A review by bookishmillennial
The Dos and Donuts of Love by Adiba Jaigirdar
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? It's complicated
General disclaimer if you've read other reviews by me and are noticing a pattern: You're correct that I don't really give starred reviews, I feel like a peasant and don't like leaving them and most often, I will only leave them if I vehemently despised a book. Thus, no stars doesn't indicate that the book wasn't worthy of any starred system. It just means I enjoy most books for what they are, & I extract lessons from them all, even if the lesson is that I'm a ho for the smut, or confronting my own mommy/daddy issues lol. Everyone's reading experiences are subjective, so I hope my reviews provide enough information to let you know if a book is for you or not. Happy reading! Find me on Instagram: @bookish.millennial
OMG OMG OMG OMG OMG OMG OMG OMG I AM SCREAMING CRYING THROWING UP OVER HOW MUCH I ADORED THIS BOOK! ADIBA NEVER MISSES!
Quick Premise:
Shireen (Desi FMC who is grappling with her anxiety/panic attacks) has recently dumped her girlfriend of one year, Christina (we have a Taiwanese ex who got a haircut) but then, she is invited to compete in the Junior Irish Baking Show! The only problem is.... Christina has also been invited and they immediately get paired up during the first round. It's not all bad though; Shireen meets Niamh, a sweet and outgoing competitor who quickly offers up friendship to her :) However, Shireen needs to focus so she can use the semi-fame of the show to hopefully drive more business to her family's donut business, You Drive Me Glazy.
My thoughts:
First of all, the chapters are titled as food puns, like "Pudding Up With Exes" LOL! If you're a dad joke/punny joke connoisseur, one star immediately is given for the cleverness of that alone! Shireen's angst and inner monologue is so fun (you get first-person narrative), as most main characters Adiba writes are. I just have no notes!
Read this if you love:
-Great British Bake Off (or any adjacent baking shows)
-save-the-family-business trope!
-teen fictional coming of age
-Irish Desi representation <3
-reality tv competition & everything that comes with it, such as the diverse cast of competitors & camaraderie (for most of them), behind-the-scenes moments & the feelings of achievement/pride after completing a bake!
-a fat teenage girl who is not ashamed of her body & won't let anyone else put down her looks/confidence either!
Thank you Adiba for consistently giving us young characters who stand strong in their convictions & inspire me to love myself & go after what I want no matter what.
Adiba's books are so incredibly healing & toe the line between moving coming of age stories and swoon-worthy romantic moments so beautifully!!
OMG OMG OMG OMG OMG OMG OMG OMG I AM SCREAMING CRYING THROWING UP OVER HOW MUCH I ADORED THIS BOOK! ADIBA NEVER MISSES!
Quick Premise:
Shireen (Desi FMC who is grappling with her anxiety/panic attacks) has recently dumped her girlfriend of one year, Christina (we have a Taiwanese ex who got a haircut) but then, she is invited to compete in the Junior Irish Baking Show! The only problem is.... Christina has also been invited and they immediately get paired up during the first round. It's not all bad though; Shireen meets Niamh, a sweet and outgoing competitor who quickly offers up friendship to her :) However, Shireen needs to focus so she can use the semi-fame of the show to hopefully drive more business to her family's donut business, You Drive Me Glazy.
My thoughts:
First of all, the chapters are titled as food puns, like "Pudding Up With Exes" LOL! If you're a dad joke/punny joke connoisseur, one star immediately is given for the cleverness of that alone! Shireen's angst and inner monologue is so fun (you get first-person narrative), as most main characters Adiba writes are. I just have no notes!
Read this if you love:
-Great British Bake Off (or any adjacent baking shows)
-save-the-family-business trope!
-teen fictional coming of age
-Irish Desi representation <3
-reality tv competition & everything that comes with it, such as the diverse cast of competitors & camaraderie (for most of them), behind-the-scenes moments & the feelings of achievement/pride after completing a bake!
-a fat teenage girl who is not ashamed of her body & won't let anyone else put down her looks/confidence either!
Thank you Adiba for consistently giving us young characters who stand strong in their convictions & inspire me to love myself & go after what I want no matter what.
Adiba's books are so incredibly healing & toe the line between moving coming of age stories and swoon-worthy romantic moments so beautifully!!
Content Warnings
Graphic: Panic attacks/disorders and Fatphobia
Moderate: Bullying
Minor: Racism