This novel definitely gave feisty enemies to lovers vibes, with our female main character, Saachi, hellbent on exacting revenge after the most popular boy in school breaks the heart of her best friend.

The plot was really fun and engaging, and the dialogue between the characters was super funny. It reminded me of some high school Netflix shows, and I definitely feel it could be one itself!

Our FMC Saachi was stubborn, strong-willed, cool, and fiercely loyal. And our male love interest Fahim was confident, bold, suave, and thoughtful. They had great chemistry and matched super well with each other. Both Saachi and Fahim had really good character arcs by the end of the story too.

One thing I would like to note is that I don't think the ages of the characters are mentioned in this novel. I had to search online for how the school year system worked in England - as here in Scotland, we use a different system - so that I could work out their ages. I went through this novel with the Kindle search function to find out if there was any mention of their ages that I'd missed, but I couldn't find any. This is a small detail, but it did leave me a little confused as until they started drinking, I had assumed they were a lot younger.

I didn't realise when I requested this book that it was a teen rom com novel and not a spicy romance, but that's completely my fault for not checking the category!

Despite this - as the mistake is my own - I still really enjoyed this book and think it would absolutely appeal to and be loved by teens and young adults!

Thank you very much to the author, NetGalley, and the publisher for giving me the chance to read and review this!

*I received this book as an Advanced Readers Copy (ARC) for free in exchange for an honest review*

If you're looking for a fun South Asian book, STOP!! It's right here!! I loved Heartbreaker from the first sentence down to the last. With fave tropes like fake dating, rivals to lovers and the best friendship group, I ate it up. When they say its like John Tucker Must Die, it really is!

I loved Saachi. She's a fun, cynical FMC, who cares so deeply for her friends that she has blinkers on. Even when she was making mistakes, I was still on her side and I loved that. Fahim though, oh he's a loser in love! This is such an underrated microtrope and again one I love so much. I also thought he was a pink turned green flag, which was written so well.

The writing itself was brilliant. Perfect pacing, I loved the characters development, the set up, the way it hit every beat.

I have to add, that if you're looking for an accurate Muslim representation, this is not it. I'm a little unsure as to whether Saachi is even Muslim, but there were references to Allah .... but then her dad' pretty chilled about her being with a boy, so I dont know, maybe they're more modern. However I know other Muslims want to know this before going in a book. It doesn't take ANYTHING away from the story itself though, which i want to read all over again!

Thank you to the publishers and netgalley for approving me to read this book, I’m rating it 4.0 stars.

This YA romance had a lovely mix of tropes that made for a genuine build up of a connection with hurdles along the way that made it that much more special when the happy ending came.

I like the fact that the characters had individual hurdles that affected their connection, but also allowed us to see them grow and heal in some shape or form.

Desi culture which was well represented in this story and I loved the references to the culture throughout.

If you are a fan of to all the boys I loved before, scheming friends with revenge on the brain, a fierce FMC and charming MMC then you will absolutely love this.

The title heartbreaker is apt on so many levels. The main plot is about Saachi trying to break Fahim’s heart because he broke her best friend, Mona’s heart. She agrees to go on a date with him in order to make him fall in love with her just so she can ghost him/dump him at the end and give him a taste of his own medicine. But Fahim is not quite what he seems, and Saachi quickly sees a whole other side to him that leaves her confused and at risk of her own heartbreak.

Then we have Saachi’s relationship with her mother. Her mother abandoned Saachi (and her baby brother and father) when Saachi was only 8, and she’s never forgiven him. Neither has she let her mother explain why. So when Saachi’s mother comes back and wants to reconnect with her daughter, there is a lot more room for heartbreak.

With Saachi trying very hard to avoid having her heart broken, she actually starts to take her friends for granted and actually stops listening to them (especially Mona) and being a good friend. She’s so caught up on breaking Fahim’s heart that she doesn’t realise it’s not what Mona wants. This leads to trouble within their friendship group and sets up more heartbreak for Saachi.

While this is predominantly a romance, this is also a book of family and friendships and learning to forgive. It’s cute and lighthearted, but make no mistake - this will have you in tears.

To quote Saachi: “it’s a privilege to have your heart broken and come back from it” and this is exactly what this book does. It will break your heart and then pick up the pieces, and you will love every minute.

Heartbreaker was an absolute delight - the perfect mix of swoony romance and laugh-out-loud moments. The enemies-to-lovers and forced proximity tropes were done so well, with just the right amount of tension and pining to keep me turning the pages. I loved how the story had that fun, scheming energy (definite John Tucker Must Die vibes) but with a fresh twist that made it feel unique.

Beyond the romance, there was a surprising emotional depth that caught me off guard in the best way. The characters felt real, with their messy feelings and genuine growth, and I found myself rooting for them both as a couple and as individuals. It was sweet, spicy, and heartfelt - everything I want in a romcom. I’ll definitely be keeping an eye out for whatever Anika Hussain writes next!

Thank you so much to Bonnier Books UK (Hot Key Books) & Netgalley for allowing me to read Heartbreaker in exchange for honest feedback.

This book definitely gave me John Tucker Must Die vibes and I absolutely loved Anika's spin on it! It had me giddy, kicking my feet & giggling away, but it also made me feel all the emotions towards the end when 'sh*t got real'.

The friendship group was fab & I loved Saachi's relationship with her dad & brother. I also loved the storyline with her mum.

I flew through Heartbreaker - I really struggled to put it down because it was just so good!

If you love a strong FMC, great banter, undeniable chemistry, enemies to lovers & a 'one bed' trope, Heartbreaker won't disappoint!

Set in Bristol, Sixth form students and long-time school rivals Saachi and Fahim are your usual teenagers, both working through some family dramas. They find themselves spending more time together after Saachi vows she will get revenge on Fahim for ghosting her best friend or "Operation Heartbreaker". But Saachi didnt count on their natural attraction and similarities, they both begin to open up to each other and the operation starts to fall apart, and her friends arent happy with the way she handles it, can Saachi figure out a way to have it all?

This was a really nice quick read for me, and i loved sassy Saachi and how cute the dates were. Desi culture galore with Mindy Kaling's "Never Have I Ever" vibes, this coming of age romance has family drama, school scheming, personal growth and some wit thrown in.

Themes
❤️ Young Love 👩‍🏫 Sixth-form Setting
🇧🇩 Desi Culture Representation
💞 Enemies to Lovers 🧑‍🧒‍🧒 Family Drama

With thanks to Netgalley, the author and Bonnier books UK for this e-ARC

Heartbreaker by Anika Hussain was such a refreshing and heartfelt read. I instantly connected with the protagonist, who felt so real in the way she navigated love, friendships, and the weight of family expectations. The mix of humor and emotional depth kept me hooked, and I found myself smiling at the sweet moments while also reflecting on the more serious themes of identity and self-discovery. Hussain’s writing made everything feel so vivid, like I was right there experiencing it all. By the end, I felt both uplifted and deeply moved, this is definitely a book that will stay with me for a long time.

Thank you to NetGalley and Bonnie Books UK for providing me an ARC of this book in exchange for my honest review.

Thanks Netgalley and the author for the ARC💫😝✨

😱🙊💥Plot:
This is a very fun, witty, and heartwarming with a classic enemies to lovers but with a unique spin💫! Their back and forth banter playful rivalry is really entertaining. There was a Romeo🤴 and Juliet👸 reference (which eerily👻 was in another book I just reviewed and I'm pretty such was also set in Bristol😆).

💞😻🌟Romance:
Fahim is witty and mischievous😝, while Saachi is fiercely🦁 loyal and never backs down from a debate. I can't stop 🛑Imagining the food🥘  from their date in my head.

👤😼🌟Characters:
The twins are like the ultimate wing-women 🍗. They definitely build on the story. Dev is very cheeky 🙊 as expected and funny.

I was particularly excited to read 'Heartbreaker' since I loved Hussain’s other YA novels, 'This is How You Fall in Love' and 'Desi Girl Speaking'. Her ability to balance humour, romance, and heart is something I've come to look forward to!

When I picked up Heartbreaker, I was expecting something with 'John Tucker Must Die' vibes—plenty of shenanigans, drama, and fun. I’m happy to say Hussain delivered on all fronts! This book is an easy, entertaining read with laugh-out-loud moments, swoon-worthy scenes, and just the right amount of heartfelt emotion.

If you’re in the mood for a fun YA romcom, grab a cup of coffee, some chocolate, and a copy of 'Heartbreaker'!