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30something_reads's review against another edition
4.0
This is further emphasized by the POVs we get - a present day POV from Soraya as she's navigating her relationship with Magnus/her interactions with family and a past POV from her mother as we put together the story of her marriage and their immigration to Britain.
So overall, I would not fully recommend this strictly based on the romance, but I would absolutely recommend if you're interested in a multigenerational story that tackles the challenges of growing up in the Iranian diaspora with a splash of romance on the side.
CWs: anxiety, depression, physical abuse, threats of violence, infidelity, racism
Graphic: Physical abuse and Sexism
Moderate: Infidelity, Drug use, and Mental illness
Minor: Domestic abuse, Racism, and Violence
hopelessromanticbookworm's review against another edition
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? N/A
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
2.5
When I started reading this book I found it boring, I wasn’t really clicking to the storyline even though I found some characters interesting.
I liked how this book is representing Muslims and their belief, so I felt this book was more of an educational kind of story than a romance.
I understood the barriers that the main character was having and how her belief was affecting her way of life, as well as all the pressures from home. But to be honest, I felt like it was really repetitive and the romance just felt flat for me.
I understand that this is what some/all Muslims go through day to day, and it was a great insight of their culture etc but I just don’t think it worked as a romance for me.
I understand that POC get racially abused by their colour or religion or anything in every day life and was shared within this book and I can understand how hurtful that can be. But when reading this book not only did I feel attacked by the sexism on where women should be (eg. The kitchen), there was multiple times that referenced “white people” when it comes to sex, relationships etc and that the family (especially the women) shouldn’t do certain things because “white people” do that and it’s bad and dirty etc.
And me being a white British women I just felt uncomfortable and a little hurt on the references.
Overall there will be people who love it, but for me it just wasn’t a book I enjoyed. And as mentioned the only thing I liked about it was the educational aspect of Muslims, their beliefs & their way of life x
Moderate: Racism, Addiction, and Sexism
Minor: Religious bigotry
allisonwonderlandreads's review
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.0
Graphic: Addiction, Domestic abuse, Drug abuse, Drug use, Infidelity, Kidnapping, Mental illness, Misogyny, Physical abuse, Racial slurs, Racism, Sexism, Suicidal thoughts, Toxic relationship, and Xenophobia
Moderate: Alcoholism, Body shaming, Bullying, and Grief
Minor: Death of parent, Gaslighting, Homophobia, and War
kates_books'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? Yes
5.0
Moderate: Addiction, Alcoholism, Child abuse, Domestic abuse, Emotional abuse, Misogyny, Physical abuse, Sexism, and Toxic relationship
lnzava's review against another edition
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.75
Graphic: Domestic abuse, Physical abuse, Drug abuse, Child abuse, and Xenophobia
Moderate: Abandonment, Pregnancy, Toxic relationship, Sexism, Racism, Racial slurs, Misogyny, Mental illness, Islamophobia, Emotional abuse, and Cursing
saeb_20's review against another edition
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
5.0
Graphic: Drug abuse, Drug use, Physical abuse, Domestic abuse, Religious bigotry, Racism, Racial slurs, Sexism, and Addiction
Moderate: Sexual assault and Alcoholism