I love a "coming of age" novel about a messy woman. This one focusses on Linh, a 27 year old Vietnamese American woman who is not doing just fine. It's set in Texas, but I kept getting Sydney vibes, not sure why. The power and depth of this book snuck up on me. I was reading along, thinking that it was a good book and then I was fully immersed and shouting at Linh for making bad decisions! Anyway, somewhere along Linh's messy, painful but somewhat amusing trajectory this book got into my feelings. It addresses some very big issues - social isolation, growing up, grief, vulnerability, racism, class / wealth divides. Mainly though, it's a story of a young woman trying to exist in a complicated world. The ending is my idea of perfect.

Thanks to NetGalley and Alcove Press for the e-Arc in exchange for an honest review.

No no she's not doing just fine. Linh's parents finally divorced after a horrible marriage due to her father's alcoholism and anger and her mother is the one who is doing fine. She has a new house and she's starting to date a coworker but Linh doesn't think her mom can handle it so she spies on them. Her own life is very small, with a job she doesn't like, a cat, one friend she sees every other week, and tennis in the mornings. A shooting at the university sends her to work from home. Even as that narrows, she does expand her world a bit thanks to the women she plays tennis with, especially after she's paired against the man her mother is dating at a team event. This is very much about her relationship with her mother, her mental health, feeling different all the time, and trying to find yourself. She's a relatable, likable character. Thanks to Netgalley for the ARC. Good storytelling made it a good read.

My three words for this novel are: Unsettling, wry, and aching - Linh Ly pushed me into an emotional limbo & then left me behind. Thanks so much to the lovely author Thao Votang for the ARC!

Thanks NetGalley Alcove Press and Tantor Audio for the advanced reader copies! Upon discovering this upcoming release it became one of my most anticipated reads and I liked it alright.

Linh is a single woman in her late-twenties who struggles with relationships and where she wants to be in life, but struggles even more with acknowledging this. Instead of working on herself she becomes obsessed with her mother’s dating life, fuels her competitiveness at the tennis club, then is wrapped up in the elite’s social circle, and in the process becomes a bit unhinged.

I will say, I wasn’t a fan of Chandler. He claimed he wanted to get to know Linh but yet every time they saw each other (usually the night before he’d leave town) he always made a move that led to sex. And then it felt like he was buying her off by letting her use his sports car and then he gives her his credit card? Honestly. He just felt really shallow to me and Linh deserved better.

Content and trigger warnings include divorce and complicated family relationships, an active school shooter situation (violence occurs off page), minimal profanity, some sexual content (mostly vague but a quick, slightly detailed scene end of chapter 12), racial discrimination, stalking (more humorous than serious), and death of a parent.

I give it 3 out of 5. I wanted Linh to wake up, grow and let go, and she eventually does. It would’ve been nice if there was a lil more talk of how her Vietnamese background shaped who she is and her relationship with her mom. But overall I enjoyed following along with her quirky escapades and train of thoughts as there’s both humor and depth. It is a much better “finding oneself” sort of story than a lot of the ones aimed towards coming of age/young adult out there (think Maame & Adelaide, neither of which I liked; I felt it was more in line with Ghosts, at least for me, a single early-30s-something). I’d be surprised if this one doesn’t take off.

Linh Ly is NOT doing fine! Linh Ly is suffering from depression, PTSD, and probably a few other things. These have manifested in a very isolated and strictly ordered life. When her mom starts dating, this sends Linh down a rabbit hole of sleuthing and an stalking (let's be honest here). Nothing is healthy about any of the relationships Linh has and the book awkwardly follows her with writing that almost feels as skittish as Linh herself is. I am not sure whether I was rooting for Linh or for the people around her that cared about her! Either way, I was invested.

I will start off by saying I think this book offered deeper meaning and concepts that I didn't fully grasp. Although there were aspects that I could relate to, the majority of the book I was observing from afar. Linh's parents are divorced and she has now taken on to spying on her Mother as she goes on dates. Linh is also a bit of introvert and does not enjoy social settings except her Tennis club.

There is a lot of scenes in this book that offer clues that what I should have grasped but maybe slipped through me. If you had previously read, Eleanor Oliphant is Completely Fine, that very much reminds me of this book. It didn't feel like there were many highs or lows, and it was a look into someone's else's life as it happened. There were more down moments in this book that did make you thoughtful that not everyone's life is perfect or glamorized all the time. And even if people had the house, the job, or the friends, does it necessarily mean they are happy or unhappy.

Again, a lot to unpack, and maybe needs a re-read from me.

I can totally see how the author started writing during Covid bc this book is the definition of languishing, but for me in all the right ways. I really enjoyed the deadpan humor (I cracked up when the MC heard someone passed away and asked “did you kill her?” And then that convo was met with awkward silence ahahah).

The MC is also recovering from gun violence (that seriously happens too often in the U.S. at schools), and not really having coping mechanisms for the violence and f up world. So she languishes and languishes, passing thru the world and not really committing to relationships. Somehow it didn’t bother me tho bc I was just so damn interested in what would happen next!

As she tries to figure out her mom dating and her role in their relationship, there’s a beautiful full circle with them.

Idk if everyone will like this one bc her inaction could be frustrating but I was captivated!

Thank you to NetGalley and the publisher for an electronic copy to read in exchange for an honest review.

Whelp. I had plans today. Thought to myself, just read a chapter or two. Read to the entire thing in a day. Nothing got done that I had planned and I'm okay with that. This book was everything I needed at the moment. It was so well written and honestly Linh could be all of us. I particularly relate to her internet stalking. However my favorite quote is "friends come with obligations". God this book was so good.

I’m not 100% sure of my thoughts on this one. I did find it easy to read and move through, but also the story didn’t seem to really go anywhere. There wasn’t necessarily a plot, more of just uncomfortable situations that our main character found herself in and made it through. Linh herself was a very difficult character. There were times I absolutely related to her and her social anxiety/awkwardness and other times I just thought “Girl, WHAT ARE YOU DOING?” I did feel like the book touched on some really important subjects like gun violence, micro aggressions and alcoholism, but it didn’t really dive in as deep as I wanted it to with them. The ending at first really baffled me because it just seemed like such an abrupt way to the story to be over, but I thought about it and it kind of fit the story. Life is weird, things happen and it will eventually be just fine. This is absolutely a character driven novel so anyone looking for a quick paced plot will be disappointed. However, like I said, it was easy to read and I did get some things out of it so I’m happy I read it overall.
Mini spoiler: nothing bad happens to the cat!
CW: school shooting, racism, alcoholism, verbal abuse, car accident, divorce

Thank you to NetGalley and Alcove Press for an advanced digital reader’s copy in exchange for an honest review

This book was so funny and so heartbreaking at the same time. At points I was laughing out loud at one page and choking back tears the very next page, which I thought made this book so incredible to read. Linh was a character I found myself needing to root for even when she continued to make decisions that I didn't agree with. Watching her struggle through her career and her friend moving away and her familial relationship and love life was so interesting because on one hand, I could not be more different from her, but on the other hand, her problems were so human that I couldn't help but relate to her and feel like I was going through the same things (even though I'm not).

I also loved that the ending was less than satisfying but satisfying at the same time - I won't go into more detail there to avoid spoilers, but I feel like it reflected the entire thesis of the book and the themes. Overall, this book was a bit heavier than I was expexting when I picked it up, but I loved every second of it.

DNF - after starting this book, I couldn’t get into Linh’s world view. I also saw some themes and events in the book that weren’t for me at this time. I thought the premise sounded very sweet and unique, but I wasn’t able to continue reading.

"Linh Ly is Doing Just Fine" is a melancholy page-turner. Fast-paced. Readers quickly meet Linh Ly. She is 27, single, living with her cat in a an apartment in the metroplex of Texas. After the divorce of her mother and father, Linh quickly becomes wrapped-up in her mother's dating life-- to the point of following her on dates. Linh traverses life and its meaning in Texas while dealing with the trauma of her estranged father.


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While this book was a page-tuner in drama, I thought this story lacked direction. I didn't believe Linh's motives throughout the story and I thought the ending was tied together because it was an "ending"; something had to happen. Unfortunately this is a title I would not recommend but I would dog-ear in my list of 'melancholy female reads'.

Thank you NetGalley, the author Thao Votang, and published Alcove Press for providing this ARC to readers.

This book is very average"Linh Ly is Doing Just Fine" is a novel that aims to delve deep into character-driven storytelling but unfortunately falls short in several crucial areas. The book centers around Linh Ly, a character whose life and experiences are meant to be the focal point of the narrative. While the intention to build a story around a nuanced and relatable protagonist is commendable, Linh Ly's character lacks the depth and complexity needed to truly engage readers. Her mundane and unremarkable personality makes it challenging to invest emotionally in her journey, and this ultimately detracts from the overall reading experience.
One of the primary issues with "Linh Ly is Doing Just Fine" is its lack of a compelling plot. Without a strong narrative to propel the story forward, the book relies heavily on its characters to maintain the reader's interest. However, with Linh Ly herself being rather bland, this reliance becomes a significant drawback. The absence of intriguing subplots or dramatic twists makes the story feel stagnant and uninviting. Readers may find themselves struggling to pick up the book again after setting it down, as there is little to entice them back into Linh Ly's world.
Despite these shortcomings, the novel does offer moments of introspection and quiet reflection that some readers might appreciate. The writing style is straightforward and accessible, making it an easy read for those who enjoy character studies. However, for those seeking a more dynamic and plot-driven narrative, "Linh Ly is Doing Just Fine" may leave much to be desired. Overall, while the book has its merits, it ultimately fails to capture and hold the reader's attention, making it an average read at best.

** spoiler alert ** I truly do not know how to review this book. The whole story made me so very sad. Linh Ly is not doing fine at all. To be Vietnamese in Texas seems to be very difficult. She is surrounded by incredibly rich people, so rich it was difficult for me to understand.
Her parents are divorced, and her mother has started to date, and she is so worried that she follows her mother in secret when she goes out on dates. Her father is an alcoholic mess, and America did not live up to his dreams.
In a very baffling part, a high school crush tries to have a relationship with her, and she is ambivalent.
I am not sure the ending is supposed to give us hope or not.
The whole racist part was difficult for me as I am white with a Korean daughter, who I know has sometimes had racist things happen to her, so I think I was particularly susceptible to the sadness. I could identify with Linh's uncomfortable situations when she was with a group of only white people, as I know my daughter has that same reaction.
So, for me, the book was just heartbreaking. Maybe that isn't a bad thing for readers trying to understand Linh's life.
This is a very well written debut novel and I look forward to Votang's next book.
Thanks to NetGalley and the publisher for the EARC. This review is my honest opinion.

Though this book is short, it is packed with such a fascinating story about Linh, and I think you could argue this is a coming of age story for her. I really appreciated how authentically her feelings and decisions are illustrated. I would read from this author again.

Linh Ly is a bit of a loser. Or is she a bit of a loner? Or a bit of both?

She doesn't trust the men her mum chooses to go out with. She doesn't trust the guy who is interested in spending time with her. She doesn't trust her colleagues. And she probably doesn't trust herself.

And yet, we follow along with her as she makes bad choices - many, many bad choices. And we really root for her to change her ways. Because stalking, and disguises and perhaps missing out on a chance at love are just sad ways to live.

An easy, voyeuristic read with a little bit of redemption.

Thank you NetGalley and publisher for this ARC.

I really wanted to like this book! Especially because I love the cover but I DNFed it. I might try reading it again another time.

Another great cover, but that was the extent of my enjoyment I am afraid. There was none of the humour I was expecting and Linh is a little bit annoying.
I am sorry to say I did not finish the book and gave up about 25% in.

Told with deadpan humour and brutal honesty, "Linh Ly is Doing Just Fine" by Thao Votang is a remarkable debut novel, captivating exploration of identity and trauma. It follows the unraveling journey of a Vietnamese-American and Votang masterfully weaves together past and present, inviting readers into the complex world of trauma, family dynamics, and self-discovery.

When 27-year-old Linh Ly's recently-divorced mother begins dating a coworker, Linh becomes determined to ensure he is worthy of her mother's love. Having witnessed her mother's struggles with unreliable and volatile men, Linh is fiercely protective. She knows her mother can't navigate this new relationship alone, especially after growing up with an alcoholic father while her mother worked tirelessly to make ends meet.

Linh's life lacks direction, and she finds solace in following her mother and spying on her dates. The university shooting at Linh's workplace leaves her feeling adrift, but her mom's dating escapades give her something to focus on. As Linh peels back the layers of her mother's life, she confronts her own guarded upbringing as a Vietnamese-American in Texas… a legacy she never quite escaped.

Linh's Vietnamese heritage and her upbringing in Texas shape her worldview. Votang delves into the complexities of cultural identity, portraying Linh's guarded existence with sensitivity. The novel explores how trauma echoes across generations. Linh grapples with her past, her father's alcoholism, and the impact it has on her relationships. Her journey toward healing is both poignant and relatable.

Linh's relationship with her mother is at the heart of the story. The novel beautifully captures the love, tension, and sacrifices that define their bond. Votang's prose is sharp, witty, and unapologetically honest. The deadpan humor adds depth to the narrative, making Linh's struggles all the more authentic. The pacing keeps readers engaged, and the vivid descriptions transport us to Texas, where Linh's memories and present collide.

"Linh Ly is Doing Just Fine" is a compelling exploration of resilience, vulnerability, and the messy beauty of family ties. Votang's debut is a triumph. This is a novel that lingers long after the last page. Prepare to laugh, cry, and reflect on your own journey as you follow Linh Ly's unraveling.

Thank you to NetGalley and Alcove Press for a temporary e-ARC in exchange for my honest review.

I liked the first few chapters of this, but after that it fell very flat for me. Not much really happens and the character is whiny and needy. I'd prefer to see more character development. This seems to try too hard to be an Asian version of Eleanor Oliphant and just doesn't quite make it. I did like the snappy quick writing style and think the author has potential....