Yours for the Season

A Novel

De: Uzma Jalaluddin, Mindy Kaling - introduction

Narrado por: 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.

Reseñas de la Crítica

“Narrator Zaara Noor’s lovely voice brings to life a large cast of characters in this cross-cultural contemporary romance.… Noor captures the struggles both Sameera and Malik face as the black sheep in their respective families, as well as the hijinks and merriment as the Maliks and Cookes combine their traditions. A joyful holiday rom-com.”—Kirkus Audiobook 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

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.

playful multi cultural story.

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

Great holiday interracial story

This was such a cute inter-racial holiday rom-com! As a brown person myself, I really appreciated how it touched on the “brown girl problem” with parents—what Sameera faced hit home for me, and I loved how brave she was to confront her family.
Overall, the book was a fun, cozy read. The mix of traditions and cultures, paired with a sweet and slightly unconventional start, was perfectly tied together with food—food that spices up a “fake love” that slowly turns into something real. The first-time Christmas visit from a Muslim family in Atlanta to a Christian family in Alaska becomes the perfect setup for family bonding, laughter, and funny pranks along the way!
I especially enjoyed how Sameera and Tom’s fake dating evolved, with realistic obstacles and tension. Sameera’s job worries and Tom’s family walls made their connection feel real, and their witty banter kept me entertained throughout. Yours for the Season is a charming holiday read full of humor, heart, cultural diversity, and light romance. The author’s writing is so easy to get lost in, and I can’t wait to check out more of her books!
Rating: 5⭐
Tropes: Interracial Romance, Fake Relationship, Holiday Romance, Career Focused Heroine, Family Drama & Cultural Clashes, Small Town, Witty Banter, Personal Growth, Confronting Family Expectations

great read

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

Not a Romantic Comedy

It was a book that audible described as a Romantic comedy. It did have a story that was in depth in feelings of two people that both felt like they let their families down with their choices/activities as adults. Mistakes made in growing into adulthood. Growing and learning to accept themselves for how they are and their families learning to accept them. If I hadn’t thought I was buying a romantic comedy, it would have been five stars. Writing is very well done.