Books like 'She Wore Red Trainers'
Readers who enjoyed She Wore Red Trainers by Na'ima B. Robert also liked the following books featuring the same tropes, story themes, relationship dynamics and character types.
contemporary young adult muslim south asian
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All My Rage by Sabaa Tahir
Rated: 4.54 of 5 stars · 48 ratingsLahore, Pakistan. Then. Misbah is a dreamer and storyteller, newly married to Toufiq in an arranged match. After their young life is shaken by tragedy, they come to the United States and open the Cloud’s Rest Inn Motel, hoping for a new start. Juniper, California. Now. Salahudin and Noor are more than best friends; they are family...Categorized as:
south asian young adult contemporary historical abuse racism high-school length-medium -
![As Long as the Lemon Trees Grow by Zoulfa Katouh]()
As Long as the Lemon Trees Grow by Zoulfa Katouh
Rated: 4.52 of 5 stars · 42 ratingsSalama Kassab was a pharmacy student when the cries for freedom broke out in Syria. She still had her parents and her big brother; she still had her home. She had a normal teenager’s life. Now Salama volunteers at a hospital in Homs, helping the wounded who flood through the doors daily...Categorized as:
muslim contemporary war length-long first-person-pov young adult m-f friends to lovers -
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![The Billionaire's Game ~ Kade by J.S. Scott]()
The Billionaire's Game ~ Kade by J.S. Scott
With his professional football career over due to a tragic accident, billionaire Kade Harrison takes on the task of solving a mystery for his brother-in-law and friend, Max Hamilton. Without his former career to fill every minute of the day, Kade's looking for something to challenge him--now that he's lost the career that had meant everything to him... -
![TJ Powar Has Something to Prove by Jesmeen Kaur Deo]()
TJ Powar Has Something to Prove by Jesmeen Kaur Deo
A charming rom-com about high school debater TJ Powar who—after becoming the subject of an ugly meme—makes a resolution to stop shaving, plucking, and waxing, and prove that she can be her hairy self and still be beautiful…but soon finds this may be her most difficult debate yet. Perfect for fans of Netflix’s Never Have I Ever...Categorized as:
south asian young adult contemporary from hate to love high-school humor length-medium behind-doors -
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![A Place for Us by Fatima Farheen Mirza]()
A Place for Us by Fatima Farheen Mirza
Rated: 4.20 of 5 stars · 50 ratingsA Place for Us unfolds the lives of an Indian-American Muslim family, gathered together in their Californian hometown to celebrate the eldest daughter, Hadia’s, wedding – a match of love rather than tradition. It is here, on this momentous day, that Amar, the youngest of the siblings, reunites with his family for the first time in three years... -
![Hani and Ishu's Guide to Fake Dating by Adiba Jaigirdar]()
Hani and Ishu's Guide to Fake Dating by Adiba Jaigirdar
Everyone likes Humaira "Hani" Khan—she’s easy going and one of the most popular girls at school. But when she comes out to her friends as bisexual, they invalidate her identity, saying she can’t be bi if she’s only dated guys. Panicked, Hani blurts out that she’s in a relationship…with a girl her friends absolutely hate—Ishita "Ishu" Dey. Ishu is the complete opposite of Hani... -
![A Very Large Expanse of Sea by Tahereh Mafi]()
A Very Large Expanse of Sea by Tahereh Mafi
It’s 2002, a year after 9/11. It’s an extremely turbulent time politically, but especially so for someone like Shirin, a sixteen-year-old Muslim girl who’s tired of being stereotyped.Shirin is never surprised by how horrible people can be...Categorized as:
muslim contemporary young adult sports multicultural angst forbidden love forced proximity -
![These Impossible Things by Salma El-Wardany]()
These Impossible Things by Salma El-Wardany
Rated: 4.24 of 5 stars · 29 ratingsA razor‑sharp debut novel of three best friends navigating love, sex, faith, and the one night that changes it all. It’s always been Malak, Kees, and Jenna against the world. Since childhood, under the watchful eyes of their parents, aunties and uncles, they’ve learned to live their own lives alongside the expectations of being good Muslim women... -
![The Reading List by Sara Nisha Adams]()
The Reading List by Sara Nisha Adams
Rated: 4.12 of 5 stars · 61 ratingsAn unforgettable and heartwarming debut about how a chance encounter with a list of library books helps forge an unlikely friendship between two very different people in a London suburb.Widower Mukesh lives a quiet life in Wembley, in West London after losing his beloved wife...Categorized as:
south asian contemporary mental illness death multicultural humor suicide young adult -
![The Color of Our Sky by Amita Trasi]()
The Color of Our Sky by Amita Trasi
Rated: 4.18 of 5 stars · 29 ratingsA sweeping, emotional journey of two childhood friends—one struggling to survive the human slave trade and the other on a mission to save her—two girls whose lives converge only to change one fateful night in 1993.India, 1986: Mukta, a ten-year-old girl from the lower caste Yellamma cult of temple prostitutes has come of age to fulfill her destiny of becoming a temple prostitute... -
![The Candid Life of Meena Dave by Namrata Patel]()
The Candid Life of Meena Dave by Namrata Patel
Rated: 4.14 of 5 stars · 40 ratingsA woman embarks on an unexpected journey into her past in an engrossing novel about identity, family secrets, and rediscovering the need to belong. Meena Dave is a photojournalist and a nomad. She has no family, no permanent address, and no long-term attachments, preferring to observe the world at a distance through the lens of her camera... -
![The No-Girlfriend Rule by Christen Randall]()
The No-Girlfriend Rule by Christen Randall
Hollis Beckwith isn’t trying to get a girl—she’s just trying to get by. For a fat, broke girl with anxiety, the start of senior year brings enough to worry about. And besides, she already has a Chris. Their relationship isn’t particularly exciting, but it’s comfortable and familiar, and Hollis wants it to survive beyond senior year...Categorized as:
south asian young adult queer contemporary f-f mental illness third-person-pov childfree-couple -
![Love From A to Z by S.K. Ali]()
Love From A to Z by S.K. Ali
A marvel: something you find amazing. Even ordinary-amazing. Like potatoes—because they make French fries happen. Like the perfect fries Adam and his mom used to make together.An oddity: whatever gives you pause. Like the fact that there are hateful people in the world. Like Zayneb’s teacher, who won’t stop reminding the class how “bad” Muslims are.But Zayneb, the only Muslim in class, isn’t bad...Categorized as:
south asian muslim young adult contemporary racism high-school friends to lovers multicultural -
![More to the Story by Hena Khan]()
More to the Story by Hena Khan
Rated: 4.26 of 5 stars · 16 ratingsFrom the critically acclaimed author of Amina’s Voice comes a new story inspired by Louisa May Alcott’s beloved classic, Little Women, featuring four sisters from a modern American Muslim family living in Georgia.When Jameela Mirza is picked to be feature editor of her middle school newspaper, she’s one step closer to being an award-winning journalist like her late grandfather... -
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![Wish You Were(n't) Here by Erin Baldwin]()
Wish You Were(n't) Here by Erin Baldwin
Juliette doesn't hate Priya Pendley.At least, not in the way teen movies say she should hate the hot popular girl. They don't do cat fights, love triangles, or betrayal.To survive their intertwined small town lives, they reach a truce:Stand on opposite sides of photos for easy cropping-out. Complete group projects without breaking any noses. Don't involve mutual friends in the drama...Categorized as:
south asian f-f young adult contemporary queer multicultural caretaking forced proximity -
![Variables of Love by M.K. Schiller]()
Variables of Love by M.K. Schiller
Meena Kapoor knows what life has in store for her. She’s in her senior year at Stanford where she’ll graduate summa cum laude, and then she'll begin her interviews…her marriage interviews. Meena is Indian, and she’s never questioned that she’ll have an arranged marriage like all the generations before her. Not until she meets gorgeous math major Ethan Callahan...Categorized as:
south asian young adult contemporary virgin heroine college multicultural new adult tearjerkers -
![More Than Just a Pretty Face by Syed M. Masood]()
More Than Just a Pretty Face by Syed M. Masood
Rated: 4.11 of 5 stars · 27 ratingsFor fans of Becky Albertalli and Jenny Han, a sweetly funny YA rom-com debut about falling in love, familial 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...Categorized as:
south asian young adult contemporary humor high-school arranged marriage length-medium -
![Stay with My Heart by Tashie Bhuiyan]()
Stay with My Heart by Tashie Bhuiyan
Rated: 4.22 of 5 stars · 14 ratingsFrom the author of Counting Down with You and A Show for Two comes a new YA contemporary about a girl who accidentally sabotages an up-and-coming local band and falls for the guitarist while secretly trying to make up for her mistake.Liana Sarkar lives and breathes music, hoping to follow in the footsteps of her A&R coordinator father... -
![Salaam, with Love by Sara Sharaf Beg]()
Salaam, with Love by Sara Sharaf Beg
Rated: 4.13 of 5 stars · 23 ratingsThis heartfelt and humorous YA contemporary follows Dua, who spends the month of Ramadan making unexpected discoveries about family, faith, and first love.Being crammed into a house in Queens with her cousins is not how Dua envisions her trip to New York City. But here she is, spending the holy month of Ramadan with extended family she hasn’t seen in years... -
![Love from Mecca to Medina by S.K. Ali]()
Love from Mecca to Medina by S.K. Ali
Rated: 4.13 of 5 stars · 21 ratingsOn the trip of a lifetime, Adam and Zayneb must find their way back to each other in this surprising and romantic sequel to the “bighearted, wildly charming” (Becky Albertalli, New York Times bestselling author) Love from A to Z that’s a “contemplative exploration of faith, love, and the human condition” ( Kirkus Reviews , starred review).Adam and Zayneb. Perfectly matched. Painfully apart... -
![More Than Just a Pretty Face by Syed M. Masood]()
More Than Just a Pretty Face by Syed M. Masood
Rated: 4.08 of 5 stars · 27 ratingsFor fans of Becky Albertalli and Jenny Han, a sweetly funny YA rom-com debut about falling in love, familial 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...Categorized as:
south asian muslim young adult contemporary humor high-school arranged marriage friends to lovers -
![The Bad Muslim Discount by Syed M. Masood]()
The Bad Muslim Discount by Syed M. Masood
Rated: 4.06 of 5 stars · 35 ratingsFollowing two families from Pakistan and Iraq in the 1990s to San Francisco in 2016, Bad Muslim Discount is a hilarious, timely, and provocative comic novel about being Muslim immigrants in modern America. For fans of Hanif Kureshi, Mira Jacob, and Mohammed Hanif.It is 1995, and Anvar Faris is a restless, rebellious, and sharp-tongued boy doing his best to grow up in Karachi, Pakistan... -
![Counting Down with You by Tashie Bhuiyan]()
Counting Down with You by Tashie Bhuiyan
Rated: 4.05 of 5 stars · 32 ratingsA reserved Bangladeshi teenager has twenty-eight days to make the biggest decision of her life after agreeing to fake date her school’s resident bad boy.How do you make one month last a lifetime?Karina Ahmed has a plan. Keep her head down, get through high school without a fuss, and follow her parents’ rules—even if it means sacrificing her dreams...Categorized as:
south asian muslim young adult contemporary high-school grumpy sunshine m-f length-medium -
![Stay with My Heart by Tashie Bhuiyan]()
Stay with My Heart by Tashie Bhuiyan
Rated: 4.14 of 5 stars · 14 ratingsFrom the author of Counting Down with You and A Show for Two comes a new YA contemporary about a girl who accidentally sabotages an up-and-coming local band and falls for the guitarist while secretly trying to make up for her mistake.Liana Sarkar lives and breathes music, hoping to follow in the footsteps of her A&R coordinator father... -
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![Slumdog Millionaire by Vikas Swarup]()
Slumdog Millionaire by Vikas Swarup
Rated: 4.01 of 5 stars · 45 ratingsQ&A - renamed Slumdog Millionaire after the Oscar-winning film based on the book - is a beguiling blend of high comedy, drama, and romance that reveals how we know what we know, not just about trivia, but about life itself... -
![The Karma Map by Nisha Sharma]()
The Karma Map by Nisha Sharma
Rated: 4.06 of 5 stars · 21 ratingsA youth group’s temple road trip through India is a liberating escape for a former mean girl and sunshine boy to explore their past and their feelings for each other in the much-anticipated novel about self-discovery by the award-winning author of My So-Called Bollywood Life.Born and raised in the US, Tara Bajaj hides her family secrets...Categorized as:
south asian young adult contemporary new adult multicultural grumpy sunshine length-medium -
![A Show for Two by Tashie Bhuiyan]()
A Show for Two by Tashie Bhuiyan
Rated: 4.03 of 5 stars · 28 ratingsAll Mina Rahman wants is to finally win the Golden Ivy student film competition, get into her dream school, and leave New York City behind for good. When indie film star Emmitt Ramos enrolls in her high school under a secret identity to research his next role, he agrees to star in her short film for the competition…if she acts as his NYC tour guide...Categorized as:
south asian muslim mental illness from hate to love high-school contemporary young adult m-f -
![She Drives Me Crazy by Kelly Quindlen]()
She Drives Me Crazy by Kelly Quindlen
High school nemeses fall in love in this queer YA rom com perfect for fans of Becky Albertalli and Casey McQuisten.After losing spectacularly to her ex-girlfriend in their first game since their break up, Scottie Zajac gets into a fender bender with the worst possible person: her nemesis, the incredibly beautiful and incredibly mean Irene Abraham... -
![Roses, in the Mouth of a Lion by Bushra Rehman]()
Roses, in the Mouth of a Lion by Bushra Rehman
Rated: 4.02 of 5 stars · 25 ratingsFor readers of On Earth We're Briefly Gorgeous and My Brilliant Friend, Bushra Rehman's Roses, in the Mouth of a Lion is an unforgettable story about female friendship and queer love in a Muslim-American community.Razia Mirza grows up amid the wild grape vines and backyard sunflowers of Corona, Queens, with her best friend, Saima, by her side... -
![The Love Match by Priyanka Taslim]()
The Love Match by Priyanka Taslim
To All the Boys I’ve Loved Before meets Pride and Prejudice in this delightful and heartfelt rom-com about a Bangladeshi American teen whose meddling mother arranges a match to secure their family’s financial security—just as she’s falling in love with someone else.Zahra Khan is basically Bangladeshi royalty, but being a princess doesn’t pay the bills in Paterson, New Jersey...Categorized as:
south asian muslim young adult contemporary love triangle from hate to love friends to lovers humor -
![Here to Stay by Sara Farizan]()
Here to Stay by Sara Farizan
Rated: 4.03 of 5 stars · 21 ratingsFor most of high school, Bijan Majidi has flown under the radar. He gets good grades, reads comics, hangs out with his best friend, Sean, and secretly crushes on Elle, one of the most popular girls in his school. When he’s called off the basketball team’s varsity bench and makes the winning basket in a playoff game, everything changes in an instant... -
![He Made Me Do It by Zee Shine Storm]()
He Made Me Do It by Zee Shine Storm
An MM stepbrother taboo romanceZaynWhat is it like to be both Muslim and gay? Honestly? It feels like I've been cursed for all eternity. And then I had to go and fall for Asher Hannes and make it even more complicated.Not only was he a guy, he happened to be my cocky and rebellious stepbrother who became the reason I began to get in trouble for things that weren't even my fault... -
![Azar on Fire by Olivia Abtahi]()
Azar on Fire by Olivia Abtahi
Rated: 4.13 of 5 stars · 8 ratingsFinding her voice takes on a whole new meaning when fourteen-year-old Azar Rossi sets out to win her local Battle of the Bands contest in this heartfelt and hilarious contemporary YA.Fourteen-year-old Azar Rossi’s first year of high school has mostly been silent, and intentionally so... -
![Secret Passions by Jill Sanders]()
Secret Passions by Jill Sanders
Rated: 4.17 of 5 stars · 6 ratingsSandi has escaped her old life; she’s shed her hijab and her family obligations to start a new one, alone. It’s been five years since she first stepped foot in America to save her life. She’s earned enough money to live comfortably, thanks to her artwork. But, just when she finally feels like she can start to relax and not jump at shadows, she believes her family is hot on her heels... -
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![The Girlfriend Act by Safa Ahmed]()
The Girlfriend Act by Safa Ahmed
Rated: 4.17 of 5 stars · 6 ratingsTo achieve her lifelong dream, Farah needs to pretend she’s in love. How hard could it be ...? When aspiring actress Farah Sheikh accidentally goes viral for exposing a prejudiced theatre company, she decides to put on her own production with the Tragedies - a group of theatre kids who are similarly desperate to break into the industry. They have the crew, all they need now is a stage .. -
![You Bring the Distant Near by Mitali Perkins]()
You Bring the Distant Near by Mitali Perkins
Rated: 3.99 of 5 stars · 29 ratingsFive girls. Three generations. One great American love story. Ranee, worried that her children are losing their Indian culture; Sonia, wrapped up in a forbidden biracial love affair; Tara, seeking the limelight to hide her true self; Shanti, desperately trying to make peace in the family; Anna, fighting to preserve her Bengali identity...Categorized as:
south asian young adult contemporary historical multicultural high-school racism humor -
![The Henna Wars by Adiba Jaigirdar]()
The Henna Wars by Adiba Jaigirdar
Nishat doesn’t want to lose her family, but she also doesn’t want to hide who she is, and it only gets harder once a childhood friend walks back into her life. Flávia is beautiful and charismatic, and Nishat falls for her instantly. But when a school competition invites students to create their own businesses, both Flávia and Nishat decide to showcase their talent as henna artists...Categorized as:
south asian muslim young adult contemporary humor f-f from hate to love multicultural -
![That Kind of Guy by Mina V. Esguerra]()
That Kind of Guy by Mina V. Esguerra
Yes, it’s true: "Good girl” Julie Crisostomo dated that guy Anton Santos for almost a year. Julie is everyone’s loyal and concerned friend, but she has no experience being someone’s girlfriend. Then Anton, a “player” she never thought would be interested in her, swoops into her life and doesn’t seem to want to leave it. Anton has dated a lot of women and is everyone's "delicious distraction... -
![The Dos and Donuts of Love by Adiba Jaigirdar]()
The Dos and Donuts of Love by Adiba Jaigirdar
A pun-filled YA contemporary romance, The Dos and Donuts of Love by Adiba Jaigirdar finds a teenage girl competing in a televised baking competition, with contestants including her ex-girlfriend and a potential new crush - perfect for fans of The Great British Bake Off and She Drives Me Crazy !“Welcome to the first ever Junior Irish Baking Show!”Shireen Malik is still reeling from the breakup... -
![Arya Khanna's Bollywood Moment by Arushi Avachat]()
Arya Khanna's Bollywood Moment by Arushi Avachat
A sparkling debut rom-com about a high school senior whose life suddenly gets a Bollywood spin when her sister gets engaged. Shaadi preparations are in full swing, which means lehenga shopping, taste testing, dance rehearsals, and best of all, Arya’s sister Alina is home. The Khannas are together again, finally, and Arya wants to enjoy it...Categorized as:
south asian young adult contemporary from hate to love multicultural humor length-medium m-f -
![Rana Joon and the One and Only Now by Shideh Etaat]()
Rana Joon and the One and Only Now by Shideh Etaat
Rated: 4.00 of 5 stars · 8 ratingsThis lyrical coming-of-age novel for fans of Darius the Great Is Not Okay and On the Come Up, set in southern California in 1996, follows a teen who wants to honor her deceased friend’s legacy by entering a rap contest.Perfect Iranian girls are straight A students, always polite, and grow up to marry respectable Iranian boys... -
![Tastes Like Shakkar by Nisha Sharma]()
Tastes Like Shakkar by Nisha Sharma
In the hilarious follow-up to the breakout rom-com Dating Dr. Dil , Nisha Sharma adds shakkar and mirch to Shakespeare’s iconic comedy Much Ado About Nothing for one sweet and spicy love story. Bobbi Kaur is determined to plan a celebration to remember for her best friend’s wedding. But she has two problems that are getting in her 1... -
![First Love, Take Two by Sajni Patel]()
First Love, Take Two by Sajni Patel
Rated: 3.94 of 5 stars · 27 ratingsOn the verge of realizing her dream of being a doctor, Preeti Patel should be ecstatic. But between the stress of her residency, trying to find a job, and managing her traditional, no-boundaries family, Preeti's anxiety is through the roof. Relationships and love aren't even an option. Fortunately, Preeti's finally found a new place to stay . . . only to discover that her new roommate is her ex...Categorized as:
south asian multicultural forced proximity contemporary humor young adult black-mc hindu -
![Haveli by Suzanne Fisher Staples]()
Haveli by Suzanne Fisher Staples
Rated: 3.94 of 5 stars · 25 ratingsThe world of Newbery Honor book "Shabanu" is vividly re-created in this novel of a young Pakistani woman's heartbreaking struggle against the tyranny of custom and ancient law. Shabanu, now a mother at 18, faces daily challenges to her position in her husband's household, even as she plans for her young daughter's education and uncertain future... -
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![Drizzle, Dreams, and Lovestruck Things by Maya Prasad]()
Drizzle, Dreams, and Lovestruck Things by Maya Prasad
Rated: 3.96 of 5 stars · 12 ratingsFour sisters, four seasons, four flavors of romance.The Singh sisters grew up helping their father navigate the bustle of the Songbird Inn. Nestled on dreamy and drizzly Orcas Island in the Pacific Northwest, the inn's always been warm and cozy and filled with interesting guests―the perfect home. But things are about to heat up now that the Songbird has been named the Most Romantic Inn in America... -
![If You're Not the One by Farah Naz Rishi]()
If You're Not the One by Farah Naz Rishi
Rated: 4.00 of 5 stars · 6 ratingsThis funny, electric rom-com follows a teen struggling to reclaim her perfect life and the perfectly wrong guy who sees through her facade, from the acclaimed author of It All Comes Back to You.Anisa Shirani is…well, perfect. A fact, not an opinion. Of course, it’s all a front to feed her own praise-obsessed ego... -
![Henna Wars, The by Adiba Jaigirdar]()
Henna Wars, The by Adiba Jaigirdar
Rated: 3.93 of 5 stars · 39 ratingsNamed one of TIME magazine’s 100 Best YA Books of All Time"Impossible to put down." - Kirkus , starred reviewNishat doesn’t want to lose her family, but she also doesn’t want to hide who she is, and it only gets harder once a childhood friend walks back into her life. Flávia is beautiful and charismatic, and Nishat falls for her instantly... -
![Tell Me Again How a Crush Should Feel by Sara Farizan]()
Tell Me Again How a Crush Should Feel by Sara Farizan
High-school junior Leila has made it most of the way through Armstead Academy without having a crush on anyone, which is something of a relief. Her Persian heritage already makes her different from her classmates; if word got out that she liked girls, life would be twice as hard... -
![Misfit in Love by S.K. Ali]()
Misfit in Love by S.K. Ali
Rated: 3.93 of 5 stars · 21 ratings"Janna Yusuf and her friends are planning for her brother's nikah. But what started as a simple marriage ceremony is turning into the biggest event of the summer-and a chance for Janna to finally reveal her crush.. -
![The Letters We Keep by Nisha Sharma]()
The Letters We Keep by Nisha Sharma
Rated: 3.92 of 5 stars · 24 ratingsTwo students―worlds apart―unite to solve the mystery of a legendary decades-old love story gone tragically wrong in a captivating romance by the award-winning author of The Karma Map and Dating Dr. Dil . It doesn’t take long for ambitious freshman and aspiring engineer Jessie Ahuja to learn about two university legends...Categorized as:
south asian young adult mystery contemporary new adult dual-pov historical secret-relationship
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