Reviews with content warning for Lesbophobia - The Love and Lies of Rukhsana Ali

If you are looking at reviews before deciding to read: PLEASE for the love of god read the content warnings. It's rough. And because drugging and conversion therapy aren't included in Storygraph's list of content warnings, be prepared for those too.

I'll likely have to return to this review after I've digested some more, because dear god does this book give you a lot to digest. It was an easy read in that the writing style was good (if somewhat dialogue and narration-heavy) and each scene was quick and jumped straight into the next (a literal page-turner), but it was so beyond challenging in that the content was super dark. Thankfully this story never lets a plot point go without resolving it near immediately - one of the reasons it was such a page-turner, truly, but that was something that annoyed me quite a bit because it disrupted the tension and anticipation - but it really dragged on when we hit the darkest part of the story. I don't think I'm entirely satisfied with the ending since it feels so unrealistic. It felt as though the author was trying to shove a happy ending in there, but this book felt like it needed a bittersweet ending instead. There was one specific plot point that felt like it only existed for the shock factor, and it never really resolved. One of my biggest gripes with this book is that I kind of hated Rukhsana's Seattle friends and girlfriend. They were supposed to be the anchor point for her, especially during the darkest times, but they fell really flat as characters and as friends.

Content Warnings

poetskings's review against another edition

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dark fast-paced

Plot- or character-driven? Plot
Strong character development? It's complicated
Loveable characters? No
Diverse cast of characters? Yes
Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes

1.0

Content Warnings

eashani's review

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dark emotional 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? It's complicated

5.0

Content Warnings

tinysierra's review against another edition

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challenging emotional sad tense medium-paced

Loveable characters? It's complicated
Diverse cast of characters? Yes

3.0

*Did not finish- I simply wasn’t vibing anymore*
This book hits hard with the manipulation, physical and mental abuse and homophobia from her parents. I feel for anyone who lives this and has to hear this kind of bigotry all the time.
I liked the cultural aspects of the book.

Content Warnings

bookishbea's review

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challenging emotional inspiring sad tense 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? No

4.75

Great book, but for mature teens. If you want to skip the graphic stuff, then just don't read the grandmother's journal entries. I didn't, and understood the story just fine. Other than the content issues (which really add to the gritty plot) it is an emotional book that is desperate yet hopeful. A truly moving (and harrowing) way of portraying being a lesbian within an unsupportive (downright hateful, actually) family.

Content Warnings

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