Reviews

A Pho Love Story by Loan Le

illusie's review

2.0

I loved learning more about the culture and food. The way the food was described made me want to try them. The main characters were likable, but sounded a bit the same. They had a lot in common, maybe too much? The romance felt flat. The falling in love part was rather quickly and without chemistry. I was reading this as part of a group read. If I had been reading it on my own I'd probably not have finished it. It was overall okay, but I didn't love it

yodamom's review

3.0

This was a high school drama written for middle schoolers ? Did not finish at 30%

cady_sass's review

emotional funny hopeful lighthearted reflective medium-paced

• Plot- or character-driven? A mix
• Strong character development? It's complicated
• Loveable characters? It's complicated
• Diverse cast of characters? Yes
• Flaws of characters a main focus? No

3.0

Cute, cozy YA romance with all the tropes you’ve come to know and love. Star crossed lovers from families with competing restaurants and secrets buried in the past - what’s not to like? It’s a little fluffy and obviously is YA so the spice level is zero but it was a great palate cleanser and it made me want to order takeout with every chapter 

chaaatales's review

hopeful inspiring lighthearted medium-paced

• Plot- or character-driven? Plot
• Strong character development? Yes
• Loveable characters? Yes
• Diverse cast of characters? Yes
• Flaws of characters a main focus? No

4.0

immimi's review against another edition

Kinda slow it felt like it wasn’t going anywhere 

fezzik'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

4.5

cristalmh's review

3.5

Bao and Linh’s families own restaurants across the street from one another. They don’t know when or how the rivalry began, but it has always been there. Then Bao and Linh’s lives intersect and a relationship begins. They got want to make their parents proud. But between their friendship and not knowing what to do after high school, it feels like they are disappointing their parents. They also don’t realize how much history their families share. 

Tropes: Romero and Juliet retelling. Forced Proximity 
First generation. 

kokechii's review

3.0

Another one between 2-3 stars. I liked it, certain parts, but then I didn't like it quite so much? I like the representation and the culture. Yes, I was almost constantly hungry and snacking on something or at least wanted to. Yes, I'm also sad that were I live there is no pho in a 100kilometer radius from me :( But... Sigh. I didn't connect with the characters and their voices felt a bit too similar so my mind tended to wander off during reading. And the romance wasn't quite it also, sadly. But maybe I'm inspired to tried cooking my own pho again after almost 10 years, so I'll count that as a plus.

mrswhiteinthelibrary's review

emotional funny hopeful lighthearted relaxing 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

A scrumptious teen ya romcom that flirts with unexpected warmth. Hailing from families locked in a decades' long rivalry, Bao and Linh, find themselves irresistibly drawn to one another as they both also figure out who they are and what they want to be. At once a sweet love story, a double coming of age tale, and a reflection on generational trauma and the Vietnamese immigration experience, this story goes beyond the typical romcom tropes to create a savory story with surprising depth, not unlike a good dish. Come hungry!

cherrydarrling's review

adventurous challenging emotional funny hopeful inspiring lighthearted sad 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

4.0