‘Oops Pounce Quick Run!’, by Mike Twohyġ0. ‘Mexican Gothic’, Silvia Moreno-Garciaġ4. ‘Hana Khan Carries On’, by Uzma Jalaluddinġ7. ‘The Violin Conspiracy’, by Brendan SlocumbĢ0. ‘Miss Eliza’s English Kitchen’, Annabel AbbsĢ1. ‘Bomb Shelter’, by Mary Laura PhilpottĢ3. ‘Send Me Into the Woods Alone’, by Erin PeplerĢ4. ‘Unlikely Animals’, by Annie HartnettĢ7. ‘The Geometry of Holding Hands’, by Alexander McCall SmithĢ8. ‘The Stranger in the Lifeboat’, by Mitch Albomģ0. ‘The Burgess Boys’, by Elizabeth Stroutģ1. ‘The Storm Whale in Winter’, by Benji Daviesģ3. ‘Fellowship Point’, by Alice Elliott Darkģ4. I have not read it yet, but definitely want to now.ģ5. Her first book was published a few years ago called Ayesha at Last which has been compared to Austen’s Pride and Prejudice. This second book from the author is in development for a film starring Mindy Kaling. She said it was hard for her to find novels about people who looked like her, so she decided to write one. She uses those platforms to talk honestly about hate crimes and stereotyping and seeks to share an experience of diversity. What I appreciate about this novel, in addition to the lighthearted tone and familiar setting in Toronto, was how the author raises serious questions about tough issues of our time around diversity and immigration. Family secrets and struggles abound to complicate the rivalry/attraction between the two but of course we all know how this story will end–and we enjoy the ride anyway.

Of course into her life walks a good looking new competition restaurant owner named Aydin, who becomes her nemesis. Hana Khan, a young podcaster and intern at a radio station, also waitresses part-time in the family business–the only halal restaurant in the neighbourhood. There were some twists and turns that I didn’t expect and lots of clever one-line banter in a love story that also seeks to give a nuanced first hand insight into a Muslim family and community.

The novel has substance and the characters are entertaining and well drawn. Long listed for Canada Reads this year, it’s a funny romantic comedy in the traditional sense–all the usual rom-com elements including a predictable ending, but delightfully so. This entertaining rom-com written by a Muslim Canadian high school teacher, is set in the Toronto community of Crescent Town. “A delicious treat filled with South Asian fervor and Canadian heart.”

Hana khan carries on