The Loophole

(Hardback)

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Description

Sy is a sheltered and timid seventeen-year-old queer Indian-Muslim boy who placed all his bets at happiness on his boyfriend Farouk...who then left him to try and "fix the world." Sy was too chicken to take the plunge and travel with him. Stuck in a dead-end coffee shop job with a Quran-wielding father whos all too liberal with the belt, all Sy can do is wish for another chance... He never expects his wish to be granted. When a hot-mess-of-an-heiress slams into (and slides down, streaks of make-up in her wake) the front window of the coffee shop, Sy just shrugs it off and helps her up and on her way. But the girl offers him three wishes in exchange for helping her, and after proving she can grant at least one wish with a funds transfer of a million dollars into Sy's pitifully struggling bank account, a whole new world of possibility opens up. Does Sy have the courage to make his way from L. A. through London, Istanbul, and Marrakesh, led by his potentially otherworldly new friend, to track down his missing Farouk for one last, desperate chance at rebuilding his life and re-finding love

Reviews

"Every once in a while you come upon a book filled with so much voice it has its own pulse. The Loophole is not only laughing-until-I-cry hilarious, but full of heart. A brave debut that is sure to grant all your bookish wishes." --Dante Medema, author of THE TRUTH PROJECT

"The Loophole is a celebration of queer Muslim identity, and a one-of-a-kind story about finding love, family, and--most importantly--yourself." --Adiba Jaigirdar, author of THE HENNA WARS and HANI AND ISHU'S GUIDE TO FAKE DATING

"The Loophole is a globetrotting, madcap adventure, filled with magic and plenty of heart. I laughed, I cried, and I had my heart broken, only for Naz Kutub to lovingly mend it back together with a queer story of acceptance and self-discovery." --Erik J. Brown, author of ALL THAT'S LEFT IN THE WORLD

"The Loophole took me on a magical journey that I didn't want to end. A perfect balance of heart and hilarity, Naz Kutub's debut had me rooting for Sy by the end of page one. What an absolute delight of a book." --Robbie Couch, author of THE SKY BLUES and BLAINE FOR THE WIN

"Kutub writes with humor and heart, which makes this darling debut accessible to many readers. . . . This delightful read will offer readers an ending that feels like a warm hug." - Booklist

"Romance buffs will appreciate this not-quite-wish-fulfilling story that explores love from a variety of perspectives with a keen eye for tenderness." --BCCB

"Kutub's highly stylized prose . . . and Sy's energetic deep dive into his heritage present an upbeat, wish-fulfillment tale." --Publishers Weekly

"It succeeds in covering a gamut of themes, including what it's like being brown-skinned and facing Islamophobia, experiencing heady first love, and exploring one's identity. . . . An intense read that's packed with adventure, humor, and lots of soul." --Kirkus Reviews

Author Bio

Naz Kutub is a half-Indian, half-Malay immigrant from Singapore. This novel was inspired by his personal experiences growing up as a queer Muslim, and as someone raised on a calorie-dense diet of Eastern lore. @nazkutub