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A review by karaisreading
Counting Down with You by Tashie Bhuiyan
5.0
counting down with you was a complete and utter joy to read. this book was split into three parts, spark, flame and inferno (which i really liked, especially since this ties back to something ace says in the book.) and inferno, the third and final park my hand was just over my mouth the entire time. literally SCREAMING into my hand. picture me sitting on my bed, reading the scene and just pausing to silently scream into my hands. it was amazing.
this is bhuiyan's debut novel, and it's safe to say that i will be keeping an eye on her future releases. karina's voice was a very relatable one for this generation: not only is she a young female of colour, she deals with anxiety, parental issues, naviagating family and cultural expectations and idealisms, sibling dynamics, but also first love, relationships and more.
bhuiyan writes in the beginning that yes this is a story with love in it, but it is not fully a love story. karina has love in many different forms, but this is her story and she is not waiting for a prince charming to sweep her away from her problems. however, she grew so much as a person and eventually came to value and place her happiness above others while still loving, caring, and making time for her friends and loved ones.
taking time to briefly talk about aliaster clyde, do i even need to say anything??? he remembered her coffee order after hearing it once. ONCE! not to mention he buys her a dozen books a week, makes her a MIXTAPE OF SONGS THAT REMINDS HIM OF HER>>>??? AND BURNS IT ON A CD, researchs anxiety to help her, has a nickname (lionheart), respects her boundaries and is determined not to cross them, buys her food and drink, respects her family and culture (and makes an effort to reach out to them,) and and and WRITES KARINA POETRY. CAN WE TALK ABOUT "if you held me up to a candle, my silhouette would be covered in your name" ???? yea. okay.
the poetry in this book is what really won me over. karina as a narrator was amazing by itself, but karina writing poetry about her life and ace writing back was even more insane. idk this book was so hyped for a reason and i absoultely adored it. some parts i will admit were a little cheesy, and it's why i struggle a little to read y/a romances, because i feel like some parts just don't happen.
but this book was really realistic and i loved it a lot so five stars!! yes!! that's all!! go read it. thanks.
this is bhuiyan's debut novel, and it's safe to say that i will be keeping an eye on her future releases. karina's voice was a very relatable one for this generation: not only is she a young female of colour, she deals with anxiety, parental issues, naviagating family and cultural expectations and idealisms, sibling dynamics, but also first love, relationships and more.
bhuiyan writes in the beginning that yes this is a story with love in it, but it is not fully a love story. karina has love in many different forms, but this is her story and she is not waiting for a prince charming to sweep her away from her problems. however, she grew so much as a person and eventually came to value and place her happiness above others while still loving, caring, and making time for her friends and loved ones.
taking time to briefly talk about aliaster clyde, do i even need to say anything??? he remembered her coffee order after hearing it once. ONCE! not to mention he buys her a dozen books a week, makes her a MIXTAPE OF SONGS THAT REMINDS HIM OF HER>>>??? AND BURNS IT ON A CD, researchs anxiety to help her, has a nickname (lionheart), respects her boundaries and is determined not to cross them, buys her food and drink, respects her family and culture (and makes an effort to reach out to them,) and and and WRITES KARINA POETRY. CAN WE TALK ABOUT "if you held me up to a candle, my silhouette would be covered in your name" ???? yea. okay.
the poetry in this book is what really won me over. karina as a narrator was amazing by itself, but karina writing poetry about her life and ace writing back was even more insane. idk this book was so hyped for a reason and i absoultely adored it. some parts i will admit were a little cheesy, and it's why i struggle a little to read y/a romances, because i feel like some parts just don't happen.
but this book was really realistic and i loved it a lot so five stars!! yes!! that's all!! go read it. thanks.