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libraryghost's review
hopeful
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
Content Warnings
Graphic: Racism and Grief
Moderate: Death, Racism, and War
bedtimesandbooks's review
hopeful
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
Content Warnings
Graphic: Xenophobia, Racism, Death, War, Grief, and Classism
aqtbenz's review against another edition
emotional
lighthearted
reflective
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? No
4.0
Content Warnings
Moderate: Death, War, and Racism
vcords_'s review
emotional
hopeful
inspiring
lighthearted
reflective
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? It's complicated
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
4.5
Content Warnings
Minor: Racism, Cursing, Genocide, and War
anitalittlereading's review
emotional
hopeful
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
5.0
It is SO GOOD!!! I smiled incredibly wide when I finished it. Though you start reading it as if it’s just a diverse version of a YA romance novel, it offers nuances and depth I wasn’t expecting—about how the children of immigrants and their parents may leave things unspoken, but still have things to say; about how hurt stays with you and curdles; about how love offers ways to reconnect and re-bridge. And about the war between wanting what you want for yourself but still wanting the approval and support of your family. And we see the main character growing into his own—finding his own voice as a writer and his love continues doing what she loves. Phenomenal. I’m super excited to see what else Loan Le will be writing !
Content Warnings
Minor: War
Read it!ellamycroft's review against another edition
lighthearted
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? No
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
1.0
Content Warnings
Moderate: Racism
Minor: War, Sexism, and Death
samchase112's review
lighthearted
reflective
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? Yes
4.0
One of the cutest YA romances I’ve read in the longest time!!! I fully believed Linh and Bao’s feelings for each other, and completely adored them as a couple. The backdrop of Vietnamese-American culture and family was such an interesting and well-incorporated element to the story, and made this more than just another cute love story with a miscommunication twist. The ending was very rushed, however — Bao’s article should have been a more important plot line, and stretching it back further would have made his arc even better. Overall though, this was a pure fun time, and I loved diving into a YA romance that actually made me squeal with happiness!
Content Warnings
Moderate: Racism
Minor: War, Colonisation, Death, Violence, and Grief
imlaurenshelton's review against another edition
emotional
hopeful
inspiring
reflective
slow-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
4.75
A tale as old as time, boy and girl of warring families fall in love and either make it, uniting their families, or break up, causing further division. Nothing will ever compare to Romeo & Juliet, as Shakespeare is the ultimate Drama King and had to just kill them off instead of giving us a logical ending. I won’t spoil this book’s ending for you, as I think you will be very content with how the author wrapped up the plot here.
What was particularly unique about this book is that it let us, the readers, get to know each character individually and together, while giving us generational background as well. Learning the families’ histories was just as important to me as learning about what the main characters wanted to do with the rest of their lives (they are in high school). It was also great to see artistic talents featured and encouraged in a predominantly Asian-American cast of characters (well, and just in general).
The only nit-picks I had was that the book was a bit slow and used a bit more cursing than necessary (IMO). I loved hearing about all the Vietnamese dishes and the beautiful sense of community among the characters. I also love reading about other cultures; this was my first fictional novel about Vietnamese-Americans. I saw some reviews complaining that some lines were written or spoken (for audiobook listeners) in Vietnamese and how they had to use Google Translate (which isn’t really effective in general btw), which was an annoying comment to see. It is very easy to read between the lines to understand what is being said in Vietnamese, but also it’s translated back to us in what the kids say most of the time. Of all things to gripe about, that’s just a ridiculous one.
I definitely enjoyed this read and hope to see more novels by this author because her writing style was engaging. I think it would be fun to play off all the main Shakespearean titles now, Hamlet, Midsummer Night’s Dream, etc… I would read or listen to those in a heartbeat.
What was particularly unique about this book is that it let us, the readers, get to know each character individually and together, while giving us generational background as well. Learning the families’ histories was just as important to me as learning about what the main characters wanted to do with the rest of their lives (they are in high school). It was also great to see artistic talents featured and encouraged in a predominantly Asian-American cast of characters (well, and just in general).
The only nit-picks I had was that the book was a bit slow and used a bit more cursing than necessary (IMO). I loved hearing about all the Vietnamese dishes and the beautiful sense of community among the characters. I also love reading about other cultures; this was my first fictional novel about Vietnamese-Americans. I saw some reviews complaining that some lines were written or spoken (for audiobook listeners) in Vietnamese and how they had to use Google Translate (which isn’t really effective in general btw), which was an annoying comment to see. It is very easy to read between the lines to understand what is being said in Vietnamese, but also it’s translated back to us in what the kids say most of the time. Of all things to gripe about, that’s just a ridiculous one.
I definitely enjoyed this read and hope to see more novels by this author because her writing style was engaging. I think it would be fun to play off all the main Shakespearean titles now, Hamlet, Midsummer Night’s Dream, etc… I would read or listen to those in a heartbeat.
Content Warnings
Moderate: Racism, Death, Cursing, and War
There is a moderate amount of cursing throughout the book. Racism is minor theme in the book, the family is Vietnamese dealing with people telling them to “go home” and the parents hint to worse interactions than that. There is brief mention of the Vietnam War (I can’t remember if it is specifically stated that is what they are referring to, but that was my understanding). This book addresses the racism and War/immigration issues with class and ease.eldritch_flower's review
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
4.5
Oh wow this was cute.
We follow Linh and Bao. They come from families who hate each other. It's a feud that's been going on since before either one of them was born. Because of this, they spent a their entire early life avoiding each other. Until they stop, and shocking to no one, fall in love.
The story describes their love in a very sweet way, and Bao is a cinnamon roll and Linh is a firecracker and together their chemistry is fantastic. Together they both need to find a way to be in love with how their families deal with each other.
The book also touches on some family trauma that comes from immigrant families escaping a dangerous country.
Overall, I really enjoyed this book.
We follow Linh and Bao. They come from families who hate each other. It's a feud that's been going on since before either one of them was born. Because of this, they spent a their entire early life avoiding each other. Until they stop, and shocking to no one, fall in love.
The story describes their love in a very sweet way, and Bao is a cinnamon roll and Linh is a firecracker and together their chemistry is fantastic. Together they both need to find a way to be in love with how their families deal with each other.
The book also touches on some family trauma that comes from immigrant families escaping a dangerous country.
Overall, I really enjoyed this book.
Content Warnings
Moderate: Racism
Minor: War
lucymoosie's review
emotional
funny
lighthearted
relaxing
sad
tense
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.0
Content Warnings
Minor: War