Is this book going to win a Pulitzer? No. But this book isn't meant to be a prize winning novel or a Wuthering Heights. It's a Hallmark movie in book form and that's the standard I'm holding it to in this rating.

It's riddled with plotholes and inaccuracies but honestly? I don't care. It's cute, it's sweet, and it's heartwarming. And in a book like this that's far more important.

In terms of characters, I think they did a wonderful job meshing the characters various personalities and beliefs in a way that felt genuine. Anna got on my nerves at the beginning, but once she was given some room to breath I grew to enjoy her voice a lot more. Maryam was a little stronger but that may have been an intentional choice due to Anna's more chaotic personality. HOWEVER, Dadu absolutely steals the show in every scene he's in and I wouldn't have it any other way. I would like to adopt him as my Dadu and I believe he would let me. (And yes, I'd love to sit and watch some Bollywood with him)

The plot was predictable but again, not a problem in a Hallmark book. There wasn't that intense heated chemistry that you sometimes get in romance books but the moments that were there were sweet and both of the love interests had several moments where they showed a deeper understanding of who the leads were beyond just a single romantic gesture.

I also loved the respect shown to the different holidays. I learned a lot and while Christmas and Ramadan/Eid were the main characters, I really enjoyed the moments given to Hanukkah. In related news I'm planning a raid on a seasonal bakery soon.