Uzma Jalaluddin – författare

A sparkling second-chance romance inspired by Jane Austen’s Persuasion...   Nada Syed is stuck. On the cusp of thirty, she’s still living at home with her brothers and parents in the Golden Crescent neighbourhood of Toronto, resolutely ignoring her mother’s unsubtle pleas to get married already. While Nada has a good job as an engineer, it’s a far cry from realizing her start-up dreams for her tech baby, Ask Apa, the app that launched with a whimper instead of a bang because of a double-crossing business partner. Nothing in her life has turned out the way it was supposed to, and Nada feels like a failure. Something needs to change, but the past is holding on too tightly to let her move forward. Nada’s best friend Haleema is determined to pry her from her shell…and what better place than at the giant annual Muslim conference held downtown, where Nada can finally meet Haleema’s fiancé, Zayn. And did Haleema mention Zayn’s brother Baz will be there?   What Haleema doesn’t know is that Nada and Baz have a past—some of it good, some of it bad and all of it secret.  At the conference, that past all comes hurtling at Nada, bringing new complications and a moment of reckoning. Can Nada truly say goodbye to once was or should she hold tight to her dreams and find their new beginnings?

From the internationally bestselling and acclaimed author of Ayesha at Last comes the tale of a vigil-aunty on a mission.With her daughter accused of murder, Kausar Khan goes from meddlesome aunty to Detective Aunty . . .'I am such a fan' Emily Henry'I'll read anything Uzma Jalaluddin writes' Kate Quinn_________When her daughter Sana is accused of murdering the unpopular landlord of her clothing boutique, Kausar Khan returns to Toronto for the first time in twenty years.Back in the Golden Crescent suburb she once called home, Kausar finds that the thriving neighbourhood she remembered has changed. The murder of Sana's unpopular landlord is only the latest in a wave of local crimes which have gone unsolved.With a keen sense of observation and a deep wisdom honed by her years, Kausar knows there is more to the story than Sana lets on. With the help of some old friends and her teenage granddaughter, Kausar digs deeper into the case to uncover the truth. Because who better to pry answers from unwilling suspects than a harmless, meddlesome aunty?But even Kausar can't predict the secrets, lies and betrayals she finds along the way..._________Detective Aunty was named a BEST FICTION BOOK OF THE YEAR by The Washington Post, Kirkus Reviews, Library Journal, The Globe and Mail and the Chicago Public Library:☕️ a Lilly's Library book club pick ☕️ cosy crime set in a small suburb☕️ a South Asian community☕️ Kausar Khan is Miss Marple☕️ lovable amateur sleuth☕️ charm and chai_________Reader's are captivated by this cosy detective series:'Reminds me very much of Agatha Christie' ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐'I was completely entranced by Kausar and her detective skills' ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐'Detective Aunty is creating a new genre of mystery - trailblazing gold!!' ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐'Sherlock Holmes and Miss Marple combined' ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐'A read as cozy and delicious as a cup of chai' Mia P. Manansala'Uzma Jalaluddin has once more hit it out of the park. I can't wait for the next Kausar Khan mystery!' Nalini Singh'A charmer from beginning to end' Kate Hilton

At a sumptuous family wedding, two former friends rediscover their own love story and the lies that tore them apart in a chaotic and swoony second-chance romance by the author of Yours for the Season.Toronto attorney Dina Haq is looking forward to her influencer sister’s lavish South Asian wedding. She wouldn’t dream of overshadowing the event of the season by revealing her carefully guarded secret: Her own marriage has gone bust. She just needs to make sure her odious ex keeps his mouth shut, too. Complications arise once she discovers that the groom’s best man is none other than Luqman “Lucky” Latif, a law school crush who ghosted her six years ago.Forced to abandon his lawyerly ambitions to help his struggling family in Chicago, Lucky rebuilt his life, and a successful contracting business, and has moved on from past hurts…or so he thinks. Then he sees Dina again, the woman who not only rejected him but also had the nerve to marry his best friend instead. He’s not sure his heart can survive another encounter.As the wedding festivities unfold, Dina and Lucky rediscover their connection and begin to unravel the part her manipulative ex-husband played in their almost-love story. The past isn’t quite what they thought, but is it too late to imagine a new future together?

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.

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.

At a sumptuous family wedding, two former friends rediscover their own love story and the lies that tore them apart in a chaotic and swoony second-chance romance by the author of Yours for the Season.Toronto attorney Dina Haq is looking forward to her influencer sister’s lavish South Asian wedding. She wouldn’t dream of overshadowing the event of the season by revealing her carefully guarded secret: Her own marriage has gone bust. She just needs to make sure her odious ex keeps his mouth shut, too. Complications arise once she discovers that the groom’s best man is none other than Luqman “Lucky” Latif, a law school crush who ghosted her six years ago.Forced to abandon his lawyerly ambitions to help his struggling family in Chicago, Lucky rebuilt his life, and a successful contracting business, and has moved on from past hurts…or so he thinks. Then he sees Dina again, the woman who not only rejected him but also had the nerve to marry his best friend instead. He’s not sure his heart can survive another encounter.As the wedding festivities unfold, Dina and Lucky rediscover their connection and begin to unravel the part her manipulative ex-husband played in their almost-love story. The past isn’t quite what they thought, but is it too late to imagine a new future together?

Winner of the Hearst Big Books Award - Cosmopolitan's Book of the Year A Mirror 'Best Books to Read This Summer' pick'A clever homage to Jane Austen's Pride and Prejudice that you'll love, even if you never got round to reading the original.' CosmopolitanAyesha Shamsi has a lot going on. Her dreams of being a poet have been overtaken by a demanding teaching job. Her boisterous Muslim family, and numerous (interfering) aunties, are professional naggers. And her flighty young cousin, about to reject her one hundredth marriage proposal, is a constant reminder that Ayesha is still single.Ayesha might be a little lonely, but the one thing she doesn't want is an arranged marriage. And then she meets Khalid... How could a man so conservative and judgmental (and, yes, smart and annoyingly handsome) have wormed his way into her thoughts so quickly?As for Khalid, he's happy the way he is; his mother will find him a suitable bride. But why can't he get the captivating, outspoken Ayesha out of his mind? They're far too different to be a good match, surely...Readers love AYESHA AT LAST'Couldn't put the book down' *****'An entertaining read with laughter and tears' *****'I read this book in a day and loved it!' *****'A hilarious and charming love story' *****'Perfect book for holiday reading' *****

SHORTLISTED FOR THE RNA CHRISTMAS/FESTIVE HOLIDAY ROMANTIC NOVEL AWARD'Magical. The most festive book you'll read this year' CARLEY FORTUNE, bestselling author of Every Summer AfterOne snowstorm.Two strangers.Three times the holiday magic . . .When strangers Maryam Aziz and Anna Gibson are seated next to each other on a flight, neither expects that severe turbulence will scare them into confessing their deepest hopes and fears to one another. Unfortunately, Maryam's lifelong crush Saif happened to be sitting two rows behind them and heard it all, including the part where she professed undying love for him...An emergency landing finds Anna, Maryam and Saif snowbound at a quirky hotel in the picture-perfect town of Snow Falls - where fate has Anna's actor-crush filming a holiday romance. As Maryam finds the courage to open her heart to Saif, and Anna feels the magic of an unexpected new love, they might just realise there's nowhere they'd rather be for the holidays.What's everyone saying about Three Holidays and a Wedding?'The perfect cosy read' Amy E. Reichert, author of Once Upon a December'A heartwarming celebration' Jean Meltzer, author of The Matzah Ball'My favourite holiday romance ever!' Sara Desai, author of The Dating Plan

One of Washington Post's best romance novels of 2021_________________________From the author of Ayesha At Last comes a sparkling new rom-com for fans of You've Got Mail.Hana Khan's family-run halal restaurant is on its last legs. So when a flashy competitor gets ready to open nearby, bringing their inevitable closure even closer, she turns to her anonymously-hosted podcast, and her lively and long-lasting relationship with one of her listeners, for advice. But a hate-motivated attack on their neighbourhood complicates the situation further, as does Hana's growing attraction for Aydin, the young owner of the rival business. Who might not be a complete stranger after all...A charmingly refreshing and modern love story, Uzma Jalaluddin's tale is humorously warm and filled with gorgeous characters you won't be able to forget. Now in development for film with Mindy Kaling and Amazon Studios.

'THE CONTEMPORARY TAKE ON PERSUASION I'VE BEEN WAITING FOR. I AM SUCH A FAN!' EMILY HENRY'IN A WORD: BRILLIANT' NEW YORK TIMESOnce they were sweethearts, now they're strangers.Worse than strangers - practically enemies.But will a chance encounter offer Nada and Baz a second chance at love?Nada Syed is stuck. At twenty-eight, she's living with her parents and mourning the failure of her start-up baby, which failed because of a double-crossing business partner.Nada's best friend Haleema is determined to pry her from her shell - and what better place than at the giant annual Muslim conference? And did Haleema mention that Baz will be there?What Haleema doesn't know is that Nada and Baz have a secret history. And in their chance encounter at the conference, that history comes hurtling at Nada, bringing a moment of reckoning. Will Nada find a way to let go of the past but hold onto her dreams?Everyone is raving about Uzma Jalaluddin:'Warm, witty and utterly charming. I'll read anything Uzma Jalaluddin writes' KATE QUINN'Perfection! Uzma Jalaluddin is one of the best writers in romance today, and this gorgeous book proves it' SARAH MACLEAN'Uzma Jalaluddin has a remarkable gift for breathing new life into classic romantic plots' KATE HILTON