Hana Khan Carries On - Uzma Jalaluddin

Description

Hana Khan's family-run halal restaurant is on its last legs. So when a flashy competitor gets ready to open nearby, bringing their inevitable closure even closer, she turns to her anonymously-hosted podcast, and her lively and long-lasting relationship with one of her listeners, for advice. But a hate-motivated attack on their neighbourhood complicates the situation further, as does Hana's growing attraction for Aydin, the young owner of the rival business. Who might not be a complete stranger after all...

A charmingly refreshing and modern love story, Uzma Jalaluddin's tale is humorously warm and filled with gorgeous characters you won't be able to forget.

Review

I expected a light hearted chick lit novel but this book runs so much deeper than that.

This book is inspired by one of my favourite films "You've Got Mail" and that is what drew me to read it. Instead of rival bookshops like in the film, this book is set in rival halal restaurants in Toronto, Canada. We first meet Hana as she presents her podcast but she doesn't want the world to know who she is, so it's made under a pseudonym.

Aydin arrives at her family restaurant with his father for a meal, it doesn't go too well and then she finds out he is actually a competitor who is opening a rival restaurant. Hana is 24 years old, unmarried and still finding her way in the world but she is fiercely loyal to her family and their restaurant. So begins a battle where she will protect and honour her family at any cost.

This all takes places against a backdrop of increased racial tension in the neighbourhood that hasn't been encountered before. I found the book so insightful in many ways. With two relatives arriving from India that they haven't seen for many years they also bring their own tales and a wonderful wisdom of coping with life.

You must make sure you have eaten before reading this book, because the descriptions of all the foods is so mouth watering!

I'm giving this book 5 out of 5 stars. My thanks to Readers First where I won a copy of the book to review.

Comments

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