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annorabrady's review
hopeful
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.75
I can see why a lot of people like it, especially teens. But it wasn't really my jam. I think it would be particularly important for both POC and LGBTQ youth, especially those who don't have the best coming out experiences. Though, it should be noted that there are both forced outings, overt racism, and nonviolent hate crimes in this story so people should approach it with caution.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Outing, Hate crime, Homophobia, Lesbophobia, Religious bigotry, Racism, and Bullying
americattt's review against another edition
emotional
hopeful
lighthearted
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
3.75
"But our parents have the same philosophy. They shifted us halfway across the world, risking our culture, putting us in the middle of two nations and giving us an identity crisis, all because they believe it gives us more opportunities. It's strange to think about how much our parents really sacrifice for us. But then, I'm stuck on the fact that Ammu and Abbu can leave their entire worlds behind, yet they can't pause for a moment and consider who I am. How can they sacrifice everything for me and Priti, but they can't sacrifice their closed view of sexuality to accept me as I am."
Content Warnings
Graphic: Homophobia, Outing, and Racism
Moderate: Cultural appropriation and Bullying
Minor: Islamophobia
itsradsmads's review against another edition
hopeful
inspiring
reflective
fast-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
5.0
Content Warnings
Moderate: Bullying and Homophobia
willowlywillow's review against another edition
emotional
hopeful
lighthearted
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? It's complicated
4.25
Content Warnings
Graphic: Outing
Moderate: Homophobia, Cultural appropriation, Racism, and Bullying
Minor: Islamophobia
lucyhargrave's review against another edition
emotional
hopeful
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? It's complicated
3.75
Content Warnings
Graphic: Racism, Lesbophobia, Hate crime, Outing, Cultural appropriation, and Bullying
evelynyle_88's review against another edition
emotional
hopeful
lighthearted
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
Content Warnings
Graphic: Outing
Moderate: Bullying, Homophobia, Cultural appropriation, and Racism
Minor: Islamophobia
zaczytanaati's review against another edition
hopeful
inspiring
lighthearted
relaxing
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
3.75
Content Warnings
Graphic: Outing
Moderate: Homophobia, Cultural appropriation, and Bullying
Minor: Islamophobia
zefancifulreader's review against another edition
hopeful
lighthearted
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
4.75
Loved this book!
It’s advertised as an enemies to lovers troupe but I honestly didn’t find that the most compelling part of this story. (Although they are a very cute couple.)
Henna Wars may be the catalyst of the plot but it’s the relationships outside the main couple that really held me. Priti and Nishat’s relationship is one of the most accurate sister relationships I’ve read ever. The family dynamics of both Nishat and Flávia were fascinating and complicated and beautiful.
Also, let’s be real, I’m a sucker for a book that has the premise of romance but is really about much bigger themes. This book somehow tackled racism (of VARIOUS races and backgrounds), homophobia, cultural appropriation, xenophobia, bullying, and the trauma of “outing” without soapboxing or disrupting the plot. It all wove together beautifully.
It’s advertised as an enemies to lovers troupe but I honestly didn’t find that the most compelling part of this story. (Although they are a very cute couple.)
Henna Wars may be the catalyst of the plot but it’s the relationships outside the main couple that really held me. Priti and Nishat’s relationship is one of the most accurate sister relationships I’ve read ever. The family dynamics of both Nishat and Flávia were fascinating and complicated and beautiful.
Also, let’s be real, I’m a sucker for a book that has the premise of romance but is really about much bigger themes. This book somehow tackled racism (of VARIOUS races and backgrounds), homophobia, cultural appropriation, xenophobia, bullying, and the trauma of “outing” without soapboxing or disrupting the plot. It all wove together beautifully.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Outing
Moderate: Cultural appropriation, Homophobia, Bullying, and Racism
_nem_'s review against another edition
emotional
lighthearted
reflective
sad
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
4.5
Rep: Bangladeshi lesbian POV, Brazilian MC, Korean MC
Set in Ireland
This story really pulled me in. I learnt a lot about South Asian culture. I can't comment on how accurate it was but the ideas of coming out and existing as queer in a not accepting environment were very relatable.
I loved the developing relationship between Nishat and Flavia especially towards the end when Flavia is more accepting of her own identity. It was great when Flavia was realising how toxic China was and that she didn't want that anymore.
Set in Ireland
This story really pulled me in. I learnt a lot about South Asian culture. I can't comment on how accurate it was but the ideas of coming out and existing as queer in a not accepting environment were very relatable.
I loved the developing relationship between Nishat and Flavia especially towards the end when Flavia is more accepting of her own identity. It was great when Flavia was realising how toxic China was and that she didn't want that anymore.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Homophobia, Lesbophobia, Bullying, Outing, and Racism
Moderate: Cultural appropriation and Toxic friendship
cosmicwillow's review
emotional
funny
lighthearted
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
3.75
This was cute! I like how it dealt with heavier topics like race/racism and cultural appropriation, and homophobia, but ultimately I found it to be an adorable queer rivals (because they were hardly enemies lol) to lovers story.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Racism, Outing, Lesbophobia, Bullying, Xenophobia, Homophobia, and Cultural appropriation