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

Reviews tagging 'Bullying'

Hani and Ishu's Guide to Fake Dating by Adiba Jaigirdar

144 reviews

luananki's review against another edition

emotional hopeful lighthearted 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

4.25

this one was sweet. i love the diversity which can also be found within the mc’s experiences but i’m a bit underwhelmed.

i feel like the book could’ve used more sapphic elements, especially about how hani and ishu feel about each other romantically. a lot happened in so little time and i guess i can’t quite grasp why they fell for each other.

i love the very different family dynamics a lot. hani’s parents were both understanding and sweet and i appreciate their relationship with each other. ishu and nik’s story was very well written

and i’m glad nik turned out to be supportive and the big sister ishu needed.

i appreciate the writing. it was an easy read with strong characters and i enjoyed learning more about bengali culture

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sarahrosea's review against another edition

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lighthearted

Plot- or character-driven? Plot
Strong character development? Yes
Loveable characters? Yes
Diverse cast of characters? Yes
Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated

4.25

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whatjasread's review against another edition

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hopeful lighthearted fast-paced

Plot- or character-driven? A mix
Strong character development? No
Loveable characters? Yes
Diverse cast of characters? Yes
Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes

3.0

- I think my general summary of this is that I liked it but am also a little underwhelmed
- I, as a Muslim, would like to see 'Muslim love stories' that don't involve some kind of political rally or a need for someone to be a big figure at the mosque - we can be Muslim without being politicians
- loved the sapphic elements, though i did want more of the conflicted feelings and close calls
- the ending felt a bit abrupt to me, could easily have been 50 pages longer
- loved the exploration of different family dynamics, and the whole 'sibling doubt' that ishu has with nik, very well done from my personal perspective!
- was occasionally (constantly) very angry at hani's decision to play the doormat :)

TWs: microaggressions, Islamophobia, biphobia, lesbophobia, toxic friendships, gaslighting, racism, parental abandonment, alcohol consumption, bullying, strained family relationships

Tropes/themes/rep: Queer Muslim FMC, bisexual Indian FMC, Bengali MCs, fake dating, high school setting

Content Warnings