Review: Hani and Ishu's Guide to Fake Dating by Adiba Jaigirdar
Updated: Jul 14, 2021
Blurb:
Everyone likes Humaira "Hani" Khan—she’s easy going and one of the most popular girls at school. But when she comes out to her friends as bisexual, they invalidate her identity, saying she can’t be bi if she’s only dated guys. Panicked, Hani blurts out that she’s in a relationship…with a girl her friends absolutely hate—Ishita "Ishu" Dey. Ishu is the complete opposite of Hani. She’s an academic overachiever who hopes that becoming head girl will set her on the right track for college. But Ishita agrees to help Hani, if Hani will help her become more popular so that she stands a chance of being elected head girl.
Despite their mutually beneficial pact, they start developing real feelings for each other. But relationships are complicated, and some people will do anything to stop two Bengali girls from achieving happily ever after.
My Review: ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️
Wow. Just wow. I don't think it's ever been so easy for me to give a book a 5 star rating.
When I say that this book was one of the best I have ever read, that it completely broke my heart, I really do mean it. In the best way possible, of course.
Hani and Ishu's Guide to Fake Dating dealt with so many issues that are a daily problem for so many people. It dealt with homophobia, racism and so many other forms of discrimination. As well as discrimination, it showed other problems of self-worth and mental health issues that are so hidden, yet present at the same time, in today's society.
But it was also just so beautiful in a way I can't even describe. A lot of the characters were just absolutely amazing, and the entire story was so well written. I really do think everyone should read this book.
Moving away from all of the deep stuff and onto the romance... Fake dating has always been a trope I've loved but haven't seen much of. And THIS IS WHY I LOVE IT AHHHHH!!
Hani and Ishu were both absolutely adorable, and completely different which I LOVED. I was also a huge fan of the way in which their Bangladesh cultures were explored, and their individual religious backgrounds. I loved how Hani was a people pleaser, while Ishu was a 'say it as it is' sort of person, and I think it made their chemistry even better.
There is honestly so much I want to include in this review right now, but I just think you should read it for yourselves!!! If ever I would recommend one single book, this would absolutely be in the running. Hani and Ishu's Guide to fake dating is an important, beautiful work and deserves recognition.
Needless to say, at midnight last night when I finished this book, I spent about 10 minutes going through all of Adiba Jaigirdar's books, reading the synopsis of each one and adding them all to my Goodreads tbr.