Love from A to Z is one of my favorite contemporary reads, so when I saw Ali’s latest book I was obsessed. It’s been so long since I read Saints and Misfits, but I remember enjoying it! Misfit in Love, a sequel to Saints and Misfits, was a charming story about love, complex families, and new experiences. Keep reading this book review for my full thoughts.
Summary
Janna Yusuf is so excited for the weekend: her brother Muhammad’s getting married, and she’s reuniting with her mom, whom she’s missed the whole summer.
And Nuah’s arriving for the weekend too.
Sweet, constant Nuah.
The last time she saw him, Janna wasn’t ready to reciprocate his feelings for her. But things are different now. She’s finished high school, ready for college…and ready for Nuah.
It’s time for Janna’s (carefully planned) summer of love to begin—starting right at the wedding.
But it wouldn’t be a wedding if everything went according to plan. Muhammad’s party choices aren’t in line with his fiancée’s taste at all, Janna’s dad is acting strange, and her mom is spending more time with an old friend (and maybe love interest?) than Janna.
And Nuah’s treating her differently.
Just when things couldn’t get more complicated, two newcomers—the dreamy Haytham and brooding Layth—have Janna more confused than ever about what her misfit heart really wants.
Janna’s summer of love is turning out to be super crowded and painfully unpredictable.
Review
(Disclaimer: I received this book from Netgalley. This has not impacted my review which is unbiased and honest.)
TW: racism
Misfit in Love was a book I read in a matter of days. Ali balances a story full of heart and falling in love, with conversations about intercultural dating, racism, and heartbreak. Even though it’s been a while since I read Saints and Misfits, I sunk right into the book. All in all, Misfit in Love describes all the things, the expereinces, and thoughts, that happen when life doesn’t turn out as we planned. When we think we want small, cozy, familiar, and then all of a sudden things begin to change. The conflicts in our heart between attraction and sense, between love and jealously, support and calling out.
How can we preserve what is important to us? How can we find someone who respects and cherishes what is special, essential, to us? I was completely wrapped up in Janna’s challenging summer. It’s a book that examines the people we love, that we need to challenge, that we need to leave behind. Misfit in Love is about realizing the truths, the hearts, and the essences of the people around her. While I never expected a sequel to Saints and Misfits, I was so happy with the story of Misfit in Love!
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