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alenas_library's review against another edition
funny
inspiring
lighthearted
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.5
Adiba Jaigirdar did it again. She created a sweet story about failure, hope, dreams and lastly achievements. Now at the end of the novel, I cannot even belive that I ever had something against Chris. The writing and Sheerin's own thoughts really made me not like her, but I think that just proofs how good Adiba's writing is. Shireen herself was not perfect, but I still loved her as a main character. Her imperfections actually made me love her more.
The way spiraling thoughts and panic attacks were portrayed are - in my opinion - very accurate. Adiba has a way to keep her writing and stories light, hopeful and funny while addressing important topics includin racism, panic attacks, fat phobia.
And I loved the story. A reality TV show as a setting is already good enough, pair it with baking and I'm in.
But I think that the build-up needed some more time. Not much, maybe 20 or 30 pages at max. I'd definitely would have enjoyed the ending much more if it were for these few couple pages.
Overall a sweet book that I'd recommend anyone who's a fan of reality TV settings and a cute sapphic romance.
The way spiraling thoughts and panic attacks were portrayed are - in my opinion - very accurate. Adiba has a way to keep her writing and stories light, hopeful and funny while addressing important topics includin racism, panic attacks, fat phobia.
And I loved the story. A reality TV show as a setting is already good enough, pair it with baking and I'm in.
But I think that the build-up needed some more time. Not much, maybe 20 or 30 pages at max. I'd definitely would have enjoyed the ending much more if it were for these few couple pages.
Overall a sweet book that I'd recommend anyone who's a fan of reality TV settings and a cute sapphic romance.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Fatphobia, Panic attacks/disorders, and Racism
Moderate: Racial slurs
komiification's review against another edition
emotional
funny
hopeful
inspiring
lighthearted
medium-paced
- 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
3.5
Content Warnings
Graphic: Panic attacks/disorders, Racial slurs, Racism, Toxic relationship, and Toxic friendship
Moderate: Cursing
Minor: Fatphobia
236girls's review against another edition
emotional
funny
hopeful
inspiring
lighthearted
reflective
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
3.5
loved this slightly less than her other book, mostly because of fatima's character (she confused me and didn't really add much to the story for me, but i loved everyone else! would have liked to see some more resolution with niamh too)
Content Warnings
Moderate: Fatphobia, Racial slurs, and Racism
evelynyle_88's review against another edition
funny
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? Yes
5.0
Well, where to start? This book is just perfect for my liking. It's cute, sweet and all. Of course there are some trigger warnings or content warnings in it... but not too heavy and I could count this as light reading.
I love the character development in Shireen Malik; the main character of this book. And I love how while reading The Dos and Donuts of Love from start to finish... it was like watching Masterchef in baking version! Very creative idea to this donut book after all.
And the ending? It was perfect; as sweet as donuts should be. Thank you, Adiba for this cute story of a young love. Overall... I enjoyed my journey knowing Shireen Malik and her best friend also her competitors in Junior Irish Baking Show.
Good job! Can't wait for your another work (if there will be any). Teehee...
I love the character development in Shireen Malik; the main character of this book. And I love how while reading The Dos and Donuts of Love from start to finish... it was like watching Masterchef in baking version! Very creative idea to this donut book after all.
And the ending? It was perfect; as sweet as donuts should be. Thank you, Adiba for this cute story of a young love. Overall... I enjoyed my journey knowing Shireen Malik and her best friend also her competitors in Junior Irish Baking Show.
Good job! Can't wait for your another work (if there will be any). Teehee...
Content Warnings
Graphic: Fatphobia, Panic attacks/disorders, and Racism
Moderate: Bullying, Racial slurs, and Toxic relationship
vampire_burrito's review against another edition
emotional
funny
hopeful
lighthearted
relaxing
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
4.0
Content Warnings
Graphic: Fatphobia and Racism
Moderate: Racial slurs
headinthepages's review
lighthearted
medium-paced
4.0
Content Warnings
Moderate: Body shaming, Bullying, Fatphobia, Mental illness, Panic attacks/disorders, Racial slurs, Racism, Toxic relationship, Grief, Gaslighting, and Toxic friendship
lettuce_read's review
4.0
Content Warnings
Graphic: Fatphobia, Panic attacks/disorders, and Racism
Moderate: Bullying, Racial slurs, and Toxic relationship
anna_17793's review against another edition
funny
lighthearted
reflective
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
4.0
abida jaigirdar never fails to disappoint
Content Warnings
Graphic: Fatphobia, Panic attacks/disorders, and Racism
Moderate: Racial slurs
jemmaisntcool's review against another edition
funny
hopeful
inspiring
lighthearted
tense
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
5.0
Content Warnings
Graphic: Panic attacks/disorders and Racism
Moderate: Fatphobia, Racial slurs, and Lesbophobia
dododenise's review
emotional
inspiring
fast-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? Yes
3.0
Thank you Netgalley for the e-arc!
I ended up going through this book feeling pretty neutral about it. The biggest problem was that I went into this book with wrong expectations. I expected a sweet romance. The descriptions sells it as such and the cover definitely made me expect me something very sweet. However, there was a lot of tension throughout most of the story.
The wrong expectations made me tumble head first into some tropes I really don't like: Love triangles, second chance romance and miscommunication.
Shireen has a tense relationship with almost everyone around her. She struggles heavily with expressing what she is thinking and feeling and so do the other character. I couldn't enjoy any of her interactions with other characters, which to me in a romance book is essential. But to be honest, I'm not even sure I would say this was a romance. This book was about Shireen and her road through the baking show and the romantic bits were just a part of that. Because there was so much bad tension between the characters, the vibe for a romantic scene was not set. But also her friendship with Fatima did not convince me.
Of course I expected the book to tackle issues of fatphobia and racism. And I really liked the way this book handled it. Shireen was a great narrator for the messages the book wanted to convey.
I do not think this was a bad book. I think this could be a great book for many people. However, I do not think this was the right book for me. The balance of what the story focused on did not work for me, add to that the tropes I do not like, it just wasn't the right experience. I do have to say, this book made me very hungry and I want t0 try all the Bengali dishes mentioned.
The narrator was fine. The enthusiasm and intonations were a little wrong sometimes, that did throw me off. I really enjoyed the accents. I definitely would have messed that up when I read it myself. Especially hearing "Gordon Ramsay" with a heavy Irish accent was amusing. Not to mention all the names, both Bengali and Irish, that I would not know how to pronounce.
I ended up going through this book feeling pretty neutral about it. The biggest problem was that I went into this book with wrong expectations. I expected a sweet romance. The descriptions sells it as such and the cover definitely made me expect me something very sweet. However, there was a lot of tension throughout most of the story.
The wrong expectations made me tumble head first into some tropes I really don't like: Love triangles, second chance romance and miscommunication.
Shireen has a tense relationship with almost everyone around her. She struggles heavily with expressing what she is thinking and feeling and so do the other character. I couldn't enjoy any of her interactions with other characters, which to me in a romance book is essential. But to be honest, I'm not even sure I would say this was a romance. This book was about Shireen and her road through the baking show and the romantic bits were just a part of that. Because there was so much bad tension between the characters, the vibe for a romantic scene was not set. But also her friendship with Fatima did not convince me.
Of course I expected the book to tackle issues of fatphobia and racism. And I really liked the way this book handled it. Shireen was a great narrator for the messages the book wanted to convey.
I do not think this was a bad book. I think this could be a great book for many people. However, I do not think this was the right book for me. The balance of what the story focused on did not work for me, add to that the tropes I do not like, it just wasn't the right experience. I do have to say, this book made me very hungry and I want t0 try all the Bengali dishes mentioned.
The narrator was fine. The enthusiasm and intonations were a little wrong sometimes, that did throw me off. I really enjoyed the accents. I definitely would have messed that up when I read it myself. Especially hearing "Gordon Ramsay" with a heavy Irish accent was amusing. Not to mention all the names, both Bengali and Irish, that I would not know how to pronounce.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Fatphobia, Mental illness, Panic attacks/disorders, and Racism
Moderate: Toxic relationship and Toxic friendship
Minor: Racial slurs