There was a lot to like about this rom com! Crazy Rich Asians is a great comparison book/film - there were definitely CRA vibes in FAKE DATES & MOONCAKES. One of the MCs, Dylan, and his family are just so enjoyable to read about. I loved learning more about their Chinese takeout restaurant in Brooklyn and all of the food they cooked. Dylan and Theo's relationship was also fun to read about. I appreciated that the queer rep in this story was incredibly positive. Dylan and Theo's families were welcoming and supportive of them and their identities, and I appreciated reading a queer novel - especially a YA one - that was about queer love, rather than an identity crisis or a homophobic family.

However, I didn't end up loving the book as much as I thought I would. It was superrrr YA at times, with cheesy dialogue and immature decisions/thoughts from the MCs, especially Dylan. The story was also surface level at times, with more "telling" from the author rather than "showing." Finally, there were some really unbelievable plot deviations, especially toward the end with Theo's trip before the mooncake contest.

Overall though, this is a fun rom com that teaches you a lot about Chinese culture, mooncakes, Lunar New Year, and the Mid-Autumn Festival. Thank you to the publisher and NetGalley for the ARC!

Dylan Tang works at his aunt Jade's bustling but financially pinched takeout place, Wok Warriors. He plans to enter a mooncake-making contest for the Mid-Autumn Festival, hoping to win recognition and bring more customers in, but he also wants to do it in remembrance of his recently deceased mother. With so much on his plate, he hesitates to add anything new to his life -- even in the form of a handsome, wealthy young man named Theo Somers.

Theo finds Dylan after a disastrous takeout delivery, and as the two become tentative friends, sharing their interests and troubles, Theo makes a significant donation to the restaurant. Dylan doesn't trust such a free gift, so Theo asks a favor in exchange: he wants Dylan to be his fake date at a family wedding. But when Dylan already has feelings for Theo, how will he resist wanting to make the lie become the truth?

This sweet YA romance felt a little too instalovey and a little too superficial at times, but the fun Dylan and Theo had together (especially at the wedding) was delightful. The two characters were both well-drawn and believable in their features and flaws, and I especially appreciated Theo's openness to understanding Dylan's commentary on the class divide between them as well as Theo's willingness to stand up for Dylan and protect him from characters who saw him as less-than.

Being a foodie myself, I really loved the descriptions of Dylan's efforts to recreate his grandmother's blue mooncakes in preparation for the competition, as well as his ideas for a seasonal menu at the takeout. Food is such a perfect way to reveal culture, and this book does a sterling job of showing the beauty and flavor of Singaporean culture (especially to an audience that might too easily conflate it with an American perception of Chinese food and culture).

3.5 stars, rounded up.

Thank you, Penguin Random House and NetGalley, for providing an eARC of this book. Opinions expressed here are solely my own.

Fluffy cute read!!!! I love when books mention something that I like such as Kpop and such and love how the book reminded me of heartstopper! I would recommend this book if you enjoyed heartstopper! This is a legit YA Contemporary romance so there is no spice in this one. This was an easy read that I was able to finish this one so fast!

This was such a cute and easy read. I loved the themes of grief that were present throughout the whole book. But the highlight for me is Dylan and Theo's relationship, and how they both just wanted the other to be happy, and they both did what they felt was the right thing to do to make the other happy.

This book was a solid 4 star read. It had some of my favorite tropes (fake dating, one bed, etc). It was such a feel good story which is exactly what I needed at this time. I love Theo and Dylan. Their relationship was so cute.

Honestly, this read like a standard ya contemporary romance. There wasn’t anything that really wowed me or shocked me about it (which is why I gave it 4 stars and not 5 stars). The pacing was also a little off at times. But other than that, I really enjoyed my time reading it.

I loved that family relationships and culture was a big part of this book. And I liked all the references to Kpop and Asian dramas. That was fun to read about.

This book is described as Heartstopper meets Crazy Rich Asians and it did not disappoint.

Overall, I would highly recommend this book if you’re in the mood for a lighthearted, queer romance.

A super sweet fake-dating romance, this book was layered in a surprising way. The theme of grief and how it sticks around even when things are going well was well-done. I also loved all of the cultural aspects.

Fake Dates and Mooncakes was a cute and inspiring young adult romance. It shows how you can overcome hardships and create a family with those who support and love you. I’m always looking to see if a book for YA has sex scenes since I work in a 7-12th public school library. This book has no sex and just kissing. I didn’t notice any strong language or violence. There is talk about alcohol. The storyline was really captivating and I think a lot of students would enjoy this queer romance read. It’s diverse and shows a part of culture some might not know about.

Thanks Underlined and Netgalley for the eARC, the opinions are my own. This book is so adorable! Dylan lives with his Aunt and cousins, his aunt owns a Chinese takeout, and when he’s helping out with delivers he briefly meets Theo. He never expects to see the handsome guy again but then Theo shows up at the restaurant. They get to talking and Theo helps Dylan’s family out. To repay the favor Dylan agrees to fake date Theo at his cousins wedding. Will something more develop? And could it work with Theo being from a rich family while Dylan’s is middle class? Will their situation bring them closer or will money and status drive them apart? There’s a lot of heart, culture, family bonds, and history woven into this book! I love the way food, family, and traditions are brought into it! Of course I was in tears at the end as well! It’s steeped in warmth, charm, and so much cuteness! I love this fake dating rom com and I can’t recommend it enough! Can’t wait to read it again!

This beautiful cover created by Myriam aka @peaches.obviously is what initially drew me into this book! Her art is so dreamy and ethereal and is always drawing me in.

This story was just as lovely as the beautiful cover! It’s definitely got a prince and the pauper vibe (though no one is royal). Theo comes from a lot of money and wealth and Dylan does not and his aunt is struggling to keep her takeout open after taking in Dylan after the passing of his mother the previous year.

There’s lots of Chinese and specifically Singaporean influences of culture and food in this book (and it sounds delicious tbh). It made me feel the same way I did after watching Crazy Rich Asians (that being that I need visit Singapore and try so much food). This book also reminded me of all the influence these cultures have had on traditional foods here in the USA from immigrant families and if I looked around I could find a place like Wok Warriors.

I loved the heart in this book and the emphasis that close personal relationships with friends, family and the like can’t be bought. It’s the time and nurture you put in that make those relationships really shine. It also highlighted chosen family in Theo’s relationships with Dylan’s family and how he stated they felt closer than some of his biological family.

There’s also a bit of a mystery, a grand gesture and a family inspired mooncake contest entry that I’d like to eat.

I think this is a great read for teens and adults alike. Theo and Dylan are both gay and out with accepting families and don’t experience homophobia in the pages of this book.

5 stars!

⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️

Thank you to NetGalley and Underlined for the E-ARC in exchange for an honest review!

FAKE DATES AND MOONCAKES hits all the right spots! The rich love interest with family drama, the scrappy teen striving to save the only family he has left, fake dating schemes, reconnecting with your roots, blackmail, life threatening situations, BAKING CONTESTS?! It has everything! This is an adorable YA romance, about following your dreams, being true to yourself and remembering those we love.

Fake Dates and Mooncakes by Sher Lee was an absolute blast to devour.

I loved everything about this fun YA rom-com.
This book was so charming and such a delightful story.
I really loved the writing style, the story, the romance and the characters I fell so in love with the main characters.
Dylan and Thea’s story will warm your heart as they navigate relationships with friends, family and most importantly each other.

"I received a complimentary copy of this book. Opinions expressed in this review are completely my own."

Thank You Netgalley and Underlined for your generosity and gifting me a copy of this eARC.

Fake Dates and Mooncakes is a fluffy YA queer romance from author Sher Lee!

This feel good story features working-class Dylan, who meets the super rich and charming Theo. I loved their relationship, they were goofy and sweet and really got to know each other over the course of the book. This story is pure fluff, and all the problems were nicely resolved by the end of the story- which totally works for a rom-com.

This book was cheesy in a good way, and a good, quick, queer YA read.

How sweet!!! This does feel like a YA version of Crazy Rich Asians (which I love). The drama and antics of rich people always entertains me, and it’s perfectly balanced with Dylan’s humble and resilient family. While I do think there could have been a bit more depth with some of the topics that came up (the loss of Dylan’s mom, the unacceptable from Theo’s dad, whatever was going on with Adrian, etc.), I still find this to be a very strong read. I also really appreciated how much Chinese/Singaporean culture and history were mixed in. And all the food. Omg. Mouthwatering.

In short, this is a book for you if you want a light, sweet queer romance that makes you gush—It’s out May 16th so add it to your list now!

4⭐️

Thanks to NetGalley and the publisher for this arc!

I’ve been excited for this book for quite some time so I was really happy when I received my arc copy! This book follows Dylan as he meets Theo and basically the chaos that ensues. I really liked this romance but often felt a lack of chemistry between our mains. Other than that though this was a pretty solid read!

I always love a fun diverse novel and this definitely is one. There were a lot of shenanigans and well developed diverse characters which we love to see. Both Dylan and Theo are very realistic and I liked following both of them throughout the story. I definitely did feel that Dylan was much more developed which also sometimes disconnected me to the story.

Overall, I wasn’t the hugest fan of this but I did still enjoy the time I spent reading it. I expect many people to have a good time reading this as well. It’s a great story for young queer readers who want a simple and fun story full of baking and fake dating!

A solid YA romance with great incorporation of Chinese culture, specifically surrounding mooncakes and the Mid-Autumn festival. There's a lot to be entertained by, from the mooncake plot strung throughout the story, to the rich people's wedding drama. For the most part, it's filled with likable characters and many cheesy speeches.

Dylan Tang, a teenage boy with a passion and ambition for cooking, lives with his aunt and cousins and runs a small takeout restaurant with them. He's a pretty rational character, given how he's a teen thrown into pretty unexpected situations. With all the drama going on, he's surviving pretty well. Despite all of this, his determination to create his family's mooncake recipe for the competition is admirable. I enjoyed the competition (and the process/history of mooncakes)for the most part, except for the cheesy speeches. It wasn't bad, just not for me.

Honestly, I found the wedding part of the story to be the most interesting. It really gives Crazy Rich Asian vibes, a statement that even gets acknowledged in the book. We're just experiencing this new atmosphere through Dylan, and honestly, I'm here for it. Who doesn't want front-row seats to the drama that might end up in the newspaper?

The story itself was decently solid. It wasn't mind-blowing, by any means, but rather adorable, light, and heartwarming. It had great representation and interesting characters, though I found myself not really attached to any of them. The romance of the story started a bit too quickly for my liking, and the obstacles in the romance seemed petty and annoying. Although many of the conflicts in the story were frustrating to witness, I'm glad none of them get dragged on for long. We really don't need any more unnecessary drama.


Overall rating: 3.5/5

Thank you to Random House Children’s for an ARC in exchange for an honest review of ‘FAKE DATES AND MOONCAKES”.

While I felt that the pacing could have been a bit better, I absolutely fell in love with Dylan and Theo — both on their own and together. They were such fantastically well written characters, and it was so easy to root for them!! I loved the author’s writing style, and the descriptions of the settings really made me feel like I was there in the moment. I would absolutely recommend putting this book on your TBR for when it releases on May 16, 2023!

I really loved this book. It was so sweet and funny at the same time. This book gives a lot of similar vibes that Crazy Rich Asians does. It felt a little extravagant at the beginning but once you really get to know the characters, you really fall in love. This book was so sweet and i did love the characters. The major conflict was done well and was so dramatic in the best way. I loved the "found family" in this book. this is one i will be preordering and reading again for sure!

Fake dating and Crazy Rich Asian vibes? I’m sold. This is such a fun, cute rom-com - the romance is adorable, and unlike so many YA novels that ignore the MC’s family entirely, the family dynamics in this one were equally heartwarming. (Even Dylan’s relationship with his dog got me up in my feels.) My FAVORITE thing is how the author skillfully weaves in so many cultural insights and thought-provoking Chinese sayings. These add such great and unique flavor, and as a bonus, I learned a lot!This book is compulsively readable and the prose is so clean, you’ll fly through it in a day.

Thank you to Random House Children's, Underlined & NetGalley for allowing me to read this ARC

Fake Dates and Mooncakes is a rom-com written by Sher Lee and published by GetUnderlined. Thank you, NetGalley and the publisher for sending this book for review consideration. All opinions are my own.

For me, this novel was not just a sweet romantic comedy, but so much more!
The love for traditions and cooking that Dylan has is tangible and very well described.
I loved the way the author shared with us a lot of cooking methods and recipes, as well as the fact that she shows a lot of love for her tradition and culture.

The story is a beautiful journey into Dylan’s world, a boy who, despite the distance, feels deeply connected to his own Country, which revives through his love for cooking.
In addition, we have the opportunity to dive into a sweet and romantic story with interesting and determined, but also very sympathetic characters. No joking but on more than one occasion I cried while reading about Dylan, his dreams, and his personal story. He's just a pure soul.
There is no lack of pain, the omnipresent pain that pricks like a pin, but that reminds us that we are alive, that we must go on despite everything. That was a beautiful lesson: to go forward always and in any case.

My “spider-sense” told me to not trust Theo at the beginning, but while reading I was really impressed by him.
The novel has a lot of good points, like character development, a lot of interesting facts about Singaporean culture, Megan and her really cool way to deal with other characters, and of course a sweet love story. The romantic scenes are absolutely stunning, the author manages to create a unique pathos... *blushes*

In my opinion, romcoms about cooking are the best. The reason? They combine two of the most beautiful things in the world: love and food. Let's be honest, we cannot live without them!
In the end: if you are looking for a fun, wholesome romantic comedy that will make your heart skip a beat, believe in your dreams, and think deeply about life, this book is for you!

This was such a fun, sweet, and enjoyable read that brings all the feelings in teenage love as well as the emotions faced during loss and grief. From the first page I was in love with Dylan and the rest of the Tang family! He does so much for his family, including the moon cake competition for his mom’s memory and his Aunt’s restaurant. His cooking and baking were so well written that I got incredibly hungry during reading. Dylan is funny, a great cook, and cares so much about the people he loves, including Theo. The two of them were great and had me kicking and screaming at their scenes together. Prior to the relationship, Dylan’s internal monologue was a great perspective of having a crush. And then we get them faking dating together at a fancy wedding! It was too much for my heart and I loved seeing them go from fake to real dating! However, this was such a quick read that I wish was a little longer and we got to see more of Dylan and Theo’s relationship.

Overall, this is a great ya romcom and I highly recommend you read it when it comes out!

Read if you like…
•fake dating
•baking competitions
•Crazy Rich Asians but YA
•corgis