A Pho Love Story

By: Loan Le

Narrated by: Ryan Do, Vyvy Nguyen

“Will leave readers swooning.” —PopSugar

​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.

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?

Critic reviews

"Narrators Ryan Do and Vyvy Nguyen charm listeners with a story featuring star-crossed lovers and mouthwatering foods, told in fast-paced alternating first-person chapters. Bao Nguyen waits on tables in his family's Vietnamese restaurant. Do conveys his anxieties about his lack of drive. His family has a long-running rivalry with the restaurant owners across the street, but when he and their daughter, Linh Mai, have a chance encounter, sparks fly. Linh's artistic ambitions and family expectations already cause conflict, and Nguyen's compelling narration ensures that listeners hear the joys and fears of her secret relationship with Bao. Vietnamese phrases and tones are narrated smoothly throughout the novel, adding to the richness of the listening experience. Both narrators convey the thrills of first love, and the teens' loyalty to their families and community."

Should Be Labeled YA

Sometimes I wonder if Romeo and Juliet was the only romantic plot (especially between teen agers) that was ever written and all the others were simply variants.

Not to be too harsh, but the vocabulary, short sentences, and dialogue let me down. After establishing a conflict, the longstanding family problems are solved in a flash and everything is right in the world without angst.

I got bored several times, I’m afraid.

P.S. Asian families don’t have a monopoly on star-crossed lovers or inter-family troubles.

It’s not just about teenage love

Loved the performance!
The romantic part of the story is a bit cheesy but well told.
There is another element: the experiences of immigrants and refugees.

Love meets Pho and history

Easy read with a good story line it kept me intrigued throughout! I would deff recommend to friends.

Beautiful story

This is a wonderful quick read about the lives of two teens who balance their respective cultures and traditions and their American dreams.

High school romcom

A sweet high school star crossed lovers story about two Vietnamese restaurants, owned by two families who knew each other before they escaped to America. The history is long and complicated, and their children have no idea how deep it runs or why it is so volatile.

Despite this, or maybe because of it, Bao and Lihn understand each other in a way no one else can. They find themselves falling despite all the animosity between their families, with the pressure of senior year pushing them to succeed while balancing it all.

I thought this was a sweet romcom with good representation and handling of all the layers of the life first generation Vietnamese children, their experiences, and their family dynamics.