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A review by theemeraldgirl23
Hani and Ishu's Guide to Fake Dating by Adiba Jaigirdar
emotional
funny
hopeful
inspiring
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
Humaira "Hani" Khan is one of the most charismatic and outgoing people at school. Ishita "Ishu" Dey, on the other hand, is the complete opposite, her intimidating and studious personality being often alienating.
One day, Ishu decides she want to be the "Head Girl" of the school to try and gain approval from her parents. So, she proposes an idea to Hani, the only other Bengali person in their school; they should fake date one another. It will be a win-win. Ishu will gain favor for "Head Girl" and Hani's friends will finally accept her bisexuality.
Along the way, they develop real feelings for each other and drama ensues as they have to struggle between their feelings and their relationships with their friends and family. In the end, they choose each other, with Hani standing up to her friends and Ishu defying her parents.
This was a very sweet story with some emotional beats that had me on the edge of my seat. I really enjoyed how everything was resolved between Hani and Ishu's POVs. It was so cool to see both of their inner worlds and separate misunderstandings. All of it came together to create a cohesive adventure and story of developing feelings from each side. I'm so glad the story ended with the reassurance that everything will be fine as long as they have each other. Not everything is going to be perfect all the time, but these two have each other to get through it, and I find that very endearing.
One day, Ishu decides she want to be the "Head Girl" of the school to try and gain approval from her parents. So, she proposes an idea to Hani, the only other Bengali person in their school; they should fake date one another. It will be a win-win. Ishu will gain favor for "Head Girl" and Hani's friends will finally accept her bisexuality.
Along the way, they develop real feelings for each other and drama ensues as they have to struggle between their feelings and their relationships with their friends and family. In the end, they choose each other, with Hani standing up to her friends and Ishu defying her parents.
This was a very sweet story with some emotional beats that had me on the edge of my seat. I really enjoyed how everything was resolved between Hani and Ishu's POVs. It was so cool to see both of their inner worlds and separate misunderstandings. All of it came together to create a cohesive adventure and story of developing feelings from each side. I'm so glad the story ended with the reassurance that everything will be fine as long as they have each other. Not everything is going to be perfect all the time, but these two have each other to get through it, and I find that very endearing.
Content Warnings
Moderate: Biphobia, Bullying, Xenophobia, Islamophobia, and Toxic friendship