YA romance meets fake dating
The fake dating trope meets YA romance in this sweet read about two best friends who pretend to get together like everyone expects them to.
There are lots of things I love about the story. The author is really inspiring, seeking to tell stories featuring Desi girls, as they don't often get the representation, joy or 'main character moments' they deserve. The book explores much more than just romantic love, delving into familial love and close friendships (especially those between a boy and a girl who have never wanted to move out of the friend zone, which is a less-discussed relationship I am eager to see more of). And I really like the sweet scenes between Yahya and Zara, both in person and over Discord messenger. Their feelings are built on a deep desire to know each other and a fondness for each other's quirks, which is lovely to see.
I do find the characters quite frustrating throughout as they continually contradict themselves and make bad decisions. However, when I was 17 years old, I was equally as confounded by the ways of love, prone to making the wrong choices and eager to please those who mattered most to me, whatever the cost. In this way, the book is very realistic.
All in all, I would recommend this one to rom-com lovers, fans of YA romance and those who are curious to see the fake dating trope in a different light.
There are lots of things I love about the story. The author is really inspiring, seeking to tell stories featuring Desi girls, as they don't often get the representation, joy or 'main character moments' they deserve. The book explores much more than just romantic love, delving into familial love and close friendships (especially those between a boy and a girl who have never wanted to move out of the friend zone, which is a less-discussed relationship I am eager to see more of). And I really like the sweet scenes between Yahya and Zara, both in person and over Discord messenger. Their feelings are built on a deep desire to know each other and a fondness for each other's quirks, which is lovely to see.
I do find the characters quite frustrating throughout as they continually contradict themselves and make bad decisions. However, when I was 17 years old, I was equally as confounded by the ways of love, prone to making the wrong choices and eager to please those who mattered most to me, whatever the cost. In this way, the book is very realistic.
All in all, I would recommend this one to rom-com lovers, fans of YA romance and those who are curious to see the fake dating trope in a different light.