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Ayesha at Last

Uzma Jalaluddin

Why we're reading this: Non Religious - Muslim Girl Protagonists
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Feb 27, 2025 Caroline Aya rated it it was ok

This review has been hidden because it contains spoilers. To view it, click here. I fear that my review will be completely messy, but I’ll try anyway. I have to admit that I’m disappointed. I don’t know if I expected too much, but I thought this would be a sweet love story, and I don’t feel like I got that. The book feels very chaotic—almost as if it could have been split into two separate books. There are many things I don’t understand at all and things that I don’t think were properly concluded.

First of all, I think this is the first time I’ve ever disliked a main characte I fear that my review will be completely messy, but I’ll try anyway. I have to admit that I’m disappointed. I don’t know if I expected too much, but I thought this would be a sweet love story, and I don’t feel like I got that. The book feels very chaotic—almost as if it could have been split into two separate books. There are many things I don’t understand at all and things that I don’t think were properly concluded.

First of all, I think this is the first time I’ve ever disliked a main character. Ayesha was very judgmental and had some really strange opinions, despite being Muslim. Khalid is constantly described as extreme and judgmental, even though he’s actually the only one who somewhat behaves like a Muslim. Ayesha, on the other hand, has some very odd views that seem completely Westernized. For example, she tries to justify her friend’s haram relationship, speaks negatively about Khalid’s clothing even though she herself wears a hijab and should dress modestly, hangs out at a bar/lounge with drunk people, and so on.

In general, there were several points where I forgot that this book was written by a Muslim. An imam arranging for a non-mahram man and woman to work alone together? That is directly haram, just like many other aspects of the book, including the constant free mixing, which really irritated me.

Beyond that, I felt completely confused while reading because new events kept happening, new characters kept being introduced, and so many extra side stories were included that could have been left out. In the end, I was left with a feeling of disappointment when I finished the book.

As for the ending—sorry to say this, but it was just so unimpressive and bad. Khalid and Ayesha have been at odds for almost the entire book, and then suddenly, after they get engaged, we hear nothing about them—literally nothing. Instead, the focus shifts to Clara and Rob’s relationship, and since the book was already so chaotic and confusing, I feel like that should have been resolved earlier so we could finally get a proper love story between Ayesha and Khalid, with moments that highlight their connection. But no, we end up with the two side characters taking center stage, and honestly, I couldn’t care less about them. It doesn’t fit the target audience, so why are they the focus at the end?

And what about Khalid’s mother and sister? I was waiting to hear about their reunion after twelve years—that’s something I actually wanted, but it was just left out. And then it’s so strange that we are told Khalid is done letting his mother control him, yet she still gets to decide how their wedding happens at the end. Like, what?

This review turned out as messy as I feared, but all in all, it was a disappointing experience. So many side stories could have been cut, and there should have been more focus on Khalid and Ayesha’s sweet moments. ...more

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Jun 01, 2019 May marked it as to-read

Feb 05, 2024 Lylia Bou marked it as to-read

Shelves: ramadan-reads

Mar 26, 2025 m marked it as to-read

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