A PHỞ LOVE STORY

Two high school seniors navigate a long-standing familial rivalry.

Vietnamese American teenagers Linh Mai and Bảo Nguyễn have not talked to each other aside from a charmingly memorable but fleeting interaction as kids. In fact, they have gotten explicit instructions to avoid one another. Why? Both the Mais and the Nguyễns have quite the competitive streak as proprietors of dueling phở restaurants located across the street from one another. It’s a simmering rivalry, however, consisting mostly of active avoidance and devoid of direct confrontation. One night, though, Bảo sees an overwhelmed Linh struggling to hold it together when her family’s restaurant is short-staffed, and he offers to assist—incognito—by waiting tables. What should have been a one-time fluke encounter turns into the start of a secretive working partnership—and, of course, blooming feelings. Chapters alternate in first-person narration, and the swap in voices brings just the right amount of tension and energy, especially in shared scenes between the two protagonists. Despite some pacing issues, debut author Le creates a warm, full-bodied take on the star-crossed-lovers rom-com genre. Universal growing pains and questioning of identity are explored alongside the experiences of being children of Vietnamese refugees and immigrants. Strong family dynamics and community ties, and the supportive relationships they bring, are layered and affirming.

Hearty and heartwarming.