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storiesandsidequests's review against another edition
emotional
hopeful
lighthearted
medium-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? Yes
3.5
If you’re looking for a cute romance with two Asian protagonists, A Pho Love Story is a great one to pick up. The story is told with alternating perspectives of the two main characters, Bao Nguyen and Linh Mai whose parents own competing pho restaurants and have a long-standing rivalry.
The writing was easy to connect with and I loved the descriptions of food, especially when they start going to other restaurants Seriously, this book will make you want to eat!
The romance was cute, but kind of boring if I’m being completely honest. For me, there wasn’t enough build up to the romantic relationship and I was more interested in the backstory behind the ongoing feud between their families, which went much deeper than the competing restaurants. I enjoyed watching the story unfolding as Linh and Bao uncovered their families’ history, but the reveal felt a bit too rushed despite the book being pretty long. The family relationships were the most compelling thing about this book and I appreciated that the author chose to include the storyline of the older generations’ escape from Vietnam after the war and the immigrant experience.
I enjoyed getting to know Linh and Bao as individual characters. Although they fall for each other so quickly, they each have their own individual personalities and motivations throughout the story. I appreciated Linh as a character because as tired as I am of seeing the overachiever Asian protagonist who secretly wants a career in the arts but feels pressure from her parents to pursue something more prestigious, I can personally relate to many of the things she felt growing up. Like many Asian kids, straight A’s were expected and I dismissed many of my creative pursuits as just hobbies instead of embracing them as viable career options.
Bao was such a sweet character and he’s basically the perfect no-drama boyfriend (minus the whole family rivalry thing). What I liked most about him in the beginning is that he was so kind, but also so average – average grades, neither popular nor unpopular, unremarkable to the point that his parents don’t put pressure on him to be perfect. They don’t want him to be top of his class or a doctor; they just want him to find something he can succeed at. I have mixed feelings about his character arc though. On one hand I liked that he found something he was passionate about that helped fight back against the racism leveled against his community, but I’m not sure how I feel about how easily he excels and how everything just falls into place so quickly. I think this simplification can be pretty discouraging to readers who have to struggle to be good enough at something they’ve been working toward for a long time.
Also, can we please dispel the harmful model minority myth and the stereotype that Asian kids are perfect and can immediately succeed at everything? Let Asian kids be ordinary. Let them struggle and be uncertain about their future.
I actually think Linh’s aunt was a good example of this. Linh looks up to her because she’s an artist and lives life on her own terms but has to deal with her sister’s (Linh’s mother) patronizing remarks about her being a starving artist despite the fact that she is now quite successful. Actually, I’d be really interested to read her point of view of their immigration, how she struggled before she succeeded and how she maintained her relationship with her family despite their comments and disappointment.
In conclusion, I loved the characters as individuals, the family dynamics, and the historical fiction aspect. The romance wasn’t anything extraordinary but it was pretty cute and I enjoyed it overall.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Racism and Xenophobia
Minor: Death
rorikae's review against another edition
funny
lighthearted
fast-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
4.5
'A Pho Love Story' by Loan Le is a contemporary romance set in high school that follows two Vietnamese-American students navigating growing feelings and their family's decades long feud.
The story centers on Bao and Linh, two high school students whose parents run warring Vietnamese restaurants. Due to their parent's feud, Bao and Linh have largely avoided one another but then they share a moment and begin to feel drawn to one another. Working together on a restaurant review for the school newspaper, they grow closer and start to develop feelings for one another. But how can they balance their budding relationship with their family's drama, especially when it turns out their feud may have a much deeper reason than they both suspected.
Le has written a story that both has so much heart and is filled with incredibly lovable characters. We get to experience Bao and Linh not only exploring their feelings for one another but also their family's history and where they want to go in the future. Le's writing is quick but fun and she easily makes you care for her characters. Linh is passionate about art but unsure how to bring this up to her parents while Bao has been uncertain about his future until he discovers a new love for writing. The deeper story at the heart of their family's feud is heartbreaking and Le carefully peels back bits and pieces of the story so that the reader discovers what really happened at the same time as the main characters. This would make a perfect teen romcom movie and I hope we will get to see it adapted. I highly recommend the audiobook, which has two narrators, one for each of the character's points of view. If you're looking for a fun high school romcom with so much heart and a deeper center, 'A Pho Love Story' is a wonderful choice.
The story centers on Bao and Linh, two high school students whose parents run warring Vietnamese restaurants. Due to their parent's feud, Bao and Linh have largely avoided one another but then they share a moment and begin to feel drawn to one another. Working together on a restaurant review for the school newspaper, they grow closer and start to develop feelings for one another. But how can they balance their budding relationship with their family's drama, especially when it turns out their feud may have a much deeper reason than they both suspected.
Le has written a story that both has so much heart and is filled with incredibly lovable characters. We get to experience Bao and Linh not only exploring their feelings for one another but also their family's history and where they want to go in the future. Le's writing is quick but fun and she easily makes you care for her characters. Linh is passionate about art but unsure how to bring this up to her parents while Bao has been uncertain about his future until he discovers a new love for writing. The deeper story at the heart of their family's feud is heartbreaking and Le carefully peels back bits and pieces of the story so that the reader discovers what really happened at the same time as the main characters. This would make a perfect teen romcom movie and I hope we will get to see it adapted. I highly recommend the audiobook, which has two narrators, one for each of the character's points of view. If you're looking for a fun high school romcom with so much heart and a deeper center, 'A Pho Love Story' is a wonderful choice.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Racism and Xenophobia
snowhitereads's review
emotional
funny
lighthearted
relaxing
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
3.5
I’ve seen this book float around bookstagram quite a lot recently so I decided to give it a shot.
First of all, this book made me so hungry.
This was a cute, quick and easy read.
But also an important one.
It tells a story of immigrant parents and the struggles and dilemmas that comes with that. It deals with xenophobia and harmful asian stereotypes.
Alongside a cute read, I feel like I learnt more about Vietnamese culture and history.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Xenophobia, Racial slurs, Racism, Murder, and Grief
lettuce_read's review
emotional
hopeful
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? Yes
4.0
Content Warnings
Graphic: Racism and Xenophobia
sydneyj's review
emotional
funny
hopeful
lighthearted
reflective
Content Warnings
Moderate: Panic attacks/disorders, Racism, Racial slurs, and Xenophobia
Minor: Death and Grief
jina's review against another edition
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
3.5
Content Warnings
Moderate: Racism and Xenophobia
macsenbesemer's review
funny
hopeful
lighthearted
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
3.25
I listened to this book as an audio book, and I would definitely recommend doing it that way!! As someone who has basic at best knowledge of Vietnamese culture, I felt fully imeresed in Little Saigon (also, I didn’t have to butcher all the Vietnamese phrases and dishes in my head). It was a cute story, and I enjoyed listening to it. The ending was a bit predictable, but I still found it satisfying to see 2 families come together. I would recommend this read for someone who just wants something fun and cute, nothing more. It does discuss racism and traditional families, but it is first and foremost a rom-com.
Content Warnings
Moderate: Xenophobia and Racism
jennikreads's review against another edition
funny
hopeful
inspiring
lighthearted
tense
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
5.0
Content Warnings
Graphic: Racism and Xenophobia
madamepincers's review
challenging
emotional
funny
hopeful
lighthearted
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? It's complicated
4.5
Content Warnings
Graphic: Panic attacks/disorders, Racism, and Xenophobia
Minor: Violence
References to refugee history/fleeing a country/dangerous and violent conflict
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