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What Will People Think?: A Novel
Mia’s secret comedy career, forbidden office crush, and a long-guarded family secret take center stage, threatening her newfound confidence and her one shot at fame in this hilarious, heartfelt coming-of-age story perfect for fans of Curtis Sittenfeld and Etaf Rum.
Mia Almas has a secret. By day, she works at a respectable job as a media fact checker—a position her conservative, Arab grandparents approve of—and, by night, she takes to the stages of New York City comedy clubs. She holds herself back in a lot of ways, especially in the romance department, but being on stage lights her up and makes being a wallflower the rest of the time more bearable. That is, until Phaedra, her stylish and bold new neighbor, inspires Mia to take a few risks.
As Mia pursues a forbidden romance with her boss, her standup gets better and bolder, leading to a surprise spotlight that exposes her secret gig. Horrified and worried that her rebellious act could mean big consequences for her reserved Palestinian-American family, Mia frantically dives into damage control. But all of her efforts to pull back from the spotlight expose a family scandal from the 1940s that could change everything…
Equal parts funny and tender, What Will People Think? is a heart-bursting exploration of what it means to discover and embrace the hidden parts of yourself, and how love in all forms can make you whole.
Mia Almas has a secret. By day, she works at a respectable job as a media fact checker—a position her conservative, Arab grandparents approve of—and, by night, she takes to the stages of New York City comedy clubs. She holds herself back in a lot of ways, especially in the romance department, but being on stage lights her up and makes being a wallflower the rest of the time more bearable. That is, until Phaedra, her stylish and bold new neighbor, inspires Mia to take a few risks.
As Mia pursues a forbidden romance with her boss, her standup gets better and bolder, leading to a surprise spotlight that exposes her secret gig. Horrified and worried that her rebellious act could mean big consequences for her reserved Palestinian-American family, Mia frantically dives into damage control. But all of her efforts to pull back from the spotlight expose a family scandal from the 1940s that could change everything…
Equal parts funny and tender, What Will People Think? is a heart-bursting exploration of what it means to discover and embrace the hidden parts of yourself, and how love in all forms can make you whole.
336 pages, Hardcover
Expected publication May 20, 2025
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Displaying 1 of 1 review
November 3, 2024
If you’re wondering whether to read this book or not, I could not suggest it more. To be honest, I want two whole books from this book! I want Teta’s and Mia’s stories. What a heartbreaking, beautiful family story about “what is love?”? What is connection? What is meant to be?
This would be an excellent choice for a book club to dive into for rich discussion. There is a multitude of themes, topics and life questions to digest that would be best among fellow story lovers.
The narrative begins somewhat slow, almost immature, but I urge you to carry on!
Thank you to NetGalley, the author and publisher for this advanced copy. The opinions are my own!
This would be an excellent choice for a book club to dive into for rich discussion. There is a multitude of themes, topics and life questions to digest that would be best among fellow story lovers.
The narrative begins somewhat slow, almost immature, but I urge you to carry on!
Thank you to NetGalley, the author and publisher for this advanced copy. The opinions are my own!
Displaying 1 of 1 review