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sandysmith'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
4.0
Graphic: Infidelity, Addiction, and Islamophobia
lhodgson26's review against another edition
- 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
3.0
This was a very intense book to read with a lot of conplex character history all entangled in two families. Yasmin and Joe were first protrayed to be this perfect junior doctor couple heading into marriage but that soon shattered when Joe admitted his infidelity and then Yasmin did it first out of revenge but then multiple times again. It was then revealed that Joe had more serious problems with his relationship with sex and his mother. Finally in the end it was revealed his mother had been sexually abused by her own father which played some role in her relationship with her son. On Yasmins side there were more deep rooted issues with her mothers sexual assault being revealed at the end and the deal her father had done to marry her mother. Added in the complexity of Flame and her Father's infidelity and disapproval of her brothers relationship and child. In addition to improtant themes of race, identity and gender being discussed this book really had everything. Although it almost felt like too much at points and I was disappointed that it seemed to be left open that she may eventually get back with Joe rather then both move on as they clearly weren't right for each other.
Graphic: Sexual assault, Rape, Incest, Racism, and Islamophobia
kirstym25'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? Yes
5.0
Graphic: Islamophobia and Infidelity
Moderate: Rape
alysereadsbooks's review against another edition
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.5
Graphic: Emotional abuse
Moderate: Alcoholism, Sexual assault, Sexual violence, Lesbophobia, Racism, Medical content, Sexual content, and Islamophobia
kimberlyallen011'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? Yes
3.75
Graphic: Islamophobia and Infidelity
Moderate: Rape and Incest
bookmaddie'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? Yes
4.25
Anyways! This book has the drama—it is so juicy! That alone will keep you reading, but Ali's writing is really approachable and encompassing. I was instantly drawn into the story, and could easily flip pages all afternoon.
This story follows Yasmin and her family just after she gets engaged to Joe, another doctor at her hospital. As time goes on, secrets are uncovered, deeds are done, and Yasmin is forced to confront herself—what she actually wants in life, and how she has misjudged those closest to her. It is a story about love, what we expect it to be, and the myriad of forms it takes in life.
I gotta admit that none of these characters are really likable, but I found them all intensely relatable—there are bits of all of these people in myself or my life. I especially enjoyed Yasmin's relationship with her mom. Ali excelled at showing how we can box people into certain roles rather than allowing them to be their whole selves (also kind of a theme of the whole book..). And while it was expediently clear to the reader that this was happening, it was really rewarding to watch Yasmin realize this throughout the story. Love some character growth!
Graphic: Infidelity, Medical content, and Rape
Moderate: Pregnancy and Islamophobia
katgent'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
4.25
Graphic: Infidelity, Islamophobia, and Racism
Moderate: Rape, Sexual assault, Addiction, and Kidnapping
Minor: Panic attacks/disorders
serendipitysbooks's review against another edition
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.25
At times I really enjoyed this book; it certainly has much to recommend it. I often enjoy a good complicated family story and this book has two that are intertwined. It explored a number of serious topics including parental expectations and generational clashes, feminism, the issues faced by second generation migrants, Islamophobia, cross-cultural understanding, racism, toxic parenting, and the health system particularly geriatric care. Yet there was also humour and many lighter notes. The characters were all flawed but mostly likeable, and virtually all showed considerable growth over the course of the novel. I want to give the author kudos for not shying away from the messy realities of period sex. I also appreciated getting to see therapy sessions from the therapist’s perspective.
Yet I have some reservations. At times my attention wandered and I felt the book could have been shorter. Some issues felt like they played out over and over, while others, including a key reveal towards the end, felt rushed and didn’t get the attention they warranted. There are a lot of characters and some felt a little flat, almost stereotyped caricatures and I wanted depth and nuance. I recognise the contradiction of wanting more while also wanting less. I guess I would have preferred a narrower focus - possibly fewer characters, plot points and issues - but more depth within that.
Moderate: Infidelity, Islamophobia, Panic attacks/disorders, Racism, and Rape
liblibby's review against another edition
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
5.0
It’s a beautiful story about all sorts of relationships and the way they can shift and change in our lives.
Moderate: Classism, Gaslighting, Infidelity, Violence, and Addiction
Minor: Islamophobia, Rape, Sexual assault, and Sexual violence
sib_reads's review against another edition
- 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
4.0
Graphic: Infidelity and Islamophobia
Moderate: Cultural appropriation, Dementia, Addiction, Chronic illness, Mental illness, Physical abuse, Racism, Rape, Religious bigotry, Sexual violence, Violence, Alcohol, Blood, Sexual content, Suicidal thoughts, Pregnancy, Sexual assault, Death, Incest, Injury/Injury detail, and Medical content
Minor: Abandonment, Grief, and Panic attacks/disorders