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3.82 AVERAGE
3.82 AVERAGE
emotional
funny
lighthearted
fast-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
A mix
Strong character development:
N/A
Loveable characters:
Yes
Diverse cast of characters:
Yes
Flaws of characters a main focus:
N/A
emotional
funny
lighthearted
fast-paced
inspiring
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:
No
Halfway through I was deciding between 2 and 3 stars. By 80% I was deciding between 1 and 2 stars. I was going to rate it 2 stars because I learned something about Chinese culture and they talked about lots of delicious food, but by the end of it, I realized I can’t do more than 1. They spend 75% of the book “fake dating” which is an exaggeration and seems like it’s added simply because it’s a book cliche. Thoughout the first 75% of the book I grow increasingly unconvinced as to why they haven’t kissed for real yet. The only reason I can think of is because the author is trying to increase yearning but they don’t quite manage to succeed.
The book is unbelievably unrealistic and badly paced. I don’t like reading books about billionaire children and I’m very unconvinced that his dad is a CEO of a semiconductor company. He’s a cliched billionaire villain. Overall, the book does more telling (through the thoughts of the MC Dylan) than showing. Their relationship progresses so fast yet so slowly. Theo’s best friend is a huge red flag which is not addressed at all. The book is filled with so many things that don’t make sense which went put together add up to a lot of issues. The author clearly does not know anything about semiconductor companies. It would have been more believable if his dad was CEO of another industry. I’m also not convinced the author has ever met a dog. A dog wouldn’t return with a mooncake in their mouth. Furthermore, it’s unrealistic that Dylan would be able to drive growing up poor in NYC. Also, someone who has rented all their lives wouldn’t think their landlord would make them pay for flood damage repairs. That’s a perk of renting… By the end of the story, I was getting so mad, which was exasperated by everyone seemingly ending up together for no believable reason. Awful book.
The book is unbelievably unrealistic and badly paced. I don’t like reading books about billionaire children and I’m very unconvinced that his dad is a CEO of a semiconductor company. He’s a cliched billionaire villain. Overall, the book does more telling (through the thoughts of the MC Dylan) than showing. Their relationship progresses so fast yet so slowly. Theo’s best friend is a huge red flag which is not addressed at all. The book is filled with so many things that don’t make sense which went put together add up to a lot of issues. The author clearly does not know anything about semiconductor companies. It would have been more believable if his dad was CEO of another industry. I’m also not convinced the author has ever met a dog. A dog wouldn’t return with a mooncake in their mouth. Furthermore, it’s unrealistic that Dylan would be able to drive growing up poor in NYC. Also, someone who has rented all their lives wouldn’t think their landlord would make them pay for flood damage repairs. That’s a perk of renting… By the end of the story, I was getting so mad, which was exasperated by everyone seemingly ending up together for no believable reason. Awful book.
emotional
hopeful
lighthearted
medium-paced
challenging
emotional
funny
hopeful
lighthearted
reflective
sad
tense
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:
Complicated
adventurous
emotional
funny
hopeful
informative
lighthearted
reflective
sad
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:
Complicated
lighthearted
medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Character
Strong character development:
Complicated
Loveable characters:
Yes
Diverse cast of characters:
Yes
Flaws of characters a main focus:
No
“fake dates and mooncakes” by sher lee is sweet, heartfelt, and full of flavor. it’s a charming and heartwarming ya rom-com that serves up a delicious blend of of food and family. it also includes tropes such as fake dating, there’s only one bed, and a slightly forbidden romance.
at first, i wasn’t sure if i would like the book. reading romances aren’t quite my style, and the rom-com incorporates a lot of clichés, as many romances tend to do. however, i found myself falling in love with theo and dylan’s story. they’re torn apart by theo’s father, who only cares about his reputation, and by golly if that’s not one of my favorite tropes of them all.
lee’s description of food is heavenly as well, and i appreciated how she explained the culture behind each dish and superstition. as someone who lives in a predominantly white area, i wouldn’t have known many of these stories if she didn’t explain them. i found it all incredibly touching, and i teared up at the end, even though it was a happy ending.
at first, i wasn’t sure if i would like the book. reading romances aren’t quite my style, and the rom-com incorporates a lot of clichés, as many romances tend to do. however, i found myself falling in love with theo and dylan’s story. they’re torn apart by theo’s father, who only cares about his reputation, and by golly if that’s not one of my favorite tropes of them all.
lee’s description of food is heavenly as well, and i appreciated how she explained the culture behind each dish and superstition. as someone who lives in a predominantly white area, i wouldn’t have known many of these stories if she didn’t explain them. i found it all incredibly touching, and i teared up at the end, even though it was a happy ending.
emotional
inspiring
lighthearted
fast-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Plot
Strong character development:
Yes
Loveable characters:
Yes
Diverse cast of characters:
Yes
Loveable characters:
Yes
This was just a cute lighthearted romance. The characters were loveable and the story was perfectly simple. I did not at any point feel annoyed with the characters, even though I found the final solution a bit too easy and perfect. Sometimes people are messy and endings aren't cut and dry, but in this book they are. Which isn't a bad thing, but something to know if you decide to pick it up.
If you want a sweet queer romance that'll make you yearn for some mooncakes, this is the story for you.
If you want a sweet queer romance that'll make you yearn for some mooncakes, this is the story for you.