Name: nini's review of Hana Khan Carries On by Uzma Jalaluddin
Item: Hana Khan Carries On
Rating: 4
Author: nini

Uzma Jalaluddin

From the author of Ayesha at Last comes a sparkling new rom-com for fans of “You’ve Got Mail,” set in two competing halal restaurants Sales are slow at Three Sisters Biryani Poutine, the only halal restaurant in the close-knit Golden Crescent neighbourhood. Hana waitresses there part time, but what she really wants is to tell stories on the radio. If she can just outshine her fellow intern at the city radio station, she may have a chance at landing a job. In the meantime, Hana pours her thoughts and dreams into a podcast, where she forms a lively relationship with one of her listeners. But soon she’ll need all the support she can get: a new competing restaurant, a more upscale halal place, is about to open in the Golden Crescent, threatening Three Sisters. When her mysterious aunt and her teenage cousin arrive from India for a surprise visit, they draw Hana into a long-buried family secret. A hate-motivated attack on their neighbourhood complicates the situation further, as does Hana’s growing attraction for Aydin, the young owner of the rival restaurant—who might not be a complete stranger after all. As life on the Golden Crescent unravels, Hana must learn to use her voice, draw on the strength of her community and decide what her future should be.

A Novel

Hana Khan Carries On

Tansy

this is probably the first muslim romcom i've ever read and i'm completely charmed. to be able to understand the identity struggle, the cultural dynamics, and to recognize the food, clothing, and values the characters have makes me feel happily seen and represented. this particular book is an incredibly fun read, sweet and lovely in its romance and charming in it's familial themes while also tackling serious subject matter at the same time.

nini

Emily Burns

This book is literally perfect and exactly what I needed.

Lamia Hajani

On the first page, Hana Khan says she is a "South Asian Muslim woman," which is also how I often describe myself. That hooked me, because it doesn't feel like I get to read books about people who are in such a similar place and with a similar identity to me.

This is a quick read, overall. You meet Hana who is trying to get her foot into the door in broadcasting and has her own anonymous podcast, which is how she met someone named StanleyP and has gotten very close to him. Romantically so. In real life, Hana's mom owns Three Sisters Biryani Poutine, a halal restaurant in Toronto, and it's not doing so hot (financially). Hana's got a lot going on without the addition of Aydin, who is opening a competitive halal restaurant across the street.

The enemies-to-lovers trope is pretty cute, albeit frustrating, and there is a LOT in this book that is incredibly predictable (to the point where it got a bit annoying). Nonetheless, it's a quick read, it's #ownvoices and it's pretty adorable.

Thanks to Berkley Publishing, Uzma Jalaluddin and NetGalley for the eARC!

Jantien 

Wonderful book. Actually loved the podcast concept (something I have hated in other books but here it was executed very well), loved the frenemy’s to lovers trope, loved Hanaan. I will never understand what goed through a racist’s mind, this book deals with issues a lot of people go through on a daily basis and it makes me so sad. How you can be this egocentric or otherworldly that you think you are the perfect human being and everyone that is slightly different in some way is scum, I will never EVER get. Be respectful. Don’t harass people. You could even try to learn from other cultures. It’s really that simple.

Caitlin Snyder

4.5 rounded up to 5

I loved this book so much. Great exploration of religion, racism, feminism, family and relationships!

Alice

I completely ignored all my work responsibilities today to finish this book, and I regret nothing. It's bubbly, it's serious when it needs to be, and it has such a predictable but oh-so-sweet romance.

The only "complaint" I might have is that Rashid is a little unrealistic as an 18-year-old (he's more like a teenage pup crossed with a wise warrior), but who cares because he's ICONIC.

If you're looking for a new contemporary read, please choose Hana Khan Carries On. 
I want to continue growing as a person, and I'm so grateful for the perspective that this book has allowed me to witness.

Ahaana Bhargava

i don't think my words can give justice to how much this book meant to me 🥺


  full review (+ favourite quotes!) over here on my blog <3

Taylor

Uzma Jalaluddin’s sophomore novel is a truly spectacular read – full of heartache, hope, love, and pride. I'm truly grateful to have had the opportunity to read an advanced copy, big thanks to Netgalley and HarperCollins Canada. I love to read books by Canadian authors and it truly made me miss Toronto a little bit, I loved the nods to iconic landmarks like the CN Tower, the aquarium, the dreaded 401, and more.
As someone who is about to turn 24, I truly resonated with Hana's feelings of indecision about her future. It's so hard to balance your hopes and dreams for yourself with the expectations of others and the opportunities available. Too often, younger folks compromise on their beliefs and take opportunities that don't necessarily align with what they want, just because we feel that we aren't in the place to argue or turn them down. (view spoiler)[It was empowering to see Hana realize that she was better than her unpaid internship and to take that leap of faith. (hide spoiler)]
One of the strongest elements of Hana Khan Carries On is the sense of community that exists in the book. Golden Crescent feels alive and the dynamics of the neighbourhood feel so real. The cast of characters are all so wonderful and they each brought something special and unique to the story.
I love Hana's cousin Rashid, who started off as a bit of a comic relief character, but slowly grew to show that he had a lot of wisdom to offer and that his positive outlook was not the product of naivety, but instead believing in the best in others. I also love Hana's father, who encouraged and supported Hana's dreams of someday telling stories on the radio, it was clear that Hana and her father had a really special connection.
Hana’s wild and wonderful Kawkab Khala was by and far my favourite, I loved how she encouraged Hana to assert herself and to be fierce. I also loved the tenderness of her farewell and how much Hana gave her back by telling her story on Secret Family History. I understood Hana's interest in her family's secrets and wanting to know more about them. For me, half of my family lives in England and I understand sometimes feeling like your family are strangers to you.
The romance element was fun and sweet, I've never actually seen You've Got Mail, but I know the basic plot and I might be inspired to check it out after reading Hana Khan Carries On, if the movie is even half as good I think I'll enjoy it. I am a big sucker for enemies-to-lovers, and Jalaluddin executes the trope perfectly.
Hana Khan Carries On manages to be light and fun, while also tackling some really heavy topics. Jalaluddin examines what it means to belong in a place and the ownership one feels over their community and how a community can come together after terror strikes. At the heart of the book, it is about not simply accepting what you are given, but finding your voice and the courage to go after what you know you truly deserve.
After reading both Ayesha at Last and Hana Khan Carries On, I know I will be on the lookout for whatever Uzma Jalaluddin is coming out with next!

Content Warnings: Racism, Islamophobia, Hate Crimes and Vandalism, Death, Funeral, Car Accident, Hospitalization

Kayla 

I finished up Hana Khan Carries On this month. I loved Uzma Jalaluddin’s book Ayesha At Last and have been recommending it to everyone.

I heard that this was sort of a play on You’ve Got Mail and I love that kind of storyline. In the story it’s competing Halal restaurants and Hana is determined that Aydin’s restaurant will mean the end of her family’s Biryani place. She also has a secret fan of her podcast that she talks to and asks for advice.

So I am sad to say that I did not enjoy this book as much. I feel so bad writing those words.

I did not feel like I really knew the characters as much as I did in Ayesha At Last. Their backstories were missing a lot of information for me and I have so many questions about the side characters too and their stories, especially Hana’s sister. Like I have so many questions about her!

I also felt like the moments that were supposed to be climatic were quite subdued, I needed some dramatic bursts of emotions lol.

I also read this at a time where the media was consumed with a particular current event that hits close to home, and while reading this book there is a scene of Islamophobia and that just hit me so hard. My heart always breaks and it makes me so emotional since I have so many friends and family members who are subjected to this awfulness. But that is just a me thing and it did not affect my rating. I just wanted to give a warning.

I did love the romantic relationship between the characters, they formed a good friendship from the somewhat enemies that they were lol. I personally don’t mind the more modest approach, it takes me back to Jane Austen where we know the characters love each other by their words and kind actions.

💛
Thank you @hccfrenzy @harpercollinsca for sending this my way.

vania vela

I opened the book and when I read the first line I knew that I would love it Without a doubt, I was too passionate about this comprehensive and interesting book. The book not only talks about serious issues, but there are touches of comedy and romance that simply make this book a work of art. There was not a single moment that I stopped, I fell in love with the plot and the characters. Simply fascinating.

Kate

this was so, so, so great. it’s got you’ve got mail vibes, hate-to-love, a super strong willed and lovable heroine, delicious food, family secrets and drama, podcast and radio transcripts, characters and dialogue that’s genuinely funny, brilliant discussions on gentrification and racism and so much more. whilst, to be honest, I wasn’t totally into the romance itself, the story as a whole and the family relationships/dynamics was utterly wonderful and totally made the book for me. this was brilliant and I couldn’t recommend the audiobook more highly.

TW: racism, racist slurs, hate crimes, islamophobia

Kimmy Hobden

Courtney Sutton

Leila Somani-Davis

Amelia C 

Riya

baby boss 

Ireland Compton

Lisa Lindquist 

Rhionna

Safiya 

For fans of "You’ve Got Mail," a young woman juggles pursuing her dream job in radio while helping her family compete with the new halal restaurant across the street, in this sparkling new rom-com by the author of Ayesha at Last. Sales are slow at Three Sisters Biryani Poutine, the only halal restaurant in the close-knit Golden Crescent neighborhood of Toronto. Hana waitresses there part time, but what she really wants is to tell stories on the radio. If she can just outshine her fellow intern at the city radio station, she may have a chance at landing a job. In the meantime, Hana pours her thoughts and dreams into a podcast, where she forms a lively relationship with one of her listeners. But soon she'll need all the support she can get: a new competing restaurant, a more upscale halal place, is about to open in the Golden Crescent, threatening her mother’s restaurant. When her mysterious aunt and her teenage cousin arrive from India for a surprise visit, they draw Hana into a long-buried family secret. A hate-motivated attack on their neighborhood complicates the situation further, as does Hana's growing attraction for Aydin, the young owner of the rival restaurant--who might not be a complete stranger after all. As life on the Golden Crescent unravels, Hana must learn to use her voice, draw on the strength of her community and decide what her future should be.

Tansy &
Hana Khan Carries On by Uzma Jalaluddin

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