Oh, I really liked this book! I love that it takes place at the backdrop of a film set, and how the main character doesn’t necessarily want to be An Actor but rather a director, which isn’t often seen. And I love a sapphic misunderstood-rivals to lovers! This was ultimately just really sweet. Four stars. Booksweet link. Storygraph link.

“Tell Me How You Really Feel” by Aminah Mae Safi is a great book to read or listen to if you are looking for a story about high-school ambitious characters with complex histories and feelings.

The story is narrated for a dual point of view. On one side, we have Rachel Recht, an ambitious high-school movie director who is looking to get into the best cinema school through the senior film project. She’s strong headed, knows what she wants, has a clear vision for her movie, but is missing a main character. On the other side, Sana Khan, another strong headed student in her final year at the same school is the perfect fit. Being an overachiever and determined to dedicate her life to medicine, Sara is not considering an acting side act, until circumstances free up her calendar.

The story is well-crafted, with a lot of beautifully narrated and emotional scenes. The beginning of the book might seem a bit slow, but that is just because Safi needs time to introduce her characters. Afterwards, the story starts picking up pace ad turns into a real page turner towards the end, with a focus on the growing emotional bond between Rachel and Sana.

Special thanks to NetGalley, OrangeSky Audio, and the editorial team for giving me the opportunity to review the ARC in audiobook format and to you, my reader, for taking the time to read this honest personal book review.

If you are interested in other of my book reviews, make sure to follow me on GoodReads!

#LifeLongLearning #TellMeHowYouReallyFeel #NetGalley

This was such a cute and wholesome enemies to lovers story. I loved that this was was a sapphic and diverse homage to Gilmore Girls where Rory and Paris ended up together. The multicultural representation was great too. Both girl’s race, religion and sexuality were never questioned or challenged and I loved that!

I also loved that the author narrated her own book. It was a little difficult to differentiate Sana from Rachel. Their voices were too similar and it was easy to get confused about who was speaking. She did a great job overall and it was fun seeing an author narrating their own work.

Thank you to NetGallery and to OrangeSky Audio for giving me a copy for my honest review.

I really loved this book! I liked that the two characters had very distinct personalities so I could easily listen to the audiobook and still know which character I was following. The romance was also sooo cute! I was rooting for them the entire time

Whoa! What a ride. It was very fast-paced. The writing style kept me hooked and I didn't find myself losing any interest. I enjoyed getting to know each of the characters and how real the story felt. The author did a great job painting the setting, so it was easy for me to visualize the scene played out before me. I recommend giving this one a chance! Narrator did great

Trigger Warnings: Cursing, parental abandonment, drinking, divorce, car crash, hospital, injury, piercing

Representation: Indian, Muslim, South Asian/Persian ancestry, Jewish, Mexican

Tell Me How You Really Feel is a YA romcom about Sana, the perfect cheerleader, and Rachel, the aspiring director. When Sana accidentally breaks some of Rachel’s camera equipment, she is forced to help Rachel with her final project. Rachel wouldn’t mind, except she has always hated Sana. Together they work together to figure out what they each truly want.

The queer Gilmore Girls we all always wanted! As a Rory/Paris shipper, my heart fluttered with the similarities. While not an exact match, I do wish this story was longer like the show because I felt like the ending was very rushed. So much time is spent building this world, which I do enjoy, but it forces the resolution to happen in the matter of minutes. Unfortunately this forces the romance to go from friends to lovers very quickly.

I did enjoy the coming of age aspect of the book and I did like both girls. They were very layered and not your typical annoying teenagers, which I’ve got kind of sick with lately (no offense YA!!). I loved that the author narrated her own book! She did a great job, her voice was clear, and I think her love for her characters really shines through!

A fun, adorable YA sapphic romance! It feels exactly like the Gilmore Girls Paris/Rory fanfic it is (in a good way!), giving the best of what fanfiction can provide. Cute, fast-paced, strong characters and chemistry between them, and I appreciate how real they both felt, flaws and all. (Plus, as an Iranian American Orange County girl myself, gotta love that rep!)

As for the audio element, I've seen a few reviews complaining that the two characters sounded too similar, and that Safi (yes, the author narrates her own work! Not always a good idea, but it worked out fine here) should distinguish more between them. For me, though, I thought they were distinct enough, and I appreciated not having some over-the-top character choices made just to make them sound more unique. She sounds appropriately teenaged, and the pacing of the audio worked for me, though it could have sounded overall a bit smoother.

Overall, a fast, breezy, fun enemies to lovers romance, perfect for its teen demographic, and well-read in this audio format.

Thank you to NetGalley and OrangeSky Audio for the advance copy in exchange for an honest review.

I have mixed feelings about this one. I feel like I should have enjoyed the journey more, but what I appreciated the most was the unconventional resolution.

Ehhh wanted to love this, but overall just wasn’t for me. The premise of the book was super enticing but as I got into the story I felt as thought the premise was misleading to what the book actually was. Maybe I’ll try the next from this author.

This was a really cute love story with movies as a very important part of it. It can be said this is enemies to lovers but I wouldn't say it because one of the girls hates the other for absolutely no reason, based on something she thought about her that could've been cleared if she just asked. Simple as that. But you know, teenage angst and all that, it Is needed.
The writing style is fluent but in audio form maybe not the easiest because the POV changes frequently, during chapters too, and the intonation of the narrator, who is the author of the book, doesn't change so it's not very easy to know right away who is talking.
The romance part of the story was nice to read, how is wasn't all about love solving everything and changing all of their beliefs because they are in love with another person. I liked that even if I would've liked a longer ending. I liked it, though, it was cute and it had the movie effect most romantic comedies for teens have.

Sana Khan is a conscientious student from a Persian-Indian family, working hard for good grades (she's considering medical school) while also a star of the cheerleading squad. Rachel Recht is of Mexican-Jewish extraction, an edgy film buff in the midst of directing her final project film. These two have a sort of (albeit brief) history, based on a simple misunderstanding from a few years ago.

After a 'meet-cute' incident - they accidentally walk into each other on campus, and cause minor damage to a film camera that was dropped - Sana finds herself cast in the lead role of Rachel's film. Although their initial interactions are uneasy and chilly (par for the course in this sort of story), a genuine friendship soon develops which then blossoms into a sweet but not overly syrupy romance.

Tell Me How You Really Feel AUDIO by Aminah Mae Safi is a young love romance with plenty of obstacles on the pathway. Sana and Rachel are both students at a prestigious private high school; Rachel, on scholarship. Rachel is a filmmaker with an acceptance at NYU. Suna is torn about her future, although she is sure it has to do with medicine. She has been accepted to Princeton but may want to defer for a medical fellowship in India. They are as different as different can be, in so many ways, yet there is an attraction. Rachel has a chip on her shoulder, of that there is no doubt. Suna is a cheerleader, for her own reasons, but people see her as a cliché, as does Rachel. Suna ends up being the lead in Rachel's final movie project and things change for them. Both of them begin to see the other as real people with families, homes, and emotions beyond what is on the surface.

This book was difficult to get into, although that may be partly the responsibility of the reader. Normally I try not to read books about teenagers . . . they are to full of angst, as was this one. The ethnic expectations explored during the story opened my eyes, once again, to the effect one's family has one's life. One, a very conservative Indian family; the other the product of a broken home, whose mother was not strong enough to put up with the people in her chosen profession: acting. Lots going on for these girls. Our society demands a lot of life-changing decisions from 18-years-olds. Adults have so much influence, and yet, maybe not enough. Interesting perspective.

The choice of having Safi read her own work was not a good one. She does not have the voice or the presence of a reader. As mentioned, the first 25% of the book was painful. Whether she got better as she relaxed or I got used to her, things improved as the book wore on, is the question. Seldom is having the author read a good decision. Maybe someone who does not listen to a lot of professionally read audiobooks would not be as critical.

I was invited to listen to a pre-release audio version of Tell Me How You Really Feel by Orange Sky Audio, through Netgalley. All thoughts and opinions are my own. #netgalley #orangeskyaudio #aminahmaesafi #tellmehowyoureallyfeel

TELL ME HOW YOU REALLY FEEL has been on my TBR for a few years now, so I was extremely excited to see that it finally got an audiobook. This is a lovely YA contemporary novel is packed with film references, teen angst, an enemies-to-lovers romantic arc. If you think Rory Gilmore should have fallen for Paris Geller, this is the book for you.

Aminah Mae Safi narrated this audiobook herself, which I think is so cool! She did a great job, and hearing the story in her voice really added to the storytelling.

TELL ME HOW YOU REALLY FEEL is certainly more of a rom-dram than a rom-com, which I did not expect. I liked the romance fine and I rooted for the characters as a couple. However, I also wish we spent more time with them together once they understood one another a little better. I liked the characters, but there were a lot of side plots happening at once, so the end felt pretty rushed to wrap everything up. I would have liked to see a little more pay off after all the angst, especially considering the author intended to show a happy ending to two queer poc teens.

Nonetheless, this was still cute and I’m glad I finally got to experience this book in audio form.

This was an okay story. I liked what the author wanted, but I just felt like it didn’t happen. It is a solid read. I just wish it had a little more.

This is the second ever audio book I‘ve listened to and it kept me entertained for many solo car rides and walks over the course of two months.

I already read the written version of the book and adored the story, but I feel like listening to it, gave me even more insight and more focus on smaller details I probably have unintentionally skipped while reading.

Rachel Recht is set to be a famous director one day. She know she won’t have it easy, she’s a woman, Hispanic, Jewish and has no relations to other people in the industry. As a student on scholarship at the school she’s very focused on her one true passion: film making. Rachel’s a very straightforward person, often perceived as rude and standoffish, so when Sana Khan, perfect straight A student and cheerleader captain asks her out on a coffee date she of course denies, what a stupid joke. Sana’s life isn’t as perfect as it seems, she tries everything to fulfill her families high expectations, but she has enough. She wants to do her own thing. When Sana crashes into Rachel and breaks the schools camera equipment, they’re forced to work on Rachel’s movie together.

Aminah Mae Safi tells the story of two very complex and diverse characters finding their place in the world and maybe even finding love. Not only focusing on the sapphic relationship, but also the characters own personal hardships and development makes this story heartfelt and captivating.

One thing I love is that Rachel curses SO much, basically all time. It helps achieve a wonderful dynamic Sana.

The narrator of the audio book did a wonderful job, my personal favorite part was the karaoke scene, big fan of the off key singing!

4.5 ⭐

Okay, I was def not expecting to like this one as much as I did.

The story was cute as hell and I was hooked from the beginning to the end! The writing style was consistent and clear, and there weren't any batches throughout the story. I kept thinking that it'd have worked a bit better if the MCs were a bit older but it didn't bother me that much in the end. The open ending was a good call, and I'd like to think that although they don't end up together, they keep on being good friends when they go to college 🌻🌻

Thanks to the publisher for sending me the audiobook through NetGalley. I highly enjoyed it!

Thank you to NetGalley and Orange Sky Audio for providing me with a free audio copy of Tell Me How You Really feel by Aminah Mae Safi, in exchange for an honest review.

The format in which this title was provided is perhaps the biggest gripe for me, with the narrator's style being quite difficult to listen to. Appreciating that the narrator is also the author, I do think that the title would have benefited from someone else bringing it to life in audio format as the words and inflection came across jarring and not always in sync with the actual message being said.

With regards to the actual story, nothing new was provided here. It was a tale we've all heard before with miscommunication being a huge part of the 'drama' which was not something I particularly enjoy. As a result, it was a rather middling effort.

This book is a fantastic read for young adult, and queer women.
It's a take on enemies to lovers, except only one of the characters believes they are enemies.
The depth of both main characters, and their family members is explored well and this adds a lot to the story.
I enjoyed see the teenagers try and work out their feelings about each other and also about their future as individuals.
The story is clear and easy to get sucked into, as well as messy in the areas where mess is essential.
I think the author did a fantastic job with this story, and the narrator did a great job with the reading. I am excited to see more from this author.
-reviewed on Goodreads & tiktok TheAussieHickey

This is a cute story of two girls who hate each other…or do they?

It was a fun read, not bad, not great. The sort of light read to pull you through a reading slump. I enjoyed the representation immensely however, and the cover….the cover is gorgeous!

*4.5 Stars*

Tell Me How You Really Feel is a "enemies" to lovers story set in LA, where we follow both Rachel, a driven director to be and Sana, a straight-A student who's trying to figure things out.
The animosity between the two started soon after Rachel joined the school and was asked out by Sana but assumed it was just a cruel joke on Sana's part. She has hated her since while Sana has been secretly pining.
After an accident that leaves a school camera broken, the two are forced to work together as the film department supervisor makes Rachel cast Sana in her end of year movie.

I really enjoyed this book. I liked the characters, the representation, the plot. I liked how it was about not only the romance but also their lives, their families, their goals, their studies. It was a true coming-of-age book and it did it so well.
I found the characters layered and compelling and liked seeing their journey.
I did find it to be a bit fast paced and short and would have liked it to drag on a little moçre but that might be because I read it in one day, on speed x2.

Anyway, this was very good and I encourage you to read it, especially because of its dedication!