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iirisrenvall's review against another edition
funny
hopeful
lighthearted
reflective
medium-paced
- 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? Yes
4.0
Content Warnings
Moderate: Outing, Homophobia, Bullying, Lesbophobia, and Racism
noraaa_9999's review against another edition
emotional
reflective
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
I really liked the story, though it was sometimes hard to read about Nishats struggles. Lots of drama, but well it's teenagers, and they act accordingly. It was interesting but also infuriating to read how a lesbian and BIPOC girl has to navigate and is treated in an mainly-white girl's school.
I wished there would have been a bit more though. I guess it is just realistic like that, but many people were not held accountable for what they did. Still, I would have liked there to be a bit more accountability / apologies (also I was surprised Nishats parents didn't do anything after what happened at school) . Also I was not very invested in the romance story (because of the same reasons, the love interest did some nasty stuff, like ignoring Nishat when she tells her about her cultural approbation, siding with her cousin for so long, and then getting away with a lackluster apology at the end
Still, I'd recommend the book to someone who likes YA books, likes sapphic stories, strong sibling relationships, and wants to learn about the struggles of a queer, BIPOC girl in a white, sometimes homophobic and racist environment.
I wished there would have been a bit more though. I guess it is just realistic like that, but many people were not held accountable for what they did. Still, I would have liked there to be a bit more accountability / apologies
Still, I'd recommend the book to someone who likes YA books, likes sapphic stories, strong sibling relationships, and wants to learn about the struggles of a queer, BIPOC girl in a white, sometimes homophobic and racist environment.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Homophobia and Racism
nushreadsbooks's review against another edition
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
4.0
Content Warnings
Graphic: Homophobia and Racism
gurkanwal27's review against another edition
emotional
lighthearted
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? No
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
2.0
The book just didn't stand out to me. The characters were two dimensional and i DID NOT cared about them at all. I couldn't even bring myself to care about the MC.
It does catch that weird silent treatment thing some parents give their children but it just gets repetitive after a while. I understand the characters are in high school so they'll do weird cringey stuff but they just didn't seemed to be real to me. Also, the whole asian thing, speaking as an asian, seemed *a bit* forced. Like you don't need to remind me "its the bengali in you" in every chapter. Ykwim? All in all i was expecting more of actual "brown queer representation" but it just flat at times.
It does catch that weird silent treatment thing some parents give their children but it just gets repetitive after a while. I understand the characters are in high school so they'll do weird cringey stuff but they just didn't seemed to be real to me. Also, the whole asian thing, speaking as an asian, seemed *a bit* forced. Like you don't need to remind me "its the bengali in you" in every chapter. Ykwim? All in all i was expecting more of actual "brown queer representation" but it just flat at times.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Lesbophobia, Outing, and Homophobia
Minor: Racism
mani_p's review against another edition
emotional
hopeful
sad
fast-paced
- 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? It's complicated
3.25
Content Warnings
Graphic: Homophobia and Lesbophobia
Moderate: Bullying and Racism
yofrere's review against another edition
funny
tense
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? No
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
2.75
Definitely a fun read yet the plot felt underdeveloped and the characters weren’t entirely endearing. Some issues felt glossed over while others got more attention despite feeling less complex and easily fixable. A bit of a roller coaster with an anticlimactic end.
Also Chyna sucks! Completely irredeemable as an antagonist in my eyes yet seems to fade into the background with a flippant excuse of “well she’s obviously racist but maybe she’s working on it?” ?? Maybe that was on purpose. Some people are like that. Still, it wasn’t fun to read. Also I found Nishat and Flàvia’s love/hate relationship confusing.</spoiler>
Content Warnings
Graphic: Homophobia and Racism
siriface's review against another edition
challenging
emotional
hopeful
reflective
sad
medium-paced
4.0
Content Warnings
Graphic: Bullying, Racism, Homophobia, and Cultural appropriation
laureliz's review against another edition
challenging
emotional
hopeful
mysterious
tense
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
Content Warnings
Graphic: Lesbophobia, Racism, Outing, and Homophobia
jsant's review against another edition
emotional
inspiring
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
4.5
An important story about highschool and bullying, racism, homophobia and cultural appropriation. My daughter recommended this to me and I'm glad she did.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Racism, Cultural appropriation, Homophobia, and Bullying
abi2xoxo's review against another edition
lighthearted
slow-paced
3.0
This book is the second one I have read from Adiba Jaigirdar and it didn't massively disappoint.
pros-
The storyline was easy to follow and would definitely fit a younger audience. It focuses on cultural differences, and cultural appropriation while being a cute queer story.
Homophobia is well-spoken about. It is handled with care.
The way they ended up together I thought was sweet.
cons-
uncomfortable- it is used too many times.
No consequences. It left me a little unsatisfied when there were no consequences for anyone! When Nishat didn't tell her parents she was going somewhere and she got Priti to tell that I was so confused at how there wasn't any telling off texts or phone calls. I think it is because my parents would have not been at all happy if I had my brother told them where I was going. I didn't even have a phone until I was 15 and I still found a way to tell them where I would be. There were also no consequences for Ali or Chyna.
Good book.
I would recommend it to a younger audience. It is heavy at times but t is handled with caution so yeah.
I don't know if I will read another Adiba Jaigirdar though.
pros-
The storyline was easy to follow and would definitely fit a younger audience. It focuses on cultural differences, and cultural appropriation while being a cute queer story.
Homophobia is well-spoken about. It is handled with care.
The way they ended up together I thought was sweet.
cons-
uncomfortable- it is used too many times.
No consequences. It left me a little unsatisfied when there were no consequences for anyone! When Nishat didn't tell her parents she was going somewhere and she got Priti to tell that I was so confused at how there wasn't any telling off texts or phone calls. I think it is because my parents would have not been at all happy if I had my brother told them where I was going. I didn't even have a phone until I was 15 and I still found a way to tell them where I would be. There were also no consequences for Ali or Chyna.
Good book.
I would recommend it to a younger audience. It is heavy at times but t is handled with caution so yeah.
I don't know if I will read another Adiba Jaigirdar though.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Bullying, Homophobia, Outing, Racism, Biphobia, Lesbophobia, Toxic friendship, and Cultural appropriation
Moderate: Abandonment