Title: Salaam, with love
Author: Sara Sharaf Beg
Number of Pages: 288
Genre: Teen and young adult/romance/fiction/religion
Rating: ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐
Dua didn't really take the holiday Ramadan very seriously, no matter how hard she tried, she was used to breaking her fast before it was time and doing her prayers when she felt like doing them or sleeping trough them. So, when she was told that her parents have decided to go to New York to visit her dad's brother and his family for the whole month of Ramadan who they haven't seen in about five years, Dua isn't exactly excited but had no choice in the matter and thought she was going to have to bear and grin it her entire time there. She figured while there she would at least try get closer to her cousins, especially Mahnoor. When Mahnoor took Dua to one of their shows she didn't she didn't expect to hear them play religious songs in their language, and definitely not in the way it was sung. Finding out Mahnoor is best friends with the lead singer and engaged to the leads singers' brother, Dua gets to spend a bit more time with them and sees her religion in a different light. She decides to give Ramadan a chance and take it more seriously, making a list of what she wanted to accomplish in that month she was determined to do better. She begins to realize she learned a lot more then she expected in that month, about herself her faith, and her family. I felt this was a very well written book, I did like it very much, I cried and learned just a bit about the holiday of Ramadan which I find truly inspiring. I loved the music involvement. I loved all the characters and how relatable they are. A good mix of family, romance, and drama oh though the ending felt a bit rushed, and a tad bit sloppy, there's also a very dramatic part in the book (I try not to give off any spoilers) that I felt was a bit much, maybe too dramatic, it didn't clash well with the story as if it just didn't fit right. But other than that this is definitely one of my favorite reads!
Cons: Ending is a bit rushed, part of the story doesn't fit well.
Pros: Well written with enough drama romance and family oriented
Recommended to: Those who love music and reading about other cultures
