The Marriage Clock raises all the right questions about society’s views of love and marriage

Zara Raheem’s The Marriage Clock offers a story that all women will be able to relate to, raising important questions about expectations, marriage, and love.

It’s not often you find a rom-com story that stands out against the many romance novels and contemporary stories lining the shelves of Barnes and Noble. Zara Raheem’s The Marriage Clock, however, takes a unique and charming look at the beliefs we hold in regard to love and marriage. And that’s precisely why readers should be adding this novel to their August TBR piles.

The Marriage Clock follows 26-year-old Leila Abid whose entire life has become a ticking clock. Her traditional Muslim parents feel that a woman her age should already be fulfilling her life’s purpose — to get married — and they’ll do anything to see that come to fruition, even if it means arranging a marriage for Leila themselves.

Leila, whose views surrounding relationships and marriage are far more Americanized, doesn’t really click with any of the suitors her parents choose for her. And Leila also has a problem of her own: While her parents are happy to see her wind up with just about anyone, Leila’s often been accused of being a bit too picky when it comes to men.

A childhood spent watching Bollywood films left her with a seven-napkin-long checklist of requirements for her soulmate — which mostly results in disappointment when she writes off every guy who doesn’t live up to her expectations. With only three months to find the one, however, Leila is forced to reconsider what she wants in a relationship. But how much will she need to compromise on?

This storyline sets The Marriage Clock up to address two major issues surrounding society’s views of marriage. For one, it highlights the fact that older generations tend to view women as having only one purpose: to marry and procreate. This, of course, is a problem in itself. At 26 years old, why shouldn’t Leila be able to remain single until she chooses to settle down? And who says she needs to be married at all?

Leila’s experience throughout the book highlights the uncomfortable truth that a woman’s worth should be about more than meeting the expectations of others. And getting married and having a family should be about more than ticking off boxes on a checklist before we reach a certain age.

But Leila’s expectations also raise an important question about the types of media young women are consuming growing up. Many of us are taught from day one that love is this magical entity, when in reality, relationships are often wrought with compromises. Leila’s unrealistic standards are representative of an entire generation’s views surrounding love — and they may not be the healthiest views.

Of course, Raheem weaves humor into her prose, making this story lighthearted even as it addresses more serious underlying topics. Leila herself is witty and comical, and readers will find themselves rooting for her happiness — whether she finds it with a potential match or all on her own.

And the role Leila’s faith plays throughout the novel cannot be understated. Whether you’re looking to learn more about Muslim culture or you’re hoping to find your own experience within the book’s pages, The Marriage Clock delivers a charming tale of a Muslim family balancing their culture and faith with the American lifestyle they’ve adopted over time.

Have you read The Marriage Clock? Let us know what you thought of it in the comments below!