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psliz's review
emotional
inspiring
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? No
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
2.0
oof. this book has a white savior love interest, cringe dialogue, no chemistry, villainization of religion, and an incomplete/unsatisfying ending. but hey, at least the anxiety rep is good.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Emotional abuse, Gaslighting, and Panic attacks/disorders
Moderate: Misogyny and Sexism
Minor: Vomit and Outing
anielabooks's review against another edition
funny
hopeful
lighthearted
relaxing
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
This book was cute. I liked the cultural diversity of the characters and the anxiety awareness. As an immigrant kid with anxiety, I understand how hard it is to set boundaries with parents, and this book showcased that wonderfully. It wasn’t life-changing, but I’m glad I read it.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Panic attacks/disorders and Mental illness
Moderate: Child death and Emotional abuse
Minor: Alcohol, Homophobia, Sexism, and Misogyny
stormzx's review
challenging
emotional
funny
hopeful
inspiring
lighthearted
reflective
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
4.75
13/14+
dadu and ace >>>
dadu and ace >>>
Content Warnings
Graphic: Panic attacks/disorders and Emotional abuse
Minor: Misogyny
thefatpaperback's review
emotional
hopeful
lighthearted
medium-paced
5.0
YA fake dating romance with South Asian heroine. Karina is the star of this show, and her biggest fan is the misunderstood bad boy she is wrangled into tutoring in English. A story of growth, self-discovery, and young love 💖
Content Warnings
Graphic: Bullying, Panic attacks/disorders, Grief, Mental illness, and Misogyny
Moderate: Biphobia
raf_'s review
emotional
funny
hopeful
inspiring
reflective
relaxing
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
5.0
Content Warnings
Graphic: Mental illness, Panic attacks/disorders, and Misogyny
melaniereadsbooks's review
emotional
funny
hopeful
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
5.0
This was one of the cutest contemporaries I have ever read in my life! Everything about Karina and Ace was so flipping adorable I could hardly contain myself. I was constantly smiling with how cute their interactions were and just so sweet!
I also really loved Karina's interactions with her grandmother and brother and best friends. It really showed a great support system and how that was working in her life, and the obstacles she had to overcome. And I loved the secondary plot with Ace and his family, and how things were resolved with his father and brother.
Honestly, these two deserve every good thing in the world.
I also really loved Karina's interactions with her grandmother and brother and best friends. It really showed a great support system and how that was working in her life, and the obstacles she had to overcome. And I loved the secondary plot with Ace and his family, and how things were resolved with his father and brother.
Honestly, these two deserve every good thing in the world.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Emotional abuse, Misogyny, and Sexism
qace90's review
emotional
hopeful
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
5.0
I received an advance copy from the publisher via Netgalley. This in no way influences my review; all words, thoughts, and opinions are my own.
My gosh, this book is utterly wonderful!
Karina Myra is sixteen-years-old and used to doing everything she can to meet her parents expectations of her, but when they leave for a month in Bangladesh to visit family she has her first chance at figuring out herself, for herself. In her corner she has her Dadu, her best friends Chloe and Nandini, her younger brother Samir, and she meets Ace when he needs help with English tutoring.
Counting Down With You is emotional and beautiful, and all around a wonderful read. I loved the friendships, but I also loved the bond she has with her younger brother. Things aren't always perfect, but the way they're there for each other, and especially the ways her Dadu supports her warmed my heart so much.
I also really enjoyed the ways Karina's identity is shaped by her Bangladeshi heritage and being Muslim. I can't speak to the rep as a white Jew, but I did love all the ways her identity was incorporated into the story.
One of my favorite elements was Karina's anxiety; I found it extremely relatable and at times overwhelming in how much I related. She has had to find coping methods that work for her while not feeling able to admit her anxiety to her parents. Her friends are super supportive, and even help her look for more coping strategies for when her standard (counting down from ten) isn't as effective. Her anxiety is very much a part of her, but it's not the point of the story, nor is it a point of conflict.
As to the romance that develops between Karina and Ash, it was so precious. I loved how supportive of her he is, as well as how she helps him find his own strengths and courage. The ways in which they help one another be braver and reach out for their dreams was so wonderful to see.
All around, I'm pretty confident this is one of my favorite books of 2021. It's so warm and full of emotions. The friendships and the anxiety felt so real, and the romance is one of the sweetest I've read. I highly recommend this book, and I"m looking forward to future books from Tashie Bhuiyan!
My gosh, this book is utterly wonderful!
Karina Myra is sixteen-years-old and used to doing everything she can to meet her parents expectations of her, but when they leave for a month in Bangladesh to visit family she has her first chance at figuring out herself, for herself. In her corner she has her Dadu, her best friends Chloe and Nandini, her younger brother Samir, and she meets Ace when he needs help with English tutoring.
Counting Down With You is emotional and beautiful, and all around a wonderful read. I loved the friendships, but I also loved the bond she has with her younger brother. Things aren't always perfect, but the way they're there for each other, and especially the ways her Dadu supports her warmed my heart so much.
I also really enjoyed the ways Karina's identity is shaped by her Bangladeshi heritage and being Muslim. I can't speak to the rep as a white Jew, but I did love all the ways her identity was incorporated into the story.
One of my favorite elements was Karina's anxiety; I found it extremely relatable and at times overwhelming in how much I related. She has had to find coping methods that work for her while not feeling able to admit her anxiety to her parents. Her friends are super supportive, and even help her look for more coping strategies for when her standard (counting down from ten) isn't as effective. Her anxiety is very much a part of her, but it's not the point of the story, nor is it a point of conflict.
As to the romance that develops between Karina and Ash, it was so precious. I loved how supportive of her he is, as well as how she helps him find his own strengths and courage. The ways in which they help one another be braver and reach out for their dreams was so wonderful to see.
All around, I'm pretty confident this is one of my favorite books of 2021. It's so warm and full of emotions. The friendships and the anxiety felt so real, and the romance is one of the sweetest I've read. I highly recommend this book, and I"m looking forward to future books from Tashie Bhuiyan!
Content Warnings
Graphic: Panic attacks/disorders
Minor: Ableism, Emotional abuse, Homophobia, Misogyny, and Racism
gaslighting, mention of vomiting
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