A review by katiemack
The Dos and Donuts of Love by Adiba Jaigirdar
funny
hopeful
lighthearted
medium-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
4.0
I received an eARC of this book from NetGalley and the publisher in exchange for an honest review.
I liked this better than the other book of Adiba Jaigirdar's that I've read--A Million to One--and I'm glad to see she returned to contemporary YA romance with this because it works well!
As an avid Great British Bakeoff fan, I loved the spin-off Jaigirdar creates and appreciated all the thinly veiled references to the show and other folks within the celebrity cooking sphere. I'm also glad she addresses the cyberbullying and racism inherent in reality TV, even a cozy cooking show. Love triangles can become annoying quickly, but I liked how this one resolves (and was not expecting the twist or secret motivations of a particular character!); my main qualm is that the book doesn't really address the reason Shireen and Chris broke up before the show. It feels like an oversight, but maybe it's a lesson in closure and expectations.
This book doesn't have a fairytale ending, and that's to its merit. Grab it if you're a fan of cooking shows and want something light and romantic.
I liked this better than the other book of Adiba Jaigirdar's that I've read--A Million to One--and I'm glad to see she returned to contemporary YA romance with this because it works well!
As an avid Great British Bakeoff fan, I loved the spin-off Jaigirdar creates and appreciated all the thinly veiled references to the show and other folks within the celebrity cooking sphere. I'm also glad she addresses the cyberbullying and racism inherent in reality TV, even a cozy cooking show. Love triangles can become annoying quickly, but I liked how this one resolves (and was not expecting the twist or secret motivations of a particular character!); my main qualm is that the book doesn't really address the reason Shireen and Chris broke up before the show. It feels like an oversight, but maybe it's a lesson in closure and expectations.
This book doesn't have a fairytale ending, and that's to its merit. Grab it if you're a fan of cooking shows and want something light and romantic.
Content Warnings
Minor: Racial slurs, Racism, and Bullying