A young Palestinian American woman searches for joy, connection, and hard-earned independence in this unforgettable new romantic comedy.
After a barrage of accusations and Arabic curses, Zahra announces to her family she’s moving out. It’s just another chapter in the twenty-five-year-old’s imaginary novel, 101 Ways to Disappoint Your Immigrant Parents. It pains her to let her domineering baba down, but Zahra, a second-generation Palestinian American, is determined to begin adulting and building her coding career after a long, difficult adolescence.
Things get off to a bumpy start when Zahra’s laptop malfunctions while she’s working in a bookstore. That is, until a swoon-worthy witness to her chaos comes to the rescue. Who knew manipulating wires with surgical precision could be so sexy? Soon, sparks are flying between Zahra and her savior, but her past comes rushing back when a name flashes on his phone screen and she puts two and two together. He’s Theo, her brother’s childhood best friend. As quick as it comes to her, he runs out of the shop and disappears around a corner.
Five years later, they bump into each other again. Zahra feels nothing but resentment toward Theo for how their last meeting ended, and he feels only anguish. But neither can deny the burning attraction that’s still between them. And with Zahra’s brother’s wedding quickly approaching, their unexpected reunion will challenge them to face the traumas of their pasts—and find the courage to attempt a future together.
