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Samoosas and Sundays
Life is usually a toss-up, but life for Ameera is about as tossed up as it gets. 22-year-old Ameera hails from the affluent suburb of Laudium in Pretoria. She has a dream of finding a career in New York, despite it not being the norm in the small-minded society that she lives in. As a young Indian woman with fertile ovaries, aunties continuously bombard her with questions about when she’s going to get married. She doesn’t tell them that she’s not interested in marriage because Indian aunties are terrifying.
When she least expects it, she meets Adnaan, a CEO who makes her swoon. His perfect teeth and charm make her fall for him. Life, however, isn’t a Bollywood movie, because soon enough Ameera finds out about Adnaan’s dark past…
Ameera has a decision to make - to be like every other Indian girl she grew up with and marry in her small hometown, or to rendezvous to New York against her parent’s wishes. As she struggles with this, she meets another handsome guy with even more charm and a royal title.
She’s stuck, feeling like an overstuffed samoosa, and hopes that she’ll get it all - the guy that she loves and the dream of waking up every morning in NYC.
When she least expects it, she meets Adnaan, a CEO who makes her swoon. His perfect teeth and charm make her fall for him. Life, however, isn’t a Bollywood movie, because soon enough Ameera finds out about Adnaan’s dark past…
Ameera has a decision to make - to be like every other Indian girl she grew up with and marry in her small hometown, or to rendezvous to New York against her parent’s wishes. As she struggles with this, she meets another handsome guy with even more charm and a royal title.
She’s stuck, feeling like an overstuffed samoosa, and hopes that she’ll get it all - the guy that she loves and the dream of waking up every morning in NYC.
168 pages, Kindle Edition
Published March 30, 2024
1 person is currently reading
27 people want to read
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Displaying 1 - 6 of 6 reviews
October 30, 2024
This book was a complete disaster from start to merciful finish. The only reason I forced myself through it was to justify the R230 I threw away on it. Every page reads like it was cobbled together by someone who has no clue how actual humans think, speak, or interact. The writing strains for depth but lands in embarrassingly juvenile melodrama, more like the diary entries of a daydreaming 9-year-old.
The main character is unbearable—a one-dimensional, desperate “pick-me” type whose personality is made up of tired, shallow clichés. She’s convinced she’s “quirky” for things like putting milk before cereal or for playing Snakes and Ladders. She’s also seemingly obsessed with McDonald’s as though it’s sponsoring her every move. Her reactions to everything are painfully overblown—she literally faints over a nicely set lunch, imagines romantic matches for her brothers, and gives her “blessing” for a relationship before the people even speak to each other.
To make her character even more contradictory, she supposedly wants to focus on her career and “doesn’t want to get married.” Yet every time a guy breathes in her direction, she’s desperate for his attention, practically swooning at the smallest interaction. She’s written as if she’s career-driven, but her actions scream that she’s just starved for attention, making her character feel confusing and inauthentic.
Then there’s the love interest and his so-called “dark past,” which is one of the most absurd backstories I’ve ever read. His big tragedy? He got a bad grade, which led his mother to argue in the car, causing an accident. And somehow, he doesn’t even blame himself for it! This laughably shallow “trauma” is supposed to explain his entire character, but it just highlights the book’s lack of depth and genuine emotion.
And let’s not forget the lack of chemistry. There’s practically no interaction between the main character and the love interest, yet she’s somehow heartbroken over him despite no real relationship ever developing. Instead, we get endless descriptions of her outfits or surroundings while the plot itself is nonexistent. The whole book is a predictable mess of tired cliches, painfully awkward dialogue, and scenes that are mind-numbing in their predictability.
It’s astonishing this even got published. It’s an insult to readers who value their time and money. I feel personally victimized by the R230 I wasted on this trainwreck. Save yourself the frustration, the wasted time, and the precious shelf space. This book deserves to be forgotten. Zero stars would still be too generous.
The main character is unbearable—a one-dimensional, desperate “pick-me” type whose personality is made up of tired, shallow clichés. She’s convinced she’s “quirky” for things like putting milk before cereal or for playing Snakes and Ladders. She’s also seemingly obsessed with McDonald’s as though it’s sponsoring her every move. Her reactions to everything are painfully overblown—she literally faints over a nicely set lunch, imagines romantic matches for her brothers, and gives her “blessing” for a relationship before the people even speak to each other.
To make her character even more contradictory, she supposedly wants to focus on her career and “doesn’t want to get married.” Yet every time a guy breathes in her direction, she’s desperate for his attention, practically swooning at the smallest interaction. She’s written as if she’s career-driven, but her actions scream that she’s just starved for attention, making her character feel confusing and inauthentic.
Then there’s the love interest and his so-called “dark past,” which is one of the most absurd backstories I’ve ever read. His big tragedy? He got a bad grade, which led his mother to argue in the car, causing an accident. And somehow, he doesn’t even blame himself for it! This laughably shallow “trauma” is supposed to explain his entire character, but it just highlights the book’s lack of depth and genuine emotion.
And let’s not forget the lack of chemistry. There’s practically no interaction between the main character and the love interest, yet she’s somehow heartbroken over him despite no real relationship ever developing. Instead, we get endless descriptions of her outfits or surroundings while the plot itself is nonexistent. The whole book is a predictable mess of tired cliches, painfully awkward dialogue, and scenes that are mind-numbing in their predictability.
It’s astonishing this even got published. It’s an insult to readers who value their time and money. I feel personally victimized by the R230 I wasted on this trainwreck. Save yourself the frustration, the wasted time, and the precious shelf space. This book deserves to be forgotten. Zero stars would still be too generous.
February 18, 2024
Samoosas and Sundays is a delightfully hilarious novel for any young adult. A romantic tale weaved with the existential worry of choosing your own path and fearing traditional backlash.
Ameera, an Indian girl, takes us on a journey of self-identity, challenging traditional constraints, and the woes of love. The novel is more than just a fun read. I find it to be culturally rich and educational about Indian customs and traditions. Bilqees manages to capture the underlying fear of all young adults who are embracing the path to self-discovery—and stumbling across the right love to go with it. Ameera is a strong female character that can teach us all a thing or two about chasing your dreams, regardless of others’ opinions.
Bilqees is a masterful writer who makes you laugh through the tears, and makes you crave samoosas at every mention.
Ameera, an Indian girl, takes us on a journey of self-identity, challenging traditional constraints, and the woes of love. The novel is more than just a fun read. I find it to be culturally rich and educational about Indian customs and traditions. Bilqees manages to capture the underlying fear of all young adults who are embracing the path to self-discovery—and stumbling across the right love to go with it. Ameera is a strong female character that can teach us all a thing or two about chasing your dreams, regardless of others’ opinions.
Bilqees is a masterful writer who makes you laugh through the tears, and makes you crave samoosas at every mention.
January 29, 2024
**PR REVIEW POST**
Samoosas and Sundays
By Bilqees Hassen
🌟 🌟 🌟🌟🌟
"Samoosas and Sundays" by Bilqees Hassen is a delightful debut from a local South African author. From its engaging narrative, rich character development, and genuine portrayal of Islamic and Indian experiences, this book proves to be a treat for readers. The author skillfully navigates through laugh-out-loud moments and dismantling stereotypes whilst crafting a compelling love story.
As a Muslim and Indian reader, I found the story remarkably relatable, capturing the essence of family dynamics and the significance of true friendship. The depiction of typical aunties adds a touch of drama, but beneath it lies a profound exploration of the real meaning of family bonds.
One cannot overlook the author's prowess in describing the love for food, especially the tempting allure of Indian cuisine. The vivid descriptions are bound to leave readers craving the flavors mentioned in the book. Personally, the narrative prompted me to head to the kitchen for some cheese and corn samoosas just after the first chapter – a testament to the book's immersive quality.
I commend Bilqees Hassen for crafting this literary masterpiece, and I eagerly anticipate more works from her in the future. Special thanks to Krest Publishers for providing me with the opportunity to read this ARC. With an expected publication date around March 2024, "Samoosas and Sundays" promises to be a delightful read for everyone, so be sure to keep a lookout on @krestpublishers_ page for more information closer to the release!
You definitely do not want to miss this one!
Samoosas and Sundays
By Bilqees Hassen
🌟 🌟 🌟🌟🌟
"Samoosas and Sundays" by Bilqees Hassen is a delightful debut from a local South African author. From its engaging narrative, rich character development, and genuine portrayal of Islamic and Indian experiences, this book proves to be a treat for readers. The author skillfully navigates through laugh-out-loud moments and dismantling stereotypes whilst crafting a compelling love story.
As a Muslim and Indian reader, I found the story remarkably relatable, capturing the essence of family dynamics and the significance of true friendship. The depiction of typical aunties adds a touch of drama, but beneath it lies a profound exploration of the real meaning of family bonds.
One cannot overlook the author's prowess in describing the love for food, especially the tempting allure of Indian cuisine. The vivid descriptions are bound to leave readers craving the flavors mentioned in the book. Personally, the narrative prompted me to head to the kitchen for some cheese and corn samoosas just after the first chapter – a testament to the book's immersive quality.
I commend Bilqees Hassen for crafting this literary masterpiece, and I eagerly anticipate more works from her in the future. Special thanks to Krest Publishers for providing me with the opportunity to read this ARC. With an expected publication date around March 2024, "Samoosas and Sundays" promises to be a delightful read for everyone, so be sure to keep a lookout on @krestpublishers_ page for more information closer to the release!
You definitely do not want to miss this one!
December 19, 2024
This book is a must read for any teenage or young adult girls. From the moment I picked up the book I couldn't put it down as I found myself so engrossed in the story of Ameera and Adnaan and what would become of them.
Bilqees Hassen’s Samoosas and Sundays is a heartfelt and evocative exploration of family, culture, and the often-complicated relationships that bind us. Set against the backdrop of a South African Muslim community, the novel deftly combines themes of tradition, love, and personal growth with a generous helping of nostalgia and warmth.
Bilqees Hassen’s Samoosas and Sundays is a heartfelt and evocative exploration of family, culture, and the often-complicated relationships that bind us. Set against the backdrop of a South African Muslim community, the novel deftly combines themes of tradition, love, and personal growth with a generous helping of nostalgia and warmth.
February 10, 2024
Witty, romantic and heartfelt. The book that every Indian girl needs to read. Bilqees makes this book highly relatable and riddled with humor. Ameera serves as an aspiring role model for women forced to choose between a career and a married life, especially in Indian families where this tradition is still prominent, and gives a message of following your dream not just through one character but multiple. An extremely brilliant and talented author whose future books I cannot wait to read!
September 15, 2025
This book is a delightful exploration of the challenges and adventures of a driven young Indian woman navigating relationships at a marriage worthy age. The protagonist, at just 22, is incredibly relatable, very demure, very mindful, and endearingly cutesy. Through her experiences, the story delivers a valuable lesson: not to judge others at face value. The people you meet may present the best version of themselves, creating an illusion of who they truly are, but this doesn't mean they can't change for the better. The story is sprinkled with humor and a breezy charm that will have you laughing out loud, making it an enjoyable and insightful read for anyone who has ever found themselves at a similar crossroads in life.
Displaying 1 - 6 of 6 reviews