Scan barcode
monstrouscosmos's review against another edition
- 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? No
4.25
Relationships: 9/10
Atmosphere/Setting: 8/10
Writing Style: 9/10
Plot/Intrigue: 8/10
Internal Logic: 10/10
Entertainment: 7/10
Overall: 60/70, 4.25*
I wanted a book that didn't have any spice so when I saw that this was YA I was initially so excited! when I found out how young the characters would actually be it became hard for me to stick with listening for awhile. nothing against younger characters! but teen romance isn't really what I was expecting/hoping for. I'm glad I stuck it out though, this was such a heartfelt story! definitely something I wish I'd had as a teenager. a very sweet coming of age story!
Graphic: Fatphobia, Panic attacks/disorders, Xenophobia, and Racism
Moderate: Bullying, Gaslighting, Toxic friendship, Racial slurs, and Toxic relationship
jachnax's review against another edition
- 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
4.5
Moderate: Fatphobia, Racism, Panic attacks/disorders, and Xenophobia
Minor: Racial slurs
emily_mh's review against another edition
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.0
Moderate: Fatphobia, Racism, Body shaming, and Xenophobia
Minor: Racial slurs, Ableism, Cursing, Panic attacks/disorders, and Homophobia
Minor: colourismludivinev's review against another edition
- 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
3.5
Minor: Fatphobia and Xenophobia
linnea1801's review against another edition
- 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
4.25
Graphic: Racism and Xenophobia
rachelfayreads's review against another edition
- 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
3.5
Moderate: Racism, Xenophobia, and Fatphobia
savvyrosereads's review against another edition
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
4.5
Rating: 4.5/5 stars
Shireen is a young Bangladeshi-Irish woman still reeling from a breakup with her girlfriend Chris when she learns that one of her biggest dreams has come true—she’s been selected as a competitor in a junior baking reality series. But Chris is also a competitor, and as Shireen tries to navigate their tension while also building a new friendship (or something more?) with fellow contestant Niamh, everything is about to heat up in this kitchen.
Being completely honest, I initially picked this one up because I needed to read a book with a purple cover for a reading challenge, and this fit the bill and had the added bonus of featuring LGBTQ representation for Pride Month. Once I got into it, however, I really enjoyed it! The diversity is exceptional: Shireen is a fat, queer, ethnically southeast Asian woman living in Ireland, and the supporting characters are also rich in diversity across a number of axes. I love to see this kind of representation in any book, but in a YA novel especially, as I think a lot of young people will really relate to Shireen and her journey.
The plot itself was also fun and quick. I didn’t love all the decisions Shireen made, but they all made sense given her age and characterization, and I loved most of the secondary characters as well. The baking show setting was fun and the challenges were well-thought-out and interesting to read about—I appreciated that the show element wasn’t simply an afterthought. Finally, the production quality of the audio was exceptional, and the narrator did a great job with a number of accents, which really brought the book to life!
Recommended to anyone, but especially if you like: YA LGBTQ romance; diverse reads; baking competitions
CW: Some xenophobia/racism and mentions of fatphobia
Graphic: Racism and Xenophobia
Moderate: Toxic relationship and Fatphobia
lydiareads247's review
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
4.5
Moderate: Xenophobia, Fatphobia, and Racism
brittmariasbooks's review against another edition
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
5.0
This book has it all! Reality tv! Girls in love! Puns about desserts!
Shireen Malik enters a junior baking show as a contestant. She knows she has a chance, too, because Shireen loves baking! But things get complicated when her ex-girlfriend is also accepted as a contestant on the show. And then there is another contestant, Niamh, who might be a potential crush.
I really enjoyed this book! Priya Ayyar does a right job narrating the book. For me, she really became Shireen's voice.
The book is just so good. I loved the setting around a junior baking show in Ireland. I also loved having a plus-size main character. The author's note about it at the end of the book made it extra sweet!
I can only just highly recommend The Dos and Donuts of Love for anyone who loves reality tv settings, LGBTQIA+ love and sweet, sweet puns about desserts.
Moderate: Xenophobia, Fatphobia, and Racial slurs
caseythereader's review against another edition
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.0
- THE DOS AND DONUTS OF LOVE is a joy. It's a pun-filled queer rom-com that still touches on important issues.
- Shireen's parents are not the "typical" immigrant parents often portrayed in coming of age stories, and I love that we are getting a different narrative here.
- I won't spoil anything, but I'm a big fan of how the romantic element of this story played out. Again, it's a bit atypical for a YA novel, and it's great. I continue to be a huge Jaigirdar fan!
Graphic: Fatphobia, Panic attacks/disorders, Racism, and Xenophobia
Minor: Racial slurs