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sprucewillow's review against another edition
challenging
emotional
funny
reflective
sad
slow-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
Content Warnings
Graphic: Self harm, Racism, Panic attacks/disorders, Homophobia, and Suicide
Moderate: Sexual content
dpearson5257's review against another edition
challenging
emotional
hopeful
informative
reflective
tense
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
4.5
In this story, we follow Nur as he navigates the difficulties of figuring out his life as far as dating and work goes but also the pressure of living up to his family’s expectations. Now not saying this is every household, but I do feel like, as Americans, we latch onto that mindset of “Ima do me” and we’re so quick to cancel those opinions on our life if it’s just not feeding us the way we want to be fed. But there’s always a flip side, and I believe we see that here, where family and tradition are so engrained in this character that he really truly struggles to find peace within himself. And it’s to the extent that he tends to make not the best choices, like hiding his relationship of 4 years to someone outside of his race.
This story is told thru dual timeline which really does benefit the story and the growth of the character. You get glimpses of, Nur responding a certain way because of what he experienced in his past. Tugs in your heartstrings a little bit😢
There were some triggering moments but I think this could be a great Bookclub pick for discussion or just a buddy read. It really opens the door to empathy for people who do still struggle with YOLO vs tradition. And sometimes it’s not as easy as walking away and closing that door.
⚠️: self harm (off page but does reflect on the action), panic attacks and hospitalization, colorism and dating outside your race, intense familial/cultural expectations
Content Warnings
Moderate: Self harm and Panic attacks/disorders
the_maccheroncini's review
emotional
funny
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? No
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.5
Content Warnings
Graphic: Panic attacks/disorders, Mental illness, Self harm, Racism, Outing, Homophobia, and Drug use
vj_thompson's review
dark
emotional
informative
reflective
sad
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.75
3.75 stars. I have a love hate relationship for this book. The topics and conversation about racism, religious beliefs, mental health, and cultural norms were done VERY well. This part of the story was thought provoking and I wish more books discussed these topics. Nur’s character was the issue, and I think it was the point of the book. The way the story ended was sudden but I agree that it should have happened the way it did. At times, Nur was loving, caring, and romantic. He was not direct and lacked character development. There are more things I’d love to say but I don’t want to give too much away. Good Intentions is worth reading for but for the reasons I stated in the beginning.
As a warning, this are parts where suicide and anxiety/depression are discussed. Look up other content warnings as well.
As a warning, this are parts where suicide and anxiety/depression are discussed. Look up other content warnings as well.
Content Warnings
Moderate: Mental illness, Panic attacks/disorders, Suicide attempt, and Suicidal thoughts
churrosmom's review against another edition
dark
emotional
sad
slow-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
2.0
Disclaimer: won an ARC through a giveaway.
This book was exhausting. It felt so repetitive and long because the entire time we are stuck in the main character, Nur's head, and he thinks in circular anxiety patterns, and the timeline jumps back and forth. At a certain point I was just spite reading the book to see what happens with the relationship. Nur has serious mental health issues, treats Yasmina absolutely horribly, and is constantly judging other Muslims as backwards and conservative. The author does have other characters call him out on these issues, but something about the writing just feels off. This book would be 3 stars but the way Blackness is treated in this book is just off. I can't really articulate what it is exactly.
Also, this is NOT a romance, do not go into this expecting a romance, though the romantic relationship between Nur and Yasmina is the center of the book.
TWs for explicit descriptions of anti-Blackness, self harm, mental illness, suicide attempt, panic attacks, toxic/emotionally abusive relationship, Islamophobia
This book was exhausting. It felt so repetitive and long because the entire time we are stuck in the main character, Nur's head, and he thinks in circular anxiety patterns, and the timeline jumps back and forth. At a certain point I was just spite reading the book to see what happens with the relationship. Nur has serious mental health issues, treats Yasmina absolutely horribly, and is constantly judging other Muslims as backwards and conservative. The author does have other characters call him out on these issues, but something about the writing just feels off. This book would be 3 stars but the way Blackness is treated in this book is just off. I can't really articulate what it is exactly.
Also, this is NOT a romance, do not go into this expecting a romance, though the romantic relationship between Nur and Yasmina is the center of the book.
TWs for explicit descriptions of anti-Blackness, self harm, mental illness, suicide attempt, panic attacks, toxic/emotionally abusive relationship, Islamophobia
Content Warnings
Graphic: Self harm, Racism, Suicidal thoughts, Homophobia, Mental illness, Panic attacks/disorders, and Toxic relationship
Moderate: Alcohol, Gaslighting, Islamophobia, and Suicide attempt
bookdragon217's review against another edition
emotional
informative
reflective
sad
tense
slow-paced
4.0
"...it's not enough to tread the right books, to say the right things, to tweet your anger about police brutality or supporting Black people if you're going to come home and make your Black girlfriend feel like she is less than you."
Good Intentions by debut author Kasim Ali released yesterday and it's definitely a novel that gave lots to think about. It's a story about Nur, a British Pakistani and Yasmine, a British Sudanese who are in a serious relationship and trying to navigate interracial dating, family responsibilities, culture, and mental health while trying to forge their own paths for future careers. The story jumps around to different points in their relationship as Nur deals with his anxiety about telling his parents that he's been in a relationship with a black woman for 4 years. He thinks he is saving Yasmina from the hurt of anti-blackness in South Asian cultures but has not reckoned with his own internalized beliefs and struggles with mental health that have been showing up and causing him severe panic attacks. He brushes them aside as "not liking conflict" and projects them onto his family most of the time.
I loved that the author was bold in the ways he told the story and made certain choices for the characters. The non-linear timeline was confusing at first but once you get a sense of the characters it becomes easier to follow. The slow pace helped to build up the tension for the ending. I would definitely read this author's next book because I enjoyed the emotional storytelling. Thanks to @henryholtbooks for the gifted copy.
Final thoughts on this one:
💥 To reckon with race, the work must start by dealing with internalized biases.
💥 Being anti-racist requires action not complacency.
💥 There is anti-blackness in many cultures including South Asian.
💥 The pressures to lead lives that honor your immigrant parents can be taxing on mental health.
💥 It's ok to choose yourself or your partner if your family is not accepting of aspects of identity.
💥 Mental Health in black and brown communities needs to be a priority.
💥 Interracial dating requires that you do the hard work to learn about and support your partner's cultural group.
💥 To reckon with race, the work must start by dealing with internalized biases.
💥 Being anti-racist requires action not complacency.
💥 There is anti-blackness in many cultures including South Asian.
💥 The pressures to lead lives that honor your immigrant parents can be taxing on mental health.
💥 It's ok to choose yourself or your partner if your family is not accepting of aspects of identity.
💥 Mental Health in black and brown communities needs to be a priority.
💥 Interracial dating requires that you do the hard work to learn about and support your partner's cultural group.
Content Warnings
Moderate: Panic attacks/disorders, Racism, Xenophobia, and Mental illness
Minor: Homophobia, Self harm, and Gaslighting
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