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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
lornareads_'s review against another edition
funny
inspiring
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
nickel_books's review against another edition
emotional
funny
hopeful
informative
inspiring
sad
tense
medium-paced
4.75
This book was an absolute delight! A friends to enemies to lovers structured by Said and Tiwa's POVs and a third, third person narrative. It's funny, full of heart, and second changes - for the characters and their community.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Religious bigotry, Grief, Child death, Racism, and Car accident
Moderate: Cancer and Islamophobia
girlreading's review against another edition
emotional
funny
inspiring
lighthearted
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
4.0
Following two teens as they navigate their grief for the people, relationships and places they've lost, Four Eids and a Funeral is an emotional, witty and warmhearted rom-com that highlights familial, platonic and romantic love in equal measures. This is a gift for all the slow burn, friends-to-enemies-to lovers fans out there (myself included). Faridah and Adiba are truly a dream YA writing team and their fabulous humour and ability to approach 'tough' topics with nuance and care shined throughout this book. I devoured this in one day and cannot wait to read whatever this brilliant pair write next.