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samix3reads's review against another edition
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? No
2.5
nicjmartins's review
funny
lighthearted
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? Yes
4.0
theromanticace's review
emotional
funny
reflective
tense
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
3.5
axlilxlala's review against another edition
emotional
funny
lighthearted
relaxing
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
3.0
amlibera's review
4.0
Sweet romance with very specific and complex characters (both Asian, both queer but in a m/f relationship, both realistic in terms of their anxiety issues in a way that doesn't get all fixed by falling in love) as with the previous book in this series, some great writing about food and restaurants (and a standup comedy character who felt pretty true to life - which is highly unusual).
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
sarahanne8382's review
4.0
This was just wonderful. Opposites attract. Enemies to lovers. Strong involvement of family. All things that really appeal to me in general and worked well in this book. Also shout out to those looking for bisexual representation and couples that are childless by choice.
Melvin Lee enjoys his life as a fairly successful stand-up comic/actor. And he's stoked to be the best man in his friend Ryan's wedding. The only problem is Ryan's fiancé's roommate, Vivian Liao, who absolutely hates him after he was just a teensy bit rude the first time they met. Unlike Melvin, Vivian is not comfortable in social settings, especially when meeting new people. So imagine her horror when meeting her favorite comedian, Melvin Lee, and he insults her chosen profession. But through the course of wedding planning, they begin to see what's under the surface of each other's very different facades.
I thought this would be fun filler, but I neglected chores on Saturday afternoon and then went to bed early so I could finish reading this.
Melvin Lee enjoys his life as a fairly successful stand-up comic/actor. And he's stoked to be the best man in his friend Ryan's wedding. The only problem is Ryan's fiancé's roommate, Vivian Liao, who absolutely hates him after he was just a teensy bit rude the first time they met. Unlike Melvin, Vivian is not comfortable in social settings, especially when meeting new people. So imagine her horror when meeting her favorite comedian, Melvin Lee, and he insults her chosen profession. But through the course of wedding planning, they begin to see what's under the surface of each other's very different facades.
I thought this would be fun filler, but I neglected chores on Saturday afternoon and then went to bed early so I could finish reading this.
westcoaster05's review
funny
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
gillkelsey05's review
emotional
funny
lighthearted
slow-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
2.75
pageturnermagic_01's review
funny
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
4.25