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. ( )

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. ( )

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! ( )

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. ( )