A Pho love story
That warm and fuzzy feeling that you will get as you flip through this 402-page book titled ‘A Pho Love Story’ will definitely keep you more engaged in the storyline and prompt you to spend your afternoon reading this heart-warming book. Author Loan Le presents to you this book highlighting a unique love story between two high school students, who fought hard to keep their relationship alive. Linh and Bao admire each other and they always look forward to spending time together; just of the both of them, lovers in the world of two people… This suggests that they do not reveal their affection for each other publicly. Instead, they do so privately. Stealing kisses in dark alleys, hanging out in the art room during recess time and secretly going out for dates...You may wonder: ‘Why go through all these hassle?’ Well, you have a point. I agree!
Before delving into Linh and Bao’s reasons for keeping their relationship a secret, let me first throw out a question. Imagine, your parents disapprove of your relationship. Will you choose to go ahead regardless? Well, there are probably people out there who will go all out for those they love and admire, you may even be one of them too! Now, what if I tell you that both your parents and your lover’s parents are rivals. Rivals who can’t see eye to eye, enemies who sow discord and competitors who try to overtake each other. Is your answer still a ‘yes’ or perhaps will you hesitate and think twice ? Here, let ‘A Pho Love Story’ take you on a journey to explore the adventures of Linh and Bao whose relationship is intertwined with a world beyond their own!
Both Linh and Bao’s families own rival pho restaurants selling Vietnamese delicacies, right opposite each other. Yes, you are right. The two rival restaurants are in such close proximity that they are often required to come up with new business ideas to attract more customers. Not only that, both families often spread rumours in order to undermine each other. Rumours that hurt and deepen the scar left on each other. Contrary to the state that their families are in: cold, harsh and unwelcoming, Linh and Bao’s affection only grew stronger and stronger as the days went by. Can these high school sweethearts transcend an age-old feud and heal the rift between the two families? Or will their love deteriorate both families’ relations even further?
Having secret dates that are out of sight of your parents, relatives and anyone who may report it to your family is not an easy task. While Linh and Bao mastered it, how long exactly can all these last? You clearly can’t wrap fire with paper. No matter how hard one tries to hide a secret, its day of revelation will always arrive. How did Linh and Bao’s parents react when they found out about their relationship and all the fabricated lies along the way? Inevitably, a sense of shock and bewilderment. More importantly, did they eventually accept their relationship?
Many will find ‘A Pho Love Story’ relatable. Afterall, most of us here have parents who place high expectations on us academically. This may prompt them to treat school romance as off-limits as it may be a source of distraction. This heart-warming story teaches us the value of friendship and allows us to realise how fortunate we are to have wonderful companions whom we can fall back on or rely on in times of need. Not only that, it teaches us to persevere and work hard to achieve what is worthwhile despite all the odds in life. If you are looking for a good read after the torturous examinations to heal your broken heart, this book will be a great choice for you. Remember: dare to dream and have the courage to make your dreams a reality, just like Linh and Bao!
Image retrieved from Amazon.com
Written by: Jenny Huang (21S74)
Edited by: Tan Xuanmin (21S78)
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