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A review by leahegood
A Pho Love Story by Loan Le
emotional
hopeful
informative
reflective
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? Yes
4.0
Summary
Ever since a brief childhood interaction, Bao has wondered about the girl at the restaurant across the street ... the girl he's not allowed to speak to because her family owns that restaurant, the one in direct competition with the restaurant his family owns. Is owning competing restaurants a good enough reason to shun another family, especially when both families are part of a community as close knit as Little Saigon? One day, Bao decides to find out. He crosses enemy lines and extends an olive branch. An olive branch that Linh, the girl at the restaurant across the street, is almost too afraid to accept. Can a little bit of courage and honesty change everything?
My Thoughts
This book was a relatively blind purchase from a used bookstore, my decision made entirely off of the cover image and back cover blurb. The 2024 reading challenge I'm doing has a prompt for "rom-com" and I wanted to complete that prompt in February (hello, Valentine's Day). I was disappointed to find a relatively strong dose of swearing, but other than that and a somewhat slow start, I really enjoyed this story.
Stripped to it's bare bones, A Pho Love Story is a pretty basic high school romance novel. However, the author creates a unique and immersive experience through the unique setting of Vietnamese restaurants and the complex familial expectations second generation American teens must navigate to establish their own place in the world.
Though I do not have immegrant parents, I found a lot of Bao and Linh's story relatable. I think any young person with a close knit family, a desire to not disappoint those they love, and parents with specific expectations will find something to relate to.
Content
Romance: Awareness of physical proximity and enthusiastic but non-detailed kissing.
Language: There is swearing smattered throughought the book and a handful of f-bombs would earn the story an R rating if it were a movie.
Violence: Bao and Linh wonder about their parents experiences escaping Vietnam. The danger of the escapes is evidenced by a family member who died in the attempt, but there are no details.
Religion: Linh and Bao both reference attending temple. Both restaurants have a traditional shrine, and Bao's parents are scandalized when they visit a Vietnamese restaurant that does not have a shrine visible.
Bonus
Of course, there are food references throughout the book. Here are a few foods and drinks mentioned.
Cà Phê Sữa Đá
Bánh Bèo (Steamed Rice Cakes)
Pho and Bun Bo
Chả giò (Fried Spring Role)
Sinh Tố Bơ (Smoothie)
Canh bí Sườn (Winter Melon Soup)
Bánh Xèo
Ever since a brief childhood interaction, Bao has wondered about the girl at the restaurant across the street ... the girl he's not allowed to speak to because her family owns that restaurant, the one in direct competition with the restaurant his family owns. Is owning competing restaurants a good enough reason to shun another family, especially when both families are part of a community as close knit as Little Saigon? One day, Bao decides to find out. He crosses enemy lines and extends an olive branch. An olive branch that Linh, the girl at the restaurant across the street, is almost too afraid to accept. Can a little bit of courage and honesty change everything?
My Thoughts
This book was a relatively blind purchase from a used bookstore, my decision made entirely off of the cover image and back cover blurb. The 2024 reading challenge I'm doing has a prompt for "rom-com" and I wanted to complete that prompt in February (hello, Valentine's Day). I was disappointed to find a relatively strong dose of swearing, but other than that and a somewhat slow start, I really enjoyed this story.
Stripped to it's bare bones, A Pho Love Story is a pretty basic high school romance novel. However, the author creates a unique and immersive experience through the unique setting of Vietnamese restaurants and the complex familial expectations second generation American teens must navigate to establish their own place in the world.
Though I do not have immegrant parents, I found a lot of Bao and Linh's story relatable. I think any young person with a close knit family, a desire to not disappoint those they love, and parents with specific expectations will find something to relate to.
Content
Romance: Awareness of physical proximity and enthusiastic but non-detailed kissing.
Language: There is swearing smattered throughought the book and a handful of f-bombs would earn the story an R rating if it were a movie.
Violence: Bao and Linh wonder about their parents experiences escaping Vietnam. The danger of the escapes is evidenced by a family member who died in the attempt, but there are no details.
Religion: Linh and Bao both reference attending temple. Both restaurants have a traditional shrine, and Bao's parents are scandalized when they visit a Vietnamese restaurant that does not have a shrine visible.
Bonus
Of course, there are food references throughout the book. Here are a few foods and drinks mentioned.
Cà Phê Sữa Đá
Bánh Bèo (Steamed Rice Cakes)
Pho and Bun Bo
Chả giò (Fried Spring Role)
Sinh Tố Bơ (Smoothie)
Canh bí Sườn (Winter Melon Soup)
Bánh Xèo
Content Warnings
Minor: Racism and Classism