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Hani and Ishu's Guide to Fake Dating is cute, wholesome book that stole the heart of a desi sapphic such as me from the beginning.

When Hani comes out as bisexual to her friends, they dismiss her identity as she has only ever gone out with boys and so she lies and says that she has been dating a girl, namely Ishu. Following this as the two girls spend time together to make their fake relationship look real, we discover how while the two are polar opposites, they fit together really well! Hani is kind, sweet, friendly and outgoing while Ishu is more reserved, stubborn and a little mean at times. They also come from very different families - while Hani has a ever present and accepting family, Ishu isn't close with hers and is afraid of coming out to them.

As they spend time together, and slowly fall in love, they bring out each other's best and encourage the other to stand up for themselves. It was easy to empathise with both the characters and root for them, and while I loved Ishu more because I had so much in common with her, Hani is no less of a sweetheart who carved a place in my heart to keep for herself.

The biphobia and racial and islamic microagressions and willing ignorance of Hani's friends to try and adjust to her needs, or even listen to what she was saying, infuriated me to no end, and I loved how it was dealt with in the book. It also made to show why Hani and Ishu are so perfect together - because they accommodate the other's needs and respect the other person.

I also loved the depiction of Hani's relationship with Islam and how she connected with it. Many books do not deal with how one's relationship with their religion is different due to changes in the times and mindsets but this book tackled that and talked of how Hani loved being a Muslim and I really enjoyed reading about her journey!

If you're looking for a cute sapphic book that will cheer you up, you're at the right place! I highly recommend this book because it's so cute and wholesome and does not shy away from talking about some important topics.

February 8:
I just finished, andI can not ever express how much I love this book, but I do and you should all read it. now.