The woman in Red has a secret admirer. A second chance at love means confessing your secrets to a stranger.
Amazon Top 30 Bestseller in Asian American Literature and Top 6 in Middle East FictionTwo strangers on the same path. It was a rainy, winter night when I saw her for the first time.A mysterious woman in a red dress seeking shelter came inside the restaurant I was busy working in—primarily … came inside the restaurant I was busy working in—primarily the bar.
Night after night, drink after drink, she comes back to the same spot.
Hundreds of men try to speak with her daily, but she dismisses them.
She’s always reading, always surrounded by books and booze.
She’s not looking for love.
I’ve never met anyone like her before.
I didn’t want to disturb her peace.
And, I didn’t want to be her next reject.
So, I decided to leave her books anonymously with notes.
Just as I was about to put another, a voice behind me says,
“So you’re the one leaving me books?”
A standalone book and no cliffhanger. Recommended for fans of Sense and Sensibility, The Duchess, The Forty Rules of Love, and A Walk To Remember. Don’t forget to scroll up and purchase the book! This is Kabir’s and Red’s story.
2020 Readers’ Favorite Honorable Mention in Literary Fiction, 5 stars.
An intimate character piece. Complex and compelling. Distinct and realistic. – Publishers Weekly, BookLife Prize Contest
I loved Beena Khan’s The Name of Red. First of all, it’s about readers—two at least. Second, it’s a powerful look into how love starts and how it grows, a triumphant debut as an author. – ReadersFavorite.
Reading Order.
These are all standalone romances.
RED SERIES
Book #1: The Name of Red (Kabir & Red)
Book #2: The Weight on Skin
Book #3: Color Me Red (Red, Isaah, Saagh)
Book #4: The Whispers of Rifts (Aryan, Aanaah, & S.)
Book #5: The Scarlet Night (Wafa)
Book #6: Six Feet Apart (Saagh) TBD.
more
I was truly caught by this intriguingly philosophical read with undertones of societal and religious commentary that doesn’t avoid the grittiness of reality.
My heart is still gripped in it’s wake…
I didn’t completely love the prose at first and I had some grammar issues but by the end I was just completely lost in the experience.
An experience of two broken people finding their way – with each other, to each other, through each other. It was a story of love that breaks your heart and rebuilds it – revealing the depth of love and its many shadowed faces.
So I ask Who are you, Beena Khan because I am hooked!
I will definitely be reading “The Weight of Skin” – the sequel – to experience more.
Check out Deanaera’s Bloggy Book Bites for a full review:
https://deanaera.home.blog
It all makes sense now. I had a lot of questions though out the book. Why? And anytime now. That’s I I felt when reading this. But when Red walked into that Bar one rainy night, she didn’t know it would set this new path that she would travel. And while traveling that path, she took some people with her. This book guides you on this path slowly, but there is a point to why. I enjoyed the book and look forward to the next one.
****Review Time****
– https://aliciasbookblog106921670.wordpress.com/2020/10/24/the-name-of-red-by-beena-khan-review/
“The Name of Red is a very touching story that also is alluring and evocative. The journey of Red and Kabir was very surprising and keeps you on your feet, guessing what is to happen next and where their relationship is to go. The ending is something you will not see coming. Be ready to go on a journey that is not afraid to make you want to cry at times.”
This is a well written book with strong characters in Red and Kabir and an emotional story line. The author does a beautiful job building their story and pulled me in with all the feels. She gives them a strong connection and a great dialogue as they slowly come together. The story flows fluidly and had me glued to the pages from start to finish reading.
I voluntarily reviewed an ARC of this book. All opinions in this review are my own and freely given.
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It’s refreshing to see a shy male lead but still carrying the aura of importance and strength. The slow burn, feelings, hurt, pain and guilt kept the story going. The ending is not what was expected, but I absolutely loved it!
We meet “Red” who is bold, beautiful and powerful but is drowning in grief, guilt and is spiralling. Kabir is the owner of the restaurant and is drawn to the mysterious women who gives vibes that she doesn’t have a care about anything.
These two can’t be more opposite, yet carry the same amount of pain. Sometimes closure is all you need to grow. Sometimes life gives you happiness not until it’s too late. Sometimes life intervenes and introduces us to people only for a specific motive. Sometimes it’s not about your life, but about theirs and you’re just a helping rock.
The ending list is something which was not expected at all and it made me cry, a lot. () I’m used to happy endings, but this story has a serene, satisfying ending. Maybe if they would’ve met earlier, they would’ve had a happy ending together, but for now it’s a content ending apart.
My Rating: 1/2
Type: Can be read as standalone, Next book available if you need to know what happens next
Genre: Contemporary Fiction Romance
Primary Characters: Kabir & Elif
Narration: Limited third Party
This book is author Beena Khan’s debut novel. This book started out great. Post 1st chapter I was so glued to it. It was liking having a conversation with your dream partner. However, post 1st half it got dragged and it was too much angst, drama and tragedy for my taste.
Book starts with a woman entering the bar, sitting alone, reading and drinking. Everyone notices her due to her striking red dress. Since she doesn’t speak to any one and keeps coming to the same bar every day, people call her “Red”. Then one day a secret admirer of her leaves a book and along with the Note. This book & notes exchange continues for a while until she discovers that her secret admirer is Kabir, who own that bar.
Bookish conversation between Red and Kabir in the first half is wonderful. I fell in love with main protagonists in the first half. Elif being bold, blunt, strong, beautiful and independent with Kabir being shy and kindhearted is totally refreshing to read. I loved the way they bonded over books and shared interests rather than just physical attraction. This book got me more intrigued of Elif Shafak’s work along with several other books which are in my TBR. Loved knowing about some popular books which I had never heard before.
For me book started toppling post first half. There were many repetitive words and phrases which makes it feel tedious and overtly accentuated. I would have ignored the repetitive words and phares if not for too much angst, trauma and tragedy in second half. Due to this Red looked more vulnerable, sadder & dependable rather than her compelling character in first half. Narration style had too many up’s and downs. Loved Aryan for being a faithful and wonderful friend. I couldn’t predict about Nadia due to her limited entry in book. Samar seemed rude; hope we see more depth to his character in coming books.
Overall, author has immense potential & definitely a variety read with wonderful beginning.
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I had the distinct feeling that this book would be a slow burn, and I was glad I was right.
It had me feeling like a secondary school girl with a crush, and full of the accompanying rushing adrenaline of those feelings. The thing is, I wasn’t even that person during that time of my life.
This book is a beautiful love story written with witt and depth that had me page turning till I was done.
Kabir was a breath of fresh air amongst other male protagonist I’ve read. And Red…oh she definitely left an impression.
If I could describe this book in one sentence, I’d say, “ Oh god of slow burns, have mercy on my poor heart!”
The slow burn was the perfect lead to the climax, because when it came, I treasured every moment that led to it even more.
What a wonderful debut by Beena Khan.
grief, addiction, and finding the strength to move on
I tried this because I read that it’s a romance between two readers (and don’t you just want that? ALWAYS!!!). Also, a shy male lead? Yes, please! This really just seem like my type of romance at a glance (minus the booze I guess since I never really drink. but that doesn’t really matter. lol).
The Name of Red follows “Red” who took shelter in Kabir’s bar and restaurant, captured a lot of attention from its patrons, sat on the bar, ordered a drink and read. Beautiful Red who became a regular captured the attention of Kabir who noticed her love for reading and decided to approach her in a really adorable way (and it may seem a bit stalker-ish but I LOVE IT!!!). The novel go through the development of their relationship and slowly which I absolutely LOVE!
Red is beautiful and she knows it. She’s got a strong and straightforward personality and that’s absolutely something I love about her. And like every strong female protagonist, there’s a part of her that she tries so hard to bury. There were times when I’d feel frustrated at the things she does but then after getting to know more of her, you understand why she does that. And it may seem somewhat unreasonable, it really is reasonable for someone who’s going through her thought process and I understand that. It’s all about her development as a character throughout the book and being able to slowly process her grief. And I think Khan really did a fantastic job in really slowly molding Red from who she is in the beginning of the book to who she is by the end of it.
Kabir, the love interest, is an adorable shy boy who I’d want to protect at all cost! I fell in love with him right from his stalker-ish approach to every bit of him. Like Red, he also went through a lot and he really carries himself so well. It may not seem very noticeable but he’s really hungover with the things that went through him and you have to acknowledge his strength to carry on with life.
Other things about the book: (1) it’s an #ownvoices novel that features Muslim and South Asian characters (and Khan describe things that I am not familiar with quite well. And yes, including character names which is really interesting); (2) the reader characters really captured me (although it loses its touch midway through the novel). I LOVE how they met (I don’t know how many times I need to say that I LOVE it!!) and I tried to take note of all the books mentioned and I did but for easy reference, Beena Khan posted it as well!!!; (3) I like how it deals with grief and trauma. I somehow feel for the characters and although there were times I felt frustrated with the things they do, I also somehow understand them by the end of it all (or at least when things about them are finally revealed).
OVERALL, The Name of Red is a really good read if you like romances that involves: (1) readers, (2) a woman with strong personality, and (3) an adorable shy boy. It felt frustrating at times but it takes understanding the characters and where they’re coming from. This book had so much grief that it took me a while to get into Red but I did like her by the end of it.
I really enjoyed this debut novel by this author. The story and the character’s were well written with great detail. This story was full of many emotional situations and exciting experience’s. There were several surprises thrown in this book that gave it twists that really surprised me! I never knew what was going to happen next. I love it when a book does that to me. It was great to see the honestly mixed with the drama of the story. I can tell these characters will stay with me, which is a mark of a story well told. This book is addicting and you will not be able to put it down. It is a must read.
I received an ARC in exchange for an honest review.
4.5 stars for The Name of Red by Beena Khan. This is book one in the Red Series. I have never read any books from this author, this is the first and it won’t be the last. I enjoyed it a lot. “How can you learn to heal if the past is a place you want to stay in?” This book reminded me of all the classic romance I love to read. Two strangers, turn into best friends and then into so much more. It has everything we love in an epic love story. It has love, romance, pain and even loss. I did shed some tears so be sure to have your kleenex read. Red and Kabir both have a love for books and this was what brought them together to begin with. They are extremely different and yet they are still drawn to each other, that is what I enjoyed most about this book. I loved Red and Kabir , I was drawn to Nadia’s character though. I felt so bad for her, and when you read the book you will see why. I believe the power of forgiveness plays a huge role in this book. I am looking forward to reading more from Breena Khan.
The Name of Red is a great debut for Beena Khan. This first installment to her Red series. Her talent really shines through in this debut. The writing style was unique and refreshing. The characters were intriguing and the plot was fabulous. I did not want to put it down until the end.
I am giving The Name of Red four and half stars. I can not wait to read the rest of this series.
I received this book from the publisher. This review is 100% my own honest opinion.
The Name of Red was a wonderful read that drew me in from the first page.
Red is a great heroine. She’s outgoing and loud, but also insightful and clever. She masks her hurt behind an uncaring veneer but inside she’s hiding a lifetime of pain that she’s struggling to deal with. In a lot of ways I related to her, and my curiosity about her story had me turning pages even when I knew I should put the book down for the day.
Then she meets Kabir, the shy bar owner that immediately falls for her even though she won’t let anyone in. He’s nursing his own wounds, but he can’t deny that he wants to get to know Red better. He manages to pique her interest when she discovers his shared love of books. This was one of my favorite aspects of their relationship. Seeing them flirt through books was adorable!
As the book continued it deals with many heavy themes like loss, religion, addiction, and death. I was very surprised with how it ended (which I won’t hint at) but I loved it too. It definitely wasn’t what I thought would happen but it made the book even more realistic in my opinion.
A few moments did bother me since both Kabir and Red seemed to have very traditionally defined ideas of gender such as “men should be alpha” or “females shouldn’t dress that way if they aren’t asking for attention” but for this story it did work. They were both raised very religiously (although the exact religion slips my mind) and it made sense for them to think that way. It just had me bristling at times but it was a minor thing.
Overall I really enjoyed this book. It had the perfect amount of romance, intrigue, mystery, and sadness. I highly recommend this to any fans of romantic literature.
Beena Khan, ‘The Name of Red’.
E Book Version (1).
As a Hidden Gems ARC reader I received a free copy of this book and promised an honest review. Here it is.
Rating: 4,5 (of 5 stars).
In general: A very delicate love story.
Main characters:
– ‘Red’ (29).
She’s an exotic beauty with Pakistani and Persian/Iranian roots, who – 5 years old – came to live in Canada; later she studied Art and became an interior designer.
At the start of the book every evening she visits a bar to read a book and to drink. She communicates only with the bartender to order (a lot of) drinks. Her looks attract many men who try – without success – to approach her.
The first time she entered the bar she wore a red dress. So the regular customers call her ‘Red’.
– Kabir (32).
He too has a Pakistani background and came to the States as a kid. He studied Medicine in New York. But left his medical profession to become the owner of the bar ‘Red’ visited. She intrigues him. But he’s a shy man when he meets women. Nevertheless he discovers a smart way to contact her.
Both main characters had very painful experiences in their lives. The influence of these is so great that enjoying life again is very difficult for them.
The author, Beena Khan, beautifully describes how the two wounded people help each other to rediscover step by step some happiness. It’s not a ‘feel good story’. Therefore the novel contains too much pain. (For this reader Red’s misery was perhaps a bit overdone, esp. her abusive lover experience). But – all in all – the plot was fascinating and very original. And with one of the most beautiful declarations of love I ever read. Furthermore: wonderful characters, sassy (sometimes even funny) dialogues and a story with so much emotion that, for me, it was impossible to put my iPad away. I finished the book in one long reading session.
So I’m looking forward with high expectations to the duet novel to the ‘Name of Red’.
R. Huiszoon.
This story draws you in and Red is a character that captures your attention. Red comes into the bar to read and drink always turning ignoring patrons who speak to her. The story is quite descriptive and has you in Red and Kabir’s corner to get a chance for a happily ever after. I voluntarily agreed to receive an ARC of this book for an honest review.
This is the 3rd book I’ve read written by Beena Khan; she has done a great job at writing a good book; I can’t wait to read more of her books.
The story line caught my attention at the very beginning and kept me interested throughout the entire book.
I received a free copy of this book via booksprout and I’m voluntarily leaving a review.