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Moti on the Water Kindle Edition

by Leylah Attar (Author) Format: Kindle Edition
4.4 4.4 out of 5 stars 582 ratings
2019 Writer's Digest Award Winner: A delightful romantic comedy about family, love, and inconvenient truths from New York Times bestselling author, Leylah Attar.

A Greek family. An Indian family. A summer wedding on the Aegean coast…

Meet Moti Ferreira—spectacularly jinxed from the day she’s born.

Saddled with an eccentric mother, she stumbles upon the one man who holds the key to her freedom—the best man at her cousin’s upcoming wedding.

All Moti has to do is overcome her fear of water, board a yacht to the Greek Isles, seduce the dreamy Nikos Manolas, and survive two weeks at sea with her oddball family.

The only obstacle Moti doesn’t see coming is Alexandros Veronis, the onboard chef and star witness to her awkward mishaps. He transforms onions into chocolate and aroma into nostalgia. Day by day, his alchemy works its magic on Moti. But she’s not the only one falling under his spell. Everyone has a secret, growing round and ripe at Chef Alex’s table. When the masks fall off, they spill out one by one, and everything blows up in their faces.

Now Moti’s truth is exposed, and worse, she’s hooked on more than Alex's midnight snacks. But this time, screwing up could be the best thing she’s ever done…
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  1. Print length
    296 pages
  2. Language
    English
  3. Publication date
    August 13, 2019
  4. File size
    688 KB
  5. Page Flip
    Enabled
  6. Word Wise
    Enabled
  7. Enhanced typesetting
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Editorial Reviews

Review

"The most purely delightful story I've read in a long time!" - Aestas Book Blog

"ABSOLUTELY HILARIOUS in only the smartest, most brilliantly superb ways... The feel good story of the year." - Jessica Sotelo, Angie and Jessica's Dreamy Reads

"Flawless character development, hilarious situations, exotic locations. What looked to be a recipe for disaster ended up being a recipe for love!"- SueBee Bring Me an Alpha (Goodreads reviewer)

"I have never giggled so much throughout reading before, I have never LOVED a heroine like I loved Moti before!"- Kitty Kats Krazy About Books

"What a refreshing read... The characters were quirky and beautifully flawed. The story itself was the perfect blend of sweet and sexy."- Heather M. Orgeron (Author, Boomerangers)

"Hilarious, sweet and so rich with lessons in love, life and different culture. Leylah Attar grabbed us from the get-go with a quirky family dynamic, an adorable heroine, a passionate hero and an engaging storyline." - Totally BookedBlog

"Don't miss this sparkling, delicious delight." - Cat Porter (Author, Lock & Key series)

"This book was truly a magical treat... Leylah crafted a fun-filled, heartfelt story of family, self discovery, and love. " - Nicole Sands (Goodreads reviewer)

"This was a breath of fresh air in a world of mundane books... I laughed out loud. I swooned so hard. I COULD. NOT. GET. ENOUGH!"- Book and a Blanket

"I have never given more than 5 stars for what could be seen as romcom so far but Moti is in a category of its own!" - Beware of the Reader

"An enchanting romantic comedy...an overload for your senses!" - Bellaorev Books

"Heart touching and soulful, mystical and magical, this story will definitely leave its permanent mark on you." - Book Bistro

About the Author

Leylah Attar is the New York Times and USA Today bestselling author of 53 Letters for My Lover and From His Lips. She writes stories about love-shaken, stirred, and served with a twist. Sometimes she disappears into the black hole of the internet, but can usually be enticed out with chocolate.

Product details

  • ASIN ‏ : ‎ B07W1HGZ5W
  • Publisher ‏ : ‎ (August 13, 2019)
  • Publication date ‏ : ‎ August 13, 2019
  • Language ‏ : ‎ English
  • File size ‏ : ‎ 688 KB
  • Simultaneous device usage ‏ : ‎ Unlimited
  • Text-to-Speech ‏ : ‎ Enabled
  • Screen Reader ‏ : ‎ Supported
  • Enhanced typesetting ‏ : ‎ Enabled
  • X-Ray ‏ : ‎ Enabled
  • Word Wise ‏ : ‎ Enabled
  • Print length ‏ : ‎ 296 pages
  • Customer Reviews:
    4.4 4.4 out of 5 stars 582 ratings

About the author

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Leylah Attar

Leylah Attar

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Leylah Attar is an award-winning author of women’s fiction and contemporary romance. Her work has appeared on multiple bestselling lists, including the New York Times, USA Today, and Wall Street Journal. A recipient of the Writer’s Digest Award (for Moti on the Water) and the Indie Reader Discovery Award (for Mists of The Serengeti), Leylah writes emotionally compelling characters and unique stories that range from rom-com to dark romantic suspense.

Website ➜ http://www.leylahattar.com/

Facebook ➜ https://www.facebook.com/leylah.attar

Instagram ➜ https://www.instagram.com/leylah.attar/

Tiktok ➜ https://www.tiktok.com/@leylah.attar

Twitter ➜ https://twitter.com/leylahattar

Goodreads ➜ https://www.goodreads.com/leylah_attar

Bookbub ➜ https://www.bookbub.com/authors/leylah-attar

Customer reviews

4.4 out of 5 stars
582 global ratings

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Customers say

Customers enjoyed the book's humor and lighthearted tone. They found the story sweet, romantic, and heartfelt. The characters were described as relatable, richly written, and diverse. Readers praised the writing quality as exquisite, bold, and well-edited. Overall, they felt the book was an enjoyable read with a magical feel.

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HumorReadabilityStory qualityCharacter developmentWriting qualityStorytellingTasteLightness
42 customers mention "Humor"42 positive0 negative

Customers enjoy the humor in the book. They find it lighthearted, with hysterical antics and interesting characters. The story is described as entertaining and quirky.

"...Full of laughs, older people that have sage advice, and a woman looking to find herself...." Read more

"...Not only did it sound like a fun story (which it is) but the gorgeous cover had me thinking summer, swimming, and enjoying the freedoms of the..." Read more

"Leylah Attar's prolific words will leave you pining to live aboard a wedding yacht that might include your most audacious wedding adventure to..." Read more

"...too erotic for my tastes at one point but overall a light and humorous girlie book." Read more

42 customers mention "Readability"42 positive0 negative

Customers enjoy the book's readability and find it engaging. They describe it as a lighthearted summer read with funny characters. The book is described as fun, sweet, and full of love, laughter, family secrets, and an enjoyable way to spend a few hours.

"...This is perfect for summer reading and it's perfect to break you out of a reading slump. Totally recommend. "Cook. Eat. Repeat...." Read more

"...Not only did it sound like a fun story (which it is) but the gorgeous cover had me thinking summer, swimming, and enjoying the freedoms of the..." Read more

"...I adored Alex right from the get go. He's self-assured, charming and talented in the kitchen, where he brings the art of cuisine to life...." Read more

"...Our heroine, Moti, is very much like the islands of Greece; enchanted, beautiful, and a bit quirky. In other words, she's absolutely perfect...." Read more

33 customers mention "Story quality"31 positive2 negative

Customers enjoy the story. They find it sweet, romantic, and heartwarming. The book is described as a blend of comedy and drama, with an amazing cultural aspect. Readers appreciate the well-written love story that develops slowly.

"...This book (in my opinion) is mainly a family drama , but also focuses on the growth of the story’s heroine, Moti...." Read more

"...It's a story about family, expectations, liberation and being true to oneself, among other things...." Read more

"Romance and silliness are the main characteristics of this novel but there is a little Greek culture and scenery at times...." Read more

"...There is wonderful banter and family dynamics that will keep you in stitches...." Read more

22 customers mention "Character development"22 positive0 negative

Customers enjoy the relatable and fun characters in the book. They appreciate the diverse cast and well-written characters. The relationships between the characters are handled with love, laughter, and food. Readers feel for the main character Moti and Alex.

"...It's not full of angst, but the balance of the travel, character's banter and the mix of family through the story, it was a perfect combination for..." Read more

"...Moti is such a relatable character and seeing her slowly free herself from her family’s superstitions and traditions was a breath of fresh air...." Read more

"...All of the characters were entertaining and the ending when everyone said what was on their minds was my favorite part of the story...." Read more

"...The secondary characters were also all hilarious and I am dying to go on vacation with them all...." Read more

20 customers mention "Writing quality"20 positive0 negative

Customers enjoy the writing quality. They find the stories engaging and well-written. The book is easy to read, with great plots and character development. Readers appreciate the author's eloquent descriptions of locales and scenery that make them feel like they are there in Greece.

"...If you are looking for a beautifully written book with characters that you want to know and be friends with, you've landed on the book for you...." Read more

"...did a wonderful job at bringing Moti to life, along with the gorgeous setting where I was temporarily vacationing right alongside her...." Read more

"...in a cultural experience with food flair because the visualizations are so vivid. I laughed, but I also swooned and felt my heart squeeze." Read more

"...With Attars' eloquent descriptive locales you will experience the grandeur of Greece!..." Read more

7 customers mention "Storytelling"7 positive0 negative

Customers enjoyed the storytelling. They found the book relatable and funny. The characters were described as charming, self-assured, and talented in the kitchen. Overall, they felt the story was worth the wait.

"...Laylah did a wonderful job at bringing Moti to life, along with the gorgeous setting where I was temporarily vacationing right alongside her...." Read more

"...He's self-assured, charming and talented in the kitchen, where he brings the art of cuisine to life...." Read more

"...and his third thumb kind of creeped me out a little bit, it made sense for Moti's story...." Read more

"...But she did an amazing job on this. It was so worth the wait. AND...I want onions that taste like chocolate...and I HATE onions!..." Read more

7 customers mention "Taste"7 positive0 negative

Customers enjoy the book's taste. They find it entertaining and engaging, with interesting characters and a well-written story that captivates them from start to finish. The book is described as refreshing, addictive, and a joy for the senses.

"...food served to the family, this whole story was one that fueled all the senses. "..." Read more

"Moti on the Water, a refreshing and entertaining romantic comedy, new from Leylah Attar!! This woman can write comedy like nobodies' business...." Read more

"...This book was funny and entertaining. It was different. Fresh. Throw in a hot chef and you've got the perfect read...." Read more

"An amazing read that captivate s you from the first word to the last. Hilariously laugh out loud funny, Moti is so relatable !!..." Read more

6 customers mention "Lightness"6 positive0 negative

Customers enjoy the book's lightness. They find it funny, delicious, and inspiring.

"...This book may have been light and fun, but it also had a message in there as well...." Read more

"...Book gets a little too erotic for my tastes at one point but overall a light and humorous girlie book." Read more

"...This one is almost that one's polar opposite. MOTI is closer to light and breezy than to angsty, even though it does have a few touches of..." Read more

"...It's far lighter and laugh out loud funny, yet has the emotional depth and exceptional characterisation we can expect from this author...." Read more

A beautiful magical story about family, love & finding yourself.
5 out of 5 stars
A beautiful magical story about family, love & finding yourself.
MOTI ON THE WATER was the most fun, beautiful story, one of my favorite books I read this year ❤️🙌🏼. 5 stars ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️ and 3 thumbs up! 👍🏼 👍🏼👍🏼. What starts as a funny story with a pro disastrous protagonist quickly turns into a beautiful magical story about family, love and finding yourself.I knew I was going to love this book but I didn’t expect to love it this much, the best thing for me wasn’t the amazing characters or even the story, it was the way it’s written, the way she describes life and everything happening, the way each character was made, the way it made me feel even on the simplest moments 💕💕.Moti was an Indian-American girl, dealing with an overbearing mother and the expectations she had for her daughter. While on the crossroads to please her mother and being true to herself , she learns to accept herself and embarks on a journey of finding what she loves, and who she loves. “You accept a lot of things as a kid. You accept the things your parents tell you. They’re your first point of contact with the world. You trust them. You base your worth on them. Parts of you remain hard-wired when you grow up. Even when you know better, you still feel it.”Alex, the on board chef, who loved food more than anyone I’ve ever seen (or read), the way he describes food and how it affects everything in life, the way he cooked making everyone eating emotional to the point of crying, and the way everything he said was like poetry, makes you fall in love with him hard and fast. He was THE ULTIMATE BOOK BOYFRIEND!! 😍“You don’t need a man with three thumbs, Moti. Just one with magic in his hands. One who will hold your heart as if it’s the most precious thing in the world. See this man here, standing right in front of you? He can transform onions into chocolate. If that’s not magic, I don’t know what is.”💫I can honestly go on & on about this book, every chapter was amazing, the families dynamics, the relatable experiences & characters, I loved everything! 1 week later & im still hungover and unable to start another book
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Top reviews from the United States

  • AlohaD
    5.0 out of 5 stars A book for all the senses! Immerse yourself in the perfect summer read!
    Reviewed in the United States on August 23, 2019
    Verified Purchase
    Oh. My. Goodness! This book totally and completely surprised me. I knew with it being a Leylah Attar book that I would enjoy the writing, but this book was a beautiful experience and perfect for a summer read. It's not full of angst, but the balance of the travel, character's banter and the mix of family through the story, it was a perfect combination for me.

    Moti and her family are of an Eastern Indian background (but a more Western religious beliefs). Their family is accompanied on a yacht through the Greek isles by her cousin's fiancé's family who is Greek. It's a mix of families, ethnicities, and financial differences. All together to enjoy a beautiful place and the pending nuptials of Isabelle and Thomas. With the families and the crew of the yacht, everything should be easy going, right? Not so fast. Love is in the air, but family differences plays a big part in the whole arc of the story. That along with the amazing food served to the family, this whole story was one that fueled all the senses.

    "Every time you share a meal with someone, you bring your history, your country, your region, your religion, your tribe, your grandmother with you. You sit with your past, your opinions, your love, your curiosity, your resentments, your hospitality. Food is where we all intersect. Everywhere you go, anywhere we go."

    Food, family and love is where this story wins every point for me. The banter and laughs between the characters was funny and I could relate. I loved the fact that they included more diverse characters which is so needed in the romance world. The writing is perfection and I absolutely want every meal that Alex cooked. The relationship between the characters was handled with love, laughs and again food. This book may have been light and fun, but it also had a message in there as well.

    If you are looking for a beautifully written book with characters that you want to know and be friends with, you've landed on the book for you. Full of laughs, older people that have sage advice, and a woman looking to find herself. This is perfect for summer reading and it's perfect to break you out of a reading slump. Totally recommend.

    "Cook. Eat. Repeat. Give each other the freedom to grow, find a reason to come together, and keep coming back for more."
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  • Elle G.
    4.0 out of 5 stars 4.5 Breezy Stars
    Reviewed in the United States on May 24, 2020
    Verified Purchase
    Moti on the Water fits into a plethora of genres. This book (in my opinion) is mainly a family drama , but also focuses on the growth of the story’s heroine, Moti. Much of the story surrounds her “finding herself” and finally loosening herself from her mother’s grip which makes it a good candidate for women’s fiction readers. Finally, there’s a splash of romance the blossoms between Moti and a man who is almost forbidden to her, which mainly takes place towards the end. Don’t get me wrong, the romance factor is THERE but this story doesn’t JUST fall within that category. The story doesn’t JUST focus on her romantic life, but more about HER finally becoming comfortable in her own skin. Therefore, this book can fit into a wide variety of genres and can be easily loved by many readers!

    I’ve only read one of the authors previous novels (The Paper Swan) and remembered how much I loved that book back in 2015 so I decided to give this one a try. Not only did it sound like a fun story (which it is) but the gorgeous cover had me thinking summer, swimming, and enjoying the freedoms of the outdoors (all things that I love!). When I tucked into this novel last night, I literally got lost in the world. Moti is such a relatable character and seeing her slowly free herself from her family’s superstitions and traditions was a breath of fresh air. I don’t get to read many books like this so when I found it, I was overjoyed. Laylah did a wonderful job at bringing Moti to life, along with the gorgeous setting where I was temporarily vacationing right alongside her. The romance factor was beautiful, although it took a lot of time to get there. I don’t mind a slow burn romance but when a book only spans two weeks and it doesn’t truly develop until the two weeks is almost up, it can become frustrating. Us readers KNOW what Moti should do but having to patiently wait for her to make up her mind and understand her worth and what she deserves was a bit underwhelming. I say underwhelming because I expected FIREWORKS and it took SO LING to get there. I think that’s my only complaint about this novel.

    Other than that, this is truly a gorgeous and uplifting story and I read it as fast as I could. I loved Moti and her family, I laughed out loud quite a few times (there is a lot of humor in this one), and I connected with these characters implicitly. I look forward to many more novels by Laylah because she writes gorgeous stories!
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  • Michelle
    5.0 out of 5 stars Moti decides her own fate
    Reviewed in the United States on August 14, 2019
    Verified Purchase
    4.5 stars. Compared to Leylah Attar's other works, this one is more of the rom com and light hearted variety. But don't let that fool you, because there are still several deeper layers of thought provoking substance embedded within it. It's a story about family, expectations, liberation and being true to oneself, among other things. Moti is always trying to meet the demands of her mother in an attempt to earn her love and approval, but seems to keep falling short. At her cousin's wedding on a cruise ship, she is surrounded by family who all have their own issues, as well as a sexy chef name Alex who keeps interrupting her plans as she tries to pursue a different guy who checks all the right boxes, Nikos. Moti has to weigh the burden of pleasing her mother versus going after her own goals and living for herself even if it's at the cost of her mother withdrawing completely. I adored Alex right from the get go. He's self-assured, charming and talented in the kitchen, where he brings the art of cuisine to life. It wasn't the dimples or man bun that won me over, but the shark oven mitts. As with her other books, Moti on the Water feels like submerging in a cultural experience with food flair because the visualizations are so vivid. I laughed, but I also swooned and felt my heart squeeze.
    4 people found this helpful
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Top reviews from other countries

  • Fallen For Books
    5.0 out of 5 stars Loved it.
    Reviewed in India on October 7, 2021
    Verified Purchase
    Being an Indian , I was able to connect to the story. I think it's very we have Indian characters in books. Many nationalities are covered but not Indian. So this book was refreshing for me.
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  • Sher_Monty
    5.0 out of 5 stars Beautiful mix of Indian and Greek culture
    Reviewed in Canada on September 1, 2019
    Verified Purchase
    I love a great love story, especially when you can FEEL the moments when it’s happening. Then the author hits us with delicious cuisine I swear I could taste the way she described it and how food connects us all...so beautifully done. There’s so much more about the roles we play to please others and how to overcome and be ourselves, I’ll never get enough of stories like this. Definitely recommend if you want a light and still meaningful read.
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  • Soulla.G
    5.0 out of 5 stars A SENSATIONAL, MULTI-LAYERED SUMMER READ! LEYLAH ATTAR AS YOU'VE NEVER HEARD HER BEFORE!
    Reviewed in the United Kingdom on August 13, 2019
    Verified Purchase
    My words are not good enough to describe how much I adore this unique and refreshing story.

    Leylah Attar has sprinkled her magic all over these pages, and has proven once again that she is a master of her game. She is in a class of her own, and let me tell you, when her mind starts cooking up a story, we can rest assured that it will be an experience not to missed.

    Attar has nailed the art of transporting her readers to far away places, and through her trademark prose, we are thrown into cultures and fascinating traditions that we would otherwise know little about, were it not for her exquisite stories.

    You want to read something different? Meet Moti, our 24 year old, Indian-American heroine, who is torn between her obligations to her family and living her best life. Yes, this story is light and refreshing. It's laugh out loud funny in places, and the perfect summer read, but don't be fooled by the humour. Attar has weaved some very relatable and deep themes throughout the pages of this much anticipated novel.

    We are whisked away on a super-yacht around the Cyclades - a group of Greek Islands in the Aegean Sea - where the author has nailed the Greek and Indian cultures to a T. The characters are very real and relatable, and you'll find yourself howling at some of the antics on board the Abigail Rose II. But amidst the laughter, your heart will fall in love with Moti, a quirky, clever, funny, clumsy, self-conscious young lady, whose mission in life is to please her mother.

    Not only will you be overloaded with the sights of the mesmerising Cyclades, your senses will be exploding when Chef Alexandros, the on-board chef, is introduced. His food will take you on a culinary adventure, and your taste buds will be zinging and pinging with delight.

    Can Chef Alex find a way to Moti's heart through her stomach, or will she remain loyal and steadfast in her quest to please her mother?

    Moti On The Water is a hilarious and heartwarming story of family, loyalty, obligation, and finding yourself. I defy you not to fall in love with Moti, with the Greek isles, and with Alex and his magical powers that can transform onions into chocolate.

    This is a summer read not to be missed!
    Perfection once again from Leylah Attar.
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  • Kelly
    4.0 out of 5 stars Team Alex!
    Reviewed in Australia on August 14, 2019
    Verified Purchase
    Moti on the Water was such a sweet and funny read that had me smiling constantly throughout the story. Poor Moti - saddled with her Mother's expectations, she has to decide what ( or who ) it is she really wants - Nikos Manolas or Chef Alex.

    Chef Alex - what a guy! Gorgeous, patient, funny, and the man can cook. I was on team Alex all the way. A few more serious scenes towards the end, but overall a fairly light hearted read.
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  • Kindle Customer
    5.0 out of 5 stars Great read
    Reviewed in the United Kingdom on July 30, 2020
    Verified Purchase
    Absolutely loved this book. Well written as always by Leylah. It couldn't be more different than her other books but nevertheless a good read. I love the style of Leylars books they grip you from the start wether it be goodies or baddies you are always engrossed. I'm just sorry I have finished . Write another one quick.
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