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A review by sunlit_music
A Pho Love Story by Loan Le
emotional
hopeful
informative
inspiring
reflective
sad
slow-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
4.0
I really enjoyed this book. It focuses on a hidden chaste romance between Bao and Linh, who start out as friends and eventually fall in love. Their families hate each other due to a misunderstanding, and Bao and Linh have to hide their relationship from their parents.
What I loved:
- The delicious, amazing descriptions of Vietnamese food in America! Don't read this if you're hungry, otherwise the book will make you hungrier.
- The author weaving facts on Vietnamese culture and social etiquette seamlessly into the story.
- Bao and Linh make a really sweet couple. They're awkward, gentle and kind to each other.
- Bao and Linh have healthy friendships, and Linh has a supportive art teacher.
- The diversity!! So many characters are BIPOC.
- The author talks about family trauma from the Vietnam War sensitively, with grace and understanding.
- This book also tackles the issue of racism thoughtfully and assertively, which I like.
- The fact that there's a nuanced portrayal of diaspora families - it's not "my family is wonderful and agrees with everything I say" or "my family is completely awful" (although both portrayals happen in real life and are valid too). Linh loves her family, and they love her, but they have unhealthy expectations of her working for the family business instead of pursuing her passion. But things do work out in the end, and Linh's parents do end up respecting her wishes. :)
Cons:
- there's only minor cons I think. The book does move at a slow pace, which should be fine if you like character dense books. This book has great characterisation for sure. I found Linh and Bao way more interesting than their friends. But those are small complaints, and they don't detract from the book much.
Anyway, check this book out if you like reading gentle, kind YA romances and stories that tackle family trauma and racism sensitively. :)
What I loved:
- The delicious, amazing descriptions of Vietnamese food in America! Don't read this if you're hungry, otherwise the book will make you hungrier.
- The author weaving facts on Vietnamese culture and social etiquette seamlessly into the story.
- Bao and Linh make a really sweet couple. They're awkward, gentle and kind to each other.
- Bao and Linh have healthy friendships, and Linh has a supportive art teacher.
- The diversity!! So many characters are BIPOC.
- The author talks about family trauma from the Vietnam War sensitively, with grace and understanding.
- This book also tackles the issue of racism thoughtfully and assertively, which I like.
- The fact that there's a nuanced portrayal of diaspora families - it's not "my family is wonderful and agrees with everything I say" or "my family is completely awful" (although both portrayals happen in real life and are valid too). Linh loves her family, and they love her, but they have unhealthy expectations of her working for the family business instead of pursuing her passion. But things do work out in the end, and Linh's parents do end up respecting her wishes. :)
Cons:
- there's only minor cons I think. The book does move at a slow pace, which should be fine if you like character dense books. This book has great characterisation for sure. I found Linh and Bao way more interesting than their friends. But those are small complaints, and they don't detract from the book much.
Anyway, check this book out if you like reading gentle, kind YA romances and stories that tackle family trauma and racism sensitively. :)
Content Warnings
Minor: Grief and Death