Hey friends! I have such a fun post for you all today! Stick around to learn all about an amazing book, an aesthetic moodboard, and a giveaway! This is a sequel, so beware of spoilers
About Saints and Misfits (Book One):
Saints and Misfits is an unforgettable debut novel that feels like a modern day My So-Called Life…starring a Muslim teen.
How much can you tell about a person just by looking at them?
Janna Yusuf knows a lot of people can’t figure out what to make of her…an Arab Indian-American hijabi teenager who is a Flannery O’Connor obsessed book nerd, aspiring photographer, and sometime graphic novelist is not exactly easy to put into a box.
And Janna suddenly finds herself caring what people think. Or at least what a certain boy named Jeremy thinks. Not that she would ever date him—Muslim girls don’t date. Or they shouldn’t date. Or won’t? Janna is still working all this out.
While her heart might be leading her in one direction, her mind is spinning in others. She is trying to decide what kind of person she wants to be, and what it means to be a saint, a misfit, or a monster. Except she knows a monster…one who happens to be parading around as a saint…Will she be the one to call him out on it? What will people in her tight knit Muslim community think of her then?
About Misfit in Love:
In this fun and fresh sequel to Saints and Misfits, Janna hopes her brother’s wedding will be the perfect start to her own summer of love, but attractive new arrivals have her more confused than ever.
Janna Yusuf is so excited for the weekend: her brother Muhammad’s getting married, and she’s reuniting with her mom, whom she’s missed the whole summer.
And Nuah’s arriving for the weekend too.
Sweet, constant Nuah.
The last time she saw him, Janna wasn’t ready to reciprocate his feelings for her. But things are different now. She’s finished high school, ready for college…and ready for Nuah.
It’s time for Janna’s (carefully planned) summer of love to begin—starting right at the wedding.
But it wouldn’t be a wedding if everything went according to plan. Muhammad’s party choices aren’t in line with his fiancée’s taste at all, Janna’s dad is acting strange, and her mom is spending more time with an old friend (and maybe love interest?) than Janna.
And Nuah’s treating her differently.
Just when things couldn’t get more complicated, two newcomers—the dreamy Haytham and brooding Layth—have Janna more confused than ever about what her misfit heart really wants.
Janna’s summer of love is turning out to be super crowded and painfully unpredictable.
PUBLISHER: Salaam Reads
RELEASE DATE: May 25th, 2021
GENRE(S): YOUNG ADULT FICTION–Contemporary, Romance
My Review:
Misfit in Love was such a delight to read! It perfectly balanced some hard-hitting and serious topics with cute shenanigans and plenty of romance (among all the characters!) While the love triangle (more like a square) didn’t have the typical satisfying ending, I still really enjoyed the moments Janna had with each of the guys.
My favorite part was definitely the big and grand Muslim wedding! It gave me My Big Fat Greek Wedding vibes, and I lived for it! I love Sarah and the main character’s brother– Muhammad–together in Saints and Misfits, so the fact that this book took place during their wedding was extra fun.
Janna definitely gets tangled up in some sticky situations regarding all the boys in her life, as well as navigating her relationship with her mom and dad individually. The anti-blackness discussed in her community throughout the book was an important aspect, and I think it balanced the fluffy moments well. I typically like books better when they include some more serious topics, so it was a nice surprise in Misfit in Love.
Janna’s character is much more mature than it was in Saints and Misfits, which makes sense since she is significantly older in this book. I liked seeing her grow up and mature, but she still did have some naive moments, especially when it came to navigating romantic relationships.
Overall this was such a fun read, that successfully incorporated deeper topics and issues. I’ve become such a huge fan of S.K. Ali, and I’ll read anything she writes!
**Huge thanks to the publisher and Turn the Page Tours for providing me a copy in exchange for a review**
Favorite Quotes:
______________________________
“Let there be all kinds of love.
And taking first steps.
And changing my world.”
______________________________
“Mercy is love that lets us be, that grants us the serenity and refuge of true love.”
______________________________
“Then why make a narrative, a love story, a world in your head? If your heart isn’t officially ready to participate in one in real life?“
______________________________
“Some bloom with much care
But I need only your glance
To fill a garden”
______________________________
”I’m moving out of my head into the real world.”
______________________________
Moodboard:
About the Author:
S. K. Ali is the author of Saints and Misfits, winner of the 2018 APALA Honor award, the 2017 Middle East Book Honor Award, and a 2018 William C. Morris Award finalist. Her second novel, LOVE FROM A TO Z, a story about finding love in the time of Islamophobia, was an Entertainment Weekly Top Ten Young Adult Book of 2019. She also has a picture book co-authored with Team USA Olympic Medalist, Ibtihaj Muhammad, THE PROUDEST BLUE, which debuted on the New York Times bestseller list. Releasing on May 5, 2020 is ONCE UPON AN EID, an anthology of joyful stories by 15 Muslim creatives, edited by S. K. Ali and Aisha Saeed. She lives in Toronto with her family, which includes a very vocal cat named Yeti. Find her on twitter, on instagram, and on her website.
Thanks so much for reading! Definitely go and check out everyone else’s post for this tour!
June 5th
Turn the Page Tours – Welcome Post
The Aiya Times – Review & Book Playlist
Lyrical Reads – Review, Mood Board & Book Playlist
June 6th
Belle’s Archive – Spotlight
Amani’s Reviews – Review, Favorite Quotes, Book Playlist & Mood Board
Coastal Readers – Dream Celebrity Cast & Mood Board
June 7th
Lost in a Bookstore – Review & Favorite Quotes
Kayla’s Book Nook – Review
The Clever Reader – Spotlight
June 8th
In Vogue with Books – Review, Book Playlist, Dream Celebrity Cast & Favorite Quotes
Kait Plus Books – Spotlight
Sheaf and Ink – Review
June 9th
Book Lover’s Book Reviews – Review
Emelie’s Books – Review, Favorite Quotes & Mood Board
Brinn’s Books – Review & Favorite Quotes
June 10th
Books Tea Healthy Me – Spotlight
The Reading Wordsmith – Review & Favorite Quotes
Sincerely, Manasa – Review, Favorite Quotes & Mood Board
June 11th
Literary Delirium – Review
Whimsical Blessings – Author Interview
Lily’s Cozy Blog – Review & Favorite Quotes
emelie's books 
I can’t wait to read this book, I liked Saints and Misfits so I’m definitely looking forward to seeing what happens next for Janna and seeing who she ends up with. Thanks for sharing! love the pretty mood board too!
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Thanks so much for reading! And I hope you love the book as well 🙂 It’s super fun and I liked it even better than Saints and Misfits
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