Sommers in London

I thoroughly enjoyed reading this story from beginning to end. Seeing Fatima's growth all throughout the book was endearing and I found myself relating to her perspectives on religion. Fatima was an interesting character, you can see how the people around her play a key role in influencing the person she is.

Sadiyah was beautifully written, she's by far my favorite character of the whole book and I cannot wait to see where Meenah takes her story. Her optimism on life and relationship with Fatima was so endearing, I LOVE THEM!!!!

Overall, the romance was epic. I love LOVE, and loved how sweet the protagonists' love was. A real slow burn.

The religious relationship growth is beautiful to see, I loved it.

I went into this expecting a love story between two Black Muslims (YAY!) in my favorite city and Oh. My. Gosh. I got so much more than I bargained for, and man, am I grateful!

Fatima’s struggle with religion and a codependent relationship was incredibly well written and provided a great arc for her character growth. I truly loved reading her come back into herself, and for someone like myself who’s faith can be an intermittent struggle, it was comforting. Revealing. I learned a lot about myself reading this.

Iyad’s story of familial loss hit me hard too. I have to say, his story was my favorite, but that might be the romantic in me! I adored the way Fatima saw Iyad, and how the author describes her love for Iyad in reference to religion: calm morning prayers and Friday jummah. It makes sense.

Iyad is tender, funny, and achingly sweet. Fatima is in pain and hurting in a different way, and Iyad sees that, even in his own world of hurt. To be so calm and loving still while he’s learning to cope through his struggles is a testament to him and shows how great of a character he is.

I also really loved Sadiyah and was hoping for more of her the entire time I was reading Sommers In London. She did feel too much like a side character - but knowing her story was coming next made that feeling pretty much go away. So excited to read the second book that follows her journey!

No spoilers from me, but just know my book is tabbed up with quotes, scenes, etc.

Wholeheartedly recommend!

note: ARC provided!

‘Sommers in London’ was an incredibly enjoyable read for me. This book has been one of my all time favorite contemporary romances that I’ve ever read, so props to the author!! The characters were well written and relatable with their struggles and experiences, and their relationships were realistically written, which I found incredibly refreshing! I loved absolutely everything about it, and I can’t wait to read more of Meenah’s work.

No spoilers because this is a must read especially for the college girlies and whoever else loves reading college romances.

I enjoyed a different setting than traditional college campus. It was refreshing to travel with our character and to get glimpses of international whether it was through the FMC’s likes, education, or just her life in general. I adore Fatima and am so happy that she FULLY got her happy ending.

This book is real in so many ways. Firstly recognizing that struggles with Faith is real for so many people.

Iyad’s story is so raw and I’m happy he also experienced Love after loss because so many people are stuck at where they experienced loss they miss out on love.

I wasn’t really a fan of Sadiyah at first but she grew on me and I am sooo ready to read her story. One thing I’ll say is everyone deserves at least one friend that sticks through it with us but is very real at the same time.

Overall, this is a must read I think everyone can learn a thing or two from this novel. It is a very cutesy read but real. From the loss, to finding love, to finding identity, to friendship, and to finding Faith.

and

To the author, congratulations on your very first publishing of many!!!!! I am readyyyyyyy for book 2😭🥰

**WARNING: Slight spoilers**

This was such a sweet read, it brought me back to those fluttery feelings of first love, a sweetness that is just right. I could feel the tension between Iyad and the Fatima all the way through, and it was worth it 💓

Sommers in London is a beautifully written story, with all the pieces of Fatima's life slowly coming into place to give the reader a cohesive resolution. Sometimes the descriptions the work a character does feels irrelevant to the main plot, but in this case I'm happy to say that is not the case at all: I cared about every aspect of Fatima's life, and I genuinely rooted for her to find herself after the disaster with her ex.

Iyad was such a sweetheart, and the subtle (and not so subtle) moments of yearning made my heart melt. Reading him on page felt like a warm embrace with a touch of peace and healthy love. Some parts where he devoted himself to caring for Fatima were the sweetest - we love a protective man 😩😩

Some parts about representation come off like the author is speaking directly to us using the character, which could be considered on the nose by some, but I thought that it suited Fatima's character. The depictions of racism and Islamophobia were very realistic, especially because no matter how hard you try, some people will never change the way they treat you. I really liked the way those themes of identity are addressed, and how she goes back to Islam not because she likes Iyad, but because she wants to recover that part of herself and grow in the process.

I give it 5/5 stars for being so inspiring, heartwarming, and plentiful love ❤️❤️

(Maybe my only complaint is that I would've liked to see more of Mo in the second half of the novel 🤪 he's such a silly goose)

Thank you for giving me the honor to review this book as a beta reader, and I'm looking forward to reading your next book with Sadiyah as the main character 🩷🤍 she deserves it after being the most hardworking wing-woman LOL

This book is so wholesome and special. As someone who recently studied abroad in Europe; I resonated with Fatima’s experiences that I saw through my time in Europe.

This book is wonderfully written as it explores love, heartbreak, emotional intelligence, and religion.

I will say there were times I had to put the book down. There are not any immediate and serious triggers, but as someone who has been in a similar position of love and betrayal as Fatima ; her emotional outbursts and naivety were hard to follow.

Overall, I throughly enjoyed this book!

I'm so sad Fatima and Iyad's story is over, I want more!!

Tropes:
- He falls first
- SLOW burn
- Muslim Romance
- College Romance
- Rediscovering Islam
- Coming of Age
- Yearning

Reading about Fatima's struggle with Islam and trying to let go of a toxic relationship was emotional, frustrating, sweet, and healing. I was so proud of Fatima's self-growth from where she began in the book to where she ended. Her character growth was everything. Re-discovering Islam and her struggling with religion was so relatable, because no one is perfect when it comes to religion, we all struggle in different ways, but we can try every day to be better. It was very emotional reading Fatima's religious journey. Her toxic relationship...y'all don't even know how many times I yelled, "girl if you don't leave that man," I was so frustrated. But I loved reading about Fatima finding who she was again.

Iyad's story was also emotional, and a loss will do that to you. Reading about his grief and trying to heal from it was heavy and I'm so proud of his growth throughout the book. He was a sweet, gentle man who was just trying to not drown in his grief and here came Fatima, who without realizing, helped him. Iyad was exactly the man Fatima needed, and Fatima was exactly the woman Iyad needed.

"And We created you in pairs" (Quran 78:8)

Overall, I felt so many emotions throughout this book. I laughed, cried, was frustrated, and angry. The author really knows how to put you through an emotional roller coaster.

I do wish we got a little bit more of Fatima and Iyad's life together after marriage!

From the moment this crossed my path, I knew it would be a favorite. As if I needed more convincing to move to London, omg!!!
I LOVED every bit of this, honestly. The world needs love stories more than ever right now, especially this one. What a beautiful, sweet, vulnerable romance. And a FMC who loves Star Wars? Oh my goodness. Obsessed.
This features YEARNING, slow burn, study abroad/travel, forced proximity, coming of age, faith, and truly immaculate vibes all the way through. So excited for this to reach its target audience.

I need to book my trip to London for this summer to find my husband. Sommers Ain London has inspired my love for love. Fatima Sommers is heartbroken and in a relationship that’s toxic as she is traveling to London. Fatima isn’t so sure about herself nor her deen. Yet, four months in London with her best friend Sadiyah changes everything, especially when they meet Iyad.

Sommers in London has so much depth. So many themes circling around in the book and as a reader, you don’t feel like the book is ONLY romance. Grief, loss, abuse, identity, friendship, family, and religion. Fatima and Iyad’s character development throughout the novel is impressive. Fatima doesn’t even realize how much she has changed as a person until towards the end of the novel. At one point, I was like, “this girl may need therapy.” But who needs therapy when you have a best friend/sister like Sadiyah. I honestly pray to have a Sadiyah in life. A woman who is so reassuring and comforting as a friend.

I was very impressed by Iyad and his story. From losing his father, and just keeping his distance. Until came along Fatima. The woman that he cannot stop thinking about, protecting. The woman that is his friend, and helps him with his grief.

This book felt like a warm cup of hot chocolate during a winter storm. Writing and story were beautiful. So many standout quotes, but the one I loved the most: what if is the thief of what is.” THAT is a banger and I will keep that with me for a while. We’re always in the world of what ifs, but never focusing on what is- what is truly there.

Iyad and Fatima have renewed my longing for Black Muslim love! I am excited for Sadiyah’s story. Thank you Meenah and Aynevol Press Books.