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forlorn_traveller's review against another edition
adventurous
emotional
funny
hopeful
lighthearted
relaxing
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? N/A
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? N/A
4.5
Content Warnings
Minor: Racial slurs and Racism
megplant's review against another edition
lighthearted
slow-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: Death, Grief, and Racism
Moderate: Colonisation
heartstoppers's review
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
3.0
read on audiobook
the characters were interesting but they had very very little chemistry together. i would have preferred to see them have more things in common or even clash a little bit more. there seemed to be a lack of tension throughout the book, so while i didn't mind reading it, there wasn't much pulling me through it
that being said, if you like contemporary romances i wouldn't discourage you from reading this. it's not terrible, their relationship is very rushed but not toxic and they communicate pretty well. i think if you're big into soulmates you might like it more than me.
the characters were interesting but they had very very little chemistry together. i would have preferred to see them have more things in common or even clash a little bit more. there seemed to be a lack of tension throughout the book, so while i didn't mind reading it, there wasn't much pulling me through it
that being said, if you like contemporary romances i wouldn't discourage you from reading this. it's not terrible, their relationship is very rushed but not toxic and they communicate pretty well. i think if you're big into soulmates you might like it more than me.
Content Warnings
Moderate: Racism
thenovelmaura's review
inspiring
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? It's complicated
4.0
This was yet another book that I picked up for AAPI Heritage Month and my YA reading month! I got A Pho Love Story in an Authentic Books box back in February, and this was a great excuse to read it.
If you're looking for a food-centered romances, this is a solid choice. The descriptions of Vietnamese dishes are mouthwatering and it was nice to have two leads who valued and interacted with food regularly (as opposed to, say, a baking romance where only one character bakes). There was also an element of intrigue when it came to the mystery of why their parents hated each other so much. Linh and Bao bonded over their shared experiences of being raised in a restaurant and figuring themselves out as the children of immigrants. They were so supportive of each other's dreams, and despite their immediate interest in one another, their romantic relationship was slow-blooming and rooted in friendship. Speaking of friends, I appreciated that they each had someone else in their corner and weren't completely wrapped up in each other.
I did have trouble identifying the target audience for this one. While the characters' ages put this in the older YA category, some parts—particularly the racist Yelp review subplot—were oversimplified, and I think readers would have been capable of handling more mature themes. Setting that aside, I think Bao's search for his passion in life and Linh's fears that her passion wouldn't enable her to make a living will be relatable to YA readers of all ages. This is a book that will leave you with a full heart and a growling stomach!
If you're looking for a food-centered romances, this is a solid choice. The descriptions of Vietnamese dishes are mouthwatering and it was nice to have two leads who valued and interacted with food regularly (as opposed to, say, a baking romance where only one character bakes). There was also an element of intrigue when it came to the mystery of why their parents hated each other so much. Linh and Bao bonded over their shared experiences of being raised in a restaurant and figuring themselves out as the children of immigrants. They were so supportive of each other's dreams, and despite their immediate interest in one another, their romantic relationship was slow-blooming and rooted in friendship. Speaking of friends, I appreciated that they each had someone else in their corner and weren't completely wrapped up in each other.
I did have trouble identifying the target audience for this one. While the characters' ages put this in the older YA category, some parts—particularly the racist Yelp review subplot—were oversimplified, and I think readers would have been capable of handling more mature themes. Setting that aside, I think Bao's search for his passion in life and Linh's fears that her passion wouldn't enable her to make a living will be relatable to YA readers of all ages. This is a book that will leave you with a full heart and a growling stomach!
Content Warnings
Graphic: Racism and Xenophobia
paolina's review against another edition
hopeful
inspiring
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
Cute, slow burn romance with a coming of age / family history twist.
Content Warnings
Minor: Death and Racism
ashleycmms's review against another edition
challenging
emotional
funny
lighthearted
reflective
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? N/A
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
4.5
Content Warnings
Graphic: Death and Racism
tahsintries's review against another edition
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
4.0
Content Warnings
Minor: Racism
marta_correia's review against another edition
hopeful
lighthearted
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
3.0
Content Warnings
Graphic: Racism
k_tiches's review against another edition
emotional
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
3.75
Content Warnings
Moderate: Racism and Xenophobia
bayleereads's review
emotional
funny
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
4.0
This was a cute read! It's lighthearted like most YA romances, but it also has a deeper family story that deals with trauma and grief. I think it also has some life lessons that can be learned, like the consequences that can happen when you hide things from your family. I removed a star because it seemed a bit too long, like some pieces were drawn out or unneeded. I loved all the characters, but it seemed like Linh was a bit *too* dramatic sometimes!
I think one of my favorite things about this book was that I learned some Vietnamese!!! There are a lot of dialogue that happens between Linh and Bao and their families. I found myself using Google translate sometimes so I could better understand the conversations!
Overall this was a fun read and I recommend!
I think one of my favorite things about this book was that I learned some Vietnamese!!! There are a lot of dialogue that happens between Linh and Bao and their families. I found myself using Google translate sometimes so I could better understand the conversations!
Overall this was a fun read and I recommend!
Content Warnings
Moderate: Racism