A Pho Love Story by Loan Le Book Review

Title: A Pho Love Story
Author: Loan Le
Publisher: Simon & Schuster Books for Young Readers 
Release Date: February 9, 2021
Pages: 416

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?

Pre-order it on Barnes & Noble or Amazon 

My Thoughts

**Thank you so much to Simon & Schuster for sending me an Advanced Reader's Copy in exchange for an honest review!**

For as long as Bao can remember, he's always been told to stay away from Linh. The same also applies to Linh, whose parents also own a pho restaurant across the street from Bao's. The competitive rivalry is intense and both teens definitely don't plan to cross paths.

Working at a restaurant is hard. Linh would much rather spend time on her art but since her family's part-time workers left, she needs to fill in. One busy night at Linh's family restaurant causes her to cross paths with Bao. After seeing him, there's no denying that what she's heard is different from what she saw. 

I'm not sure how long I sit there, my face buried into my kneecaps. At least I'm alone. At least no one's here to see me fall apart like Jenga pieces. "Um hey." I peer down at the scuffed edges of red Converse. Oh no.

After a friendly act by Bao, the two seem to hit off well. They start seeing each other a lot more and also collaborate on a school newspaper project. Spending time together has let them get to know each other more. In fact, they find out that they have more in common than they thought. 

I'll see you around?" I call out. Did I just—? He nearly tips over a raised part of the sidewalk and shoots me a sheepish smile that makes me woozy— even though I'm sitting down. "Definitely! Let's not wait another six years, though." And he's gone.

Though the two teens now get along, the feud going on between the two families is only getting worse. Linh and Boa have set their differences aside, what about their families?

Super cute and fun!

Star Rating: ★★★★★ (5) ♡

This book was super cute and I adored everything in it! I loved reading the book from a dual perspective seeing both Linh and Boa's thoughts. The family relationship emphasis was done very well; I loved seeing both families' strong bonds together.

I also loved the descriptions of Vietnamese food (made me hungry) as well as the sayings in the book the author added. Thanks to one of my best friends who's Vietnamese, I actually knew what some of the sayings in the book meant without googling it. 

I rarely get to read books about Vietnamese MC's so this was a great experience. I absolutely love this book so I'm definitely looking forward to what the author writes next! 

About the Author

Loan Le holds an MFA degree in fiction from Fairfield University, where she also earned her bachelor’s degree. A Pushcart Prize-nominated writer, Loan has had her short stories appear in CRAFT Literary, Mud Season Review, and more. Loan works in book publishing and lives in Manhattan. A Phở Love Story is her first novel. Visit her website at writerloanle.me and find her on Twitter @loanloan.