Reviews with content warning for Cursing - Four Eids and a Funeral

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Four Eids and a Funeral by Adiba Jaigirdar, Faridah Àbíké-Íyímídé

6 reviews

jennireadsmaybe's review against another edition

emotional funny hopeful reflective sad 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? Yes

Honestly, this was such a fun mash up by two authors I love (Adiba Jaigirdar + Faridah Àbíké-Íyímídé. I was so glad I received both an e-ARC and an ALC. The audio narration is amazing all three narrators added a little something to each character. I definitely recommend listening!

Plot wise, I really enjoyed Tiwa and Said's childhood friends to haters to friends to lovers romance. They each know each other so well and it makes their past heartbreak all the more emotional for it. It also takes time for them to grow comfortable with each other again... which I loved because it gave me the moments of learning each other again.

An ode to Muslim communities, Tiwa and Said join forces to help rebuild their local Islamic center after it gets damaged in a fire. I am a huge fan of YA stories with political elements because teens are so powerful! AJ + FAI capture teenage struggles amidst so much other happenings for the characters so so well.

The commentary on anti-Blackness within the Muslim community is so so important. I hope this book gets into the hands of teenagers everywhere!

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natashaleighton_'s review against another edition

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emotional funny hopeful lighthearted 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? Yes

4.0

Mishti, misunderstandings and a moving sense of community abound in this richly heartfelt and swoon worthy (second chance, enemies to lovers) romance from best selling authors Adiba Jaigirdar and Faridah Àbíké-Íyímídé.

I’m a sucker for all things enemies to lovers so when I heard the premise: two former friends turned enemies, who reconnect at a funeral and find themselves working together to save their town’s Islamic Centre from demolition. I knew I had to get my hands on a copy. And it definitely didn’t disappoint!

I do admit I was hesitant to start this at first having recently lost my Nan. But despite a funeral initially setting the scene; the romantic tension, comedic banter and tender focus on family and community soon proved a soothing balm for my fears as I was thoroughly swept up in Tiwa and Said’s efforts, and growing feelings (both platonic and romantic) for one another.

It’s told through the dual POVs of Said and Tiwa as they navigate the monumental changes in that have shaped their lives and reexamine the rift that ended their childhood friendship.

I loved getting to delve into both Said and Tiwa’s innermost thoughts and feelings, and adored their rivalry that showcased their opposing and competitive (yet thoroughly complimentary) personalities to perfection.

If you’re familiar with the Shakespearean play Much Ado About Nothing, Said and Tiwa reminded me a little of Beatrice and Benedict in their witty exchanges. I especially loved the flashbacks of Eids past (and THAT cake incident) which allow us to glimpse the carefree, happier moments they shared together.

I can’t not mention the supporting cast who were throughly entertaining too (especially Said’s slightly meddling sister Safiyah, Pokémon obsessed school friend Julian and Ladoo-the mischievous, sweet toothed cat that Said and Tiwa share custody of.) Even main antagonist Mayor Williams (a toothy villain straight out of a hallmark movie) was really interesting to watch, in a love to hate and cheer when they fail kind of way.

Overall a fun and enjoyable read that YA contemporary lovers or fans of Jaigirdar and Àbíké-Íyímídé’s other works should definitely consider checking out.

Also, a huge thanks to Fritha at Usborne for the proof

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justinekorson's review

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emotional funny hopeful inspiring lighthearted sad 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

4.0

Thank you to Netgalley for providing me with an ARC of this story.
SPOILERS TO FOLLOW

I've read books by both Farisah and Adiba and so I was really excited to hear that they were co-writing a book together! I don't know anything really about Eid or the Muslim faith so it was very interesting to read about it in this book. Watching how Said and Tiwa practice their religion (both in different ways) was really cool. In a lot of ways I felt like Said in the story when he talked about not really feeling connected to his religion until he goes back home from boarding school.

The characters were really fun too! I think Said was my favorite. He was really funny and sarcastic and had a really great relationship with his sister Safiya. He was also a creative spirit (with his art) which I can relate too as well. Tiwa was very stubborn (relatable) and I loved how she was so passionate about saving the Islamic Center .I almost wish there was more Julian in the book too because he was really funny! You could tell how much he cared about Said and I enjoyed how he ALWAYS seemed to be talking about Pokemon (same Julian, same).

If you don't enjoy the miscommunication trope (who does enjoy it though) you might not like parts of this book. Basically all of Tiwa and Said's relationship in this story is one BIG misunderstanding. (I was actually a little pissed when I read what Safiya did and I didn't really care for her explanation either). The miscommunication here isn't as bad as it is in other books I've read though. If you can get past the fact that they're constantly snarky at one another i think you'll really enjoy this story!

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bookishmillennial's review against another edition

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emotional funny hopeful reflective sad 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? Yes

disclaimer: I don’t really give starred reviews. I hope my reviews provide enough information to let you know if a book is for you or not. Find me here: https://linktr.ee/bookishmillennial

Thank you to Netgalley for the e-arc and Libro FM for the ALC. I am providing this review of my own accord.

Two favorites teamed up to deliver a banger of a co-written young adult romcom and coming of age story. When their favorite librarian Ms. Barnes passes away, Tiwa and Said are thrown together not only for funeral and memorial services, but are left something from Ms. Barnes' will. The catch is... they haven't talked in years really, since Said left for his boarding school, and tragedy hit Tiwa's family. This new forced proximity leaves an opening for them to finally contend with their disdain for each other, and if there's hope to rekindle their friendship ever again.

I appreciated the commentary on the anti-Blackness that Tiwa experienced by their own community, and the lateral emotional and mental violence that she experienced. I hope this opens more folks eyes that being Muslim does not have to *look* a certain way in order to be valid or "enough".

I also loved that the pain and anger that Tiwa and Said felt towards one another felt so real? Like, I can absolutely imagine being in either of their shoes at their age, and feeling the wrath just as they did. I didn't blame either of them for their frustrations, and I thought AJ & FAI illustrated this teenage angst and betrayal perfectly, as they typically do, so I am not surprised in the least.

Anyway, I loved reading about these two friends finding their way back to one another, amidst grief and pain, and holding onto the hope of a future alongside one another, and reveling in community.

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zluvsreading's review against another edition

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emotional funny hopeful informative inspiring lighthearted reflective sad 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

If an “infinity stars” rating was here, I would put it at that.

Gosh, where do I even start???? I know I say this with almost every book, but

THIS.

WAS.

AMAZING.

This deserves an infinity rating from me. I truly cannot believe such a great book is (almost) out in the world for everyone to read and enjoy. I can’t believe such talented writers exist and that they are simply not praised for such an amazing thing being published. (What are words, you understand what I mean)

When I read the dedication, I was immediately enamored and knew I was going to love this.

I adored the writing style this was written with. The “acts” and how it’s sometimes narrated made me laugh so hard. (Not in a haha what a joke, but in a genuine aw I love that haha) It felt very Shakespearean (I have never read a word of Shakespeare in my life) and I just cannot help but love it. It was very easy to fly through, and that I did. I started it last night and read through half of it before finishing it this morning.

These characters are great, I connected with them in so many different ways, although I myself am not Muslim. I think that just goes to show the authors’ talent. It was very great to see more of that Muslim culture, especially around Eid and all the celebrations and traditions that go into it. Religion can be a very divisive topic, but I felt very happy reading about it in this novel. I would definitely read it again and again and recommend it to anyone and everyone, no matter what religion you practice. However, I think if you are Muslim, you will enjoy seeing yourself in this just that much more.

Tiwa was very funny, I adored her. Her with Ladoo was amazing. It’s interesting to see her in the flashbacks vs. present time and it just goes to show how much time can change you and how when certain things happen around you, it shapes you in a huge way.

The way grief was written in this packed a punch. My heart feels so heavy for her whole family. The way she deals with the hostility and racism from others just because she is Black and Muslim made me want to give her a hug so badly. Tiwa deserves the world and I will fight anyone who doesn’t think so. Her and Said? I have words! I HAVE WORDS!!! I loved her sister/friendship bond with Safiyah. They are almost like polar opposites, but they mesh together really well. It was funny to see how Tiwa set herself up to becoming a future lawyer with everything that went down in this (no spoilers!).

Said was so sassy, I loved him. His sense of humor and goofiness that came out around certain people (wink wink) was just so fun to read about. I liked that he pursued his art passion and we got to read about how he really gets swept up into it and feel the love he has for art. His friendship with Julian was interesting to see, in contrast to his (former) friendship with Tiwa that we see a little bit of in the flashbacks. Julian was a huge goofball, I couldn’t take him serious. (Except for THAT part). But alas, no spoilers! Find out for yourself!

Said and Tiwas friendship was very complicated and delicate, but I liked to see how they navigated it as older teens as opposed to when they were just kids, in a way, when they had a fall out. I’ve always said all great relationships have to start with a friendship and this book holds firmly to that belief. It’s more of a childhood best friends to enemies (ish) to friends to lovers. Maybe just skip some friends parts? It’s very complicated to explain but when y’all read it, y’all will understand. Remember, this is a love story.

DAMN this book has one of my favorite microtropes ever, that’s also very heartbreaking but saying it would essentially spoil one of the main plot lines so I will refrain. But, feel free to ask me after the book comes out or if you have read it, so we can discuss. Hehe.

I love to see all the representation in this!! We have the main characters of course, Tiwa and Said who are both Muslim. Tiwa is Nigerian and Said is Bangladeshi. We have lesbian rep from Saf and Ishra. There’s all kinds of South Asian Rep in general that I think we get from the Muslim community in New Crosshaven in general. It doesn’t go into detail about any particular person in the community but it is mentioned, which I liked! Julian is Puerto Rican which we find out later in the book.

Overall, I think this book is for anyone and everyone. You can find yourself in the pages and quickly block out the world in this immersive writing. I’d recommend it to anyone and everyone. I have to preorder now, even though I have a physical arc, I need more.

Content Warnings

bloodmaarked's review against another edition

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lighthearted medium-paced

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

3.0

didn't live up to expectations, and i'm not sure what's going on with faridah's writing these days... massive thanks to Usborne and NetGalley for providing me with an advanced digital copy in exchange for an honest review

✧ full review on my tumblr ✧

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