There is a nice message at the end about the love of friends being the most important kind of love, and I’d definitely recommend this to a teenage or tweenage reader, especially one looking for representation of themselves in books or who could do with some diverse reading. I feel like the best books have to include at least one character that is a book lover and I think that is what sold this book for me.

Have you ever enjoyed something so much that it felt like you were floating the whole time? Well, that’s how I felt throughout this whole book.A combination of pop-culture references, classic rom-com elements, and fun banter makes for an engaging read. I received this book for free from Author in exchange for an honest review. This does not affect my opinion of the book or the content of my review. The Desi culture described in this book was interesting to learn about and although I cannot comment on the authenticity of it, I will comment on the enjoyment I found in finding out more about their culture. Zara is a big romance fan and reading and discussing films with her friends, but she and her best friend Adnan are getting heat from their parents who are desperate for them to get together. Then suddenly they have to pretend to to protect Adnan’s new girlfriend from family issues. As Zara and Adnan grow closer, is there a point at which they should try to give love an actual chance? I also really enjoyed exploring Zara’s family relationships, and loved that unlike most YA novels, her parents were just present enough in the narrative to know they existed (and there to support her if necessary) without being too involved to make their inclusion seem unrealistic. I also really liked their positive and rather candid approach to sex (and the ‘sex talk’).

What I really enjoyed about this book was that it felt very fresh - it was a new take on the fake dating trope and that was really fun to see. You expect this book to follow the typical storylines of a YA romance, but it mixes it up by the end and that was so refreshing! If you’re looking for an adorable rom-com, I definitely recommend This is How You Fall in Love. Read my full review below to find out more about this lovely read! This Is How You Fall in Love by Anika Hussain I found the detailed Pokemon Go thread, which formed a lot of one part of the plot, a bit much, kind of old-fashioned where the rest of the book didn’t seem to be trying to be, and it was annoying that Zara didn’t have enough oomph to stand up for herself a bit more. Adnan’s girlfriend Cami’s arc was a bit melodramatic in the end, and it was a shame that girls ended up pitted against each other. There’s a lot to like about this book, though written for a much younger reader than me (once again I find 17 year olds more fun to read about than millennials). I like the South Asian representation and the fact that neither set of parents is stereotyped – Zara’s parents are second generation British and had a hard time themselves and are trying not to do that. Yes, there is a South Asian diabetes thread but then that does educate. Terms for clothes and food and other cultural things are used and not explained, which I always like. The friendship group is mixed and multicultural, which is nice, too. But then... I met him. Yahya. You might not know who I'm talking about so here's the lowdown: there was a guy I liked. A guy whose lips felt like clouds and who smelled like coffee infused with the tiniest hint of tobacco and chai with lemons. A guy who made me feel like myself at a time when I had to lie to just about everyone I knew. A guy who surprised me every day. I didn't anticipate falling for him, but I did. 'And then my world blew up…’” – Zara, This is How You Fall in LoveDavid Almond introduces his new picture book, A Way to the Stars, a story about perseverance and finding a way to make dreams come true. All of which leaves readers expecting that very thing to happen to Zara and Adnan. Cue much confusion and soul-searching realisations on the path to heart-stirring happiness. Zara loves love in all forms: 90s romcoms and romance novels and grand sweeping gestures. And she's desperate to have her own great love story. Crucially, a realone. So when her best friend Adnan begs her to pretend to date him to cover up his new top-secret relationship, Zara is hesitant. This isn't the kind of thing she had in mind. But there's something in it for Zara too: making her parents, who love Adnan, happy might just stop them arguing for a while. She may not be getting her own love story, but she could save theirs. This is How You Fall in Love' by Anika Hussain was a delightful read. Adnan and Zara have been best friends since forever. Their families spend Sunday dinners, holidays to Bangladesh and every other major life event together. When Adnan falls for new girl Cami, he stumbles across a big problem - they need to keep their relationship a secret due to Cami's overprotective family. Enter a classic fake dating scenario which challenges the boundaries of Adnan and Zara's relationship. Is the love they feel for each other actually like siblings or something more?