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charliereads_'s review
emotional
inspiring
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
4.25
mooshroomx's review
2.0
I’m a mood reader and with this book I lost interest by the half way mark, it was a very slow read and honestly just didn’t hold my attention at all.
nebulous_tide's review
4.0
The author does an excellent job of clearly presenting a complex set of interpersonal relationships through the sensitive, if self-absorbed eyes of Amar. About halfway through, I become frustrated with just how self-centred the protagonist was being. But I’m glad I read to the end. I even started to like Amar. A true journey of identity, with some masterful moments.
brandece1's review
3.5
3.5
I randomly saw this cover at my library in the romance section and was very drawn to it. I had never heard of it or the author before so I wasn't sure what to expect. I knew (from the back cover) that it would be emotional and probably pretty hard hitting, but I did think there would be some lightness in it, a lot of romance and the couple together trying to navigate their cultural differences, family obligation and guilt. But I think that this one was definitely more fiction with a romance than a romance. Yes there was an HEA, but this one was very much Amar's journey alone and while I did enjoy that I was let down but that was more the fault of my library and me not researching a little more (I didn't knock a star down because of this at all). Like I said this one was emotional, definite trigger warnings for homophobia, slurs, racism, death of a parent, and depression. I can't speak for the queer rep or the Muslim rep, but I will say that there were times as a POC that the things Amar would say or face (as far as microaggressions and such) really hit home. Overall this was not the romance I thought it would be but I really did enjoy seeing Amar grow and I was happy I was left with a HEA even though this was not a romance IMO.
I randomly saw this cover at my library in the romance section and was very drawn to it. I had never heard of it or the author before so I wasn't sure what to expect. I knew (from the back cover) that it would be emotional and probably pretty hard hitting, but I did think there would be some lightness in it, a lot of romance and the couple together trying to navigate their cultural differences, family obligation and guilt. But I think that this one was definitely more fiction with a romance than a romance. Yes there was an HEA, but this one was very much Amar's journey alone and while I did enjoy that I was let down but that was more the fault of my library and me not researching a little more (I didn't knock a star down because of this at all). Like I said this one was emotional, definite trigger warnings for homophobia, slurs, racism, death of a parent, and depression. I can't speak for the queer rep or the Muslim rep, but I will say that there were times as a POC that the things Amar would say or face (as far as microaggressions and such) really hit home. Overall this was not the romance I thought it would be but I really did enjoy seeing Amar grow and I was happy I was left with a HEA even though this was not a romance IMO.
pleasereadittome's review against another edition
informative
reflective
sad
slow-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.0
cath_t's review
emotional
hopeful
inspiring
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? Yes
4.0
cathyelisabeth's review
challenging
emotional
informative
reflective
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
4.0
askxtine's review
4.25
Really enjoyed this story. My heart breaks for Amar and his family's conflict between religion and having a relationship with their son/sibling. Yes, it was dramatic but I think it needed that to show Amar's growth. I'm ok with that. Plenty of opportunities for me (as the reader) to reflect on my biases or how I might have behaved if I were various characters. I loved to see the tender moments between Joshua and Amar, and even the attraction with Houssein , all felt very real. I think if I were LGBTQ Muslim, this book would be everything for me.
lisamshardlow's review against another edition
5.0
28-year-old Amar is a British-born Asian Muslim man who comes from a traditional Bangladeshi family in London. He's also gay and engaged to Joshua - a white man. After being in a relationship with Joshua for two years, Amar decides it is time for him to come out to his family, via his family’s WhatsApp group. His decision to come out sends shockwaves through not only his family but also through their community, which has Amar questioning everything that he believes in.
I loved this book. As soon as I’d finished the last page, I said out loud to myself “that was beautiful!” Being a straight white woman, I couldn’t relate to what Amar must have been going through, but I definitely felt for him. No one deserves to be treated with disgust and prejudice because of their sexuality and/or religion and culture. But it was difficult for his family too - having been brought up with such beliefs over the generations. I loved Amar; he was very likeable and funny even when he was at his lowest point. I also loved Amar and Joshua’s relationship; they had to have a lot of strength to endure everything they went through. There was also a scene where Amar and his family were celebrating Eid and the descriptions of all the delicious foods were making me salivate!
It’s safe to say that there was nothing that I didn’t love about this story. All the way through, I wanted to know what was going to happen next. I really cared for the characters and wanted the best for them. So, I give This Way Out 5 out of 5 stars.
I would highly recommend this to anyone who loves contemporary fiction, romance, stories about members of the LGBTQ+ community, cultural aspects of a traditional Bangladeshi family, or if you are Muslim and gay and are going through a similar situation.
I loved this book. As soon as I’d finished the last page, I said out loud to myself “that was beautiful!” Being a straight white woman, I couldn’t relate to what Amar must have been going through, but I definitely felt for him. No one deserves to be treated with disgust and prejudice because of their sexuality and/or religion and culture. But it was difficult for his family too - having been brought up with such beliefs over the generations. I loved Amar; he was very likeable and funny even when he was at his lowest point. I also loved Amar and Joshua’s relationship; they had to have a lot of strength to endure everything they went through. There was also a scene where Amar and his family were celebrating Eid and the descriptions of all the delicious foods were making me salivate!
It’s safe to say that there was nothing that I didn’t love about this story. All the way through, I wanted to know what was going to happen next. I really cared for the characters and wanted the best for them. So, I give This Way Out 5 out of 5 stars.
I would highly recommend this to anyone who loves contemporary fiction, romance, stories about members of the LGBTQ+ community, cultural aspects of a traditional Bangladeshi family, or if you are Muslim and gay and are going through a similar situation.