Ayesha at Last
Ayesha Shamsi, 27, teaches to pay off a family debt, writes poetry on the side, and lives with her lively Muslim family in suburban Toronto, where relatives keep nudging her toward marriage. Then she meets Khalid Mirza, a bright, handsome and devout young man whose conservative ways and quick judgments infuriate her, even as she is drawn to him. When Khalid becomes engaged to her flighty younger cousin Hafsa, Ayesha starts digging into rumours about his family. Kirkus calls this Pride and Prejudice-inspired story raucous, delicious and entertaining.
About This Book
Ayesha at Last is a contemporary romance novel by Uzma Jalaluddin, first published in 2019 by Berkley. It runs 368 pages. Readers can expect enemies to lovers, opposites attract.
At a glance
- Genre
- Contemporary
- Trope
- Enemies to Lovers
- Length
- 368 pages
- Format
- Paperback
Where to read or listen
Get Ayesha at Last by Uzma Jalaluddin
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Why You May Love This Book
You may love this if…
- A sharp-witted teacher and a conservative young man clash in a Pride and Prejudice-inspired romance set in Toronto's Muslim community.
- Fans of Pride and Prejudice retellings
- Readers of contemporary rom-coms
- Entertained
- Features Enemies to Lovers
The Romance
Tropes, dynamics, and the chemistry that drives this story.
Relationship Dynamics
Details
Type: unknown
Pairing: unknown
Power balance: Relatively balanced between two headstrong individuals.
How It Feels
The emotional landscape you'll move through while reading.
High tension, moderate angst, moderate humor.
Heat Level
Based on available metadata and editorial review.
Who Is This Book For?
Best for
Reading mood
Recommended audience: Adults
The Story
Spoiler-Free Synopsis
Ayesha Shamsi is balancing her teaching career, her passion for poetry, and the pressures of family life in Toronto. When she crosses paths with Khalid Mirza, their initial friction—driven by his perceived rigidity and her frustration—is complicated further when he becomes engaged to her cousin, Hafsa. As Ayesha investigates rumors surrounding Khalid's family, the two must navigate their intense differences and growing attraction.
Central Conflict
The tension between Ayesha's spirited independence and Khalid's conservative expectations, compounded by his engagement to her cousin.
Setting
Suburban Toronto
Strengths
- Strong character dynamic
- Engaging cultural setting
Discussion Guide
Questions to deepen your reading experience or spark a book club conversation.
- 1
How does the central conflict shape the relationship between the main characters?
- 2
How does the setting influence the characters' decisions and their relationship?
- 3
How do the relationship dynamics evolve throughout the story?
- 4
Who would you most want to recommend this book to?
- 5
How did the pacing affect your reading experience?
- 6
Which aspect of the story did you find most compelling?
How This Profile Was Created
Eikna uses book metadata and AI-assisted analysis to create structured romance profiles. Public profiles are reviewed and approved by an editor before publication.
- Editor reviewed:
- Yes
- Last reviewed:
- October 4, 2026
- Confidence:
- Moderate confidence
- Profile version:
- eikna-public-book-intelligence-v1
About the Author
Uzma Jalaluddin
What Readers Say
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Publication Details
- Publisher
- Berkley
- Format
- Paperback
- Length
- 368 pages
- Language
- English
- ISBN-13
- 9781984802798
Ayesha at Last: quick answers
- Who wrote Ayesha at Last?
- Ayesha at Last was written by Uzma Jalaluddin.
- When was Ayesha at Last published?
- Ayesha at Last was first published in 2019 by Berkley.
- What genre is Ayesha at Last?
- Ayesha at Last is a contemporary romance novel, with enemies to lovers, opposites attract.
- How many pages is Ayesha at Last?
- Ayesha at Last is 368 pages long (Paperback).
Are you the author? Verify your author profile to manage this book.
This is my book — sign inWhere to read or listen
Get Ayesha at Last by Uzma Jalaluddin
These store links are affiliate links (Amazon, Audible, Bookshop.org and Libro.fm). As an Amazon Associate, Eikna earns from qualifying purchases, at no extra cost to you. Learn more.
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