A Pho Love Story

" Two households, both alike in dignity. . ."

That is the beginning of the prologue for Shakespeare's tragedy Romeo and Juliet. Luckily, this YA rom com is not a tragedy, but the elements of long-seated family feuding, family secrets and a hidden relationship are in this new novel coming out in February of 2021. 

Two Vietnamese American teens, Bao Nguyen and Linh Mai know that they are not to talk to each other. It was made clear one day at temple when the two young kids happened to connect and start playing. When the parents found out, they were quickly separated, and now in high school, they have not had any classes together and they do not share the same friends.

But what they do have in common is that both teens work for their family pho restaurant across the street from each other. They at first believe that this is perhaps the source of the bitter feud, but when Bao finds Linh distraught in the alley behind her restaurant one night, he cannot turn away. Cue the music - their lives were changed. 

The readers are brought into the mystery along with Bao and Linh who soon realize that the family feud has nothing to do with the restaurant and more to do with something that happened between the two families in Vietnam. 

My thoughts:

Although pho is in the title, it is not the foodie book that I hoped it would be. There were some references to certain dishes that I would have liked more information about. I also would have liked some recipes at the end, but again, this is not that kind of book. 

What I really like is the character of Bao who, before he gets to know Linh, is really kind of rudderless. He is an Asian student who does ok to get by, but does not really have a plan in mind for college and beyond. His parents also do not seem to put a lot of pressure on him to do well. He is ok to just skate by. But once he gets involved with Linh, he seems to find purpose in getting her to see her purpose. He suddenly becomes a community activist of sorts, and at least an advocate for Linh and her potential. 

Linh's situation is very different. She is the second daughter and follows her elder sister who fits into the expected mold of smart, obedient older sister at a good college, pursuing an acceptable degree (that leads to a good job). Linh is different because she wants to do art. Others know she is a great artist but she does not see this as a possibility beyond one of being a hobby. 

Similar books that cover culture, cultural norms, filial piety, cutesy rom com:

When Dimple Met Rishi by Sandhya Menon (any of her books)

Natalie Tan's Book of Love and Fortune by Roselle Lim 

Somewhere Only We Know by Maureen Goo