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siobhanward's review
lighthearted
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
2.5
I really wanted to like this book, I did. I thought the premise was decent and some of the secondary characters (like Nani) were great. But Raina was such a pain that it was hard to read at times. She's almost 30 - while that has nothing to do with whether or not you should be married, she's just so selfish and unaware of how she affects those around her.
(Minor spoiler, but it's a central plot line, so I'm not hiding it). I didn't love the gay plot - I thought that it was kind of gross that Raina would lie about something like that and then when discovered, everyone is like "oh ok that's fine" apart from a single character - not cool. It just seemed like an excuse for Lalli to include some progressive characters who were ok with Raina and defended her "identity". I'm sure that could have been done another way, like increasing Zoey's role, rather than this way...
I also feel like I missed something at the ending. After everything with Asher, I kind of figured that ship had sailed and it was a lesson to Raina in treating people well and also in that there isn't a "one and only" out there for people. I wish we'd known what happened to Jayesh - he seemed like a good guy and his date with Raina got her back on track. I hope he got a happy ending!
(Minor spoiler, but it's a central plot line, so I'm not hiding it). I didn't love the gay plot - I thought that it was kind of gross that Raina would lie about something like that and then when discovered, everyone is like "oh ok that's fine" apart from a single character - not cool. It just seemed like an excuse for Lalli to include some progressive characters who were ok with Raina and defended her "identity". I'm sure that could have been done another way, like increasing Zoey's role, rather than this way...
Content Warnings
Moderate: Homophobia
kitwhelan's review
lighthearted
fast-paced
2.25
I very much enjoyed diving into the Indian-Canadian community with this book, and the family drama. What I didn’t enjoy was the whole “pretending to be queer” storyline which easily could’ve been rewritten as an amusing grandmotherly miscommunication but instead is a huge fault in the main character that left me annoyed for much of the book.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Homophobia
jlhensley's review
emotional
hopeful
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.0
Content Warnings
Moderate: Homophobia
adunmore's review
reflective
sad
slow-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
2.0
I enjoyed the book overall but would consider it much more a slice of life rather than a romcom. I personally did not like the fake gay issue and would not have read it if I knew that was going to be a plot point.
Content Warnings
Minor: Toxic relationship and Homophobia
reads2cope's review against another edition
1.5
Honestly found almost all the characters annoying. So much miscommunication, lying, or simply refusing to communicate at all.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Abortion, Abandonment, Outing, Homophobia, Pregnancy, Sexism, and Toxic friendship
hanabanana's review
emotional
lighthearted
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.0
really loved the protagonist even though she did stuff that is hard to imagine. She's sensible, hung up on one person , burdened by family expectations and desperate to not be lonely. She's just like any other Indian girl. The language was simple and fluid , plus I loved Nani's Indian english and though i do not appreciate the queerbaiting it was good rep. Maybe not nearly close to perfect, but it's a start. Very character driven plot. Loved the characters, they felt very real. Overall a very enjoyable read.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Homophobia
cath_collette's review
lighthearted
reflective
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
Content Warnings
Moderate: Cursing, Homophobia, Alcohol, Drug use, and Lesbophobia
Minor: Abortion and Terminal illness
neeishaaxx's review against another edition
emotional
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
4.0
Content Warnings
Moderate: Homophobia
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