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btwnprintedpgs's review against another edition
- 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
4.0
I really enjoyed the baking competition. I was actually surprised by how everything turned out, but I was not disappointed. It allowed us to appreciate the baking stuff, mixed with Shireen's pride of Bangladeshi flavours and foods, while also exposing the xenophobia and fatphobia of the Internet. I appreciate how people checked in on her and other competitors struggling with the online comments, and also how other characters' true colours are shown through their own reactions.
I wish I got to know the secondary characters just a little bit more. It's very much the Shireen show and while I understand that the book being in her head so much is because she's absolutely in her own head too much, I feel like it didn't give other characters the time to breathe. You definitely feel a lot of Shireen's own anxiety and insecurities as a result, which did make her character number one. I just wish some of those relationships and secondary character traits didn't rely so heavily on how they were relative to Shireen.
I did also love that we get to see the family side of things - the pressures to succeed, the absolute love her parents have for her, the love her friends have for her - it really helped to build my love for her, understanding that Shireen was going through a major rough patch in life and it was all coming to a head as the book begins.
All in all, it was a fun book that dealt well with some heavier subjects (racism, fatphobia, trust in relationships, etc.), while keeping the overall vibe of the book fun and enjoyable.
TW: racism, bigotry, microaggression, xenophobia, anxiety attack; mentions fatphobia
Plot: 4/5
Characters: 4/5
World Building: 4/5
Writing: 5/5
Pacing: 4/5
Overall: 4/5
eARC gifted via NetGalley by Feiwel & Friends via Macmillan Children's Publishing Group in exchange for an honest review.
Graphic: Racism
Moderate: Panic attacks/disorders and Xenophobia
Minor: Fatphobia
xabbeylongx's review against another edition
- 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
4.0
Graphic: Fatphobia and Racism
Minor: Racial slurs
jessi21's review against another edition
- 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
4.75
Moderate: Fatphobia, Racism, and Xenophobia
Minor: Lesbophobia
readsandsuch's review against another edition
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.0
Moderate: Fatphobia and Racism
kenrya's review against another edition
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
4.0
Graphic: Panic attacks/disorders and Racism
Moderate: Body shaming, Bullying, Fatphobia, Gaslighting, and Toxic friendship
jei_reads_sometimes's review
- 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? Yes
3.0
Graphic: Body shaming, Fatphobia, Mental illness, and Racism
msrae89's review
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.0
Graphic: Racism
Minor: Fatphobia
cats33's review
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
5.0
Graphic: Fatphobia, Panic attacks/disorders, Racism, Toxic relationship, and Toxic friendship
matmatmatty's review against another edition
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
4.0
I liked the discussions about the reaction to Chris and Shireen on the show - I think it's important to talk about things like that (especially when they're usually swept under the rug - will personally never forget the season of Bake Off when they got rid of nearly all the contestants of colour by week 4 🙃)
Graphic: Panic attacks/disorders and Racism
Moderate: Fatphobia
readingwithtemperance's review
- 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
5.0
I had so much fun reading The Dos and Donuts of Love. The competition was done so well I felt like I was actually watching the show.
I thought the author did very well writing Shireen's panic attacks. And I loved that
I was so disappointed when
My heart soared when
Another thing I really loved were the punny chapter headers! I loved that they were all dessert themed and a clue of what was to come. I wish authors included them more!
This was absolutely incredible and now I want donuts.
Graphic: Fatphobia, Panic attacks/disorders, and Racism
Moderate: Bullying, Racial slurs, and Toxic relationship
Minor: Lesbophobia