Reviews with content warning for Alcoholism - Fake Dates and Mooncakes

“Feel free to tell your nosy aunt to mind her own business…but what’s holding you back?”
I shrug. “He lives in a huge mansion and drives a Ferrari. I ride a bike with a squeaky front wheel. Our worlds are as far apart as the sun and the moon.”
“They align every now and then,” Aunt Jade points out. “Eclipses are pretty memorable.”

In many ways, this was an amazingly cute and witty YA romcom. I smiled and got emotional so many times while I read it. The characters grew quickly on me, especially Dylan, and I enjoyed reading about their very different family lives: Dylan's for that great family feel where a bunch of people are genuinely loving and supportive, Theo's for the glorious mess. There was a lot of cozy foodie stuff, a lot of interesting cultural details about Singapore, and the mutual pining-fueled fake dating trope was executed so well. I feel like the part of the story that focuses on Dylan's grief was handled sensitively and relatably.

However, there were some problems here and there that broke my immersion sometimes. One of them was how injecting all those interesting cultural details was handled: a bit heavy-handed. I guess all those mini-lectures made sense, since Theo was explicitly looking to learn about his heritage and Dylan was helping him. But they still often felt like mini-lectures inserted into the narrative instead of a genuine part of it.

Another was the approach to the whole class difference things. Some aspects of it were definitely glossed over, and sometimes people like Dylan's family just acted like the problem was entirely in Dylan's head and he should simply embrace the romance with Theo. Despite the fact that Theo is just throwing money at problems left and right, and Dylan's family is struggling. Though this brings me to another point: I feel like the story might ring better if Dylan was just average, not struggling. Because the struggles get brought up when it matters to the plot, such as when Dylan should get to swoop in and save the family's business, and the rest of the time Dylan and his cousin are all, "Trendy haircuts in salons! Favorite band's concerts and merch!" without any of it being a problem, or a reason to then cut back on something else, etc. That... doesn't match my own experience with major we're-about-to-lose-everything financial struggles.

Finally, something that detracted from my investment in the boys' relationship was Theo's friendship with Adrian that harder ever wavered despite all the shitty things Adrian did. I wish the shittiness was acknowledged and dealt with better, instead of sweeping a lot of it under the rug. Although the more I think of it, the more I kind of understand why Theo holds on to this friendship like this and treats Adrian's shittiness like this. It makes sense for the character, but I wish there was still a bit more focus on how this isn't okay.

All in all, though? Lots of cuteness, very tropey in a good way, awful rich people problems are amusing, and it was great that no matter what messes built up around the two leads, homophobia was never part of the equation. A nice and easy summer read to finish off June.

Content Warnings

legalplanner's review against another edition

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funny hopeful lighthearted fast-paced

Plot- or character-driven? Plot
Strong character development? Yes
Loveable characters? It's complicated
Diverse cast of characters? Yes
Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated

4.0

Fake dating, close family, and walking through grief--this was everything I didn't know I needed.

Dylan was the kind of character that made me laugh and smile as I read his shenanigans, for lack of better phrase. I also found myself smiling at the scencerity of Theo toward Dylan once they met. I think that their dynamic was a great opposites attract. We were given not only socio economic difference between them, but also familial differences between them. I loved that Dylan appreciated his family so much and wanted them to be happy and would do anything for them and how that in turn inspired Theo.

I really enjoyed that the title played into this so much. The fake dating and finding out more about Theo's heritage that was lost to him through mooncakes was wonderfully done. Nothing about this felt like it was following a perfect timeline. There were many different twists and turns that occurred and made me laugh and smile about their character.

I will say, I spent the last 50 pages crying when I didn't think I would at all. Lee had me literally wiping away allegator tears because I was so torn up about Dyl and Theo as well as how everything was going to wrap up. I cannot recommend this quick read enough.

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evelynyle_88's review against another edition

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funny hopeful 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? No

5.0

What a fun ride reading this cute and funny book! Fake Dates and Mooncakes brings my feels of giddy and all smiey faces. I love this book so much. I love Theo and Dylan. I love Tim. I love Aunt Jade, Aunt Malia and Aunt Catherine. I love Megan. I love Clover, the corgi. Much of all, I FREAKING LOVE TERRI.

Yeah, she maybe has issues... but, I tried to understand herself and why she became like that. After all, I love in the end that she turns out to be a better person after rehab. Plus, the mooncakes making and the authentic feels about being Indonesian; as a part of Asians country when some cuisines and culinary ingredients from my country, Indonesia... appeared and written in the book.

This is a simple book with a sweet romance like Heartstopper and a conflict like Crazy Rich Asians indeed. And I love how Theo finally choose Dylan over his domineering father, Malcolm Somers. He is adulting and I love that!

I applaud Sher Lee for bringing the Asian heritage to a work of fiction. This book for me isn't just about a cute romance, but also... find a way to win someone's heart. And the most important thing is... the knowledges from the Chinese (Singaporean) cuisines. I love learning Singaporean Chinese culture from their cuisines.

Thank you, Sher! This book is a 5⭐ worthy. Indeed! Literally sweet; just like the mooncakes.

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