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aishallnot's review against another edition
- 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
2.5
Graphic: Self harm and Suicide
Moderate: Racism
candournat's review against another edition
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.0
Moderate: Racism, Suicide, Suicidal thoughts, Self harm, Toxic relationship, and Homophobia
serendipitysbooks's review against another edition
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.0
It’s the story of the relationship between Nur and Yasmina. Both are Muslim but his family is British-Pakistani and hers is British-Sudanese. There are cultural barriers and prejudices of both sides, but he is certain his family will not be able to overcome theirs. So rather than tell his family, give them a chance to do know Yasmina as a person, to learn and to grow, he keeps Yasmina and the fact that they are living together secret. For four years!
What I really liked about this book was the way it highlighted the bind many second-generation immigrants face, caught between traditional cultural and family expectations and the new mores of the society in which they live. Wanting to make choices which go against those expectations, the fear of disappointing family members, possibly estranging them, the fear that what you want to do may be wrong - it contradicts everything you’ve been brought up with- can be paralysing, possibly contributing to anxiety and other mental health issues. It also highlighted racism towards Blacks from other non-white communities, a topic which doesn’t get as much attention as racism from white communities.
Where I struggled a bit was with Nur himself and his lack of growth. Four years was an awfully long time to be paralysed with fear, to keep such an important person and part of your life secret from those you are supposedly closest to. I understand that he was partly trying to protect Yasmina from hurt, but he failed to consider the ways his own actions and inactions were hurtful. He never changed over the course of the story which made the plot somewhat repetitive. It would have been nice to see him stand up for Yasmina and to take actions to try and dismantle the racism he saw in his community. I’d also loved to have heard directly from Yasmina.
I liked the issues raised but think the book would have been stronger with more of a character arc for the main character.
Graphic: Mental illness, Racism, and Homophobia
kirstym25's review against another edition
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
2.5
Graphic: Mental illness, Racism, and Homophobia
Moderate: Self harm, Suicide attempt, and Gaslighting
_millien's review
- 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? Yes
4.0
Moderate: Self harm and Racism
cerilouisereads's review
- 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? Yes
3.5
Graphic: Racism
Moderate: Gaslighting
Minor: Sexual content
churrosmom's review against another edition
- 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
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
Graphic: Self harm, Racism, Suicidal thoughts, Homophobia, Mental illness, Panic attacks/disorders, and Toxic relationship
Moderate: Alcohol, Gaslighting, Islamophobia, and Suicide attempt
2treads's review
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
3.0
What I appreciated the most and what was most frustrating, was the exploration of racial and cultural expectations within a Pakistani family and the ways in which they can impact an interracial relationship.
Even though Nur claims to love Mina, he makes absolutely no concrete steps to even tell his parents much less fight for their relationship. He paid Yasmina a lot of lip service and she deserved so much better.
I really love the fact that the author deviated from the 'happy ending' trope that envelopes the romance genre. There needs to be times when the characters make the decision to remove themselves from a relationship that is not serving them. I love and applaud Yasmina for choosing herself.
Moderate: Racism
isobelk_18's review against another edition
3.5
Graphic: Racism
Moderate: Mental illness and Suicide
bookdragon217's review against another edition
4.0
💥 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.
Moderate: Panic attacks/disorders, Racism, Xenophobia, and Mental illness
Minor: Homophobia, Self harm, and Gaslighting