tl;dr the most beautiful story ever go read immediately
Premise
A marvel: something you find amazing. Even ordinary-amazing. Like potatoes—because they make French fries happen. Like the perfect fries Adam and his mom used to make together.
An oddity: whatever gives you pause. Like the fact that there are hateful people in the world. Like Zayneb’s teacher, who won’t stop reminding the class how “bad” Muslims are.
But Zayneb, the only Muslim in class, isn’t bad. She’s angry.
When she gets suspended for confronting her teacher, and he begins investigating her activist friends, Zayneb heads to her aunt’s house in Doha, Qatar, for an early start to spring break.
Fueled by the guilt of getting her friends in trouble, she resolves to try out a newer, “nicer” version of herself in a place where no one knows her.
Then her path crosses with Adam’s.
Since he got diagnosed with multiple sclerosis in November, Adam’s stopped going to classes, intent, instead, on perfecting the making of things. Intent on keeping the memory of his mom alive for his little sister.
Adam’s also intent on keeping his diagnosis a secret from his grieving father.
Alone, Adam and Zayneb are playing roles for others, keeping their real thoughts locked away in their journals.
Until a marvel and an oddity occurs…
Marvel: Adam and Zayneb meeting.
Oddity: Adam and Zayneb meeting.
Rating
5/5 stars
Review
This was marvelous (pun intended).
I just wholeheartedly loved every single part of this book. Every single character in this book was fleshed out, and Adam and Zayneb's stories were told so authentically. They fit together like puzzle pieces. I loved the balance between sweet, wholesome moments and more serious discussion. Love From A to Z offers such a variety of representation and highlights many narratives that need to be told. This book is a must-read.
I found the structure and writing of the book to be very interesting, with Zayneb and Adam each sharing their POVs through journal entries and there being the occasional insert from an outside narrator. The ending was so satisfying, and as someone who loves an epilogue done right, this book had the best epilogue possible.
This book plays a lot into coincidence, but it also hits hard with tales pulled from real life. A new all-time favorite, for sure.
Other Info
Standalone
14+
CW: Islamophobia, death of loved ones (off-page), chronic illness, grief, mentions of war
Buy link: https://www.amazon.com/Love-Z-S-K-Ali/dp/1534442723
Would I Recommend?
100% without a doubt. This is a story that needs to be told.
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