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3.47 AVERAGE
3.47 AVERAGE
emotional
reflective
medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Character
Strong character development:
Yes
Loveable characters:
Complicated
Diverse cast of characters:
Yes
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Yes
challenging
informative
fast-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
A mix
Strong character development:
Yes
Loveable characters:
No
Diverse cast of characters:
Yes
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Yes
An interesting plot that was poorly written, in my opinion. I questioned the target audience of this book at times and felt like it was more suited to teenagers than adults.
The most interesting part about this was the cast of side characters and exploration of racism outside the Black/white binary. But overall I wasn't in love with it.
I received this book as a giveaway here on Goodreads.
This book is a mixed bag for me. The things that I like is the inclusion of queer people, allows us to enter a little deeper into the lives of Muslim people and their culture, discussion about racism and minorities- specifically people of color.
I so related to Yasmina as I read this book. I married a person with a similar background - he is Hindu and also from a very traditional family. I felt her pain so much and agreed with her conclusion about Nur in the end. I went through very similar things before my marriage and oh did it bring back some not so great memories. I saw a little of my husband in Nur as well. In that sense I feel this book was able to transport me back in time!
My issues with this book has to do with the writing. I feel like the dialogues were off - they didn’t flow and felt unnatural. I know that this book was about Nur, however, I wish I knew a little bit more about the other characters. I would love to know more about Yasmina’s feelings as she was living with Nur - we find out a little more of what is going on in her head in the end but I wish I could have gotten more along the way.
The change in timelines - oh that was so very confusing - when we went to the past it was not linear - we were going back to different years. I did not like that at all..
Having said all of the negative things - I feel that it can be improved and I would read the next book from this author.
This book is a mixed bag for me. The things that I like is the inclusion of queer people, allows us to enter a little deeper into the lives of Muslim people and their culture, discussion about racism and minorities- specifically people of color.
I so related to Yasmina as I read this book. I married a person with a similar background - he is Hindu and also from a very traditional family. I felt her pain so much and agreed with her conclusion about Nur in the end. I went through very similar things before my marriage and oh did it bring back some not so great memories. I saw a little of my husband in Nur as well. In that sense I feel this book was able to transport me back in time!
My issues with this book has to do with the writing. I feel like the dialogues were off - they didn’t flow and felt unnatural. I know that this book was about Nur, however, I wish I knew a little bit more about the other characters. I would love to know more about Yasmina’s feelings as she was living with Nur - we find out a little more of what is going on in her head in the end but I wish I could have gotten more along the way.
The change in timelines - oh that was so very confusing - when we went to the past it was not linear - we were going back to different years. I did not like that at all..
Having said all of the negative things - I feel that it can be improved and I would read the next book from this author.
emotional
sad
tense
medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Character
Strong character development:
Complicated
Loveable characters:
Yes
Diverse cast of characters:
Yes
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Yes
challenging
dark
emotional
reflective
sad
Plot or Character Driven:
Character
Strong character development:
Complicated
Loveable characters:
Yes
Diverse cast of characters:
Yes
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Yes
challenging
emotional
funny
reflective
sad
slow-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
Content Warnings
Graphic: Homophobia, Panic attacks/disorders, Racism, Self harm, Suicide
Moderate: Sexual content
emotional
sad
slow-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Character
Strong character development:
Complicated
Loveable characters:
Complicated
Diverse cast of characters:
Yes
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Yes
challenging
emotional
hopeful
informative
reflective
tense
medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Character
Strong character development:
Complicated
Loveable characters:
Yes
Diverse cast of characters:
Yes
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Complicated
In this story, we follow Nur as he navigates the difficulties of figuring out his life as far as dating and work goes but also the pressure of living up to his family’s expectations. Now not saying this is every household, but I do feel like, as Americans, we latch onto that mindset of “Ima do me” and we’re so quick to cancel those opinions on our life if it’s just not feeding us the way we want to be fed. But there’s always a flip side, and I believe we see that here, where family and tradition are so engrained in this character that he really truly struggles to find peace within himself. And it’s to the extent that he tends to make not the best choices, like hiding his relationship of 4 years to someone outside of his race.
This story is told thru dual timeline which really does benefit the story and the growth of the character. You get glimpses of, Nur responding a certain way because of what he experienced in his past. Tugs in your heartstrings a little bit😢
There were some triggering moments but I think this could be a great Bookclub pick for discussion or just a buddy read. It really opens the door to empathy for people who do still struggle with YOLO vs tradition. And sometimes it’s not as easy as walking away and closing that door.
⚠️: self harm (off page but does reflect on the action), panic attacks and hospitalization, colorism and dating outside your race, intense familial/cultural expectations
Content Warnings
Moderate: Panic attacks/disorders, Self harm
I definitely enjoyed this book. I loved the back and forth and jumping around from past to present. The realism of the complexities of religion and race and relationships really brought this book to life. It was heartbreaking and I really felt for the characters. I love that Nur is held accountable and I think it ends in the most perfect was. The only way that feels right, no matter how sad. I loved the role mental illness played as both prominent in Nur’s anxiety and depression and in Yasmina’s sister as a side plot. It was interesting to see Nur’s arguments and justifications for his behaviour throughout, truly believing that he didn’t do anything wrong. I really enjoyed the book overall and I think it has a very important place in modern literature.