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readingsid's review against another edition
1.0
The main problem with this book is that the protagonist is not very likable.
She is very judgmental about people, their habits, dating websites, and almost everything.
Maybe the author wanted to potray an immature person at the beginning of the book and follow her journey as she grows as a person. However by the end of the book, the protagonist barely improves.
The following are certain incidents/aspects in the book that I found to be disappointing
1. Leila talks about how she doesn’t subscribe to traditional gender roles but judges a guy harshly because he asked if they could split the bill on their first date.
2. Leila's mother is portrayed as a very one-dimensional character.
3. Leila constantly complains about how her mother is not proud of her. But when her mother tells other people how proud she is of Leila, Leila cringes.
4. All the men she meets on dates have very boring personalities. The author could've used some good characters who are not compatible with Leila instead of showing boring stereotypes.
5. The whole romance based on Bollywood is very reptitive to the point of getting annoying. If all scenes are quotes from some Bollywood movies, what is original in the book is very little.
6. Almost all the revelations Leila has are literally things her friends point out. Feels like she barely introspects.
7. She judges a boy because he likes Star Trek, and calls him a nerd.
8. When she rejects boys, there is dialogue between her and the boy. But when she likes a boy, there was barely any dialogue to show why the boy is likable. Just one sentence like "they had an insightful converversation".
9. Leila goes on and on about how looks aren't everything, and likes guys just because they are handsome.
She is very judgmental about people, their habits, dating websites, and almost everything.
Maybe the author wanted to potray an immature person at the beginning of the book and follow her journey as she grows as a person. However by the end of the book, the protagonist barely improves.
The following are certain incidents/aspects in the book that I found to be disappointing
Spoiler
1. Leila talks about how she doesn’t subscribe to traditional gender roles but judges a guy harshly because he asked if they could split the bill on their first date.
2. Leila's mother is portrayed as a very one-dimensional character.
3. Leila constantly complains about how her mother is not proud of her. But when her mother tells other people how proud she is of Leila, Leila cringes.
4. All the men she meets on dates have very boring personalities. The author could've used some good characters who are not compatible with Leila instead of showing boring stereotypes.
5. The whole romance based on Bollywood is very reptitive to the point of getting annoying. If all scenes are quotes from some Bollywood movies, what is original in the book is very little.
6. Almost all the revelations Leila has are literally things her friends point out. Feels like she barely introspects.
7. She judges a boy because he likes Star Trek, and calls him a nerd.
8. When she rejects boys, there is dialogue between her and the boy. But when she likes a boy, there was barely any dialogue to show why the boy is likable. Just one sentence like "they had an insightful converversation".
9. Leila goes on and on about how looks aren't everything, and likes guys just because they are handsome.
ohcaco's review against another edition
5.0
This was the light hearted summer read that I have been waiting for. The book was very funny and I found myself laughing out loud at some of leila's dating misadventures. I think many women who have had to endure the ups and downs of modern dating will find this story relatable.
lilliandm's review against another edition
4.0
I enjoyed this book a lot! It's definitely not a romance novel, but the plot is consistently moving along. I would reccomend it as a more lighthearted novel for the summer.
kwillen's review against another edition
funny
hopeful
lighthearted
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
4.5
tishywishy's review against another edition
4.0
So let me start off by saying - it's not a romance novel in the traditional sense. It's a book that explores romance. Leila, an Indian-American Muslim woman, is seeking the Bollywood man of her dreams while trying to meet the cultural demands of her religion and culture to marry while young, have offspring, and be a committed partner. The pickings are rough as we're taken on date after date with Leila.
This book explores a lot of interesting topics:
-Leila's decision to only marry a South Asian Muslim man because they would seamlessly mesh cultures.
-Tania's divorce and why that no longer makes her an eligible marriage candidate.
-Leila's thoughts about if she is considered conservative enough.
-Leila's need to appease her parents.
-Leila's requirements for the ideal partner and how that shaped her dating experiences.
It wasn't what I expected but it was an entertaining, enlightening read.
This book explores a lot of interesting topics:
-Leila's decision to only marry a South Asian Muslim man because they would seamlessly mesh cultures.
-Tania's divorce and why that no longer makes her an eligible marriage candidate.
-Leila's thoughts about if she is considered conservative enough.
-Leila's need to appease her parents.
-Leila's requirements for the ideal partner and how that shaped her dating experiences.
It wasn't what I expected but it was an entertaining, enlightening read.
jennyjones's review against another edition
lighthearted
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? It's complicated
2.5
wonder_in's review against another edition
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
3.25