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matchabookshelf's review against another edition
funny
hopeful
lighthearted
relaxing
slow-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
Moderate: Racism
Minor: Death of parent
kindredbooks's review against another edition
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? It's complicated
4.5
I received an e-galley of A Pho Love Story by Loan Le from Simon and Schuster Canada in exchange for an honest review.
I love pho and I love a good love story and that is exactly what you get in this new YA romance novel. Linh and Bao have grown up watching one another from across the street as their families hate one another. Both families run Vietnamese restaurants and seem to always be trying to one-up the other. When fate intervenes one night and Linh and Bao are thrown together, the two teenagers find themselves drawn to one another despite knowing the opposition they will face from their families. As they grapple with their identities and passions as teenagers are bound to do, they will also have to uncover some family secrets that may reveal once and for all the root of all the family rivalry, but it may prove to be too much for young love to handle.
I absolutely love that #ownvoices stories are becoming more available and that the style of writing feels very authentic. While I am not Vietnamese, I enjoyed seeing the language within the novel as it resonated with my own experience of having grown up with a different language at home. The use of language is so important and speaks to so much about families, relationships, and culture. While Loan Le doesn’t translate these Vietnamese phrases, I think that she always gives enough context for you to understand what is going on. I thought that the relationship between Linh and Bao was very sweet, including their first interaction as kids, and how they were able to support one another and help each other grow in their respective passions.
Finally, all this talk and description of the delicious Vietnamese food in this novel has me craving Vietnamese food so badly. There were mention of food that I’d never tried before (I’m a creature of habit and tend to always only order pho) and I just really want to order everything that was mentioned in the book. I think that Vietnamese restaurants are about to see an increase in customers once this book is out.
Thank you to Simon and Schuster Canada for sending me a copy of this book via NetGalley.
I love pho and I love a good love story and that is exactly what you get in this new YA romance novel. Linh and Bao have grown up watching one another from across the street as their families hate one another. Both families run Vietnamese restaurants and seem to always be trying to one-up the other. When fate intervenes one night and Linh and Bao are thrown together, the two teenagers find themselves drawn to one another despite knowing the opposition they will face from their families. As they grapple with their identities and passions as teenagers are bound to do, they will also have to uncover some family secrets that may reveal once and for all the root of all the family rivalry, but it may prove to be too much for young love to handle.
I absolutely love that #ownvoices stories are becoming more available and that the style of writing feels very authentic. While I am not Vietnamese, I enjoyed seeing the language within the novel as it resonated with my own experience of having grown up with a different language at home. The use of language is so important and speaks to so much about families, relationships, and culture. While Loan Le doesn’t translate these Vietnamese phrases, I think that she always gives enough context for you to understand what is going on. I thought that the relationship between Linh and Bao was very sweet, including their first interaction as kids, and how they were able to support one another and help each other grow in their respective passions.
Finally, all this talk and description of the delicious Vietnamese food in this novel has me craving Vietnamese food so badly. There were mention of food that I’d never tried before (I’m a creature of habit and tend to always only order pho) and I just really want to order everything that was mentioned in the book. I think that Vietnamese restaurants are about to see an increase in customers once this book is out.
Thank you to Simon and Schuster Canada for sending me a copy of this book via NetGalley.
Content Warnings
Moderate: Racial slurs and Racism
Minor: Death and Death of parent
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