Reviews

I have to say I was taken aback by this book because I expected a meet cute scenario and a maybe even a bridezilla twist but this book was far more complex than that.

It’s far more an interesting exploration of the cultural differences that exist for Lebanese women and girls living in Lebanon and Australia.

Natalie was born in Australia into a very traditional Lebanese family but has never felt she belonged in her country of birth or within the Lebanese community she’s part of there. But when she travels to Lebanon hoping she’ll feel a connection to her family’s homeland she suddenly realises growing up ‘traditionally’ hasn’t equipped her for modern life in Lebanon at all.

This is a sweet #LoveOzYA story of food, friendship, identity and family (blood or found) but also a gritty look at the impacts of abandonment, cultural and societal expectations and living in two worlds while belonging in neither.

Before reading this book I knew next to nothing about Lebanese culture but to me the characters and situations depicted in this novel seem authentic and I think any child growing up in Australia who has been perceived as the ‘other’ at some point will relate. (Having once been the only kid from Europe in a very Anglo-centric small town I certainly could).

I think this book will be a real eye opener for many and one that many teens living that ‘one foot in two cultures life’ will relate to.

angelajasz's review against another edition

Go to review page

emotional informative 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? It's complicated

4.5

Took me a little to get into this book, but I'm glad I kept going because soon enough I couldn't stop listening!

c_wong's review against another edition

Go to review page

emotional reflective 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

4.75

lawbooks600's review

Go to review page

informative medium-paced

Plot- or character-driven? N/A
Strong character development? No
Loveable characters? It's complicated
Diverse cast of characters? Yes
Flaws of characters a main focus? No

3.0

Representation: Asian characters

7/10, at the time I picked this up and read it it was a new arrival at one of the two libraries I go to and at first I didn't know what I was going to read but I expected it to be well, a light enjoyable-to-read romance book but when I read it it was not what I expected and went in a completely different direction. That doesn't necessarily mean that I didn't enjoy this however the novel was a struggle at times. It starts with the main character Natalie whose name I forgot and she doesn't believe in romance but is it me or am I getting major deja vu from this... That being said she lives a normal life in Australia since she and her family immigrated there sometime before the book is set, at first Natalie acts preachy since she lectures me explicitly about issues like racism, sexism, you get the idea but soon enough the novel starts to get intriguing mainly from the latter half and beyond. The theme about parental expectations being unrealistic and outdated is something people can relate to so that's a nice touch. During the last few hundred pages Natalie has enough privilege and money to go to Abu Dhabi where she spends some time alongside her friends, it turns out that the vacation takes up a much larger chunk than I initially thought since then afterwards Natalie goes to Greece, Lebanon where she falls for someone although she insisted that love isn't worth it! No way. Then a few pages pass where Natalie starts having this identity crisis only because she doesn't feel accepted in Australia because of who she is or in Lebanon due to her thoughts and behaviour and now? She has no idea who she is anymore so she finds out. That's it I guess.

Content Warnings

rylz123's review

Go to review page

3.5

A bit repetitive, but interesting and important themes.

scienceworks's review

Go to review page

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

3.25

chesneyjean's review

Go to review page

adventurous funny hopeful inspiring lighthearted reflective relaxing 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

4.25

More...