This is a love story, yes, but also about bullying. It is about business competition, but it is also about multiculturalism, and stealing culture. It is about being a lesbian, and being a disappointment to your family.

There is so much here, so many moving parts.

There is the mean white girl, so has a problem with Nishat, for just existing, as far as I can see. We have her cousin, who is half Brazilian, Flavia, who Nishat is attracted to, but yeah, there is that cousin who hates her. And we have both of them wanting to run a henna business, even though henna tattoos have nothing to do with Brazilian culture.

Set in Ireland, we have the feeling of being alien, within this world, almost as much as Nishat does.

I like how brave Nishat is, that when she is outed, she goes with it, even though it hurts her feelings, and hurts her sales.

One nit-pick is that this has been "translated" for Americans so that when they mention 40 degrees, they mean Fahrenheit, and not Celsius.

Good addition to any library.

Thanks to Netgalley for making this book available for an honest review.

Adiba Jaigirdar’s The Henna Wars promised to be everything that I love in a book upon reading the synopsis; and it did not disappoint. Jaigirdar’s novel is a gorgeously-written story of coming out, rising above others and falling in love.
Our main character Nishat was an amazing lead to this incredible story. I could really resonate with her and see the similarities between her coming to terms with her sexuality and how I went through a very similar process too. I think the pressure that she feels to come out is something that hit me the hardest, something that is so brutally honest, yet not spoken about enough; is how as soon as you figure out your sexuality, suddenly it feels like you’re lying to everyone you love by not telling them, and it was written so, so well.
From the start, Nishat’s infatuation with Flávia is adorable. The fact that they both remember each other and can recall such precise memories about their childhood is just *too* cute! Flávia is confident, bold and outgoing, everything that Nishat thinks she isn’t. Their dynamic is adorable, and from their first encounter you’re left wanting and hoping for more, and Jaigirdar does not disappoint.
The relationship in this book is so cute; both of the girls are super shy and awkward, which is beyond relatable and precious. I was so invested in their relationship and adored watching it blossom, even throughout the tough bits where Nishat was trying to ignore Flávia but she simply couldn’t. The chemistry between these two was phenomenal, like magnets drawn to each other, they just couldn’t stay away and I LOVED it!

While reading this book, I felt like I was learning something new every few chapters. Topics such as racism, homophobia and bullying are covered in such an informative way that it made me rethink so many things which seemed harmless before this book. Such as how cultural appropriation can really hurt someone, and make them feel like a part of their persona has been stripped away and used as a marketing device to be seen as “trendy”.
The friendships in this book are so supportive, inclusive and positive. Although one of Nishat’s friends doesn’t understand where she is coming from when she gets upset over Flávia culturally appropriating and copying her henna idea, she learns, is educated and then apologises for it. Both of Nishat’s friends cheer her on throughout everything, even when they have a fall out, and they’re there to support her at school when she needs it most, which is heart-warming to see.
Nishat’s sister Priti was SUCH a huge part of this book, and I absolutely loved it. Priti is the first person Nishat tells about her being a lesbian, and is constantly reassuring her that it’s okay and that she has people who love and support her. I think Priti is so incredible; while going through her own struggles, she is always making sure Nishat is okay, even as the younger sister. Their sibling dynamic is very similar to them being best friends; they are each other’s confidants and confide in each other when they have nobody else to turn to. Priti is the most supportive person in Nishat’s life, and their relationship is so precious.
In the beginning, Nishat’s parents decide to ignore her sexuality in hopes that it is a “phase” or a result of something she’s “seen on TV and in films, and read about in your books”. This reaction is truly heart-wrenching to read, even more heartbreaking when you have to acknowledge that for so, so many people it is their reality. Nishat goes through a whirlwind of emotions throughout the main part of the book, constantly scared that her parents no longer love her, or that they’re going to kick her out. When her parents near enough stop talking to her or even looking at her for too long, your heart really breaks for Nishat and all I wanted to do was pick her up and give her a hug :( Nishat’s parents slowly start to show their support through small gestures such as showing up to her school’s business event and getting angry when her stall gets trashed, researching LGBTQ+ identities in order to try and understand her better and watching the Ellen DeGeneres show after she mentions it. These gestures may seem small but the impact they have on Nishat is phenomenal; she suddenly grows in confidence when talking to them and worries less and less about them not loving her or accepting who she is. Their growth and gradual acceptance is so moving as a reader and towards the ending I started to tear up purely out of happiness for Nishat <3

This book is so important for readers, it's so inclusive and I urge every single person to pick it up if they have the chance :)

CONTENT WARNING : this book contains instances of racism, homophobia, bullying, and a character being outed.

"When Dimple Met Rishi meets Simon vs. the Homo Sapiens Agenda in this rom com about two teen girls with rival henna businesses." Yup, this first sentence of the synopsis was enough to convince my bi ass that I needed to send a request to Netgalley for this ARC.

So. THIS BOOK. It was the perfect feel good rom-com, with a full-on emotional roller-coaster ride. The characters were so layered and relatable, and I loved the character growth, and not just on the MC's part. I loved reading and learning about the rich cultural heritage of the MC, who originates from Bengladesh and identifies as Muslim. #ownvoices

I appreciated how the author wove her story, adding important social issues throughout the book. I loved how the author demonstrated the difference between sharing your own culture and cultural appropriation. I can't help but *hope* that, if people who don't understand these nuances would read this book, they'd get it RIGHT AWAY. And stop judging issues they don't try to understand.

I also really liked how the importance of family is valued in this book. Especially when the MC's parents stopped trying to convince her to be straight, and started educating themselves on all the different types of sexualities and genders. And that they were willing to learn and right their wrongs.

Overall, this was an impressive debut. It was so well written, but still easy to read, and perfect for a rom-com. It deserves ALL of the stars. I will definitely be buying this book once it hits the shelves.

I wholeheartedly adored this: The Henna Wars is a wonderful, sincere story with fantastic characters and relationships. The journey of Nishat and Flávia's relationship was beautifully written and charming to read about, as was the development of Nishat's relationships with her sister, friends and the rest of her family. I loved Nishat, her loved ones and the unapologetic expression of their identities.

I absolutely love this book. The Henna Wars is a feel-good YA book. Flavia is Brazallian and and Nishat is from Bangladesh. The both attend school in Ireland. They both have amazing stories about why they are living with family in Ireland. The school they attend host a competition for their class. The competition requires students to work in groups and design a business plan and market it to the community. Winners of the competition get a sizeable cash prize. Both Flavia and Nishat are on teams who decide to create a henna art business. Nishat because for her henna is a part of her history, her culture and her family. Flavia attends a wedding with her cousin Chynna and is introduced to the henna because the bridal party is wearing it. The competition becomes one big messy and at times ugly entity. The two girls are pitted against each other because of their opposing views of what the henna means to each of them.
But, to make the story even more interesting, the girls also share a mutual attraction for each other. Nishat, who in the course of the book decides that she doesn't want to live in secrecy about her identity. She is "outed" in a mean way by Flavia's cousin Chynna. Nishat decides that even though Chynna tells her secret because of spitefulness and lack of compassion; she embraces her sexual identity and also opens up to her parents. Her parents are very traditional Bengalis and do not take the news well. Flavia, absolutely has no intentions of :coming out" to anyone at the present moment. Her fears are even more confirmed as she sees how Nishat is treated by the kids at school.
Both girls work their way through maze of family, friends, school, and community. Each one coming to understand and embrace their sexual identities as well as their identities culturally as they live in Ireland.
They story does an amazing job of helping the reader under the importance of cultural appropriation, the difficulties of living in a country not your own and the need for compassion for anyone who is coming to terms with their definition of "self".

Thank you to NetGalley and the publisher for this ARC.
This is a coming of age story of coming out and figuring out who you really want to be. It is a story filled with Bengali pride, a hilarious & joyful sibling relationship, and family dynamics.
This was a good read, I liked how the issues Nishat was dealing with were things that any other teenager might have to deal with when coming out. What makes it harder for her is her family traditions and in some ways the color of her skin.
I felt that parts of the story and some of the characters needed a bit more depth but overall it is a good read.

4.5 stars

This is SO cute in a charming and not sappy way.

Nishat is - for the most part - an extremely likable character who is originally out to her sister but then comes out to her parents early in the novel. Her parents' reactions and their comparisons to their own romance, as well as the various cultural implications they highlight, are all engaging and relatable to many readers. Early in the novel, readers also get to know Nishat's younger sister, Priti, as well as a potential love interest, Flavia. Each of these characters is round and enjoyable enough to have their own spin off, which makes for a rich read on the character front alone.

Notably, this novel contains so many critical issues but never feels didactic or over-the-top. Having read a lot of YA recently that takes on way too much at the expense of accomplishing nothing meaningful at all, this work is a truly refreshing reward. Jaigirdar includes a comprehensive content warning, which I truly appreciate. Readers will absolutely encounter in-depth instances of bullying, homophobia, and racism. Each of these is handled in a realistic manner. I also think the depictions of outing and repeatedly having to come out are expertly devised. For me, a standout component is also the depiction of cultural appropriation. This is one of the best discussions, dissections, and evaluations of this issue I've seen in any fiction, let alone YA.

I'd have like to see more ultimate processing in two relationships: the sisters and the cousins. Both felt a bit unfinished to me. Other than this relatively minor issue, as well as perhaps a bit of editing in some of the school- and home-based scenes, this is a rock solid work. I can't wait to read more from this author and will absolutely be recommending this novel and future works to students, colleagues, friends, and family.

I am all in for the concept of the book! Nishat's story reverberates with a lot of issues we face today. The story perfectly encapsulates homophobia, racism and cultural appropriation in the most honest and heart-warming way. Nishat's family belongs to a minority community in Ireland. While her parents fought hard and tough to give Nishat and her sister Priti a comfortable life in Ireland, Nishat and Priti face a different kind of discrimination in their lives - a very subtle sort of a racism, the one that makes you uncomfortable in your own skin. Along with racism, Nishat has to face another kind of discrimination - homophobia. Not only in her school but also from her parents. For Nishat's parents homosexuality is something that simple doesn't 'happen to' Muslim girls. It is beyond their understanding that something like that is possible, something like that is what people 'are', something like that is acceptable, and something like that won't bring shame on the family. And I feel the author has beautifully dealt with these sensitive issues in the book.

I loved how the author has talked about these delicate subjects dealing from the Bengali and Bangladeshi culture to a young girl's conflicts when it comes to falling in love. The author has beautifully crafted a delightful novel that enriches the reader's view on celebrating one's culture and love, all in one book. Also, the book has lots of pop culture references that I enjoyed reading about and most importantly references from the Bengali culture. Even though I'm a Indian-Bengali, I squealed with joy everytime there was a reference because my culture and Bangladeshi-Bengali culture has the same roots.

I really liked this book. Nishat is a bad ass and I loved how fierce she is in spite of so many people in her life being awful. The sister dynamic with Priti was sweet and relatable and it was nice to see she had one person by her side even when her family was being terrible and everyone at school was being the absolute worst.

“What I want more than anything else is to feel like being myself isn’t something that should be hidden and a secret” (end of chapter 18 in the eARC).

Nishat attends a majority White, all-girls Catholic high school in Dublin. Although the administration claims to have a zero-tolerance policy for bullying, students who routinely bully others face no consequences. Nishat has been repeatedly bullied and feels as though she doesn’t really fit in at the school. Her little sister, Priti, fares a little better, but likewise faces bullying. Neither girl is excited for the start of the new school year, especially since Priti is facing high-pressure national exams for which she is already studying.

Nishat runs into an old primary school classmate, Flávia, at a wedding, and immediately feels a connection with her. The first day of school, Nishat is surprised and pleased to see that Flávia now attends her school, but she is dismayed to learn that Flávia’s cousin is one of the girls who bullies her.. Nishat finds herself falling for Flávia, who seems to reciprocate her feelings. However, they become rivals during a business competition for a class when they each open a henna business. Soon someone outs Nishat, damaging her chances to win the competition and increasing the bullying she faces, but pulling her closer to Flávia. Caught between her parents’ wishes (and heterosupremacy) and her peace of mind (and desire for authenticity), Nishat struggles to find a place for herself.

This book broke my heart and healed it. It made me cry, hurt, laugh, and rejoice with Nishat. Nishat’s turmoil was authentically rendered, as was her courage in moving forward and being herself. The journey through the fear of coming out to loved ones, the pain and trauma of being rejected and outed, and the path to self-acceptance are ones to which many LGBTQ+ readers can relate.

This book can be difficult to read due to the heterosexism and racism of some characters and the harmful actions those characters choose. I appreciate the content warnings that the author includes at the beginning of the book, so that the reader can choose whether s/he is in the right place/frame of mind to read this book. This book is one that I wish I had as a teenager. I think I would have felt seen if I had access to books like this. To use Dr. Rudine Sims Bishop’s metaphor, this book was a much-needed mirror, window, and door for me, and I highly recommend it.

I am very impressed with this writer’s debut novel, and I have ordered a hard copy of this book. I will also be booktalking it to my students.

This review is posted on Goodreads.