The Henna Wars (audiobook)

 

My Thoughts:

The audiobook is pleasant enough, but I also have the physical book to give away so I wanted to plow through the audiobook before I give away the book. In a way, this is like Cafe Con Lychee but with lesbian teens. This book takes place in Ireland, although Ireland feels a lot like anywhere on the continent USA. 

If students want to read about social justice issues, standing above bullying, stepping forward in culture, and coming of age LGBTQ romance, this book is for them. Like Cafe, one character sees the other as the enemy but the other character (in this case Flávia vs. Gabi) is really just misunderstood or perhaps misunderstands. The process of Flávia better understanding Nishat helps Flávia to be brave enough to be honest with herself and her family. It is the same with Gabi.

From the Publisher:

Nishat doesn’t want to lose her family, but she also doesn’t want to hide who she is, and it only gets harder once a childhood friend walks back into her life. Flávia is beautiful and charismatic, and Nishat falls for her instantly. But when a school competition invites students to create their own businesses, both Flávia and Nishat decide to showcase their talent as henna artists. In a fight to prove who is the best, their lives become more tangled―but Nishat can’t quite get rid of her crush, especially since Flávia seems to like her back.

As the competition heats up, Nishat has a decision to make: stay in the closet for her family, or put aside her differences with Flávia and give their relationship a chance.