Content levels
Trigger warnings
Positive tags
Hero archetypes
Heroine archetypes
Tropes
Themes
Synopsis
For an ambitious attorney and a rising-star chef, a cross-cultural fake romance takes an unexpected detour in a heartwarming and funny novel by the author of Much Ado About Nada and Ayesha at Last. When Sameera Malik and Tom Cooke meet at a ho-hum holiday party, neither is looking for romance. Sameera's working ridiculous hours at her law firm and healing from heartache while navigating a recently resolved family estrangement. Tom's hustling to turn his social media stardom into a real career while fending off his family's demands to give up his chef dreams and move back home. The two share a few laughs and a samosa-making lesson and go their separate ways. But when one of Tom's posts starts a viral rumor that they're a couple, he suggests they keep up the ruse for a few months. It's a good proposal, and a fauxmance will help Tom grow his popularity, and, in return, he can help Sameera land a wealthy client. The only problem? Their parents. When Sameera's very Muslim parents insist on meeting Tom's very not Muslim family over Christmas in rural Alaska, the stage is set for misunderstandings, holiday hijinks, and an epic culture clash. As the Maliks and Cookes exchange holiday traditions and endless opinions on their children's lives, Sameera and Tom realize they have a lot in common--including an attraction that's starting to feel very real.
Tags
Is Yours for the Season appropriate for my child?
Suitable for most readers 16 and up.
A sweet, culturally rich contemporary romance featuring a Muslim heroine and chef hero in a fake relationship that becomes real. Mild sensuality (kissing, attraction), humor around family dynamics and cultural differences, and positive representation of Muslim characters.
What to know going in
This book has no graphic violence, mild sexual content, and mild language. Content notes include heartbreak and family estrangement.
Who'll love this
Teens will enjoy the rom-com humor, relatable family pressures, and heartwarming holiday culture clash as two ambitious professionals fake a relationship.