Hani and Ishu's Guide to Fake Dating

No cover — Adiba Jaigirdar: Hani and Ishu's Guide to Fake Dating (Hardcover, 2021, Page Street Kids)

Hardcover, 352 pages

English language

Published May 25, 2021 by Page Street Kids.

ISBN:: 978-1-64567-257-9

(1 review)

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.

3 editions

Stephanie Jane reviewed Hani and Ishu's Guide to Fake Dating by Adiba Jaigirdar

A charming, thought-provoking romance

5 stars

I don't have many authors whose books I would grab just on the strength of their name without at least checking out the synopsis, but on the strength of The Henna Wars and now Hani and Ishu's Guide to Fake Dating I am delighted to add Adiba Jaigirdar's name to that very short list. I absolutely loved spending time with Hani, Ishu, their families and friends, and was completely enthralled by this novel from start to finish. I admit that, as a young adult romance, it doesn't tick any of my usual genre boxes, but Jaigirdar has such a talent for incorporating deep themes into ostensibly light stories without either dragging down the tone and pace of her work or doing any disservice to the issues her characters must navigate.

Hani and Ishu's Guide to Fake Dating includes probably the best depiction of a toxic friendship that I have ever …

I don't have many authors whose books I would grab just on the strength of their name without at least checking out the synopsis, but on the strength of The Henna Wars and now Hani and Ishu's Guide to Fake Dating I am delighted to add Adiba Jaigirdar's name to that very short list. I absolutely loved spending time with Hani, Ishu, their families and friends, and was completely enthralled by this novel from start to finish. I admit that, as a young adult romance, it doesn't tick any of my usual genre boxes, but Jaigirdar has such a talent for incorporating deep themes into ostensibly light stories without either dragging down the tone and pace of her work or doing any disservice to the issues her characters must navigate.

Hani and Ishu's Guide to Fake Dating includes probably the best depiction of a toxic friendship that I have ever read. It also delves into homophobia, Islamophobia, and dysfunctional intergenerational relationships, all while telling an adorably romantic tale of first love. Jaigirdar also deftly shows readers Bengali culture and Dublin culture, especially their intersections. I came away from this book feeling as though I learned a lot, yet didn't recall any moments of feeling I was being taught! Over everything though I fell in love with Hani and Ishu's relationship even before they could see for themselves where their hearts were taking them. A charming, thought-provoking romance novel with all the feels!