Scan barcode
taylorsevalia's review against another edition
4.75
Graphic: Homophobia and Outing
m_r3ads'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? It's complicated
4.5
Graphic: Racism, Homophobia, Outing, and Cultural appropriation
Moderate: Biphobia, Lesbophobia, Islamophobia, and Religious bigotry
evelynyle_88'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
4.0
Graphic: Outing
Moderate: Bullying, Homophobia, Cultural appropriation, and Racism
Minor: Islamophobia
zaczytanaati's review against another edition
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
3.75
Graphic: Outing
Moderate: Homophobia, Cultural appropriation, and Bullying
Minor: Islamophobia
sammyb'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? No
4.0
Graphic: Outing
Moderate: Racism and Homophobia
zefancifulreader'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
4.75
It’s advertised as an enemies to lovers troupe but I honestly didn’t find that the most compelling part of this story. (Although they are a very cute couple.)
Henna Wars may be the catalyst of the plot but it’s the relationships outside the main couple that really held me. Priti and Nishat’s relationship is one of the most accurate sister relationships I’ve read ever. The family dynamics of both Nishat and Flávia were fascinating and complicated and beautiful.
Also, let’s be real, I’m a sucker for a book that has the premise of romance but is really about much bigger themes. This book somehow tackled racism (of VARIOUS races and backgrounds), homophobia, cultural appropriation, xenophobia, bullying, and the trauma of “outing” without soapboxing or disrupting the plot. It all wove together beautifully.
Graphic: Outing
Moderate: Cultural appropriation, Homophobia, Bullying, and Racism
_nem_'s review against another edition
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
4.5
Set in Ireland
This story really pulled me in. I learnt a lot about South Asian culture. I can't comment on how accurate it was but the ideas of coming out and existing as queer in a not accepting environment were very relatable.
I loved the developing relationship between Nishat and Flavia especially towards the end when Flavia is more accepting of her own identity. It was great when Flavia was realising how toxic China was and that she didn't want that anymore.
Graphic: Homophobia, Lesbophobia, Bullying, Outing, and Racism
Moderate: Cultural appropriation and Toxic friendship
cosmicwillow's review against another edition
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
3.75
Graphic: Racism, Outing, Lesbophobia, Bullying, Xenophobia, Homophobia, and Cultural appropriation
bluejay21'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
4.0
Graphic: Cultural appropriation, Homophobia, Lesbophobia, and Outing
meliemelo'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
4.0
As in a lot of first-person POV romances, we suffer a bit from not getting much insight into the love interest's thoughts and motivations, making it quite difficult to understand and even, to a certain extent, like her at times. In the end though I was happy with the overall resolution.
I especially liked the emphasis on the bond with Priti, as well as family and friends in general.
I think this is a great read for teenagers, and I'm looking forward to adding it to my hypothetical-future LGBTQ+ classroom bookshelf.
Graphic: Racism, Lesbophobia, Outing, Homophobia, and Religious bigotry