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rae_bookmarkchronicles's review against another edition
challenging
funny
hopeful
lighthearted
tense
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
4.0
Not gonna lie I HATED Jay in the beginning but the way he went to bat for Liya in the end changed my mind. Also I disliked how Liya felt about herself at times do to what "society" thinks
But the ending was so fulfilling and I can't wait to read book 2
But the ending was so fulfilling and I can't wait to read book 2
Content Warnings
Graphic: Death of parent
Moderate: Sexual assault
westcdf's review against another edition
challenging
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? It's complicated
2.5
This was an incredibly difficult book to read, and contains a lot of discussion around sexual violence, so just a heads up if that's triggering for you. I expected this book to be a cute "enemies-to-lovers" book but it is way more emotionally intense than that. I feel weird writing a review about the romantic aspect about this book, especially because it contains such a serious discussion like sexual violence. If you're looking for a lighthearted romance novel, this book is NOT it. The characters seemed pretty unrealistic and I found the "enemies" part too intense, there wasn't really any lightness to it. Additionally I just didn't feel like the characters actually had realistic chemistry. It ended up feeling very "the man is going to save the woman" in this story, which I didn't particularly like. Overall it's just an okay book, and definitely not the romance novel it's marketed as.
Content Warnings
Moderate: Emotional abuse, Misogyny, Rape, Sexual assault, Sexual violence, Grief, Death of parent, Fire/Fire injury, and Gaslighting
aritsu's review against another edition
emotional
hopeful
lighthearted
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? Yes
4.25
Content Warnings
Graphic: Sexual assault
Moderate: Death of parent
Minor: Fire/Fire injury
sadiaa's review against another edition
emotional
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
5.0
Content Warnings
Graphic: Emotional abuse, Misogyny, Rape, Sexual assault, Toxic relationship, Grief, Religious bigotry, Death of parent, and Sexual harassment
Minor: Domestic abuse
rd77's review against another edition
4.25
The ending was very powerful (made me cry) and for the most part, the plot was good. A little slow here and there, and somewhat strange/unrealistic at some parts but mainly really good! Love the South Asian representation for pretty much of all the characters
Content Warnings
Moderate: Child abuse, Death, Sexual assault, Death of parent, and Fire/Fire injury
kb33's review against another edition
emotional
lighthearted
fast-paced
3.5
I liked this book, though the tension around the past sexual assault made it a tough read. The attraction between the main characters was written well. I like books where the chapters switch between mfc and mmc pov, but the audiobook narrator is one woman. Spend a little extra and hire a man to read the men’s parts!
Content Warnings
Graphic: Misogyny, Sexual assault, and Pregnancy
Moderate: Death of parent and Fire/Fire injury
krutikasurve's review against another edition
emotional
funny
fast-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
4.0
I WANT MORE INDIAN-AMERICAN-LED ROMANCE NOVELS!
I love how this tackles the stigmatization of women in the Indian culture. Liya is a victim of that and it's evident how much that impacts her and her love life. Without even knowing, she lost her sense of self-worth because of asshole Aunties and Uncles. It's an ongoing issue that needs to be rectified. Her character was so compelling and I think that's because Indian women can relate to her so much. Your heart breaks for her and you just want her to be happy. This brings me to my next point...
Ladies and gentlemen, Jay Shah. Oh my god. This man. I know technically he's a man written by a woman but he's also *a man written by a woman*. It's such a refreshing reminder that sometimes men aren't shit. Jay is so wonderful. I want a Jay. He cleans her feet people! They were dirty and she was hurt and HE CLEANS HER FEET.
The only reason why I didn't give this 5 stars is that they develop a villain(s) and I wasn't satisfied by the ending. This is a romance and that part was carried out beautifully. But the B Plot felt rushed at the end. I would've liked to see some repercussions. And I would've liked to see Jay Shah carry that out. I guess the actual ending would be more realistic now that I think about it.
I loved the Indian representation. It didn't feel gimmicky AT ALL. Like this was an Indian American story written for Indian Americans. If non-South Asians don't understand the references, they can look it up because, as a South Asian American, I don't need the simplest things broken down just for the sake of other people understanding it.
WOULD RECOMMEND. I WANT MORE INDIAN-AMERICAN ROMANCE. HE CLEANS HER FEET!!
I love how this tackles the stigmatization of women in the Indian culture. Liya is a victim of that and it's evident how much that impacts her and her love life. Without even knowing, she lost her sense of self-worth because of asshole Aunties and Uncles. It's an ongoing issue that needs to be rectified. Her character was so compelling and I think that's because Indian women can relate to her so much. Your heart breaks for her and you just want her to be happy. This brings me to my next point...
Ladies and gentlemen, Jay Shah. Oh my god. This man. I know technically he's a man written by a woman but he's also *a man written by a woman*. It's such a refreshing reminder that sometimes men aren't shit. Jay is so wonderful. I want a Jay. He cleans her feet people! They were dirty and she was hurt and HE CLEANS HER FEET.
The only reason why I didn't give this 5 stars is that they develop a villain(s) and I wasn't satisfied by the ending. This is a romance and that part was carried out beautifully. But the B Plot felt rushed at the end. I would've liked to see some repercussions. And I would've liked to see Jay Shah carry that out. I guess the actual ending would be more realistic now that I think about it.
I loved the Indian representation. It didn't feel gimmicky AT ALL. Like this was an Indian American story written for Indian Americans. If non-South Asians don't understand the references, they can look it up because, as a South Asian American, I don't need the simplest things broken down just for the sake of other people understanding it.
WOULD RECOMMEND. I WANT MORE INDIAN-AMERICAN ROMANCE. HE CLEANS HER FEET!!
Content Warnings
Moderate: Sexual assault, Death of parent, and Fire/Fire injury
jonezzzing's review against another edition
4.0
Content Warnings
Graphic: Misogyny and Death of parent
Moderate: Adult/minor relationship, Sexual assault, Grief, and Fire/Fire injury
jesuu__'s review against another edition
emotional
inspiring
reflective
relaxing
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? Yes
5.0
Content Warnings
Graphic: Misogyny and Sexism
Moderate: Sexual assault and Death of parent
100_pages_hr's review against another edition
inspiring
reflective
medium-paced
4.0
What an amazing enemies/hate to lovers book. I loved everything from the "meet cute" to the HEA.
This book has some pretty strong triggers so check into those before you read, but I thought they were ha fled well and in a way that gives representation. I truly admired how strong Liya was. I loved her core group of friends.
Jay was absolutely amazing. I felt like his character had so much depth because he was just himself. True to himself in the good and bad. I appreciated how vulnerable he was at times. I also loved how he stood up for Liya multiple times and in multiple ways.
Own voices books are truly my favorite because the author's culture shines through. I love the glimpses into family life, food, weddings, and relationships. I love how this book included traditional culture but also a more modern view on committed relationship.
This book has some pretty strong triggers so check into those before you read, but I thought they were ha fled well and in a way that gives representation. I truly admired how strong Liya was. I loved her core group of friends.
Jay was absolutely amazing. I felt like his character had so much depth because he was just himself. True to himself in the good and bad. I appreciated how vulnerable he was at times. I also loved how he stood up for Liya multiple times and in multiple ways.
Own voices books are truly my favorite because the author's culture shines through. I love the glimpses into family life, food, weddings, and relationships. I love how this book included traditional culture but also a more modern view on committed relationship.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Death of parent and Fire/Fire injury
Moderate: Sexual assault, Sexual content, and Sexual harassment
Minor: Domestic abuse, Emotional abuse, Blood, Grief, Medical trauma, and Alcohol