Title: TJ Powar Has Something to Prove
Author: Jesmeen Kaur Deo
Publisher: Viking Books for Young Readers
Publication Date: June 7th, 2022
Pages: 304
Genres: Young Adult, Contemporary, Romance
Rating: 4.5/5
Buy at: Blackwells | Amazon | Book Depository | Barnes & Noble | Add to Goodreads
Synopsis
A charming rom-com about high school debater TJ Powar who—after becoming the subject of an ugly meme—makes a resolution to stop shaving, plucking, and waxing, and prove that she can be her hairy self and still be beautiful…but soon finds this may be her most difficult debate yet. Perfect for fans of Netflix’s Never Have I Ever.
When TJ Powar—a pretty, popular debater—and her cousin Simran become the subject of a meme: with TJ being the “expectation” of dating an Indian girl and her Sikh cousin who does not remove her body hair being the “reality”—TJ decides to take a stand.
She ditches her razors, cancels her waxing appointments, and sets a debate resolution for herself: “This House Believes That TJ Powar can be her hairy self, and still be beautiful.” Only, as she sets about proving her point, she starts to seriously doubt anyone could care about her just the way she is—even when the infuriating boy from a rival debate team seems determined to prove otherwise.
As her carefully crafted sense of self begins to crumble, TJ realizes that winning this debate may cost her far more than the space between her eyebrows. And that the hardest judge to convince of her arguments might just be herself.
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Review:
Tejindar Powar has something to prove. That she can be her hairy self and still be beautiful. That being a top-notch debater or an excellent soccer player has nothing to do with her appearance.
TJ Powar is quite a relatable character, although she is not as likable at first. Her second-guessing herself is realistic as she questions her resolve yet sticks to it steadfastly. Her journey to self-discovery. How it impacts her relationships – with her boyfriend, her closest friends, her cousin, and her mother. It is not as much about supporting her cousin’s choice but proving that she herself is much more than her appearance.
Set against a debating tournament, the debut novel is a light read with an important message. The rivals-to-lovers romance is a bit predictable but not cheesy. The book is well-paced. The banter is enjoyable and the debates make for an interesting read.
The book is much more than a rom-com. It is about beauty standards and social prejudices. About the pressure on teen girls to fit into the specific boxes. About bullying faced by those who don’t adhere to the “rules”. About self-worth that isn’t (and shouldn’t) be measured by outward appearance.
Body hair! We have all struggled with it. Bushy eyebrows? Check. Hair on knuckles? Check. My teen self could relate to TJ in a lot many ways. Thankfully, I never faced bullying for it since hairy girls were more of a rule than an exception. The internet, let alone social media, hadn’t arrived in India by then. That said, I wish we had similar books back then.
All in all, I enjoyed reading the book and would recommend it to all the teens out there struggling with body image. And to the grown-ups too.
Favorite Quotes:
“This house believed that TJ Powar can be her hairy self and still be beautiful.”
“Debate felt like the one place I could make a difference. If I worked hard enough, I could convince people of something, and it was proof my voice mattered. And that it could do something good.”
“That’s the thing, isn’t it? Those comments are the hardest to shake off… And you start believing it. Next thing you know, you’re the one making the comments. Making people feel like shit.”
“What does hair have to do with hygiene? Am I going to get sick from my body hair? And if that’s true, shouldn’t you be shaving your armpits too?“
“Hair has no gender, darling. It’s just hair. Do what you want with it, but it does not make you less of a woman. It does not make you less interesting, less worthy, or less deserving of desire.”
Trigger warning: bullying, body-shaming.
About the Author
Jesmeen Kaur Deo grew up in northern British Columbia, where she spent most of her childhood daydreaming. She loves books that can make her laugh and tug at her heartstrings in the same paragraph. When not wrapped up in stories, she can be found biking, playing the harmonium, or struggling to open jars. TJ Powar Has Something to Prove is her debut novel.
Visit her online at JDeoWrites.com, Twitter, or Goodreads.
Tour Schedule
June 7th
Melancholic Blithe – Mood Board
The Erudite Labyrinth – Favorite Quotes
June 8th
Bohemian Bibliophile – Favorite Quotes
Dazzling Writingz – Instagram Feed Post
June 9th
Hungryforabook – Instagram Feed Post
ReadWithKate16 – Mood Board
June 10th
@bonggirlinabookworld – Favorite Quotes
Moonchild Lexicons – Mood Board
June 11th
Paperbacks and pen – Blog Interview
@lonevixen_ka – Favorite Quotes
June 12th
@bansheesbookstagram – Instagram Feed Post
@bujos_n_books – Mood Board
June 13th
Bangalimeyreads – Instagram Reels
@nikki_bookbinges – Favorite Quotes
Scorpioword – Review Only
I would like to thank Colored Pages Book Tours and Penguin Teen for providing a copy of the book for the blog tour. All opinions are my own.
This blog post is part of the blog challenge ‘Blogaberry Dazzle’ hosted by Cindy D’Silva and Noor Anand Chawla.
Tour Schedule: TJ Powar Has Something to Prove – Colored Pages Tours
June 8, 2022 @ 11:59 pm
[…] Bohemian Bibliophile – Favorite Quotes […]
June 9, 2022 @ 5:02 pm
The topic of body hair is something that I connect with a bit too well. It is imperative that we teach out next generation about body positivity. I am really intrigued to read this book now after reading your review.
June 9, 2022 @ 7:14 pm
This maybe fiction, Ritu but i remember reading about a girl who actually had facial hair growing like a beard but she stood to her stand of not pandering to societal norms of beauty. Bullying and body shaming takes an ugly turn these days. I am sure Jasmine must have read about this girl i am talking about. But it is a brave subject for a novel.Your review as usual is bang on-just says it as it is.
June 11, 2022 @ 11:45 am
Hair on body parts of the girl is debate topic. Though I don’t like to trim my hand and leg hair and I received nasty comment and I ignore it. In this generation it is quite tough. Like the way TJ stands for herself. Would like to read out how she face this bullying and body shaming.
June 11, 2022 @ 11:45 am
This reminds me of an actual girl who has facial hair like beard caz of hormone problems and she actually gies to the salon to get her beard trimmed and put it in style. I think such people such stories are required cause they help people narrow minded thoughts get right. Good 1
June 11, 2022 @ 5:41 pm
It’s been long that I’ve read a good YA novel. The review seems good. I’ll check it out on Amazon.
June 11, 2022 @ 9:35 pm
After reading synopsis of this book…I can feel it that the book is a must read. Added it to my reading list.
June 12, 2022 @ 12:32 pm
I loved Never Have I Ever! Your review is very descriptive. This book sounds like a lesson to every girl out there she is beautiful no matter how she looks or grooms.
June 12, 2022 @ 1:02 pm
This book reminds me of Harnaam Kaur. Teenagers these days are under a lot of pressure to look perfectly turned out. It is good to see author writing on such topics.
June 12, 2022 @ 3:40 pm
This seems like a quick and enjoyable read- perfect for a summer vacation! Can’t wait to check it out
June 12, 2022 @ 5:02 pm
Added to my list.looks like a good a read
June 12, 2022 @ 6:39 pm
Very genuine Review Ritu… as usual. I remember there was news about a bearded girl standing in a queue in some supermarket somewhere in the UK or US a few years ago… this story reminded me of her.
June 13, 2022 @ 12:11 am
I absolutely love the take on the plot. An interesting excerpt wil look to read
June 13, 2022 @ 1:31 am
Wow! much needed. I dond go to Parlour for waxing, did only once at the time of my own marriage that’s it. I dont get eyebrows done too. So I can relate to this. no razor, no hair remowal cream, no waxing…… Gonna read this soon.
June 13, 2022 @ 2:03 am
This book sounds like it should be read and debated by every teen. How far should one go in the name of beauty? How little is okay? Questions for society at large.
June 13, 2022 @ 10:55 am
Why to be perfect? As I always says it is good to imperfectly perfect! Choice of topic for the book is appreciable on the part of author.
June 13, 2022 @ 10:14 pm
I have watched Never Have I Ever and liked this series. This book have many similarities with this series. Interesting book and awesome review.
June 14, 2022 @ 9:35 am
I am also a ya author and write in the ya thriller genre. 100bookreviews.club helped me get reviews and visibility. You can try too. Good luck !
June 14, 2022 @ 12:47 pm
This book sounds interesting
August 5, 2022 @ 11:22 pm
As a fellow Sardarni, this subject really resonates!