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A Love That Disturbs
Maysa Mazari is alarmed by her mother’s talk about arranged marriage. As a hijab-wearing Pakistani-American, she wants to find love on her own. Her judgmental Muslim clique has protected her from racist taunts, although the leader is turning on her as Maysa strays from the group because of her attraction to Haydee.
Haydee Gomez is a former gang member and juvenile detention student. Now living with a clean-cut aunt, she wants to turn her life around, even though one person will never let her forget her roots—Rafe, her abusive pimp. Haydee attempts to pull away from a life of prostitution when she develops feelings for Maysa, although Rafe isn’t willing to give her up too easily.
Finding themselves in danger from Maysa’s friends and Haydee’s pimp, it’s apparent their love disturbs everyone around them as they fight to stay together.
Haydee Gomez is a former gang member and juvenile detention student. Now living with a clean-cut aunt, she wants to turn her life around, even though one person will never let her forget her roots—Rafe, her abusive pimp. Haydee attempts to pull away from a life of prostitution when she develops feelings for Maysa, although Rafe isn’t willing to give her up too easily.
Finding themselves in danger from Maysa’s friends and Haydee’s pimp, it’s apparent their love disturbs everyone around them as they fight to stay together.
224 pages, Paperback
First published June 17, 2016
About the author
Medeia Sharif
21 books458 followersI was born in New York City and I presently call Miami my home. I received my master’s degree in psychology from Florida Atlantic University. After becoming a voracious reader in high school and a relentless writer dabbling in many genres in college, I found my niche writing for young people. Today I'm a writer for all age levels published through various presses. In addition to being a writer, I'm a public school teacher. My memberships include Mensa and SCBWI.
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 32 reviews
December 25, 2016
Highly recommended read. This book is an emotional roller coaster of two people. One who is trying to live the life she wants and not the past she comes from. While the other finds herself and the strength by pulling away from her small minded (due to religion and culture) friends
Not your average coming of age and coming out book
Not your average coming of age and coming out book
December 6, 2016
I read this book at four am and went immediately to sleep, because my thoughts were a jumble and I was feeling really emotional about everything. So, expect a lot of rambling.
First of all, I just want to say that as a bi Pakistani Muslim, this is perhaps the first time I've read something that features us as part of the LGBT community, and it honestly feels so good! I wish I could carry this feeling for the rest of my life. I also really love that Maysa's girlfriend, Haydee, is Puerto Rican. Life is good and nothing hurts.
This book was wonderful, and it serves as perfect intracommunity discussion for the Muslim community - the majority of the community behaves in exactly the same way as Maysa's ex-friends, and it's really sad and heartbreaking, especially when you consider what Islam actually teaches.
My only problem with this book was the way sex work was portrayed, especially the misogynistic way that Haydee thought about her fellow sex workers, and truth be told, at times, I felt like she was actually talking about being in a gang rather than being a sex worker.
I am also disappointed that there wasn't any commentary on LGBT Muslims and how we are not haram - this was the perfect opportunity to lay it all out and assure everyone that the two are not mutually exclusive (as is the common belief), and yet, there wasn't any mention of Islam beyond Maysa's friends and family.
I also wish we'd seen something of Maysa and Haydee's respective cultures, but I guess you can't have everything.
First of all, I just want to say that as a bi Pakistani Muslim, this is perhaps the first time I've read something that features us as part of the LGBT community, and it honestly feels so good! I wish I could carry this feeling for the rest of my life. I also really love that Maysa's girlfriend, Haydee, is Puerto Rican. Life is good and nothing hurts.
This book was wonderful, and it serves as perfect intracommunity discussion for the Muslim community - the majority of the community behaves in exactly the same way as Maysa's ex-friends, and it's really sad and heartbreaking, especially when you consider what Islam actually teaches.
My only problem with this book was the way sex work was portrayed, especially the misogynistic way that Haydee thought about her fellow sex workers, and truth be told, at times, I felt like she was actually talking about being in a gang rather than being a sex worker.
I am also disappointed that there wasn't any commentary on LGBT Muslims and how we are not haram - this was the perfect opportunity to lay it all out and assure everyone that the two are not mutually exclusive (as is the common belief), and yet, there wasn't any mention of Islam beyond Maysa's friends and family.
I also wish we'd seen something of Maysa and Haydee's respective cultures, but I guess you can't have everything.
June 28, 2016
Review written & published on www.criticalwrit.com
Content warning for physical abuse, rape, emotional abuse & blackmail, sexual trafficking, and extreme violence against women. Genre : Drama, Contemporary, Romance, F/F Fiction
Before we start, I feel that we need to go back over the content warning header— because this is not an easy read at all. This book features some of the worst things human beings do to one another and some pretty gut wrenching abuse. This book is a good example of an emotional rollercoaster, with heartwarming cuteness at times and disaster at others. Despite this, the violence pictured is violence that happens every day against women in every part of the world.
I feel we should also take time to talk about Muslims— one of the lead characters of this book being a hijabi woman after all— in the LGBTQI community. In the aftermath of the Orlando massacre, it is obvious that violence and abuse will impact a community that is not responsible for the actions of the few. But we, as the non-Muslim LGBTQI community, should be even more wary of not alienating and pushing away those among us who are both Muslim and LGBTQI. Making it about “us” and “them” in regards to Muslims has always been hateful and bigoted, and disregarding Muslims LGBTQI people is just as terrible.
This is the first day for Haydee in her new school. She’s back from alternative and juvie schools after a hard life as a gang member— a life she firmly wants to leave behind. But she’s not quite out of it yet and there remains the matter of her abusive and extremely violent pimp who still maintains control over her. As a sexually trafficked minor, she doesn’t get any say at all— what had first been for her a means of survival has become a trap. But she still needs the money to get out and start anew. At school, she meets Maysa Mazari, a charming and bright hijabi student. Maysa is the first person that sees her for who she is, without judgment or prejudice about her past. However Maysa’s friends don’t like Haydee and do everything within their power to separate the two. So when their friendship turns into something more and Haydee decides to fully cut ties with her past, danger arises for both girls as violence escalates.
As I said, A Love That Disturbs elicits strong emotions. Both of these girls, who are attending the last year of high school are victims of some form of abuse. Maysa is slowly realizing how evil and mean her friend Aamal is; she’s a manipulator and an abuser with venom on her tongue and as soon as Maysa befriends Haydee, she turns their mutual friends against her. Haydee is controlled by her pimp, Rafe, a violent and manipulating man who won’t let her stop sex work. Both of these girls are very believably written teenagers although Haydee was forced to grow up by the horrifying experiences she’s had and remains chillingly mature for her age. The experiences they face will force them to grow up further and their romance will start a journey towards independence and freedom from their respective abusers.
Their friendship builds quickly— Maysa is a kind soul who refuses to let her judgmental friends paint Haydee as a “walking STD” or a delinquent drop out. She’s more curious and interested in Haydee than anything. I liked that Haydee was initially awkward and a bit insensitive about Islam, even telling Maysa that “she has really pretty hair and shouldn’t cover it”. Her reading about Islam afterwards to get to know Maysa's religion better was a very endearing and cute move. I liked how their relationship plays out too— it’s not one saving the other from their life, it’s about each girl finding the strength and hope in their relationship to cut ties with their abusers.
Medeia Sharif's writing is tight and an easy read. Points of view alternate each chapter between the two girls and while it is sometimes a little awkward due to some chapters going backwards in time, it remains a very pleasant read. I however felt that she tells too much, which is surprising because she shows just enough— A few times the narration would repeat what I felt was obvious but that too was a minor problem.
To sum up A Love That Disturbs deals with difficult subject matter that may not be easy to read and will certainly be extremely triggering to some readers but it is still powerful and an excellent read
Review written & published on www.criticalwrit.com
Content warning for physical abuse, rape, emotional abuse & blackmail, sexual trafficking, and extreme violence against women. Genre : Drama, Contemporary, Romance, F/F Fiction
Before we start, I feel that we need to go back over the content warning header— because this is not an easy read at all. This book features some of the worst things human beings do to one another and some pretty gut wrenching abuse. This book is a good example of an emotional rollercoaster, with heartwarming cuteness at times and disaster at others. Despite this, the violence pictured is violence that happens every day against women in every part of the world.
I feel we should also take time to talk about Muslims— one of the lead characters of this book being a hijabi woman after all— in the LGBTQI community. In the aftermath of the Orlando massacre, it is obvious that violence and abuse will impact a community that is not responsible for the actions of the few. But we, as the non-Muslim LGBTQI community, should be even more wary of not alienating and pushing away those among us who are both Muslim and LGBTQI. Making it about “us” and “them” in regards to Muslims has always been hateful and bigoted, and disregarding Muslims LGBTQI people is just as terrible.
This is the first day for Haydee in her new school. She’s back from alternative and juvie schools after a hard life as a gang member— a life she firmly wants to leave behind. But she’s not quite out of it yet and there remains the matter of her abusive and extremely violent pimp who still maintains control over her. As a sexually trafficked minor, she doesn’t get any say at all— what had first been for her a means of survival has become a trap. But she still needs the money to get out and start anew. At school, she meets Maysa Mazari, a charming and bright hijabi student. Maysa is the first person that sees her for who she is, without judgment or prejudice about her past. However Maysa’s friends don’t like Haydee and do everything within their power to separate the two. So when their friendship turns into something more and Haydee decides to fully cut ties with her past, danger arises for both girls as violence escalates.
As I said, A Love That Disturbs elicits strong emotions. Both of these girls, who are attending the last year of high school are victims of some form of abuse. Maysa is slowly realizing how evil and mean her friend Aamal is; she’s a manipulator and an abuser with venom on her tongue and as soon as Maysa befriends Haydee, she turns their mutual friends against her. Haydee is controlled by her pimp, Rafe, a violent and manipulating man who won’t let her stop sex work. Both of these girls are very believably written teenagers although Haydee was forced to grow up by the horrifying experiences she’s had and remains chillingly mature for her age. The experiences they face will force them to grow up further and their romance will start a journey towards independence and freedom from their respective abusers.
Their friendship builds quickly— Maysa is a kind soul who refuses to let her judgmental friends paint Haydee as a “walking STD” or a delinquent drop out. She’s more curious and interested in Haydee than anything. I liked that Haydee was initially awkward and a bit insensitive about Islam, even telling Maysa that “she has really pretty hair and shouldn’t cover it”. Her reading about Islam afterwards to get to know Maysa's religion better was a very endearing and cute move. I liked how their relationship plays out too— it’s not one saving the other from their life, it’s about each girl finding the strength and hope in their relationship to cut ties with their abusers.
Medeia Sharif's writing is tight and an easy read. Points of view alternate each chapter between the two girls and while it is sometimes a little awkward due to some chapters going backwards in time, it remains a very pleasant read. I however felt that she tells too much, which is surprising because she shows just enough— A few times the narration would repeat what I felt was obvious but that too was a minor problem.
To sum up A Love That Disturbs deals with difficult subject matter that may not be easy to read and will certainly be extremely triggering to some readers but it is still powerful and an excellent read
Review written & published on www.criticalwrit.com
August 2, 2016
Beautiful love story that feels authentic and real-world. The book is very well written and is not formulaic. The author created a diverse cast of characters that skillfully show diversity of individuals even from the same cultural and religious background. Full review to follow but in the meantime I HIGHLY RECOMMEND THIS BOOK! I received a free copy for an honest review.
July 1, 2016
I received a free copy from the publisher through NetGalley in exchange for an honest review.
Trigger warnings for violence, sexual violence, violence against women.
This book took my heart and tore it into thousands of little pieces. Set in the US, it follows Maysa, a Muslim girl whose parents worry her with talk of an arranged marriage and who isn't necessarily too happy in her friend group of four Muslim girls including her as the friendship is more out of necessity to stick together and protect each other from hateful comments and actions than out of real sympathy towards each other. The other main character is Haydee, a latina who comes from a terrible past, she doesn't know who her father is and her mother is in jail, she is staying with relatives, starts at a new school and is trapped in prostitution. Against all odds, Maysa and Haydee fall in love. Haydee starts to leave her past behind her, leaving her pimp behind, while Maysa is standing up to her "friends". If only it were that easy.
This was so so so beautiful but heartbreaking. I LOVED reading about a lesbian couple that is TWO WOC, and their stories were so terrible and sad and heartwrenching, and the emotions behind it were conveyed really well. I will say the writing felt a bit clumsy, especially in the beginning, and some of the dialogue felt a bit forced, but it didn't really take away from my reading experience with this amazing book.
Trigger warnings for violence, sexual violence, violence against women.
This book took my heart and tore it into thousands of little pieces. Set in the US, it follows Maysa, a Muslim girl whose parents worry her with talk of an arranged marriage and who isn't necessarily too happy in her friend group of four Muslim girls including her as the friendship is more out of necessity to stick together and protect each other from hateful comments and actions than out of real sympathy towards each other. The other main character is Haydee, a latina who comes from a terrible past, she doesn't know who her father is and her mother is in jail, she is staying with relatives, starts at a new school and is trapped in prostitution. Against all odds, Maysa and Haydee fall in love. Haydee starts to leave her past behind her, leaving her pimp behind, while Maysa is standing up to her "friends". If only it were that easy.
This was so so so beautiful but heartbreaking. I LOVED reading about a lesbian couple that is TWO WOC, and their stories were so terrible and sad and heartwrenching, and the emotions behind it were conveyed really well. I will say the writing felt a bit clumsy, especially in the beginning, and some of the dialogue felt a bit forced, but it didn't really take away from my reading experience with this amazing book.
August 10, 2016
From cover to finish, A Love That Disturbs carries out its intent to keep the reader disturbed and turning the pages.
It addresses the issues of teenage prostitution and lesbianism, then heightens both in the context of two cultures in contact: a Haydee, broken- family-style of life with that of Maysa, who come from a traditional Muslim home with strict rules and expectations.
In her other books, Sharif has always given us excellent insights into America's teenage Muslim world, but this time she pulls all the stops. Told from alternating points of view, we follow Haydee's struggle to rebuild her life and Maysa's struggle to become the person she wants to be. Both girls gather strength and determination from each other, and even when their lives are about to be completely shattered, they come together for each other. A Love That Disturbs is a well-written story of the triumph of love against all odds.
It addresses the issues of teenage prostitution and lesbianism, then heightens both in the context of two cultures in contact: a Haydee, broken- family-style of life with that of Maysa, who come from a traditional Muslim home with strict rules and expectations.
In her other books, Sharif has always given us excellent insights into America's teenage Muslim world, but this time she pulls all the stops. Told from alternating points of view, we follow Haydee's struggle to rebuild her life and Maysa's struggle to become the person she wants to be. Both girls gather strength and determination from each other, and even when their lives are about to be completely shattered, they come together for each other. A Love That Disturbs is a well-written story of the triumph of love against all odds.
June 29, 2016
3.5 Stars
Imagine a life full of rules and being told what you can and can not do.
Now imagine the life you want, where you can be free to make choices.
Where you decide your future.
Both girls are struggling with their lives and the rules forced on them.
Haydee and Maysa have more in common then they realize.
My heart broke for both girls.
There were highs and then there were some deep scary dark places.
The writing is quite lovely and the characters could be any high school
student. It was easy to like them. Easy to understand.
More on my blog!
Imagine a life full of rules and being told what you can and can not do.
Now imagine the life you want, where you can be free to make choices.
Where you decide your future.
Both girls are struggling with their lives and the rules forced on them.
Haydee and Maysa have more in common then they realize.
My heart broke for both girls.
There were highs and then there were some deep scary dark places.
The writing is quite lovely and the characters could be any high school
student. It was easy to like them. Easy to understand.
More on my blog!
December 18, 2017
I chose A Love That Disturbs because I wanted to read an f/f romance and I liked the sound of the blurb.
Maysa, a Muslim girl, starts to feel attraction for Haydee, the new girl in school. Maysa’s friends don’t approve of her friendship with Haydee and try to convince Maysa to ignore the new girl.
The Good
There aren’t many f/f romances that feature two women of colour. Maysa is Pakistani American and Haydee is Latina.
The Bad
I felt like most of the representation was not realistic at all or not nuanced enough.
Since I have poor eyesight, I’ll talk about that representation first. Haydee also has poor eyesight and doesn’t have glasses during the story. She sees everything as fuzzy but everytime she looks at Maysa her vision sharpens. Excuse me? What! This isn’t how it works. If you don’t see clearly, you won’t see your crush clearly. If this had been a one-off phrase, I’d have let it go, but it wasn’t.
The first sex scene was unrealistic in my opinion. Spoiler: Maysa has her first kiss with Haydee and immediately has sex with her, even though she hadn’t thought that she was a lesbian before that.
Disclaimer: I’m not Muslim. I think the Muslim representation was lacking in this story. All of the Muslims were terrible people except for Maysa, who wasn’t religious. The Muslim characters were stereotypes and one-dimensional.
I would be interested in reading reviews written by Latinx people and by people who have worked in the sex industry because I was unsure about these representations as well.
Reviews from Muslim people
Marilla’s review (contains spoilers, queer Muslim girl)
Shouni’s review (Muslim girl)
All in all
I was very unsure about posting this review and also very unsure about how to feel about the lesbian, Muslim, Latina and sex worker representation – so basically almost everything. I have thought about it for a long time, and think that this book is harmful towards to people that it is representing. It perpetuates stereotypes.
Trigger warnings: physical violence, homoantagonism, Islam antagonism, sexual abuse.
Maysa, a Muslim girl, starts to feel attraction for Haydee, the new girl in school. Maysa’s friends don’t approve of her friendship with Haydee and try to convince Maysa to ignore the new girl.
The Good
There aren’t many f/f romances that feature two women of colour. Maysa is Pakistani American and Haydee is Latina.
The Bad
I felt like most of the representation was not realistic at all or not nuanced enough.
Since I have poor eyesight, I’ll talk about that representation first. Haydee also has poor eyesight and doesn’t have glasses during the story. She sees everything as fuzzy but everytime she looks at Maysa her vision sharpens. Excuse me? What! This isn’t how it works. If you don’t see clearly, you won’t see your crush clearly. If this had been a one-off phrase, I’d have let it go, but it wasn’t.
The first sex scene was unrealistic in my opinion. Spoiler: Maysa has her first kiss with Haydee and immediately has sex with her, even though she hadn’t thought that she was a lesbian before that.
Disclaimer: I’m not Muslim. I think the Muslim representation was lacking in this story. All of the Muslims were terrible people except for Maysa, who wasn’t religious. The Muslim characters were stereotypes and one-dimensional.
I would be interested in reading reviews written by Latinx people and by people who have worked in the sex industry because I was unsure about these representations as well.
Reviews from Muslim people
Marilla’s review (contains spoilers, queer Muslim girl)
Shouni’s review (Muslim girl)
All in all
I was very unsure about posting this review and also very unsure about how to feel about the lesbian, Muslim, Latina and sex worker representation – so basically almost everything. I have thought about it for a long time, and think that this book is harmful towards to people that it is representing. It perpetuates stereotypes.
Trigger warnings: physical violence, homoantagonism, Islam antagonism, sexual abuse.
July 11, 2016
This is a heavy book. I don’t review a lot of books, but I was enticed by the dark subject—Muslim girl falls in love with a prostitute—and even though I knew it would be a tough read, I was still surprised by how tough. I wanted Maysa to give up her fight for her independence and go back to being the good little Muslim girl to save everybody the heartache, but of course I didn’t really want that. My reader emotions and loyalties were pulled and tugged on through the entire story and then what happened to Maysa at the end was a complete surprise. Holy cow.
I’ve read several books by Medeia Sharif and I know she is capable of handling tough subjects with beauty and care. The writing in this book felt a little stiff. I never really fell into either character. I always felt like I was watching through a window and there was a lot of repetition.
I love that Muslim girls have reading material. I love that Maysa so quickly embraced her gayness and even if she didn’t shout if from the rooftops at first, when she came out she was committed, not cowed. I love that Haydee set a goal to turn her back on her lifestyle, though I’m in no way condoning her method – it’s fiction, let’s keep it that way.
And I really want to know what hot chips are.
Recommended to readers who like dark contemporary and who don’t have triggers with violence or sex.
I received the book in exchange for an honest review.
I’ve read several books by Medeia Sharif and I know she is capable of handling tough subjects with beauty and care. The writing in this book felt a little stiff. I never really fell into either character. I always felt like I was watching through a window and there was a lot of repetition.
I love that Muslim girls have reading material. I love that Maysa so quickly embraced her gayness and even if she didn’t shout if from the rooftops at first, when she came out she was committed, not cowed. I love that Haydee set a goal to turn her back on her lifestyle, though I’m in no way condoning her method – it’s fiction, let’s keep it that way.
And I really want to know what hot chips are.
Recommended to readers who like dark contemporary and who don’t have triggers with violence or sex.
I received the book in exchange for an honest review.
July 27, 2016
3.5/5
Thanks to NetGalley for giving a free copy to review.
'A Love That Disturbs' is a story about two girls falling in love, one of them a hijab-wearing Pakistani-American - Maysa, and the other one - Haydee, a heavily tattooed former gang member and a current prostitute. They slowly form a relationship that is not so well-taken by Maysa's family and friends, and they both begin to change for the better.
Overall the story was enjoyable (it read like fanfiction), the writing was quite simple, but good.
Some things I didn't enjoy:
- a few unbelievable and unrealistic things happened;
- a little bit of insta-love.
I would recommend picking up 'A Love That Disturbs', it's a fun and easy read that you can get through in one or two days.
Thanks to NetGalley for giving a free copy to review.
'A Love That Disturbs' is a story about two girls falling in love, one of them a hijab-wearing Pakistani-American - Maysa, and the other one - Haydee, a heavily tattooed former gang member and a current prostitute. They slowly form a relationship that is not so well-taken by Maysa's family and friends, and they both begin to change for the better.
Overall the story was enjoyable (it read like fanfiction), the writing was quite simple, but good.
Some things I didn't enjoy:
- a few unbelievable and unrealistic things happened;
- a little bit of insta-love.
I would recommend picking up 'A Love That Disturbs', it's a fun and easy read that you can get through in one or two days.
July 22, 2016
A Love That Disturbs is an intense read. Throughout, I was amazed at the author's range. She can write lighthearted stories, adventures, and gut-wrenching dramas like this one. The story alternates between Maysa's and Haydee's point of view. Maysa is a Pakistani-American whose old-fashioned parents want her to marry someone from her background. Haydee is a former prostitute trying to turn her life around. The two fall in love--and must deal with the consequences of that love. This is an important book that breaks down stereotypes, while also being a page-turner.
July 14, 2016
This book is very well-written but very very violent and a little bit traumatic. I kind of feel like it would be more appropriate for adult readers rather than a YA audience. The title is an accurate representation of the content.
June 15, 2017
"Maysa, her looks, her personality, her very being, and the way Haydee reacted to all this changed how she viewed her sexuality. Having Maysa in her life felt right and downright blissful."
This book made me go through so many different emotions. It had some really sweet parts in the beginning and the end was heartbreaking and bittersweet at the same time.
Both girls go through some difficult stuff in their lives. Maysa is a pakistani muslim living in the US; when she starts coming out she has to deal with both her friends judging her and her parents not accepting at first. Then there is Haydee, a latina girl (from a Puerto Rican family) who had to become a prostitute after her mother went to jail and is being stalked by her pimp.
Their relationship was so cute and well written, I loved every interaction they had. The story never makes their problems come from their relationship and this is something that is definitely lacking in lesbian media (and LGBT+ in general). They stay together all the way through even the worst of times and help each other.
A Love That Disturbs is a wonderful book that made me cry for several pages and a reminder that there is hope out there for people who live in fear.
"She made headlines in her head, although none of them sounded quite right. To her it was more like this: Girl in love graduates high school and is ready for the next chapter of her life."
This book made me go through so many different emotions. It had some really sweet parts in the beginning and the end was heartbreaking and bittersweet at the same time.
Both girls go through some difficult stuff in their lives. Maysa is a pakistani muslim living in the US; when she starts coming out she has to deal with both her friends judging her and her parents not accepting at first. Then there is Haydee, a latina girl (from a Puerto Rican family) who had to become a prostitute after her mother went to jail and is being stalked by her pimp.
Their relationship was so cute and well written, I loved every interaction they had. The story never makes their problems come from their relationship and this is something that is definitely lacking in lesbian media (and LGBT+ in general). They stay together all the way through even the worst of times and help each other.
A Love That Disturbs is a wonderful book that made me cry for several pages and a reminder that there is hope out there for people who live in fear.
"She made headlines in her head, although none of them sounded quite right. To her it was more like this: Girl in love graduates high school and is ready for the next chapter of her life."
February 3, 2017
I received a copy via Netgalley for an honest review.
Hier geht's zur deutschen Rezension.
________________________
Content Note:
The characters are confronted by Islamophobia, homophobia and brutal violence (partially because of these prejudices) – people are beaten, others raped and there's much more. Furthermore, there's a rather detailed description of someone's nightmare, in which the several of the character's body parts melt away. The book isn't always easy to read in that regard. If you need more information, please let me know!
About the book:
Maybe I should start with what I liked: the main characters. Both Haydee and Maysa were instantly likable without being 100% perfect. Haydee made a lot of bad decisions in her past and is plagued by her – justified – guilt. This leads to her constantly belittling and punishing herself. It is quite opposite that she truly regrets what happened in the past and that she isn't a bad person, that she wants to do better.
Maysa has different issues: as one of the very few Muslims at school, she feels alone and left out – which is why she's friends with Aamal, Imani and Ruhat, the three other Muslim girls at school. And yet, she doesn't even like most of them. She wants out, wants better friendships and especially her dislike of Aamal, a truly resentful and self-absorbed character, shows us that her heart is in the right place. Sadly, all of her friends are less fleshed out characters, but they bring some variety with them. All four of them may be Muslim, but there are differences. Imani and Maysa's families are Pakistani, whereas Aamal's parents are from Syria. Those three also wear a hijab, but not Ruhat – the book lets us know that this isn't usually done by women in Iraq, where her parents are from.
In terms of diversity, "A Love That Disturbs" has much going for it. Haydee's also a Latina (with Puerto-Rican roots on her grandfather's side), and both her and Maysa are lesbian, and even bisexuality is considered a valid option if only for a moment. There's no "oh damn, I'm into girls!" moments – both just accept it and roll with it, which is great to read for once.
One thing should still be mentioned, though: Haydee is also a sex worker, but the book shows the negative side of it. There's nothing inherently wrong with that since there are workers out there whose experiences match Haydee's. But if you were hoping for a narrative that deviates from the one we usually see in society, this is the wrong book. Haydee has to deal with a violent and abusive pimp. Originally, she worked for him on her own free will but it's more of a punishment for her, something she "deserves". She also never gets the chance to forgive herself: everything she changes, she changes because of Maysa and not herself. And often, she blames herself and her work for things that aren't remotely linked to it.
And so we get to the bad stuff. It's usually linked to how this book was written. There's often a lot of telling – but hardly any showing. For example, there's Haydee making assumptions about Maysa's family based on them being Muslim. And she's usually right, which we know because we have Maysa as a second narrator. But Maysa and Haydee don't ever talk about it, not on page – it stays and assumption that is never brought up again. It's also quite obvious that both girls are attracted to each other, but suddenly there's talk of love and we had hardly any conversations between those two on page.
Sometimes I wasn't even sure how much credit the author gives her readers. For example, it is mentioned that Maysa and Imani are closer to each other than the other two in their group because they're both less resentful. Then Imani is, all of a sudden, and we get told twice how unusual that is. (Funnily enough, just a few pages later we're told – almost in the exact same words – that they're closer because they're Pakistani.) Later on, Maysa is insulted as "terrorista" – and then the author explains that this is meant as an insult, that they're calling her a terrorist.
The book is lacking a bit of balance between too many and too little details. I don't quite understand why Aamal's nose and her nostrils are brought up again and again, even though there's so much more to be said about her. I'd rather have more details about how people feel. Example: Maysa asks her sister for help and when she agrees to do that, Maysa is … relieved? Thankful? We don't know because nothing is mentioned.
I'll also have to disappoint non-binary and and polyamorous readers. The author only ever talks about boys and girls (mentioned in that binary), and then there's this passage: "How could Darla share her body with other men when she seemed to be into Rafe? Ever since meeting Maysa, Haydee didn't want anyone else touching her. Darla and Rafe couldn't possibly be in love like she was." It's perfectly fine for Haydee to think like this about her own sex work and Maysa, but Darla and Rafe? There is so much that makes their relationship an unhealthy one: Rafe is abusive and violent, they aren't equals in terms of power … it's not unhealthy because they aren't monogamous. And yet, the author proves Haydee right. Just why.
In the end … "A Love That Disturbs" had a good start and Maysa and Haydee can certainly carry their story. It's the details where it's lacking. Sometimes there's too much of them, too many repititions, other things aren't mentioned at all. It's distracting while reading and not a positive influence.
Hier geht's zur deutschen Rezension.
________________________
Content Note:
The characters are confronted by Islamophobia, homophobia and brutal violence (partially because of these prejudices) – people are beaten, others raped and there's much more. Furthermore, there's a rather detailed description of someone's nightmare, in which the several of the character's body parts melt away. The book isn't always easy to read in that regard. If you need more information, please let me know!
About the book:
Maybe I should start with what I liked: the main characters. Both Haydee and Maysa were instantly likable without being 100% perfect. Haydee made a lot of bad decisions in her past and is plagued by her – justified – guilt. This leads to her constantly belittling and punishing herself. It is quite opposite that she truly regrets what happened in the past and that she isn't a bad person, that she wants to do better.
Maysa has different issues: as one of the very few Muslims at school, she feels alone and left out – which is why she's friends with Aamal, Imani and Ruhat, the three other Muslim girls at school. And yet, she doesn't even like most of them. She wants out, wants better friendships and especially her dislike of Aamal, a truly resentful and self-absorbed character, shows us that her heart is in the right place. Sadly, all of her friends are less fleshed out characters, but they bring some variety with them. All four of them may be Muslim, but there are differences. Imani and Maysa's families are Pakistani, whereas Aamal's parents are from Syria. Those three also wear a hijab, but not Ruhat – the book lets us know that this isn't usually done by women in Iraq, where her parents are from.
In terms of diversity, "A Love That Disturbs" has much going for it. Haydee's also a Latina (with Puerto-Rican roots on her grandfather's side), and both her and Maysa are lesbian, and even bisexuality is considered a valid option if only for a moment. There's no "oh damn, I'm into girls!" moments – both just accept it and roll with it, which is great to read for once.
One thing should still be mentioned, though: Haydee is also a sex worker, but the book shows the negative side of it. There's nothing inherently wrong with that since there are workers out there whose experiences match Haydee's. But if you were hoping for a narrative that deviates from the one we usually see in society, this is the wrong book. Haydee has to deal with a violent and abusive pimp. Originally, she worked for him on her own free will but it's more of a punishment for her, something she "deserves". She also never gets the chance to forgive herself: everything she changes, she changes because of Maysa and not herself. And often, she blames herself and her work for things that aren't remotely linked to it.
And so we get to the bad stuff. It's usually linked to how this book was written. There's often a lot of telling – but hardly any showing. For example, there's Haydee making assumptions about Maysa's family based on them being Muslim. And she's usually right, which we know because we have Maysa as a second narrator. But Maysa and Haydee don't ever talk about it, not on page – it stays and assumption that is never brought up again. It's also quite obvious that both girls are attracted to each other, but suddenly there's talk of love and we had hardly any conversations between those two on page.
Sometimes I wasn't even sure how much credit the author gives her readers. For example, it is mentioned that Maysa and Imani are closer to each other than the other two in their group because they're both less resentful. Then Imani is, all of a sudden, and we get told twice how unusual that is. (Funnily enough, just a few pages later we're told – almost in the exact same words – that they're closer because they're Pakistani.) Later on, Maysa is insulted as "terrorista" – and then the author explains that this is meant as an insult, that they're calling her a terrorist.
The book is lacking a bit of balance between too many and too little details. I don't quite understand why Aamal's nose and her nostrils are brought up again and again, even though there's so much more to be said about her. I'd rather have more details about how people feel. Example: Maysa asks her sister for help and when she agrees to do that, Maysa is … relieved? Thankful? We don't know because nothing is mentioned.
I'll also have to disappoint non-binary and and polyamorous readers. The author only ever talks about boys and girls (mentioned in that binary), and then there's this passage: "How could Darla share her body with other men when she seemed to be into Rafe? Ever since meeting Maysa, Haydee didn't want anyone else touching her. Darla and Rafe couldn't possibly be in love like she was." It's perfectly fine for Haydee to think like this about her own sex work and Maysa, but Darla and Rafe? There is so much that makes their relationship an unhealthy one: Rafe is abusive and violent, they aren't equals in terms of power … it's not unhealthy because they aren't monogamous. And yet, the author proves Haydee right. Just why.
In the end … "A Love That Disturbs" had a good start and Maysa and Haydee can certainly carry their story. It's the details where it's lacking. Sometimes there's too much of them, too many repititions, other things aren't mentioned at all. It's distracting while reading and not a positive influence.
July 19, 2016
How I wish I could’ve liked this book more than I actually did. A book that has two qpoc leads who end up falling for each other should be right up my alley, but how I thought this book would turn out and how the story actually unfolded were two very different things.
The story follows the meeting, and consequent relationship between Maysa, a devout Pakistani-American Muslim who’s held up to high standards by her strict, overbearing parents, and Haydee, a Puerto-Rican prostitute/former gang member who’s trying to clean herself up.
One of the major drawing points for me for this book was absolutely the fact that this centered on a romance between two poc girls, and the fact that there was zero angst when it came to the acceptance of their sexualities was also wonderful. If more time was actually spent on the development of their relationship it would have been sweet beyond words, but unfortunately this was sacrificed in order for other storylines, possibly a little bit too far-fetched to be entirely realistic, to take place instead.
I had a slight problem with Haydee. I adore protective characters who would do anything for those they love, and I feel like this is what Medeia Sharif was aiming for with her, but the rife misogyny that came as part of sex work put me off her a little bit. She constantly referred to herself and anyone else who worked for Rafe as a hoe and demeaned them at every turn. Haydee herself said she willingly went into sex work but her attitude towards it didn’t match that, and I felt as though she looked down on Rafe’s girls way too much. I wish she wouldn’t have used this language in reference to herself of anyone else but I do feel as though having a character who is a teen prostitute is a good device to match real-life issues.
At times, this book almost felt like it was two different books, or two different ideas, that were joined together to make one story; the tale of a teen prostitute trying to escape the life and do better for herself, and the tale of a devout religious girl trying to reconcile her sexuality with her knowledge of homophobic views that her family and friends would have if they knew, and these two girls just happened to be together.
I’ve never been a huge fan of changing POVs, especially when it changes back and forth each chapter, but I feel like this book would have been stronger if it focused on only one of these problems (preferably Maysa’s as I find her story more powerful) and gave more time to their relationship development, instead of trying to cram all these different elements in.
It felt like one minute they had just met, and the next they were in love. We had a scene where it is the first time they’ve spent any time together privately (as in not in public) and they go from discussing movies to having sex, even though Maysa is a virgin and hasn’t even kissed a girl. I can understand that this happens sometimes, but in the context of these characters, I think it just went a little bit too fast for me.
This book however still raises important issues of homophobia, sexuality vs. religion, misogyny, and highlighted qpoc. This book also has a happy ending! The girls are in love and stay together even through a tragedy. Their devotion to each other doesn’t shake and that is truly beautiful.
However, if the book was just a little bit longer, and gave a little bit more romantic development, I might have actually loved it. Unfortunately for me it didn’t have exactly everything I was hoping for when I started reading it.
The story follows the meeting, and consequent relationship between Maysa, a devout Pakistani-American Muslim who’s held up to high standards by her strict, overbearing parents, and Haydee, a Puerto-Rican prostitute/former gang member who’s trying to clean herself up.
One of the major drawing points for me for this book was absolutely the fact that this centered on a romance between two poc girls, and the fact that there was zero angst when it came to the acceptance of their sexualities was also wonderful. If more time was actually spent on the development of their relationship it would have been sweet beyond words, but unfortunately this was sacrificed in order for other storylines, possibly a little bit too far-fetched to be entirely realistic, to take place instead.
I had a slight problem with Haydee. I adore protective characters who would do anything for those they love, and I feel like this is what Medeia Sharif was aiming for with her, but the rife misogyny that came as part of sex work put me off her a little bit. She constantly referred to herself and anyone else who worked for Rafe as a hoe and demeaned them at every turn. Haydee herself said she willingly went into sex work but her attitude towards it didn’t match that, and I felt as though she looked down on Rafe’s girls way too much. I wish she wouldn’t have used this language in reference to herself of anyone else but I do feel as though having a character who is a teen prostitute is a good device to match real-life issues.
At times, this book almost felt like it was two different books, or two different ideas, that were joined together to make one story; the tale of a teen prostitute trying to escape the life and do better for herself, and the tale of a devout religious girl trying to reconcile her sexuality with her knowledge of homophobic views that her family and friends would have if they knew, and these two girls just happened to be together.
I’ve never been a huge fan of changing POVs, especially when it changes back and forth each chapter, but I feel like this book would have been stronger if it focused on only one of these problems (preferably Maysa’s as I find her story more powerful) and gave more time to their relationship development, instead of trying to cram all these different elements in.
It felt like one minute they had just met, and the next they were in love. We had a scene where it is the first time they’ve spent any time together privately (as in not in public) and they go from discussing movies to having sex, even though Maysa is a virgin and hasn’t even kissed a girl. I can understand that this happens sometimes, but in the context of these characters, I think it just went a little bit too fast for me.
This book however still raises important issues of homophobia, sexuality vs. religion, misogyny, and highlighted qpoc. This book also has a happy ending! The girls are in love and stay together even through a tragedy. Their devotion to each other doesn’t shake and that is truly beautiful.
However, if the book was just a little bit longer, and gave a little bit more romantic development, I might have actually loved it. Unfortunately for me it didn’t have exactly everything I was hoping for when I started reading it.
July 7, 2016
Disturb: interfere with the normal arrangement or functioning of; cause to feel anxious; interrupt the sleep, relaxation, or privacy of
Of all these definitions the interruption of privacy may be the most appropriate for Medeia Sharif's shocking new book. When Haydee Gomez and Maysa Mazari fall in love, they hide their forbidden relationship, knowing their peers and families will be surprised, angry, and even hurt. Unfortunately, they underestimate the consequences and what happens is no less than cataclysmic.
This tragic couple is composed of polar opposites. Haydee, covered in tattoos, is ashamed of her past participation in a gang and is terrified that people will discover she is a prostitute. On her first day in a new school she meets Maysa, someone kind, beautiful—and wearing a hijab.
The characters' differences extend well beyond physical appearances. Haydee’s family is nice but remote, ghosts in the background, relatives who neither hold her back nor know her enough to intrude when they should. Freedom has left her alone.
On the other hand, Maysa is under strict control. Her mother trots out suitors for a future marriage she doesn't want, and her father criticizes her every move. Maysa’s rigid life is one of tremendous pressure to be the perfect daughter, the perfect student, and to always keep her hijab tight. Surrounded by three seemingly loyal friends in a clique where non-Muslims aren’t allowed, Maysa despairs that she'll never get a chance to get close to Haydee.
This striking dichotomy in the girls' family life is balanced by what they share. Along with Maysa and Haydee's budding romance (which Sharif handles delicately, but believably), each girl must contend with a villain who threatens to destroy their new relationship.
Maysa’s enemy is the super-nasty Aamal, the leader of her Muslim clique. Haydee’s nemesis is her pimp, Rafe. Sharif pulls no punches in describing the horrors of forced prostitution. As with 52 Likes, this is no tame “after-school special” type of story. Conflict is not resolved with the villains recognizing the error of their ways and everyone exchanging hugs at the end. No sir. In the last third, the tale plunges into dark territories. Which I wouldn't dare spoil here. It's just too juicy.
If there is any criticism, for me it would be a bit of reader spoonfeeding. Major plots points are reiterated along the way, dialogue occasionally steps beyond what I would expect of a character in order to justify or explain something, and characters' feelings are stated even though the situations and the character reactions make this unnecessary. Then again, the target audience is YA. Like Haydee and Maysa, with their noses pressed to their cell phones every other minute, these writerly helpmates may be exactly what teens need to hook back into the story.
Overall, A Love That Disturbs is an important book about tolerance. Tolerance for Muslims, tattoos, and people with a dark past. And tolerance for peoples’ choices, like being gay—an especially timely message considering recent events. Highly recommended.
Of all these definitions the interruption of privacy may be the most appropriate for Medeia Sharif's shocking new book. When Haydee Gomez and Maysa Mazari fall in love, they hide their forbidden relationship, knowing their peers and families will be surprised, angry, and even hurt. Unfortunately, they underestimate the consequences and what happens is no less than cataclysmic.
This tragic couple is composed of polar opposites. Haydee, covered in tattoos, is ashamed of her past participation in a gang and is terrified that people will discover she is a prostitute. On her first day in a new school she meets Maysa, someone kind, beautiful—and wearing a hijab.
The characters' differences extend well beyond physical appearances. Haydee’s family is nice but remote, ghosts in the background, relatives who neither hold her back nor know her enough to intrude when they should. Freedom has left her alone.
On the other hand, Maysa is under strict control. Her mother trots out suitors for a future marriage she doesn't want, and her father criticizes her every move. Maysa’s rigid life is one of tremendous pressure to be the perfect daughter, the perfect student, and to always keep her hijab tight. Surrounded by three seemingly loyal friends in a clique where non-Muslims aren’t allowed, Maysa despairs that she'll never get a chance to get close to Haydee.
This striking dichotomy in the girls' family life is balanced by what they share. Along with Maysa and Haydee's budding romance (which Sharif handles delicately, but believably), each girl must contend with a villain who threatens to destroy their new relationship.
Maysa’s enemy is the super-nasty Aamal, the leader of her Muslim clique. Haydee’s nemesis is her pimp, Rafe. Sharif pulls no punches in describing the horrors of forced prostitution. As with 52 Likes, this is no tame “after-school special” type of story. Conflict is not resolved with the villains recognizing the error of their ways and everyone exchanging hugs at the end. No sir. In the last third, the tale plunges into dark territories. Which I wouldn't dare spoil here. It's just too juicy.
If there is any criticism, for me it would be a bit of reader spoonfeeding. Major plots points are reiterated along the way, dialogue occasionally steps beyond what I would expect of a character in order to justify or explain something, and characters' feelings are stated even though the situations and the character reactions make this unnecessary. Then again, the target audience is YA. Like Haydee and Maysa, with their noses pressed to their cell phones every other minute, these writerly helpmates may be exactly what teens need to hook back into the story.
Overall, A Love That Disturbs is an important book about tolerance. Tolerance for Muslims, tattoos, and people with a dark past. And tolerance for peoples’ choices, like being gay—an especially timely message considering recent events. Highly recommended.
October 22, 2016
A Love That Disturbs/Medeia Sharif Maysa Mazari is alarmed by her mother’s talk about arranged marriage. As a hijab-wearing Pakistani-American, she wants to find love on her own. Her judgmental Muslim clique has protected her from racist taunts, although the leader is turning on her as Maysa strays from the group because of her attraction to Haydee.
Haydee Gomez is a former gang member and juvenile detention student. Now living with a clean-cut aunt, she wants to turn her life around, even though one person will never let her forget her roots—Rafe, her abusive pimp. Haydee attempts to pull away from a life of prostitution when she develops feelings for Maysa, although Rafe isn’t willing to give her up too easily.
Finding themselves in danger from Maysa’s friends and Haydee’s pimp, it’s apparent their love disturbs everyone around them as they fight to stay together.
I really wanted to love this book. So much. It deals with a lot of topics that I think are very important and I give it kudos for approaching subjects that a lot of contemporary young adult literature strays from. However, I found it hard to engage with the almost juvenile way Maysa was portrayed and by the flow.
I felt like the love between Haydee and Maysa was kind of unrealistic. Their connection was so instantaneous and it seemed to be based on very little. Their relationship lost a lot of its credibility because of this; I simply couldn't buy into the reality of their relationship and I wanted to see them having some real conversations and really exploring each other's lives.
Maysa's sexuality was also kind of brushed aside. I wanted to hear more about how she felt and how she reacted and the feelings of curiosity and confusion she must have had. Perhaps she was already pro-lesbian, but it seemed like from her parents' reactions, she would have felt inclined to deny herself or would have at least gone through some period of resistance. I wanted to see that struggle, as it's very important and very relevant to many lives today.
Haydee's story was heartbreaking, but again, I wanted more details. I found it difficult to imagine. Because it's such an untouched topic, I wanted to really see how everything played out with more detail and to see how her family relationships evolved and such.
I found the speech and the writing style to feel juvenile and stilted. I couldn't see real teenage girls talking the way that these two did. In theory, this was a great book, but I simply found it hard to engage and really believe in the characters.
I received a free copy of this book in exchange for an honest review.
Haydee Gomez is a former gang member and juvenile detention student. Now living with a clean-cut aunt, she wants to turn her life around, even though one person will never let her forget her roots—Rafe, her abusive pimp. Haydee attempts to pull away from a life of prostitution when she develops feelings for Maysa, although Rafe isn’t willing to give her up too easily.
Finding themselves in danger from Maysa’s friends and Haydee’s pimp, it’s apparent their love disturbs everyone around them as they fight to stay together.
I really wanted to love this book. So much. It deals with a lot of topics that I think are very important and I give it kudos for approaching subjects that a lot of contemporary young adult literature strays from. However, I found it hard to engage with the almost juvenile way Maysa was portrayed and by the flow.
I felt like the love between Haydee and Maysa was kind of unrealistic. Their connection was so instantaneous and it seemed to be based on very little. Their relationship lost a lot of its credibility because of this; I simply couldn't buy into the reality of their relationship and I wanted to see them having some real conversations and really exploring each other's lives.
Maysa's sexuality was also kind of brushed aside. I wanted to hear more about how she felt and how she reacted and the feelings of curiosity and confusion she must have had. Perhaps she was already pro-lesbian, but it seemed like from her parents' reactions, she would have felt inclined to deny herself or would have at least gone through some period of resistance. I wanted to see that struggle, as it's very important and very relevant to many lives today.
Haydee's story was heartbreaking, but again, I wanted more details. I found it difficult to imagine. Because it's such an untouched topic, I wanted to really see how everything played out with more detail and to see how her family relationships evolved and such.
I found the speech and the writing style to feel juvenile and stilted. I couldn't see real teenage girls talking the way that these two did. In theory, this was a great book, but I simply found it hard to engage and really believe in the characters.
I received a free copy of this book in exchange for an honest review.
July 15, 2016
This is a coming of age story with grit, strong emotions and not always the pleasant side of life.
Haydee just wants to go to a normal high school and somehow get a 'normal' life back, but her past isn't letting her go. Maysa is a Muslim girl with good grades, friends and a bright future in the way her parents and tradition would like to see it. The two girls seem so different but are both being held back from what they really want. Both are in a type of dismal situation--Haydee with a violent pimp who won't let go and Maysa with friends who aren't as good as she once thought. Still, the two are drawn together.
This is a book with sweet moments, heart warming scenes and hope, but on the other hand, it has scenes which hit the gut, times to cringe and tear jerking situations. The emotional roller coaster goes from one extreme to the other, showing how hard life can be and even how much harder it is to break out of the rolls these teens are expected to play. The author does a great job and keeping each character's situation and voice real. The story is told from both Haydee's and Maysa's point of view, giving great insight on the thoughts and feelings of both characters.
The messages and situations hit upon are harsh and aren't covered with fluffy rainbows. Still, there is just the right amount of sunshine sprinkled in to keep the hope going. In other words, it's a perfect read for the teen age group. The diversity of the characters as well as the distinct descriptions of the culture and religion make it easy for the reader to dive into each girl's world, even if they were unfamiliar with some of the Muslim traditions before.
The book is an easy read, never sliding into the realm of boring. The difficulty of both girls' situations stays in the spotlight, and it's not clear how either will cope or break free from their bonds. The writing is direct but a bit blunt at times: thoughts and actions are simply stated without much description breaking the flow a little. At other moments, the descriptions are very detailed and it's easy to see the world unfolding. But the pace keeps up nicely, making it easy to sink into the pages.
Summed up, this is a great read for teens who enjoy stories which are a little more rough and don't mind diving into the more raw side of life. Teen life is diverse and rarely roses. This book shows exactly that without letting the hope and light at the end of the tunnel fall out of view.
Haydee just wants to go to a normal high school and somehow get a 'normal' life back, but her past isn't letting her go. Maysa is a Muslim girl with good grades, friends and a bright future in the way her parents and tradition would like to see it. The two girls seem so different but are both being held back from what they really want. Both are in a type of dismal situation--Haydee with a violent pimp who won't let go and Maysa with friends who aren't as good as she once thought. Still, the two are drawn together.
This is a book with sweet moments, heart warming scenes and hope, but on the other hand, it has scenes which hit the gut, times to cringe and tear jerking situations. The emotional roller coaster goes from one extreme to the other, showing how hard life can be and even how much harder it is to break out of the rolls these teens are expected to play. The author does a great job and keeping each character's situation and voice real. The story is told from both Haydee's and Maysa's point of view, giving great insight on the thoughts and feelings of both characters.
The messages and situations hit upon are harsh and aren't covered with fluffy rainbows. Still, there is just the right amount of sunshine sprinkled in to keep the hope going. In other words, it's a perfect read for the teen age group. The diversity of the characters as well as the distinct descriptions of the culture and religion make it easy for the reader to dive into each girl's world, even if they were unfamiliar with some of the Muslim traditions before.
The book is an easy read, never sliding into the realm of boring. The difficulty of both girls' situations stays in the spotlight, and it's not clear how either will cope or break free from their bonds. The writing is direct but a bit blunt at times: thoughts and actions are simply stated without much description breaking the flow a little. At other moments, the descriptions are very detailed and it's easy to see the world unfolding. But the pace keeps up nicely, making it easy to sink into the pages.
Summed up, this is a great read for teens who enjoy stories which are a little more rough and don't mind diving into the more raw side of life. Teen life is diverse and rarely roses. This book shows exactly that without letting the hope and light at the end of the tunnel fall out of view.
July 27, 2016
I received an ARC through NetGalley.
A Love That Disturbs was a lot more intense than I was expecting. Maysa and Haydee both feel trapped, but for very different reasons. Maysa is part of a small clique of Muslim girls. She feels protected having this group that understands exactly what it's like, but no one else is allowed to get close to them. Haydee has just transferred to Maysa's school after moving in with her aunt. She wants a fresh start, but her pimp doesn't want to let her go. Meeting Maysa makes Haydee try harder to leave that life behind, and Maysa finally starts standing up for herself to her supposed friends.
At its core, A Love That Disturbs is a Romance. I really liked the lingering glances and wondering that happened between them in the beginning. Neither girl has thought about being a lesbian before. Haydee regularly has sex with men, although it's for money and not her own choice. Meanwhile, it's against Maysa's religion. But these girls find each other and find something special. The moment they act on their feelings is super rushed and came out of nowhere though. I would have liked more development there, but once they were together, I really liked them as a couple.
As for the intensity, A Love That Disturbs really goes there near the end. Along the way we see Haydee working as a prostitute, which was rough. But there's also some serious focus on hate crimes. I honestly never ever saw that coming at all. I was shocked and appalled that these characters would do this to Maysa and Haydee. It's awful and sickening. But, yes there's a but, there's not a tragic ending. I was actually really proud of how Maysa and Haydee went on after that happened. The ending is hopeful.
A Love That Disturbs is a hard story to stomach at times. Haydee's life is not sunshine and rainbows, and what happens to Maysa is super awful. But to me, it was all about finding the best version of yourself and living the life that you want. These girls are up against a lot of adversity, but they find a way to be together anyway.
Read more of my reviews at Pinkindle Reads & Reviews.
A Love That Disturbs was a lot more intense than I was expecting. Maysa and Haydee both feel trapped, but for very different reasons. Maysa is part of a small clique of Muslim girls. She feels protected having this group that understands exactly what it's like, but no one else is allowed to get close to them. Haydee has just transferred to Maysa's school after moving in with her aunt. She wants a fresh start, but her pimp doesn't want to let her go. Meeting Maysa makes Haydee try harder to leave that life behind, and Maysa finally starts standing up for herself to her supposed friends.
At its core, A Love That Disturbs is a Romance. I really liked the lingering glances and wondering that happened between them in the beginning. Neither girl has thought about being a lesbian before. Haydee regularly has sex with men, although it's for money and not her own choice. Meanwhile, it's against Maysa's religion. But these girls find each other and find something special. The moment they act on their feelings is super rushed and came out of nowhere though. I would have liked more development there, but once they were together, I really liked them as a couple.
As for the intensity, A Love That Disturbs really goes there near the end. Along the way we see Haydee working as a prostitute, which was rough. But there's also some serious focus on hate crimes. I honestly never ever saw that coming at all. I was shocked and appalled that these characters would do this to Maysa and Haydee. It's awful and sickening. But, yes there's a but, there's not a tragic ending. I was actually really proud of how Maysa and Haydee went on after that happened. The ending is hopeful.
A Love That Disturbs is a hard story to stomach at times. Haydee's life is not sunshine and rainbows, and what happens to Maysa is super awful. But to me, it was all about finding the best version of yourself and living the life that you want. These girls are up against a lot of adversity, but they find a way to be together anyway.
Read more of my reviews at Pinkindle Reads & Reviews.
September 19, 2016
a highschool f/f story ft clashing cultures and classes, and how your best friends can make the worst enemies.
it's good and entertaining, but also disturbing. there's violence, homophobia, and even acid attacks, so not exactly a fluffy read.
it's good and entertaining, but also disturbing. there's violence, homophobia, and even acid attacks, so not exactly a fluffy read.
October 22, 2016
I really wanted to love this book. So much. It deals with a lot of topics that I think are very important and I give it kudos for approaching subjects that a lot of contemporary young adult literature strays from. However, I found it hard to engage with the almost juvenile way Maysa was portrayed and by the flow.
I felt like the love between Haydee and Maysa was kind of unrealistic. Their connection was so instantaneous and it seemed to be based on very little. Their relationship lost a lot of its credibility because of this; I simply couldn't buy into the reality of their relationship and I wanted to see them having some real conversations and really exploring each other's lives.
Maysa's sexuality was also kind of brushed aside. I wanted to hear more about how she felt and how she reacted and the feelings of curiosity and confusion she must have had. Perhaps she was already pro-lesbian, but it seemed like from her parents' reactions, she would have felt inclined to deny herself or would have at least gone through some period of resistance. I wanted to see that struggle, as it's very important and very relevant to many lives today.
Haydee's story was heartbreaking, but again, I wanted more details. I found it difficult to imagine. Because it's such an untouched topic, I wanted to really see how everything played out with more detail and to see how her family relationships evolved and such.
I found the speech and the writing style to feel juvenile and stilted. I couldn't see real teenage girls talking the way that these two did.
In theory, this was a great book, but I simply found it hard to engage and really believe in the characters.
I received a free copy of this book in exchange for an honest review.
I felt like the love between Haydee and Maysa was kind of unrealistic. Their connection was so instantaneous and it seemed to be based on very little. Their relationship lost a lot of its credibility because of this; I simply couldn't buy into the reality of their relationship and I wanted to see them having some real conversations and really exploring each other's lives.
Maysa's sexuality was also kind of brushed aside. I wanted to hear more about how she felt and how she reacted and the feelings of curiosity and confusion she must have had. Perhaps she was already pro-lesbian, but it seemed like from her parents' reactions, she would have felt inclined to deny herself or would have at least gone through some period of resistance. I wanted to see that struggle, as it's very important and very relevant to many lives today.
Haydee's story was heartbreaking, but again, I wanted more details. I found it difficult to imagine. Because it's such an untouched topic, I wanted to really see how everything played out with more detail and to see how her family relationships evolved and such.
I found the speech and the writing style to feel juvenile and stilted. I couldn't see real teenage girls talking the way that these two did.
In theory, this was a great book, but I simply found it hard to engage and really believe in the characters.
I received a free copy of this book in exchange for an honest review.
July 8, 2016
I received a copy of this book from NetGalley in exchange for my review.
I was quite excited to read this story, because I've never read one about a gay Muslim before. I do have gay Muslim acquaintances and friends, and it's well known that their stories are often overlooked. Kudos to the author for getting out this story that needed to be told.
The plot and the fact that it was LGBT is what kept me reading mostly. The writing wasn't really the most unique. I felt that their relationship relied too much on the "love at first sight" trope rather than truly developing their relationship. I also felt that what Maysa goes through by the end isn't fair or quite believable for America. Yes I know that being gay is haram, but I don't feel as if someone who has been your friend for so long could commit such an atrocious act. It didn't sit well with me, and I didn't feel as if Maysa deserved that, especially as sheltered as she was.
I don't even know where to start with Haydee. The fact that she is Hispanic and a prostitute in itself feels strange. I wouldn't have minded it so much if it really was in the past, but her constant pressure from johns and her pimp just really didn't interest me as much. I didn't want her to overcome her problems because she loved Maysa, I wanted her to do it for herself first.
Ultimately though this felt like an honest representation of two very different people, even if they experiences they go through in this story feel a little off. I see what the author was going for and I commend it. I'd love to see where she ends up with further books; I'd love to watch her grow.
I was quite excited to read this story, because I've never read one about a gay Muslim before. I do have gay Muslim acquaintances and friends, and it's well known that their stories are often overlooked. Kudos to the author for getting out this story that needed to be told.
The plot and the fact that it was LGBT is what kept me reading mostly. The writing wasn't really the most unique. I felt that their relationship relied too much on the "love at first sight" trope rather than truly developing their relationship. I also felt that what Maysa goes through by the end isn't fair or quite believable for America. Yes I know that being gay is haram, but I don't feel as if someone who has been your friend for so long could commit such an atrocious act. It didn't sit well with me, and I didn't feel as if Maysa deserved that, especially as sheltered as she was.
I don't even know where to start with Haydee. The fact that she is Hispanic and a prostitute in itself feels strange. I wouldn't have minded it so much if it really was in the past, but her constant pressure from johns and her pimp just really didn't interest me as much. I didn't want her to overcome her problems because she loved Maysa, I wanted her to do it for herself first.
Ultimately though this felt like an honest representation of two very different people, even if they experiences they go through in this story feel a little off. I see what the author was going for and I commend it. I'd love to see where she ends up with further books; I'd love to watch her grow.
June 30, 2016
Sometimes people find themselves in situations that they want out of, but circumstances prevent them from changing. What if they reach a point where they can’t go on with their lives the way they are, however? Do they risk losing family and friends by taking a chance at happiness or do they give in to pressure and continue living their unhappy lives?
In A LOVE THAT DISTURBS, Author Medeia Sharif’s latest novel for young adult readers, Haydee Gomez wants to get away from her pimp Rafe and just live a normal life, going to school like other girls and making friends. Maysa Mazaria, taunted for being a Muslim, wants to fall in love and not be married to a man of her mother’s choice. Then the girls make a discovery that has repercussions they never could have imagined.
Medeia Sharif has written a tender story that will touch your heart and perhaps even make you angry. Haydee and Maysa are such realistic characters, I kept thinking, is this really happening to teens in America? Do they face such challenges in their lives today? Are people as hateful and mean, yes mean, as some of the girls are that claim to be Maysa’s friend?
The author touches on controversial subjects in a gentle way that helped me understand other cultures better. A LOVE THAT DISTURBS would make a great addition to high school libraries, public libraries and you own library. I imagine many young people can relate to the challenge the girls have to deal with. Recommended.
In A LOVE THAT DISTURBS, Author Medeia Sharif’s latest novel for young adult readers, Haydee Gomez wants to get away from her pimp Rafe and just live a normal life, going to school like other girls and making friends. Maysa Mazaria, taunted for being a Muslim, wants to fall in love and not be married to a man of her mother’s choice. Then the girls make a discovery that has repercussions they never could have imagined.
Medeia Sharif has written a tender story that will touch your heart and perhaps even make you angry. Haydee and Maysa are such realistic characters, I kept thinking, is this really happening to teens in America? Do they face such challenges in their lives today? Are people as hateful and mean, yes mean, as some of the girls are that claim to be Maysa’s friend?
The author touches on controversial subjects in a gentle way that helped me understand other cultures better. A LOVE THAT DISTURBS would make a great addition to high school libraries, public libraries and you own library. I imagine many young people can relate to the challenge the girls have to deal with. Recommended.
July 19, 2016
*ARC provided by Netgalley and the publisher for an honest review*
I really enjoyed this book and both main characters. I think that the author did a good job in coming up with a very interesting storyline which was a draw all on its own but, I feel like more could have been done with the telling of the story. My favourite book featuring a relationship between a Muslim woman and non-muslim woman is Andrea Bramhall's Nightingale, the way she wrote the story conveyed the intensity of the moments and had the reader on the edge of their seat. If Medeia Sharif could invoke that kind of emotion into her writing then this would be a definite 5star for me.
The issues that are dealt with in this story are very sensitive topics especially in Haydee's case and I feel like they weren't dealt with correctly especially considering the target audience for this book, I know some might say that that's how it is in real life but the teens who are going to read this book won't necessarily have faced these types of issues in real life and may see nothing wrong with the way Haydee's situation was dealt with.
Both Haydee's and Maysa are characters that are easy to feel protective over and that is due to the wonderful job that the autor did on the individual growth of her characters, now all she needed to do was some work on the development of their relationship and its pace.
I really enjoyed this book and both main characters. I think that the author did a good job in coming up with a very interesting storyline which was a draw all on its own but, I feel like more could have been done with the telling of the story. My favourite book featuring a relationship between a Muslim woman and non-muslim woman is Andrea Bramhall's Nightingale, the way she wrote the story conveyed the intensity of the moments and had the reader on the edge of their seat. If Medeia Sharif could invoke that kind of emotion into her writing then this would be a definite 5star for me.
The issues that are dealt with in this story are very sensitive topics especially in Haydee's case and I feel like they weren't dealt with correctly especially considering the target audience for this book, I know some might say that that's how it is in real life but the teens who are going to read this book won't necessarily have faced these types of issues in real life and may see nothing wrong with the way Haydee's situation was dealt with.
Both Haydee's and Maysa are characters that are easy to feel protective over and that is due to the wonderful job that the autor did on the individual growth of her characters, now all she needed to do was some work on the development of their relationship and its pace.
August 11, 2016
An edgy, moving, and uplifting story
I really enjoyed this book. When I read the description of it I was intrigued, because it deals with portions of our culture with which I have little to no experience. It is always fun to get a peek at a different part of the American way of life. The gritty, no nonsense nature of the story really gives you a feeling of understanding the no win situations that people can find themselves in sometimes.
The depiction of Muslim American culture was wonderfully done. The intolerance of the girl's relationship was to be expected, but I also got the impression that there was equal disapproval of the attack on Maysa as well.
On the other side, Maysa's acceptance of the "issues" in Haydee's life is the only place where I felt that my suspension of disbelief was challenged. However, she made it clear that she wouldn't tolerate it if she went back to that way of life and it was clear that Haydee was sincere about changing. Still, it seems like there might have been at least a week or two of separation before Maysa came to that decision instead of having it be instant. But, in a way, that wouldn't be very much in her character. She is a decisive young woman.
All in all I found it to be a powerful story, and couldn't help but think that right after the end of the story, date wise, was the Supreme Court decision that made their relationship able to be more than just girlfriends if they wish!
I really enjoyed this book. When I read the description of it I was intrigued, because it deals with portions of our culture with which I have little to no experience. It is always fun to get a peek at a different part of the American way of life. The gritty, no nonsense nature of the story really gives you a feeling of understanding the no win situations that people can find themselves in sometimes.
The depiction of Muslim American culture was wonderfully done. The intolerance of the girl's relationship was to be expected, but I also got the impression that there was equal disapproval of the attack on Maysa as well.
On the other side, Maysa's acceptance of the "issues" in Haydee's life is the only place where I felt that my suspension of disbelief was challenged. However, she made it clear that she wouldn't tolerate it if she went back to that way of life and it was clear that Haydee was sincere about changing. Still, it seems like there might have been at least a week or two of separation before Maysa came to that decision instead of having it be instant. But, in a way, that wouldn't be very much in her character. She is a decisive young woman.
All in all I found it to be a powerful story, and couldn't help but think that right after the end of the story, date wise, was the Supreme Court decision that made their relationship able to be more than just girlfriends if they wish!
September 13, 2016
First a praise to two lesbian women of colour as protagonists before I go into a 2.5 rating. I quite liked Maysa, a Pakistani-American Muslim, and the social problems she has to face with regards to her sexuality and relationship with Haydee, a tattooed prostitute, that doesn't quite fit the norm of a conservative Muslim family. But despite my interest with the diversity and their unique situation I am very on the fence with this book, almost leaning towards slightly negative hence the unsure rating.
This book had great potential but I just think that the ending fell flat and accumulated to their situations being rushed in a climax. This was probably due to the explicit violence that came along with Haydee's background not really being pulled off in giving the reader something to fear for her. A similar point is that there seemed to be something about the writing that didn't really entice me. Their relationship of a seemingly fall-in-love-in-an-instant kind of thing was a bit off-putting but more to do with the fact I don't like that kind of love. However, their relationship was sweet and I wanted the best for them both individually and their relationship though I can't say any of it wowed me.
This book had great potential but I just think that the ending fell flat and accumulated to their situations being rushed in a climax. This was probably due to the explicit violence that came along with Haydee's background not really being pulled off in giving the reader something to fear for her. A similar point is that there seemed to be something about the writing that didn't really entice me. Their relationship of a seemingly fall-in-love-in-an-instant kind of thing was a bit off-putting but more to do with the fact I don't like that kind of love. However, their relationship was sweet and I wanted the best for them both individually and their relationship though I can't say any of it wowed me.
July 26, 2016
I've really enjoyed Sharif's other novels--she's a prolific author with an amazing range--so I had high hopes for this novel. I was not disappointed! The story and characters were rich and facing issues that were incredibly complex (and sometimes horrifying). I'll admit that I did have a bit of a hard time identifying with the characters as they were in situations so vastly distinct, but that didn't detract from the story. My only other minor quibble is that the relationship between the two women felt a bit like insta-love, which is something that bothers me no matter the parties involved. While I could tell that they were definitely in love, I guess I like things to build more in a relationship, which I feel is more realistic. Still, I liked seeing the two of them together, and the clear bond between them. And the ending...yeesh! Without giving things away, it was crazy intense. Overall, I definitely enjoyed this read and look forward to more from Sharif!
July 2, 2016
I was given this book in exchange for an honest review.
I've read most of Ms. Sharif's books and know that she tackles some pretty difficult subjects. A LOVE THAT DISTURBS is no exception, in the fact that it deals with lesbian love, prostitution, violence against women, and hate crime, to name just a few. She even brings in the intolerance and strictness that exists within some Muslim families and the repercussions that intolerance can produce.
It was not an easy book for me to read because Ms. Sharif did not pull any punches, she didn't spare me (the reader) from the harshness and ugliness that goes on all around us. And yet, in the midst of that ugliness, a flower struggles to grow. That flower is love.
I've read most of Ms. Sharif's books and know that she tackles some pretty difficult subjects. A LOVE THAT DISTURBS is no exception, in the fact that it deals with lesbian love, prostitution, violence against women, and hate crime, to name just a few. She even brings in the intolerance and strictness that exists within some Muslim families and the repercussions that intolerance can produce.
It was not an easy book for me to read because Ms. Sharif did not pull any punches, she didn't spare me (the reader) from the harshness and ugliness that goes on all around us. And yet, in the midst of that ugliness, a flower struggles to grow. That flower is love.
July 24, 2016
Firstly, I commend the author on her bravery in tackling a couple of big issues. Unfortunately, despite having an original premise, this book falls very flat with bland and rather 'telly' writing. Development of minor characters felt very one dimensional and too often the actions of both protagonists lacked believability, Are we meant to believe that a "sheltered' Muslim girl would 'jump' into bed with another girl having had only a couple of brief conversations with her partner? I think much greater soul seraching about her gender and cultural identity would be needed before she could be coaxed into this. While this title had the potential to be gritty and memorable it really needed a more highly skilled writer to make it work.
December 25, 2016
A LOVE THAT DISTURBS by Medeia Sharif deals with big issues for teens, including the struggles related to ignorance, violence, and society’s pressures. The book is a wonderful depiction of teen forbidden love and how two people can help each other feel safe in a cold world. The relationship between the two high school girls, Haydee and Maysa, unfolds very well. With very realistic writing, the reader worries for and roots for the main characters. The book is an excellent depiction of cultural clashes as they relate to LGBT issues. Overall, the story is powerful, and the tone and message stay with the reader even after the book is read.
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