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3.82 AVERAGE
3.82 AVERAGE
Sure this is full of insta love and fake dating tropes and to be honest the plot itself is unremarkable, but what is redeeming about this novel is that it is full of heart, culture and fluff. If you're looking for something serious or genre defying this certainly isn't it, but at under 300 pages it does make for a quick, fun Summer read that offers light entertainment for someone seeking a wholesome, Hallmark esque queer romance.
emotional
funny
fast-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Plot
Strong character development:
No
Loveable characters:
Yes
Diverse cast of characters:
Yes
Flaws of characters a main focus:
No
This was a cute story and seemed geared towards a younger YA audience, with an easy to follow plot and clearly expressed emotions.
emotional
funny
lighthearted
fast-paced
Diverse cast of characters:
Yes
inspiring
lighthearted
reflective
fast-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Plot
Strong character development:
Yes
Loveable characters:
Yes
Diverse cast of characters:
Yes
Flaws of characters a main focus:
No
funny
lighthearted
fast-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Plot
Strong character development:
No
Loveable characters:
Yes
Diverse cast of characters:
Yes
Flaws of characters a main focus:
No
This book was fine but very, very heavily leaned into wish fulfillment in a way that felt unrealistic. The love interest is perfect, rich, and devoted from the beginning without a single hint of nuance. The romance is obvious and holds no real tension. Low stakes of all low stakes.
What I liked: the characters were sweet, the family relationships well-written and warm, and the food sounded delicious! There were occasional moments of intense connection and identity in these characters and their struggles, just never taken to the deeper place I expected.
What I liked: the characters were sweet, the family relationships well-written and warm, and the food sounded delicious! There were occasional moments of intense connection and identity in these characters and their struggles, just never taken to the deeper place I expected.
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
Gay teen romance, food focussed, fake dating, & a wedding in the Hamptons.
This heartfelt debut novel follows Dylan Tang as he enters a Mid-Autumn Festival mooncake-making contest, both in memory of his mum & to bring publicity for his aunt’s struggling Chinese takeout. But then he meets Theo Summers, a rich kid stuck in the middle of a family squabble, who convinces Dylan to be his fake date to a wedding in the Hamptons. Will Theo prove a distraction, or can Dylan find love whilst also saving the takeout?
This charming, lighthearted, fast-paced romance navigates complex issues (such as grief & privilege) with nuance, whilst also creating well-developed characters & a beautifully written plot
With a story that doesn’t focus on coming out or homophobia, the book brought me so much joy, and the vivid descriptions of food left me hungry. Dylan’s family are just so loving & welcoming to Theo, and Clover the corgi is so cute.
I understand the great reviews, because I loved this book
This heartfelt debut novel follows Dylan Tang as he enters a Mid-Autumn Festival mooncake-making contest, both in memory of his mum & to bring publicity for his aunt’s struggling Chinese takeout. But then he meets Theo Summers, a rich kid stuck in the middle of a family squabble, who convinces Dylan to be his fake date to a wedding in the Hamptons. Will Theo prove a distraction, or can Dylan find love whilst also saving the takeout?
This charming, lighthearted, fast-paced romance navigates complex issues (such as grief & privilege) with nuance, whilst also creating well-developed characters & a beautifully written plot
With a story that doesn’t focus on coming out or homophobia, the book brought me so much joy, and the vivid descriptions of food left me hungry. Dylan’s family are just so loving & welcoming to Theo, and Clover the corgi is so cute.
I understand the great reviews, because I loved this book
lighthearted
fast-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
A mix
Strong character development:
Yes
Loveable characters:
Yes
Diverse cast of characters:
Complicated
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Yes
emotional
hopeful
inspiring
relaxing
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
Very cute. A few things took me out of immersion including the writing style, which was not for me. That said the ending was very sweet and wrapped things up nicely. Predictable but pleasant, and I enjoyed learning about mooncakes.