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The Other Half of Happiness
(Sofia Khan #2)
by
Sofia Khan is just married. But no-one told her life was going to be this way . . .
Her living situation is in dire straits, her husband Conall is distant, and his annoyingly attractive colleague is ringing all sorts of alarm bells.
When her mother forces them into a belated wedding ceremony (elopement: you can run, but you can't hide), Sofia wonders if it might be a chance ...more
Her living situation is in dire straits, her husband Conall is distant, and his annoyingly attractive colleague is ringing all sorts of alarm bells.
When her mother forces them into a belated wedding ceremony (elopement: you can run, but you can't hide), Sofia wonders if it might be a chance ...more
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Kindle Edition, 448 pages
Published
April 6th 2017
by Zaffre
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Start your review of The Other Half of Happiness (Sofia Khan, #2)

Apr 04, 2017
Warda
rated it
really liked it
·
review of another edition
Shelves:
author-of-colour,
characters-of-colour
OUT TODAY!!!
Oh gosh, oh gosh, oh gosh.
Before I discuss the spoilery aspects of the story, I believe this duology has to be picked up and read, purely for the sake that it's by a Muslim author. Not only must we support authors that are in the minority, but it's incumbent upon publishers to realise (and publish) that more stories such as this (#ownvoices) have to become popularised, normalised and not be such a rarity. Kudos to Ayisha Malik for mentioning this in the book. The fact that even whe ...more
Oh gosh, oh gosh, oh gosh.
Before I discuss the spoilery aspects of the story, I believe this duology has to be picked up and read, purely for the sake that it's by a Muslim author. Not only must we support authors that are in the minority, but it's incumbent upon publishers to realise (and publish) that more stories such as this (#ownvoices) have to become popularised, normalised and not be such a rarity. Kudos to Ayisha Malik for mentioning this in the book. The fact that even whe ...more

Hm... on the one hand, I really zipped through The Other Side of Happiness and it is very readable largely due to its chatty nature. On the other hand I am left feeling quite disappointed. This book had none of the lightness and much less of the clever humor that made Sofia Khan is Not Obliged (the first book in the series) such a treat. I had really been looking forward to something lighter and Bridget Jones-ey without being predictable and silly, and what I got was a slightly disjointed and ra
...more

AHHHHHHHHHHH I AM SO VERY CONFUSED AND CONFLICTED!!!!!!!
I both love and hate this book.
Do you know that wonderful song by Michael Kiwanuka called "Love and Hate"???? It's also the title of his most recent album. The whole time reading this book that song was playing in my head. I think the lyrics of it are perfect for this book because again, this book is more that your usual chick lit. It's complicated and it's messy. It's about love and hate, trust and mistrust and the fine lines between such ...more
I both love and hate this book.
Do you know that wonderful song by Michael Kiwanuka called "Love and Hate"???? It's also the title of his most recent album. The whole time reading this book that song was playing in my head. I think the lyrics of it are perfect for this book because again, this book is more that your usual chick lit. It's complicated and it's messy. It's about love and hate, trust and mistrust and the fine lines between such ...more

Jul 03, 2017
K.
rated it
liked it
Shelves:
2017,
setting-asia,
setting-uk,
audience-adult,
contemporary,
poc-narrator,
own-it-kindle,
own-voices
Trigger warnings: Some bombings during the sections set in Pakistan, though they don't impact on the main characters. Discussions of radicalisation.
So here's the thing. I really REALLY loved Sofia Khan Is Not Obliged. Sped through it. Loved the characters. Laughed a lot. Was super excited to read this one.
But pretty much from the get go, I knew I wasn't going to like this one NEARLY as much as I liked the first one. A lot of the plot revolves around poor communication, which annoyed the shit ou ...more
So here's the thing. I really REALLY loved Sofia Khan Is Not Obliged. Sped through it. Loved the characters. Laughed a lot. Was super excited to read this one.
But pretty much from the get go, I knew I wasn't going to like this one NEARLY as much as I liked the first one. A lot of the plot revolves around poor communication, which annoyed the shit ou ...more

I need to start this review by saying that I loved Sofia Khan Is Not Obliged, and fully expected to love this sequel. Sadly, The Other Half of Happiness fell somewhere between disappointing and infuriating. Everything that I loved about Sophia and her story (and her family/friends) was gone in this second book. I didn’t like anyone or their choices, and I realized that I should stay away from marriage novels in the future because I find them boring at best. I did, however, really enjoy Sophia’s
...more

This review has been hidden because it contains spoilers. To view it,
click here.

Rating this really isn't easy. I mean, I read it in a day and I enjoyed it a LOT, but WTF was that ending? What did Ayisha Malik think? And why isn't she writing another Sofia Khan book? I need more closure!! And a less frustrating ending to a story I was very, very invested in.
...more

Not as good as the first one but a great continuation of characters and plot. The ending was okay. Just that. Okay. I can see why readers may have had a problem with it but it kinda worked. It's difficult to review this without giving any spoilers away!
I wasn't laughing out loud as much and I did think parts of the story line were a bit far fetched as well as reactions to it. for example, I can't see any parent let alone a Muslim one just taking it Conall's story in her stride. I expected more ...more
I wasn't laughing out loud as much and I did think parts of the story line were a bit far fetched as well as reactions to it. for example, I can't see any parent let alone a Muslim one just taking it Conall's story in her stride. I expected more ...more

2.5 stars
I really enjoyed Sofia Khan is Not Obliged so i was really excited to start the sequel...especially after that ending!
but wow...was i disappointed.
the characters were all over the place. the writing is all over the place. i was confused most of the time...who is speaking? why are they saying this? WHY CAN'T PEOPLE JUST COMMUNICATE?! smh
SPOILERS AHEAD!!!
the song 'The Story of Us' by Taylor Swift is relevant here:
'Oh, a simple complication
Miscommunications lead to fall out
So many thin ...more
I really enjoyed Sofia Khan is Not Obliged so i was really excited to start the sequel...especially after that ending!
but wow...was i disappointed.
the characters were all over the place. the writing is all over the place. i was confused most of the time...who is speaking? why are they saying this? WHY CAN'T PEOPLE JUST COMMUNICATE?! smh
SPOILERS AHEAD!!!
the song 'The Story of Us' by Taylor Swift is relevant here:
'Oh, a simple complication
Miscommunications lead to fall out
So many thin ...more

I was absolutely delighted when I got the opportunity to review THE OTHER HALF OF HAPPINESS by Ayisha Malik, even though it was my first encounter with the beloved character of Sofia Khan. Although I had not read the first book in this series, it did not remotely take away from this beautifully emotional and entertaining story as the author effortlessly filled in any gaps I may have had. But when you find an author as good as Ayisha Malik, I would recommend buying all of her books!!
Sofia Khan is ...more
Sofia Khan is ...more

When I first found out about The Other Half of Happiness, I was lowkey scared I wouldn't like it as much as I loved Sofia Khan Is Not Obliged. But Ayisha Malik knows what's up and as soon as I started reading it I was HOOKED. I didn't want to stop reading it and when I actually did it I wanted to pick it back up as soon as possible.
Sofia is still a great narrator and I LOVE HER!! I loved her friends, her sister, her mother, her family, EVERYONE. All relationships are amazing and I loved every si ...more
Sofia is still a great narrator and I LOVE HER!! I loved her friends, her sister, her mother, her family, EVERYONE. All relationships are amazing and I loved every si ...more

This review has been hidden because it contains spoilers. To view it,
click here.

I didn't expect The Other Half Of Happiness to be so funny. This is a funny perfect romance. The story opens up with Oh my actual God. There's a man in my bed! A real man. And what are the rules on Pakistani daughter swearing? Sofia Khan is like a Muslim Bridget Jones. It does seem that Sofia had to fight that little bit harder to find her place in the world. This book hasn't been written with an agenda to educate readers about people on the lives of modern Muslim women and neither did the story
...more

I love Ayisha's writing and I love Sofia Khan. There's so much brilliant, funny stuff here about British Muslim life, both the good bits and the bad, and about how tough it can be when you fall in love with someone from another culture than your own. Unexpectedly heartbreaking and expectedly well-observed, I'm looking forward to seeing what Ayisha does next. 14+
*Please note: this review is for recommendation purposes only. Please do not reuse online or in print without my permission. Thank you!* ...more
*Please note: this review is for recommendation purposes only. Please do not reuse online or in print without my permission. Thank you!* ...more

There were a lot of things that I liked about this book, but unfortunately, it wasn't exactly what I had hoped it would be.
So Sofia Khan is now married - great! And this sequel to Sofia Khan is Not Obliged look into the other side of marriage, once you get past the whole fairy-tale idealism of it. That marriage is not just falling in love and living happily after, it is much much more.
And I was really glad for it - honestly - but I don't understand why being faced with the reality that marriage ...more
So Sofia Khan is now married - great! And this sequel to Sofia Khan is Not Obliged look into the other side of marriage, once you get past the whole fairy-tale idealism of it. That marriage is not just falling in love and living happily after, it is much much more.
And I was really glad for it - honestly - but I don't understand why being faced with the reality that marriage ...more

This review has been hidden because it contains spoilers. To view it,
click here.

May 10, 2020
Mani
rated it
liked it
·
review of another edition
Shelves:
3-star-reads,
books-read-in-2020
Having read the first book “Sofia Khan is not Obliged” last year for book club I couldn’t wait to pick this follow up book.
The Other Half of Happiness continues to follow Sofia as she moves to Karachi, Pakistan with her new husband Conall, who is currently on a work assignment out there. From the very beginning I knew this was going to be a very different read and basically the whole book revolved around the poor communication, hidden feelings and family secrets between Sofia and Conall. To me t ...more
The Other Half of Happiness continues to follow Sofia as she moves to Karachi, Pakistan with her new husband Conall, who is currently on a work assignment out there. From the very beginning I knew this was going to be a very different read and basically the whole book revolved around the poor communication, hidden feelings and family secrets between Sofia and Conall. To me t ...more

Originally posted on Once Upon a Bookcase.
I absolutely adored Sofia Khan is Not Obliged by Ayisha Malik - so much so that I bought the sequel, The Other Half of Happiness before I was even half way through the first. I opened the second book looking forward to visiting these incredible characters again, and the humour that is a huge part of Sofia's personality. And although there is some humour, The Other Half of Happiness is a very different book. Where the first was a romcom, The Other Half is ...more
I absolutely adored Sofia Khan is Not Obliged by Ayisha Malik - so much so that I bought the sequel, The Other Half of Happiness before I was even half way through the first. I opened the second book looking forward to visiting these incredible characters again, and the humour that is a huge part of Sofia's personality. And although there is some humour, The Other Half of Happiness is a very different book. Where the first was a romcom, The Other Half is ...more

Following on from the novel Sofia Khan is not Obliged, we join Sofia and her newly converted husband in Karachi, as they start married life together, as a Muslim couple. Told in the form of diary entries over the course of a year, it's very much like Bridget Jones (which the author readily admits was an influence) but with a Muslim protagonist, family and friends. I love Sofia's voice and I find the whole immersion into the Muslim culture fascinating. I lookibg forward to seeing what Ayisha Mali
...more

The writing was fine. I liked the day/month structure of the book; made it really easy to get through (and easy to convince yourself you'll read just one more chapter before bed). I do think it was necessary for Malik to re-introduce Sofia's friends better. It's been a year since I'd read the first book and it was a bit difficult remembering which friend had which personality and which friend ended up with which guy. Strangely, being unable to remember her friends well, their personalities/lives
...more

Check out this review and more on my blog!
I received an ARC of The Other Half of Happiness from the publisher in exchange for an honest review. Check out my review of Sofia Khan is Not Obliged here!
3.5 Stars
Last year I read Ayisha Malik's debut, Sofia Khan is Not Obliged, and really enjoyed it, so I was thrilled when I was approached by the publisher and offered the chance to receive an ARC of the sequel, The Other Half of Happiness. If you haven't read Sofia Khan is Not Obliged and you're plann ...more
I received an ARC of The Other Half of Happiness from the publisher in exchange for an honest review. Check out my review of Sofia Khan is Not Obliged here!
3.5 Stars
Last year I read Ayisha Malik's debut, Sofia Khan is Not Obliged, and really enjoyed it, so I was thrilled when I was approached by the publisher and offered the chance to receive an ARC of the sequel, The Other Half of Happiness. If you haven't read Sofia Khan is Not Obliged and you're plann ...more

A cliff hanger throughout
Very different to the first book and not as optimistic and fun to read much more serious however enjoyed it but was hard work reading as had emotions all over the place. So many options available to end the book and think a better ending would be more satisfying. Maybe author is setting a lead to another book and if so get it written already.....
Very different to the first book and not as optimistic and fun to read much more serious however enjoyed it but was hard work reading as had emotions all over the place. So many options available to end the book and think a better ending would be more satisfying. Maybe author is setting a lead to another book and if so get it written already.....

I really love the themes of this duology: the obsession of having a significant other by the time you're 30 (as a woman), the expectation that it has to be perfect once you do, the duty of pleasing your family, the stigma of separations and new beginnings, the challenges between mix-raced couples paired with the evolvement of conversion... As someone from a Muslim background, and as a woman today, I can't but be grateful for these topics being part of literature.
One of the things I love about So ...more
One of the things I love about So ...more

I was absolutely thrilled to receive a review copy of this novel as I have been eagerly anticipating it's arrival since finishing the last page of Ayisha Malik's first book a year ago. This novel is a continuation of Sofia's story. It is possible to enjoy as a stand alone, but probably makes more sense to read Sofia Khan is not Obliged first as this story continues to share with us the ups and downs and ins and outs of the relationship between Sofia and Conall who are now married.
I'm also absolu ...more
I'm also absolu ...more

#NadirasPointOfReview: The Other Half of Happiness by Ayisha Malik. This is the sequel #2 to Sofia Khan is Not Obliged.
.
Synopsis: Sofia Khan is just married. But no-one told her life was going to be this way. Her living situation is in dire straits, her husband is distant, and his annoyingly attractive colleague is ringing all sorts of alarm bells. When her mother forces them into a belated wedding ceremony, Sofia wonders if it might be a chance to bring the families together. But when it forces ...more
.
Synopsis: Sofia Khan is just married. But no-one told her life was going to be this way. Her living situation is in dire straits, her husband is distant, and his annoyingly attractive colleague is ringing all sorts of alarm bells. When her mother forces them into a belated wedding ceremony, Sofia wonders if it might be a chance to bring the families together. But when it forces ...more

Mar 18, 2017
Ellie
rated it
really liked it
·
review of another edition
Shelves:
chick-lit,
we-need-diverse-books
I loved Conall's character in the first book so I was a little disappointed in the direction the sequel took. However, married life is never going to be perfect and the reality of marrying someone she barely knows hits Sofia not long after the deed is done. This must be a real problem for those who don't do long term relationships before marriage, whatever culture you're from. Doubled with the fact that divorce is so frowned upon.
Following her father's death, it's clearer that Sofia's mother did ...more
Following her father's death, it's clearer that Sofia's mother did ...more

I thoroughly enjoyed this book! I loved reading a book with a a Muslim character figuring out marriage and her spouse.
My full video review can be found here: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=BqqHM... ...more
My full video review can be found here: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=BqqHM... ...more

Jun 02, 2020
Romana
rated it
liked it
·
review of another edition
Shelves:
chick-lit-and-romance-adult
3.5 stars.
Ultimately, I didn't enjoy The Other Half of Happiness as much as its prequel, but I was still happy to return to Sofia's world and laugh along with her and her family.
Sofia Khan is finally married to the perfect man. Or, so she thinks. But her neighbour-turned-husband, Conall, is becoming increasingly secretive and distant as Sofia returns to London and begins what she hopes will be their long future together. As the couple approach a belated wedding ceremony hastily arranged by Sofia ...more
Ultimately, I didn't enjoy The Other Half of Happiness as much as its prequel, but I was still happy to return to Sofia's world and laugh along with her and her family.
Sofia Khan is finally married to the perfect man. Or, so she thinks. But her neighbour-turned-husband, Conall, is becoming increasingly secretive and distant as Sofia returns to London and begins what she hopes will be their long future together. As the couple approach a belated wedding ceremony hastily arranged by Sofia ...more
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Ayisha is a British Muslim, lifelong Londoner, and lover of books. She read English Literature and went on to complete an MA in Creative Writing (though told most of her family it was an MA in English Literature – Creative Writing is not a subject, after all.) She has spent various spells teaching, photocopying, volunteering and being a publicist. Now, when she isn’t searching for a jar of Nutella
...more
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“Some people stay the same their whole life; consistent. And then some people just evolve a little later. I went from this weird, geeky kid to, I don’t know. This.’ He opened up his arms. ‘And now that I’m here I think we both realised we didn’t work any more.’ He looked at the ground. ‘She said she loved that geeky kid.”
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