So many big ideas in this multilayered story that covers inter-everything, from generation, to race, to sexuality, to class, and several more besides. Wanted to love it. Struggled to engage with it at all at first, but once the narrative began to dig into the characters beyond their stereotypes did very happily become drawn into the complex web Ali is attempting to weave here. There is, apparently, a screen adaptation on the cards and that makes sense - it's a novel with a huge amount of heart with the potential to make a very sympathetic transfer. 3.5 stars.

*3.5 stars

I haven’t read Monica Ali’s first novel, "Brick Lane", so I didn’t approach "Love Marriage" with any preconceived notions. I was very, very excited about receiving an ARC from NetGalley.

What I enjoyed most about "Love Marriage" was Ali’s dedication to writing about current events and topics that I found interesting and important at this time in western society, specifically the dichotomy between what’s right and wrong, especially as “right” and “wrong” apply to: the ways in which people who belong to religious groups may or may not follow or adhere to certain aspects of that religion; infidelity; and the problems between first generation (immigrant) parents and their second generation children. I also enjoyed the characters' conversations that centred on feminism, sexual identity and sexual assault (including PTS).

What I didn't enjoy was the number of characters that are written about. While I enjoy reading from multiple POVs, this novel felt like it explored too many of them. In fact, I felt like by focusing so much on other characters, I didn’t completely get to learn about Yasmin, who grows and develops so much throughout the book, and yet, we really only get to learn about her at pivotal moments in her life in which we don’t see her fully reflect on her reactions, behaviours and feelings. Those moments, feel too short and undeveloped. At one point while I was reading, I didn’t even feel like Yasmin was the protagonist.

Also, while I appreciate all of the issues that are addressed in the novel, I felt like it was overwhelming. I can understand that all of the issues in the novel are important, but it felt a bit heavy. I feel that had Ali only focused on two or three of the issues, the story/stories would have been more streamlined.

Overall, I think that Ali’s writing was great, and I loved the premise of the story and the complexities of the romantic relationships—even the sacred and idealized notion of a love marriage. I'm half Japanese, and we have the same concept. It's just as over-hyped and idealized there (in Japan). In addition, I just wish I’d had more time with certain characters and less with others in order to focus on what was happening with each one because the characters were fascinating! My favourites were Ma (Anisah, Yasmin’s mother) and Joe. I love their journeys to self-discovery and how they develop and grow as individuals.

I can't wait to read what Ali releases next and will, in the meantime, add "Brick Lane" on my TBR!

Many thanks to NetGalley and Scribner for an ARC of "Love Marriage" in exchange for an honest review.

A tough read - because it’s well written, gripping and full of hard truths!

This book is a really good family drama set in London against the backdrop of a crumbling NHS. The prose is great, the different perspectives from different characters are compelling, and the family dynamics enriched by the political commentary that underlies it all.

Overall, nothing is what you first think it will be, and so you just need to keep on reading until the end.

I think the story sprawls a bit in places, but it’s well written and compelling, so it’s not a terrible fault. Probably 4.5 stars

I initially found this story interesting but as it progressed I became muddled by some of the characters. The story was slow to progress in parts. I'm glad I finished the book and understood the complexity.
Overall, I enjoyed Brick Lane more & had expected this to be of the same standard.

<i> "Calling someone racist is worse than being racist?"
"I'll put it like this: one is easier to get away with than the other." </i>

Monica Ali's innocuously titled book with a first chapter of meeting of the parents explodes into a complex, raw novel about dysfunctional families, identity, love, fidelity and the role of Parents.

The Ghoramis are settlers in England from Calcutta and their daughter Yasmin, a geriatric trainee doctor, is all set for her love marriage to Joe, a gynecologist. Harriet, the groom's mom is a reformist and feminist and she welcomes the Ghoramis into her household - especially her mother Anisah. The setting is the plot of most NRI marriage stories inspired by Mira Nair, but then that is when Ms.Ali decides she has a lot to cover.

At the core of the story is what Yasmin and Joe are each going through. From minor frustrations to infidelity to guilt - both characters are blown apart. Joe's therapy sessions seem like needless pricking of scabs and soon you start wondering where this is headed. Yasmin is going through her own trials of workplace politics and an impulsive recklessness.

The focus shifts onto all the characters so that everyone is taken along their respective arcs. Her brother jobless brother Arif whose experience makes him want to do a documentary on Islamophobia. There is a long passage on Microaggression which is very apt and applies for very many of today's '-isms' which we consciously or subconsciously do. There is her friend Rania, his therapist Sandor, the strict father, her mother's friend Flame and even patients and doctors.

The book will surprise you, if not shock you. An unexpected ride.

Note: I would like to thank Little Brown Books and Netgalley for the ARC of the book for honest review. The book is releasing in Feb 3rd 2022.

Yasmin Ghorami, a trainee doctor is engaged to be married to Joe, a fellow doctor. Ahead of the wedding planning Yasmin's family go to meet Joe's feminist mother. I loved the description of this dinner: Yasmin's reluctant and no good brother, her frantic cooking mother who takes enough food over to last a week, and her very straight doctor father who all meet the eccentric and firebrand Harriet. However after this evening Yasmin's life begins to unravel and all the things she held true appear unreliable and she had to ask herself whether her love marriage to Joe is the best thing for both of them.
All the characters in this novel are confused: Yasmin is uncertain whether she should marry, Joe has problems for which he seeks therapy. Harriet has to explore her own past as do Yasmin's parents. Arif is an angry young man and Yasmin's friends and colleagues all have their problems too. I found this was quite a heavy load and longed for an 'ordinary' character.
There are some very funny moments in this book and there is also some intense moments but I did find the story dragged a little and could have been tightened somewhat. It covers a broad range of topics, love, incest, racism and addiction amongst others but it is at the heart a love story.
I am sure this book will be popular when it is released after the success of Brick Lane and I'm grateful to Netgalley and Little, Brown Book Group UK for a chance to read an arc copy in return for an honest review.

A lovely heartwarming family saga that touches on many of our issues of the moment. This is a lovely read with some compelling passages particularly during the serious illness of one of the characters - a passage written with pace and compassion. While the action revolves around Yasmin, a junior doctor and her and her partner's families, I found it surprising that by the end I did not feel I knew where she would go next. This may have been deliberate - all the characters were almost equally drawn - although we spent more time in Yasmin's thoughts. A surprise more than a disappointment in what was a compelling read

Thank you to Little Brown Group UK and NetGalley for the ARC.

An excellent read about a young doctor and her problematic relationships with her fiance, her family and her work. I thoroughly enjoyed entering into Yasmin's world and seeing how the apparently well-stacked bricks start to wobble and collapse around her, allowing her to finally discover the truth of her own feelings and the foundations on which they were built. Well written and absorbing to the very end.

I really enjoyed this portrayal of two families and their differing dynamics. The characters are so real, as are the situations they find themselves in. Brilliantly written and hugely enjoyable.

I loved this book!

All seems well - the marriage is planned and arrangements need to be made. What could go wrong? Two young doctors from very different backgrounds are in love and have just become engaged, but their families are very different. Yasmin is from a close-knit Indian family, Joe the son of divorced parents who barely knows his father. It is unclear whether the "love marriage' of the title is that planned between Yasmin and Joe, or that of Yasmin's parents.

Cultural misunderstandings, relationship struggles and second-thoughts arise in this beautifully woven story. Written with humour and humanity, this is a great read.

I had very high hopes for this novel and was delighted with a pre-pub copy via Netgalley, for which I am grateful. I loved the premise of this novel. Its contemporariness is commendable, and Ali has clearly tried to tackle all kinds of 'issues' concerning culture and life in the UK today. The drive of this novel based around relationships (which centre around the idea of what a 'love marriage' might be both in muslim and christian cultures), multiculturalism, feminism and also sex. The 'big reveal' is not one I'll go into here, but involves a highly traumatic event meant to offer an explanation of the relationship between two significant characters, and comes as a complete surprise to other characters in the novel. Fine. Here are the downsides: the quality of the writing is good, where I'd expected excellent; the narrative is a little low where I'd expected a bit more pace; unless the publishers are going to correct them, there are some major bloopers in the editing; most importantly, I guessed a lot of what was going to happen, so some of it literally made me yawn.

I'm aware that my opinion is marred by disappointment because my expectation had been so high, and if you haven't read Ali before, you might think this novel is brilliant. But for me to say, 'I've read worse' in the same breath as 'Monica Ali' sums it up.

A delicious pleasure to read from start to finish. It might have been a long wait for another novel from Monica Ali but it was so worth it! The increasingly challenging journey of Yasmin and Joe’s relationship is skilfully crafted to engage the reader in a rollercoaster ride of complications, stresses, multi-generational behaviours and influences of family members of both cultures and told with humour, compassion, and intelligence. The cast of characters are beautifully portrayed as the secrets, lies and betrayals unfold. This is wonderful example of story-telling at its best. If we have to wait another ten years for Monica Ali’s next book it will be sure another rewarding read.

This book has been a long time coming and the world has changed significantly since Monica Ali wrote Brick Lane but this novel suceeds as a surefooted and amusing unravelling of the links between a Muslim family and a liberal, Guardian reading, family about to be joined in holy matrimony!

Yasmin Ghorami is the Muslim daughter engaged to marry trendy Joe Sangster and, as the book opens, the two families are about to meet for the first time. Yasmin has a strict father, Baba, a feckless brother, Arif, and a mother, Anisah, who holds it all together. Joe has a radical liberal mother, Harriet, and some challenging psychological problems which have drawn him into counselling and therapy.

The book is about the meeting up, the wedding plans and the emerging relationships between the two families and it’s fair to say that it is a rocky ride but, finally, everything gets resolved. The relationship between Joe and Yasmin founders on the rocks of reality involving infidelities on both sides but, as the young couple struggle, Anisah follows a different path and becomes happily embedded in Harriet’s household.

There’s a lot in the book about change and adaptation in this cultural exchange. Monica Ali is clever enough to make it about characters and not the cultures but there is enough in the writing to show that she understands the culture of Primrose Hill as much as Muslim London.

She also has a light touch which makes it amusing in the descriptions of the dementia ward where Yasmin works and the insights of Joe’s therapist. And, some of Anisah’s antics are pure farce!

It all makes for a good read, best not to be taken too seriously but authentic, generous and kind in its treatment of a range of quite different characters. I enjoyed it!

Unfortunately not for me.

I’d really enjoyed Brick Lane and found this to be so different and just not what I was expecting.

Best of luck to the author with this book but it’s not for me sadly.

MONICA ALI – LOVE MARRIAGE *****

I read this novel in advance of publication through NetGalley in return for an honest review.

Though I’m sure I saw the film of Brick Lane, I have never read anything by Monica Ali. Going by her latest, apparently ten years after the last, I will be in for a treat to read her back catalogue. Small wonder there was a bidding war for the book and TV rights, won by the BBC.

This is a deceptively simple story of two families, elegantly told, by a master of her craft.

I’m not going to precis the story, as I don’t want to give away the character arcs – and each one has an arc as vivid as a rainbow. Suffice to say the main Asian family - junior doctor daughter Yasmin (the protagonist), hapless layabout son Arif, and GP father Baba and rather scatty mother Ma - become involved with Joe (Yasmin’s intended) and her feminist free-spirted mother intellectual Harriet.

They are all remarkably well drawn and totally believable. I can’t remember such vivid characters so deftly portrayed this year. They are funny, they are sad, they are blinkered and stubborn and their pasts rise to haunt and change their present. And the ending is a tour de force of joy – you can see the metaphorical fireworks through her prose.

This is a book to be savoured. Highly recommended.

I loved, loved, loved this book. The characters, especially Yasmin, were very relatable and the story was engrossing.

Such a colourful story with characters that draw you in , and you couldn’t help keep reading to find out what happens to them. Addressing many of today’s complicated relationship issues the tale takes you through the emotional journeys of two families and the fall out from the relationships.

Yasmin, a junior doctor met Joe, also a doctor on a dating app just six months ago. He is "perfect" and they are trying to arrange their "love marriage." Yasmin's parents who are from India also had a "love marriage." Her mother was from a wealthy family and her father a poor former chai wallah who worked his way up to go to medical school and then move to London as a GP and lives the "dream" in a semi detached house with a driveway and garage in a London Suburb. However, as the story of Yasmin, Joe and their families unfold things are revealed to not be so perfect and that the "Love marriages" are not what they seem.

I really enjoyed this book. I found the first few chapters a bit dull and thought I could see how things would play out but I was wrong. I started to become pulled into both Yasmin and Joe's world and the secrets in their childhoodsthat they start to uncover.

Thank you @NetGalley and @LittleBrownBookGroupUK for a digital reviewer copy of this book in exchange for an honest review. There is much hype and anticipation surrounding Monica Ali’s Love Marriage as her first novel Brick Lane was shortlisted for the Man Booker Prize Award for fiction. Although I haven’t read Brick Lane, I had heard of Monica Ali before I requested this and had high expectations myself; unfortunately for me, it didn’t deliver.

Publication Date: 03/02/2022

Rating: 2/5

Genre: General Fiction (Adult), Women’s Fiction

Trigger warning: mention of rape, violence, blood, sex and nudity

Yasmin and Jo are both doctors, working in London and engaged to be married. ‘Love Marriage’ explores the relationships, dynamics and interactions of those who live in today’s diverse and mutli-cultural Britain, it seeks to thwart the stereotype surrounding an immigrant Bengali family and addresses the complexities that can arise in the personal and professional lives of ordinary people.

Starting with aspects I did enjoy, due credit must be given to Ali’s prose and courage to write about difficult issues with poignancy and clarity. For some this is the marmite aspect of the book – you will either love it or hate it as it draws on morals and ethics. Ali knows how to set the scene and although a slow-burner at the beginning, there was a certain point where the story got more interesting and engaging and the potential kept me going to the end. I loved Yasmin’s relationship with her patients and this particular element of her life as a working doctor, and also with the psychiatrist, were heavily researched and to entwine them within the plot of the story was brilliantly done.

Now without trying to give any spoilers, there were some things about the plot that did grate on me and put me in a bit of a dilemma. As a British Asian of Indian descent, I thought I would relate to Yasmin a lot but unfortunately, I was wrong. I understand the author’s intention may have been to present flawed protagonists, again, the idea that no one is perfect does have a certain appeal to it and Yasmin is definitely hypocritical and unsympathetic in her decision making and the author is not afraid to address that in the narrative. Personally, however, I found it isolating and it did spoil the read for me. Separately, I also found it quite offensive and insensitive that Ali chose a Hindu symbol of worship and associated it with sex stimulation in the book. It was definitely unnecessary and not vital to the storyline. I wish Ali had spent some time doing her research on this too. As it is my personal opinion and experience which is highlighted here, perhaps not all readers will focus as heavily on this reference in the book.

‘Love Marriage’ presents the idea that although issues can be labelled, put simply, this is just life and the experiences it brings based on the choices we make everyday. My personal experience aside, it is an interesting read for those who want to read something that is imperfect and forgiving.

From a distance this is a love story between Jo and Yasmin. Jo’s mother is obsessively possessive. At first Yasmin’s family, originally from Bengali, seem very typical but as events unfold they too are revealed as dysfunctional.
There are so many topics covered in this novel but it is a well written and interesting read.