A Pho Love Story
Ratings14
Average rating3.5
15
Ratings14
Average rating3.5
“Will leave readers swooning.” —PopSugar 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 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 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?
Reviews with the most likes.
This was a fun easy read. I loved the character development, both Linh and Bao grew as people in ways that felt realistic. I loved the happy ending. It was just what I needed. If you are looking for a light happy read, pick this one up.
A Pho Love Story is a story about lost family, hurt, and grief masquerading as a romance story between two teenagers from warring restaurant families. The novel digs a bit deeper than I expected it to, to my pleasant surprise. Read the full review on my blog when it is posted :)
As time passes I realize more and more that I am not that interested in reading a Romeo and Juliet retelling or inspired novel. I just don't think it's my cup of tea.
Otherwise I really liked this pleasant and sweet novel and I probably will be reading the companion book too. I really liked being immersed in this interesting cast of characters and this beautiful culture.
But I have to say that the male protagonist(Bao) was not my type of character. Listen I didn't hate the guy, far from it, I was just not that invested in his developments and his whereabouts in general. In my opinion, Linh was way more of an interesting character.
2.5, but closer to a 3 than a 2 i think.
i wanted to give this book a higher rating because i think we need more books based on vietnamese folks, but i couldn't get into it. it definitely seems like it was written towards YA folks but did not feel YA. i also found myself wishing that more vietnamese terms and customs were better explained. bao and linh had an instalove going on, and i didn't particularly like linh. when in linh's perspective, bao seemed like a completely different person from when you were actually in his head. their families were also pretty hard to distinguish from each other.
