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bookishmillennial's review against another edition
emotional
funny
hopeful
reflective
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? Yes
disclaimer: I don’t really give starred reviews. I hope my reviews provide enough information to let you know if a book is for you or not. Find me here: https://linktr.ee/bookishmillennial
Thank you to Netgalley for the e-arc and Libro FM for the ALC. I am providing this review of my own accord.
Two favorites teamed up to deliver a banger of a co-written young adult romcom and coming of age story. When their favorite librarian Ms. Barnes passes away, Tiwa and Said are thrown together not only for funeral and memorial services, but are left something from Ms. Barnes' will. The catch is... they haven't talked in years really, since Said left for his boarding school, and tragedy hit Tiwa's family. This new forced proximity leaves an opening for them to finally contend with their disdain for each other, and if there's hope to rekindle their friendship ever again.
I appreciated the commentary on the anti-Blackness that Tiwa experienced by their own community, and the lateral emotional and mental violence that she experienced. I hope this opens more folks eyes that being Muslim does not have to *look* a certain way in order to be valid or "enough".
I also loved that the pain and anger that Tiwa and Said felt towards one another felt so real? Like, I can absolutely imagine being in either of their shoes at their age, and feeling the wrath just as they did. I didn't blame either of them for their frustrations, and I thought AJ & FAI illustrated this teenage angst and betrayal perfectly, as they typically do, so I am not surprised in the least.
Anyway, I loved reading about these two friends finding their way back to one another, amidst grief and pain, and holding onto the hope of a future alongside one another, and reveling in community.
Thank you to Netgalley for the e-arc and Libro FM for the ALC. I am providing this review of my own accord.
Two favorites teamed up to deliver a banger of a co-written young adult romcom and coming of age story. When their favorite librarian Ms. Barnes passes away, Tiwa and Said are thrown together not only for funeral and memorial services, but are left something from Ms. Barnes' will. The catch is... they haven't talked in years really, since Said left for his boarding school, and tragedy hit Tiwa's family. This new forced proximity leaves an opening for them to finally contend with their disdain for each other, and if there's hope to rekindle their friendship ever again.
I appreciated the commentary on the anti-Blackness that Tiwa experienced by their own community, and the lateral emotional and mental violence that she experienced. I hope this opens more folks eyes that being Muslim does not have to *look* a certain way in order to be valid or "enough".
I also loved that the pain and anger that Tiwa and Said felt towards one another felt so real? Like, I can absolutely imagine being in either of their shoes at their age, and feeling the wrath just as they did. I didn't blame either of them for their frustrations, and I thought AJ & FAI illustrated this teenage angst and betrayal perfectly, as they typically do, so I am not surprised in the least.
Anyway, I loved reading about these two friends finding their way back to one another, amidst grief and pain, and holding onto the hope of a future alongside one another, and reveling in community.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Racism, Grief, Child death, and Toxic friendship
Moderate: Animal death, Death, Fire/Fire injury, Car accident, and Cursing
fionamiller's review against another edition
emotional
funny
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
3.75
bookishinidahome's review against another edition
emotional
hopeful
inspiring
tense
medium-paced
- 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
3.0
thenextgenlibrarian's review against another edition
hopeful
inspiring
medium-paced
4.25
A YA romance from @faridahlikestea @dibs_j that gave me all the feels!
🕌
Said Hossain had the opportunity to attend boarding school and even though it was hard leaving behind his family, friends, sister, and their joint best friend, Tiwa, it was what was best for his future. Tiwa doesn’t know why Said stopped writing her letters, but she assumes it’s because he got too into his boarding school life and left her behind. When the two are called home after their favorite librarian dies, they find out they need to share custody of her cat. Around the same time, the local Islamic Center burns down. Together they join forces to try and raise money to save it, especially after the mayor says he wants to turn it into apartment complexes.
🕌
The fact that these two authors are best friends in real life just made reading this all that more adorable. I loved the representation from religion to culture to sexuality. The racism discussed within the Muslim community against Tiwa was eye opening for me. This is a great read, not just for the YA romance but also for the broken friendship, the sibling relationship, discussion around divorce, death and more. Thanks @macmillanusa for the ALC of this title. It was lovely. This novel releases June 4!
CW: death of a sibling, divorce, parental abandonment, death/funeral, animal death (goldfish), fire, racism, grief
4.25 ⭐️ took too long to get into, but still a great book
🕌
Said Hossain had the opportunity to attend boarding school and even though it was hard leaving behind his family, friends, sister, and their joint best friend, Tiwa, it was what was best for his future. Tiwa doesn’t know why Said stopped writing her letters, but she assumes it’s because he got too into his boarding school life and left her behind. When the two are called home after their favorite librarian dies, they find out they need to share custody of her cat. Around the same time, the local Islamic Center burns down. Together they join forces to try and raise money to save it, especially after the mayor says he wants to turn it into apartment complexes.
🕌
The fact that these two authors are best friends in real life just made reading this all that more adorable. I loved the representation from religion to culture to sexuality. The racism discussed within the Muslim community against Tiwa was eye opening for me. This is a great read, not just for the YA romance but also for the broken friendship, the sibling relationship, discussion around divorce, death and more. Thanks @macmillanusa for the ALC of this title. It was lovely. This novel releases June 4!
CW: death of a sibling, divorce, parental abandonment, death/funeral, animal death (goldfish), fire, racism, grief
4.25 ⭐️ took too long to get into, but still a great book
ellejaereads's review against another edition
funny
informative
inspiring
medium-paced
4.5
This was a delightful love story. Even if it didn’t seem like one at first. I enjoyed learning more about Muslim American culture and experience. It made me want to learn more about Ramadan and Eid. And I get teary eyed thinking about the dedication.
bookphenomena_micky's review against another edition
funny
hopeful
lighthearted
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
4.0
Headlines:
Super cute
Friends to enemies to more
Fighting for the community
There was nothing not to love about Four Eids and a Funeral and it's lead characters Twia and Said. Of the two, Said was laid back and consistent, while Twia was a little more hot headed and judgemental but she was fierce and commited to her community.
This story focused on broken friendships, families, a fire, the local muslim community and meddling siblings and friends. It was a rich plot and I didn't see the reason for the friendship breakdown in advance, but things dropped nicely into place when that was revealed. I appreciated that this story didn't labour misunderstandings.
The book was narrated mostly in the contemporary but there was the odd period flashing back into past Eids that the MCs had experienced together. The past elements were brief and slotted in well.
The death of Twia's sibling had minimal page time and whilst the grief was briefly mentioned it seemed disingenous to the effect this would have had on her and her family, just two years in the past. Another issue I am still pondering is the explanation for Saf and Julian's actions regarding the letters; it still doesn't really make sense to me .
Overall, a cute and quick read and enjoyable that these two authors wrote this together.
Thank you Usbourne for the review copy.
Super cute
Friends to enemies to more
Fighting for the community
There was nothing not to love about Four Eids and a Funeral and it's lead characters Twia and Said. Of the two, Said was laid back and consistent, while Twia was a little more hot headed and judgemental but she was fierce and commited to her community.
This story focused on broken friendships, families, a fire, the local muslim community and meddling siblings and friends. It was a rich plot and I didn't see the reason for the friendship breakdown in advance, but things dropped nicely into place when that was revealed. I appreciated that this story didn't labour misunderstandings.
The book was narrated mostly in the contemporary but there was the odd period flashing back into past Eids that the MCs had experienced together. The past elements were brief and slotted in well.
Overall, a cute and quick read and enjoyable that these two authors wrote this together.
Thank you Usbourne for the review copy.
sarah_ae13's review against another edition
funny
hopeful
inspiring
lighthearted
reflective
medium-paced
4.25
rgoodhart's review against another edition
4.0
Although lots about this book was predictable (after all it was advertised as a classic enemies-to -lovers story) what I enjoyed most was the inclusion of Muslim and Bangladeshi cultural references. I’m not from either of those backgrounds so I can’t comment on the accuracy of the representation, but it felt realistic and I appreciated the insights.
They were scenes that made me laugh and others that made me almost shed a tear. I liked the characters and especially the friendship between Said and Julian which, although in the background, was a lovely depiction of male friendship; the setting of the town felt quite real and , as with a number of books I’ve read recently, the theme of artwork and how it can draw people together, be used as an agent of change, and be a way to express deep feelings, was used well.
I’m not a fan of dual narrators and kept forgetting to read chapter titles and so didn’t always keep track of who was speaking, but that is my fault!
There are a few swear words (I wish authors would just leave these out – I don’t think that would detract from the authenticity of the characters and I doubt anyone would notice their absence!) but it’s still one I will recommend in my school Library, not least for the representation of ‘everyday’ Islamic culture.
Thank you to NetGalley and Bonnier Books for the ARC.
They were scenes that made me laugh and others that made me almost shed a tear. I liked the characters and especially the friendship between Said and Julian which, although in the background, was a lovely depiction of male friendship; the setting of the town felt quite real and , as with a number of books I’ve read recently, the theme of artwork and how it can draw people together, be used as an agent of change, and be a way to express deep feelings, was used well.
I’m not a fan of dual narrators and kept forgetting to read chapter titles and so didn’t always keep track of who was speaking, but that is my fault!
There are a few swear words (I wish authors would just leave these out – I don’t think that would detract from the authenticity of the characters and I doubt anyone would notice their absence!) but it’s still one I will recommend in my school Library, not least for the representation of ‘everyday’ Islamic culture.
Thank you to NetGalley and Bonnier Books for the ARC.
rgoodhart's review against another edition
4.0
Although lots about this book was predictable (after all it was advertised as a classic enemies-to -lovers story) what I enjoyed most was the inclusion of Muslim and Bangladeshi cultural references. I’m not from either of those backgrounds so I can’t comment on the accuracy of the representation, but it felt realistic and I appreciated the insights.
They were scenes that made me laugh and others that made me almost shed a tear. I liked the characters and especially the friendship between Said and Julian which, although in the background, was a lovely depiction of male friendship; the setting of the town felt quite real and , as with a number of books I’ve read recently, the theme of artwork and how it can draw people together, be used as an agent of change, and be a way to express deep feelings, was used well.
I’m not a fan of dual narrators and kept forgetting to read chapter titles and so didn’t always keep track of who was speaking, but that is my fault!
There are a few swear words (I wish authors would just leave these out – I don’t think that would detract from the authenticity of the characters and I doubt anyone would notice their absence!) but it’s still one I will recommend in my school Library, not least for the representation of ‘everyday’ Islamic culture.
Thank you to NetGalley and Usborne Books for the ARC.
They were scenes that made me laugh and others that made me almost shed a tear. I liked the characters and especially the friendship between Said and Julian which, although in the background, was a lovely depiction of male friendship; the setting of the town felt quite real and , as with a number of books I’ve read recently, the theme of artwork and how it can draw people together, be used as an agent of change, and be a way to express deep feelings, was used well.
I’m not a fan of dual narrators and kept forgetting to read chapter titles and so didn’t always keep track of who was speaking, but that is my fault!
There are a few swear words (I wish authors would just leave these out – I don’t think that would detract from the authenticity of the characters and I doubt anyone would notice their absence!) but it’s still one I will recommend in my school Library, not least for the representation of ‘everyday’ Islamic culture.
Thank you to NetGalley and Usborne Books for the ARC.
ryanbada's review against another edition
funny
lighthearted
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
3.75