I am so glad I decided to pick up The Do's and Donuts of Love on Friday. I'd been in a reading slump for the last few weeks, until I was tempted by Adiba Jaigirdar's most recent young adult novel. And as expected this was another five star read by one of my favourite YA authors.
The second chance romance was so sweet and thoughtfully written, and the competition drama was brilliant. The cake pun chapter headings were hilarious and exactly the kind of headings I want in a book.
Adiba also delves into themes of racism and fatphobia, and the effect of the hate on social media on the main character.
We also read about these incredible Bangladeshi treats that Shireen bakes during the show, the descriptions alone were mouthwatering.
The story hooked me from the very beginning and I couldn't wait to get home to carry on reading. If you like British baking shows or baking in general, this is the perfect read for you.

This book has a beautiful cover, it really gives you a feel for the plot and characters. Just a little cheeky. All the books I have read by Adiba Jaigirdar have been good. Rich characters, with diverse backgrounds that feel natural to the story, and well-written Queer lover stories I would have begged for as a teenager.

After my many hours watching the Junior Great British Bake Off, I was well prepped to enjoy this book. Shireen may be coming off her first heartbreak but she is ready to compete in the Junior Irish Baking TV show, even if it is up against her ex girlfriend, and a new cute girl who catches her eye. This book was highly entertaining and the balance between the competition plot and the romance is pretty well balanced.

Thank you to Netgalley and the publisher for this review copy in exchange for an honest opinion. Review has been posted on Amazon.

"It's pure admiration. It's having someone to look up to in a world where there is barely anybody like me to look up to"

Do's and Donuts of Love 🍩💕

Summary:
Shireen Malik has always wanted to be a successful baker, making delicious treats is in her blood. As can be seen with her Bangladeshi parents who immigrated to Ireland and opened up an adorable donut shop. After all of her and her parent's hard work, Shireen's dreams start feeling like they might come true when she gets the chance to be on reality TV in the "Junior Irish Baking Show". Shireen is talented, confident, and has a wonderful support system, so it seems like winning isn't much of a challenge for her. The only problem is that her ex-girlfriend Chris just so happens to be one of the contestants... alongside a new red-headed girl who gives Shireen butterflies. Will Chris be too much of a distraction? What will happen when they are forced to be in the same competition together? Will Shireens new crush stir the batter? You will have to read this sweet romance book to find out!

5/5 glazed donuts! 🍩

Do's and Donuts of Love has won the spot of my FAVORITE Adiba book to date! (and one of my top fave romance books of all time)

An intensely charming romance book about hard work, second chances, friendship, family, and of course FOOD. I didn't LOVE Shireen as a character at the beginning but as the story continued I started really loving this character! The moments I disliked her made sense the more I read about her past and current struggles. Slowly I started getting a soft spot for the character and was delighted to read about her journey in the baking show!

Chris was one HUNDRED percent my favorite character in the book and maybe my favorite romantic interest in all of Adiba's books. I found Chris to be a realistic character who is flawed and struggles but her genuine personality and her layers charmed me.

I really liked the baking competition as that nerdy kid who grew up watching all the classic food network shows and loves Great British Bake Off. , I'm a foodie and I loveeeed reading about the different processes of making the different desserts. The aromas, textures, and flavors described had my mouth watering! The book honestly made me so hungry, especially with the food and desserts from Bangladesh.

Adiba once again impresses me, using a fun light-hearted romance novel to talk about racism and fatphobia. Chris and Shireen don't just have to worry about their hair, clothes, or relationships with the other contestants while filming the show, but also hundreds of racist comments all around social media. The story narrates how the girls deal with these comments and many more instances where they were treated differently or poorly due to racism/ racist ideas. The book highlights the lack of diverse representation in media and the cooking world; giving emphasis to the importance of representation. Padma Bollywood, who was one of the judges of the show and Shireen's baking hero was a caring but strong female figure in the story. Padma was an example of how even a woman of color of her status has limitations in the white-dominated cooking/tv industry. I really appreciated how they had her and Shireen have such a beautiful relationship, almost like of an older sister who wants to be there for another young girl of color.

In the Authors note, Adiba mentioned how she didn't want the book to focus on fatphobia to the point of it being negative, but wanted to create a fat brown character that was stylish, talented, and awesome. I think she nailed it, and this was a really stunning representation.

The family and friend dynamics were so lovely, especially with Shireen's parents and her best friend Fatima. The book felt like a big hug at times with its large focus on love and working together, even in the competition. I felt a deep connection with these characters as food is a huge part of their culture and relationships just like in my Puerto Rican culture. I found it heartwarming how Shireen's parents show love through their food and Shireen does the same with Fatima. Food is very important in my culture and in the book, it is almost like a second language. The book is all about the importance of culture, representation, support, and acts of love through food and action.

SPOILER TERRITORY MOVE AWAY UNLESS YOU WANNA GET SPOILED FOR ROMANCE! OKAY:

I am NOT the type to enjoy love triangles, and this book...actually did it right in my opinion. Throughout the story, I was so stuck between who I wanted Shireen to end up with and I thought of so many different ending possibilities! I was hesitant about Shireen and Chris and the possibility of them getting back together because I didn't want it to be forced, nor did I feel like enough time had passed from their break up to be back together. I'm one of those people that think forgiveness should come with time and work, and I'm delighted that the book took that route. I absolutely loved the resolution to the book. I was beyond happy with the flow of the story and the twists and turns that occurred.

I HIGHLY recommend this book to foodies who love Lesbian romance and social commentary!

Thank you to Netgalley and the publisher for granting me free access to the advanced digital copy of this book, as this book has already been published, I will not share my review on Netgalley at this time.

Thank you so much Netgalley and Feiwel and Friends for an eARC in exchange for an honest review.

The Dos and Donuts of Love follows our main character, Shireen, fresh out of a breakup, as she competes in a new televised junior baking show. The plot thickens when her ex is a contestant on the baking show and she makes fast friends with another contestant on the show.
I really enjoy all of Adiba Jaigirdar's work. Though really enjoying this book, it was not my favorite. The plot of this book was really fun and I really loved seeing Shireen grow into herself. I also really loved the baking puns. Jaigirdar's writing is so easy to connect with and follow. I really loved this book.

Thank you for the chance to read and review but after further consideration, I don’t think that this is the right book for me so I will not be completing it. At least, not at this time.

I absolutely love everything Adiba Jaigirdar has written, The Dos and Donuts of Love is no exception. I love all of the representation in this novel! The family dynamic and friendships are always great in her writing. The food descriptions are to die for!

This book was such a delight. I have loved every one of Adiba’s books that I’ve read, so it comes as no surprise to me that this one would also be so enjoyable from beginning to end. I love a good second chance romance. I love a good reality TV competition. I love immigrant solidarity. Just an all-around wonderful read.

The Dos and Donuts of Love by Adiba Jaigirdar is a sweet romance combining desserts and drama. Following a reality baking competition, this one contains a lovable main character as well as thoughtful conversations about racism in this space. Those who love food-related books as much as I do will not want to miss this one!

While still dealing with a recent breakup, Shireen learns that she has been selected as a contestant on Junior Irish Baking Show, a reality baking show competition. She’s thrilled at the opportunity to bring more publicity to her parents’ donut shop and to launch her own career, but when she finds out that her ex is also competing, things get more complicated. As the competition heats up, and Shireen gets closer with another cute competitor, she must sort out her feelings for both girls and stay focused in order to win.

❀ SHIREEN IS REALISITIC

I liked Shireen’s character, and I found her realistic. She struggles in the competition to figure out who she can trust, especially in the face of sabotage, but she stays strong. What I especially enjoyed about Shireen is her creativity and the way she approaches each challenge. This added so much fun to the story, and I was excited to see what she would create next.

❀ COMPETITION ASPECT REALLY DELIVERS

Being a book about a baking show, this one really delivers on the competition elements. The show is described well, from the details of each challenge to the judging, and I loved being immersed in this setting. The descriptions of each dessert are also so mouthwatering. What I found especially interesting is the inclusion of topics like racism as Shireen finds herself getting more attention online. Seeing the way the criticism and hate comments affect her is heartbreaking, but the author finds a nice balance between these more serious themes and the upbeat nature of the competition.

❀ AN ENTERTAINING STORY

The Dos and Donuts of Love by Adiba Jaigirdar is an entertaining story centred around a reality baking competition. I enjoyed the main character and her creations, and the competition itself is well-developed. This is the perfect read for fans of The Great British Bake Off.

The Dos and Donuts of Love is about a teen named Shireen, and her going on a baking competition with her ex-girlfriend, Chris. Their parents own rival donut shops and they both could use the prize money and the chance to bring attention to their respective donut shops. The treats are sweet and the competition is on.

This was such a cute story. While it's not my usual read, there was something about the cover that drew me in and I had to give it a shot. After finishing it, I can confirm that it is a fantastic read with an adorable romance. I hated to have to put this book down.

If you are looking for a YA sapphic romance that includes family drama, betrayal and donuts then check this out!

A free copy of this book was provided to me by Netgalley and the publisher in exchange for an honest review. All thoughts and opinions in this review are my own.

I really enjoyed this book! The author made me feel like I was right there in the doughnut shop or on the set of the show watching the characters in person. I felt the pressure of the competition, the confusion over new and old relationships. I was really engaged in the story.
I would definitely read something else by this author.
Enjoy!

Sharin wants nothing more than to win the first ever Junior Baking Show, but receiving racist and fat-phobic comments on social media and competing against her ex-girlfriend and newfound crush has made things complicated.

I love The Great British Bake-Off references and the punny food chapter titles! Also, some of the treats in this book sound absolutely delicious!

Three things I liked:
Fat queer rep! It was part of the story but also the main character had so many other traits.
Diverse cast - lots of other POC characters!
Descriptions of food- yum!

The Dos and Donuts of Love is a low-stakes queer baking romance where our main character Shireen is trying to win a baking competition to help her families business. Little does she know, her competition includes her ex-girlfriend whose family business is rivals with hers!

This book was a fun and quick read and I recommend it for people who liked Fake Dates and Mooncakes or enjoy watching MasterChef or Princess Switch!

This was such a cute read. Our main character is Shireen aspires to have her own bakery one day. She enters into a baking competition and little does she know she will be competing against her ex girlfriend.

As we journey with Shireen on this adventure, we learn why her and Chris broke up, and we see Shireen struggle with creating the boundary between friend and lover.

The book covers micro aggressions, racism, fat phobia and how people will do just about anything to get to the top.

I enjoyed every bit of this one!

Thank you to Netgalley and the publisher for an e arc of this book.

When Shireen gets the opportunity to compete in a baking competition, she takes it at the expense of her relationship. There she is forced to compete with her ex and a new budding romance.

This was so cute! I actually have read it twice already because I convinced my book club friends to read it with me too. I love Shireen and Chris so much! I also love Fatimah and Shireen's parents!

This is so fun to read if you're into reality baking shows (which I definitely am). It's also a really cute summery romance without any homophobia! I love Adiba's writing as always!

Cw: racism, fatphobia

Such a sweet read 🍩💘

Story follows Shireen when she enters a baking competition called “The Junior Irish Baking Show.” Her parents own a donut shop and Shireen wants to open her own bakery/desert shop one day 🥹 Her ex girlfriend is also in the competition—causing some discomfort since they just broke up a few weeks prior.

-Diverse cast of characters, main character is Irish/Bangladeshi and sapphic 🏳️‍🌈
-Did not buy the romance with Niamh.
-Excellent discussion about being fat positive and the main characters Bangladeshi culture, loved learning more through her cooking and recipes!
-The judge, Parma, was such a great role model to read. I loved how she looked out for Chris and Shireen while they faced racism from viewers on the show.
-Fatima! What a awesome long distance friend and connection they have with Shireen
-The little “twist” towards the end worked and created even more important dialogue.

Thank you to NetGalley and the publish for the ARC 💜

I just listened to The Dos and Donuts of Love by Adiba Jaigirdar and it was so much fun! If you love cooking shows like The Great British Bake Off or Masterchef (especially Masterchef Junior), then you'll probably enjoy this one. But if you hate puns, this isn't for you. The puns are bountiful and perfectly cheesy in The Dos and Donuts of Love.

Shireen is determined to win the first season of the Junior Irish Baking Show. Unfortunately, so is her ex-girlfriend Chris. Shireen has to find a way to work with Chris when they're paired for the first challenge, but she's also developing feelings for their fellow contestant Niamh.

Jaigirdar deftly acknowledges racism and fatphobia in this one. The author's note at the end showed how much care was given to these topics. The Dos and Donuts of Love features a fat Bangladeshi Irish main character and a Korean Irish love interest. This was so cute and heartwarming!

Sorry to everyone else but Adiba clearly wrote this book for me and only me.

I’m kidding obviously but when Adiba announced this book, promising puns and sweetness and sapphic relationships in a Great British Bake Off-esque setting, I was more than in: ‘The Dos and Donuts of Love’ was possibly my most anticipated novel of the year.

Shireen is reeling from her recent breakup. Heartbroken and without her best friend (who is in Bangladesh visiting family for the summer), there is really only one thing Shireen is looking forward to: the Junior Irish Baking Show! One little snag though: Shireen’s partner is her ex-girlfriend Chris. And there’s the other problem of another contestant, Niamh, catching Shireen’s eye…

I love how Adiba always writes from a place where her characters are unapologetically Bengali, sapphic and fat-positive. Shireen also deals with racism and microaggressions during her time on the baking competition. She also undergoes tremendous character growth over the course of the story, learning who has her back and who doesn’t and to also not center herself when her loved ones have problems too. Adiba has talent that is evident more and more with every book she writes. With books that grapple with such macro topics, she is able to write with nuance and insight while still having the most lighthearted, wholesome books that make me squeal in delight or exclaim in indignation (I took every slight against Shireen personally, okay?).

As a pun lover, this book was like catnip to me. The chapter titles had me chortling every single time. Adiba is so unexpectedly funny, I’m really quite obsessed with this book. I have half a mind to purchase it for every young adult I know and shove it in their hands, begging them to read it.

At this point, I’m picking up every single book Adiba writes with no hesitation. And y’all should too.

Special thanks to Macmillan Children’s Publishing Group for sharing this advance copy with me in exchange for my honest opinions.

tw: mentions of racism and fatphobia, depictions of anxiety (specifically anxiety and panic attacks and spiraling thoughts), and online harassment

•

if you love baking shows, puns, sapphic/enemies to lovers romances, you NEED to read this book! it follows shireen malik as she competes in the first junior irish baking competition to win money to save her parents’ doughnut shop. little does she know, her ex-girlfriend has also been accepted to compete in the show.

the book was truly 🍵-ming with puns, and it felt like i was reading a better, literary version of the great british baking show.

it also tackled many important feelings and issues, centered around what it was like for shireen to compete in this competition as a young bangladeshi irish woman facing racist and fatphobic comments online. despite this, i loved that the book still felt light and fun and romantic. the characters were well developed, interesting, and relatable—and i LOVED the names adiba came up with for the judges 😅

i highly recommend this book to anyone and everyone, especially if you’re looking for a lighthearted, sweet (pun-intended) coming of age romance full of laughs.