Review by Booklist Review
In the latest from Khawaja (Maya's Laws of Love, 2024), aspiring writer Ziya, while trying to make ends meet as a legal secretary, has finally sent out her manuscript for consideration--only to receive rejection after rejection. So on the eve of her thirtieth birthday, Ziya decides to give up writing for good, destroying all copies of her manuscript to instead focus on her legal career, deciding that part of her life is over. But the next morning, Ziya is confronted with Aashiq, a handsome man claiming to be her creative muse who insists she continues to pursue a writing career. Inserting himself into her life, and becoming a sort of life coach, Aashiq works to raise Ziya's confidence and get her writing again. Though the story often feels like a self-help book for writers, Aashiq's earnest encouragement and devotion to Ziya's success is both sweet and disarming. And while Ziya can sometimes seem a little naïve, her frustration at her failure will be relatable to many readers who have experienced setbacks in pursuing their dreams.
From Booklist, Copyright (c) American Library Association. Used with permission.
Review by Publisher's Weekly Review
A magical muse helps a romance author get out of a funk in this sparkling contemporary from Khawaja (Maya's Laws of Love). Ziya Khan works as a legal secretary in New York City while trying to sell her romance novel, hoping it will help Muslim women like her see themselves in a love story. But after yet another round of rejections from literary agents on the eve of her 30th birthday, she deletes all of her manuscript files and vows never to write another word. The next morning, however, a strange man appears in her kitchen. He introduces himself as Aashiq, her "literary muse... the physical manifestation of artistry," and he's there to make her fall in love with writing again. By embracing Aashiq's optimism and zest for life, Ziya slowly but surely rediscovers her passion for writing and comes out of her shell, connecting with her coworkers and family members in new ways. But as she starts to fall for Aashiq, she worries he'll soon disappear back to whatever mystical plane he came from. The concept is cute, the prose is snappy, and it's gratifying to see Ziya come into her own. A first-rate supporting cast, especially Ziya's roommate and best friend Emily, a NICU nurse, adds depth and color. Readers will be charmed. (June)
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Review by Library Journal Review
On the eve of her 30th birthday, exhausted and crushed by another rejection from a literary agent, Ziya decides to give up on her lifelong dream of getting her novel published. Before crying herself to sleep, she manages to make a wish on an enchanted candle. When she wakes up, there's a handsome stranger in her kitchen who introduces himself as Aashiq, her writing muse come to life. Aashiq is eager to help her get her writing goals back on track. Naive yet wise, pushy but curious, and kind to a fault, he is the dream guy Ziya needs to bring back the spark in her creative process. As she starts to embrace Aashiq's zest for life, she can't help but fall hard for him. The problem is that Aashiq's not a real person, so a future together seems impossible. VERDICT Khawaja (Maya's Laws of Love) has written another heartfelt story centering Pakistani American and Muslim characters. Set in New York City and featuring a prominent literary plot and fun fantastical elements balanced with real world storylines, this uplifting novel is a must read for fans of multicultural and cozy romances.--Migdalia Jimenez
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Review by Kirkus Book Review
An aspiring novelist unexpectedly brings her muse to life--but what happens when she finds herself falling for him, too? Ziya Khan is used to keeping her dreams of becoming a romance author on the back burner. Thanks to her day job as a legal secretary, she can barely find the time to string together two creative ideas, much less finish a whole novel--and her latest string of rejections from agents has put a serious damper on her drive. By the time her 30th birthday rolls around, Ziya's just about given up on the whole writing thing, and she decides to delete her manuscript, but not without making a wish first. No one's more surprised than she is the next morning when there's a man she's never seen before standing in her kitchen--a man named Aashiq, who claims to be her muse. According to Aashiq, he's been summoned to inspire Ziya to keep writing, even though she's already given up on herself. As the weeks go by, Aashiq enthusiastically throws himself into not only trying to nudge Ziya back into her favorite pursuit but also encouraging her to change her habits. From getting her into the routine of a morning run to motivating her to hang out more often with her co-workers, Aashiq starts to inspire more than just Ziya's creativity; he's showing her how to live life differently. For Ziya, Aashiq's perpetual optimism initially proves grating, but spending every waking minute with a physical representation of her muse starts to win her over. Yet there's also the knowledge that their time together is on a ticking clock, and the more Ziya falls back in love with writing, the less reason Aashiq has to stick around. Khawaja's latest is a cozy, charming romance that blends comedy and magic in a welcome combination. While the story's conclusion feels somewhat abrupt, the true joy comes from the book's message that it's never too late to rediscover your passion--even if it takes the flesh-and-blood personification of your muse to help you find it. A whimsical rom-com with a welcome blend of magic. Copyright (c) Kirkus Reviews, used with permission.
Copyright (c) Kirkus Reviews, used with permission.
