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greencactus's review
emotional
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
4.75
whatwillread's review
dark
tense
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? No
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.5
Quick, mostly compelling read that lacks subtlety and nuance. Clunky plot and character development across the board. Despite its ham fisted-ness, enjoyed the juicy/messy family drama, cause it really goes there.
whatthedeuce's review
challenging
emotional
hopeful
reflective
sad
tense
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? Yes
3.75
The writing was great, and I was enjoying the time jumps from the present to the past, but then stuff got very clunky at the end. I was so incredibly disappointed by the last 40 pages of this novel. Like all of a sudden, relationships were being repaired instantaneously, which was absurd after how caustic and hostile the characters often were toward each other. It really bothered me that we just get told by Akash that he and Renu revealed their secrets to each other. Ummm, why not actually write out those scenes instead of “And then my mom told me all about being in love with some other dude and now I’m not afraid of our mad at her even though she’s been hostile to me basically my entire life?!” Like FOR REAL?!
And Akash just suddenly giving up drinking in the middle of the book like that’s supposed to be something easy? That was handled so unrealistically. He was clearly an alcoholic throughout the present day arc, and then he just decided to quit on a whim and was successful. Right. Sure. That felt too jarring and so did Akash making up with Bijal and Renu at the snap of a finger. Oh, not to mention Parth being all blase about Akash fucking punching him in high school instead of standing up for him. Like I’m not saying that would’ve been easy when Akash was tired of not belonging and also possibly being outed, but STILL. Parth just saying it was water under the bridge cuz they were young when it happened was such a letdown.
And Akash just suddenly giving up drinking in the middle of the book like that’s supposed to be something easy? That was handled so unrealistically. He was clearly an alcoholic throughout the present day arc, and then he just decided to quit on a whim and was successful. Right. Sure. That felt too jarring and so did Akash making up with Bijal and Renu at the snap of a finger. Oh, not to mention Parth being all blase about Akash fucking punching him in high school instead of standing up for him. Like I’m not saying that would’ve been easy when Akash was tired of not belonging and also possibly being outed, but STILL. Parth just saying it was water under the bridge cuz they were young when it happened was such a letdown.
calebmatthews's review
5.0
4.5 stars. I really liked the authors writing and the plot of this book. If you like family systems, give this book a read.
“Hate is a self-inflicted wound”
“Hate is a self-inflicted wound”
kieralyn_'s review
emotional
reflective
tense
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? It's complicated
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
1.0
the n word is fully dropped (it's mentioned as a slur against Indian people/Asian peoples. but still.) and there are so many inclusions of 90s hip hop and r&b songs that do nothing for the story. more so a random inclusion by the author that says "hey look at all these songs i know and love and im gonna put them in this book." those two things turned me off from this book
other than those things, it is a story that talks about family, internal and interpersonal struggles, being queer, long lost love, and class (the protagonist's family is rich. they talk about people of other classes/looks and immigration statuses)
other than those things, it is a story that talks about family, internal and interpersonal struggles, being queer, long lost love, and class (the protagonist's family is rich. they talk about people of other classes/looks and immigration statuses)
Content Warnings
Graphic: Alcoholism, Racial slurs, Racism, and Sexual content
Moderate: Racism, Classism, Homophobia, and Miscarriage
hihinotem's review against another edition
emotional
informative
mysterious
reflective
sad
tense
medium-paced
- Loveable characters? No
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.0
aklesiam's review
emotional
reflective
medium-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
mwalter02's review
emotional
hopeful
reflective
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
4.0
melodys_library's review
5.0
I knew this couldn’t end with a happily ever after and got so nervous that this was going to end tragically, and I’m glad I was wrong about both. I almost cried when Renu finally read the letter from Ashok. Bonus points for the nostalgic R&B references.
“In life, the things we most desire are not always what we need.”
“In life, the things we most desire are not always what we need.”