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adventurous
challenging
emotional
inspiring
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:
No
Content Warnings
Moderate: Chronic illness, Death of parent
Minor: Death, Violence, War, Injury/Injury detail
adventurous
emotional
hopeful
inspiring
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
A Bánh Mì for Two is delightful YA sapphic romance between main characters Vivi and Lan. Vivi lied to her parents about her study abroad trip; she's actually in Vietnam to find out more about her mom's family and life. Once there, she meets Lan, who runs her mom's food cart in Sài Gòn and Vivi's favorite food blog A Bánh Mì for Two. They strike a deal and slowly grow closer. I loved how their friendship and feelings for each other developed naturally as they spent time getting to know each other.
These two girls are very different from each other, and these differences push them to go out of their comfort zones and grow in many ways. I, honestly, loved their story so much. Trinity Nguyen tackles grief, family expectations, identity, colonization, war, and so many things with such grace. This book is one I will continue to recommend for years to come. The tears I shed while listening won't go unnoticed.
Read this if you like foodie romances, growing pains, exploring cultures through food and history, sapphic representation, and thoughtful representations of grief and family trauma.
These two girls are very different from each other, and these differences push them to go out of their comfort zones and grow in many ways. I, honestly, loved their story so much. Trinity Nguyen tackles grief, family expectations, identity, colonization, war, and so many things with such grace. This book is one I will continue to recommend for years to come. The tears I shed while listening won't go unnoticed.
Read this if you like foodie romances, growing pains, exploring cultures through food and history, sapphic representation, and thoughtful representations of grief and family trauma.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Chronic illness, Grief, Death of parent
Moderate: Colonisation, War, Injury/Injury detail
Minor: Racism, Violence, Blood
adventurous
funny
hopeful
informative
inspiring
lighthearted
reflective
sad
medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Character
Strong character development:
Yes
Loveable characters:
Yes
Diverse cast of characters:
Yes
I enjoyed learning about the history and culture of Vietnam through this book. The main characters differing perspectives were also intriguing. And I like the main storylines, relationship, and characters.
I did feel like the story was a bit predictable and I didnt love the ending.
I also really hade third act breakups. Especially when theyre only together for like 30 seconds at the end.
I did feel like the story was a bit predictable and I didnt love the ending.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Grief, Death of parent
Minor: Cursing, Racism, Violence, Colonisation, War
emotional
hopeful
lighthearted
fast-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Character
Strong character development:
Yes
Loveable characters:
Yes
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Yes
Content Warnings
Graphic: Grief, Death of parent, Abandonment
Moderate: Chronic illness, War
Minor: Racism, Violence, Blood, Trafficking, Colonisation
adventurous
emotional
funny
hopeful
inspiring
lighthearted
reflective
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
disclaimer: I don’t really give starred reviews. I hope my reviews provide enough information to let you know if a book is for you or not. Find me here: https://linktr.ee/bookishmillennial
This was such a lovely YA sapphic romcom and I cried reading it. It was so tender, tugged at my heartstrings, and the way it was written made it feel like a warm hug. I know, it's corny to describe it that way, but this book really moved me!
We have Lan, who is trying so hard to balance being a helpful daughter running her mom's food cart in Sài Gòn, and then writing on her blog, A Banh Mi for Two.
Then, we have Vivi, who has lied to her parents about where she is studying abroad this semester and is actually in Vietnam for the very first time (her mother's homeland) to find out more about her elusive family history that her mom never speaks of.
The connection that develops between these two is slow but steady - they effortlessly unpack much of what they mask in front of others, indicating to them both that this relationship is *different* hehheehehe excuse me while I giggle and blush like the baby I am!!! The space they held for each other's feelings was so lovely, and I appreciate that they genuinely wanted the best for each other.
Anyway, if you want a soft, touching romcom about Vietnamese foodies who are unpacking their big feelings about family, identity, and choosing bravery, this one is for you!
Content Warnings
Graphic: Chronic illness, Grief, Death of parent
Moderate: Racism, Violence, Blood, Colonisation, War, Injury/Injury detail
adventurous
emotional
reflective
fast-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
A mix
Strong character development:
Yes
Loveable characters:
Yes
Diverse cast of characters:
Yes
sobbing rn !!! This was PRECIOUS! I dont know if all version are like this, but the hardcover edition from the library has the cutest artwork on the edges of the pages (idk what it’s called, like when books have sprayed edges but patterned) and it was on the inside of the book too??? Obsessed with that. This story was so cute, the romance did feel like it started a bit abruptly but also it’s queer 18 year old girls so that’s not unrealistic lmaooooooo. Every part of this was so tender, the ending had me in shambles. I can’t wait to see what comes next from Trinity Nguyen!
Content Warnings
Graphic: Violence, Grief, Death of parent, Colonisation, War
Moderate: Chronic illness, Xenophobia
adventurous
emotional
hopeful
inspiring
lighthearted
reflective
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:
Complicated
Content Warnings
Graphic: Grief
Moderate: Chronic illness, Death of parent, Colonisation, War
Minor: Violence