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A review by girlonbooks
A Pho Love Story by Loan Le
funny
hopeful
lighthearted
reflective
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
5.0
🖌️🖌️🖌️🖌️🖌️ (five stars as rated in Linh Mai’s paintbrushes)
Bảo Nguyen has known about Linh Mai for years. He knows she’s an artist, he knows she’s his same age, he knows she’s really pretty and he knows that, as the daughter of the family that opened a rival phở restaurant across the street from his family’s own phở restaurant, she is completely off limits. When a school project throws Linh and Bảo together the chemistry between them is undeniable. The couple starts to wonder if perhaps there isn’t more to their two families’ ongoing feud. And, if there is, what does it mean for Linh and Bảo’s budding romance?
Bảo Nguyen has known about Linh Mai for years. He knows she’s an artist, he knows she’s his same age, he knows she’s really pretty and he knows that, as the daughter of the family that opened a rival phở restaurant across the street from his family’s own phở restaurant, she is completely off limits. When a school project throws Linh and Bảo together the chemistry between them is undeniable. The couple starts to wonder if perhaps there isn’t more to their two families’ ongoing feud. And, if there is, what does it mean for Linh and Bảo’s budding romance?
"When I paint, there’s always a moment where I just know that I’m finally finished. The colors and textures come together to depict a feeling of rightness. Us here is that rightness.”
Reading this book was one of the most heart-fluttering, giggle-inducing, tear-jerking book experiences I’ve had yet in 2021. This story has everything I am looking for in a YA love story. The relationships are dynamic, the characters are compelling and an author that can make you laugh in the midst of palpable heartbreak is probably the definition of literary excellence. The characters are as fun as they are strong while also being beautifully vulnerable and complicated. Even at the most difficult moments, the parent-child relationships are written with compassion and empathy which really is so important. In the words of my friend Amanda (with whom I buddy read this book and who is half Vietnamese herself), “I wish more books like this existed so Asian kids can maybe resent their parents less if we speak about it and read about it in a loving way.” In A Phở Love Story Loan Le has managed to illustrate the immigrant experience – as well as that of second generation Asian American teenagers – sincerely and respectfully while still keeping the overall tone of the book lighthearted and profoundly hopeful. If that doesn’t deserve five stars then I honestly don’t know what does.
✨ Rep in this book: Vietnamese and Vietnamese-American MC’s and supporting characters
✨ Content warnings for this book: racism, generational trauma, death of a loved one, refugee experience, grief, drowning, mentions of war
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Content Warnings
Moderate: Grief
Minor: Racism and Death