A phở love story
(Book)

Kirkus Review - Adult,120120

School Library Journal,,120120, p. 97

Publisher's Weekly,012521

Booklist,,020121, p. 48

"If Bảo Nguye̋n 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' phở 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 spark and fire. She loves art and dreams of 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 phở restaurant. For years, the Mais and the Nguye̋ns have been at odds, having owned competing, neighboring phở restaurants. Bảo 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. A chance encounter brings Linh and Bảo 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 Bảo find love in the midst of feuding families and complicated histories?"

13-17.

8-12.