dedication which shows how many in the literary crowd helped move the needle for this publication. I’m honored to champion this contemporary Middle Eastern writer. Her words here are so needed in this world of literature. Hamdan reminds the reader that ‘differences and similarities across cultures’ should always be celebrated. Afterall, sharing is caring in every culture.

Not exactly the book I was expecting (thought it would be funnier given the main character's interest in stand-up). More of a longitudinal study of the social pressures on women in certain communities. Which is great, just not the book I was expecting. 3.5 rounded up

WHAT WILL PEOPLE THINK is more than a love story; it’s a layered, coming-of-age exploration of identity, culture, and womanhood.

By day, Mia is a Palestinian-American fact checker. By night, she’s a stand-up comedian, something her traditional family would never approve of. Her secret relationship with her boss? Also off-limits.

In her debut novel, Sarah Hamdan weaves together the stories of two women from different eras and different corners of the world, America and Palestine, both searching for belonging on their own terms. The result is a poignant, thought-provoking tale about family secrets, self-discovery, and the quiet rebellion of choosing your own path.

Read this if you:
-enjoy emotional love stories with depth
-like dual timelines and cultural contrasts
-are drawn to stories about identity and finding your voice

Many thanks to Henry Holt and NetGalley for an electronic ARC in exchange for an honest review.

I liked the first half of this so much (and excellent narration) but the latter half became a bit monotonous and full of self-pity. It was almost too much but I liked the ending. Still worth reading for sure and can't wait for more from this author!

What Will People Think? comes out tomorrow on May 20, 2025 and you can purchase HERE.

"You're on in five," said the man with
the goatee.
In the darkness backstage, I switched off my phone. I needed to stop endlessly scrolling through Jackson's social media posts instead of rehearsing my opening. A private, airless ritual. By actively telling myself not to think about him, that was all I did.
Breathing in slowly, with my eyes closed, I listened to the emcee tell the audience about the exits, toilets, and absolutely-no-recording rule.
My mind wandered back to Jackson, picturing him in the audience having come straight from work, with a loosened collar and a navy blazer flung on the chair next to him. A slow smile spread over my face, imagining the shock light up his eyes at seeing me work the stage. Maybe one day, when I was ready, I'd have the courage to invite him to a show.
I'll obsess over him later with a tub of ice cream, I thought, shaking nervous energy off my hands. Right now, it's time to shine.

Thanks to NetGalley and Henry Holt & Company for the eARC.

This book had a lot going on, but for the most part I found it enjoyable. While I do not necessarily love or even understand the draw of stand up comedy, I think it gave this book a little pizazz that made it stand out.

I struggled with this book for a lot of reasons. It wasn't the idea of the book that was an issue, but I think that there was just too much going on, making it hard for me to connect to any aspect of the book. I appreciate the perspective of different religious and cultural groups but just did not connect with this one.
thank you netgalley for my advanced reader copy

Was not a fan of the comedy aspect or the romance sub plot but did enjoy the family drama and history. Overall a good debut. Look forward to what comes next.

Thank you to NetGalley, author Sara Hamdan, and Henry Holt and Co for providing me with a free ARC in exchange for my honest opinion!

What Will People Think? certainly made me as a reader think! This is a multi-layered story with dimensional characters that I enjoyed. This would make a great book club read with lots of discussion! I thought Hamdan did a fantastic job writing Mia as a character but specifically her stand up sets. I found them genuinely funny and would love to actually watch them. Although I am not Palestinian-America and much of Mia’s journey was related to her background, there were still quite a few moments of relatability that I could feel as a reader near Mia’s age. However, I think her background is what makes this story shine. As Gaza/Palestine is currently experiencing a horrific genocide, this story is so important and timely to talk about. There are issues not only of post-9/11 racism discussed but also of immigration and candid discussion of war stretching back to World War II. It is horrific to read about so many things that happened still repeating today and how things haven’t changed. Although the overall tone is frank, it isn’t a heavy tonal read, making it feel more educational about the area. There are luscious and beautiful descriptions of Jaffa, and it is heartbreaking to know this is no longer the case. I enjoyed reading the dual stories of Mia and her Teta’s journey. I do think the chapters of the diary entries were a bit stronger than Mia’s chapters overall, but they worked well alongside each other. This is not a perfect story, but it is an enjoyable and poignant read.

Family secrets. Mia's kept her comedy performances secret from her family who she is sure will disapprove but now she's been exposed thanks to her friend Katie, who thought she was doing Mia a favor by writing an article about her. Her grandmother and grandfather, the people who raised her and with whom she lives, have an even bigger secret. And she's also got a secret crush (not that secret) on her boss. In the midst of all of it, her grandmother gives her the journal she kept which answers some but not all of Mia's questions. The three plots twine together but my favorite was Zeina's story which begins in a Palestinian village (and the weakest is her crush which got old). I liked this for the atmospherics both in Palestine and in NYC as well as for the characters. It leans in on prejudice and while Mia's comedy might not seem groundbreaking, remember that this is set in 2011. It's got a topical secret that seems to be solved quickly in 2011 but I wonder what would happen in 2025. Thanks to Netgalley for the ARC. A nice debut and a very good read.