Four Eids and a Funeral

LoveReading 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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