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!

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.

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!

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.

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'!