This book was well-written, but for the first 100 pages it felt like my eyes were trudging through molasses. I appreciated the story and the interesting prospective of a Muslim author discussing the trials and tribulations of a Muslim living and working in Europe, feeling alienated and restricted by her religion. I thought the love story that developed throughout the novel was adorable until page 198 where the main character, Sammar, says "If I was someone else, someone strong and independent I would tell you now, I don't want to go back with you, I don't want to leave my family, I love my country too much.' He (her love interest, Rae) did not look taken aback. 'You're not someone else," he said. Really? Really now? I love it when a man thinks its sexy that his woman can't think for herself. Nope. Ruined the novel for me. I gave it three stars though, because it did teach me more about the religion of Islam, something I had not explored before.