Hana Khan is a young Muslim woman in Toronto, working three jobs (though only one that pays anything) in order to help her family's halal restaurant while pursuing her dream of a career in radio broadcasting. She's recently started an anonymous podcast in which she muses about being the daughter of Muslim immigrants and quickly gains a devoted, but equally anonymous, fan known only by "StanleyP." As their friendship moves from the comments sections to direct messaging, Hana finds herself wanting to make this relationship real. In the meantime, she's stuck in an internship where she's expected to speak for all Muslims, while simultaneously trying to save her family's restaurant from going under as a new halal restaurant (owned by dreamy Vancouver transplant Aydin) gets ready to open down the block.
This is Jalaluddin's second novel, after Ayesha at Last, and both are excellent examples of romance novels that focus on the emotional and personality connection rather than the physical. I mean, there's not a single kiss in this book! But it still has all of the heart and romantic tension of any other romance novel, while serving up something that's true to the hajib-wearing main characters. I love the way that the relationships are presented, as well as the growth in the main characters in very realistic situations. Even if you're not a romance reader, it's worth a try.
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