scoupsapphic's review against another edition
emotional
reflective
sad
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.25
andipants's review against another edition
2.0
The story was okay, but the characters were flat and mostly unlikable. Nasrin in particular came across as spoiled and self-centered, and I had no idea why Sahar liked her so much. There was a line about Nasrin listening to Sahar when no one else would, but we don't see that at all. The storyline with Ali also seemed half-baked, almost an afterthought. One of my biggest complaints was the writing style; the sentences are short and choppy and almost no description is given of anything or anyone. The dialogue also does not sound natural at all. It reads like perhaps the author is not a native English speaker, which would make sense, but per the back flap, she has an MFA from a university in Massachusetts, so perhaps it's a stylistic choice. Either way, it wasn't working for me.
The story was interesting, particularly the details about Iranian culture and customs, and it was fascinating (and sometimes scary) watching Sahar navigate this oppressive and sometimes dangerous culture. But unfortunately the writing gets in the way of it.
The story was interesting, particularly the details about Iranian culture and customs, and it was fascinating (and sometimes scary) watching Sahar navigate this oppressive and sometimes dangerous culture. But unfortunately the writing gets in the way of it.
annas2345's review against another edition
4.0
This sapphic story happens in a country where those kind of love stories usually don't have a happy ending. I enjoyed being transported to a different country. The characters acted like teens... dumb and making life altering decisions without thinking everything through. But I loved that kind of shortsightedness.
karimorton33's review against another edition
4.0
Wow, this one was even more heart wrenching than Tell Me Again How a Crush Should Feel! I never knew that being transgender in Iran was accepted, while being gay/lesbian is not. I felt so much for Sahar and her struggle, and really enjoyed this as a quick read that also felt somewhat educational and emotional.
lindaunconventionalbookworms's review against another edition
4.0
*I received a free ARC of If You Could Be Mine from Alguonquin Young Readers via Netgalley in exchange of an honest review*
This and other reviews can also be found on my blog (un)Conventional Bookviews
This is a very sweet and tender story of two girls in love, in Iran, where homosexuality is punishable by hanging.
If You Could be Mine is a very sweet story about two young Iranian women. They have known each other their whole lives, as their mothers were best friends as well. When they were six years old, Sahar realized she really loved Nasrin, and she even told her mother. Her mother quietly told her never to speak of that again, and that this is just not natural at all.
This and other reviews can also be found on my blog (un)Conventional Bookviews
This is a very sweet and tender story of two girls in love, in Iran, where homosexuality is punishable by hanging.
If You Could be Mine is a very sweet story about two young Iranian women. They have known each other their whole lives, as their mothers were best friends as well. When they were six years old, Sahar realized she really loved Nasrin, and she even told her mother. Her mother quietly told her never to speak of that again, and that this is just not natural at all.
foleyzac's review against another edition
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
2.75
kdotreads's review against another edition
3.0
While the premise of the storyline is intriguing, the language falls a little flat to keep the reader engaged. While I get the book is the mindset of 17-year-old towards the end of the book the wording gets a little repetitive. The story is heartbreaking, but I felt Farizan narration failed to pull me in to fell the pain of Sahar.
laratboulos's review against another edition
challenging
emotional
hopeful
informative
reflective
sad
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
4.75
jnlletrry's review against another edition
4.0
I enjoyed this book.
I think Farizan could have done more with it, but for what she did/what it is, it was a good read.
I think the most striking part of this book was the heartbreak. It was practically tangible and relatable: not that we all fall in love with our best friends, but I think we have all had our hearts broken in one way or another.
Easy read, not a stereotypical love story, and a plot that makes you question how far you will/would go to be with the one that you love.
Full 4 out of 5 from me.
I think Farizan could have done more with it, but for what she did/what it is, it was a good read.
I think the most striking part of this book was the heartbreak. It was practically tangible and relatable: not that we all fall in love with our best friends, but I think we have all had our hearts broken in one way or another.
Easy read, not a stereotypical love story, and a plot that makes you question how far you will/would go to be with the one that you love.
Full 4 out of 5 from me.