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relin's review against another edition
emotional
hopeful
reflective
sad
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
5.0
The structure of the book was really neat, flashbacks that were hinted at in the previous chapter in very clear ways that the knowledge in the flashback changes the reading of the conversation. It was fun to see Shakespeare and Muslim culture be intertwined!
Content Warnings
Graphic: Sexism and Bullying
Moderate: Ableism, Toxic friendship, Islamophobia, Classism, and Injury/Injury detail
Minor: Sexual content and Pregnancy
vagaybond's review
- Strong character development? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? It's complicated
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.25
This was a romance story but I felt more than that, that it was a personal growth story. Sort of depicting the differences between someone and the decisions they make as young people and then when they are 28 and grown up a bit, and the things it takes to get there.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Bullying and Cursing
Moderate: Chronic illness
Minor: Mental illness and Pregnancy
amandadelbrocco's review against another edition
emotional
funny
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? Yes
4.0
Overall, a really charming read though I think ultimately I still like her first book better. I enjoyed that the main character was in her late 20's and trying to figure out her life since that's not super common in romances. I really liked the side characters and their stories.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Bullying
Moderate: Misogyny and Sexism
nyquillll's review
challenging
emotional
hopeful
reflective
sad
slow-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.75
I really enjoyed reading about two Muslim characters who are deeply embedded in their culture and faith - much of which I do not have prior knowledge of. In this sense, this book was educational and enjoyable.
I was really rooting for Baz and Nada, and I think the flashbacks and flashforwards were sequenced well to move the story along.
I often was viscerally reacting to some scenes, and I could feel an ache and hope for Nada to realize the motive behind her actions and face her fears head on, which is admittedly hard to do in the context she’s in.
I think some of the challenges I had with this book were Baz’s actions toward Nada? I think the bullying aspect was kind of brushed over and not really dealt with or addressed as something serious? From my perception. I also found Baz very hot and cold, understandably so, but to the point that when he confessed he still loved Nada, I wished there were more fluffy parts to balance his iciness. That it wasn’t just a quick flip of a switch.
Despite the minor challenges, though, I really enjoyed this book and the author’s handling of disability, complex family dynamics, the external pressures on relationships, fears of not meeting expectations, the uncomfortable and painful journey toward becoming a better person, and the calling out of sexism and gender roles. I’m very excited to read this author’s other novels!
I was really rooting for Baz and Nada, and I think the flashbacks and flashforwards were sequenced well to move the story along.
I often was viscerally reacting to some scenes, and I could feel an ache and hope for Nada to realize the motive behind her actions and face her fears head on, which is admittedly hard to do in the context she’s in.
I think some of the challenges I had with this book were Baz’s actions toward Nada? I think the bullying aspect was kind of brushed over and not really dealt with or addressed as something serious? From my perception. I also found Baz very hot and cold, understandably so, but to the point that when he confessed he still loved Nada, I wished there were more fluffy parts to balance his iciness. That it wasn’t just a quick flip of a switch.
Despite the minor challenges, though, I really enjoyed this book and the author’s handling of disability, complex family dynamics, the external pressures on relationships, fears of not meeting expectations, the uncomfortable and painful journey toward becoming a better person, and the calling out of sexism and gender roles. I’m very excited to read this author’s other novels!
Content Warnings
Moderate: Grief and Bullying
caleyr94's review
emotional
informative
inspiring
reflective
tense
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
4.0
I was amazed by this book. The ability to draw you in and keep you guessing was something I rarely find outside a mystery. This book masterfully broke my heart and put it back together again.
Content Warnings
Moderate: Bullying
prairiek's review
reflective
slow-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.0
Content Warnings
Moderate: Bullying, Body shaming, Gaslighting, Toxic relationship, and Toxic friendship
onegalonelife27's review against another edition
emotional
hopeful
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
4.5
Content Warnings
Graphic: Mental illness, Bullying, and Toxic relationship
Moderate: Sexism, Misogyny, and Ableism
Minor: Pregnancy, Hate crime, and Panic attacks/disorders
spinesinaline's review
hopeful
mysterious
slow-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.75
Thanks to HarperCollins Canada for an ARC of this one. I was very intrigued in both a Toronto setting and a loose retelling of Persuasion, but it felt like it really missed the mark on the second. It is a compelling story: the main character is struggling in her career after a devastating theft by her business partner, and now has to face her ever-successful ex-beau.
The part that really brought this down for me was the love interest. Persuasion is in part a story of young lovers separated by family and finding each other again as adults, with all the maturity that this passage of time has brought them. This book has some of that except the love interest has none of the maturity. The main character has a lot of valid reasons and feelings that her young self expresses and I wish we could’ve seen other characters validate this as well, especially around her concerns of sexist treatment. Instead, she’s made to feel wrong and somehow the villain in this relationship, with no responsibility placed on her ex/love interest. This book got so close to some real revelations but ultimately felt short in making this man some beloved fictional placeholder.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Bullying, Islamophobia, and Sexism
Moderate: Ableism and Mental illness
onthesamepage's review against another edition
emotional
slow-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
4.0
ARC provided by the publisher through NetGalley in exchange for an honest review.
Tropes:second chance
Steam level: none
If you're a Muslim reader, and you get to that one point in the book that makes you go, "wait, WHAT?!", trust the author and keep reading.
Persuasion is one of my favourite Austen novels, and one of the few instances where I appreciated and rooted for a second chance romance. That's a lot to live up to, but Nada and Baz delivered. The yearning and the angst were all there. I also really liked that we got to see both of them at different stages of their lives, because it showcased their growth and gave us a lot of context for how their relationship developed. Neither of them dealt with things particularly well the first time around, which makes sense considering their age and relative maturity. While we don't get to see any changes in Baz, since the book is from Nada's perspective, we do see the impact it has had on her. In the flashbacks, Nada is a spitfire, but in the present day, she's much more timid and reserved—until she runs into Baz, and regains some of the energy she used to have. She has a lot of baggage to deal with, but she does so admirably, and I really appreciated her entire journey.
I will say that I wanted to see more of Baz and Nada's interactions, especially with regard to rekindling their romance, and their journey towards forgiving each other. I feel like a lot of it happened behind the scenes so to speak, which made this feel a little bit more general fiction than romance, in my opinion.
As usual, the author really focuses on what it means to be a practicing Muslim with a SE Asian heritage. She normalizes things like families living within the same house instead of the children moving out at a certain age, but also acknowledges the very real challenges young Muslims, who are born in diaspora, face when it comes to the clashing of their parents' ideals and culture with their own. I continue to be impressed by the way she handles these themes.
Tropes:
Steam level: none
If you're a Muslim reader, and you get to that one point in the book that makes you go, "wait, WHAT?!", trust the author and keep reading.
Persuasion is one of my favourite Austen novels, and one of the few instances where I appreciated and rooted for a second chance romance. That's a lot to live up to, but Nada and Baz delivered. The yearning and the angst were all there. I also really liked that we got to see both of them at different stages of their lives, because it showcased their growth and gave us a lot of context for how their relationship developed. Neither of them dealt with things particularly well the first time around, which makes sense considering their age and relative maturity. While we don't get to see any changes in Baz, since the book is from Nada's perspective, we do see the impact it has had on her. In the flashbacks, Nada is a spitfire, but in the present day, she's much more timid and reserved—until she runs into Baz, and regains some of the energy she used to have. She has a lot of baggage to deal with, but she does so admirably, and I really appreciated her entire journey.
I will say that I wanted to see more of Baz and Nada's interactions, especially with regard to rekindling their romance, and their journey towards forgiving each other. I feel like a lot of it happened behind the scenes so to speak, which made this feel a little bit more general fiction than romance, in my opinion.
As usual, the author really focuses on what it means to be a practicing Muslim with a SE Asian heritage. She normalizes things like families living within the same house instead of the children moving out at a certain age, but also acknowledges the very real challenges young Muslims, who are born in diaspora, face when it comes to the clashing of their parents' ideals and culture with their own. I continue to be impressed by the way she handles these themes.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Bullying
lettuce_read'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
5.0
Content Warnings
Graphic: Bullying and Toxic relationship
Moderate: Ableism
Minor: Hate crime