Hani and Ishu’s Guide to Fake Dating is the most recent book from Adiba Jaigirdar, author of The Henna Wars. Hani and Ishu, released May 2021 by Page Street Kids, is set in Dublin, Ireland, and discusses some serious topics. The author added a content warning at the beginning of the book due to racism, homophobia, Islamaphobia, toxic friendship, gaslighting, and parental abandonment. That said, this YA contemporary is well written. It honestly addresses these topics.
Synopsis
Hani is an easy-going, well-liked girl at school. Her best friends, Aisling and Dee, don’t believe her when she tells them she’s bisexual. How can she be bisexual when she’s only ever dated boys? Without thinking, she states she is dating a girl and gives them a name-Ishu.
Ishu is dealing with stress at home, trying to prove to her parents that she is better than her older sister. She tells them she is going to run for Head Girl without thinking about the implications. She’s not popular enough to get the votes for the position.
Hani approaches Ishu and asks if they can fake date for a bit. Just so her friends will believe she is bisexual. Ishu agrees, only because she thinks Hani can help her win Head Girl. What could go wrong with a fake dating relationship?
Positives
The representation in the book is great. There is racial, religious, and sexual orientation diversity in the book.
The romance is believable. As is the relationship stress Hani and Ishu find themselves in.
Negatives
What is wrong with the adults in this book? The only ones who seemed to understand what was going on or were not rude/evil were Hani’s parents. While her dad is a bit absent, as he’s busy running for an election, her mom is great! The principal seems to hate Ishu, and when she’s called out about it, she totally denies it. Ishu’s parents want her to walk the straight and narrow path they have told her to walk on. They don’t seem to want care what she wants. But I also understand that is how many immigrant parents are.
The friends that Hani have aren’t much better than the adults.
My Opinions
I really enjoyed reading this book. The book is around 350 pages, and I read most of it in one day. Talk about an entertaining book!
Fake dating is not a trope I have read before, but I have to say that I enjoyed it. Hani and Ishu aren’t even friends when the story starts; they are barely acquaintances. As they get to know each other, they find themselves becoming friends. And maybe even more.
I think this is a great book, that everyone would enjoy reading.
Looking for some more books to read? Check out my other book reviews and my monthly reading wrap-ups.
I am glad you enjoyed it! I am currently reading The Henna Wars and that’s pretty good so far as well.