A review by cookiecatherine
Last Tang Standing by Lauren Ho

funny lighthearted medium-paced
  • Plot- or character-driven? A mix
  • Strong character development? No
  • Loveable characters? No
  • Diverse cast of characters? Yes
  • Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes

1.5

The back cover describes this as "Crazy Rich Asians meets Bridget Jones's Diary." That is accurate, down to the 2000's diet culture and fatphobia, which was rampant in this book (but with *spice*, because it's all coming from toxic Chinese aunties and moms).

I picked this up for a light read and that's really what it was; the book could've explored pretty heavy topics like familial expectations, mental health, and internalized capitalism, but chose to do so in a very light, comic way. I didn't mind that, but found all the characters pretty insufferable for not dealing with their issues in any other way than binge drinking for 95% of the book. Also, reading the main character's quippy observations about the privilege of her world without really confronting her complicity in it got tiring after a while (though the book is funny and I did laugh quite a few times).

I did find the romance cute and enjoyable but wish it had been a more prominent part of the story! I picked this up thinking it would be more of a romcom so was a bit disappointed that the romance wasn't the main focus, but that's my bad lol.
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