“It’s not enough to find someone you love. You have to be ready for that love, and ready to make changes to welcome it into your life.”
– Ayesha at Last
Summary and Thoughts
Ayesha Shamsi has a lot going on. Her dreams of being a poet have been set aside for a teaching job so she can pay off her debts to her wealthy uncle. She lives with her boisterous Muslim family and is always being reminded that her flighty younger cousin, Hafsa, is close to rejecting her one hundredth marriage proposal. Though Ayesha is lonely, she doesn’t want an arranged marriage. Then she meets Khalid, who is just as smart and handsome as he is conservative and judgmental. She is irritatingly attracted to someone who looks down on her choices and who dresses like he belongs in the seventh century.
When a surprise engagement is announced between Khalid and Hafsa, Ayesha is torn between how she feels about the straightforward Khalid and the unsettling new gossip she hears about his family. Looking into the rumors, she finds she has to deal with not only what she discovers about Khalid, but also the truth she realizes about herself.
Reading Ayesha at Last was such a delight! Though the story was light and simple, the witty dialogue, dynamic characters, and upbeat tone kept me eagerly turning the pages. I normally don’t read romances, but the concept of a muslim Pride and Prejudice was so interesting I had to check it out, and I’m glad to see how well it was executed. There were a few conflicts that could have been tied up sooner and the ending itself was abrupt, but if you’re looking for a quick, refreshing romance, this definitely fits the bill.
Notable Reviews
For Those Who Enjoyed
- Sarah Dessen novels
- A Place for Us by Fatima Farheen Mirza
- The Masterpiece by Fiona Davis
- The Assistants by Camille Perri
Star Rating
4/5
Skincare for Introverts 
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