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Reviews tagging 'Toxic friendship'
Hani and Ishu's Guide to Fake Dating by Adiba Jaigirdar
308 reviews
dhatislandbookworm's review against another edition
emotional
lighthearted
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
4.0
This was such a cute sapphic romance!
Fake dating is one of my favorite tropes, but oftentimes, the motivations of participating in a fake dating ploy can be quite ridiculous. However, in this instance, it made perfect sense since they both had something to ‘gain’!
Hani and Ishu also plays into the grumpy x sunshine trope and the girls’ opposing personalties complimented each other well.
The book also manages to perfectly balance the romance with the heavier topics such as prejudice, assimilation, abandonment, and the fear of failure.
Unfortunately, the ending felt a bit rushed. The main antagonist didn’t face any repercussions for her abhorrent behavior and was essentially rewarded for it!
We also didn’t get closure on certain plot points. This disappointed me because I felt that some of these points were very essential to the story.
All in all, would still recommend if you’re looking for a delightful read.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Bullying, Biphobia, Toxic friendship, Islamophobia, Racism, and Lesbophobia
Moderate: Gaslighting and Abandonment
catsy2022's review against another edition
emotional
informative
lighthearted
relaxing
medium-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? It's complicated
3.0
Content Warnings
Graphic: Homophobia and Biphobia
Moderate: Religious bigotry, Toxic friendship, and Bullying
xwritingstoriesx's review against another edition
hopeful
inspiring
reflective
medium-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
4.5
This book was brilliant. I loved the ways in which the teenage characters were portrayed realistically. Most books never seem to get younger characters right but this author aced it.
It was also really interesting reading from the perspective of Asian characters with references to culture, food and clothing that I hadn't encountered before. Even though it was so unfamiliar for me it felt really comforting to read.
My favourite aspect overall is how the main conflict of this book wasn't the issue of being outed. Though being outed is a very real issue for many and is quite frightening for a lot of people in the lgbt community, I feel as though this kind of conflict has been played out enough in lgbt fiction, so I'm glad I didn't have to read it again. Last but not least, Hani and Ishu made such an adorable couple and I loved the ending they got together.
It was also really interesting reading from the perspective of Asian characters with references to culture, food and clothing that I hadn't encountered before. Even though it was so unfamiliar for me it felt really comforting to read.
My favourite aspect overall is how the main conflict of this book wasn't the issue of being outed. Though being outed is a very real issue for many and is quite frightening for a lot of people in the lgbt community, I feel as though this kind of conflict has been played out enough in lgbt fiction, so I'm glad I didn't have to read it again. Last but not least, Hani and Ishu made such an adorable couple and I loved the ending they got together.
Content Warnings
Moderate: Religious bigotry, Islamophobia, Lesbophobia, Gaslighting, Toxic friendship, and Racism
onlyvitro's review against another edition
emotional
funny
hopeful
lighthearted
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
3.5
Content Warnings
Graphic: Homophobia, Biphobia, Racism, Toxic friendship, and Islamophobia
maggies's review against another edition
challenging
emotional
hopeful
slow-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
3.0
I found this book surprisingly slow-paced, which is rare for YA. Ishu and Hani were charming, but there was something about all the side plots that really slowed it all down, and I sometimes got distracted and couldn't follow. I loved the intersection of Bengali and Irish cultures in this book, as well as the really impactful and unflinching display of microaggressions, both with regard to culture and sexuality.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Biphobia, Lesbophobia, Xenophobia, and Racism
Moderate: Toxic friendship
bookswithlauren's review
challenging
emotional
informative
inspiring
reflective
sad
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
Content Warnings
Graphic: Cursing, Homophobia, Islamophobia, Racism, Religious bigotry, Toxic friendship, Biphobia, Lesbophobia, Bullying, Cultural appropriation, Emotional abuse, and Gaslighting
isabelvegga's review against another edition
emotional
lighthearted
medium-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
3.75
Content Warnings
Graphic: Toxic friendship, Biphobia, Islamophobia, and Lesbophobia
Moderate: Abandonment, Racism, Gaslighting, and Bullying
frogyberries's review
emotional
hopeful
lighthearted
medium-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
5.0
I really liked this book :D
Content Warnings
Graphic: Biphobia, Homophobia, and Toxic friendship
jadeandherbunny's review against another edition
funny
hopeful
informative
lighthearted
tense
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? Yes
3.75
I really liked this!
I loved that Hani and Ishu, in their own way, are so close to my personality.
I loved the sisterly dynamic between Nik and Ishu because of the maturity of Nik and Parent-pleaser Ishu. I kind of thought I would hate Nik in the first half but she is the best side character. I
Hani is just the sweetest girl, I was/am kind of like her because of her not setting boundaries with her friends.
It is kind of slow-burn ? I thought there wouldn't be any kiss because there wasn't any until the end of the 3rd act conflict. Not that it would have been catastrophic since it is YA
I learned a lot about Desi people and liked it wayyy more than when I read Dating Dr. Dil by Nisha Sharma.
I'm just a bit sad that Ishu couldn't come out to her parents. But it is pleasing to know that a lot of queer teenagers felt seen reading about it since it is a harsh reality.
It did not get a higher rating because we didn't really know any character outside of Nik and Aisling. (And don't tell there's Dee we only know she's a doormat)
I loved that Hani and Ishu, in their own way, are so close to my personality.
I loved the sisterly dynamic between Nik and Ishu because of the maturity of Nik and Parent-pleaser Ishu.
Hani is just the sweetest girl, I was/am kind of like her because of her not setting boundaries with her friends.
It is kind of slow-burn ?
I learned a lot about Desi people and liked it wayyy more than when I read Dating Dr. Dil by Nisha Sharma.
I'm just a bit sad that Ishu couldn't come out to her parents. But it is pleasing to know that a lot of queer teenagers felt seen reading about it since it is a harsh reality.
It did not get a higher rating because we didn't really know any character outside of Nik and Aisling. (And don't tell there's Dee we only know she's a doormat)
Content Warnings
Graphic: Lesbophobia, Homophobia, Racism, Toxic friendship, Biphobia, Gaslighting, Bullying, and Islamophobia
Minor: Mental illness and Alcohol
jennireadsmaybe's review against another edition
emotional
funny
hopeful
lighthearted
medium-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
Adiba Jaidirdar tackles first love, toxic friendship, messy family dynamics, and so much more in Hani and Ishu's Guide to Fake Dating. The Bengali and Muslim culture throughout the book was so good! I adore the fact that Hani's parents were completely supportive of her queerness and Nikhita was ready to go to bat for Ishu. Hani is further proof that queerness and religion are not a dichotomy, and I'm always so excited to find new books that explore the relationship between the two.
The romance between Hani and Ishu was the best kind of slow burn, because we got to see them become each other's person and struggle with what it means to fall in love with someone. Fake dating is one of my favorite tropes and this is a new favorite addition to the list. Do you love sapphic romance? Fake dating? Teens being teens? Pick this one up.
Hani's friends are going to get what's coming to them for all their crimes. We ride at dawn people.
The romance between Hani and Ishu was the best kind of slow burn, because we got to see them become each other's person and struggle with what it means to fall in love with someone. Fake dating is one of my favorite tropes and this is a new favorite addition to the list. Do you love sapphic romance? Fake dating? Teens being teens? Pick this one up.
Hani's friends are going to get what's coming to them for all their crimes. We ride at dawn people.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Lesbophobia, Biphobia, Bullying, Islamophobia, Toxic friendship, Homophobia, and Racism
Moderate: Abandonment and Gaslighting