pucksandpaperbacks's review
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
CW: Ableist language, drug use, SA, alcohol, alcoholism, fatphobia.
Thank you to Libro.Fm for a copy of the audiobook through the ALC program.
Jasmine is in limbo after college working at her family’s donut shop and trying to make the next step toward her career but doesn’t know what she wants to do. So relatable for twenty-somethings to experience after college, especially just going to college to fulfill their parents wishes. I liked the incorporation of social media marketing!
There's a lot of expectation on Jasmine and her brother, Pat from their Chinese-Cambodian parents; especially for Jas to get a job but also get married. Mandarin and English are spoken, Jasmine does not speak Mandarin.
Thank you to Libro.Fm for a copy of the audiobook through the ALC program.
Jasmine is in limbo after college working at her family’s donut shop and trying to make the next step toward her career but doesn’t know what she wants to do. So relatable for twenty-somethings to experience after college, especially just going to college to fulfill their parents wishes. I liked the incorporation of social media marketing!
There's a lot of expectation on Jasmine and her brother, Pat from their Chinese-Cambodian parents; especially for Jas to get a job but also get married. Mandarin and English are spoken, Jasmine does not speak Mandarin.
Jasmine struggles with confidence and self worth due to the pressures from her parents and their comments. So she may be frustrating to read at times since she doesn't take accountability for her actions and also has a double standard.
Spoiler
Jas having a double standard. She doesn’t tell her parents that she is going out with Alex, but then when Alex’s mom calls him and he doesn’t mention he’s with her, she gets mad. Though, she’s doing the same thing.Overall, I think this would be a good movie! It was a relatable book and I liked how unique the setting was and the incorporation of marketing. But, the love triangle was tired and I didn't like how Jasmine didn't take accountability for her actions.
Spoiler
Jas hid her white bf from high school from her parents, Michael and Alex gets jealous. Though, Jas challenges him on it and tells him to stop being jealous of nothing. I do hate the jealousy tropes like that bc it shows they aren’t trustworthy or have trust issues.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Ableism and Fatphobia
Moderate: Alcoholism, Sexual assault, and Alcohol
eddaccine_alfredo's review against another edition
hopeful
inspiring
lighthearted
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? N/A
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? N/A
4.0
Very sweet read about a girl as she struggles to find herself and still meet her family’s expectations after college. I really liked her character because she was flawed in a very relatable way.
Spoiler
Though there is ultimately a happy ending, there’s not this HUGE transformation. She finds a job, she gets the guy, she finds peace with her parents. But the characters themselves are largely the same and will likely continue experiencing interpersonal conflict (I’m not placing bets on her and boy) and it just feels so true to how life goes sometimes. I feel lucky that I was part of this portion of Jasmine’s journey to adulthood and responsibility.
Content Warnings
Moderate: Alcoholism, Classism, and Gaslighting
Minor: Fatphobia and War
kayladaila's review against another edition
emotional
hopeful
lighthearted
reflective
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? Yes
3.5
Content Warnings
Moderate: Body shaming and Emotional abuse
Minor: Addiction, Alcohol, Alcoholism, Body horror, Classism, Colonisation, Genocide, Infidelity, Racism, Self harm, Stalking, and War
emcanady's review against another edition
lighthearted
medium-paced
3.5
Content Warnings
Graphic: Fatphobia
Minor: Alcohol and Alcoholism
sarahsthoughtsonbooks's review against another edition
emotional
funny
hopeful
lighthearted
fast-paced
5.0
I loved this book. I've been wanting to read this book since I saw the announcement of the book synopsis on Twitter or Instagram. I knew that this was going to be an own voices read for me.
If I thought that A Pho Love Story resonated with me because of how much I saw myself in their family struggles, then it's nothing compared to The Donut Trap.
From the first paragraph, where Jasmine describes why people go to Sunshine Donuts, I saw myself.
The running of the donut shop, the regulars. The family dynamics of multiple languages, but not being proficient in any (in the case of my family, it's mainly Cantonese, and Khmer; my parents also speak Mandarin and Teochew fairly fluently).
The resentment and monotony of working at the donut shop. Jasmine's struggles to find her passion. The resume "building".
For me, the romance in this book is very secondary.
The character of Alex is a bit flat/under developed. I could have used more scenes with him on the page. Most of their interactions are through text messages, and Jasmine thinking of him, since Alex is busy at work. However when it was the two of them on the page, it was fabulous. Especially their first official date.
It's low angst, low steam, closed door romance. Think of it in terms of a YA romance novel with adult characters (Jasmine and Alex are 22-23 years of age). There's kissing, some make out sessions, but not much else. Which is completely understandable cause Jasmine lives at home with very concerned parents.
Thank you Avon Books/Harper Voyager for the ARC via Net Galley. Just patiently waiting for signed book information before I figure out where to pre-order. Will be picking up a few copies to share.
Content Warnings
Minor: Alcoholism and Drug use
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