Reviews tagging 'Abandonment'

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

143 reviews

jennazim's review against another edition

emotional 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

4.0

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Content Warnings

Moderate: Biphobia, Racism, Islamophobia, Lesbophobia, Gaslighting, Toxic friendship, and Abandonment

iisa's review against another edition

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

I want to give this book five stars, but I really hate the nonconsensual kiss trope that we find in so many y’a romance books. For context

when they have their first kiss Hani is crying, and Ishu just kiss her without asking for consent first.

. 

Also didn't like how big of a plot point Hani's friends were. But that's just me. 

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Content Warnings

Moderate: Biphobia, Homophobia, and Racism

Minor: Abandonment

danicampbell0506's review against another edition

emotional funny hopeful lighthearted relaxing 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

4.25

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Content Warnings

Graphic: Biphobia, Racism, and Toxic friendship

Moderate: Abandonment

lri_reads's review against another edition

emotional reflective relaxing 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? It's complicated

4.0

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Content Warnings

Graphic: Biphobia, Homophobia, Racism, Lesbophobia, Toxic friendship, and Abandonment

Moderate: Islamophobia

devinder's review against another edition

emotional funny hopeful lighthearted sad 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

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Content Warnings

Graphic: Biphobia, Racism, Islamophobia, Lesbophobia, Gaslighting, and Toxic friendship

Moderate: Abandonment

autumnnovels's review against another edition

emotional hopeful medium-paced

• Plot- or character-driven? A mix
• Strong character development? Yes
• Loveable characters? Yes
• Diverse cast of characters? Yes

4.0

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Content Warnings

Graphic: Biphobia, Xenophobia, Islamophobia, Gaslighting, and Toxic friendship

Moderate: Bullying, Outing, and Abandonment

lindseyhall44's review against another edition

emotional medium-paced

• Plot- or character-driven? A mix
• Strong character development? Yes
• Loveable characters? Yes
• Diverse cast of characters? Yes

5.0

This is the fake dating book of dreams and yet another masterpiece by Adiba Jaigidar.
Hani and Ishu’s Guide to Fake Dating follows one unlikely alliance as they team up to form a fake relationship which they both need, albeit for different reasons. Hani has recently come out to her best friends as bisexual, however they don’t validate her sexuality because she has never dated a girl. Ishu craves to meet her parent’s expectations of becoming head girl, but is not popular enough to secure the votes. Together their scheme will highlight individual growth, and just maybe kindle a true relationship in the process.
In all honesty, Fake dating is usually not a trope I love, because the third act miscommunication can often be pointless and frustrating. That being said, Jaigidar creates a believable and complex plot, which displays the growth of both characters extremely well.
Overall, I would recommend this book to any romance lover, as well as the author’s debut novel The Henna Wars!
*There are some more serious topics intertwined with the romantic elements so make sure to check trigger warnings before reading.

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Content Warnings

Graphic: Bullying, Homophobia, Racism, Xenophobia, Islamophobia, Religious bigotry, Lesbophobia, Gaslighting, and Toxic friendship

Moderate: Abandonment and Alcohol

Minor: Colonisation

bookhoarderbea's review against another edition

emotional hopeful lighthearted 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

3.75

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Content Warnings

Graphic: Biphobia, Islamophobia, Gaslighting, and Toxic friendship

Moderate: Abandonment

fairy_internet's review against another edition

emotional lighthearted fast-paced

• Plot- or character-driven? A mix
• Strong character development? Yes
• Loveable characters? Yes
• Diverse cast of characters? Yes

4.5

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Content Warnings

Graphic: Biphobia, Racism, Antisemitism, Islamophobia, Religious bigotry, Lesbophobia, Toxic friendship, and Abandonment

Moderate: Bullying, Cursing, and Alcohol

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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Content Warnings

Graphic: Biphobia, Bullying, Homophobia, Racism, Xenophobia, Islamophobia, Lesbophobia, Gaslighting, and Toxic friendship

Moderate: Emotional abuse, Religious bigotry, and Abandonment

Minor: Sexism and Colonisation