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A review by zefancifulreader
The Henna Wars by Adiba Jaigirdar
hopeful
lighthearted
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
4.75
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.
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.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Outing
Moderate: Bullying, Homophobia, Racism, and Cultural appropriation