Reviews with content warning for Xenophobia - The Dos and Donuts of Love

Out now! [Thank you to Libro.fm for providing me with a gifted ALC]

Rating: 4.5/5 stars

Shireen is a young Bangladeshi-Irish woman still reeling from a breakup with her girlfriend Chris when she learns that one of her biggest dreams has come true—she’s been selected as a competitor in a junior baking reality series. But Chris is also a competitor, and as Shireen tries to navigate their tension while also building a new friendship (or something more?) with fellow contestant Niamh, everything is about to heat up in this kitchen.

Being completely honest, I initially picked this one up because I needed to read a book with a purple cover for a reading challenge, and this fit the bill and had the added bonus of featuring LGBTQ representation for Pride Month. Once I got into it, however, I really enjoyed it! The diversity is exceptional: Shireen is a fat, queer, ethnically southeast Asian woman living in Ireland, and the supporting characters are also rich in diversity across a number of axes. I love to see this kind of representation in any book, but in a YA novel especially, as I think a lot of young people will really relate to Shireen and her journey.

The plot itself was also fun and quick. I didn’t love all the decisions Shireen made, but they all made sense given her age and characterization, and I loved most of the secondary characters as well. The baking show setting was fun and the challenges were well-thought-out and interesting to read about—I appreciated that the show element wasn’t simply an afterthought. Finally, the production quality of the audio was exceptional, and the narrator did a great job with a number of accents, which really brought the book to life!

Recommended to anyone, but especially if you like: YA LGBTQ romance; diverse reads; baking competitions

CW: Some xenophobia/racism and mentions of fatphobia

Content Warnings

lydiareads247's review against another edition

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adventurous 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

4.5

“This cookie won’t crumble – and I’m the cookie. Even if it might get a bit disheveled.”

Thank you to netgalley and the publisher for granting me an audiobook in exchange for an honest review.

This book was so fun to read and exactly what I needed – it also helped me survive exam season. First, I have to highlight how good Priya Ayyar was. She truly brought the book to life and gave a different light to each of the characters, which is a tough job, but she did it wonderfully. I also appreciated the accents.

The writing also helped the performance, since it paces the story well. There’s no rushed scenes or prolonged descriptions, everything is as it should. It also has a few small plot twists that had me gasping, mostly romantic related.

The main character, Shireen, is interesting, talented and kind. Sometimes she has some stances that left me questioning but she’s a teenager, she’s doing all the right mistakes. I specially appreciated the ways the author showed us the different friendships in this book and the ways it evolves, adapts and changes.

I appreciated the romance plenty, even though I wasn’t really rooting for them at the start. But, once I got a better understanding of their relationship and issues, I rooted for them as well. And how they schemed together. They have incredible moments of bonding and understanding that really grasped my heart.

I also loved the mentor and how she guides Shireen, as well as Shireen’s relationship with her parents. The book also has expressions of racism and how they affect each of the characters, how it can molds people’s opinions and actions. There’s also plenty of fatphobic comments and their repercussions – which Shireen fights, even though she should never have to. It’s still important representation and an important talk to have.

No matter other losses, I think the ending was lovely and fit the storyline – the future is full of possibilities for Shireen. I strongly recommend this book for anyone searching for a sweet culinary pun-filled rom-com.

Content Warnings

brittmariasbooks's review

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funny lighthearted fast-paced

Plot- or character-driven? Plot
Loveable characters? Yes
Diverse cast of characters? Yes

5.0

This is such an adorable book!! Thank you to NetGalley and Dreamscape Audio for letting me listen to the audiobook in exchange for a review.

This book has it all! Reality tv! Girls in love! Puns about desserts!

Shireen Malik enters a junior baking show as a contestant. She knows she has a chance, too, because Shireen loves baking! But things get complicated when her ex-girlfriend is also accepted as a contestant on the show. And then there is another contestant, Niamh, who might be a potential crush.

I really enjoyed this book! Priya Ayyar does a right job narrating the book. For me, she really became Shireen's voice.

The book is just so good. I loved the setting around a junior baking show in Ireland. I also loved having a plus-size main character. The author's note about it at the end of the book made it extra sweet!

I can only just highly recommend The Dos and Donuts of Love for anyone who loves reality tv settings, LGBTQIA+ love and sweet, sweet puns about desserts.

Content Warnings

caseythereader's review against another edition

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funny hopeful lighthearted fast-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

4.0

Thanks to Macmillan for the free copy of this book.

- THE DOS AND DONUTS OF LOVE is a joy. It's a pun-filled queer rom-com that still touches on important issues.
- Shireen's parents are not the "typical" immigrant parents often portrayed in coming of age stories, and I love that we are getting a different narrative here.
- I won't spoil anything, but I'm a big fan of how the romantic element of this story played out. Again, it's a bit atypical for a YA novel, and it's great. I continue to be a huge Jaigirdar fan!

Content Warnings

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