melike_k's review against another edition
challenging
emotional
hopeful
inspiring
reflective
sad
fast-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? It's complicated
4.5
I enjoyed this book. So heartwarming and so authentic to a struggle that many people face. I felt so many different emotions and could really understand the characters emotions. At parts it was a challenging read filled with bigotry. But eye-opening and honest too.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Panic attacks/disorders, Homophobia, Islamophobia, and Religious bigotry
alexayres47's review against another edition
emotional
funny
hopeful
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
3.5
Content Warnings
Graphic: Death of parent, Grief, Islamophobia, and Homophobia
anna_23's review against another edition
challenging
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? Yes
4.0
Content Warnings
Graphic: Homophobia
Moderate: Domestic abuse, Xenophobia, Racism, and Islamophobia
Minor: Misogyny
peachani's review against another edition
challenging
emotional
hopeful
inspiring
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? It's complicated
5.0
Content Warnings
Graphic: Grief, Homophobia, and Death of parent
Moderate: Alcohol, Classism, Gaslighting, Racism, Religious bigotry, Sexual content, and Toxic relationship
Minor: Islamophobia, Terminal illness, Biphobia, Bullying, and Child abuse
lportilla's review against another edition
emotional
hopeful
inspiring
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.25
Content Warnings
Graphic: Death of parent, Grief, Homophobia, and Islamophobia
angiebradley's review against another edition
challenging
emotional
hopeful
inspiring
medium-paced
- Strong character development? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.0
Content Warnings
Graphic: Homophobia
Moderate: Child abuse
betris's review against another edition
hopeful
lighthearted
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? Yes
3.5
Content Warnings
Graphic: Homophobia
littlecogs's review against another edition
challenging
emotional
hopeful
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
Content Warnings
Graphic: Homophobia
lothlorian's review against another edition
challenging
emotional
hopeful
inspiring
reflective
sad
tense
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
If I could give this book 100 stars, I would. Tufayel Ahmed has written a roller coaster of a novel that intersects sexuality, faith, family, and love. I feel like this book fundamentally changed me as a person. Thank you, Tufayel Ahmed.
Content Warnings
Moderate: Homophobia and Racism
Minor: Classism
anatrnd's review against another edition
emotional
hopeful
inspiring
relaxing
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? Yes
3.75
This is a story about Amar, a Muslim Bangladeshi guy, who was born in London. His mother died three years ago, and that's why Amar became depressed. One year later he met Joshua and started dating him. Two years after that Joshua proposed to Amar. Now it's time for Amar to come out to his Muslim family as gay. How does he do that? He sends a text to his family WhatsApp group that he's gay and he's going to marry a man.
I'm not really into contemporary romance books. That's why writing style wasn't exactly my cup of tea. There were way too many (for me) descriptions, flashbacks, etc. But I stopped paying attention to it because I just fell in love with both plot and characters.
I'm an aro ace in a pretty homophobic family so Amar's first conversation with his family about being gay was so relatable. I'm glad that the author mentioned all those things like "you're going to hell for being gay", "then why did god create me like that" etc. I think, almost every lgbtqa+ member had a conversation like this at least once in their life.
Also, I really loved Amar and Joshua's relationships. They acted like adults, and their communication was just great. It was nice that Amar went into therapy. Things like this one should be in the media, so everyone could understand that it's okay to ask professionals for help.
Thank you to NetGalley and the publisher for providing me with this arc in exchange for an honest review.
Content Warnings
Moderate: Homophobia
Minor: Religious bigotry