Overall, I enjoyed this book, but at times I found it disjointed—though I believe this was intentional. The author is telling her story, and at times, her life is confusing, emotional, and challenging, and this is reflected through the structure of the book.

She writes about a breakup and alludes to difficulties with her parents, who didn't acknowledge her boyfriend for many years. They also experienced distance in their relationship, only meeting outside their homes. I would have liked more information about their relationship, and why this happened.

I liked how she refers to her current boyfriend as "the geographer," preserving his anonymity.

I was drawn to this book because I’ve lived in China and enjoyed reading about the different dishes. It was clear how certain Chinese dishes were special to her and served as a love language within her family.

I also would have liked more details about her role as a food reviewer.

I appreciated the references to other writers and the inclusion of memorable quotes—it made me look up other authors.

Finally, I wasn’t expecting the pandemic to be part of this book, but it was interesting to see how it affected her story.

I received an advanced review copy from NetGalley and this is my honest review.

“Chinese Parents Don’t Say I Love You” by Candice Chung is a reflective and intimate memoir that captures a pivotal year in her life. Set in the months leading up to and during the COVID-19 pandemic, Chung explores the deep connections between food and the relationships that shape her world. Now that some time has passed since the pandemic started, it’s fascinating to read personal accounts of that period and how it reshaped people’s lives.

While the book explores her relationship with her parents, much of the focus shifts to the romantic relationship that develops during those months. Sometimes, her parents feel like background characters when they could have played a more central role. That said, I enjoyed Chung’s memoir. Her lyrical writing style pulls you right into her experiences, and the way she weaves food into the narrative is beautifully done—it often takes center stage in the best way.

I’d recommend this to anyone looking to explore more Asian writers and their nuanced takes on relationships, identity, and family.

Hi, I just published my review on Goodreads! Thanks for Candice Chung and Elliot & Thompson for allowing my request to read this beautiful book. Hence I show you the link of my review instead. Once again thank you so much.