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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.
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Fun, flirty, and filled with delicious descriptions of food, Farah Heron’s Accidentally Engaged leaves the reader feeling simultaneously like they should visit their family, as well as maybe an Indian restaurant or French bakery.
Reena Manji has never had great luck — not with her job, her family, or her love life. When she runs into her new, very hot next door neighbor, her luck seems to be turning. After discovering that he is not only her father’s newest employee but has also been picked out to marry her, Reena is less enthusiastic. But even if she isn’t going to marry the man, a friendship (based on a love of sourdough bread and shared experiences of meddling parents) wouldn’t hurt anyone, right? And if he just so happened to play along as her fiancé for a cooking contest...well, what was the harm in that?
Accidentally Engaged is filled to bursting with delicious descriptions of food — be sure to have a plate of samosas or a fresh loaf of sourdough when you dig into this sweet, fresh novel. Aside from the mouthwatering food, there is plenty of delicious family drama to enjoy in this novel as Reena tries to balance family loyalty with figuring out who she really is — and what she really wants.
The characters are quirky while staying grounded in reality, and the discussion surrounding the mental health issues of Reena and her sister Saira is given weight without being heavy handed. The world that Reena inhabits feels real and full, with interesting side characters and interconnected family, friends, and bitter rivals. Plus, anyone who lived through the great sourdough starter craze of 2020 is sure to enjoy the scenes with Brian and Al — his and hers sourdough starters.
Thank you to NetGalley and Forever for the ARC!
0Accidentally Engaged is a fast-paced, tightly written romcom, with a solid set-up and a romantic couple who have definite chemistry. The premise really isn't as complicated as it sounds - honestly, whomst among us hasn't fallen for the guy we're faking an engagement to for the sake of a cooking competition, while strenuously refusing to ever get engaged as our parents have arranged, except now we're actually in love but we're definitely still not getting married? And all of it accompanied by exponential amounts of sourdough?
While there were a few moments that didn't really land for me, overall I found Accidentally Engaged to be a charming and breezy read that made me long for a fresh-baked loaf or two of my own.
Thank you to NetGalley and Forever for the advance review copy!
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