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icanbeyourqueero's review against another edition
emotional
funny
hopeful
inspiring
lighthearted
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.25
If I didn't have to sleep and look after myself this would have been a one sitting read. New autobuy author for sure!
Content Warnings
Graphic: Biphobia, Islamophobia, and Toxic friendship
A lot of the book includes microagressions that are key to one of the characters stories. It's handled really well!abitbetterbooks's review against another edition
emotional
hopeful
reflective
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? It's complicated
4.0
After seeing this book recommended about a thousand times by bookstagram, I finally went for it! I have to admit the reason I held off so long is because I’m not really a fake dating girlie, but I was curious about it and didn’t feel interested in anything else Libby had available. I’m glad I did! I totally get why it has so much hype.
I loved both Hani and Ishu, and found them incredibly relatable in a number of ways. I think the struggles they deal with feel so real to the teenage experience, and I felt that it was dealt with in such a caring and insightful way. Ishu’s desire to prove herself to her parents, to be the dream they worked so hard for, and to show them she isn’t like her sister. Hani’s inability to deal with confrontation, and hide who she truly is to fit in with her friends because it’s easier to be agreeable, and her complicated feelings around her dad’s election campaign. Both of their growth and development to being able to speak their minds, stand up to others, and find happiness with someone who sees them as they are, was super rewarding and felt well deserved at the end.
My only major gripe is that while Jaigirdar is a great writer, there was way too much overuse of the word “lips” and once I saw it I couldn’t friggen unsee it and it stood out constantly!!!! “The words escaped my lips” “there’s a smile on his lips” tooooo many times!
Otherwise, would totally recommend this solid queer sapphic YA story!
I loved both Hani and Ishu, and found them incredibly relatable in a number of ways. I think the struggles they deal with feel so real to the teenage experience, and I felt that it was dealt with in such a caring and insightful way. Ishu’s desire to prove herself to her parents, to be the dream they worked so hard for, and to show them she isn’t like her sister. Hani’s inability to deal with confrontation, and hide who she truly is to fit in with her friends because it’s easier to be agreeable, and her complicated feelings around her dad’s election campaign. Both of their growth and development to being able to speak their minds, stand up to others, and find happiness with someone who sees them as they are, was super rewarding and felt well deserved at the end.
My only major gripe is that while Jaigirdar is a great writer, there was way too much overuse of the word “lips” and once I saw it I couldn’t friggen unsee it and it stood out constantly!!!! “The words escaped my lips” “there’s a smile on his lips” tooooo many times!
Otherwise, would totally recommend this solid queer sapphic YA story!
Content Warnings
Graphic: Biphobia, Islamophobia, and Toxic friendship
Moderate: Racism
Minor: Alcohol
lisa_m's review against another edition
challenging
emotional
lighthearted
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
3.5
I think this book was a very entertaining read. The main story is a classic romcom cliche (fake dating) but the rest of the book was anything but shallow.
Other themes of this book are: biphobia, parental expectations, complicated sibling relationships, faith, unfair treatment of minorities in school, pigeonholing, and many more. We got a very interesting view into the bengali community in Ireland, with mentions of food traditions and clothing that I had to look up myself.
The main thing I disliked about this book wasn't even a real flaw. Hanis friends just made me soo angry and I hated how she just let them treat her like that. It is an important part of the story and her growth but still I just hated reading about it.
All in all I would definitely recommend this book. Especially to a younger audience :)
Other themes of this book are: biphobia, parental expectations, complicated sibling relationships, faith, unfair treatment of minorities in school, pigeonholing, and many more. We got a very interesting view into the bengali community in Ireland, with mentions of food traditions and clothing that I had to look up myself.
The main thing I disliked about this book wasn't even a real flaw. Hanis friends just made me soo angry and I hated how she just let them treat her like that. It is an important part of the story and her growth but still I just hated reading about it.
All in all I would definitely recommend this book. Especially to a younger audience :)
Content Warnings
Moderate: Biphobia, Bullying, Islamophobia, and Toxic friendship
bg_oseman_fan's review against another edition
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
this was a good book. at times i felt the story dragged, but the exploration of identity was really well handled. especially the antagonistic relationships. the growth of the main characters was satisfying to read. themes are very timely and worth reflecting on.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Biphobia, Xenophobia, and Toxic friendship
Minor: Cursing, Islamophobia, Lesbophobia, and Alcohol
eliska_gersdorfova's review against another edition
emotional
funny
hopeful
inspiring
lighthearted
relaxing
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
4.75
Content Warnings
Graphic: Homophobia, Racism, and Islamophobia
greenknightemrys's review against another edition
adventurous
challenging
dark
emotional
funny
hopeful
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? It's complicated
5.0
Content Warnings
Graphic: Biphobia, Homophobia, Racism, Islamophobia, Religious bigotry, Lesbophobia, Outing, Toxic friendship, and Abandonment
therecoveringbookworm's review against another edition
emotional
lighthearted
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? N/A
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
3.5
Content Warnings
Graphic: Racism, Islamophobia, and Toxic friendship
cookie_lover's review against another edition
emotional
inspiring
lighthearted
sad
fast-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
5.0
Content Warnings
Graphic: Biphobia, Racism, Xenophobia, Islamophobia, and Toxic friendship
Minor: Alcohol
grace_b_3's review against another edition
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? It's complicated
3.5
Content Warnings
Moderate: Homophobia and Islamophobia
theemeraldgirl23's review against another edition
emotional
funny
hopeful
inspiring
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
4.25
Humaira "Hani" Khan is one of the most charismatic and outgoing people at school. Ishita "Ishu" Dey, on the other hand, is the complete opposite, her intimidating and studious personality being often alienating.
One day, Ishu decides she want to be the "Head Girl" of the school to try and gain approval from her parents. So, she proposes an idea to Hani, the only other Bengali person in their school; they should fake date one another. It will be a win-win. Ishu will gain favor for "Head Girl" and Hani's friends will finally accept her bisexuality.
Along the way, they develop real feelings for each other and drama ensues as they have to struggle between their feelings and their relationships with their friends and family. In the end, they choose each other, with Hani standing up to her friends and Ishu defying her parents.
This was a very sweet story with some emotional beats that had me on the edge of my seat. I really enjoyed how everything was resolved between Hani and Ishu's POVs. It was so cool to see both of their inner worlds and separate misunderstandings. All of it came together to create a cohesive adventure and story of developing feelings from each side. I'm so glad the story ended with the reassurance that everything will be fine as long as they have each other. Not everything is going to be perfect all the time, but these two have each other to get through it, and I find that very endearing.
One day, Ishu decides she want to be the "Head Girl" of the school to try and gain approval from her parents. So, she proposes an idea to Hani, the only other Bengali person in their school; they should fake date one another. It will be a win-win. Ishu will gain favor for "Head Girl" and Hani's friends will finally accept her bisexuality.
Along the way, they develop real feelings for each other and drama ensues as they have to struggle between their feelings and their relationships with their friends and family. In the end, they choose each other, with Hani standing up to her friends and Ishu defying her parents.
This was a very sweet story with some emotional beats that had me on the edge of my seat. I really enjoyed how everything was resolved between Hani and Ishu's POVs. It was so cool to see both of their inner worlds and separate misunderstandings. All of it came together to create a cohesive adventure and story of developing feelings from each side. I'm so glad the story ended with the reassurance that everything will be fine as long as they have each other. Not everything is going to be perfect all the time, but these two have each other to get through it, and I find that very endearing.
Content Warnings
Moderate: Biphobia, Bullying, Xenophobia, Islamophobia, and Toxic friendship