A review by katiemack
TJ Powar Has Something to Prove by Jesmeen Kaur Deo

inspiring lighthearted reflective fast-paced
  • 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

I loved this! It's filled with compelling characters, intelligent dialogue, and a steamy romance--basically, my perfect book.

I was worried the book would veer into preachy territory re: external beauty, but it's actually a realistic, raw portrayal of what it means to confront one's own biases regarding Western beauty standards--and throwing in "being a teenage girl" to make things more complicated. I appreciate how TJ's decision to not remove her body hair is a fraught and nuanced one; she initially does it to take a stand and defend her cousin and, yes, deals with people who recoil at her new look, but she also has to figure out why she feels revulsion about her own body hair and why it manifests in self-loathing.

I wish I had something like this when I was a teenager debating whether to shave my legs for the upteenth time in a week (despite it being winter and not showing my legs at all).

 
Expand filter menu Content Warnings