Yours for the Season

A Novel

By: Uzma Jalaluddin, Mindy Kaling - introduction

Narrated by: Zaara Noor

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.

©2025 by Uzma Jalaluddin. (P)2025 Brilliance Publishing, Inc., all rights reserved.

Critic reviews

“Jalaluddin delivers romance treasure: a plausible fake-dating premise and a surfeit of laugh-out-loud moments…An intercultural holiday rom-com that fully nails the promise of its premise.”—Kirkus Reviews (starred review)

“Family, faith, and food are all important ingredients in Jalaluddin’s latest exemplary contemporary romance…”—Booklist

playful multi cultural story.

the families were as interesting as the main characters. I enjoyed the Alaskan setting, the culinary exploration and the humor.

Excellent story!

I love this so much! I really hope that there’s more stories in the future on these characters and I will hold these characters in my heart’s forever. Best holiday story!

lrs

I absolutely L.O.V.E.D this Book and needed it throught this holiday season 2025! I was able to get out of this world and into this Story! THANK YOU !
👏🏽⭐️👏🏽⭐️👏🏽⭐️👏🏽⭐️👏🏽⭐️

Holiday Must Read

Enjoy a delightful, easy-to-read rom-com presented as a holiday-themed book. Featuring a fantastic narrator, it's perfect for cozy, festive reading.

great read

This was a really good book! I liked this author, I'll definitely have to read more!