Reviews with content warning for Bullying - Hani and Ishu's Guide to Fake Dating

This books was one I listened to almost all in one day and then took a month to finish the last like twenty minutes 😂 …

This isn’t because the book was bad, I just got busy and kept not getting back to it, but!! That all to say! It was a beautiful book and one that tackles quite a few important issues such as biphobia, xenophobia, lesbiphobia, and family dynamics when it comes to a parents expectations and a child’s dreams, wants, and needs. Also horrible toxic friendships and how when you are that young you sometimes don’t know they are toxic because you’ve never known anything else.

Overall a beautiful read, would have only liked to have more in the end as there is definitely room for a sequel.

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rickireadss's review against another edition

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emotional fast-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

5.0

this was everything i would want in a YA sapphic fake dating rom-com. it was a giant warm hug to all my fellow bisexuals out there <3 there is some major homophobia and biphobia from toxic friends so be warned of that!

i just wanted to hug hani&ishu so much. their flirty interactions where they weren’t sure if the other was actually flirting made my heart so full. if i had read this at 16, i think i would have cried more than i did because back then, i was still struggling with my sexuality. now, as a proud bisexual, i just loved every second of this, and i’m so happy i got the opportunity to read this book.

it’s definitely one of those books that i read, and immediately wanted to read again. also, the narrators for the audiobook were PERFECT!!! i just loved every second of this, and it is on my list of books to buy once i’m off my book buying ban in the new year :)

please check the cw listed below, as there are some heavy topics dealt with and experienced by our two mcs

⚠️tw/cw: racism, homophobia, biphobia, islamophobia, xenophobia, bullying, toxic friendship, gaslighting, abandonment (parental)

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xtsukix's review against another edition

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emotional hopeful lighthearted fast-paced

Plot- or character-driven? Character
Loveable characters? Yes
Diverse cast of characters? Yes
Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes

4.0

I highly recommend reading this book, it was so wholesome and lovely, and a beautiful exploration of cultures I was not that knowledgeable about beforehand. There really aren't enough sapphic novels out there, and it warms my heart to see more and more being released. This book left such a warm fuzzy feeling in my heart <3.

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friendofdorothea's review against another edition

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emotional funny informative inspiring lighthearted reflective fast-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

5.0

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taelights's review against another edition

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emotional funny lighthearted medium-paced

Plot- or character-driven? Character
Loveable characters? No
Diverse cast of characters? Yes
Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes

2.75

I was honestly really looking forward to this book and was disappointed in what it ended up being. Throughout the book I often found myself getting annoyed at basically every character other than Hani's mom. I came around a bit more to the book at the way end when it kind of gave a better look into the motivations of the characters but even then I still found myself frustrated unfortunately.

Hani constantly let her biphobic racist xenophobic friends walk all over her. She never stood up for herself once which annoyed the fuck out of me especially seeing as it was pointed out multiple times to her how horrible they are but she just kept sticking up for them and never standing up for herself.

Ishu's whole personality was literally just "I'm so good at school and do nothing with my life other than study" to the point she had no other personality traits. She was extremely one dimensional and boring to me.

Aisling was just an annoying bitchy one dimensional mean girl that is not only a bully but racist, xenophobic, biphobic, and homophobic. But she was basically the only source of conflict in this book other than the overused miscommunication trope so I found that disappointing too.

There were a few cute moments in the book but again I was disappointed because it wasn't enough for me to feel satisfied or buy the fact that Hani and Ishu had feelings for each other. I wanted to see more cute moments and flirty banter but I barely got any.

I did appreciate the representation and getting a look into Bengali culture but I feel like that's one of the only things the book has going for it.

Overall it was a short read that kept me entertained enough to finish it but untimely disappointed me.

Content Warnings

wynterwonderland's review against another edition

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emotional funny hopeful inspiring fast-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

5.0

Content Warnings

bluberrybooks's review against another edition

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emotional funny hopeful 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

4.5

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