Fatima Tate Takes the Cake

De: Khadijah VanBrakle

Narrado por: Shayna Small

Fatima Tate wants to be a baker AND enjoy some innocent flirting with her hot friend Raheem—but her strict Muslim parents would never approve of either...

Seventeen-year-old Fatima Tate, aspiring baker (100% against her conservative parents’ wishes), leads a pretty normal life in Albuquerque: long drives with BFF Zaynab, weekly services at the mosque, big family parties, soup kitchen volunteering (the best way to perfect her flaky dough recipe!), stressing about college.

But everything changes when she meets a charming university student named Raheem. Knowing the 'rents would FREAK, Fatima keeps their burgeoning relationship a secret... and then, one day, her parents and his parents decide to arrange their marriage. Amazing! True serendipity!

Except it's not amazing. As soon as the ring is on Fatima’s finger, Raheem’s charm transforms into control and manipulation. Fatima knows she has to call the whole thing off, but Raheem doesn’t like to lose. He threatens to reveal their premarital sexual history and destroy her and her family’s reputation in their tight-knit Muslim community.

Fatima must find the inner strength to blaze her own trail by owning her body, her choices, and her future. Combining the frank authenticity of Elizabeth Acevedo and the complex social dynamics of Ibi Zoboi, FATIMA TATE TAKES THE CAKE is a powerful coming-of-age story that gives a much-needed voice to young Black Muslim women.

©2023 Khadijah VanBrakle (P)2023 Recorded Books

I’m Recommending This to Everyone!

I love listening to audiobooks while I clean the house or finish up projects. This story was so captivating that I kept stopping to just listen—so I’m blaming Khadijah for my sink full of dirty dishes (and the bags under my eyes because I didn’t want to stop listening to go to bed)!! I can’t wait to try the recipes included at the end of the book (so glad I ordered a print copy in addition to the audiobook!!), and I am definitely adding this one to my list of books to recommend. 💕

Great YA baking romance!

This was a great coming of age story featuring a Black Muslim American teen who wants to be a professional baker despite her conservative parent's strict wishes otherwise. Fatima navigates her passion for baking through a teen baking competition while also getting to know a new husband prospect, Raheem, who ultimately turns into a controlling figure in her life who threatens to reveal her sexual history to her parents and their religious community. Great on audio and perfect for fans of authors like Sabina Khan or Farah Heron.

Very realistic

As a muslim i applaud the author for her courage in addressing issues many of us face. I plan to recommend this book to my granddaughters and friends.