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4.12 AVERAGE
4.12 AVERAGE
Gay. Gay. Gay. Love the gay. They so gay. Did I mention they are gay? Sorry for the spoiler
I enjoyed learning more about the Bengali and Muslim community. I just think that there needs to be more representation of Muslim, queer,black…people in general. I love that both characters have a strong personality, that makes books so much better. It has a great balance between light-weighted content and heavier content. It was very fast paced and I couldn’t put it down. The slowburn was amazing and I loved the sibling relationship between Ishu and Nik and how it develops.
funny
informative
inspiring
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:
No
returned to library
might pick it up again some other time
might pick it up again some other time
this was SO cute !!!!!! made me wish i knew i was queer in high school
emotional
hopeful
inspiring
reflective
sad
tense
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:
No
I loved this book! In a dual-POV, author Jaigirdar weaves a story about how one’s self-identity and relationships with others are often in conflict, all wrapped in an adorable budding romance. Not only that, but Jaigirdar manages to tackle topics like homo/biphobia, Islamophobia, racism, and more—both micro- and macro- aggressions—without it feeling like any one topic overshadows the others, nor the main plot, as they actually contribute largely to the narrative.
My only critique of the book is that there are some moments (not necessarily in the separate POVs) in which the writing mirrored itself and I felt a strong sense of deja vu from specific sentences. These sentences could have likely been revised or removed while still maintaining the flow of the writing. But that’s just a nitpick.
Overall, this book left me at times wishing to tear my hair out, laughing until I cried, crying until I laughed, and gushing over my love for the characters and the story. It exceeded my expectations of the cozy sapphic book I hoped for when I first picked it up.
My only critique of the book is that there are some moments (not necessarily in the separate POVs) in which the writing mirrored itself and I felt a strong sense of deja vu from specific sentences. These sentences could have likely been revised or removed while still maintaining the flow of the writing. But that’s just a nitpick.
Overall, this book left me at times wishing to tear my hair out, laughing until I cried, crying until I laughed, and gushing over my love for the characters and the story. It exceeded my expectations of the cozy sapphic book I hoped for when I first picked it up.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Biphobia
this was a fun read ! it’s light and fluffy, and though the conflicts aren’t too dramatic and heavy, they’re not too shallow either. the characters are well-written, including the antagonists, so much that they got my blood boiling. the two mcs have such good chemistry, they make my heart so full !! also, the way this book tackled biphobia and the struggles people of color had to face in a white country (as well as the intersectionality of the two) is so good and realistic. as a queer poc who constantly had to deal with parental standards, this book really spoke to me.
now, the second part of the review will be dedicated to my favorite girl, nikhita dey. i love her so much. she added an entire star to my rating!! i feel like she had as much story as ishu, and though the book showed only glimpses of it, these were enough to pique my interest. she was such an important part of the story. she was the support system ishu needed, despite struggling with her own problems she still made sure her sister isn't going to go through the same issues she had. also,, the part when ishu messaged her about what she was going through and she thought nik didn’t care when it turned out she was already booking flights to go and help her ??!@#%$%
but really, this book was a great read. i love it. i love it. i love nik. i love ishu. i love hani. oh my god.
now, the second part of the review will be dedicated to my favorite girl, nikhita dey. i love her so much. she added an entire star to my rating!! i feel like she had as much story as ishu, and though the book showed only glimpses of it, these were enough to pique my interest. she was such an important part of the story. she was the support system ishu needed, despite struggling with her own problems she still made sure her sister isn't going to go through the same issues she had. also,, the part when ishu messaged her about what she was going through and she thought nik didn’t care when it turned out she was already booking flights to go and help her ??!@#%$%
but really, this book was a great read. i love it. i love it. i love nik. i love ishu. i love hani. oh my god.
emotional
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
4.5 stars, there were some funky grammar errors (like the letter m being split into r and n, “Urn” instead of “Um”) that took me out of it. But I read this book in two days and had a great time getting to know Ishu and Hani. I liked that the story didn’t wrap up with everything being just fine, Ishu’s parents coming to Nik’s wedding, etc. It feels more real and likeable. I would read a second book about these two and how they grow together! But I would love that book to focus on found family and not on queer struggling — we have so many of those already and I want to see happiness represented. Again, loved it!
i had high hopes for this but the story feels almost unfinished with plot points that were never resolved and there wasn't really much actually happening until late in the story.
also, the antagonists faced no consequences and it's something i really find infuriating in YA books where kids are openly bigots and bullies and then no one expects them to learn anything. i worry it’s becoming a trend in these kinds of books and sets a pretty bad example.
i have really liked her other books, especially the dos and donuts of love, so i was really surprised with this one
2.5⭐️⭐️✨✖️✖️