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jkneebone'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? Yes
3.0
Although I overall enjoyed The Love Match, I think being an adult rather than a teenager, and also coming from a Western background, kept me from fully buying into the premise/embracing the plot. I understand that early engagements/marriages are not uncommon for Bangladeshi young people, but I struggled with how seriously all of the characters (Zahra, her love interests, and side couple Dani and Ximena) took their relationships given that they were all only eighteen years old.
(My other gripe is a more personal one - how does Zahra find a college professor who is willing to read her amateur novel? My college creative writing professors were dismissive of anything we'd written in high school and wanted us to start with short stories at least until grad school, but I digress.)
Despite my struggles to suspend my disbelief re: the age of the characters, it was a fun read that I'm sure lots of YA romance fans would enjoy. Zahra's friends and family were great side characters, and I really liked how the author explored the interpersonal dynamics and Zahra's sense of obligation to her family. As an outsider, I enjoyed the representation of Bangladeshi culture, and as a crafter I loved that her mother had a tailoring/sewing business :) A very clean read as well, if that is something you are concerned about.
Moderate: Death of parent
mousmoulo'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? Yes
4.5
i also really, really enjoyed the cultural aspects of this! i don't think i've read a book by and about bangladeshi people before, and i'm very glad i did :)
Moderate: Death of parent
kendra_taylors_version's review against another edition
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
3.75
Graphic: Death of parent
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
mfieldshalva'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? Yes
4.5
Moderate: Death of parent and Xenophobia
anna_23'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? No
4.0
Minor: Death of parent, Homophobia, and Xenophobia
vibesbymarissa's review against another edition
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.5
Moderate: Death of parent
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