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4.12 AVERAGE
4.12 AVERAGE
So good. Can't wait to read what this author comes out with in the future.
I can only hope Riverdale references will cease to exist in modern media now that it’s over.
ya know what? 5 stars. this book fits perfectly into the niche it’s going for. it has realistic feelings and reactions and troubles. i can’t speak for the specific cultural pressures the characters went through, but as far as i could tell, they seemed really realistic too. i could actually feel my heart breaking for the people who unfortunately go through these consequences of being first generation citizens. the idea of your parents abandoning you because you don’t meet the hopes they had for you (hopes that definitely started as love) is just so saddening :(
anyway, i think this is definitely a book worth reading. it’s a overdone trope that is pulled off very well :)
anyway, i think this is definitely a book worth reading. it’s a overdone trope that is pulled off very well :)
what absolute perfection this fake dating desi sapphic romcom was with a sunshine and grump trope. this book is singlehandedly bringing back the allure of YA romances. if you couldn't tell already, i loved this book. it's authentic in the best way. check out my book blog!
hani and ishu served the sunshine grumpy trope like nobody else. the amount of times ishu's grumpy ass made me cackle??? unforgivable.
but seriously, the way their relationship developed was so realistic and refreshing. unlike some other various fake-dating trope stories out there, theirs actually made sense, and it's so satisfying that i know my standards for fake dating will never be the same.
everything about this book is refreshingly honest and sensible. i also just have to mention ishu's relationship with her sister because the development they went through was sweet and hilarious and exactly how some sisters interact. also, nik is a boss-ass bitch:
as a southeastern asian from the philippines, it was so heartwarming and cool to see a glimpse of bengali culture. i deeply appreciated how the author put so many terms in this book without giving any words to explain any of them because it leaves an important message to the reader to do your own research. this aspect made me respect and enjoy this story all the more.
this book was so refreshing in how natural it was; the characters drove the plot, not vise versa. there was never any dissonance between the character's personality and their actions, no tension of "they wouldn't really do that" and it made the plot flow and bloom in the most satisfying way.
[a:adiba jaigirdar|17552525|Adiba Jaigirdar|https://images.gr-assets.com/authors/1558433323p2/17552525.jpg] handled the antagonists in this story so well because realistically, most of the time, it's not strangers who yell derogatory and hurtful things to you — it's the people you know, and because of their proximity to you, their words and actions have more of a heartbreaking impact than a stranger's ever could. there's so many things i could say "fuck you" to in this book that made my blood boil like a witch's cauldron, but i'll choose this: fuck biphobia. fuck that shit forever.
there's so many things i want to touch on, so many scenes, so many feelings i could unleash in this review, but i know i wouldn't have the time or braincells to properly articulate all of them. so make sure to check out the other reviews on this book, especially ones that identify with the main characters; they have important things to say that, with my lens, i won't be able to see as clearly, so make sure to check those out!
overall, i thoroughly enjoyed this book. it reminded me of sitting against a tree on a sunny day, eating ice cream but laughing hysterically about how terrible life is sometimes but how wonderful things still happen all the same. happy reading!
hani and ishu served the sunshine grumpy trope like nobody else. the amount of times ishu's grumpy ass made me cackle??? unforgivable.
"It's nice to have ... family here for the wedding. Rakesh has such a big family in London and it's just nice to have some —"
"Okay, don't get all sappy."
but seriously, the way their relationship developed was so realistic and refreshing. unlike some other various fake-dating trope stories out there, theirs actually made sense, and it's so satisfying that i know my standards for fake dating will never be the same.
everything about this book is refreshingly honest and sensible. i also just have to mention ishu's relationship with her sister because the development they went through was sweet and hilarious and exactly how some sisters interact. also, nik is a boss-ass bitch:
Handling the test papers back to Ms. Gallagher, she says, "I rest my case."(marry me instead nik!!)
as a southeastern asian from the philippines, it was so heartwarming and cool to see a glimpse of bengali culture. i deeply appreciated how the author put so many terms in this book without giving any words to explain any of them because it leaves an important message to the reader to do your own research. this aspect made me respect and enjoy this story all the more.
this book was so refreshing in how natural it was; the characters drove the plot, not vise versa. there was never any dissonance between the character's personality and their actions, no tension of "they wouldn't really do that" and it made the plot flow and bloom in the most satisfying way.
Hani declares she's going to drop me home like we're some antiquated heterosexual couple and not two queer teens who don't even have access to a car.(there's just something so funny about this sentence)
[a:adiba jaigirdar|17552525|Adiba Jaigirdar|https://images.gr-assets.com/authors/1558433323p2/17552525.jpg] handled the antagonists in this story so well because realistically, most of the time, it's not strangers who yell derogatory and hurtful things to you — it's the people you know, and because of their proximity to you, their words and actions have more of a heartbreaking impact than a stranger's ever could. there's so many things i could say "fuck you" to in this book that made my blood boil like a witch's cauldron, but i'll choose this: fuck biphobia. fuck that shit forever.
there's so many things i want to touch on, so many scenes, so many feelings i could unleash in this review, but i know i wouldn't have the time or braincells to properly articulate all of them. so make sure to check out the other reviews on this book, especially ones that identify with the main characters; they have important things to say that, with my lens, i won't be able to see as clearly, so make sure to check those out!
overall, i thoroughly enjoyed this book. it reminded me of sitting against a tree on a sunny day, eating ice cream but laughing hysterically about how terrible life is sometimes but how wonderful things still happen all the same. happy reading!
"Where are we going?" Hani asks, letting me pull her along.
"Anywhere we can be together," I say.
lighthearted
reflective
fast-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Character
Strong character development:
Yes
Loveable characters:
Yes
Diverse cast of characters:
No
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Yes
emotional
funny
informative
inspiring
lighthearted
relaxing
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:
Complicated
emotional
funny
hopeful
inspiring
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
Humaira "Hani" Khan is one of the most charismatic and outgoing people at school. Ishita "Ishu" Dey, on the other hand, is the complete opposite, her intimidating and studious personality being often alienating.
One day, Ishu decides she want to be the "Head Girl" of the school to try and gain approval from her parents. So, she proposes an idea to Hani, the only other Bengali person in their school; they should fake date one another. It will be a win-win. Ishu will gain favor for "Head Girl" and Hani's friends will finally accept her bisexuality.
Along the way, they develop real feelings for each other and drama ensues as they have to struggle between their feelings and their relationships with their friends and family. In the end, they choose each other, with Hani standing up to her friends and Ishu defying her parents.
This was a very sweet story with some emotional beats that had me on the edge of my seat. I really enjoyed how everything was resolved between Hani and Ishu's POVs. It was so cool to see both of their inner worlds and separate misunderstandings. All of it came together to create a cohesive adventure and story of developing feelings from each side. I'm so glad the story ended with the reassurance that everything will be fine as long as they have each other. Not everything is going to be perfect all the time, but these two have each other to get through it, and I find that very endearing.
One day, Ishu decides she want to be the "Head Girl" of the school to try and gain approval from her parents. So, she proposes an idea to Hani, the only other Bengali person in their school; they should fake date one another. It will be a win-win. Ishu will gain favor for "Head Girl" and Hani's friends will finally accept her bisexuality.
Along the way, they develop real feelings for each other and drama ensues as they have to struggle between their feelings and their relationships with their friends and family. In the end, they choose each other, with Hani standing up to her friends and Ishu defying her parents.
This was a very sweet story with some emotional beats that had me on the edge of my seat. I really enjoyed how everything was resolved between Hani and Ishu's POVs. It was so cool to see both of their inner worlds and separate misunderstandings. All of it came together to create a cohesive adventure and story of developing feelings from each side. I'm so glad the story ended with the reassurance that everything will be fine as long as they have each other. Not everything is going to be perfect all the time, but these two have each other to get through it, and I find that very endearing.
Content Warnings
Moderate: Biphobia, Bullying, Xenophobia, Islamophobia, Toxic friendship
hopeful
lighthearted
reflective
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
emotional
funny
lighthearted
fast-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Character
Loveable characters:
Yes
Diverse cast of characters:
Yes
emotional
inspiring
lighthearted
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