Reviews

Natalie Tan's Book of Luck and Fortune, by Roselle Lim

rachiiebookworm2710's review against another edition

adventurous challenging dark emotional hopeful inspiring lighthearted mysterious medium-paced

• Plot- or character-driven? Character
• Strong character development? Yes
• Loveable characters? It's complicated
• Diverse cast of characters? Yes
• Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated

4.0

A sweet book with some yummy recipes in it 😋 

Read for: 

#PopSugarReadingChallenge2022

strawberrymivvy's review

hopeful lighthearted medium-paced

• Plot- or character-driven? Character
• Strong character development? No
• Loveable characters? Yes
• Diverse cast of characters? Yes
• Flaws of characters a main focus? No

3.5

I wouldn't normally have chosen this book but received it in a mystery bag from the library and actually enjoyed it, despite it's magical elements.

A story about loneliness, hope, friendship, home and the dangers of making assumptions about people - but all wrapped up in a lighthearted tale of a young woman returning home after the death of her mother and revitalising her family's Chinese restaurant

jenjuxtapose's review

4.0

I laughed, I cried, I got very hungry! Please do yourself a favour and read this book. Just make sure you have snacks near by.

flaviathebibliophile's review

3.0

Roselle Lim’s debut has got to be one of the more unique books I’ve ever read. It’s listed as a contemporary romance, but it’s unlike any other contemporary romance that I’ve ever read before. There was barely even any romance if I’m being honest, and the romance portion was not a very important part of the plot in my opinion. I would almost re-categorize this book under literary fiction and/or contemporary fiction containing magical realism. And I will explain why. Natalie Tan’s Book of Luck and Fortune centers around how Natalie’s mother passes away and how Natalie returns home after the fact and tries to re-integrate herself into the society she left behind.

But the story also places a lot of focus on community, culture, food, and magic. The reason why I want to say magical realism rather than magic, though, is because a lot of the magic is only seen by Natalie, while some of the magic affects the real world directly but isn’t acknowledged by any of the other characters. So, while reading Natalie Tan’s Book of Luck and Fortune I definitely focused more on my curiosities regarding the magic, and my focus on the entire plot, whereas with contemporary romance my focus would normally be “will A and B get together by the end of the book?” Maybe I’m thinking too much about labels, but I feel as if they’re important sometimes when you’re trying to find audiences for your book, or when one reader wants to recommend a book to another reader. So, overall, this book was enjoyable for me even though it ended up being completely different from what I had expected.

basicbsguide's review

4.0

Deliciously delightful I give this book 3.5 stars.

Do you remember the 90’s movie with Sarah Michelle Gellar called “Simply Irresistible”? If you thought that movie was cute you will probably appreciate Natalie’s story. Get ready to salivate over yummy recipes and smile when food feeds the souls of friends and family.

“At the new of her mother’s death, Natalie Tan returns home. The two women hadn’t spoken since Natalie left in anger seven years before, when her mother refused to support her chosen career as a chef. Natalie is shocked to discover the vibrant neighborhood of San Francisco’s Chinatown that she remembers from her childhood is fading, with businesses failing and families moving out. She’s even more surprised to learn she has inherited her grandmother’s restaurant.”

The recipes Natalie and her grandmother cooked were like prescriptions to heal. Fried dumplings were bundles of sunshine and a noodle bowl to reconnect with a loved one. I know my foodie friends would agree that food can evoke so many emotions and memories.

What is a recipe or meal that brings you a good memory from childhood? My mother used to cook us our favorite meal on our birthday. The Irish in me always had me requesting corned beef and cabbage. I can smell and taste it now. Be right back…I’m hungry.

thoughtfullyhaunted's review

5.0

This book was so elegant with its description and it’s collection of characters that jumped from the page. A whole host of generational issues with connection with ancestors and traditions while trying to be who you want to be. Phenomenal read and similar vibes to The Last Chance Library by Freya Sampson.

10/10 recommend. I cried and i laughed and now i’m starving.

cgbart's review

4.0

4.5. This book was as soothing as its recipes—full of warmth and love and friendship and growing back into community and what it’s like to live with grief and hope. It was beautiful and heart aching and I loved it.

bookmarklit's review against another edition

3.0

Phew, this was a slog. I have so many mixed feelings on this book! I'll say that the overarching premise of the story was intriguing, as well as the touches of magic sprinkled throughout. The descriptions of food were out of this world. The twists and things I won't spoil toward the end were also great! However, everything else was not quite as good. The writing style was simultaneously way too simple and way too flowery: a lot of metaphors and similes everywhere, but INCREDIBLY repetitive. The main character had the same thoughts over and over and over again about EVERYTHING. It was so frustrating to read at times. The romance was underdeveloped, rushed, and not fully necessary? I do think I'll be tempted to read another book by Lim because of the more unique plotlines she can evidently come up with, but I hope to see some changes in the writing!

abundanceofbooks's review

3.0

While I appreciated so much of what this book did, it's ultimately not for me. I loved getting to know the neighbours and Natalie's history, but I wish there had been more of it. That was the story I wanted to hear, but instead it went toward magical realism. The one thing I cannot be generous about was the awful romance in here. It was not explained at all, their interactions were really uncomfortable, it was the most insta-love I've ever seen. I think a romance in this story should work really well, but there wasn't enough focus. Instead we tread the same plot threads over and over. There is so much potential (for me) in this story, but the author wanted to tell a different story, and that's fine by me.
Also, do not recommend the audiobook. Not sure if it was the narrator or the editing, but someone is a fan of looooong dramatic pauses. I kept increasing my speed until the pauses were less noticeable.

rebar351's review

4.0

I really enjoyed this book! Loved the growth of all the characters and the recipes were really neat to read. Highly recommend!