Review - A Pho Love Story by Loan Le

 

 

 Title: A Pho Love Story

Author: Loan Le

Pages: 415

 Publisher: Simon & Schuster Books for Young Readers

Release Date: 9th February 2021

 

Blurb from Goodreads: 

When Dimple Met Rishi meets Ugly Delicious in this funny, smart romantic comedy, in which two Vietnamese-American teens fall in love and must navigate their newfound relationship amid their families’ age-old feud about their competing, neighboring restaurants.

If Bao Nguyen had to describe himself, he’d say he was a rock. Steady and strong, but not particularly interesting. His grades are average, his social status unremarkable. He works at his parents’ pho restaurant, and even there, he is his parents’ fifth favorite employee. Not ideal.

If Linh Mai had to describe herself, she’d say she was a firecracker. Stable when unlit, but full of potential for joy and spark and fire. She loves art and dreams pursuing a career in it. The only problem? Her parents rely on her in ways they’re not willing to admit, including working practically full-time at her family’s pho restaurant.

For years, the Mais and the Nguyens have been at odds, having owned competing, neighboring phở 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 together 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?

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My Review:

*I received an eARC of this book in exchange for an honest review. Thanks to Simon & Schuster Children's UK and NetGalley*

Teenager Bao Nguyen is drifting through school with nothing that he's passionate about. Bao works in his parents' pho restaurant which is opposite their competitors, the Mai family.

Linh Mai loves art but knows that her parents will never allow her to have such an uncertain career. Linh also works in her own parents' pho restaurant and has always avoided Bao because of their families' feud.

Then Linh and Bao have an encounter that leads to them spending more time together.

Is there more to the feud than Bao and Linh know?

How long can they keep their blossoming friendship hidden from their parents?

Despite contemporary novels not being my favourite genre, the premise for this book intrigued me. It didn't end up being a game changer for me, but it was enjoyable enough. However, I'm left not really having much to say about it.

Bao and Linh were both likeable and relatable protagonists. I felt sorry for Linh with how she wanted to follow a career in art but had to hide that from her parents. I enjoyed getting to know both Bao and Linh, and it was also enjoyable to read as they got to know each other. I liked their friends and reading Bao and Linh's interactions with their parents.

The plot was good overall, but nothing that happened particularly shocked or gripped me. I did like the themes explored.

The writing style felt a little clunky at times, but I didn't struggle to follow it.

Overall, this was an enjoyable read.