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zefancifulreader's review against another edition
hopeful
lighthearted
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
4.75
Loved this book!
It’s advertised as an enemies to lovers troupe but I honestly didn’t find that the most compelling part of this story. (Although they are a very cute couple.)
Henna Wars may be the catalyst of the plot but it’s the relationships outside the main couple that really held me. Priti and Nishat’s relationship is one of the most accurate sister relationships I’ve read ever. The family dynamics of both Nishat and Flávia were fascinating and complicated and beautiful.
Also, let’s be real, I’m a sucker for a book that has the premise of romance but is really about much bigger themes. This book somehow tackled racism (of VARIOUS races and backgrounds), homophobia, cultural appropriation, xenophobia, bullying, and the trauma of “outing” without soapboxing or disrupting the plot. It all wove together beautifully.
It’s advertised as an enemies to lovers troupe but I honestly didn’t find that the most compelling part of this story. (Although they are a very cute couple.)
Henna Wars may be the catalyst of the plot but it’s the relationships outside the main couple that really held me. Priti and Nishat’s relationship is one of the most accurate sister relationships I’ve read ever. The family dynamics of both Nishat and Flávia were fascinating and complicated and beautiful.
Also, let’s be real, I’m a sucker for a book that has the premise of romance but is really about much bigger themes. This book somehow tackled racism (of VARIOUS races and backgrounds), homophobia, cultural appropriation, xenophobia, bullying, and the trauma of “outing” without soapboxing or disrupting the plot. It all wove together beautifully.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Outing
Moderate: Cultural appropriation, Homophobia, Bullying, and Racism
_nem_'s review against another edition
emotional
lighthearted
reflective
sad
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
4.5
Rep: Bangladeshi lesbian POV, Brazilian MC, Korean MC
Set in Ireland
This story really pulled me in. I learnt a lot about South Asian culture. I can't comment on how accurate it was but the ideas of coming out and existing as queer in a not accepting environment were very relatable.
I loved the developing relationship between Nishat and Flavia especially towards the end when Flavia is more accepting of her own identity. It was great when Flavia was realising how toxic China was and that she didn't want that anymore.
Set in Ireland
This story really pulled me in. I learnt a lot about South Asian culture. I can't comment on how accurate it was but the ideas of coming out and existing as queer in a not accepting environment were very relatable.
I loved the developing relationship between Nishat and Flavia especially towards the end when Flavia is more accepting of her own identity. It was great when Flavia was realising how toxic China was and that she didn't want that anymore.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Homophobia, Lesbophobia, Bullying, Outing, and Racism
Moderate: Cultural appropriation and Toxic friendship
cosmicwillow's review against another edition
emotional
funny
lighthearted
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
3.75
This was cute! I like how it dealt with heavier topics like race/racism and cultural appropriation, and homophobia, but ultimately I found it to be an adorable queer rivals (because they were hardly enemies lol) to lovers story.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Racism, Outing, Lesbophobia, Bullying, Xenophobia, Homophobia, and Cultural appropriation
britt_zonnebloempit's review against another edition
emotional
hopeful
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
3.75
This was absolutely adorable!! Plus, I have never read anything like this before, with such a mix of different cultures coming together, PLUS sapphic characters. It feels very wholesome and inclusive!
I'm not exactly the target demographic for this book, considering I'm in my 30s, which led me to a lower rating...
The only thing that reallllly bothered me is the way the writer mentioned characters having "a frown on their lips" or Nishat's heart going "x miles a minute" every other page, but other than that it was a super easy, sweet read.
I'm not exactly the target demographic for this book, considering I'm in my 30s, which led me to a lower rating...
The only thing that reallllly bothered me is the way the writer mentioned characters having "a frown on their lips" or Nishat's heart going "x miles a minute" every other page, but other than that it was a super easy, sweet read.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Lesbophobia, Cultural appropriation, Bullying, Racism, and Outing
hollokim's review against another edition
emotional
hopeful
reflective
fast-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
4.0
Content Warnings
Graphic: Lesbophobia, Outing, Cultural appropriation, Racism, and Bullying
bookswithmaia's review against another edition
hopeful
reflective
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? N/A
4.75
Content Warnings
Moderate: Cultural appropriation, Hate crime, Lesbophobia, Outing, Gaslighting, Racism, Homophobia, and Bullying
ophycore's review
emotional
funny
hopeful
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
4.25
Content Warnings
Graphic: Homophobia, Racism, Outing, Lesbophobia, Hate crime, Islamophobia, Cultural appropriation, Religious bigotry, Bullying, Toxic friendship, and Gaslighting
bg_oseman_fan's review against another edition
emotional
medium-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
4.5
i enjoyed the realistic take on how high schoolers deal with issues of cultural appropriation and homophobia. the end felt a bit too quick tying things up, however. i do like that the focus was on the main character developing her own agency throughout the story. the romantic side of the story was not profoundly interesting in itself, but still helped to display the complexities of life as a young person when you are “different”
Content Warnings
Graphic: Outing
Moderate: Bullying, Cultural appropriation, Racism, Homophobia, and Lesbophobia
Minor: Islamophobia
lonely_leafairy's review against another edition
emotional
funny
inspiring
lighthearted
reflective
sad
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
I might change this rating, but for now, this is the best book I've ever read.
(By the way, I have listed all of the content warnings very carefully and made sure I didn't skip any, so this is a pretty trustworthy review to go by!)
Granted, that might sound a little dramatic, but I haven't read many books, so take that opinion with a grain of salt.
I loved the diversity of the characters, and I think it is so full of plot twists and things that will make you want to cry, scream or jump with joy.
It's got so many qualities, and I might be a little biased since the main love interest is Brazillian and I'm Brazillian, but it is still a great find. It's my favorite book for so many reasons, and I simply adore it.
But, that doesn't mean that it doesn't come with its flaws.
It seems like kind of amateur writing, mainly how they used the same description, "I pressed her lips against mine," and some other things. It's repetitive and seems like a beginner's mistake. It really did lose it's meaning when you use the same bombastic description so many times. But those really are silly mistakes that I can look over, and overall, it's a great book!
(By the way, I have listed all of the content warnings very carefully and made sure I didn't skip any, so this is a pretty trustworthy review to go by!)
Granted, that might sound a little dramatic, but I haven't read many books, so take that opinion with a grain of salt.
I loved the diversity of the characters, and I think it is so full of plot twists and things that will make you want to cry, scream or jump with joy.
It's got so many qualities, and I might be a little biased since the main love interest is Brazillian and I'm Brazillian, but it is still a great find. It's my favorite book for so many reasons, and I simply adore it.
But, that doesn't mean that it doesn't come with its flaws.
It seems like kind of amateur writing, mainly how they used the same description, "I pressed her lips against mine," and some other things. It's repetitive and seems like a beginner's mistake. It really did lose it's meaning when you use the same bombastic description so many times. But those really are silly mistakes that I can look over, and overall, it's a great book!
Content Warnings
Graphic: Outing
Moderate: Bullying, Religious bigotry, and Homophobia
Minor: Toxic friendship and Cursing
It is not inappropriate in a sexual way at all, but it does include homophobia and bullying. Nothing tooo intense though, and it has a warning at the beginning anyways. It is COMPLETELY safe for kids, as long as you are not triggered by bullying.bookish_kirst's review
medium-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
3.0
This book is based in Ireland and follows Nishat, a Muslim lesbian, who bumps into an old school friend, Flavia, and falls for her. For a school competition they have to start a business, Nishat decides to open a Henna business and so does Flavia, even though she isn't Desi.
Nishat was, at times, very self centered and honestly just kind of annoying.
The romance didn't really make much sense to me either, we understand how Nishat is made to feel everytime Flavia upsets her and yet she still forgives and falls for her, even when Flavia dismisses her discomfort at her starting a henna business and essentially appropriating Nishat's culture just to win a school cometition.
I don't know, this book wasn't awful but it wasn't great either even though it had so much potential to be.
TW/CW: racism, homophobia, outing, cultural appropriation, bullying
Nishat was, at times, very self centered and honestly just kind of annoying.
The romance didn't really make much sense to me either, we understand how Nishat is made to feel everytime Flavia upsets her and yet she still forgives and falls for her, even when Flavia dismisses her discomfort at her starting a henna business and essentially appropriating Nishat's culture just to win a school cometition.
I don't know, this book wasn't awful but it wasn't great either even though it had so much potential to be.
TW/CW: racism, homophobia, outing, cultural appropriation, bullying
Content Warnings
Graphic: Cultural appropriation, Outing, Racism, Homophobia, and Bullying