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jackie_marion's review against another edition
funny
lighthearted
relaxing
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.75
Content Warnings
Moderate: Xenophobia and War
lawbooks600's review against another edition
emotional
slow-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
3.0
Representation: Asian characters
Score: Seven points out of ten.
Don't get me wrong: I enjoyed A Phở Love Story but I thought it could use improvements. I wanted to read this for a while and after I got this one alongside other books, I hoped it would be an outstanding read. When I finally picked it up and read A Phở Love Story, it wasn't outstanding, but not disappointing either. It was only okay. Also, I'm glad this novel is authentic and not like Noodle Pie. It starts with the first two characters I see, Bao Nguyễn and Linh Mai working at rival Vietnamese restaurants that despise each other, but it's unclear why. Over time, Bao and Linh start a relationship but for the first 200 pages, it is under closed doors as they only develop it away from their parents' eyes in classrooms and alleys. Those Vietnamese phrases didn't bother me, but I get that someone who doesn't understand the language would find it laborious to read A Phở Love Story at times.
A Phở Love Story's biggest flaws lie in the characters. Sure, Linh and Bao are Vietnamese American and I can relate to that, and I liked the deep cultural exploration, but the chemistry isn't there. I didn't feel like Bao and Linh connected to each other, at least for the initial 200 pages. They grew on me eventually as their relationship couldn't stay hidden forever, leading to a dramatic climax. I like the diversity, but most of the Asian narratives I've read feature Asian Americans, but I would like to see more Asian Australian and British Asian pieces of literature. I struggle to comprehend why Linh had to lie in front of her parents' faces either. Fortunately, the conclusion is a high note, and the side plots, including the one about racism, were intriguing.
Score: Seven points out of ten.
Don't get me wrong: I enjoyed A Phở Love Story but I thought it could use improvements. I wanted to read this for a while and after I got this one alongside other books, I hoped it would be an outstanding read. When I finally picked it up and read A Phở Love Story, it wasn't outstanding, but not disappointing either. It was only okay. Also, I'm glad this novel is authentic and not like Noodle Pie. It starts with the first two characters I see, Bao Nguyễn and Linh Mai working at rival Vietnamese restaurants that despise each other, but it's unclear why. Over time, Bao and Linh start a relationship but for the first 200 pages, it is under closed doors as they only develop it away from their parents' eyes in classrooms and alleys. Those Vietnamese phrases didn't bother me, but I get that someone who doesn't understand the language would find it laborious to read A Phở Love Story at times.
A Phở Love Story's biggest flaws lie in the characters. Sure, Linh and Bao are Vietnamese American and I can relate to that, and I liked the deep cultural exploration, but the chemistry isn't there. I didn't feel like Bao and Linh connected to each other, at least for the initial 200 pages. They grew on me eventually as their relationship couldn't stay hidden forever, leading to a dramatic climax. I like the diversity, but most of the Asian narratives I've read feature Asian Americans, but I would like to see more Asian Australian and British Asian pieces of literature. I struggle to comprehend why Linh had to lie in front of her parents' faces either. Fortunately, the conclusion is a high note, and the side plots, including the one about racism, were intriguing.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Death, Racism, Cultural appropriation, and War
Full trigger warnings: Vietnam War mentioned, racism, death of people in the past, war themes, refugee experiences, cultural appropriationlittlewishling's review against another edition
emotional
lighthearted
medium-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? Yes
5.0
Wonderful! I love a forbidden romance and this was just that in the midst of restaurant rivalry and family drama. I also feel like I learnt lot about the experiences of Vietnamese Americans that I never would have known before.
Content Warnings
Moderate: Racial slurs and Racism
Minor: Death and War
crimsonreadlips's review against another edition
emotional
funny
hopeful
reflective
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
3.5
Content Warnings
Moderate: Racism and Xenophobia
Minor: Death and War
kelly_e's review against another edition
hopeful
lighthearted
medium-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? It's complicated
3.25
Title: A Pho Love Story
Author: Loan Le
Genre: YA Romance
Rating: 3.25
Pub Date: December 28, 2021
T H R E E • W O R D S
Juvenile • Dramatic • Hearty
📖 S Y N O P S I S
For years, the Mais and the Nguyens have been at odds, having owned competing, neighboring pho restaurants. Bao and Linh, who’ve avoided each other for most of their lives, both suspect that the feud stems from feelings much deeper than friendly competition.
But then a chance encounter brings Linh and Bao in the same vicinity despite their best efforts and sparks fly, leading them both to wonder what took so long for them to connect. But then, of course, they immediately remember. Can Linh and Bao find love in the midst of feuding families and complicated histories?
💭 T H O U G H T S
I stumbled across A Pho Love Story at a local garage sale over the summer, so I picked it up. When I needed a quick simple read, I decided this was a good choice. I knew little about the premise aside from it centering around food. And I definitely wasn't aware it is a modern Romeo and Juliet retelling.
It will come as not surprise that the food was my favourite part! Loan Le does a fantastic job with the food descriptions, leaving me hungry and salivating. The food aspect also adds a layer of cultural background and the meaning of food. Unfortunately though the feuding family trope feels like it something I have read too often.
There is excellent character growth for both Bao and Linh from start to finish. And their romance felt believable - growing slowly over time. In my opinion, it was a breath of fresh air to read a healthy and supportive depiction of teenage love, as opposed to a toxic one. I also appreciated the exploration of parental expectations versus following your own dreams; the immigrant experience; and how family histories shape our present.
I am definitely not the intended audience for this one, and to me that was evident. It was nothing exceptional, and I likely won't remember a few months from now. However, I could definitely see the merits for a younger audience and would recommend it to the 13-18 year old age group.
📚 R E C O M M E N D • T O
• fans of the feuding families trope
• foodies
🔖 F A V O U R I T E • Q U O T E S
"Think about what you want. What you want to make and add to the world."
"There's so much in your life that you can't control...So maybe you can use this chance to do something for yourself"
Author: Loan Le
Genre: YA Romance
Rating: 3.25
Pub Date: December 28, 2021
T H R E E • W O R D S
Juvenile • Dramatic • Hearty
📖 S Y N O P S I S
For years, the Mais and the Nguyens have been at odds, having owned competing, neighboring pho restaurants. Bao and Linh, who’ve avoided each other for most of their lives, both suspect that the feud stems from feelings much deeper than friendly competition.
But then a chance encounter brings Linh and Bao in the same vicinity despite their best efforts and sparks fly, leading them both to wonder what took so long for them to connect. But then, of course, they immediately remember. Can Linh and Bao find love in the midst of feuding families and complicated histories?
💭 T H O U G H T S
I stumbled across A Pho Love Story at a local garage sale over the summer, so I picked it up. When I needed a quick simple read, I decided this was a good choice. I knew little about the premise aside from it centering around food. And I definitely wasn't aware it is a modern Romeo and Juliet retelling.
It will come as not surprise that the food was my favourite part! Loan Le does a fantastic job with the food descriptions, leaving me hungry and salivating. The food aspect also adds a layer of cultural background and the meaning of food. Unfortunately though the feuding family trope feels like it something I have read too often.
There is excellent character growth for both Bao and Linh from start to finish. And their romance felt believable - growing slowly over time. In my opinion, it was a breath of fresh air to read a healthy and supportive depiction of teenage love, as opposed to a toxic one. I also appreciated the exploration of parental expectations versus following your own dreams; the immigrant experience; and how family histories shape our present.
I am definitely not the intended audience for this one, and to me that was evident. It was nothing exceptional, and I likely won't remember a few months from now. However, I could definitely see the merits for a younger audience and would recommend it to the 13-18 year old age group.
📚 R E C O M M E N D • T O
• fans of the feuding families trope
• foodies
🔖 F A V O U R I T E • Q U O T E S
"Think about what you want. What you want to make and add to the world."
"There's so much in your life that you can't control...So maybe you can use this chance to do something for yourself"
Content Warnings
Graphic: Racial slurs, Racism, Xenophobia, and Cultural appropriation
Moderate: Death, Grief, War, and Classism
Minor: Colonisation
liamliayaum's review against another edition
emotional
funny
inspiring
lighthearted
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
Content Warnings
Moderate: Racism and Xenophobia
Minor: War
gracelang_09's review against another edition
challenging
emotional
funny
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
4.25
Content Warnings
Moderate: Death, Racism, and Grief
Minor: War
chasingpages1's review against another edition
emotional
funny
hopeful
lighthearted
mysterious
relaxing
medium-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? It's complicated
3.5
Content Warnings
Graphic: Racial slurs, Racism, and Xenophobia
Minor: Bullying, Death, Pregnancy, and War
esme_t's review against another edition
3.5
Content Warnings
Graphic: Racism and Xenophobia
Moderate: Death, Grief, and War
scifijunkie21's review against another edition
hopeful
lighthearted
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
5.0
I just want to live in Bao's head all the time. What a fantastic character.
This sweet YA romance is maybe my favorite I've read so far this year. It touches on some serious things but doesn't ever get too dark. I loved learning about Vietnamese history culture and now I want to try the food! I would have loved a very brief glossary or pronunciation guide.
This sweet YA romance is maybe my favorite I've read so far this year. It touches on some serious things but doesn't ever get too dark. I loved learning about Vietnamese history culture and now I want to try the food! I would have loved a very brief glossary or pronunciation guide.
Content Warnings
Moderate: Racism
Minor: Death and War