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

This book was so cute! I love the fake dating trope and this book definitely did not disappoint. This was a quick and easy read. I love Hani and Ishu so much!

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sweetgreen27's review against another edition

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emotional 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? It's complicated

3.25

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ephemeralzen's review against another edition

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emotional lighthearted sad 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

I really enjoyed this book it was so good, and the amount of representation was really refreshing when a lot of mainstream books are cishet white protagonists. I loved seeing Ishu and Nik’s relationship progress as well. Everything about this book was really good!

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deadgirlwalking23's review against another edition

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Strong character development? Yes
Loveable characters? Yes
Diverse cast of characters? Yes

5.0

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bitsandbobsdivination's review against another edition

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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? It's complicated

4.25

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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theespressoedition's review against another edition

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slow-paced

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

2.5

Well, this was not the story I was hoping it would be.

I was looking forward to a queer fake dating book, and while yes, that's the primary plot, all I felt like I got from this one was a bunch of teen angst and bullying. I've said it before and I'll say it again: I realize that YA means there will be a more juvenile take. However, it seemed like a bit of a letdown to have what could have been a really great story full of depth and character development feel so shallow. It was heavy without having any actual emotional weight to carry it.

In a lot of ways, it reminded me of how I felt after reading I Kissed Shara Wheeler. There was a lot of potential but it didn't live up to any of my expectations. Great concept with poor execution. And while I thought it would be cute, it really wasn't. None of the romance was even really swoon-worthy... it was just lacking in so many ways.

Definitely not my kind of book, sadly.

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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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