Review: Accidentally Engaged by Farah Heron

Accidentally Engaged

by Farah Heron

March 2, 2021

384 pages

Goodreads Summary:

Reena Manji doesn’t love her career, her single status, and most of all, her family inserting themselves into every detail of her life. But when caring for her precious sourdough starters, Reena can drown it all out. At least until her father moves his newest employee across the hall--with hopes that Reena will marry him.

But Nadim’s not like the other Muslim bachelors-du-jour that her parents have dug up. If the Captain America body and the British accent weren’t enough, the man appears to love eating her bread creations as much as she loves making them. She sure as hell would never marry a man who works for her father, but friendship with a neighbor is okay, right? And when Reena’s career takes a nosedive, Nadim happily agrees to fake an engagement so they can enter a couples video cooking contest to win the artisan bread course of her dreams.

As cooking at home together brings them closer, things turn physical, but Reena isn’t worried. She knows Nadim is keeping secrets, but it’s fine— secrets are always on the menu where her family is concerned. And her heart is protected… she’s not marrying the man. But even secrets kept for self preservation have a way of getting out, especially when meddling parents and gossiping families are involved.

Review

Accidentally Engaged is a love story that will have you laughing and feeling hungry from page one of the book! I appreciate the diversity and drooled a fair bit over the food and the romance ;)

Within the first ten pages of the book, Accidentally Engaged had me smiling. I hadn't expected the book to be funny so I was delighted to have laughed over and over again. Reena's inner monologues were absolute riots. I really enjoyed the way she framed her thoughts. Mostly happy but also at times sombre, she was a fantastic main character that showed many sides. "Everyone has crap. Life is full of piles and piles of shit." (p. 236)

Accidentally Engaged had my mouth watering through most of the story. Reena is an excellent bread-maker. I learned a lot listening to her talk about yeast (who would've thought?). And the dishes from her culture sounded positively heavenly. I seriously want to try every one of them!

From their first meeting I could tell Reena and Nadim would make a great couple. I'm proven right again and again as we saw how well they worked alongside each other. From filming together for the cooking contest to carrying out the bedroom actions, Reena and Nadim fit flawlessly. The secret of their past held some shock values but the drama was thankfully kept to a minimum. I loved seeing them make sensible and mature decisions ;P

Accidentally Engaged is a thoughtful and delicious read. The glimpse into another culture (most importantly its familial relationships) was super insightful. Every page of this book was enjoyable and I honestly can't wait to see what Farah Heron gives us next!

*I received a copy of this book from the publisher in exchange for an honest review. All opinions are my own and not affected in any way. Any quotes included in my review were taken from the copy I received.