A Pho Love Story

December 1, 2020
Two high school seniors navigate a long-standing familial rivalry. Vietnamese American teenagers Linh Mai and Bảo Nguyễn have not talked to each other aside from a charmingly memorable but fleeting interaction as kids. In fact, they have gotten explicit instructions to avoid one another. Why? Both the Mais and the Nguyễns have quite the competitive streak as proprietors of dueling phở restaurants located across the street from one another. It's a simmering rivalry, however, consisting mostly of active avoidance and devoid of direct confrontation. One night, though, Bảo sees an overwhelmed Linh struggling to hold it together when her family's restaurant is short-staffed, and he offers to assist--incognito--by waiting tables. What should have been a one-time fluke encounter turns into the start of a secretive working partnership--and, of course, blooming feelings. Chapters alternate in first-person narration, and the swap in voices brings just the right amount of tension and energy, especially in shared scenes between the two protagonists. Despite some pacing issues, debut author Le creates a warm, full-bodied take on the star-crossed-lovers rom-com genre. Universal growing pains and questioning of identity are explored alongside the experiences of being children of Vietnamese refugees and immigrants. Strong family dynamics and community ties, and the supportive relationships they bring, are layered and affirming. Hearty and heartwarming. (author's note) (Romance. 12-18)

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December 1, 2020

Gr 7 Up-Set in the Bolsa neighborhood of Westminster, CA, this romantic comedy, told in alternating first-person chapters, is a modern-day Romeo and Juliet that serves up family secrets and self-discovery with a side of hoisin sauce. The Mais and the Nguyens have been rivals ever since Linh's family opened a restaurant across the street from Bao's. But during senior year, they suddenly find themselves working together for the school newspaper on a series of local restaurant reviews. The story opens somewhat formulaically but evens out as tensions between the two restaurants rise and Linh and Bao begin to uncover truths about their families' shared past. In and out of school, Linh and Bao's burgeoning friendship believably turns into something more. Side characters are sparely rendered, allowing the spotlight to shine on Bao, a refreshingly sensitive masculine love interest, and Linh, whose love of painting is in conflict with her fear of not meeting her family's expectations. The book's explorations of immigration, racism, and family history move the plot forward and the feel-good ending is a tad too tidy. Even so, Linh's and Bao's character growth is as satisfying as a bowl of pho. Readers will appreciate the food references and the Vietnamese language interspersed throughout the book. Most characters are Vietnamese American; secondary characters include a white classmate, a Japanese art teacher, and a Black French woman. VERDICT Purchase where light romance or #OwnVoices books are in demand. Hand to fans of Sandhya Menon or Emma Lord.-Erica Ruscio, Ventress Memorial Lib., Marshfield, MA

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January 25, 2021
Vietnamese American high school seniors Bảo Nguyễn, who has a “fascination with strange words,” and Linh Mai, an aspiring artist, have only ever known the bad blood between their families—especially since the Mais opened a restaurant right across the street from the Nguyễns five years ago. Besides a brief encounter at the Buddhist temple when they were children, Linh and Bảo have never interacted, having been given explicit instruction not to by their parents. Until Bảo notices Linh rushing out of her family’s restaurant one night, overwhelmed by a flood of customers, and offers his help. What should be a brief partnership turns into the start of school newspaper trysts and the discovery of long-buried heartaches. Told in alternating first-person chapters, Le’s debut is an introspective examination of struggles that children of Vietnamese refugees and immigrants can face, as well as experiences of racism and unspoken sacrifices made to survive in a cutthroat industry and country. The classic star-crossed lovers recipe is updated with traditional Vietnamese dishes and smooth integration of the author’s southern Vietnamese dialect, star ingredients of this warm, delightful read. Ages 12–up. Agent: Jim McCarthy, Dystel, Goderich & Bourret.

Starred review from February 1, 2021
Grades 9-12 *Starred Review* Le stirs up a delicious romance in her debut novel about two teens working at competing restaurants. Bao Nguyen spends the majority of his time helping his parents at their Vietnamese restaurant. He never considers himself to be extraordinary and cruises through school by being average. It's a chance school newspaper assignment that allows Bao to explore his talents and get to know the girl from the Vietnamese restaurant across the street, Linh Mai. Bao and Linh are repeatedly warned against mixing with the other; the Nguyens and Mais offer competing menu specials and coordinate their closing schedules so that their paths never cross. In the beginning, both teens assume their parents' hatred of the other family stems from restaurant rivalry, but as Linh and Bao spend more time together, they learn that their families are hiding something from their past and that echoes of the Vietnam War are still affecting their day-to-day lives. Le pens a love letter to her heritage, while never shying from the trauma of the Vietnam War. Through Linh and Bao, Le captures the fear of disappointing parents while navigating wants and needs. Readers will experience a gambit of emotions while reading this stirring novel, including hunger, loss, and finally, unadulterated joy.

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