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princessapplecore's review
dark
emotional
hopeful
informative
inspiring
reflective
sad
tense
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
5.0
OMG, THIS BOOK!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! I LOVE THIS BOOK!!
I could go on and on about this book. I love this book into the depths of my soul. This book has my heart.
1. Plot- The plot of this book was... I guess different is the word I want, than other LGBTQIA+ novels. There were the elements of race and religion. Most YA LGBTQIA+ books are only centered around sexualities. Because this book added bits of Muslim and Catholic views, as well as the "But Bangladeshis are not gay." and the homophobia from her parents, made this book seem a bit more real.
2. Characters- I love Nishat. She is so strong-willed, she knows who she is and doesn't hide it. Flávia is so careful with others. I love their relationship, it's so cute.
3. The Humor- The little description on the inside of the book says that this is a rom-com, it's not. The only time I actually laughed was at the very end when Nishat's parents are watching The Ellen Show.
As I've said before, I really like this book. 10/10, won't read again, because I'm like that.
I could go on and on about this book. I love this book into the depths of my soul. This book has my heart.
1. Plot- The plot of this book was... I guess different is the word I want, than other LGBTQIA+ novels. There were the elements of race and religion. Most YA LGBTQIA+ books are only centered around sexualities. Because this book added bits of Muslim and Catholic views, as well as the "But Bangladeshis are not gay." and the homophobia from her parents, made this book seem a bit more real.
2. Characters- I love Nishat. She is so strong-willed, she knows who she is and doesn't hide it. Flávia is so careful with others. I love their relationship, it's so cute.
3. The Humor- The little description on the inside of the book says that this is a rom-com, it's not. The only time I actually laughed was at the very end when Nishat's parents are watching The Ellen Show.
As I've said before, I really like this book. 10/10, won't read again, because I'm like that.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Bullying, Cultural appropriation, Gaslighting, Homophobia, Islamophobia, Outing, Racism, Religious bigotry, Toxic friendship, Toxic relationship, and Xenophobia
Moderate: Emotional abuse
Minor: Biphobia, Child abuse, and Cursing
writefromthepage's review
informative
reflective
medium-paced
- 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
3.0
Very disappointed 😥 I did appreciate the diversity, an interracial sapphic romance bring front and center, and every scene depicting the Nishat’s homophobic parents really hit me hard.
Unfortunately, the book didn’t have much substance and just fell apart for me. Lots of plot lines were dropped, underdeveloped, or wrapped up so quickly it made me wonder why it was included in the first place. Especially Nishat’s friends from school - she interacted with them so little, it made no sense for them to be here.
And if you are interested in reading this book for the enemies to lovers plot line, or the discussion of cultural appropriation, you’ll be severally disappointed like I was. The romance was very Insta love and the progression from enemies (the competition between the girls was barely present) to lovers (it was so random and came out of nowhere) really felt like it went from point A to B without any development to get them to that point.
As for the cultural appropriation plot line, it was brought up once or twice, but eventually dwindled away without much of a conclusion. Flavia never really learned her lesson beyond her saying “I realize I was wrong” without much proof in the narrative that she actually did.
And my biggest grip was that Flavia never once apologized to Nishat about not standing up for her sooner from her racist, bullying cousin. The way it was depicted made me very uncomfy because it was portrayed that Flavia’s fear of her cousin turning on her for standing up for her girlfriend was more important than the torment Nishat was facing everyday at school from her. Idk about you, but that’s not girlfriend material to me.
Unfortunately, the book didn’t have much substance and just fell apart for me. Lots of plot lines were dropped, underdeveloped, or wrapped up so quickly it made me wonder why it was included in the first place. Especially Nishat’s friends from school - she interacted with them so little, it made no sense for them to be here.
And if you are interested in reading this book for the enemies to lovers plot line, or the discussion of cultural appropriation, you’ll be severally disappointed like I was. The romance was very Insta love and the progression from enemies (the competition between the girls was barely present) to lovers (it was so random and came out of nowhere) really felt like it went from point A to B without any development to get them to that point.
As for the cultural appropriation plot line, it was brought up once or twice, but eventually dwindled away without much of a conclusion. Flavia never really learned her lesson beyond her saying “I realize I was wrong” without much proof in the narrative that she actually did.
And my biggest grip was that Flavia never once apologized to Nishat about not standing up for her sooner from her racist, bullying cousin. The way it was depicted made me very uncomfy because it was portrayed that Flavia’s fear of her cousin turning on her for standing up for her girlfriend was more important than the torment Nishat was facing everyday at school from her. Idk about you, but that’s not girlfriend material to me.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Bullying, Child abuse, and Racism
Minor: Biphobia
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