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About The Book

“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?

About The Author

Photograph by Loan Le

Loan Le is the author of Solving for the Unknown and A Pho Love Story, a YA rom-com that earned praise from NPR, PopSugar, Bustle, Bon Appetit, USA TODAY, and BuzzFeed. She published her YA speculative short story in the anthology Firsts & Lasts. Loan is also a senior editor at Atria Books, where she acquires genre-bending adult fiction. When she isn’t writing young adult novels, she’s trying to make sourdough bread, watching true crime documentaries, and working on her adult novel. Visit her website at WriterLoanLe.com and find her on X @LoanLoan and Instagram @LoanLoanLe.

Product Details

  • Publisher: Simon & Schuster Books for Young Readers (February 9, 2021)
  • Length: 416 pages
  • ISBN13: 9781534441958
  • Grades: 7 and up
  • Ages: 12 - 99
  • Lexile ® HL710L The Lexile reading levels have been certified by the Lexile developer, MetaMetrics®

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Raves and Reviews

A Junior Library Guild Selection

“Debut author Le creates a warm, full-bodied take on the star-crossed-lovers rom-com genre. . . . Hearty and heartwarming.” Kirkus Reviews

“As satisfying as a bowl of pho.” SLJ

Awards and Honors

  • TAYSHAS Reading List (TX)
  • Bank Street Best Children's Book of the Year Selection Title
  • South Dakota Children's Book Award Nominee

Resources and Downloads

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