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lokiisreading's review against another edition
challenging
funny
inspiring
lighthearted
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? N/A
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
4.0
What an amazing collaboration between these two authors!
This book had so many valuable aspects jammed into it. From parental expectations to cultural burdens. And with that we are getting immersed in this tight knit Muslim community and their culture along with Said and Tiwa rebuilding their fallen friendship.
I wish we got more of that Romance aspect, and that it wasn’t resolved so close to the end.
kelsea_'s review against another edition
emotional
inspiring
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? It's complicated
5.0
I've read books by both of these authors before and this collab blew away my expectations! The story of Tiwa and Said was one that I think many people could relate to: a feeling of disconnection when away from community, dealing with discrimination when you don't look the same as the rest of your community, family expectations and pressure. "Four Eids and a Funeral" does an incredible job addressing each of these issues, while still making for an enjoyable story. A common thread throughout the story is making assumptions about people and their wants/motivations and how that can be harmful to yourself and others. Each character has to learn this lesson, but it doesn't feel contrived or repetitive.
leahjanespeare's review
4.0
A solid rom com for YA. It was definitely lighter than I was expecting which was a nice surprise!
telltalelakej's review against another edition
emotional
funny
hopeful
inspiring
reflective
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
5.0
JazakhAllah Khair to NetGalley and Macmillan Publishing Group for providing me with this ARC in exchange for an honest review!
Can I rate this over five stars? Because it deserves a million stars. WOW. I already knew a book written by my two favorite muslim authors (aka my two favorite authors of all time) was going to be one of my top reads of the year and I was RIGHT.
First of all, the characters? Incredible. Amazing. Showstopping. Never been seen before. 10/10. I loved Tiwa and Said so much and I hold them so near and dear to my heart. And everyone else too! Like Safiyah and Julian and of course we can’t forget habibi Laddoo.
I also loved that we got a lot of friendship and family dynamics and that the relationship aspect of the book wasn’t solely focused on romance!! That being said, let’s ABSOLUTELY talk about the romance because the second I saw that Much Ado About Nothing quote in the opening I was like “oh this is gonna be a GREAT annoyances to lovers arc” and I was absolutely correct. Tiwa and Said are also just so jennajulien core and you know I will be hooked on any relationship that reminds me of jennajulien.
As a muslim, I really appreciate some of the little details about practices in the faith! Like performing ablution and how we start and end our prayers. I also just love the casual ‘inshallah’s and ‘mashallah’s AND the talk of how important community is in Islam and how much it can aid our imaan.
I couldn’t recommend this book more, for both muslims and non-muslims. And inshallah we’ll see more book co-written Faridah Àbíké-Íyímídé and Adiba Jaigirdar in the future!
Can I rate this over five stars? Because it deserves a million stars. WOW. I already knew a book written by my two favorite muslim authors (aka my two favorite authors of all time) was going to be one of my top reads of the year and I was RIGHT.
First of all, the characters? Incredible. Amazing. Showstopping. Never been seen before. 10/10. I loved Tiwa and Said so much and I hold them so near and dear to my heart. And everyone else too! Like Safiyah and Julian and of course we can’t forget habibi Laddoo.
I also loved that we got a lot of friendship and family dynamics and that the relationship aspect of the book wasn’t solely focused on romance!! That being said, let’s ABSOLUTELY talk about the romance because the second I saw that Much Ado About Nothing quote in the opening I was like “oh this is gonna be a GREAT annoyances to lovers arc” and I was absolutely correct. Tiwa and Said are also just so jennajulien core and you know I will be hooked on any relationship that reminds me of jennajulien.
As a muslim, I really appreciate some of the little details about practices in the faith! Like performing ablution and how we start and end our prayers. I also just love the casual ‘inshallah’s and ‘mashallah’s AND the talk of how important community is in Islam and how much it can aid our imaan.
I couldn’t recommend this book more, for both muslims and non-muslims. And inshallah we’ll see more book co-written Faridah Àbíké-Íyímídé and Adiba Jaigirdar in the future!
sovonreads's review against another edition
emotional
hopeful
informative
inspiring
sad
medium-paced
- 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
This was my first time reading a YA book as an adult and was surprised just how much I liked it. This definitely gave me hope that all YA books aren’t childish.
The amount of culture immersed in this book was just so incredible to read. I loved that part the most! It taught and showed why the center was more than just a building but a haven for Muslim community in the state.
The romance happened in a blink of an eye towards the end of the book and came out of nowhere. In my opinion it was so glazed over this shouldn’t have been a romance. The main characters felt like they had more of a sibling relationship than anything.
I also felt the relationship they had with the librarian that brought them closer was just quickly rushed aside even at the funeral it was another blink and you missed it.
This kept my attention and I was completely into the story. I also loved that unlike most books the parents in this book supported their children no matter what. It wasn’t questioned it was just automatic which was so refreshing to see.
The amount of culture immersed in this book was just so incredible to read. I loved that part the most! It taught and showed why the center was more than just a building but a haven for Muslim community in the state.
The romance happened in a blink of an eye towards the end of the book and came out of nowhere. In my opinion it was so glazed over this shouldn’t have been a romance. The main characters felt like they had more of a sibling relationship than anything.
I also felt the relationship they had with the librarian that brought them closer was just quickly rushed aside even at the funeral it was another blink and you missed it.
This kept my attention and I was completely into the story. I also loved that unlike most books the parents in this book supported their children no matter what. It wasn’t questioned it was just automatic which was so refreshing to see.
jazzyjbox's review against another edition
funny
hopeful
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
5.0
This is a wonderful collaboration between two of my favorite YA authors!
Said and Tiwa used to be best friends, but something drove them apart when Said started at a new school. A few years later, the two are reunited when their favorite librarian passes away. Then the two team up to try to save the Islamic Center and might just repair their relationship along the way.
Said and Tiwa's summer is a fun exploration of friendship, teen love, and community identity. There are underlying themes of parental expectations and grief that were handled well. I adore these two authors, and I can't wait to read more from them!
Said and Tiwa used to be best friends, but something drove them apart when Said started at a new school. A few years later, the two are reunited when their favorite librarian passes away. Then the two team up to try to save the Islamic Center and might just repair their relationship along the way.
Said and Tiwa's summer is a fun exploration of friendship, teen love, and community identity. There are underlying themes of parental expectations and grief that were handled well. I adore these two authors, and I can't wait to read more from them!
Content Warnings
Moderate: Grief
Minor: Child death
skye_era_books's review against another edition
emotional
funny
fast-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? Yes
4.75
YES. This is one of my most anticipated reads of the year. I love both authors and was so excited to hear that they were writing a book together, I just knew it would be fantastic. It was the perfect mix of how they both write. I loved Said and Tiwa and felt very connected to all of the characters. The narrators did a fantastic job at bringing the characters to life. Thank you to Macmillan Audio for providing me with this ARC.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Fire/Fire injury and Racism
Moderate: Car accident, Child death, Death, and Toxic friendship
city_girl_writer's review against another edition
lighthearted
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
3.0
Thanks to Macmillan Audio for gifting me an advanced audiobook as a 2024 Macmillan Audio Influencer in exchange for an honest review!
This was a fine YA romance. Tiwa and Said had a nice friendship before they suddenly stopped talking to each other. I found the hostility they had for each other in the beginning to not really match why they ended their friendship. I preferred to follow their way towards friendship more intriguing than their growing romantic attraction (even though it was there all along). The plot was good and well paced. There were a couple of times I had to suspend disbelief but did not ruin my enjoyment. The twist with what led to Tiwa and Said to end their friendship was...left to be desired? I don't know why that twist, and I felt kinda disappointed in the authors' choice to go that route.
Overall, a fine book but the romance could have been more interesting.
This was a fine YA romance. Tiwa and Said had a nice friendship before they suddenly stopped talking to each other. I found the hostility they had for each other in the beginning to not really match why they ended their friendship. I preferred to follow their way towards friendship more intriguing than their growing romantic attraction (even though it was there all along). The plot was good and well paced. There were a couple of times I had to suspend disbelief but did not ruin my enjoyment. The twist with what led to Tiwa and Said to end their friendship was...left to be desired? I don't know why that twist, and I felt kinda disappointed in the authors' choice to go that route.
Overall, a fine book but the romance could have been more interesting.
librarygirlreads's review
adventurous
emotional
mysterious
tense
fast-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? Yes
5.0
thatbookbetchhh's review
5.0
If you were wondering if you needed to read this book….you do. In my TOP 5 book and audio of 2024 for me!!!
@dibs_j and @faridahlikestea just know how to craft THE PERFECT impeccably written YA romance…forever auto-buy authors for me!! The relationships (familial, romantic, and platonic) in this book were one-of-a-kind and felt like a warm hug! Simply put I’m happy that books like this one exist, and that I get opportunity to read them (this one got me feeling extra sappy🥹)
⭐️FOUR EIDS AND A FUNERAL, out JUNE 4th⭐️
Thank you Feiwel and Friends for the eARC and @macmillan.audio for the gifted review ALC of this book!
@dibs_j and @faridahlikestea just know how to craft THE PERFECT impeccably written YA romance…forever auto-buy authors for me!! The relationships (familial, romantic, and platonic) in this book were one-of-a-kind and felt like a warm hug! Simply put I’m happy that books like this one exist, and that I get opportunity to read them (this one got me feeling extra sappy🥹)
⭐️FOUR EIDS AND A FUNERAL, out JUNE 4th⭐️
Thank you Feiwel and Friends for the eARC and @macmillan.audio for the gifted review ALC of this book!