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nini23's review against another edition
lighthearted
3.0
I've been curious about Jackie Lau's books for awhile (especially the one with a man eating a durian on the cover!), this is my first test run.
What I like about her book:-
• Asian characters are in unconventional careers like stand-up comedian and acting (for those who say that Roger Kwok seems based off Simi Liu & Melvin the stocky sidekick resembles Andrew Phung, I agree)
• Toronto setting
• bisexual rep
• childfree woman who has thought over her choices in a logical manner (she had to be de facto parent to her younger siblings) and thinks to herself having children for the purpose of having someone look after you in old age is selfish. For those who don't know, that's a common bingo levelled at childfree women. She communicates her CF choice early and clearly to a potential life partner. That's a lot more thought and planning than those who breed mindlessly.
• responsible eldest sister archetype who does all the organizing and caring but who looks after her? The talk with her family about how she feels was cathartic, the response realistic (dad, sister and brother came over to apologize later but not mom)
• Melvin's Po Po is a hoot
• the Chinese wedding banquet food, jook, polo bao, karaoke, soju bar, matcha tiramisu etc
• the couple's talking with plush toys, très cute
I never quite took to Melvin maybe because I know people like him who make insensitive brash 'jokes' that may inadvertantly cause offense/pain. His stand-up routine wasn't quite funny either. I did soften a bit against him with his insomnia, spiraling thoughts and depression. But maybe it's true that 'loud' people are the most insecure internally.
[As an aside, I recently watched
Kho Gaye Hum Kahan (transl. Where Have We Lost Ourselves?), a Hindi movie that involves a young stand-up comedian with a devastating secret, had me chuckling and bawling].
It's a fast, easy read. I may check out Lau's latest books the Chu Restaurant series.
What I like about her book:-
• Asian characters are in unconventional careers like stand-up comedian and acting (for those who say that Roger Kwok seems based off Simi Liu & Melvin the stocky sidekick resembles Andrew Phung, I agree)
• Toronto setting
• bisexual rep
• childfree woman who has thought over her choices in a logical manner (she had to be de facto parent to her younger siblings) and thinks to herself having children for the purpose of having someone look after you in old age is selfish. For those who don't know, that's a common bingo levelled at childfree women. She communicates her CF choice early and clearly to a potential life partner. That's a lot more thought and planning than those who breed mindlessly.
• responsible eldest sister archetype who does all the organizing and caring but who looks after her? The talk with her family about how she feels was cathartic, the response realistic (dad, sister and brother came over to apologize later but not mom)
• Melvin's Po Po is a hoot
• the Chinese wedding banquet food, jook, polo bao, karaoke, soju bar, matcha tiramisu etc
• the couple's talking with plush toys, très cute
I never quite took to Melvin maybe because I know people like him who make insensitive brash 'jokes' that may inadvertantly cause offense/pain. His stand-up routine wasn't quite funny either. I did soften a bit against him with his insomnia, spiraling thoughts and depression. But maybe it's true that 'loud' people are the most insecure internally.
[As an aside, I recently watched
Kho Gaye Hum Kahan (transl. Where Have We Lost Ourselves?), a Hindi movie that involves a young stand-up comedian with a devastating secret, had me chuckling and bawling].
It's a fast, easy read. I may check out Lau's latest books the Chu Restaurant series.
Content Warnings
Moderate: Gaslighting and Mental illness
crystalisreading's review
hopeful
reflective
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
4.0
Content Warnings
Graphic: Sexual content
Moderate: Biphobia, Cursing, and Mental illness
Minor: Racism, Alcohol, and Vomit
wilybooklover's review against another edition
emotional
funny
lighthearted
medium-paced
4.0
I really enjoyed this!
I adored Vivian. I love a 'difficult' heroine, and you see exactly how she came to be that way in this book. She's very cleverly written in a way that makes you sympathise with her, rather than getting too frustrated or annoyed with her. She's prickly and standoffish but secretly so soft when she opens up. I enjoyed seeing her stand up to her family and begin to repair her relationship with some of them (I appreciated how she didn't reconcile with them all though — very realistic!).
I also loved Mel, who is a very unconventional romance hero. He's the same height as the heroine, on the chubby side, with a class clown personality. He's kind of the opposite to Vivian in many ways — loud (in both personality and fashion sense), famous, a bit brash, loves being the centre of attention. Yet they work well together as a couple because they balance each other out, and because Mel is a sweetheart who is so giving and supportive. I loved that they were both bi, and how they both felt queer. The ending is quite unconventional as well, with both characters in a happy long-distance relationship. I loved that neither of them had to sacrifice their location or career! I found Mel's po po a bit annoying, but I do tend to struggle with matchmaking relatives.
I adored Vivian. I love a 'difficult' heroine, and you see exactly how she came to be that way in this book. She's very cleverly written in a way that makes you sympathise with her, rather than getting too frustrated or annoyed with her. She's prickly and standoffish but secretly so soft when she opens up. I enjoyed seeing her stand up to her family and begin to repair her relationship with some of them (I appreciated how she didn't reconcile with them all though — very realistic!).
I also loved Mel, who is a very unconventional romance hero. He's the same height as the heroine, on the chubby side, with a class clown personality. He's kind of the opposite to Vivian in many ways — loud (in both personality and fashion sense), famous, a bit brash, loves being the centre of attention. Yet they work well together as a couple because they balance each other out, and because Mel is a sweetheart who is so giving and supportive. I loved that they were both bi, and how they both felt queer. The ending is quite unconventional as well, with both characters in a happy long-distance relationship. I loved that neither of them had to sacrifice their location or career! I found Mel's po po a bit annoying, but I do tend to struggle with matchmaking relatives.
I have to say though, there's a fair bit of Mel's stand-up in this book and I didn’t find most of it very funny. I think it’s just difficult to represent in text format, and I often don’t find American comedians that funny anyway (just a cultural clash, I think). And I haaated the third-act breakup.
Oh, and as always with Jackie Lau, this book had some delicious food! I swear her books need to come with themed snacks included because they make me so hungry!
Content Warnings
Graphic: Panic attacks/disorders and Sexual content
Moderate: Homophobia, Toxic relationship, Biphobia, and Mental illness
Minor: Racism, Misogyny, and Emotional abuse
carinav's review against another edition
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
4.5
Content Warnings
Moderate: Mental illness
Minor: Biphobia
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