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leahegood's review
emotional
hopeful
informative
reflective
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.0
Summary
Ever since a brief childhood interaction, Bao has wondered about the girl at the restaurant across the street ... the girl he's not allowed to speak to because her family owns that restaurant, the one in direct competition with the restaurant his family owns. Is owning competing restaurants a good enough reason to shun another family, especially when both families are part of a community as close knit as Little Saigon? One day, Bao decides to find out. He crosses enemy lines and extends an olive branch. An olive branch that Linh, the girl at the restaurant across the street, is almost too afraid to accept. Can a little bit of courage and honesty change everything?
My Thoughts
This book was a relatively blind purchase from a used bookstore, my decision made entirely off of the cover image and back cover blurb. The 2024 reading challenge I'm doing has a prompt for "rom-com" and I wanted to complete that prompt in February (hello, Valentine's Day). I was disappointed to find a relatively strong dose of swearing, but other than that and a somewhat slow start, I really enjoyed this story.
Stripped to it's bare bones, A Pho Love Story is a pretty basic high school romance novel. However, the author creates a unique and immersive experience through the unique setting of Vietnamese restaurants and the complex familial expectations second generation American teens must navigate to establish their own place in the world.
Though I do not have immegrant parents, I found a lot of Bao and Linh's story relatable. I think any young person with a close knit family, a desire to not disappoint those they love, and parents with specific expectations will find something to relate to.
Content
Romance: Awareness of physical proximity and enthusiastic but non-detailed kissing.
Language: There is swearing smattered throughought the book and a handful of f-bombs would earn the story an R rating if it were a movie.
Violence: Bao and Linh wonder about their parents experiences escaping Vietnam. The danger of the escapes is evidenced by a family member who died in the attempt, but there are no details.
Religion: Linh and Bao both reference attending temple. Both restaurants have a traditional shrine, and Bao's parents are scandalized when they visit a Vietnamese restaurant that does not have a shrine visible.
Bonus
Of course, there are food references throughout the book. Here are a few foods and drinks mentioned.
Cà Phê Sữa Đá
Bánh Bèo (Steamed Rice Cakes)
Pho and Bun Bo
Chả giò (Fried Spring Role)
Sinh Tố Bơ (Smoothie)
Canh bí Sườn (Winter Melon Soup)
Bánh Xèo
Ever since a brief childhood interaction, Bao has wondered about the girl at the restaurant across the street ... the girl he's not allowed to speak to because her family owns that restaurant, the one in direct competition with the restaurant his family owns. Is owning competing restaurants a good enough reason to shun another family, especially when both families are part of a community as close knit as Little Saigon? One day, Bao decides to find out. He crosses enemy lines and extends an olive branch. An olive branch that Linh, the girl at the restaurant across the street, is almost too afraid to accept. Can a little bit of courage and honesty change everything?
My Thoughts
This book was a relatively blind purchase from a used bookstore, my decision made entirely off of the cover image and back cover blurb. The 2024 reading challenge I'm doing has a prompt for "rom-com" and I wanted to complete that prompt in February (hello, Valentine's Day). I was disappointed to find a relatively strong dose of swearing, but other than that and a somewhat slow start, I really enjoyed this story.
Stripped to it's bare bones, A Pho Love Story is a pretty basic high school romance novel. However, the author creates a unique and immersive experience through the unique setting of Vietnamese restaurants and the complex familial expectations second generation American teens must navigate to establish their own place in the world.
Though I do not have immegrant parents, I found a lot of Bao and Linh's story relatable. I think any young person with a close knit family, a desire to not disappoint those they love, and parents with specific expectations will find something to relate to.
Content
Romance: Awareness of physical proximity and enthusiastic but non-detailed kissing.
Language: There is swearing smattered throughought the book and a handful of f-bombs would earn the story an R rating if it were a movie.
Violence: Bao and Linh wonder about their parents experiences escaping Vietnam. The danger of the escapes is evidenced by a family member who died in the attempt, but there are no details.
Religion: Linh and Bao both reference attending temple. Both restaurants have a traditional shrine, and Bao's parents are scandalized when they visit a Vietnamese restaurant that does not have a shrine visible.
Bonus
Of course, there are food references throughout the book. Here are a few foods and drinks mentioned.
Cà Phê Sữa Đá
Bánh Bèo (Steamed Rice Cakes)
Pho and Bun Bo
Chả giò (Fried Spring Role)
Sinh Tố Bơ (Smoothie)
Canh bí Sườn (Winter Melon Soup)
Bánh Xèo
Content Warnings
Minor: Racism and Classism
lawbooks600's review
emotional
slow-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
3.0
Representation: Asian characters
Score: Seven points out of ten.
Don't get me wrong: I enjoyed A Phở Love Story but I thought it could use improvements. I wanted to read this for a while and after I got this one alongside other books, I hoped it would be an outstanding read. When I finally picked it up and read A Phở Love Story, it wasn't outstanding, but not disappointing either. It was only okay. Also, I'm glad this novel is authentic and not like Noodle Pie. It starts with the first two characters I see, Bao Nguyễn and Linh Mai working at rival Vietnamese restaurants that despise each other, but it's unclear why. Over time, Bao and Linh start a relationship but for the first 200 pages, it is under closed doors as they only develop it away from their parents' eyes in classrooms and alleys. Those Vietnamese phrases didn't bother me, but I get that someone who doesn't understand the language would find it laborious to read A Phở Love Story at times.
A Phở Love Story's biggest flaws lie in the characters. Sure, Linh and Bao are Vietnamese American and I can relate to that, and I liked the deep cultural exploration, but the chemistry isn't there. I didn't feel like Bao and Linh connected to each other, at least for the initial 200 pages. They grew on me eventually as their relationship couldn't stay hidden forever, leading to a dramatic climax. I like the diversity, but most of the Asian narratives I've read feature Asian Americans, but I would like to see more Asian Australian and British Asian pieces of literature. I struggle to comprehend why Linh had to lie in front of her parents' faces either. Fortunately, the conclusion is a high note, and the side plots, including the one about racism, were intriguing.
Score: Seven points out of ten.
Don't get me wrong: I enjoyed A Phở Love Story but I thought it could use improvements. I wanted to read this for a while and after I got this one alongside other books, I hoped it would be an outstanding read. When I finally picked it up and read A Phở Love Story, it wasn't outstanding, but not disappointing either. It was only okay. Also, I'm glad this novel is authentic and not like Noodle Pie. It starts with the first two characters I see, Bao Nguyễn and Linh Mai working at rival Vietnamese restaurants that despise each other, but it's unclear why. Over time, Bao and Linh start a relationship but for the first 200 pages, it is under closed doors as they only develop it away from their parents' eyes in classrooms and alleys. Those Vietnamese phrases didn't bother me, but I get that someone who doesn't understand the language would find it laborious to read A Phở Love Story at times.
A Phở Love Story's biggest flaws lie in the characters. Sure, Linh and Bao are Vietnamese American and I can relate to that, and I liked the deep cultural exploration, but the chemistry isn't there. I didn't feel like Bao and Linh connected to each other, at least for the initial 200 pages. They grew on me eventually as their relationship couldn't stay hidden forever, leading to a dramatic climax. I like the diversity, but most of the Asian narratives I've read feature Asian Americans, but I would like to see more Asian Australian and British Asian pieces of literature. I struggle to comprehend why Linh had to lie in front of her parents' faces either. Fortunately, the conclusion is a high note, and the side plots, including the one about racism, were intriguing.
Content Warnings
Graphic: War, Racism, Death, and Cultural appropriation
Full trigger warnings: Vietnam War mentioned, racism, death of people in the past, war themes, refugee experiences, cultural appropriationlittlewishling's review
emotional
lighthearted
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
5.0
Wonderful! I love a forbidden romance and this was just that in the midst of restaurant rivalry and family drama. I also feel like I learnt lot about the experiences of Vietnamese Americans that I never would have known before.
Content Warnings
Moderate: Racism and Racial slurs
Minor: Death and War
crimsonreadlips's review against another edition
emotional
funny
hopeful
reflective
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
3.5
Content Warnings
Moderate: Racism and Xenophobia
Minor: War and Death
what_karla_reads's review against another edition
funny
hopeful
lighthearted
reflective
tense
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
4.5
4.5/5 stars
0 spice/YA romcom
This was a cute romcom with Romeo & Juliet vibes between two rival Pho restaurants and the Vietnamese families that run them. I loved the MCs and how they didn't continue the cycle of rivalry and instead tried to be open and friendly despite their family's animosity for some unknown reason.
Tropes:
Rivals to friends to lovers
Artist FMC
Writer MMC
Forced proximity
Secret relationship
Vietnamese culture/rep
Family drama
Dual POV
Despite the romcom aspect, there are some pretty heavy topics mentioned. Both families experienced immigrating to the US because of the war in Vietnam. Both families had to deal with the hardships, racism, prejudice, and pressures to make a successful life in the US. The family dynamics are very relatable and have a clear sense of community amongst their friends. I really enjoyed listening to the language used and all the different foods they ate. I got a really big craving for pho now lol
Overall, I highly recommend this book for those who enjoy YA/clean romances with the angst of a secret romance. I listened to the audiobook and really enjoyed the narrators.
Trigger/Content warnings:
Racism/racial slurs
0 spice/YA romcom
This was a cute romcom with Romeo & Juliet vibes between two rival Pho restaurants and the Vietnamese families that run them. I loved the MCs and how they didn't continue the cycle of rivalry and instead tried to be open and friendly despite their family's animosity for some unknown reason.
Tropes:
Rivals to friends to lovers
Artist FMC
Writer MMC
Forced proximity
Secret relationship
Vietnamese culture/rep
Family drama
Dual POV
Despite the romcom aspect, there are some pretty heavy topics mentioned. Both families experienced immigrating to the US because of the war in Vietnam. Both families had to deal with the hardships, racism, prejudice, and pressures to make a successful life in the US. The family dynamics are very relatable and have a clear sense of community amongst their friends. I really enjoyed listening to the language used and all the different foods they ate. I got a really big craving for pho now lol
Overall, I highly recommend this book for those who enjoy YA/clean romances with the angst of a secret romance. I listened to the audiobook and really enjoyed the narrators.
Trigger/Content warnings:
Racism/racial slurs
Content Warnings
Graphic: Racism and Racial slurs
kelly_e's review against another edition
hopeful
lighthearted
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
3.25
Title: A Pho Love Story
Author: Loan Le
Genre: YA Romance
Rating: 3.25
Pub Date: December 28, 2021
T H R E E • W O R D S
Juvenile • Dramatic • Hearty
📖 S Y N O P S I S
For years, the Mais and the Nguyens have been at odds, having owned competing, neighboring pho restaurants. Bao and Linh, who’ve avoided each other for most of their lives, both suspect that the feud stems from feelings much deeper than friendly competition.
But then a chance encounter brings Linh and Bao in the same vicinity despite their best efforts and sparks fly, leading them both to wonder what took so long for them to connect. But then, of course, they immediately remember. Can Linh and Bao find love in the midst of feuding families and complicated histories?
💭 T H O U G H T S
I stumbled across A Pho Love Story at a local garage sale over the summer, so I picked it up. When I needed a quick simple read, I decided this was a good choice. I knew little about the premise aside from it centering around food. And I definitely wasn't aware it is a modern Romeo and Juliet retelling.
It will come as not surprise that the food was my favourite part! Loan Le does a fantastic job with the food descriptions, leaving me hungry and salivating. The food aspect also adds a layer of cultural background and the meaning of food. Unfortunately though the feuding family trope feels like it something I have read too often.
There is excellent character growth for both Bao and Linh from start to finish. And their romance felt believable - growing slowly over time. In my opinion, it was a breath of fresh air to read a healthy and supportive depiction of teenage love, as opposed to a toxic one. I also appreciated the exploration of parental expectations versus following your own dreams; the immigrant experience; and how family histories shape our present.
I am definitely not the intended audience for this one, and to me that was evident. It was nothing exceptional, and I likely won't remember a few months from now. However, I could definitely see the merits for a younger audience and would recommend it to the 13-18 year old age group.
📚 R E C O M M E N D • T O
• fans of the feuding families trope
• foodies
🔖 F A V O U R I T E • Q U O T E S
"Think about what you want. What you want to make and add to the world."
"There's so much in your life that you can't control...So maybe you can use this chance to do something for yourself"
Author: Loan Le
Genre: YA Romance
Rating: 3.25
Pub Date: December 28, 2021
T H R E E • W O R D S
Juvenile • Dramatic • Hearty
📖 S Y N O P S I S
For years, the Mais and the Nguyens have been at odds, having owned competing, neighboring pho restaurants. Bao and Linh, who’ve avoided each other for most of their lives, both suspect that the feud stems from feelings much deeper than friendly competition.
But then a chance encounter brings Linh and Bao in the same vicinity despite their best efforts and sparks fly, leading them both to wonder what took so long for them to connect. But then, of course, they immediately remember. Can Linh and Bao find love in the midst of feuding families and complicated histories?
💭 T H O U G H T S
I stumbled across A Pho Love Story at a local garage sale over the summer, so I picked it up. When I needed a quick simple read, I decided this was a good choice. I knew little about the premise aside from it centering around food. And I definitely wasn't aware it is a modern Romeo and Juliet retelling.
It will come as not surprise that the food was my favourite part! Loan Le does a fantastic job with the food descriptions, leaving me hungry and salivating. The food aspect also adds a layer of cultural background and the meaning of food. Unfortunately though the feuding family trope feels like it something I have read too often.
There is excellent character growth for both Bao and Linh from start to finish. And their romance felt believable - growing slowly over time. In my opinion, it was a breath of fresh air to read a healthy and supportive depiction of teenage love, as opposed to a toxic one. I also appreciated the exploration of parental expectations versus following your own dreams; the immigrant experience; and how family histories shape our present.
I am definitely not the intended audience for this one, and to me that was evident. It was nothing exceptional, and I likely won't remember a few months from now. However, I could definitely see the merits for a younger audience and would recommend it to the 13-18 year old age group.
📚 R E C O M M E N D • T O
• fans of the feuding families trope
• foodies
🔖 F A V O U R I T E • Q U O T E S
"Think about what you want. What you want to make and add to the world."
"There's so much in your life that you can't control...So maybe you can use this chance to do something for yourself"
Content Warnings
Graphic: Racial slurs, Xenophobia, Cultural appropriation, and Racism
Moderate: Grief, War, Death, and Classism
Minor: Colonisation
liamliayaum's review against another edition
emotional
funny
inspiring
lighthearted
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.0
Content Warnings
Moderate: Racism and Xenophobia
Minor: War
gracelang_09's review against another edition
challenging
emotional
funny
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
4.25
Content Warnings
Moderate: Racism, Death, and Grief
Minor: War
escapismforlife's review against another edition
challenging
dark
emotional
funny
hopeful
informative
inspiring
reflective
sad
tense
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
4.0
Bao and Linh must be protected at all cost. Their relationship forms so naturally. In spite of the obstacles they face from their parents Vietnam restraurants rivalry.
A Pho Love Story is the best first young adult love story I picked up finally since fall 2022. It was complex and layered with each chapter in their alternate point of views revealin something new. A story which had more depthful history of each others immigrant family. Not to mention how they discovered and embraced what they wanted to do for themselves. Which did not leave their culture behind in the process.
I felt on the verge of emotional overload by the end of this story. Just from the things they discover and the family dynamics. It was beautiful in the most unexpeted of ways to finish this one. This was a solid and quick contemporary story that has a strong teen romance at the center of it all. A solid first book from a new author this year.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Confinement, Racism, Panic attacks/disorders, Racial slurs, Classism, Grief, Colonisation, Emotional abuse, and Hate crime
chasingpages1's review against another edition
emotional
funny
hopeful
lighthearted
mysterious
relaxing
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
3.5
Content Warnings
Graphic: Racism, Xenophobia, and Racial slurs
Minor: Bullying, Death, War, and Pregnancy