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tors_tomes's review against another edition
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
5.0
Graphic: Gun violence and Hate crime
Moderate: Religious bigotry, Xenophobia, Islamophobia, Racism, and Grief
hngisreading's review against another edition
- 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? It's complicated
3.5
Graphic: Sexual violence, Gun violence, Hate crime, Medical content, Racism, Rape, Medical trauma, Panic attacks/disorders, and Toxic relationship
Moderate: Car accident, Xenophobia, and Islamophobia
allisonwonderlandreads's review
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
3.0
The romance was less dazzling for me than the characters. I enjoyed Yash's story of fake dating gone wrong. Instead of following the trajectory romance books teach us to expect, a pact between best friends goes sour when one wants out of the bargain, tired of the lies. His true love story with India is second chance and all angst. Paired with instalove, it was an unideal pairing in terms of what tropes I favor. The angst comes from both internal and external pressures keeping them apart, starting with Yash's past traumas and ending with the current ones including an assassination attempt and the PR demands as his gubernatorial election fast approaches. Except for pining, the love story feels like it takes a backseat to the campaign and family and other relationships. Second chance doesn't help matters because the bedrock of their infatuation is one day spent together ten years ago when they both fell head over heels. Now, Yash's fake relationship stands in their way.
As an adaptation, I think this is a strong work. Be aware that heavy topics are on the table here, including gun violence and resulting panic attacks, rape and blackmail, car accident injuries and a hepatitis diagnosis. While I particularly liked the Dashwoods, I wasn't sold on the central romance. And since it's a bleak outlook for them during most of the story, it became a bit torturous for me as a lukewarm supporter in the best of times. If you like your romance with many dimensions and not only a romantic plot, plenty of pining, and a second chance story with a lot of obstacles, this might be up your alley.
Moderate: Hate crime, Mental illness, Panic attacks/disorders, Racism, Rape, Car accident, Lesbophobia, Injury/Injury detail, and Gun violence
Minor: Islamophobia, Adult/minor relationship, Blood, and Domestic abuse
citymouse's review against another edition
5.0
Graphic: Gun violence and Panic attacks/disorders
Moderate: Racism, Islamophobia, Toxic friendship, Medical content, and Medical trauma
Minor: Sexual assault, Sexual violence, Car accident, Homophobia, Rape, Lesbophobia, Alcoholism, and Acephobia/Arophobia