Review: A Pho Love Story by Loan Le

Title: A Pho Love Story
Author: Loan Le
Publication Date: February 9, 2021
Publisher:  Berkley
Genre: Simon Schuster Books for Young Readers
Find It: Goodreads, Amazon, B&N, Book Depository. Bookshop
Source: Borrowed from library
Rating: 3 stars – stick to your bedtime

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?

I was very excited about A Pho Love Story because you rarely see mainstream books focusing and Asian and especially Vietnamese culture or characters. This pulled not punches and did not shy away from immersing the story in that world. There were lots of Vietnamese phrases and dialogue sprinkled throughout the book. Culturally, I could relate to a lot of things in this book – from the family dynamics to the food. While my parents weren’t quite as strict at Bao and Mai’s, but I could definitely relate to the pressure of doing well in school and get a stable, well-paying job.

One of my favorites parts of the book was all of the delicious food talk. Both Mai and Bao’s parents own pho restaurants so the book is filled with descriptions of mouth watering Vietnamese food. It made me really miss my mom’s home cooking. Definitely do not read on an empty stomach!

Unfortunately, my least favorite part of the book were Bao and Mai. I felt like both were a little lackluster in personality and I didn’t feel a ton of chemistry between the two. They are supposed to be two star crossed lovers who are willing to risk it all to be together but I just wasn’t feeling that spark that great romances have. There were some sweet moments between the two but overall, I felt like they were the weakest part of the book.

I wouldn’t go into this expecting a sweeping romance. I think you’ll be disappointed if you do. However, if you’re looking for a cute story with amazing descriptions of food, then you’ll enjoy it. Now, off to find a bowl of pho.