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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.
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.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Xenophobia, Toxic friendship, Biphobia, and Islamophobia
Moderate: Emotional abuse, Bullying, Lesbophobia, and Racism
Minor: Alcohol
elliereadsthings's review against another edition
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."
★★★★✩
"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."
Content Warnings
Graphic: Toxic friendship
Moderate: Racism, Lesbophobia, Biphobia, Xenophobia, and Islamophobia
Minor: Alcohol, Emotional abuse, Outing, and Bullying
amberinpieces'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
3.5
Content Warnings
Moderate: Toxic friendship, Xenophobia, Bullying, and Biphobia
Minor: Alcohol, Cursing, Islamophobia, and Racism
nineinchnails's review against another edition
emotional
funny
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
3.75
Content Warnings
Graphic: Toxic friendship, Racism, Homophobia, Islamophobia, and Bullying
Moderate: Abandonment and Gaslighting
bubbles_ishere's review against another edition
challenging
funny
hopeful
lighthearted
reflective
relaxing
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
Content Warnings
Graphic: Bullying, Islamophobia, Lesbophobia, Toxic friendship, Biphobia, Gaslighting, and Racism
marena02's review against another edition
emotional
funny
informative
lighthearted
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
4.0
Content Warnings
Graphic: Bullying, Biphobia, Cursing, Abandonment, Gaslighting, Islamophobia, Racism, and Toxic friendship
koplomps's review against another edition
emotional
inspiring
lighthearted
sad
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
3.75
Content Warnings
Graphic: Toxic friendship, Biphobia, Bullying, Islamophobia, and Racism
Moderate: Abandonment and Gaslighting
pinkupengu's review against another edition
funny
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
Content Warnings
Graphic: Cursing, Biphobia, and Bullying
sandrina's review against another edition
emotional
funny
lighthearted
relaxing
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? No
3.75
This was a cute, light-hearted book but it also had its more serious moments.
I really enjoyed the dual perspective in this book. It was well done in my opinion. I loved being able to see the individual growth from both perspectives.
I'll be honest, I did not like Ishu in the first 50 pages. She seemed very arrogant and egotistical. However, the more I read, the more I started to sympathise with her and relate to her. I think it was very well portrayed how the academic pressure affected her and how it changed her.
Hani was always close to my heart. She seemed like a sweet girl who just wanted to make sure everyone was happy. It made me sad to read how she felt like couldn't fully share her culture and religion with her friends. She always had to settle with a oversimplified explanation that still wasn't understood. It made me feel for her.
To sum it up, I thought this book was great. I enjoyed the character development and how Hani and Ishu were their own individuals with a life and opinions before, during and after the fake dating.
I really enjoyed the dual perspective in this book. It was well done in my opinion. I loved being able to see the individual growth from both perspectives.
I'll be honest, I did not like Ishu in the first 50 pages. She seemed very arrogant and egotistical. However, the more I read, the more I started to sympathise with her and relate to her. I think it was very well portrayed how the academic pressure affected her and how it changed her.
Hani was always close to my heart. She seemed like a sweet girl who just wanted to make sure everyone was happy. It made me sad to read how she felt like couldn't fully share her culture and religion with her friends. She always had to settle with a oversimplified explanation that still wasn't understood. It made me feel for her.
To sum it up, I thought this book was great. I enjoyed the character development and how Hani and Ishu were their own individuals with a life and opinions before, during and after the fake dating.
Content Warnings
Moderate: Bullying, Biphobia, and Homophobia
aviery's review against another edition
funny
lighthearted
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.0
Content Warnings
Graphic: Biphobia, Homophobia, Toxic friendship, and Religious bigotry
Moderate: Cursing, Gaslighting, Bullying, Islamophobia, and Racism