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Last updated on March 26, 2025
More Than Just a Pretty Face by Syed M. Masood is a YA debut that sounds like a perfect rom-com. There are so many aspects about this book that I am excited for. Danyal sounds like a character that is easy to relate to and I think it will be fun to read about his quest for love. It seems as though it is going to have lots of humour as well. Definitely one on my radar this fall.
More Than Just a Pretty Face by Syed M. Masood
Title: More Than Just a Pretty FaceAuthor: Syed M. Masood
Genre: Contemporary, Romance, Young Adult
Publisher: Little Brown Books for Young Readers
Publication Date: August 4, 2020
For 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. What does matter is the opinion of Danyal's longtime crush, the perfect-in-all-ways Kaval, and her family, who consider him a less than ideal arranged marriage prospect.
When Danyal gets selected for Renaissance Man--a school-wide academic championship--it's the perfect opportunity to show everyone he's smarter than they think. He recruits the brilliant, totally-uninterested-in-him Bisma to help with the competition, but the more time Danyal spends with her...the more he learns from her...the more he cooks for her...the more he realizes that happiness may be staring him right in his pretty face.
Book Quotes: More Than Just a PRety Face
That evil was the inability to recognize the humanity in experiences that were not your own, in experiences that seemed alien.
“That’s amazing that you can do that.”
“What?” I asked.
“Just, you know, make music by touching something.”
About Syed M. Masood
Syed M. Masood grew up in Karachi, Pakistan, and now lives with his wife and children in Sacramento, California, where he is a practicing attorney. He wrote a few couplets in Urdu when he was a teenager, and his family still tells everyone he is an Urdu poet. He is not. More Than Just a Pretty Face is his young-adult debut.
About The Candid Cover
Olivia ❀ Canadian YA book blogger, Starbucks lover, & professional bibliophile.
This definitely sounds it like it has some potential for humor!
I think so, too! 🙂
“the more he cooks for her…” That made me go awww. 😀 ♥
I know!!! Swoon!! 🙂
I have been seeing this one around a lot lately, and it does sound good! I enjoy a good rom-com now and then, and I like the premise of this one. I hope you enjoy it when you read it!
Rom-coms are always my go-to genre. Thank you! 🙂
This one is on my TBR as well! Great pick! You can see my choices in the link below!
I hope that we both love it! 🙂
This sounds like such a fun read! Love the cover too. Thanks for sharing! 🙂
The cover is super cute! 🙂
Oh this looks fantastic! I used to not be big on rom-coms but lately I’ve been a sucker for this one, and this looks like a good one!
I have really been enjoying them lately! 🙂
This sounds so cute. I need to add it to my TBR. Thanks for introducing me.
Thanks for stopping by!:)
I haven’t read much YA like this, but it sounds like it will be funny. I love a good humorous story. Hope you enjoy it!
I think it is going to be a fun one! 🙂
This sounds perfect for my mood right now! Such a cute cover too!
I am really loving the cover, too! 🙂
I am eagerly anticipating this one as well. I love YA books with a good family focus, and I love the whole idea of the school competition.
Same!! Family themed books are always ones that I love. 🙂
I love all the illustrated covers that have been happening lately. This one looks very cute. I hope you enjoy it!
There have been quite a few of them! I am really drawn to them. 🙂
Oooh, this sounds like one I’ll enjoy! Adding to my TBR.
Yay!! I hope that we both enjoy it. 🙂
This definitely sounds promising!
I hope so! 🙂
Adding this to my TBR as well!
Have a great weekend!
Yay! I hope that we both love it. 🙂
I am a fan of Jenny Han and this book looks like it is cute like that. 🙂
It does have a Jenny Han vibe that I am excited for, too! 🙂
I haven’t heard of this one before! I hope you enjoy it!
This book sounds like an excellent read!
Fingers crossed! 🙂
This sounds good