Heron, Farah. Accidentally Engaged. Forever, 2021. ISBN 978-1538734988 368 pp. $15.99

****

I kind of love pretend engagement stories, am a sucker for foodie books, and really enjoy reading outside of my own culture. In this novel, a talented baker needs a partner to enter a cooking show competition so she can win the artisan bread cooking class of her dreams, but it requires a partner. The nice Muslim boy that conveniently lives in her building is the one and the same man her parents are attempting to arrange a marriage for her. Nadim with gamely steps in to fake an engagement so Reena can enter the competition and realize her dreams. The camera picks up Reena and Nadim’s chemistry before Reena does.

This modern Muslim love story has family, food, humor and heart. While the characters are not traditional in their practices, the consummation of the relationship is sweet and mostly off the page.

I received an advance reader’s review copy of #AccidentallyEngaged from #NetGalley.