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bookswithjess's review against another edition
emotional
funny
hopeful
lighthearted
slow-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
3.5
It was a little slow and repetitive. I feel like Le could have cut a few chapters out and got to the plot a bit quicker!
Content Warnings
Moderate: Racism, Death, and Xenophobia
Minor: Grief
readingelli's review
emotional
hopeful
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? It's complicated
5.0
A really beautiful story. I felt like I was getting a window into a different culture and some of the struggles faced by naturalised children of immigrant parents. I loved how the author included so much Vietnamese in the text, and how the MCs switched between English and Vietnamese with their families.
Sort of Romeo and Juliet but with Vietnamese restaurant owners in California!
Sort of Romeo and Juliet but with Vietnamese restaurant owners in California!
Content Warnings
Moderate: Racism 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
riley_v29's review
emotional
funny
hopeful
inspiring
lighthearted
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
5.0
Content Warnings
Graphic: Racism
matchabookshelf's review against another edition
funny
hopeful
lighthearted
relaxing
slow-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? It's complicated
3.5
Content Warnings
Moderate: Racism
Minor: Death of parent
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.mmackoy's review
emotional
hopeful
lighthearted
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.0
Content Warnings
Graphic: Racism
karaisreading's review
medium-paced
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
3.25
the premise of this book was so good.
romeo and juliet has been done to death, but opposing pho resturants? families who hate each other? secret relationship? y/a?
SPOILERS AHEAD
the beginning of this book started off so strong. the connection didn't feel forced, and i really, REALLY love nerdy relationships. something about it is just so charming. panicked inner monologue makes me smile so big bruh and it works really well with y/a.
but then, linh and bao somehow have a perfect opportunity to be together, conveniently they are paired up for a newspaper article?? thing??
and then suddenly, bao's passion in life is writing and linh and him are falling. falling falling falling and it was too underdeveloped.
LIKES:
the vietnamese culture, the family dynamics, the immigrant representation, the inner monologue, (how they fall for each other), the love for art, the chef and his wife :D
DISLIKES:
i feel like the plot relied too much on the BIG PROBLEM between the two families, but there were too many external factors: example, the aunt? she was a really random part of the story, and was only incorporated because she does art and miraculously knows the nguyen family and OH WAIT there's all this crazy backstory WOAHHH!!!
also linh's sister evie was there for one scene and i feel like she could've been written out entirely.
just some parts of the plot were very random and i felt didn't fit in the story very well. but i did enjoy this book.
romeo and juliet has been done to death, but opposing pho resturants? families who hate each other? secret relationship? y/a?
SPOILERS AHEAD
the beginning of this book started off so strong. the connection didn't feel forced, and i really, REALLY love nerdy relationships. something about it is just so charming. panicked inner monologue makes me smile so big bruh and it works really well with y/a.
but then, linh and bao somehow have a perfect opportunity to be together, conveniently they are paired up for a newspaper article?? thing??
and then suddenly, bao's passion in life is writing and linh and him are falling. falling falling falling and it was too underdeveloped.
LIKES:
the vietnamese culture, the family dynamics, the immigrant representation, the inner monologue, (how they fall for each other), the love for art, the chef and his wife :D
DISLIKES:
i feel like the plot relied too much on the BIG PROBLEM between the two families, but there were too many external factors: example, the aunt? she was a really random part of the story, and was only incorporated because she does art and miraculously knows the nguyen family and OH WAIT there's all this crazy backstory WOAHHH!!!
also linh's sister evie was there for one scene and i feel like she could've been written out entirely.
just some parts of the plot were very random and i felt didn't fit in the story very well. but i did enjoy this book.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Racism and Racial slurs
lainiereads's review
emotional
funny
lighthearted
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.5
SO CUTE!!! definitely recommend for an adorable romance and a powerful story about family (it’s so sweet i love it)
also Chef Lé and Saffron are the best characters i want to be their best friends.
also Chef Lé and Saffron are the best characters i want to be their best friends.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Racism and Xenophobia
Minor: Cultural appropriation and Death
amandalorianxo's review against another edition
emotional
funny
hopeful
lighthearted
reflective
relaxing
slow-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
3.25
I loved that this helped me learn a lot about Vietnamese food and culture. I rarely see contemporary novels with characters from other East Asian countries so this was refreshing. I chose the audiobook route for this novel after seeing the large (ish) page number. It’s definitely more on the G/PG side of the romance (since the main characters are juniors in high school) but still a sweet almost Romeo and Juliet esque vibes. Both Linh and Bảo are distinct in their own way with Linh as the artist and B as the writer. However, as the pair start hanging out together more. I sometimes had to rewind the audio to remind myself which chapter I was in because their personas started to blend a little bit. I think my only mild gripe was that this was roughly 100/150 pages too long & although I am happy this wasn’t an instant love connection, I felt like it too a little long to get them to connect. I also liked the female narrator for Linh more than the male narrator because I felt he was rushing and talking a little too quickly which made the pacing off.
Content Warnings
Moderate: Grief and Racism