More Than Just a Pretty Face

By: Syed M. Masood

Narrated by: Ariyan Kassam

Perfect for fans of Becky Albertalli and Jenny Han, enjoy this sweetly funny coming-of-age story about falling in love, family expectations, and being a Renaissance Man.

Danyal Jilani doesn't lack confidence. He may not be the smartest guy in the room, but he's funny, gorgeous, and going to make a great chef one day. His father doesn't approve of his career choice, but that hardly matters. What does matter is the opinion of Danyal's longtime crush, the perfect-in-all-ways Kaval, and her family, who consider him a less than ideal arranged marriage prospect.

When Danyal gets selected for Renaissance Man, a school-wide academic championship, it's the perfect opportunity to show everyone he's smarter than they think. He recruits the brilliant, totally-uninterested-in-him Bisma to help with the competition, but the more time Danyal spends with her...the more he learns from her...the more he cooks for her...the more he realizes that happiness may be staring him right in his pretty face. In this young adult debut full of depth and heart, author Syed M. Masood will have readers laughing, sighing, tearing up, and shouting "YES!" at the top of their lungs.

©2020 Syed M. Masood (P)2020 Hachette Audio

Critic reviews

"Entertaining.... [A] broadly relatable story that offers plenty of food for thought. Readers will root for Danyal as he evolves and proves he is more than meets the eye. A charming teen romance with real substance. (Kirkus Reviews)

"A humorous exploration of [the novel's] characters' desi backgrounds, touching upon familial and religious expectations.... Vivid." (Publishers Weekly)

"Danyal's seismic character arc, Bisma and his and evolving love, and fascinating historical insights make for an entertaining read." (Booklist)

Beautifully narrated

This was a great read. I’ve been looking forward to this book for over a year and while it wasn’t mind blowing it didn’t disappoint in the slightest.

This romcom features an American-Pakistani Muslim boy(a rarity in upper ya and lower na) who isn’t perfect but for the most part a practicing Muslim. He’s in love with one of his best friends twin sister but his crush and everyone around him have a very different life for him.

What I liked about him was he didn’t fit the stereotype of the model minority. He wasn’t the smartest kid and according to his dad, a constant disappointment. He just seemed like a prime example of a gen z; wanting to reach for a passion than practicality. I actually liked that about him because it made him seem flawed and human. Overachievers exist but they’re hard to relate to. I liked that he wasn’t perfect. He was also charming and a good cook. Who doesn’t love that combination?

His “official” love interest(not his crush) was also not perfect. Her family dynamic was frustrating and sad but not uncommon(in any culture to be honest) and she’d made mistakes that made it hard for her to be married. As much as I kept hoping she’d consider a life outside of arranged marriage (not because it’s wrong, but because she was constantly being judged for her mistakes and that’s not good for her mental health)I know how important marriage is to religion, especially Islam. I felt sorry for her so many times because she was young and couldn’t take back her choices.

I liked how their friendship wasn’t intense. The hero kept looking for someone who made him feel head over heels but started to realize love was more than liking someone’s physical appearance.

Because they’re very true to their values, they’re very good at not being in situations that would cause people to talk(a girl and guy being alone together). I’m not Muslim so I hope this makes someone feel seen, but I would’ve liked to hear more about the hero’s less conservative friend.

I think the only thing I didn’t love about the book was how his two best friends were. I wasn’t sure why his conservative friend had to be so...intense. It made it seem like to be devout and conservative, that there wasn’t more to life. I just don’t want people to think all devout religious teens aren’t fun too. It came to the point where both his homeboys didn’t get along to the point they weren’t friends because he was so judgmental. His conservative friend made amazing points on how the media shapes the perception of Muslims. I just wish he could have those opinions and like video games, sports, or comic books too.

There was so much focus on him, it overshadowed his less conservative friend. This friend did a lot of things considered haram in Islam, so I would’ve liked to know him better to understand what lead him to all these things, especially since both his friends were pretty much on the straight path.
It also has some interesting history on the Indian countries that evolved from colonialism. It showed a different side to Churchill(someone I know next to nothing about) and how it hurt millions of South Asians.
It has some hilarious moments and some good incite on Pakistani culture. It couldn't have been anything less than a five for me.

A relatable window to another culture.

I love this author’s ability to show that human nature is the same across cultures. I especially love his humor!

Good story with a strong ending

I really enjoyed the book even though I was a bit skeptical about the slow start. Syed does a good job of capturing you and then it’s a race to the finish! I really enjoyed the ride

words cannot explain

the reader has done wonders to this book.. Syed Sahab you are a rising star.. I have never thought a 37 year old man can cry listening to a book but you proved me wrong.. I can't wait for your next book and Ariyan was the right choice.. I am inspired by your writing..

Deep issues covered in a light hearted way.

Despite the laugh out loud moments in the book, Masood manages to cover issues that are deep. This is a great read for both adults and the YA audience

NOPE

congrats:) this book won my WORST BOOK OF 2020!! IN DECEMBER!!!!! woah...

this book hurt my soul with each and every line... i just wanted this hell to end...

The author is muslim... characters are muslim... yet everyone in this KEPT CONSTANTLY BASHING ISLAM AND MAKING FUN OF ITS RULES??!!!!!

He thought he was being funny and CHANGING THE WORLD???? No he wasn’t and no he did nothing!!!!

You can’t seriously think that it’s okay to make fun of Islam and its rules just because you muslim.. you’re not allowed to do that muslim or not!!

the only religious character was always made fun of and they kept rolling their eyes and telling him to shut up because apparently being religious nowadays equals having no fun and being annoying:))) or thats how the author and his characters saw religious ppl:))

ugh im SO ANGRRYYYYYYY I FINISHED IT BECAUSE I HAD IT OTHERWISE I WOULDVE DROPPED THE SECOND THEY STARTED TALKING SH*T ABOUT ISLAM

It’s been a whole since i met and Islamphoebic muslim:))))) (everyone in this book and its author tbh)

He could’ve portrayed Islam in a good way but he chose not to... so... even a star is a LOT in my opinion:)