If You Still Recognise Me

Elsie works part-time at a comic book store in London while trying to process her unresolved feelings for her former best friend Ada. When she connects online with a fellow Bengali comics fan named Bisha, their shared interests spark a friendship that could lead to more. The story follows Elsie as she navigates relationships old and new, including helping her grandmother chronicle stories of queer love from Bangladesh's past. Her summer becomes a journey of understanding her identity as both queer and Bengali, while she pursues a potential long-distance connection. Through parallel narratives across generations and continents, this contemporary romance explores the intersection of culture, sexuality, and family heritage. The novel examines how people find connection and community across distance, both physical and emotional, while celebrating the power of storytelling to bridge gaps in time and space.

Readers praise the book's authentic portrayal of queer Bengali culture and its exploration of online friendships. Many highlight the realistic family dynamics and cross-cultural relationships. The romance develops at a natural pace, according to multiple reviews. Common praise points: - Representation of Muslim and South Asian LGBTQ+ characters - Nuanced handling of coming out in different cultural contexts - Strong focus on family relationships and cultural identity Main criticisms: - Some found the pacing slow in the middle sections - A few readers wanted more development of secondary characters - Several note that the comic book subplot feels underdeveloped Ratings: Goodreads: 3.9/5 (2,000+ ratings) Amazon: 4.2/5 (150+ ratings) StoryGraph: 4.1/5 (500+ ratings) Review quote: "The cultural details and family dynamics felt lived-in and real. It's refreshing to see a queer story that centers both joy and cultural identity." - Goodreads reviewer

How to Excavate a Heart by Jadyn Quinn A queer holiday romance features an enemies-to-lovers story between two young women who navigate family expectations and cultural identity.

The Henna Wars by Adiba Jaigirdar Two teen girls fall for each other while competing in a school business competition that brings up questions of cultural appropriation and family acceptance.

Late to the Party by Kelly Quindlen A coming-of-age story follows a closeted teen who discovers first love and friendship in the queer community after stepping out of her comfort zone.

The Love Match by Priyanka Taslim A Bangladeshi American teen balances her mother's matchmaking attempts with her own romantic pursuits while working in a tea shop.

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🌟 Author Adiba Jaigirdar is a Bangladeshi-Irish writer who draws from her unique cultural background to create authentic, diverse stories. 📚 The novel explores the intersection of Bengali and Irish culture through LGBTQ+ characters, making it one of the few YA books to feature this specific cultural combination. 💌 Comic books play a significant role in the story, particularly focusing on a fictional female superhero series that connects the main characters. 🌏 The story takes place across two continents - Ireland and Bangladesh - and deals with long-distance relationships in the digital age. 🎭 The book tackles themes of identity and coming out in different cultural contexts, showing how the experience can vary significantly depending on one's cultural background and family dynamics.