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katrinaeames's review against another edition
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
5.0
Graphic: Sexism and Classism
Moderate: Grief and Death of parent
Minor: Homophobia
betweentheshelves's review
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.0
On the one hand she has her momo's choice for her: Harun. A kind of aloof, devishly handsome boy from a good family. On the other hand, there's Nayim, the new boy at Chai Ho, inspiring her to follow her dreams. As you'd expect, rom-com elements follow, and it's just an overall joy to read.
Outside of Zahra, the side characters are just as fleshed out and have their own things to contribute to the plot. Definitely a great romance to add to your summer TBR!
Graphic: Classism, Sexism, and Death of parent
Moderate: Emotional abuse, Xenophobia, and Grief
Minor: Homophobia, Racism, and Colonisation
trayslays's review against another edition
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
3.5
Moderate: Grief, Classism, Death of parent, and Sexism
drraytay's review
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
3.5
Graphic: Death and Death of parent
Moderate: Xenophobia
Minor: Fatphobia, Colonisation, War, Classism, and Miscarriage
lettuce_read's review
5.0
Graphic: Classism, Death of parent, and Sexism
Minor: Homophobia and Racism
imstephtacular's review against another edition
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Loveable characters? Yes
3.5
Graphic: Classism
Moderate: Death of parent, Sexism, and Grief
Minor: Xenophobia, Colonisation, Racism, and Homophobia
words_with_wendy's review against another edition
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
4.25
Graphic: Death of parent, Sexism, and Classism
Moderate: Bullying and Misogyny
Minor: Islamophobia and Cancer
katiemack's review against another edition
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
4.25
Before reading this, I had no idea about the gaps in my knowledge of Bangladesh and its culture, but the cultural framing Priyanka Taslim puts into her book is effective; I felt like I learned a lot, and Zahra is such a compelling protagonist that I couldn't put the book down. Her struggles with familial devotion, compromising her life plans, and trying to make time for her best friends are relatable to me as an adult and will definitely resonate with younger readers too. The romance is also dramatic and angsty in a way that works well with the narrative--while Zahra makes some cringe-worthy decisions, the climax of her romance with her chosen suitor is satisfying. (I wish we had gotten to see more of their relationship at the end, though!)
If you're a fan of South Asian Cinema (Bolly-, Tolly-, Dhallywood, etc.), you'll love this.
Moderate: Classism
Minor: Death of parent
bookwormbullet's review against another edition
- 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
5.0
Moderate: Classism, Emotional abuse, and Grief
Minor: Death of parent, Homophobia, and Racism