I struggled to find an accurate rating for this book because it felt like two conflicting genres. As a general YA book, I would probably rate it 4.25-4.5 stars.

There was a sweetness and earnestness to both the story and the prose that drew me in and held my attention. Nguyen did an amazing job at making me care about Vivi and Lan: their journeys, their happiness, and their struggles. I also think that one of the author's strengths lies in her writing of Vivi and Lan as character foils. This contrast between the characters is where the underlying love letter to Việt Nam shines brightly. Where Vivi is struggling to find her roots and uncover family history, Lan is grappling with family responsibility and a desperation to see the world outside of Sài Gòn. As both girls help the other with their goal, the girls both fall deeper in love with the city and a fuller, more robust Sài Gòn is painted for the reader.

However, this book was marketed as a romance novel. As a romance novel, I would have rated it somewhere between 3.0-3.5 stars, particularly due to the third act. The developing of Vivi and Lan's relationship was heartfelt and exactly what you'd hope to read in a YA romance: from the insistent denial of feelings and the teasing of friends to the embarrassed blushing and the hesitant first kiss. Meanwhile, their relationship in the third act - and the events in the third act in general - were too fast-paced and easily resolved in comparison to the rest of the story.

Lan declares herself as Vivi's girlfriend, yet there is no understanding of how the two would make it work after Vivi's semester abroad. Lan is about to travel throughout South East Asia and Vivi is returning to California. Even if there was no conclusive decision made, making the main characters have a discussion about it at least would be more true to life.

Additionally, part of Vivi's journey was trying to find her mother's family, while lying to her mom about being in Việt Nam in the first place. Her desire to learn more about her mom's past and frustration at her mom continuously refusing to share those memories is what propels her story in the first place. And yet,

when her mom flies to Sài Gòn and finally returns home to visit the sister and mom she left all those decades ago

, it was resolved so quickly that it felt like the conflict never should have been that serious (even though we know it should be). For the amount of love and care Ngyuen clearly put into this novel and the portrayal of Vietnamese culture, strength, and resiliency, the hastiness of the third act felt off-putting. 

Regardless, this book is still one I would recommend - especially if you prefer romance as a sub-plot. Though, fair warning, you'll finish the book wanting some bánh mì or bún bò huế.