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lainiereads's review against another edition
emotional
funny
lighthearted
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.5
SO CUTE!!! definitely recommend for an adorable romance and a powerful story about family (it’s so sweet i love it)
also Chef Lé and Saffron are the best characters i want to be their best friends.
also Chef Lé and Saffron are the best characters i want to be their best friends.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Racism and Xenophobia
Minor: Cultural appropriation and Death
belle2008's review against another edition
medium-paced
4.0
Content Warnings
Moderate: Colonisation, Death, Grief, Racism, War, and Xenophobia
wellreadjill_'s review against another edition
funny
inspiring
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
4.0
Content Warnings
Graphic: Racism, Xenophobia, and Racial slurs
navayiota's review against another edition
challenging
emotional
funny
hopeful
informative
inspiring
lighthearted
mysterious
sad
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? Yes
4.75
This book was so heartwarming. A perfect love story, mystery, and character journey. (And thriller, during the sneaky moments! Hiding from parents is nerveracking.) I would 100% recommend this cute emotional ride.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Racism and Xenophobia
Moderate: Death, Grief, and War
Minor: Sexism
the_paperbackprincess's review against another edition
emotional
funny
inspiring
lighthearted
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? No
3.5
Content Warnings
Graphic: Cultural appropriation, Racism, Xenophobia, War, Grief, and Death
aargot1's review
emotional
hopeful
lighthearted
medium-paced
4.75
Content Warnings
Graphic: Xenophobia, Racism, and Racial slurs
maple_dove's review against another edition
funny
lighthearted
reflective
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
4.0
Easy and motivating page-turner for me! I like how this book didn't focus on JUST the romance. It focused on family too. A lot.
Here are some special quote(s)!
Here are some special quote(s)!
"There are people out there who don't have the energy to help people get better. They just accept the other person's flaws, and sure, there's less conflict to deal with, but it's almost living out a lie. Then there are people who aren't afraid to point something's wrong--even something as little as a typo. In the end, you're making something better, and that's more than other people are willing to do."
"That's the best type of interview. You gave me room just talk." (Pg. 202)
I grin, thinking back to what Saffron just said. It wasn't wasn't date's destination that really mattered to her; it was the gesture. She seemed to appreciate something less extravagant, as long as it felt real. (Pg. 273)
Content Warnings
Graphic: Racism and Xenophobia
tlanereads's review
inspiring
lighthearted
fast-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
4.0
Characters that know how to communicate and actually have empathy towards themselves and others? That hold themselves accountable??
We love to see it!
Such a fun cast of characters. They aren’t free from flaws but there’s nothing controversial or extreme, and acknowledging and growing from their mistakes is a big thing in this read. The supporting cast is fun, with a variety of personalities.
Communicates grief and the life of immigrant families well with a nice emphasis on community and reconciliation.
We love to see it!
Such a fun cast of characters. They aren’t free from flaws but there’s nothing controversial or extreme, and acknowledging and growing from their mistakes is a big thing in this read. The supporting cast is fun, with a variety of personalities.
Communicates grief and the life of immigrant families well with a nice emphasis on community and reconciliation.
Content Warnings
Moderate: Racism and Xenophobia
Minor: Death
thenovelmaura's review against another edition
inspiring
lighthearted
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
This was yet another book that I picked up for AAPI Heritage Month and my YA reading month! I got A Pho Love Story in an Authentic Books box back in February, and this was a great excuse to read it.
If you're looking for a food-centered romances, this is a solid choice. The descriptions of Vietnamese dishes are mouthwatering and it was nice to have two leads who valued and interacted with food regularly (as opposed to, say, a baking romance where only one character bakes). There was also an element of intrigue when it came to the mystery of why their parents hated each other so much. Linh and Bao bonded over their shared experiences of being raised in a restaurant and figuring themselves out as the children of immigrants. They were so supportive of each other's dreams, and despite their immediate interest in one another, their romantic relationship was slow-blooming and rooted in friendship. Speaking of friends, I appreciated that they each had someone else in their corner and weren't completely wrapped up in each other.
I did have trouble identifying the target audience for this one. While the characters' ages put this in the older YA category, some parts—particularly the racist Yelp review subplot—were oversimplified, and I think readers would have been capable of handling more mature themes. Setting that aside, I think Bao's search for his passion in life and Linh's fears that her passion wouldn't enable her to make a living will be relatable to YA readers of all ages. This is a book that will leave you with a full heart and a growling stomach!
If you're looking for a food-centered romances, this is a solid choice. The descriptions of Vietnamese dishes are mouthwatering and it was nice to have two leads who valued and interacted with food regularly (as opposed to, say, a baking romance where only one character bakes). There was also an element of intrigue when it came to the mystery of why their parents hated each other so much. Linh and Bao bonded over their shared experiences of being raised in a restaurant and figuring themselves out as the children of immigrants. They were so supportive of each other's dreams, and despite their immediate interest in one another, their romantic relationship was slow-blooming and rooted in friendship. Speaking of friends, I appreciated that they each had someone else in their corner and weren't completely wrapped up in each other.
I did have trouble identifying the target audience for this one. While the characters' ages put this in the older YA category, some parts—particularly the racist Yelp review subplot—were oversimplified, and I think readers would have been capable of handling more mature themes. Setting that aside, I think Bao's search for his passion in life and Linh's fears that her passion wouldn't enable her to make a living will be relatable to YA readers of all ages. This is a book that will leave you with a full heart and a growling stomach!
Content Warnings
Graphic: Racism and Xenophobia
k_tiches's review
emotional
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? Yes
3.75
Content Warnings
Moderate: Racism and Xenophobia