Reviews with content warning for Bullying - La guerra de la henna

Loved this book!
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.

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_nem_'s review against another edition

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emotional lighthearted reflective sad medium-paced

Plot- or character-driven? A mix
Strong character development? Yes
Loveable characters? Yes
Diverse cast of characters? Yes

4.5

Rep: Bangladeshi lesbian POV, Brazilian MC, Korean MC

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.

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cosmicwillow's review against another edition

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emotional funny lighthearted 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? It's complicated

3.75

This was cute! I like how it dealt with heavier topics like race/racism and cultural appropriation, and homophobia, but ultimately I found it to be an adorable queer rivals (because they were hardly enemies lol) to lovers story.

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britt_zonnebloempit's review against another edition

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emotional hopeful 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

3.75

This was absolutely adorable!! Plus, I have never read anything like this before, with such a mix of different cultures coming together, PLUS sapphic characters. It feels very wholesome and inclusive!

I'm not exactly the target demographic for this book, considering I'm in my 30s, which led me to a lower rating...

The only thing that reallllly bothered me is the way the writer mentioned characters having "a frown on their lips" or Nishat's heart going "x miles a minute" every other page, but other than that it was a super easy, sweet read.

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hollokim's review against another edition

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emotional hopeful reflective fast-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

4.0

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bookswithmaia's review against another edition

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hopeful reflective medium-paced

Plot- or character-driven? Character
Strong character development? It's complicated
Loveable characters? It's complicated
Diverse cast of characters? Yes
Flaws of characters a main focus? N/A

4.75

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