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georginadaw's review against another edition
sad
slow-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
3.0
libbyreadsbooks_'s review against another edition
4.0
I definitely enjoyed this book. I loved the back and forth and jumping around from past to present. The realism of the complexities of religion and race and relationships really brought this book to life. It was heartbreaking and I really felt for the characters. I love that Nur is held accountable and I think it ends in the most perfect was. The only way that feels right, no matter how sad. I loved the role mental illness played as both prominent in Nur’s anxiety and depression and in Yasmina’s sister as a side plot. It was interesting to see Nur’s arguments and justifications for his behaviour throughout, truly believing that he didn’t do anything wrong. I really enjoyed the book overall and I think it has a very important place in modern literature.
zameenal's review against another edition
reflective
slow-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? It's complicated
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
2.0
_jessbooks's review against another edition
emotional
reflective
medium-paced
- 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
3.5
sabbienixon's review
emotional
medium-paced
- 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
3.0
rina_reads's review
reflective
slow-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
I’ve gotten past halfway and trying to reach the end but I’m getting bored. So I have no idea what happens at the end.
I’m a bit disappointed to be honest. I was expecting something more but the entire book felt repetitive. I’m a South Asian Muslim woman and anti-Blackness and colourism is a huge unspoken problem within the South Asian culture. I felt like the author just touched the surface of the subject but didn’t go in-depth. The rest of the books seems to be about Nur, his anxiety and the weight of his culture’s expectations burdening him. But his character practically stays the same for most of the book. He doesn’t develop and I got fed up of hearing his perspective and hoped that I would hear Yasmina’s side of the story. Though the book is about the two of them, I did not feel invested in their relationship. It felt flat because it’s all about Nur. Nur hides what he feels from Yasmina yet needs constant reassurance from her. Majority of chapters was hearing how Nur feels sorry for himself for not knowing what he wants and feeling like everyone hates him. I understand this because of my own similar upbringing but it got passed of point of sympathy and Nur just got on my nerves.
The writing style was okay but to me it felt like the story was being told and not described especially the parts around anti-blackness and Yasmina. Nur strongly assumes his parent won’t accept Yasmina due to her skin colour and ethnicity but why not actually have a scene in the book that shows what colourism/racism in the Pakistani, Desi culture. It was blatantly being explained in dialogue between characters why Desi folks are intolerant in accepting other races.
I also didn’t understand the purpose of the dual timeline. One minute we’re in 2019 and the next we’re in 2015. I’d rather read the book chronologically because I couldn’t feel there was a plot and a climax with the story jumping around like that. Nur in 2015 was still the same Nur in 2019. You wouldn’t feel a difference in character or writing when you’re reading it.
The repetition of Nur loathing everything about himself made the pace slow and plot didn’t develop as fast I had hoped. The side characters were okay. I wondered if the book should have just explored being Muslim, brown and British. The friendships and family themes were stronger.
There’s also just too many issues that tie with each other like age, aspirations and coming of age. The uncertainty in your early 20s after having left university is something relatable. Nur is anxious about the future a lot and misses his family/home. But these themes felt separate to the plot and could’ve been woven better.
I’m a bit disappointed to be honest. I was expecting something more but the entire book felt repetitive. I’m a South Asian Muslim woman and anti-Blackness and colourism is a huge unspoken problem within the South Asian culture. I felt like the author just touched the surface of the subject but didn’t go in-depth. The rest of the books seems to be about Nur, his anxiety and the weight of his culture’s expectations burdening him. But his character practically stays the same for most of the book. He doesn’t develop and I got fed up of hearing his perspective and hoped that I would hear Yasmina’s side of the story. Though the book is about the two of them, I did not feel invested in their relationship. It felt flat because it’s all about Nur. Nur hides what he feels from Yasmina yet needs constant reassurance from her. Majority of chapters was hearing how Nur feels sorry for himself for not knowing what he wants and feeling like everyone hates him. I understand this because of my own similar upbringing but it got passed of point of sympathy and Nur just got on my nerves.
The writing style was okay but to me it felt like the story was being told and not described especially the parts around anti-blackness and Yasmina. Nur strongly assumes his parent won’t accept Yasmina due to her skin colour and ethnicity but why not actually have a scene in the book that shows what colourism/racism in the Pakistani, Desi culture. It was blatantly being explained in dialogue between characters why Desi folks are intolerant in accepting other races.
I also didn’t understand the purpose of the dual timeline. One minute we’re in 2019 and the next we’re in 2015. I’d rather read the book chronologically because I couldn’t feel there was a plot and a climax with the story jumping around like that. Nur in 2015 was still the same Nur in 2019. You wouldn’t feel a difference in character or writing when you’re reading it.
The repetition of Nur loathing everything about himself made the pace slow and plot didn’t develop as fast I had hoped. The side characters were okay. I wondered if the book should have just explored being Muslim, brown and British. The friendships and family themes were stronger.
There’s also just too many issues that tie with each other like age, aspirations and coming of age. The uncertainty in your early 20s after having left university is something relatable. Nur is anxious about the future a lot and misses his family/home. But these themes felt separate to the plot and could’ve been woven better.
Content Warnings
Moderate: Cursing, Mental illness, Self harm, Toxic relationship, Suicide attempt, and Gaslighting
foulone's review against another edition
challenging
emotional
reflective
sad
medium-paced
- 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
3.0
moon_spilling's review against another edition
dark
emotional
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.75
Everything was perfect until the ending. It’s very realistic which is what hurt the most…
Well written and heartwarming to read. Until it freezes your heart.
Great representation though <3 so special to me bc of that honestly
Well written and heartwarming to read. Until it freezes your heart.
Great representation though <3 so special to me bc of that honestly
stvrlightt_'s review against another edition
challenging
emotional
mysterious
reflective
sad
tense
slow-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? No
- Diverse cast of characters? It's complicated
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
2.5
Firstly, this book doesn’t portray muslims properly as the MCs engage in acts that are prohibited by islam such as drinking alcohol, smoking weed, having sex as well as living together before marriage. Secondly, I felt like their relationship was somewhat unhealthy, as i felt like Nur didn’t have the space to address his mental health issues with Yasmina, and at the same time I felt like Yasmina was mistreated. Also, as much as it is inclusive, it is inaccurate in its portrayal of a gay muslim guy. Very happy about that ending to be honest but i would have loved to explore Nur and Rahat’s relationship more as I felt like somethings were left unresolved.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Racism
frombethanysbookshelf's review against another edition
4.0
It's New Years Eve, and like always Nur and his family have gathered in the living room of their home to watch the fireworks on tv together. He'd always wanted to take everyone to see them in person but it never worked out. But this year, the countdown doesn't just signal the start of a brand new year - but a brand new life for him.
It's the moment he had promised the woman he loved, that he'd spent four years building a life with, that he would finally tell his family about her. But his girlfriend, Yasmina, isn't Pakistani like his family would expect, she's sudanese. He has fallen in love with a Black Woman.
As a second-generation immigrant son in a strict Pakistani household, he's always worked hard to be the child his parents have dreamed of, to live up to their expectations of him and continue their traditions. But he also wants to be the partner Yasmina deserves, and he just doesn't know how to do both.
Good Intentions is a beautiful story about young love that blooms into a meaningful relationship, as we look back at our happy couple as they show how they met one lucky night and grew to the people they are today.
But underneath, there is a story with stunning feminist, anti-racist themes with strong messages about oppression, mental health and the dangers of societal expectations. The storytelling was both charming and striking, balancing sweet, sentimental romance with dark, raw undercurrents that hit deep.
The characters were unbelievable complex and rich - each built up and stripped down in front of us, taking the time to carefully create unique and distinct personalities that deal with sensitive topics without falling on two-dimensional stereotypes to convey them.
Not an easy read, but a bittersweet journey of past and future colliding in unexpected ways