Thank you so much to Colored Pages Book Tours for having me as one of the hosts for this INCREDIBLE book’s tour, and thank you to Feiwel & Friends for providing this eARC!

This book is EVERYTHING I want in a YA contemporary story! The rivalry, supportive friends, drama (relationship and familial) and above all else - a SUPER SWEET sapphic love story!!

This book had me from being furious with Zak, to feeling all warm and fuzzy with Meghna and Rani finding their way back to each other!

I cannot recommend this beautiful book enough, so do yourself a MASSIVE favour and pick it up once it is released!!!🫶

This felt very surface level compared to Jaigirdar’s other books. I had a hard time buying into Rani’s and Meghna’s decisions and thought processes - and certainly can’t imagine a faculty advisor would allow that project to get past the proposal stage (for privacy violation concerns in particular). The book as a whole falls kind of into the same trap as the girls themselves: it’s so centered on the cheating and the mediocre boy that it leaves the all-important girls by the wayside.

Particularly when romantic feelings between Rani and Meghna come into play, it feels rather like it came out of nowhere, like there was no build up at all, like it had to be squeezed in before the book ended rather than happening rather more organically. Like, these girls don’t have an actual honest conversation from start to finish until their confession.

I also definitely wanted more with the families - especially in the middle of the book. I think they were set up to be a much stronger influence on the story than they ended up being. Particularly Meghna’s

All that being said, the writing style makes it easy to read and become invested in our characters, but I think I just expected more

This one was a much more mature vibe than Jaigirdar’s other books that I’ve read, and I loved this. I think it hit the nail on the head for this age range of characters, and they both felt unique in their troubles and motivations.

And their love came like a soft storm, brewing over so many years only to be like a safe haven in the end for the other. And there was no coming out trauma or drama, it was all just warm and gentle and quiet.

I think the hardest part of this book was the coding and just the hand waving going on with it, but that’s not a writer’s specialty so it makes sense to hand wave it. I would’ve also loved more of a dive into the ethics of the app, but that’s also not the focus of the book.

Meghna was a fierce character in EVERY scene. She was incredibly strong-willed and sometimes bull-headed, but I loved her. And Rani, suffering while being on a pedestal? I felt so hard for her, I loved her story and her family dynamics, even during the tough times.

I’d actually love some kind of college/university short story for these two, just seeing what projects they’re working on and how their relationship has grown.

I love Adiba Jaigirdar. I've read all of her books, so I was very excited for this one. Of course, she did not disappoint. I couldn't put this down.

This solidifies it: Adiba Jairgirdar, I will forever pick up what you put out!

RANI CHOUDHURY MUST DIE gives us dual perspectives of two STEM girlies and best friends turned rivals as they are living life, preparing presentations for the Young Scientist Exhibition, OH- and dating the same boy. I loved the direction that Jaigirdar took with this story, making it empowering and uplifting rather than each of the girls using the other to make herself feel better. This emphasis on friendship above anything (including romance subplots) is something that I love to see, especially in a YA novel.

Jaigirdar does an incredible job (per usual) of incorporating important themes and discourse surrounding topics such as sexism, colorism, gaslighting, and cheating partners. I also love that every time I read a book by Adiba Jaigirdar I learn something new about Bengali culture (and crave yummy food).

While Meghna and Rani were distinct fleshed out characters with their own stories and flaws, Zak is more of an instrument put in place to bring them together instead of his own character which I truly was not mad about. The way he treated our girls was all I needed to know. Boy BYE! The side characters were sweet, and I enjoyed being able to see Meghna's world mix with Rani's and vice versa after being separated for so long. The cast offers diversity across ethnicity (primarily Bengali), sexual orientation, and gender identity.

If you're going into this ~SOLELY~ for the romance, you may be disappointed. The romance was very ~very~ slow burn and definitely a subplot rather than the center of attention. You're rooting for them as individuals, friends, and science partners before you think about them being anything more. That being said, when their inner dialogues about each other begin to shift, it'll definitely have you smiling at the pages.

There were a few plot points that felt underdeveloped, and at times the pacing was slower than you would expect it to be, but overall this didn't have a huge effect on my time spent with this book. I will still 100% be recommending this book to anyone who loves YA coming of age stories or romance books that are heavy on the substance rather than the romance itself.

4.5 stars for another wonderful novel from Adiba Jaigirdar!

Very cute and fun. Adiba Jaigirdar has a talent for making sapphic novels that feel like a genuine safe space. I would highly recommend any of their titles for those who need something quick to read, or need something comforting!

This book was a 3.75 for me and overall a delightful read! I think the pacing was quite slow until the end, and didn't feel to rushed. I loved the reading the turning of tides between Meghna and Rani. They both had distinct voices in their chapters and didn't blend together at all. I really enjoyed how this book was resolved! It felt so appropriate, and the girls gained a lot of self-respect.

Rani Choudhury i LOVE you!!! this was such a fun read and is another hit from the wonderful Adiba Jaigirdar! i love how Jaigirdar always has unapologetically smart female protagonists. Rani and Meghna switch narrations, which i especially liked because i felt like i got to know both of them. i will say, i liked Rani a LOT more than Meghna. Rani was a really interesting and well developed character; Meghna was as well but i found her less likable and harder to connect to. overall tho, i really liked this book! i read it in one day while taking the train home from school, and it really scratched the YA easy to read romcom itch in my brain. would totally recommend this book if you too are in need of a book to get you out of a reading slump (and give you some academic motivation)

This was such a fun, lighthearted book to read!! I loved this. It’s fast paced and the characters are charming.

Thank you Netgalley and Macmillan /Feiwel & Friends for this advanced copy of Rani Choudhury Must Die. This is a great inclusive novel that can be relatable for lots of students, The two point of view writing style really worked with this novel. The two main characters worked very well together to overcome the drama of being cheated on by the same person, going from friends to enemies and back to friends again as well as their partnership in the science competition. The love story is also really well done. Both main characters had to overcome great obstacles, Rani with her relationship with her parents and Meghna her feelings of being ostracized by her community. In the end it was a great story!

Thank you Netgalley and MacMillan Children’s Publishing Group for the ARC in exchange for an honest review!

Adiba Jaigirdar's “Rani Choudhury Must Die” is a delightful sapphic YA romance that explores rivalry and rekindled love. The story centers on Rani and Meghna, ex-best-friends-turned-rivals, who are brought back together by a shared betrayal: both are unknowingly dating the same boy, Zak. What follows is a journey of redemption, collaboration, and emotional healing as they team up to take Zak down at a prestigious science competition.

Jaigirdar does a fantastic job of fleshing out the complex dynamics between Rani and Meghna. Their rivalry is rooted in years of misunderstanding, fueled by societal pressures around class, culture, and colorism. Meghna sees Rani as an archnemesis, frustrated by the constant comparisons and believing Rani has the perfect life, while Rani is heartbroken by Meghna's unexplained distance and just wants to understand why they drifted apart. Their relationship is beautifully written, with both characters growing individually while also learning to heal their fractured bond. The bond developing and strengthening between them was my favorite part of the book.

The use of the science competition as a backdrop adds a unique layer to the story. Both girls are deeply involved in STEM, and their rivalry extends to their academic achievements. The app they create to expose cheaters, including Zak, is a clever plot device that mirrors their desire to uncover the truth not just about Zak, but about their own feelings toward each other. The pacing of the competition scenes adds excitement to the story, while the emotional undertones keep it grounded. I really like the representation of women in the STEM field, and I think some younger readers will really enjoy that representation; I wish there were more of this representation in YA.

The romance between Rani and Meghna is sweet, slow-burning, and full of heart. Their journey from rivals to lovers is filled with emotional tension, as they gradually realize their feelings for each other are far from platonic. Jaigirdar skillfully navigates their growing affection while addressing deeper issues of misogyny, cultural expectations, and personal identity. I do wish that Meghna’s intense hatred of Rani could have been more fully explored, but the overall dynamic between the two is engaging enough to overlook this minor flaw. The dual POV structure works well, giving insight into both characters' thoughts and emotions, making their eventual reconciliation feel authentic and well-earned.

Fast-paced and full of heart, “Rani Choudhury Must Die” is a compelling story of love, friendship, and second chances. With its well-developed characters, witty dialogue, and thought-provoking themes, it’s a must-read for fans of YA romance and anyone who enjoys a good enemies-to-lovers trope. Jaigirdar continues to shine as a voice in contemporary YA fiction, offering an empowering and enjoyable read.

Adiba Jaigirdar's characters have ALWAYS left a memorable impact ever since I first picked up Hani and Ishu's Guide to Fake Dating, and I'm happy to report that she has done it once again with "Rani Choudhury Must Die". Following the titular Rani and her former best friend (and now "archnemesis") Meghna as they reluctantly work together on a revenge plot against their two-timing boyfriend, there's truly something in this book for everyone: enemies to reluctant teammates to ???, WOMEN IN STEM!!!!, revenge on fuckbois who cheat, sapphic awakenings, unforgettable side characters, and so much more.

As a lesbian who works in biotech, it felt like this book was written for me. I really liked how in-depth and detailed the research for Rani and Meghna's project was, it really felt like Jaigirdar did due diligence in her research into both the social science and the coding science aspects of their project. And as a result, this setting provided a perfect backdrop to segue into conversations about holding onto your femininity and your personal ties to your project, despite being in a male-dominated field.

But what I loved most about this story were the characters. I will not lie, when I first started the story, I wasn't the biggest fan of Meghna. I thought she was brash, impulsive, and hot-tempered, and as a result, I instantly favored level-headed Rani and sided with Rani on many of their disagreements. However, as the story progresses, we begin to see more sides of both Meghna and Rani. We see that Meghna fights hard for those she cares about and has an unwavering passion for science. We see that Rani's rigidity and attempts to appease her status quo never lead to the most ideal results. But most of all, we see how conflicts that Rani and Meghna face directly shape their character development, molding each of them to be their best individual selves (and as a result, their best selves for each other hehe).

There were a few things in this story that weren't quite as fleshed out as I would've liked; I wish we had seen a somewhat deeper connection between Rani and Zak to lead to her making the choice to exact revenge, I wish we had seen less of characters stuffing food into their mouths to avoid conversation, and I wish the chemistry between Rani and Meghna had been more gradually woven in. But despite these misgivings, I still HIGHLY enjoyed this book, and I would definitely recommend to all readers, especially those looking for a love triangle where the 2 girls ditch the man and date each other instead.

4 stars

This is another hit from Adiba Jaigirdar!

Meghna and Rani share dual POVs in this charming best friends-turned rivals turned-...you know the trope! Both of these young women are smart, curious about and engaged in the world around them, and definitely reflect that they are whole people, despite a peculiar mutual obsession with one particular dude: Zak. What's extra gratifying is that the interest in Zak actually brings both protagonists together; he's much more of a vehicle than a character who has much meaning on his own (and ya, especially in YA, I'm living for this narrative).

While this is definitely a YA romance, there's so much more to these characters and this novel in general than just this romantic plot line. I expect age-appropriate readers will really appreciate the explorations of friendships, romantic relationships, and evolving understandings of identity.

I'll be recommending this one to students and to readers of all ages looking for a solid YA romance with substance.

Rani Choudhry Must Die was an amusing, heartwarming and entertaining novel. Once I got past the first few chapters, I was hooked. I do feel the ending was predictable but I really enjoyed watching Rani and Meghna grow and learn more about themselves and who they are outside of their relationships with Zak. I really appreciated the open discussions about gender, race and colorism, as well as getting to learn more about Bangladeshi culture and language. It was really refreshing that they were both into STEM and were passionate about winning the competition, both with interesting projects. I’d happily recommend it to teens at my branch looking for a fun, but also poignant book about love, family, friendship and culture.

Realistic and thoughtful romance about two young women who used to be best friends reconnecting over a shared cheating boyfriend--only to realize that perhaps they have something more than science smarts to share. The characters were believable and lovely, the romance developed sweetly, and overall, it was just a fun read!

Thank you to NetGalley for providing an eARC, this does not influence my review.
This was a phenomenal book I love all of Adira Jaigirdar’s books so much and this one is super amazing. I love how beautifully flawed that each character is and the slow growth that we witness throughout the story. If you like sapphic romance or revenge plots then this book is perfect for you.

The Good
I devoured this book! I loved the cover and blurb since it was announced, but getting to read it has been a fun experience! Rani and Meghna are two ex-friends now belonging to different social classes and schools living miles apart. There is a one-sided beef between the two, where Meghna views her as an archnemesis while Rani wishes she knew why Meghna stopped answering her calls. Then enters Zak, the cheating boyfriend and a plot to expose him with their science project emerges.

What I loved most about this book was how much Rani and Meghna bring out the best in each other and why they worked as best friends and then girlfriends. I loved seeing their character arcs individually and as a unit together and healing their rift. I loved them both and could see each of their sides in every argument. Jaigirdar did an amazing job discussing misogyny, colorism, culture and class in this book and how those intersections affect not only the main characters' lives but how they view each other. This was also quite fast-paced and that was a great aspect of this book. It played out in my head like an indie coming-of-age romance - sweet, moving and to the point.

Tropes:
— Rivials to Lovers
— Bangladeshi fmcs
— Women in STEM

Format: Ebook

The Rating
I give this book a 5/5🌟 rating. This was so good! I love when my anticipated reads are as great as I imagined them being!! This is my second book I've read by Jaigirdar and I need to read everything she releases!

i love you and your words, adiba jaigirdar. please never stop writing these enemies (ish) to lovers sapphic romances. i always have the best time reading her books and Rani Choudhury Must Die is no exception. one thing to keep in mind is that the romance aspect of this book is a little more of a side plot rather than a big plot like her past books. I would say the most prominent plot in this book would be the cheating and revenge, which i am all for!

I HATE MEN! Adiba Jaigirdar knows exactly how to write a rivals to lovers! Meghna and Rani were absolutely adorable and had me yelling “you’re in love you idiots” the entire time! I devoured this book in a day! Combining Rivals to Lovers, Girls who are Messy (with a capital M) and Women in STEM (bunsen burner… on) created a wonderful story and will absolutely be added to my recommendation list!

I loved the story, the world building and meeting the different characters. I felt completely immersed in the story and couldn't stop reading it.