But the scene-stealer is Brian Le, the chef at Choi Oi, a restaurant that Bao and Linh visit for a project they’re thrown together on. I loved seeing Linh and Bao explore their real passions - art for Linh, and writing for Bao - despite every parent’s hope for their kids to be doctors, lawyers or engineers. And somehow by capturing those details, the book is saying, this experience is real. The Asian supermarket in the story - it’s real. There’s a crazy pride in seeing young VietAm characters centered, because while it’s steadily become the norm in YA, there were a lot of years Asian readers never saw themselves centered period.Īnd to have it rooted in real places, real communities – yes! Bao and Linh go to La Quinta (a real high school!!) That flyers for a promo night are posted all along Bolsa Ave., a main thoroughfare through Little Saigon. I grew up one town over from where A Pho Love Story takes place, so I’m coming at this from a slightly different place than some readers. And in showing that Orange County isn’t just what you see on Real Housewives. But then, of course, they immediately remember.For me, where A Pho Love Story shines is its Viet American rep - its portrayal of family dynamics and community gossip and drama. 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.īut 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.

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.įor years, the Mais and the Nguyens have been at odds, having owned competing, neighboring pho restaurants. She loves art and dreams pursuing a career in it. Stable when unlit, but full of potential for joy and fire.

If Linh Mai had to describe herself, she’d say she was a firecracker.

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

A pho love story book