Courting Samira A Novel

"Awad's charming, funny novel . . . is rich with details of Muslim culture (religious practices as well as familial "Arab guilt") and references to Austen and The Princess Bride. Readers will root for Samira as she tackles workplace drama, friendship issues, and romantic angst." - Booklist

"Come for the drool-worthy mentions of kanafeh and baklava; stay for the wit and relatable family politics. A must read for anyone looking for a romantic comedy that's heavy on the comedy, with a heavy sprinkling of sweet, clean romance." - Sara Sharaf Beg, author of Salaam, With Love

"Samira is witty and funny, sensitive and sweet, a lover of movies and books. Her chatty narration makes her pleasant to spend time with, and she's refreshingly secure in her relationship to her family and culture. . . . A winning heroine." - Kirkus Reviews

"I wanted to stay in Samira's universe forever, with the charming Menem, the brooding Hakeem, and even mean girl Zahra. I especially wanted to linger with Samira, whose sassy, brave, and richly cultured perspective makes her a heroine for a new generation. What a fun, flirty, and deeply heartfelt novel!" - Susan Muaddi Darraj, American Book Award winning author of Behind You Is the Sea, A Curious Land, and the Farah Rocks series

"A big-hearted rom-com set in the suburbs of Sydney and colorfully populated with a sprawling, fun-loving, often eccentric Arab community who are fond of lively music, banquet-style feasts, and strict rules about the mingling of their unmarried sons and daughters." - Shelf Awareness

"A charming, relatable story about growing up and trying to figure out what you want." - The Skimm

"Funny, relatable, and warm, Courting Samira has an endearing cast of characters." - Anna Daniels, author of Girl In Between

"Absolutely hilarious! Bridget Jones meets Jane Austen in Sydney's Muslim community." - Anita Heiss, author of Manhattan Dreaming

"A fun read, with lots of heart." - K. J. Charles, author of The Secret Lives of Country Gentleman

"A much-needed romantic comedy . . . Awad enchants in this fun, romantic ride." - Shondaland

"A wry, endearing Bridget Jones set in Sydney's Muslim community. . . . Awad warmly displays the formal propriety of Arab Muslim courtship while still highlighting the humor of it all, along with an amused appreciation of its parallels to the Regency world of Jane Austen." - BookPage

"Awad brings a great deal of nuance, specificity, and heart to her depiction of Muslim culture. . . . Readers will have no trouble rooting for Samira to find true love." - Publishers Weekly