I loved Bhuiyan's debut and was super excited to give A Show for Two a read. Unfortunately the setting and opening didn't catch my attention and I never made it past the first chapter. I also have some mixed feelings on how the MMC is sorta inspired (from what I recall) by Tom Holland and the author's experience either meeting him or having him attend her school. I just didn't find this as compelling as Bhuiyan's debut.

Oh cute! I realy enjoyed this.

Thanks to NetGalley / Edelweiss and the publisher for providing me with an eARC of this book in exchange for a review.

I loved Tashie's debut SO MUCH, and when I heard the behind the scenes of this book (that Tom Holland was at her HS to research for Homecoming) I was over the moon excited!!
Tashie has such a captivating voice and her desi references are always on point, never cringey (as I always feel they are as a desi person myself lol).
This totally lived up to expectation and I can't wait for what she writes next!!

If there is one thing readers love, it is a good hook.

A Show for Two has that in Tom Holland, circa 2016. A teen actor who had just secured the role of a lifetime as Marvel Studios’ newest Spider-Man, Holland had the opportunity to go undercover at The Bronx High School of Science in New York City. For several days, the world’s next Peter Parker went undetected, perfecting his Brooklyn accent and flirting with the occasional classmate in his quest to understand the average teenage robotics engineer. It’s the stuff of fanfiction dreams, and when the story broke after the release of Spider-Man: Homecoming, fans became intoxicated by the concept of an undercover teen celeb.

Enter A Show for Two by Tashie Bhuiyan, a homage to that fantasy from someone who encountered Holland’s high-school escapades firsthand. From the jump, this book has a fascinating story to tell. And for the most part, Bhuiyan’s execution of that story will satisfy young readers.

Unfortunately, this starstruck love story struggles to shine despite its stellar selling feature.

Mina and Emmitt’s lacklustre chemistry is a byproduct of common enemies-to-lovers mishandlings. Mina’s brief run-in with Emmitt early on in the book is the foundation for her dislike, as the secret celeb assumes she is an obsessed fan. The series of cringe exchanges is not enough to justify the “enemies” status or the intensity of their rivalry. The star-crossed couple’s dialogue isn’t strong enough to strike a spark either, often playing into unnecessary conflict and brushing off any romantic simmering with its harsh tone. The author favours the drama of the enemies element a little heavy-handed, resulting in an underdeveloped and often underwhelming slow burn. Elliot’s personality also fluctuates too frequently to nail down the true essence of this character, let alone give him star quality that could rival Holland.

This romantic partnership doesn’t live up to its potential. That said, if the reader can see their insufferable start through, there is meaningful growth to be had as the unlikely couple galavant around New York City.

In fact, this is where the romance of this novel truly shines as Mina amerces Emmitt and us in her world. From bagels to Saturday Night Live tidbits to mesmerizing city view descriptions, her ability to romanticize the big city goes a long way in enjoying this read. It may be difficult to pinpoint who these characters are and what they want at times, but when this author slips into the details of the city they inhabit, this story comes to life and, with it, the romantic subplot.

Ultimately the aesthetic of movie festivals, rooftop kisses, and young love are there. But the romance, the sparkle, is too quickly dimmed by the intensity of Mina’s home life. The author’s most vital work lies in Mina’s struggles to break free of her abusive parents and pursue her dream of making movies. But as important as showcasing that story for young readers is, the in-depth look at Mina’s toxic parental relationship often overpowers the light surface-level teen romp it aims to be. The fight between two compelling but clashing stories suggests they deserve separate spaces to flourish.

In the end, the magic of the hook that was meant to draw readers in is all but lost in this muddled premise.

A Show for Two won’t leave you starstruck, but if you enjoy stories set in New York City, it is an entertaining tour guide.

Thank you to Netgalley and the publisher for giving me free access to the advanced digital copy of this book.

Keep in mind it's YA contemporary romance novel. I enjoy this book as a one time read and wouldn't reread. I like how they introduce topic that I normally don't read. Check tw.

It irks me when a book is marketed as a romance but the actual romance takes a backseat to subpar plot points that need not be a main focus. That's how I felt about A Show For Two. The almost bipolar interactions with Emmitt, and his overall demeanor made him a character I just really didn't like, which had quite the hand in making this just not the novel for me. All in all, not my favourite, I can understand the appeal to others, but I just really couldn't get behind characters I really didn't like.

A Show for Two by Tashie Bhuiyan is a young adult contemporary romance about Mina Rahman, whose deepest desire is to win the Golden Ivy student film competition that will all but guarantee her a way out of New York City. So when indie film star Emmitt Ramos enrolls at her school under a secret identity to research a role, Mina does whatever she can to have him star in her film. Emmitt is game — so long as she serves as his tour guide in the city. Inspired by Bhuiyan’s real-life experiences when Tom Holland enrolled at her school under similar circumstances, this long-awaited novel doesn’t disappoint!

Much like Bhuiyan’s debut, Counting Down with You, this novel features a Bangladeshi-American protagonist grappling with relatable and decidedly American coming-of-age milestones involving friends, love lives, and decisions about the future. Mina’s South Asian parents have worked hard to provide her with a plethora of wonderful opportunities, but Mina’s ambitions simply don’t align with her parents’ expectations. It results in a deeply fraught relationship with her parents, and watching Mina (and her younger sister) struggle with it was both distressing and cathartic for me. Growing up in a diaspora community presents so many unique challenges that mainstream media absolutely fails to address at this time, so it was incredibly validating to read about a character with complicated, messy feelings that also fail to align with most depictions of young adult stories but are no less valid.

As much as this novel is about Mina and Emmitt falling for each other, I would argue the true romance is between Mina and New York City. She’s desperate to get away from the familial conflict and generational trauma she deals with on a daily basis, so she incorrectly holds her beloved city — “the city that loved me, even when I didn’t love it” — responsible for her grief. But seeing the five boroughs through Emmitt’s eyes reminds her how New York City has helped to nurture and grow her when other influences in her life have failed to measure up.

My favorite aspect of this novel is how Mina’s forced to grapple with the fact that her experiences aren’t the same as her immigrant parents’, and they really aren’t comparable to her friends’ either. Her relationship fumbles are especially frustrating for readers due to her struggle to choose a side, so to speak. She isn’t American enough, nor is she Bangladeshi enough, and she feels judgement from both sides for attempting to walk the hazy line blurring the two defining cultures in her life. However, she leads a hybrid existence created where two cultures converged to form something new, and — as she slowly learns — something uniquely hers. Once she accepts that as her power, she’s able to redefine her dreams in relation to her own hopes and values. It liberates her from many perceived familial and societal expectations that confine her character growth for much of the novel.

I also enjoyed watching Mina and Emmitt be passionate about their artistic pursuits, and I appreciated that Bhuiyan placed value in the arts as both hobby and career — a distinction often mistakenly presented as a dichotomy.

Initially, it was difficult for me to like Mina, but upon reflection, I think it’s because I saw way too much of my own teenage self in her! Counting Down with You is much easier to read because it takes place while Katrina’s parents are out of the country. It’s a monthlong, borderline fantasy experience that is as charming and light as it is largely because Katrina deals with familial and cultural issues through internal monologues instead of difficult conversations and experiences with her own family in real-time. And that’s really what makes A Show for Two such a beautiful journey of self-discovery. It validates the most challenging experiences and allows us to watch Mina find beauty and power in her own circumstances.

A Show for Two is a heartwarming and bittersweet read that represents a unique perspective on familiar growing pains. It will soothe your inner child and remind you to be proud of the experiences that have helped to shape you into the person you are today.

A Show for Two features Mina and her best friend, both of whom are super into filmmaking. Mina's immigrant parents don't support her dreams and laugh at the notion of her leaving New York City for USC, and even scorn her by saying they'll pay for everything if she even gets in.

Enter Emmitt, a teen actor who enrolls undercover at Mina's prestigious school after a previously unfortunate encounter with Mina at the train station days before. Emmitt thought Mina was a fan, and Mina didn't even recognize him, leading to an argument before Mina realizes who he is. When he enrolls undercover under a fake name with dyed hair, sparks fly, but the kind that burn, because Mina hates him. But she needs him to play a part in her short film for USC - and the filmmaking competition that loves random celebrity cameos: something that all the previous winning videos had in common.

Mina sucks up her pride to ask Emmitt to star in her film, but he wants something in return - he wants Mina to show him around New York City so he can take pictures for a photography contest he entered without his controlling mother finding out - another thing Mina and Emmitt seem to have in common.

Despite hating each other, they need each other to escape the futures their parents want.

Cute story but not my favorite work from this author. Wanted to love it as much as the author’s first novel but it had a hard time holding my attention.

I loved this book. I thought it was so fun and clever. The idea of this was so unique and intriguing. It fills that wish of wanting to have essentially a fairytale Cinderella story, going from a nobody to falling for someone famous. This book is also so real though. The family dynamic and how it’s portrayed is touching and real and sometimes hard to read because of how unfair she is treated. Overall I loved it and I know my 8th graders will eat this up.

The best thing about this book is knowing that it was inspired by Tom Holland going undercover at author Tashie Bhutan’s high school in preparation for Spider-Man.

This hate-to-love YA focuses on Mina, who wants to create films, and Emmitt, an actor who’s preparing for a role and is learning about American schools while attending Mina’s undercover. The two make a deal: he’ll be in her movie for a competition if she shows him around New York for his photography project.

I found myself completely captivated by this story. I loved the dynamic between Mina and Emmitt and found their banter and eventual relationship to be very lovely and believable. Teenagers! They’re dramatic!

The hardest parts of this book to read were those with her parents and sister. They were emotional, to be sure, and I love that not everything was presented as sunshine and rainbows. Home lives are messy and complicated and when that bleeds into everything else? That’s when YA is its most believable.

Overall, this was a fun read and I’m so glad I got to live in this world for a little while.

This YA contemporary romance tells the story of two teens looking forward to their future in film while falling in love in NYC. While it was marketed as a romance, it wasn't as much of a romance as I was expecting and it didn't quite live up to my expectations overall. The book did go into some interesting themes such as abuse and mental illness, which gave it some additional substance. The writing style was not my favourite, and I had a hard time forming a strong connection with the characters. Not terrible, but also not one that I would rave about to anyone any time soon. Thanks to NetGalley and the publisher for giving me the chance to read and review this book.

A true romance lovers dream!

This book was witty, lovable, comedic and charming. This is a story I will be thinking about for years to come!!

I fell hard for this couple from the very first "meet cute" and kept falling for them throughout the entirety of the book. I would absolutely recommend this one to romance lovers EVERYWHERE.

I was so excited to get this ARC because I absolutely loved the author's debut novel, Counting Down with You. The premise of this book also had me jumping up and down because it got inspiration from Tom Holland from when he went to a High School undercover to get experience to shoot Spider-Man.

Unfortunately, I did not love this book as much as the author's debut. It wasn't as much of a romance as the first novel and i was expecting a romance. It was also a lot more hard hitting and dealt with themes of parental abuse and familial expectation that I was not expecting to be the forefront of the story.

I may have just gone in with the wrong expectations and it hindered my enjoyment of the story. Even the romance felt a little lack luster for me, so I think this might have not been a book for me.

Thank you Inkyard Press for this eARC in exchange for an honest review.

My Thoughts:

I appreciate the large influx of BIPOC and AAPI authors publishing YA. YA has come a long way to diversify its own offerings in the YA market so that diverse readers can actually see themselves in the literature that they read (mirrors, windows, sliding glass doors).

What I also appreciate is that this is not a novelty. Instead as readers and book talkers, we are able to create whole ladders of "next reads" using trusted BIPOC and AAPI authors. Tashie Bhuyian, author of Counting Down with You is a trusted YA romance writer now that this, her second book continues the themes of independent, strong females that hold their heart and anger on their sleeve and pretty boys with bad boy reputations and gooey centers.

Like Counting, Bhuyian includes an LGBTQ character (Mina's best friend) and a strong sibling relationship. The relationship with her immigrant parents is tough to watch but as a parent, I also feel for her parents who just are not sure how to navigate the teen years with a headstrong, very American daughter.

The romance with the Tom Holland inspired indie star, Emmitt Ramos is cute, but I really enjoyed the love story with New York. When teens are so angry at their parents that anywhere else seems like a haven, they sometimes don't appreciate the environment that they grew up in. Watching Mina fall in love again with New York through the eyes of Emmitt and his photos was actually the best romance that unfolded in this book. Time to plan a trip.

From the Publisher:
All Mina Rahman wants is to finally win the Golden Ivy student film competition, get into her dream school, and leave New York City behind for good. When indie film star Emmitt Ramos enrolls in her high school under a secret identity to research his next role, he agrees to star in her short film for the competition…if she acts as his NYC tour guide.

As Mina ventures across the five boroughs with Emmitt, the city she grew up in starts to look more like home than it ever has before. Suddenly, Mina’s dreams—which once seemed impenetrable—begin to crumble, and she’s forced to ask herself: Is winning worth losing everything?

Publication Information:
Author: Tashie Bhuyian
Publisher: Inkyard Press
Publication date: May 10, 2022

This book was an emotional ride.

At surface, it is a love story between two people—Mina and Emmitt. I personally was not as invested in their romance, but I love the inspiration behind the book. Meeting Tom Holland seems like an experience.

However, Mina’s backstory and her relationship with their parents literally left me in a puddle of tears. There were so many conversations and arguments that hit so close to home. From leaving to college, to battling the overbearing expectations of parents, to standing up for yourself—to leaving like you’re never enough. Because of Tashie’s background, I think she was able to write these conversations with such honesty that dissuades into making the parents into an archetype (aka “the Tiger parents”), but rather accurately depicting South Asian familial conflict.

This is what really stuck with me with this story and kept me going. I also thought the second Half of the book is more engaging than the first half.

Absolutely LOVED this New York rom-com. The pacing, the characters, the spark of romance - it was all perfection. The family dynamics made me cry and catch my breath with a touch of anxiety - but it felt real and right for the characters.

I heard so much about this book from book sites and social media platforms that I had to give it a read. And I love falling-for-city books, like Susane Colasanti’s “City of Love” trilogy. Thanks, NetGalley and Inkyard Press!

Mina wants to get out of New York and away from her parents, and her passion for films is the way to do it. When she finds out indie film star Emmitt has enrolled in her high school under a secret identity to research for his next role, she makes a deal with him: he’ll be in her short film if she can be a tour guide and help him with his photography contest. As she shows him around, she starts to fall in love…not just with Emmitt, but with the city she wants to leave so badly too. Is winning worth losing everything?

I love romance in Young Adult books and not just a romance between two people, but someone falling in love with a city because then it shows the readers what there is to love about the city stated. I’ve personally only been to New York City once, but I couldn’t explore it the way that Mina shows Emmitt. I loved her friends and the diverse cast of characters.

I think Mina’s parents are the only characters I didn’t like. I didn’t like how they pushed their own dreams for their daughters onto Mina and her sister, and always seemed to act like they were the victim in every argument they had with Mina. I’m glad the conclusion was how it was.

This is a good city-love/budding romance book, good for fans of teen romance and city love books.

The concept of this book sounded interesting and I think it would be to others, but for some reason I couldn’t get into it. I really enjoyed reading about Samina’s culture and found myself looking up lots of words that I didn’t know, just so I could get an idea in my head of what was being talked about, usually with foods. However, I think I wasn’t the target audience for the book. If I had been in high school when I read it, that might’ve been a different story because I think I would’ve related a lot to her need to leave home and find something new after high school. I also wasn’t a huge fan of all the pop culture references; I feel like so many really date the book and make it hard for people from other times to relate to it. While I wasn’t the target audience and it wasn’t my most enjoyable reading experience, I would definitely still recommend this to others if it’s what they’re looking for.