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Tell Me Again How a Crush Should Feel
High-school junior Leila has made it most of the way through Armstead Academy without having a crush on anyone, which is something of a relief. Her Persian heritage already makes her different from her classmates; if word got out that she liked girls, life would be twice as hard. But when a sophisticated, beautiful new girl, Saskia, shows up, Leila starts to take risks she never thought she would, especially when it looks as if the attraction between them is mutual. Struggling to sort out her growing feelings and Saskia's confusing signals, Leila confides in her old friend, Lisa, and grows closer to her fellow drama tech-crew members, especially Tomas, whose comments about his own sexuality are frank, funny, wise, and sometimes painful. Gradually, Leila begins to see that almost all her classmates are more complicated than they first appear to be, and many are keeping fascinating secrets of their own.
304 pages, Hardcover
First published October 7, 2014
224 people are currently reading
20452 people want to read
About the author
Sara Farizan
21 books599 followersSara Farizan (1984, Massachusetts).
Her parents immigrated from Iran in the seventies, her father a surgeon and her mother a homemaker. Sara grew up feeling different in her private high school not only because of her ethnicity but also because of her liking girls romantically, her lack of excitement in science and math, and her love of writing plays and short stories. So she came out of the closet in college, realized math and science weren’t so bad (but not for her), and decided she wanted to be a writer. She is an MFA graduate of Lesley University and holds a BA in film and media studies from American University. Sara has been a Hollywood intern, a waitress, a comic book/record store employee, an art magazine blogger, a marketing temp, and an after-school teacher, but above all else she has always been a writer.
Her parents immigrated from Iran in the seventies, her father a surgeon and her mother a homemaker. Sara grew up feeling different in her private high school not only because of her ethnicity but also because of her liking girls romantically, her lack of excitement in science and math, and her love of writing plays and short stories. So she came out of the closet in college, realized math and science weren’t so bad (but not for her), and decided she wanted to be a writer. She is an MFA graduate of Lesley University and holds a BA in film and media studies from American University. Sara has been a Hollywood intern, a waitress, a comic book/record store employee, an art magazine blogger, a marketing temp, and an after-school teacher, but above all else she has always been a writer.
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 1,284 reviews
June 29, 2020
“I also began to notice how white everything was. The students, the students’ teeth, and the fences surrounding the outdoor swimming pools we never used. We all seemed to categorize ourselves without ever explicitly saying anything. Where does that leave students who don’t have a clear category?”
Tell Me Again How a Crush Should Feel is the kind of book that I need in my life.
CW: a queer person getting outed, a supporting minor character having a relationship with an adult, ableism language, unchallenged biphobia, and unnecessary girl hate. It’s been a while since I read it but here’s what I can remember most far.
Don’t be discouraged by the popular subpar reviews because damn. This book is simple, straight to the point, realistic and extremely groundbreaking.
Sara Farizan’s sophomore novel follow the story of closeted lesbian, Leila. As a girl with Persian heritage, her sexuality makes her life even more precarious. And when the intriguing, newbie Saskia enters her life, Leila is compelled to deal with her feelings.
I admit I keep putting Tell Me Again How a Crush Should Feel for a while. Mostly because of the underwhelming response to it. But I should have known better that, mainstream commentaries usually don’t represent the product.
This book instantly tugs my heart. It is simple and refreshing. It’s a tale of a closeted lesbian who is grappling with her attraction to women. While she is trying to maintain her good grades, and her standing with her family.
Leila is a self-deprecating character. She has this precise humor that compelled me. She has a way with her words. I love her quips, and her initial reluctance to open herself to the world. Her growth is truthful and enormous.
It’s fantastic to read a book where a lesbian has an amazing support from friends, where she have an active but complicated relationship with her family. Like I regularly point out in my reviews, I adore books where family and friends are integrated into the plot. Tell Me Again How a Crush Should Feel isn’t an exception. Leila’s friends are very fun to read. They carry on the plot and they are well developed as much as the story’s narrator. Its life boosting to see positive notes in a book that tackles the discrimination, festishization of the lesbian community.
The cast and the whole plot in general is diverse in terms of race and sexuality. The Persian culture is embedded in the story. Leila discussed plenty of marks that put her relationship with her parents in to strain. How she struggles to come out. How she is trapped by her heritage’s expectation and history. The simple beauty of her culture. She also speaks up about racism. I’d love to read more books where POC could blast their thoughts on micro aggression and racism.
“Because I’m ethnically ambiguous? Absolutely,” I say, and she giggles. “Mostly, people think I’m Latina and speak to me in Spanish. When I tell them I don’t understand, they think I’m denying my heritage or something.” This gets her to laugh tremendously. I want to continue to hear it. “Then I say ‘No, Middle Eastern,’ and the response is always ‘Lo siento,’ like I’ve got it really bad.”
The romance was cute.
But one of the many things that render me about ‘Tell Me Again How a Crush Should Feel’ is the constant fear.
The constant fear of LGBT+ people who felt the need they need to clarify what they are to people who wouldn’t understand simply because they can’t ponder outside their box. The crippling fear of LGBT+ people because they are afraid their family and friends might disown them. The fear, they are always unsafe. The fear that someone might rob them of their privacy. I want to curl into a fetal position, every time, I think of someone going through these and more. You deserve all the love and respect in the world.
Tell Me Again How a Crush Should Feel is timeless, and this is the kind of books we should be reading.
Review also posted at Young Adult Hollywood.
Tell Me Again How a Crush Should Feel is the kind of book that I need in my life.
CW: a queer person getting outed, a supporting minor character having a relationship with an adult, ableism language, unchallenged biphobia, and unnecessary girl hate. It’s been a while since I read it but here’s what I can remember most far.
Don’t be discouraged by the popular subpar reviews because damn. This book is simple, straight to the point, realistic and extremely groundbreaking.
Sara Farizan’s sophomore novel follow the story of closeted lesbian, Leila. As a girl with Persian heritage, her sexuality makes her life even more precarious. And when the intriguing, newbie Saskia enters her life, Leila is compelled to deal with her feelings.
I admit I keep putting Tell Me Again How a Crush Should Feel for a while. Mostly because of the underwhelming response to it. But I should have known better that, mainstream commentaries usually don’t represent the product.
This book instantly tugs my heart. It is simple and refreshing. It’s a tale of a closeted lesbian who is grappling with her attraction to women. While she is trying to maintain her good grades, and her standing with her family.
Leila is a self-deprecating character. She has this precise humor that compelled me. She has a way with her words. I love her quips, and her initial reluctance to open herself to the world. Her growth is truthful and enormous.
It’s fantastic to read a book where a lesbian has an amazing support from friends, where she have an active but complicated relationship with her family. Like I regularly point out in my reviews, I adore books where family and friends are integrated into the plot. Tell Me Again How a Crush Should Feel isn’t an exception. Leila’s friends are very fun to read. They carry on the plot and they are well developed as much as the story’s narrator. Its life boosting to see positive notes in a book that tackles the discrimination, festishization of the lesbian community.
The cast and the whole plot in general is diverse in terms of race and sexuality. The Persian culture is embedded in the story. Leila discussed plenty of marks that put her relationship with her parents in to strain. How she struggles to come out. How she is trapped by her heritage’s expectation and history. The simple beauty of her culture. She also speaks up about racism. I’d love to read more books where POC could blast their thoughts on micro aggression and racism.
“Because I’m ethnically ambiguous? Absolutely,” I say, and she giggles. “Mostly, people think I’m Latina and speak to me in Spanish. When I tell them I don’t understand, they think I’m denying my heritage or something.” This gets her to laugh tremendously. I want to continue to hear it. “Then I say ‘No, Middle Eastern,’ and the response is always ‘Lo siento,’ like I’ve got it really bad.”
The romance was cute.
But one of the many things that render me about ‘Tell Me Again How a Crush Should Feel’ is the constant fear.
The constant fear of LGBT+ people who felt the need they need to clarify what they are to people who wouldn’t understand simply because they can’t ponder outside their box. The crippling fear of LGBT+ people because they are afraid their family and friends might disown them. The fear, they are always unsafe. The fear that someone might rob them of their privacy. I want to curl into a fetal position, every time, I think of someone going through these and more. You deserve all the love and respect in the world.
Tell Me Again How a Crush Should Feel is timeless, and this is the kind of books we should be reading.
Review also posted at Young Adult Hollywood.
dnf
June 13, 2014DNF for now.
Everything about this book sounds awesome and I want it to be known that I did not read further than the second chapter - hence the lack of rating and proper review. But... you know when you start to read a book and everything just feels a bit off? Nothing major, but small things that make you raise an eyebrow or pull up Google to check up on info you're already pretty sure you know. That's what happened in the first 23 pages of Tell Me Again How a Crush Should Feel.
This paragraph...
...had me questioning why the MC calls Robert out for working "so hard", when a few sentences later we are told that Robert likes to get boozed up during school lessons. Damn, Robert, WHY YOU WORK YOURSELF SO HARD?
This is just one nitpicky example... but they build up. I'm not saying never, but I am saying not right now. I might pick it up again if the reviews convince me I was wrong about this book.
Everything about this book sounds awesome and I want it to be known that I did not read further than the second chapter - hence the lack of rating and proper review. But... you know when you start to read a book and everything just feels a bit off? Nothing major, but small things that make you raise an eyebrow or pull up Google to check up on info you're already pretty sure you know. That's what happened in the first 23 pages of Tell Me Again How a Crush Should Feel.
This paragraph...
...had me questioning why the MC calls Robert out for working "so hard", when a few sentences later we are told that Robert likes to get boozed up during school lessons. Damn, Robert, WHY YOU WORK YOURSELF SO HARD?
This is just one nitpicky example... but they build up. I'm not saying never, but I am saying not right now. I might pick it up again if the reviews convince me I was wrong about this book.
November 22, 2017
update post-read: this is turning out to be a Good Plan already THIS WAS ADORABLE AND FUNNY AND THERE WAS A PLOT TWIST I DIDN'T SEE COMING BUT I LOVED IT
update pre-read: i need to make intelligent life choices so new plan i'm only going to read f/f romances for the rest of my life now
update pre-read: i need to make intelligent life choices so new plan i'm only going to read f/f romances for the rest of my life now
December 29, 2014
DNF This feels like a very slight middle grade book, and is extremely simplistic in terms of plotting, style, emotion, and characterization. Was it also supposed to be funny? It's kind of sad I couldn't really tell. It's too bad, I'd love to see more f/f relationships in YA.
An advance copy was provided by the publisher for this review.
An advance copy was provided by the publisher for this review.
December 11, 2018
The strength of this book is that it's from a unique perspective, that of a lesbian Persian-American girl with immigrant parents, coming to terms with who she is and how she still fits within her family.
I agree with some other reviewers that the book isn't without issues and I see the critiques as valid. That said, I still liked the lead character, Leila. She's struggling and she has a sarcastic and dry sense of humor that's endearing. It's easy to sympathize with her situation and I liked how her family was represented.
There are also a number of side characters that lend well to the story and I definitely felt pulled back into high school.
Where the strange bit comes in is with the character of Saskia. She's written so over the top in a number of ways, so much so that she becomes a caricature. But, I found Leila to have more chemistry and time with Saskia then the girl she actually ends up with which is a shame. I really would've liked to see more development with the *real* relationship than the heightened drama from Saskia's character.
For that, the story fell a little flat.
It's still an important representation, though, and for that I'm glad this story exists.
I'm torn on a rating for this one. There are some really odd storytelling choices the author made which weren't great (either because it felt forced or it was downright offensive or she seemed to be outraged about the wrong thing?). The story itself I give about 3.5.
Negin Farsad did a great job with the audibobook narration, though, which heightened the experience in a positive way making the read more entertaining. Because of that, for the audiobook version, I bump it up to 4 stars.
I agree with some other reviewers that the book isn't without issues and I see the critiques as valid. That said, I still liked the lead character, Leila. She's struggling and she has a sarcastic and dry sense of humor that's endearing. It's easy to sympathize with her situation and I liked how her family was represented.
There are also a number of side characters that lend well to the story and I definitely felt pulled back into high school.
Where the strange bit comes in is with the character of Saskia. She's written so over the top in a number of ways, so much so that she becomes a caricature. But, I found Leila to have more chemistry and time with Saskia then the girl she actually ends up with which is a shame. I really would've liked to see more development with the *real* relationship than the heightened drama from Saskia's character.
For that, the story fell a little flat.
It's still an important representation, though, and for that I'm glad this story exists.
I'm torn on a rating for this one. There are some really odd storytelling choices the author made which weren't great (either because it felt forced or it was downright offensive or she seemed to be outraged about the wrong thing?). The story itself I give about 3.5.
Negin Farsad did a great job with the audibobook narration, though, which heightened the experience in a positive way making the read more entertaining. Because of that, for the audiobook version, I bump it up to 4 stars.
Read
February 17, 2017I don't know what to rate this yet.
It's f/f and some parts are cute...but it's also hurtful, biphobic, and offensive. It's marketed as an adorable f/f romance, and that's not what you get.
I loved we had a lesbian Persian main character, and that Leila's culture was a big part of her life. But other than that? I was disappointed.
Let's have a list.
•stop using the word 'exotic' to describe poc! It's not okay, and I noticed it multiple times.
•biphobic comments were made and not proven to be wrong.
•ableist insults were used to describe the 'villain' of the story.
•multiple slut-shaming lines.
So no, this is not a book I can recommend. It hurt me, honestly.
NOTE: the author is ownvoices, in regards to sexuality and race, I believe? But I may be mistaken. It doesn't excuse the fact that this book hurt me and could hurt others.
It's f/f and some parts are cute...but it's also hurtful, biphobic, and offensive. It's marketed as an adorable f/f romance, and that's not what you get.
I loved we had a lesbian Persian main character, and that Leila's culture was a big part of her life. But other than that? I was disappointed.
Let's have a list.
•stop using the word 'exotic' to describe poc! It's not okay, and I noticed it multiple times.
•biphobic comments were made and not proven to be wrong.
•ableist insults were used to describe the 'villain' of the story.
•multiple slut-shaming lines.
So no, this is not a book I can recommend. It hurt me, honestly.
NOTE: the author is ownvoices, in regards to sexuality and race, I believe? But I may be mistaken. It doesn't excuse the fact that this book hurt me and could hurt others.
May 30, 2015
This book was beautiful: refreshing writing, lovable characters, a realistic spectrum of emotions, and everything I've ever wanted out of a F/F YA book. The romance is sweet and genuine, and it's a relief to read a book about two girls in love that doesn't revolve around sex.
The cast was incredible - diverse, easy to relate to, and the kind of people you end up rooting for. The way this book handled sexuality was amazing, too. I'll be writing a full review someday, but for now... Just read this book.
The cast was incredible - diverse, easy to relate to, and the kind of people you end up rooting for. The way this book handled sexuality was amazing, too. I'll be writing a full review someday, but for now... Just read this book.
August 23, 2020
I adored this one! I live for that trope when the protagonist dislike certain people without any good reason and at the end becomes friends with them. I just love reading about finding friends.
And nowdays I'm so good at shipping the main character with the right person... do we have an award for that?
And nowdays I'm so good at shipping the main character with the right person... do we have an award for that?
September 4, 2025
I enjoyed this well written story with Leila as a young woman of Persian heritage attend a private high school near Boston. She develops a crush on Saskia, a dynamic new student from England, when they both become involved in a school play. But with her cultural background and family Leila could never come out, with some of her close friends she slowly reveals her feelings. But Saskia is not who she first presents, so lots of drama ensues.
Some good supporting characters are on hand to make this an entertaining and interesting read. Leila is special. Good one 4 stars for me.
Some good supporting characters are on hand to make this an entertaining and interesting read. Leila is special. Good one 4 stars for me.
October 5, 2014
MY REVIEW IS ALSO POSTED HERE.
There goes my feels..
Ever feel like you're too old for the book you're reading even though you're just 2 years older than the protagonist? Or that's just me being weird...
It wasn't THAT great. But it was.. good. It was okay. I admit that I was expecting this to be a very deep and meaningful novel and even though I did not get THAT, I still enjoyed it. I'm not saying it's shallow! Not at all. It just fell flat for me. Ever felt that? Like you were waiting for that chapter in the book where you will sob and cry and just weep and tell yourself that 'this book is epic'. Well, I didn't have that moment in this book. It feels a little Middle Grade-y to me, and no, I don't have a problem with MG genre.. but with a tough topic like this, my expectations were high.
Leila is a Persian teenager and she is gay. Nobody knows it but her. And she's okay that way, she was actually very confident that nobody will figure it out since she don't have any crushes at her school.. until Saskia shows up. The flawless, beautiful and new girl Saskia. It was attraction at first sight for Leila and surprisingly, it seems like it's the same with Saskia. I repeat, it seems.
First of all, CHEERS FOR THE CHARACTER DIVERSITY in here. I actually learned some cool stuff about Persian culture even though it wasn't the center of the book. I was satisfied with the glimpse and mentions of traditions and stuff. But then again, this story is about Leila.. so let's focus on her. Leila was an enjoyable character and protagonist. Her being witty helped me to get through the whole novel.. Honestly, there's no dull moment from her mind. But! Like I mentioned above, I felt like she's too young for me. The way she thinks is making me cringe sometimes and roll my eyes and there was even a 'wait. what???' moment from me. Side characters were well written! I didn't have that cliche tingles everytime a character were introduced. My favorite was Lisa because out of all of them, I connected to her immediately. Even though she wasn't the main character. Saskia, on the other hand has a huge potential to be a great character.. but the author did not explored it. I feel like she just discarded Saskia without even making a concrete ending for her even though she's one of the main lead. And she's a sick psycho. Now, what I WANNA KNOW IS WHY. But the author did not even dropped a backstory for her. I wonder if Saskia is getting her own book.
Anyway, I'm a fan of the writing as well. Farizan's writing was easy and on point, I felt like I just glided through out the book. Also, the romance!!! Simple and touching. Unexpected too. The character relationships were greatly woven! Especially the one between Leila and her Mother.
Don't you just love when the Mother and the main protagonist actually gets along?! It made her coming out more poignant too.
Overall, Tell Me Again How A Crush Should Feel isn't about crushes at all (disappointing) But it's about growing up, learning what you want and finally having the guts to get it. Leila may not be a protagonist for everybody but she have a trait that I believe we can all relate to..
"I want to stop living in fear. I want to stop coming up with excuses about why I'm not interested in dating. I want my family to know me... I want to stop feeling like everything I am is inadequate or makes me unworthy of love because of something I can't help."
There goes my feels..
Ever feel like you're too old for the book you're reading even though you're just 2 years older than the protagonist? Or that's just me being weird...
It wasn't THAT great. But it was.. good. It was okay. I admit that I was expecting this to be a very deep and meaningful novel and even though I did not get THAT, I still enjoyed it. I'm not saying it's shallow! Not at all. It just fell flat for me. Ever felt that? Like you were waiting for that chapter in the book where you will sob and cry and just weep and tell yourself that 'this book is epic'. Well, I didn't have that moment in this book. It feels a little Middle Grade-y to me, and no, I don't have a problem with MG genre.. but with a tough topic like this, my expectations were high.
Leila is a Persian teenager and she is gay. Nobody knows it but her. And she's okay that way, she was actually very confident that nobody will figure it out since she don't have any crushes at her school.. until Saskia shows up. The flawless, beautiful and new girl Saskia. It was attraction at first sight for Leila and surprisingly, it seems like it's the same with Saskia. I repeat, it seems.
First of all, CHEERS FOR THE CHARACTER DIVERSITY in here. I actually learned some cool stuff about Persian culture even though it wasn't the center of the book. I was satisfied with the glimpse and mentions of traditions and stuff. But then again, this story is about Leila.. so let's focus on her. Leila was an enjoyable character and protagonist. Her being witty helped me to get through the whole novel.. Honestly, there's no dull moment from her mind. But! Like I mentioned above, I felt like she's too young for me. The way she thinks is making me cringe sometimes and roll my eyes and there was even a 'wait. what???' moment from me. Side characters were well written! I didn't have that cliche tingles everytime a character were introduced. My favorite was Lisa because out of all of them, I connected to her immediately. Even though she wasn't the main character. Saskia, on the other hand has a huge potential to be a great character.. but the author did not explored it. I feel like she just discarded Saskia without even making a concrete ending for her even though she's one of the main lead. And she's a sick psycho. Now, what I WANNA KNOW IS WHY. But the author did not even dropped a backstory for her. I wonder if Saskia is getting her own book.
Anyway, I'm a fan of the writing as well. Farizan's writing was easy and on point, I felt like I just glided through out the book. Also, the romance!!! Simple and touching. Unexpected too. The character relationships were greatly woven! Especially the one between Leila and her Mother.
"Just because I didn't know who I was when I was young, doesn't mean you can't figure out who you are" - Leila's MOM.
Don't you just love when the Mother and the main protagonist actually gets along?! It made her coming out more poignant too.
Overall, Tell Me Again How A Crush Should Feel isn't about crushes at all (disappointing) But it's about growing up, learning what you want and finally having the guts to get it. Leila may not be a protagonist for everybody but she have a trait that I believe we can all relate to..
June 1, 2016
I AM SO HAPPY BECAUSE OF THIS BOOK.
Sara Farizan really knows how to write a relatable lesbian teenager. I mean, this definitely was not profound in any sense of the word, but it was still great nonetheless. Leila is so funny and so real that it was hard for me to not feel like I could have been best friends with her. Her struggles were also very relatable. Conservative parents, being preyed upon by selfish girls who want to use you, falling in love with your best friend. All of it was very realistic.
I realize that this book is slightly unrealistic because of how happy the ending is, but hey. If heterosexual romance books can end happily, why can't homosexual ones end the same way? This was just so happy, and it made me feel so warm inside. Yes, it was really, REALLY predictable. But a lot of things are. I'm willing to accept that because of how fun it was.
I think that young LGBTQ people need to be exposed to things like this. Things with happy endings. Things where we aren't killed off just because writers are looking for someone to kill. Things where relatives and friends come around to the idea of loving an LGBTQ person unconditionally. We need books like this because this was a very normal book, aside from the struggle of coming out as queer. Maybe one day we will have books like this and homosexuality will be seen as normal. I don't know. All I know is that this book (coupled with attending my first Pride event) makes me want to come out to my mother. Which won't be so difficult if she gets on her Goodreads and sees this review. *nervous laughter, vomiting*
Sara Farizan really knows how to write a relatable lesbian teenager. I mean, this definitely was not profound in any sense of the word, but it was still great nonetheless. Leila is so funny and so real that it was hard for me to not feel like I could have been best friends with her. Her struggles were also very relatable. Conservative parents, being preyed upon by selfish girls who want to use you, falling in love with your best friend. All of it was very realistic.
I realize that this book is slightly unrealistic because of how happy the ending is, but hey. If heterosexual romance books can end happily, why can't homosexual ones end the same way? This was just so happy, and it made me feel so warm inside. Yes, it was really, REALLY predictable. But a lot of things are. I'm willing to accept that because of how fun it was.
I think that young LGBTQ people need to be exposed to things like this. Things with happy endings. Things where we aren't killed off just because writers are looking for someone to kill. Things where relatives and friends come around to the idea of loving an LGBTQ person unconditionally. We need books like this because this was a very normal book, aside from the struggle of coming out as queer. Maybe one day we will have books like this and homosexuality will be seen as normal. I don't know. All I know is that this book (coupled with attending my first Pride event) makes me want to come out to my mother. Which won't be so difficult if she gets on her Goodreads and sees this review. *nervous laughter, vomiting*
January 19, 2021
This book was so cute and fun and good- until it turned biphobic in so many ways. You've got the lady who only dates men but had a "lesbian phase" in college, the girl who ashamedly likes multiple genders but hates labels, and the evil, manipulative, promiscuous villain girl who flirts with and uses people of multiple genders while being described as "crazy" and "psycho"- hello ableism! I am so very heartsore, honestly. I wasn't even here expecting Bi rep, but if I don't find some decent positive bisexual representation in literature soon (and even if I do) I will WRITE IT MYSELF. Lesbians of color need representation too of course, and Persian and Persian American lesbians so deserve to see themselves specifically in more books, but representation of one sexuality shouldn't consistently smear other orientations at the same time. Bi readers like myself deserve so much better from queer lit.
July 22, 2015
1) I am so happy to see more queer YA lit,
1a) Particularly with female protags,
1b) Particularly with diversity, and
1c) Particularly when the character has already figured out that she's gay, and the entire plot isn't taken up by angsting over this possibility.
2) That said:
Oh.
This bitch is crazy. (220)
Yes. Yes she is. It really shouldn't have taken Leila 220 pages to figure that out. And it disappoints me—not that Leila let hormones override common sense for so long, but that so much of the plot revolved around a slightly unhinged character. Not so interesting, honestly. It felt like the 'unhinged' plot went way over the top just to bring in more drama/conflict where it would have felt more realistic (if quieter) to focus on things like Leila's family...or Lisa's family, come to that. Entertaining subplot with Ms. Taylor, though. Would have loved to see more of Nahal, too.
3) I wonder if the real story is only really starting at the end of the book—as Leila starts being more secure with who she is, as she sallies forth on a new page with her family. Not sure what that ongoing story would be, but...real life doesn't end with coming out and vanquishing the mean girls, you know?
1a) Particularly with female protags,
1b) Particularly with diversity, and
1c) Particularly when the character has already figured out that she's gay, and the entire plot isn't taken up by angsting over this possibility.
2) That said:
Oh.
This bitch is crazy. (220)
Yes. Yes she is. It really shouldn't have taken Leila 220 pages to figure that out. And it disappoints me—not that Leila let hormones override common sense for so long, but that so much of the plot revolved around a slightly unhinged character. Not so interesting, honestly. It felt like the 'unhinged' plot went way over the top just to bring in more drama/conflict where it would have felt more realistic (if quieter) to focus on things like Leila's family...or Lisa's family, come to that. Entertaining subplot with Ms. Taylor, though. Would have loved to see more of Nahal, too.
3) I wonder if the real story is only really starting at the end of the book—as Leila starts being more secure with who she is, as she sallies forth on a new page with her family. Not sure what that ongoing story would be, but...real life doesn't end with coming out and vanquishing the mean girls, you know?
June 10, 2019
This was a cute YA book, about LGBT issues. But it was a bit cheesy.
March 17, 2017
4 stars. This isn't a particularly quality novel, maybe. But it's funny and it's sweet and that's what you need out of a contemporary, right?
My favorite part of this book is the humor. Leila's narrative voice is absolutely hilarious. Her descriptions of each side character are so funny. Her inner thoughts are hilariously relatable. Even when the book gets sad or dark, Leila's voice brings it back into the realm of enjoyable.
Despite the humor, Tell Me Again How A Crush Should Feel doesn't hesitate to occasionally get dark. Leila's personal struggles all feel very real. Her commentary on her life is often darkly humorous, funny when read but sad when thought about for more than a moment. She's such a relatable character and by the end, you find yourself really rooting for her and cheering her on.
The second best bit of this book is the romance plot, which is absolutely adorable. The other character's name is a bit of a spoiler, but she and Leila have an incredibly sweet slow-build relationship. Their banter is incredibly endearing and they're so sweet together.
I honestly don't have any complaints about this story. It's still not my genre– I rarely enjoy this kind of contemporary so much. But this book was an exception to my anti-romcom policy, and I enjoyed every moment.
This book is one of my favorite romcom-style contemporaries with gay girls, and I really highly recommend it to anyone interested.
My favorite part of this book is the humor. Leila's narrative voice is absolutely hilarious. Her descriptions of each side character are so funny. Her inner thoughts are hilariously relatable. Even when the book gets sad or dark, Leila's voice brings it back into the realm of enjoyable.
Despite the humor, Tell Me Again How A Crush Should Feel doesn't hesitate to occasionally get dark. Leila's personal struggles all feel very real. Her commentary on her life is often darkly humorous, funny when read but sad when thought about for more than a moment. She's such a relatable character and by the end, you find yourself really rooting for her and cheering her on.
The second best bit of this book is the romance plot, which is absolutely adorable. The other character's name is a bit of a spoiler, but she and Leila have an incredibly sweet slow-build relationship. Their banter is incredibly endearing and they're so sweet together.
I honestly don't have any complaints about this story. It's still not my genre– I rarely enjoy this kind of contemporary so much. But this book was an exception to my anti-romcom policy, and I enjoyed every moment.
This book is one of my favorite romcom-style contemporaries with gay girls, and I really highly recommend it to anyone interested.
October 12, 2019
I also began to notice how white everything was. The students, the students’ teeth, and the fences surrounding the outdoor swimming pools we never used. We all seemed to categorize ourselves without ever explicitly saying anything. Where does that leave students who don’t have a clear category?
things i liked:
- cute soft f/f romance
- i love leila. she's a confused sapphic darling who must be protected at all costs
- doesn't follow the conventional romance trope and the twist is something i did NOT see coming
- realistic and explores first love in a very honest, revealing way, especially for someone who is confused
- AMAZING side characters. leila's family was the best
- lots of diverse rep!!
things that didn't sit well with me:
- there was a fat-shaming slur which was never challenged or called out
- the twist felt a little rushed and not developed enough
3.5 stars 🌟
November 13, 2021
rep: Persian American lesbian mc, wlw couple, side gay character
tw: forced outing, d slur, lesbophobia, mentions of homophobic bullying, toxic friendship, sexual assault, racist microaggressions
tw: forced outing, d slur, lesbophobia, mentions of homophobic bullying, toxic friendship, sexual assault, racist microaggressions
October 10, 2021
This, by far, is one of the worst, most offensive novels I have read concerning any aspect of the LGBTQ+ community to date. The characters were very limited to their stereotypes, the writing was weak and overblown, and, on top of the crass, outrageous viewpoints on being gay and its corresponding definition and community, bisexuality was vastly misconstrued as a rather perverse, predatory way of life.
Leila is your quintessential teenage girl: she has a few best friends, a loving family, and is nestled in the mid-range of popularity (well-liked, but not part of the elite).
Thing is, Leila is sitting on a big secret- she's into girls.
It's safe to assume her feelings are very real and natural; she comes from a well-to-do Iranian family who would not be able to digest her proclivity easily. Her school, no matter how liberal, will possess mean girls and pervert boys alike that will scoff and torture her (perhaps). I bought into all this, as it's a very real, serious issue many students face when realizing their orientation.
Had this been the center focus, facing her peers and freeing herself to her parents, I would have been delighted and satiated.
This isn't the the main plot of the story.
Really, there is no strong, main plot. Instead, the majority of the book is comprised of Leila stereotyping other people- what she was so afraid of others doing to her- by their sexual preferences.
All boys became potential leer-ers in the face of her sexuality.
The tech girls, who worked behind the scenes for school plays, are seen to Leila as the "lesbian tech girls" due to the way they dress and carry themselves.
Leila later befriends "her people" (What? ) and, surprise! "They're not gay!? But they dress and act in a deviant manner! Oh well, still buds." Leila never really changes out of these mentalities, either. There's a little revelation when these girls both out her and deny themselves as part of her "tribe", but even after this little scenario Leila makes offensive comments and stereotypes people with varying sexual preferences. For example; straight males are perverts and alcoholics, straight females are sex-crazed and scandalous, gay males are all over-the-top flamboyant, lesbians are single-faceted and only attracted to women due to physical features, and bisexuals are deviant manipulators who have no other needs than to satisfy their sexual appetites.
Is this what Farizan meant to express with this toe rag of a novel?
I could be reading too much into it, but the characters were so shallow and single-faceted that this felt like their purpose of even being mentioned.
Leila also has a major crush on her teacher. A lot of time is dedicated to breaking Ms. Taylor into fundamental attributes, both physical and mental, to justify her "hotness". I may be freaked out by this because I'm a high school teacher, but nevertheless, I'd appreciate a little more humanity in concerns to a character's description and reasons of/for desires.
On a similar note, Saskia, the new, beautiful girl who blows into town from a foreign land, immediately befriends Leila and sweeps her off her feet because of her beauty.
No no, really.
That's the main reason Leila likes her.
And even after finding out Saskia is a manipulative, deplorable human being, she still likes her and breaks to her whims. Saskia is displayed as bisexual but only for manipulative purposes. Her sexual orientation is only used and apparent to make Leila's life harder. I was really disgusted by this. Being bisexual is not some "feel like it" choice, or should be used as a plot dilemma. Being bisexual does not equate to being a predator, and I shouldn't even have to write this?? It felt like Leila truly believed bisexually-oriented persons go out of their way to ruin lives, or kiss girls/boys as a part of psychological warfare. Farizan surely did not mean to portray bisexuality this way, but that's greatly what it came off as.
The bits about Leila's Iranian culture were interesting; I would have loved to see more about her ethnic identity. Unfortunately, the book was more about sexual awakening done in a very poor, crass manner.
I've read so many excellent books with diverse characters who come to terms with themselves and their sexual awakenings. Tell Me Again How a Crush Should Feel is not one of them.
Leila is your quintessential teenage girl: she has a few best friends, a loving family, and is nestled in the mid-range of popularity (well-liked, but not part of the elite).
Thing is, Leila is sitting on a big secret- she's into girls.
It's safe to assume her feelings are very real and natural; she comes from a well-to-do Iranian family who would not be able to digest her proclivity easily. Her school, no matter how liberal, will possess mean girls and pervert boys alike that will scoff and torture her (perhaps). I bought into all this, as it's a very real, serious issue many students face when realizing their orientation.
Had this been the center focus, facing her peers and freeing herself to her parents, I would have been delighted and satiated.
This isn't the the main plot of the story.
Really, there is no strong, main plot. Instead, the majority of the book is comprised of Leila stereotyping other people- what she was so afraid of others doing to her- by their sexual preferences.
All boys became potential leer-ers in the face of her sexuality.
The tech girls, who worked behind the scenes for school plays, are seen to Leila as the "lesbian tech girls" due to the way they dress and carry themselves.
Leila later befriends "her people" (What? ) and, surprise! "They're not gay!? But they dress and act in a deviant manner! Oh well, still buds." Leila never really changes out of these mentalities, either. There's a little revelation when these girls both out her and deny themselves as part of her "tribe", but even after this little scenario Leila makes offensive comments and stereotypes people with varying sexual preferences. For example; straight males are perverts and alcoholics, straight females are sex-crazed and scandalous, gay males are all over-the-top flamboyant, lesbians are single-faceted and only attracted to women due to physical features, and bisexuals are deviant manipulators who have no other needs than to satisfy their sexual appetites.
Is this what Farizan meant to express with this toe rag of a novel?
I could be reading too much into it, but the characters were so shallow and single-faceted that this felt like their purpose of even being mentioned.
Leila also has a major crush on her teacher. A lot of time is dedicated to breaking Ms. Taylor into fundamental attributes, both physical and mental, to justify her "hotness". I may be freaked out by this because I'm a high school teacher, but nevertheless, I'd appreciate a little more humanity in concerns to a character's description and reasons of/for desires.
On a similar note, Saskia, the new, beautiful girl who blows into town from a foreign land, immediately befriends Leila and sweeps her off her feet because of her beauty.
No no, really.
That's the main reason Leila likes her.
And even after finding out Saskia is a manipulative, deplorable human being, she still likes her and breaks to her whims. Saskia is displayed as bisexual but only for manipulative purposes. Her sexual orientation is only used and apparent to make Leila's life harder. I was really disgusted by this. Being bisexual is not some "feel like it" choice, or should be used as a plot dilemma. Being bisexual does not equate to being a predator, and I shouldn't even have to write this?? It felt like Leila truly believed bisexually-oriented persons go out of their way to ruin lives, or kiss girls/boys as a part of psychological warfare. Farizan surely did not mean to portray bisexuality this way, but that's greatly what it came off as.
The bits about Leila's Iranian culture were interesting; I would have loved to see more about her ethnic identity. Unfortunately, the book was more about sexual awakening done in a very poor, crass manner.
I've read so many excellent books with diverse characters who come to terms with themselves and their sexual awakenings. Tell Me Again How a Crush Should Feel is not one of them.
October 19, 2016
I really enjoyed this one! Leila is a teenaged Iranian-American and she's gay - and hasn't told anyone. The book deals with her second major crush (which takes place at her private school as opposed to summer camp), navigating friendships and family, and trying to find her place at school - you know, just easy breezy stuff. ;)
Much of the book deals with the crush/friendship with a manipulative girl - it was actually great to see a toxic friendship so accurately portrayed.
I enjoyed getting a little window into Leila's culture and family. Her sister's rivalry with a girl from another family was HILARIOUS.
The end was a bit wrapped up in a bow, but did not detract from the overall story. A quick, fun read with some laugh-out-loud moments.
Much of the book deals with the crush/friendship with a manipulative girl - it was actually great to see a toxic friendship so accurately portrayed.
I enjoyed getting a little window into Leila's culture and family. Her sister's rivalry with a girl from another family was HILARIOUS.
The end was a bit wrapped up in a bow, but did not detract from the overall story. A quick, fun read with some laugh-out-loud moments.
November 13, 2021
(2.5)
definitely one i think u may now call a little dated (i mean, the lesbophobic & misogynistic comments from tomas alone... accurate i'm sure but that they were unchallenged?)
also no one said this was actually about toxic friendships and not just a friends to lovers romance hello?
Rep: Iranian American lesbian mc, bi li, Black side character, part Brazilian side character
CWs: mentions of racist microaggressions, lesbophobia, mentions of homophobic bullying, toxic friendship, sexual assault, d slur, outing
definitely one i think u may now call a little dated (i mean, the lesbophobic & misogynistic comments from tomas alone... accurate i'm sure but that they were unchallenged?)
also no one said this was actually about toxic friendships and not just a friends to lovers romance hello?
Rep: Iranian American lesbian mc, bi li, Black side character, part Brazilian side character
CWs: mentions of racist microaggressions, lesbophobia, mentions of homophobic bullying, toxic friendship, sexual assault, d slur, outing
August 21, 2020
"I want to stop living in fear. I want to stop coming up with excuses about why I'm not interested in dating. I want my family to know me. I want to get to learn more about Lisa. I want to stop feeling like everything I am is inadequate or makes me unworthy of love because of something I can't help."
📚 Series? No.
📚 Genre? YA LGBT Romance.
📚 Cliffhanger? No.
⚠ Content Warnings: Outing a queer character. Biphobia. Girl on girl hate.
⚠ Book Tags : Biracial relationships.
The book is about:
Tell Me Again How A Crush Should Feel talks about Leila, a lesbian teenager who is forced to be closeted because of her family & cultural beliefs. When a new girl comes to school, she develops a strong crush and she starts to look deeper into her feelings and identity.
What drew me in:
This book attracted me because of the diversity in its characters.. I also wasn't aware of F/F books in contemporary YA and I wanted to read more of those.
Characters & connections:
One of the most beautiful parts of this book is the friendship dynamic in it. Though I had a love/hate relationship being in Leila's POV, her friend group made the journey more bearable and interesting to explore.
Everything I liked:
Aside from the characters, I liked the themes discussed in this book and the way it was handled. The writing style of the author is fairly easy to read and makes going through the story quick and comfortable.
Overall thoughts:
All in all, Sara Farizan was able to deliver an sapphic love story at its purest, perfect for the younger young adults (if you know what I mean?)
☁ THE CRITERIA ☁
🌼 Blurb:⭐⭐⭐⭐☆
🌼 Main Character:⭐⭐⭐☆☆
🌼 Significant Other: ⭐⭐⭐⭐☆
🌼 Support Characters:⭐⭐⭐⭐☆
🌼 Writing Style:⭐⭐⭐⭐☆
🌼 Character Development:⭐⭐⭐☆☆
🌼 Romance: ⭐⭐⭐☆☆
🌼 Pacing: ⭐⭐⭐☆☆
🌼 Ending: ⭐⭐⭐☆☆
🌼 Unputdownability: ⭐⭐⭐☆☆
🌼 Book Cover:⭐⭐⭐⭐☆
☁FINAL VERDICT: 3.45/5 ☁
bom ♡ Facebook ♡ Twitter 📚
April 2, 2016
I got a copy of the ARC for this novel from Algonquin YR through a Goodreads Giveaway, and I read it almost straight through. It sucked me in fast with the perfect amounts of humor, angst, and heartfelt moments.
I totally adored this diverse story which is about growing up, being different, and choosing the type of person you want to become, even if others would choose differently for you. It sent me back about 18 years to those trippy feelings of desperate first crush, to unexpected humiliations, to that desperate desire to both be myself and also make the people I love happy, and to the misdirection and lies of omission that are often mistaken for truths.
The characters were all unique, well-developed, and relatable (Goodreads says that isn't a word, but I have to insist). Leila charmed me fast with what seemed to be almost a complete lack of charm. That's not to say she isn't adorable. She's just lovable in those unexpected ways that people don't always get to see on the surface, which makes her a very interesting MC. She is refreshing and real, and I loved hearing about her Persian culture, family, and values.
Parts of this story remind me a lot of that Mark Twain quote,
I love that quote, and I love this story.
I totally adored this diverse story which is about growing up, being different, and choosing the type of person you want to become, even if others would choose differently for you. It sent me back about 18 years to those trippy feelings of desperate first crush, to unexpected humiliations, to that desperate desire to both be myself and also make the people I love happy, and to the misdirection and lies of omission that are often mistaken for truths.
The characters were all unique, well-developed, and relatable (Goodreads says that isn't a word, but I have to insist). Leila charmed me fast with what seemed to be almost a complete lack of charm. That's not to say she isn't adorable. She's just lovable in those unexpected ways that people don't always get to see on the surface, which makes her a very interesting MC. She is refreshing and real, and I loved hearing about her Persian culture, family, and values.
Parts of this story remind me a lot of that Mark Twain quote,
I love that quote, and I love this story.
June 22, 2018
I’ve been avoiding YA books for a while because I’m turning 30 later this year and I can’t keep reading about teenagers falling in love, coming out and having a life while I’m still in the closet (5 friends know, and the internet). My family is super religious, SUPER RELIGIOUS, close to fanatic, I’m not, my siblings either, but the rest of them (grandparents, aunts, uncles)? Yeah, a lot. We are really close and even though I love to push my parents limits I KNOW, I just know they wouldn’t take it well. So that said, it was an awesome book for me, that fear of disappointing the parents, the siblings, that girl stringing you along and playing with your closeted feelings, everything.
April 28, 2016
It’s amazing the difference between an audiobook and a print book.
Tell Me Again How A Crush Should Feel is a lesbian coming of age/coming out story featuring Leila, who has fallen for the glamorous new transfer student Saskia. Of course she also has to contend with her Persian parents, perfect older sister, guy friend who doesn’t understand why she doesn’t return his feelings, failing science, and a host of other teenage problems.
I was listening along, noting that Leila’s former friend Lisa was one of those ‘missing b-word’/no-labels bisexual characters, but I was able to roll with it because honestly the story was so good. Then I got to the part where Lisa admits to finding both Ariel and Eric hot in her childhood viewings of The Little Mermaid. At that point, Leila asks the question, “So you’re bi?”
So you’re bi?
Three little words but the narrator Negin Farsad’s voice infuses them with so much. Disappointment. Uncertainty. And frankly a touch of disdain.
So you’re bi
I re-listened to that section over and over and there is nothing in the novel by Farizan to direct those negative emotions in that sentence. It’s not ‘“So you’re bi?” I asked disappointingly’. Or ‘“So you’re bi? I said, trying and failing to hide my disdain’. It’s just:
So you’re bi?
Even when bisexuality is presented by an author in a neutral way, this audiobook narrator and/or director made the choice to add that subtle poke of biphobia. Utterly unprompted. That just blew me away. You’d think with all the stuff I’d seen on this blog, I wouldn’t be surprised by biphobia (especially in YA) but I was. I really really was.
Which really sucks because I was LOVING this audiobook. Setting aside the biphobia, Negin Farsad is a great narrator that captures all the distinct voices in the book. The story is great and the characters are thoughtful and well-rounded. Too bad those three little words really had to ruin it for me.
For this one, stick with the print.
(From my review at Bisexual Books)
Tell Me Again How A Crush Should Feel is a lesbian coming of age/coming out story featuring Leila, who has fallen for the glamorous new transfer student Saskia. Of course she also has to contend with her Persian parents, perfect older sister, guy friend who doesn’t understand why she doesn’t return his feelings, failing science, and a host of other teenage problems.
I was listening along, noting that Leila’s former friend Lisa was one of those ‘missing b-word’/no-labels bisexual characters, but I was able to roll with it because honestly the story was so good. Then I got to the part where Lisa admits to finding both Ariel and Eric hot in her childhood viewings of The Little Mermaid. At that point, Leila asks the question, “So you’re bi?”
So you’re bi?
Three little words but the narrator Negin Farsad’s voice infuses them with so much. Disappointment. Uncertainty. And frankly a touch of disdain.
So you’re bi
I re-listened to that section over and over and there is nothing in the novel by Farizan to direct those negative emotions in that sentence. It’s not ‘“So you’re bi?” I asked disappointingly’. Or ‘“So you’re bi? I said, trying and failing to hide my disdain’. It’s just:
So you’re bi?
Even when bisexuality is presented by an author in a neutral way, this audiobook narrator and/or director made the choice to add that subtle poke of biphobia. Utterly unprompted. That just blew me away. You’d think with all the stuff I’d seen on this blog, I wouldn’t be surprised by biphobia (especially in YA) but I was. I really really was.
Which really sucks because I was LOVING this audiobook. Setting aside the biphobia, Negin Farsad is a great narrator that captures all the distinct voices in the book. The story is great and the characters are thoughtful and well-rounded. Too bad those three little words really had to ruin it for me.
For this one, stick with the print.
(From my review at Bisexual Books)
March 6, 2015
Very predictable and not very well written, but hey, positive biracial lesbian YA.
April 17, 2015
I think that anyone who has ever had a crush, no matter what you're sexual orientation, and has felt like they don't fit in for whatever reason will be able to relate to Leila. Tell Me Again How a Crush Should Feel is all about Leila figuring herself out. She knows she's gay, but isn't out yet. She already feels like she sticks out at her mostly white high school, and her parents are traditional Persians who want her to be a doctor even though Leila is failing science, so there's no way she can add being a lesbian on top of that. Then Saskia transfers to her school and it becomes harder to keep her feelings in check.
Tell Me Again How a Crush Should Feel was really great! Leila is such a down-to-earth narrator and it's so easy to get caught up in her life. I also had to nod and think "Yep, I remember feeling like that" a lot. The author totally captured crushing perfectly. I'm sure we've all had a crush on someone who we thought was just the greatest, and then maybe we were making progress with them, but it was all in our head. Or maybe it wasn't all in our head, and they were just a jerk. It's clear from the beginning that Saskia is not a good match for Leila, but hormones! Saskia really is the worst though.
While a lot of the story is Leila freaking out about coming out or staying in, and being judged and figuring out what she wants to do with her life, Tell Me Again How a Crush Should Feel is also pretty darn funny. I really did laugh out loud in places, because it's funny 'cause it's true! Especially if you know Persian people. I love the parts about the food and how they want to feed everybody. It made me hungry. My BFF needs to bring me some food ASAP! Also, Leila's friend Lisa just has this dry humor that I totally get it! I loved her!
Tell Me Again How a Crush Should Feel just gave me feelings. It's not all gloom and doom like If You Could Be Mine. The tone of this one is much lighter and overall a feel good read despite Saskia being a nutjob and worrying about if Leila's parents are going to accept her or not. There's also friendship and theater! And caring, involved adult figures! And family! And food!
Read more of my reviews at Pinkindle Reads & Reviews.
Tell Me Again How a Crush Should Feel was really great! Leila is such a down-to-earth narrator and it's so easy to get caught up in her life. I also had to nod and think "Yep, I remember feeling like that" a lot. The author totally captured crushing perfectly. I'm sure we've all had a crush on someone who we thought was just the greatest, and then maybe we were making progress with them, but it was all in our head. Or maybe it wasn't all in our head, and they were just a jerk. It's clear from the beginning that Saskia is not a good match for Leila, but hormones! Saskia really is the worst though.
While a lot of the story is Leila freaking out about coming out or staying in, and being judged and figuring out what she wants to do with her life, Tell Me Again How a Crush Should Feel is also pretty darn funny. I really did laugh out loud in places, because it's funny 'cause it's true! Especially if you know Persian people. I love the parts about the food and how they want to feed everybody. It made me hungry. My BFF needs to bring me some food ASAP! Also, Leila's friend Lisa just has this dry humor that I totally get it! I loved her!
Tell Me Again How a Crush Should Feel just gave me feelings. It's not all gloom and doom like If You Could Be Mine. The tone of this one is much lighter and overall a feel good read despite Saskia being a nutjob and worrying about if Leila's parents are going to accept her or not. There's also friendship and theater! And caring, involved adult figures! And family! And food!
Read more of my reviews at Pinkindle Reads & Reviews.
December 1, 2017
After hearing so much about Sara Farizan, this book deeply disappointed me. Uneven prose, shallow characterization, and a predictable plot landed it firmly in the realm of mediocre; rampant biphobia dragged it down into the realm of bad.
I found the antagonist to be unrealistically, one-dimensionally evil; of course, that antagonist was the only (probably) bisexual girl in the book. (Another potentially bisexual character did the whole lovely erasure dance of, "Are you bi?"/"I don't believe in labeling people.") Flip-flopping between and cheating on people of various genders, manipulative, selfish, cruel, and deceitful, as well as "exotically" beautiful and seemingly universally desirable, that character nailed practically every bisexual stereotype in the book. She was eventually written off as "crazy," so there was a nice dose of ableism in there, too.
I disliked most of the other characters as well, and the social dynamics felt more like a "Mean Girls"-style caricature of high school than a genuine reflection of how high school kids interact.
Also, this is a petty criticism, but all the kissing scenes were just plain bad.
I'm giving the book two stars for having some minor characters I liked a bit; for having queer girls of color; and for being a quick, page-turning read. But that's about it.
I found the antagonist to be unrealistically, one-dimensionally evil; of course, that antagonist was the only (probably) bisexual girl in the book. (Another potentially bisexual character did the whole lovely erasure dance of, "Are you bi?"/"I don't believe in labeling people.") Flip-flopping between and cheating on people of various genders, manipulative, selfish, cruel, and deceitful, as well as "exotically" beautiful and seemingly universally desirable, that character nailed practically every bisexual stereotype in the book. She was eventually written off as "crazy," so there was a nice dose of ableism in there, too.
I disliked most of the other characters as well, and the social dynamics felt more like a "Mean Girls"-style caricature of high school than a genuine reflection of how high school kids interact.
Also, this is a petty criticism, but all the kissing scenes were just plain bad.
I'm giving the book two stars for having some minor characters I liked a bit; for having queer girls of color; and for being a quick, page-turning read. But that's about it.
June 18, 2016
This book was really enjoyable and I devoured it in two sittings. I loved the discussion it brought up about toxic relationships and friendships. The Persian American heritage and cultural exploration excerpts were great as well. The romance was completely swoon worthy. I absolutely loved them together.
The writing was engaging and funny. I laughed and awed out loud many times throughout this book. There were some writing mistakes but I feel that they were things the editor should have caught. I've been finding many of these mistakes in books lately.
The writing was engaging and funny. I laughed and awed out loud many times throughout this book. There were some writing mistakes but I feel that they were things the editor should have caught. I've been finding many of these mistakes in books lately.
October 23, 2020
A very formulaic and cheesy rom com style ya novel about discovering and becoming comfortable with your identity.
The characters were all quite basic and annoying; parts of the story were funny but overall this was nothing to rave about.
A light hearted and quick read but nothing breathtaking.
The characters were all quite basic and annoying; parts of the story were funny but overall this was nothing to rave about.
A light hearted and quick read but nothing breathtaking.
August 7, 2023
got this at a library sale for 50 cents!
overall i liked the story and it was a quick read, but some aspects of this were quite problematic (well the book is quite old so that was probably to be expected)
as other people here have already mentioned, the bi rep was bad (nobody here labels themselves as bi, but their behavior can be interpreted as bi) - one "bi" character is just straight up evil and doesn’t know consent, and the other one is "only gay for the MC". also, i picked up some fatphobic statements in there as well, alongside with the whole "gay girls have it easier than gay guys"-conversation. overall i still think it was a cute story (especially for the time it got released), but it just doesn’t compare to recent queer releases
overall i liked the story and it was a quick read, but some aspects of this were quite problematic (well the book is quite old so that was probably to be expected)
as other people here have already mentioned, the bi rep was bad (nobody here labels themselves as bi, but their behavior can be interpreted as bi) - one "bi" character is just straight up evil and doesn’t know consent, and the other one is "only gay for the MC". also, i picked up some fatphobic statements in there as well, alongside with the whole "gay girls have it easier than gay guys"-conversation. overall i still think it was a cute story (especially for the time it got released), but it just doesn’t compare to recent queer releases
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