LoveReading4Kids Says
LoveReading4Kids Says
With possibly one of my favourite titles of the year, this dual narrative romantic comedy written by two highly acclaimed YA novelists, manages to not only be an excellent example of the enemies to lovers trope, but also creates an authentic insight into a vibrant Muslim community and to deal with some powerful topics such as grief, anti-Black racism within the Muslim community, and the potential conflict between fulfilling personal dreams and family expectations.
Growing up, Said Hossain and Tiwa Olatunji were inseparable, but they have barely spoken since The Incident many Eids ago. But when Said comes home for a funeral and the town's Islamic Centre burns down on the same day, they are thrown together again. They both have a good reason to try to save both the Centre, which is now slated by the local mayor to be torn down and replaced with apartments, and the community’s Eid celebrations.
The main story is interspersed with flashback scenes with alternating perspectives of Tiwa and Said. The authors do not reveal who wrote each character but their voices merge seamlessly and the two characters are equally well developed. The chemistry between them and the witty banter is delightful.
A real strength of the book is the thoughtful representation of diverse cultures, showcasing the richness of Bengali, Muslim, and Nigerian cultures. Details of faith, traditions, and values are interwoven seamlessly, adding depth and nuance to the story. There is a great supporting cast of memorable characters and a lovely LBGTQ+ side romance too. Warm, funny, engaging and relatable, this is bound to be another popular bestseller!
Joy Court
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About
Four Eids and a Funeral Synopsis
Let's get one thing straight: this is a love story.
Said Hossain hates Tiwa Olatunji. And Tiwa would happily never see Said again in her life.
Growing up, the two were inseparable, but they have barely spoken since the incident many Eids ago and both of them would like to keep it that way. But when Said comes home for a funeral and the town's Islamic Centre burns down on the same day, they have to face each other again and sparks fly. Both of them want to see the Islamic Centre rebuilt. For Tiwa, it represents the community that she loves and a way to keep her fractured family together. For Said, it's an opportunity to build his portfolio for his secret application to art school, where he hopes that he'll be able to pursue his dreams of becoming an artist, rather than a doctor.
Working with your sworn enemy is never easy, and this could be the hardest thing that Said and Tiwa have ever done. But in trying to save the Islamic Centre and Eid, could these enemies become something else...?
A gorgeous, bright and swoony YA Muslim rom-com from two bestselling, award-winning stars of YA: Faridah Àbíké-Íyímídé and Adiba Jaigirdar
About This Edition
| ISBN: |
9781805312970 |
| Publication date: |
6th June 2024 |
| Author: |
Faridah Àbíké-Íyímídé, Adiba Jaigirdar |
| Publisher: |
Usborne Publishing Ltd |
| Format: |
Paperback |
| Pagination: |
375 pages |
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Press Reviews
Faridah Àbíké-Íyímídé, Adiba Jaigirdar Press Reviews
Bursting with joy, humour and so much love - for romance, for community, for home and the people who make us - Four Eids and a Funeral is a beautiful and poignant rom-com. I would do anything for Tiwa and Said and their enemies-to-lovers romance is fraught with tension, complexity and yearning - not to mention a very excellent cat. - Bea Fitzgerald, Sunday Times bestselling author of Girl, Goddess, Queen
A Muslim romcom from two rising stars of YA set around the rebuilding of an Islamic Centre. - Guardian, Books to Look Out For in 2024
This rom-com has relatable leads, sassy sidekicks and delicious cakes and is a gorgeous, swoony read. - The Bookseller, Editor's Choice
Said and Tiwa's love story is sweet and uplifting, and their quest to save their community's Islamic center will have you cheering! A fresh take on the classic friends-to-enemies-to-lovers romcom. - Michelle Quach, author of Not Here to be Liked
Four Eids and a Funeral is a slow-burn, will-they-won't-they, sweet romance that celebrates faith, community and second chances. - Abiola Bella, author of Only for the Holidays
Two of the biggest rising stars in British and Irish YA Fiction. - The Bookseller
Author
About Faridah Àbíké-Íyímídé, Adiba Jaigirdar
Faridah Àbíké-Íyímídé is the instant New York Times, international bestselling and award-winning author of Ace of Spades. She is an avid tea drinker, a collector of strange mugs and a graduate from a university in the Scottish Highlands where she received a BA in English Literature. Faridah also has an MA in Shakespeare Studies from King's College, London. When she isn't spinning dark tales, Faridah can be found examining the deeper meanings in Disney Channel original movies.
Adiba Jaigirdar is the award-winning, critically-acclaimed and bestselling author of The Henna Wars, Hani & Ishu's Guide to Fake Dating, A Million to One, and The Dos and Donuts of Love. A Bangladeshi/Irish writer and former teacher, she has an MA in Postcolonial Studies from the University of Kent, England and a BA in English and History from UCD, Ireland. She is the winner of the YA book prize 2022, the KPMG Children's Books Ireland Awards 2021, and was a finalist for the 2022 Lambda Literary awards. All of her writing is aided by tea, and a healthy dose of Janelle Monáe and Hayley Kiyoko. When not writing, she is probably ranting about the ills of colonialism, playing video games, or expanding her overflowing lipstick collection. She can be found at @adiba_j on Twitter and @dibs_j on Instagram.
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