Reviews with content warning for Xenophobia - Hani and Ishu's Guide to Fake Dating

Reviews tagging 'Xenophobia'

Hani and Ishu's Guide to Fake Dating by Adiba Jaigirdar

58 reviews

pandemonicbaby's review against another edition

emotional lighthearted 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

3.25

I think I had higher expectations for this book, and I'm kinda sad it didn't keep up with them. Don't get me wrong, I enjoyed it! But I guess I just thought it would go somewhere different? I'm not sure. I think maybe there could have been more moments between the characters that showcased their chemistry better? I'm not sure. But I did like their concepts as characters; a popular bi girl who lets keeps letting people walk all over her and doesn't feel comfortable being her true self, and an awkward queer nerd who is definitely not a people person. I just guess I expected more from their dynamic, because it seemed really promising to me.
Also, the characters of Aisling and Dee seemed pretty one-dimensional to me, as in i didn't see why they ever had any, let's say, "friendship chemistry" with hani. They didn't really seem that believable as her friends - they didn't seem to share any interests or anything like that -, and it's like they were only put there to be the villains. I think it would've been more interesting if the book showed them being more fleshed-out characters, and show us why Hani was so scared of standing up to her friends. It might be scary to stand up to people you dislike, but it's scarier to stand up to people you like, and I think the book would've been able to take the reader through a deepet journey in Hani's mindset if it showed reasons as to why she had liked her friends in the first place.
Overall, it was a very interesting concept, but i just wish it had been executed better. It was still a nice read, and I like sweet sapphic stories.
Among Jaigirdar's work, though, I think I still prefer The Henna Wars.

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elliereadsthings's review against another edition

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hopeful lighthearted reflective fast-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

4.0

It wouldn't be a good queer YA romance if I didn't want to hit each of the main characters at least 6 times, now would it?

★★★★✩

"You made a mistake, and your Abba made a mistake too," she murmurs. "It doesn't make anybody the worst anything in the world. It just makes us human."

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amberinpieces's review against another edition

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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

3.5

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morgankailackerman's review against another edition

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emotional hopeful inspiring reflective sad 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

5.0

I absolutely fell in love with this book. It took complicated topics like friendships, identities, relationships with parents, racism, homophobia, and biphobia and made it accessible for young readers. The characters are so well-written that they feel real. I would highly suggest this book no matter your age - it's so important! I can't wait to read more books by Adiba Jaigirdar.

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dielesemotte's review against another edition

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challenging emotional hopeful medium-paced

Plot- or character-driven? Character
Strong character development? Yes
Loveable characters? Yes
Diverse cast of characters? It's complicated
Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes

4.75

Das war einfach mal unglaublich süß! Neben Hani und Ishu fand ich ganz besonders die Beziehung zwischen Ishu und ihrer Schwester super interessant und habe bei jeder Szene mit den beiden innerlich gejubelt.

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gracemuelle's review against another edition

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emotional hopeful lighthearted

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

4.5

i really enjoyed this book and i was so sad it’s over, i totally fell in love with the main characters and loved to see how they developed and grew throughout the book

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