March 15, 2023
Two teens come together over food and family. Seventeen-year-old Dylan Tang meets heartbreakingly handsome Theo Somers during an unpleasantly memorable incident: He makes a delivery from his Aunt Jade's Singaporean Chinese takeout spot to Theo's friend Adrian, who goes ballistic over a minor error. Theo's there, and he tries to defuse the conflict, but the last thing Dylan expects is to see him turn up at Wok Warriors and rave over the xiao long bao. Even more unlikely? The two of them riding around Chinatown in Theo's Ferrari taste testing mooncakes. Dylan entered the Mid-Autumn Festival mooncake-making contest, a competition for teens hosted by a Malaysian celebrity chef. He hopes a win will bring in a much-needed financial boost for his aunt's business. Meanwhile, Theo uses subterfuge to send $5,000 from a fake grant program to help Wok Warriors. In return, Dylan agrees to join Theo at his cousin's Hamptons wedding as his pretend boyfriend: Theo's family will stop trying to matchmake for him, and they'll be even. Spending more time with Theo does not help to squash Dylan's budding crush, but can they date for real with all the family drama the glitz and glam brings? Debut novelist Lee presents a rom-com romp full of meddling and hijinks. Foodies will have lots to savor, and cultural heritage and appreciation are at the forefront too, as Theo, who has a White father and a mom from Hong Kong, is eager to reconnect with his Chinese heritage. Sweet-filled fun. (Romance. 12-18)
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March 13, 2023
Aspiring chef Dylan Tang, 17, works at his family’s Brooklyn-based Singaporean Chinese takeout place with his auntie Jade. Though the threat of eviction looms, Dylan is confident that his participation in the annual mooncake-making contest—whose winner will feature on a popular foodie program—will bring in much-needed business. The last thing he needs is charming and wealthy customer Theo Somers distracting him, but after their brief encounter during a food delivery, Theo seems to show up everywhere. When Dylan finds out that Theo secretly donated money to the restaurant, Dylan is adamant to thank him, agreeing to attend a wedding as Theo’s date. While Theo’s world of class and extravagance is foreign to him, Dylan has never felt more himself than when they’re together. But as family drama arises and the contest draws near, Dylan feels as if he’s losing sight of what he really wants. Lee’s frothy debut skillfully utilizes beloved rom-com tropes, keeping the mood light while leaving readers swooning and hungry—both for more romance, and for the mouthwateringly described Chinese cuisine. Quick and engaging dialogue, coupled with plentiful queer and Chinese cultural representation, makes for a sweet ode to family, food, and love. Ages 12–up. Agent: Jess Regel, Helm Literary.
June 1, 2023
Gr 9 Up-Brooklynite Dylan Tang has a lot on his plate-between keeping his grade point average up in hopes of a scholarship and working at his aunt's takeout restaurant, he barely has time to think about a relationship. That all changes when a delivery mistake introduces him to Theo Somers. Theo, a rebellious yet charming rich kid, convinces Dylan to take part in a fake dating scheme at an opulent family wedding in the Hamptons. Dylan finds himself struggling to suppress his growing feelings for Theo while figuring out a way to prevent the family restaurant's impending eviction. Winning a mooncake-making contest could be the answer to his problems-that is, if he can figure out the secret ingredient in a treasured family recipe. This book injects the classic fake dating trope with a heavy dose of drama, which borders on unbelievable at times. While best suited for readers who can stand a little spectacle, the book also contains strong family themes, romantic moments, and cultural discussions surrounding the Mid-Autumn Festival and the history of mooncakes. Dylan is Singaporean Chinese while Theo is biracial Chinese on his mom's side with a white father. VERDICT In a heavily saturated market of fake dating and food-themed YA romances, consider this a secondary purchase where titles like Loan Le's A Pho Love Story or Adiba Jaigirdar's Hani and Ishu's Guide to Fake Dating are popular.-Mary Kamela
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