Book Review: A Pho Love Story by Loan Le

March 7, 2022May 22, 2021 GoodeyReadsLeave a comment

Rating: ☆☆☆☆
Audience: YA Contemporary Romance
Length: 416 pages
Author: Loan Le
Publisher: Simon Schuster
Release Date: February 9th, 2021
Image & Other Reviews on: Goodreads

BOOK SUMMARY:

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?

WONDERFUL YA.

Another gem in the young adult genre y’all. And the audio book was really great!! If you’re interested in that format, would highly recommend.

There was such a sweet love story between Bao and Lin. I love how perfectly cute it was for YA, but also had deeper levels that connected back to so much more. There’s not really angst involved, it’s just two people who have a bit of a Romeo & Juliet situation happening. It was romantic watching them on dates and reconnecting.

I really like the conversations that were interspersed throughout. One was the pressure of parent expectations vs. what Bao and Lin both wanted to do with their lives post high school. There were many relatable discussions and things I connected to myself from that time in my life. I also liked the exchanges about racism. I felt my understanding became another step better because this book was yes, light-hearted, but also covered important and relevant topics.

The amount of food discussed will have you salivating. I loooove a good foody book and all of the Vietnamese dishes sounded absolutely amazing and I hope to try some one day. I love the way culture was expressed and the story-telling surrounding it all.

Overall audience notes:

YA Contemporary romance
Language: a little
Romance: kisses
Trigger/Content Warnings: loss of a loved one, racism and microaggressions

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Book Review: Falling for Your Best Friend (Love Cliche #5) by Emma St. Clair

March 2, 2022May 19, 2021 GoodeyReadsLeave a comment

Rating: ☆☆☆☆
Audience: Contemporary Romance
Length: 348 pages
Author: Emma St. Clair
Publisher: Self-published
Release Date: May 14th, 2021
Image & Other Reviews on: Goodreads

BOOK SUMMARY:

I know how this story ends. And it’s NOT with the best friends falling in love.

Even if Chase checks all my boxes–and then some.

He’s the perfect guy, and he deserves the perfect girl. Which, to be clear, is not me.

I knew one day I would have to let him go. I just didn’t know it would be so soon.

Or that my traitorous friend would be the one setting him up with a string of potential girlfriends.

Now, I have an impossible choice to make…

I can watch Chase find love with someone else.

Or I can throw my hat in the ring and face my biggest fear, one not even he knows.

One that might make him run for the Texas hill country.

But if I don’t make a play, I might lose my best friend and my only chance at love.

LOVING THIS SERIES.

These books just bring out the smiles. Enjoyable quick reads with predictably that feels like a comfort and balm to a bad day. I’m so glad I started reading them!

Diving into this one, my favorite part was the growth in Harper. I loved watching her make mistakes, learn about herself and love who she is. I loved even more the support around Harper. I think a lot of the situations were handled well and you could see the love through her family and friends. Harper found her true identity and that was the best part of the story.

I adored Chase and thought he was absolutely precious. I thought some of his inner monologue became repetitive. I knew he loved Harper, but I also didn’t need it repeated 100 times to get the picture. Chase and Harper had some great banter and I love the soft flirtations between them.

The only other thing that bugged me was one of Harper’s friends, Sam. I don’t like the role she played in this book and it felt forced. I actually haven’t loved her character over the whole series so I’m curious how her book will play out next.

Another great story set in Austin, Texas. I love this cast and how each story feels different and really gives a new side to each character. The humor is great. And goodness do I love the super sweet epilogues every time!!

Overall audience notes:

Contemporary romance
Language: none
Romance: kisses
Trigger/Content Warnings: brief sexual harassment (including on social media)

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Book Review: Wait for It by Mariana Zapata

February 25, 2022May 16, 2021 GoodeyReadsLeave a comment

Rating: ☆☆☆☆☆
Audience: Contemporary Romance
Length: 670 pages
Author: Mariana Zapata
Publisher: Self-published
Release Date: December 7th, 2016
Image & Other Reviews on: Goodreads

BOOK SUMMARY:

If anyone ever said being an adult was easy, they hadn’t been one long enough. Diana Casillas can admit it: she doesn’t know what the hell she’s doing half the time. How she’s made it through the last two years of her life without killing anyone is nothing short of a miracle. Being a grown-up wasn’t supposed to be so hard. With a new house, two little boys she inherited the most painful possible way, a giant dog, a job she usually loves, more than enough family, and friends, she has almost everything she could ever ask for. Except for a boyfriend. Or a husband. But who needs either one of those?

ANOTHER FAV.

Reading my third Zapata book it really hit that I might have liked The Wall of Winnipeg and Me more if I had fully grasped the way that these stories are constructed. I am reallllly loving the way the plot moves and gives a longer timeline that by the end has you satisfied that every end is finished.

I love the neighbor trope!! Another trope I didn’t know I enjoyed so much. Many casual run-ins and helping each other out leads to love y’all. And I ain’t mad about that. This book was the epitome of it’s title with the way Dallas and Diana moved in each other’s orbits. I appreciated the way Dallas handled his own situations while reaching out a hand to Diana. And wow did I love Diana!! She was incredibly strong and brave, facing an uncertain future and trying to do the best by her nephews. And of course I’m going to mention Josh and Lou too, BECAUSE THEY WERE ADORABLE. I found myself laughing at the intricacies of life and the stellar comebacks that came out of those kids mouths. I loved it. I loved them. I love this mashed up family unit that made my heart burst.

I found myself intensely invested in the emotions of this story. This is my current second favorite and I am now finding myself want to deep-dive into all of these books. I crave the beautiful slow burn romance that’s full of life and love.

Overall audience notes:

Contemporary romance
Language: very strong
Romance: kisses to one open door scene
Violence: physical altercations, house fire
Trigger/Content Warnings: Divorce, loss of loved ones difficult parents, remembrance of a physically abusive relationship, suicide (recounting of a character off page), bullying

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Book Review: Love Unexpected: A Sweet Romantic Comedy (Some Kind of Love #2) by Jenny Proctor

February 23, 2022May 16, 2021 GoodeyReadsLeave a comment

Rating: ☆☆☆
Audience: Contemporary Romance
Length: 265 pages
Author: Jenny Proctor
Publisher: Self-published
Release Date: April 21st, 2021
Image & Other Reviews on: Goodreads

BOOK SUMMARY:

A famous boss. A secret identity. And a hilarious road trip to love.

Yes. Yes, Rosie does have a crush on Isaac, her YouTube-famous boss.

Does she ever talk to him?

Absolutely not. Crippling social anxiety can do that.

But Rosie is nothing if not tenacious. Ignoring her friends’ advice to just talk to him already (Nope, that’s way too hard), she instead opts to pursue a virtual relationship with Isaac using a secret identity.

The plan is genius. Online, Rosie has social skills she’d never dream of having in person. She’s possibly even cool. If Isaac can just get to know her, he’ll see how amazing she is.

But then a spontaneous road trip throws Rosie and Isaac together, and their virtual and in-person lives collide. (Eleven hundred miles in a seventy’s era VW hatchback? What could possibly go wrong?)

Much to Rosie’s surprise, she doesn’t constantly humiliate herself. Conversation is easy, and their chemistry? It’s pretty much off the charts.

But every road trip is bound to hit a speed bump or two.

Will Rosie’s secret identity be the thing that brings them together? Or the thing that tears them apart?

FRUSTRATING PLOT.

What I initially enjoyed turned into meh when I understood the plot. Then, it did get better towards the end, but alas, this was not my favorite.

The plot was based off of a purposeful miscommunication. One of the main characters chose to hide their identity and I just couldn’t stand by it (or how long it went on…OR how EVERYONE IN THE OFFICE KNEW AND DIDN’T TELL THE OTHER SOUL the entire book). I mean, come on, I felt so bad for them by the time things finally came out.

There is a sweet story here. Coping with social anxiety and realizing that life is more than being apart of social media. I did like those aspects. There’s some great banter here too that would make me smile. It’s kind of a fun combination of an internet star and an introvert soul.

I really liked everyone of these characters (besides the communication issue). They were invested and really brought the book to life. I loooove good side characters that actually add to the story. A case of, not really for me, but definitely could be for you.

Overall audience notes: