bookb1itch's review against another edition
emotional
hopeful
lighthearted
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.0
Content Warnings
Moderate: Islamophobia, Hate crime, Religious bigotry, Antisemitism, and Racism
Minor: Panic attacks/disorders
This was a good, fun, wholesome romance novel with just enough comedy to alleviate the fact that it is actually about political campaigning. Loved both the main characters as well as their assorted friends and families. Lovely juxta-positioning of the two religions - Judaism and Islam. Won't hesitate to recommend to 12 yo readers.vinterthunder's review against another edition
5.0
4.5 stars. Honestly, one of the reasons I picked this book up was because of the election setting. As a foreigner living in the US, the election here is fascinating and complicated. The book makes me think of local elections in a whole new way and how much they matter. Not to mention how cute Jamie and Maya are together. Great book. I read it in one sitting. :)
rhughes7's review against another edition
4.0
What YA fiction should be. Simplifies things in the best possible way, while still maintaining nuance.
katcg's review against another edition
funny
hopeful
relaxing
fast-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? It's complicated
3.75
irrelahvant's review
2.0
The book set place in the suburban neighbourhood in Georgia (correct me if I'm wrong) where we meet former friends; Jamie and Maya. Jamie is Jewish whereas Maya is a Muslim. We follow their adventures as they reunite and promote the campaign of a democrat senator for the town.
First off, I am never a fan of split narrative, it's like one moment you'll be reading in the voice of Jamie - getting to know him better, being his shoes and you're then somehow in Maya's shoes instead and you're just like.....wait a minute. You know how they say like you're in the flow of a book and you've stopped abruptly as the narrative. Yup.
There's a few themes going on while I ventured further into the book - there were a few pretty sensitive topics that were brought to life; for example - this book was set during the holy month of fasting / Ramadan which is relatively rare in the generalised YA books. My girl Maya really be kissing James during Ramadan huh.
I appreciate getting to explore more on Muslim / Jewish tradititons but I felt like that quote;
'Too many cooks spoil the broth'
There are so many issues and topics that are being handled in one book that it felt meh. It just turned out to be very one-sided. Like for example, they'll be discussing about Ramadan, then it's on Hijab Ban, then tackling a bit on racism. For me, I would prefer if the author chose a theme and explore more on the topic throughout the book - for example, if the scene is to be set in Ramadan - then focus more on the holy month. Instead of, you know, acknowledging it and just leaving it there.
Onto the character, personally I found that Maya has a very 'Blame everyone but yourself' vibe going on.
Is that how teenagers are?
WAS I LIKE THAT?
I cannot symphatise with her - She reminds me of an acquaintance I know who needs to let people know she's grunge, not your average Muslim and, to always feel bad for her. This person would get really angry when you wish your fellow Muslim pals a 'Eid Mubarak' when you're not Arab. And I'll just be side-eyeing her like.......
I can see that Jamie is trying his best to socialise with Maya but she gives off this 'The World vs. Me' vibe.
Overall, I felt like the book could do away with some parts of the story as I skimmed through several chapters could still have a rough idea of what is going on. I also thought that it could focus on a handful (one or two) major topics to discuss on but not a whole chunk of it as it would then feel very one-sided.
At the end of the day; I like to think back on what did I learn from the book.
So far, not much.
First off, I am never a fan of split narrative, it's like one moment you'll be reading in the voice of Jamie - getting to know him better, being his shoes and you're then somehow in Maya's shoes instead and you're just like.....wait a minute. You know how they say like you're in the flow of a book and you've stopped abruptly as the narrative. Yup.
There's a few themes going on while I ventured further into the book - there were a few pretty sensitive topics that were brought to life; for example - this book was set during the holy month of fasting / Ramadan which is relatively rare in the generalised YA books. My girl Maya really be kissing James during Ramadan huh.
I appreciate getting to explore more on Muslim / Jewish tradititons but I felt like that quote;
'Too many cooks spoil the broth'
There are so many issues and topics that are being handled in one book that it felt meh. It just turned out to be very one-sided. Like for example, they'll be discussing about Ramadan, then it's on Hijab Ban, then tackling a bit on racism. For me, I would prefer if the author chose a theme and explore more on the topic throughout the book - for example, if the scene is to be set in Ramadan - then focus more on the holy month. Instead of, you know, acknowledging it and just leaving it there.
Onto the character, personally I found that Maya has a very 'Blame everyone but yourself' vibe going on.
Is that how teenagers are?
WAS I LIKE THAT?
I cannot symphatise with her - She reminds me of an acquaintance I know who needs to let people know she's grunge, not your average Muslim and, to always feel bad for her. This person would get really angry when you wish your fellow Muslim pals a 'Eid Mubarak' when you're not Arab. And I'll just be side-eyeing her like.......
I can see that Jamie is trying his best to socialise with Maya but she gives off this 'The World vs. Me' vibe.
Overall, I felt like the book could do away with some parts of the story as I skimmed through several chapters could still have a rough idea of what is going on. I also thought that it could focus on a handful (one or two) major topics to discuss on but not a whole chunk of it as it would then feel very one-sided.
At the end of the day; I like to think back on what did I learn from the book.
So far, not much.
bowtiequeer's review against another edition
emotional
funny
hopeful
inspiring
lighthearted
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? No
3.75
tcarg's review against another edition
4.0
This book (and my review of it) is dedicated to Stacey Abrams and Jon Ossoff. I’m very glad I read this *after* the GA senate runoff so that I didn’t have to feel totally hopeless.
briaraq's review against another edition
2.0
I didn’t like this book. Maya is literally celebrating Ramadan and all she does is fast. She briefly mentions to Jamie that she doesn’t want to go against her religion then puts it on her parents. It just didn’t seem like religion was important to her, so what was the point of her being Muslim? Yeah, she fights back against the hijab bill, but was that for Muslims or just her mom? Anyway, I think if you’re going to bring a religious holiday into the story then it needs to truly be part of the story because all Maya cares about is how hungry she is from fasting. Also, I hate the whole “I’m giving up my religion for this white boy” trope. Why is it that poc always have to give up things for white people? And why as poc would anyone want to keep dealing out this trope? Give me a “I’m a white boy giving up my religion for literally any other person” trope.
It is cool that the authors actually went door to door campaigning to get more info about that.
It is cool that the authors actually went door to door campaigning to get more info about that.
vsrkive's review against another edition
This might be the greatest collaboration ever. Fingers crossed
mcoenraad's review against another edition
challenging
emotional
lighthearted
reflective
slow-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
4.25