The two best things about this book were the dog (Clover the corgi, named after the author's own dog) and the mooncakes. Though there could always be more dog moments, both lived up to expectation. The food descriptions in this book in general were wonderful and a lot of snacking happened while I was reading it, but the talk of different methods to make mooncakes was my favourite because I've never thought about what it entails. I've never had a snow skin mooncake or one with chocolate in, but now I want to try them!

The characters were very lifelike and I loved how much the book showed the feeling of family. Dylan's family was wonderful and I could really feel the love, but I could also feel a lot of love between Theo and his cousins. It gave the book such a loving vibe.

The only problem I had was that all Theo seemed to do was help Dylan out. It seemed that Dylan was always the one needing rescuing and Theo was always the rescuer. I would have liked a bit more balance as it got old fast.

Read for a warm loving family dynamic, rich people drama, a cute dog and lots and lots of mooncakes!

Dylan has always had big dreams, but he's learned to curb them over the years. He works in his aunt's struggling Chinese takeaway, and tries his best to stay upbeat as he watches things growing harder and harder for his family. The opportunity to be on a mooncake baking competition - to get 15 minutes of fame for the takeaway, and of course the cash prize - could be one that changes his life. He can't afford to be distracted from that goal. But when a wealthy customer donates a large sum of money to the takeaway, Dylan is determined to pay him back. So he finds himself agreeing to be Theo's fake date to a large family wedding. He can keep it together for one weekend... right?

This was pretty much exactly the book I wanted it to be. Light and uplifting, with likeable main characters and a good supporting cast. It does some nice exploration into Chinese culture - and Chinese American culture - and keeps a decent pace throughout with some great poignant moments alongside the romance.

An adorable quick and easy read. Perfect for fans of Heartstopper and XOXO.

Dylan has lived with his aunt and cousins since his mum passed away, and helps out in his aunt’s struggling Chinese takeout. Theo was raised in the lap of luxury, drives a Ferrari, and thinks nothing of spending thousands of dollars. The odds of their paths ever crossing are minuscule, and yet, “If two people have the destiny to meet, not even a thousand miles can keep them apart.”

I was immediately invested in Dylan’s life and his and Theo’s relationship. The dynamic with his aunt and cousins was hilarious and wonderfully realistic - I could absolutely imagine myself being teased by family in a similar way when I was younger - and their love for one another came through in every aspect of the story. Plus Clover! I am a sucker for a dog.

The plot was fast paced and satisfying - there was always something happening, or something to look forward to - and I particularly appreciated how neither of the boys was made out to be the ‘bad guy’ at any point. Relationships can have their ups and downs, work out or not work out, without it being the fault of one person or them doing something grievous.

I read Fake Dates and Mooncakes in a day, because it really is a book you can just pick up and read in one sitting. It was an enjoyable romp through Brooklyn and the surrounds, and a fantastic queer contemporary YA romance.

Overall, I thoroughly enjoyed Fake Dates and Mooncakes and will look out for future books by the author!

As always I need POC authors to provide snacks with their food romances because the descriptions! I loved that although it's a romance between two boys they were accepted by their families and could move through society without experiencing homophobia. I would have appreciated a dual POV but the story I got was still fun and sweet. It's very instalove which didn't bother me one bit but I still want you to know that's present. I think it could have benefited from a few more round of editing to tighten up the story in parts and make the transitions smoother between scenes but it's made it onto my list of books that I am itching to read on release day even after receiving an arc.

CW: cancer, relapse from alcoholism.

Hello everyone, I'm Mr. C Reviewer, and tonight we're discussing Sher Lee's book, Fake Dates and Mooncakes. Being my first experience with Sher's work, and after reading this story, I'm eager to explore more of her books in the future. I'd like to extend a huge thank you to NetGalley for providing a copy of Fake Dates and Mooncakes in exchange for an honest review. I had the pleasure of reading this captivating book in May 2023, spending almost an entire day engrossed in its pages. Recommended for readers aged 12 years and above, Fake Dates and Mooncakes is set to be published on May 25, 2023. The narrative, told from Dylan's first-person perspective, spans 33 chapters and 260 pages which also included a epilogue at the end.



Summary
In his quest to take part in the Mid-Autumn Festival mooncake-making competition for teenage chefs, Dylan Tang, a young chef hailing from Brooklyn, draws inspiration from his late mother's memory and seeks to raise awareness of his aunt's struggling Chinese takeout in the city. Dylan's life takes an unexpected turn when he meets Theo Somers. Despite their contrasting backgrounds, Theo becomes an irresistible distraction for Dylan. As their relationship develops, Theo convinces Dylan to accompany him as his fake date to a family wedding in the Hamptons.

Initially meant to be a sham, Dylan finds himself falling for Theo for real. But just as things start to look up, Theo's relatives reveal their true colours. Facing a tough decision as the mooncake contest approaches and he risks getting caught up in the problems of the wealthy. Will he save his family's business or follow his heart?



Review
-In my opinion, this book was written with some good character development. The author has done an excellent job of bringing the characters to life and creating a vivid sense of place throughout the story. From the very first page, I was hooked and knew that this book would become a new favourite of mine.

I found the pacing of the book really good, allowing for a seamless flow of events that kept me engaged from beginning to end. The author's ability to transport the reader into the story was nothing short of remarkable, as I found myself fully immersed in the characters' emotions and experiences. Every scene was vividly described, making it easy to visualize and connect with the story on a deep level. I found myself drawn to the intricate details within the book, particularly the small but impactful art breakers that elegantly divided the chapters. This added a unique and visually pleasing element to the overall reading experience.

The author skilfully addresses complex issues such as privilege, navigating dating across social divides, and grief with sensitivity and nuance. While the portrayal of loss is handled with care, it may have been beneficial for the author to delve deeper into the trauma experienced by both Dylan and Theo. I feel that this could be an area for potential exploration in a sequel

I feel that the book is sure to capture the hearts of young readers who enjoy heart-warming and adorable LGBT tales such as Heartstopper. It is truly remarkable to witness the rise of queer young adult literature that does not rely on sexuality or coming out as a source of conflict, and this book is a refreshing addition to the genre. Whilst it is crucial to have books that document the struggles and challenges of coming out, it is equally important to have books that portray the experiences of queer people where they are loved and accepted.

I found myself smiling from ear to ear throughout most of the book, and I couldn't help but feel a sense of joy and contentment as I turned each page. the author masterfully weaves together a range of emotions, taking the reader on a journey through both heart-wrenching and humorous moments.

This book was an absolute feast for the senses. The vivid descriptions of the mouth-watering food had me salivating and craving every dish mentioned. The author's ability to seamlessly interweave Singaporean and Chinese culture throughout the story was truly masterful. The incorporation of Chinese myths and beliefs added a layer of depth and richness to the narrative that was both meaningful and beautiful. I was thoroughly impressed with how the author managed to educate readers on these cultural elements without overwhelming them with information. Overall, this book left me with a greater appreciation for the intricacies of Singaporean and Chinese culture, as well as a strong desire to try all of the delicious dishes described within its pages.

The book provides readers with a significant portion of Theo's sub-storyline, which is complemented by occasional mentions of Dylan's preparations for the competition. While the mooncake competition may seem to have been given less attention towards the end, the scattered insights into Dylan's progress come together cohesively. I feel that this balance ensures that us the readers receive a well-rounded and engaging narrative.

-The warmth with which Dylan's family welcomed Theo left me brimming with joy, and I couldn't help but fall in love with Clover the corgi. As a reader, I found myself fully invested in Dylan's and Theo's story, rooting for them every step of the way. The chemistry between the two characters was undeniable and heart-warming. One of the things that stood out to me was Dylan's unwavering determination to defend himself and his loved ones against any form of disrespect. It was truly inspiring to see him stand up for what he believed in, even when faced with adversity. As well as Theo's unwavering support for him during difficult times with his family. Theo's character development is also emphasized as he breaks free from his family's expectations and recognizes the toxicity within their dynamic. The author skilfully portrays Theo's decision to distance himself from this negativity while still being there for Dylan.

While Dylan's character shone brightly with its intricate layers and captivating persona, I feel that Theo's character served as a necessary counterpart that added balance and contrast to the story. I found myself wanting to delve deeper into Theo's complex relationships with his father and heritage. The author's handling of these themes was skilful and left me wanting more.

-I found it incredibly difficult to put down. I am eagerly anticipating the opportunity to revisit this literary book upon its release and intend to acquire both a physical copy and an audible version to fully immerse myself in the story. If the author were to continue the journey of Dylan and Theo, I would be thrilled to read a sequel. I could not help but imagine how amazing it would be for this book to be adapted into its own television series.


For each story that I read, I rate it out of 10 so for this am going to give it a 9.4. Remember this was what I thought about the book personally and I suggest that you give it a go for yourself.

Thank you NetGalley, Macmillan Children's Books and Sher Lee for providing me with an ARC of Fake Dates and Mooncakes for review.

4.5 Stars - Available 25 May 2023

Lordy this was a fun and emotional book. Plot - it is right in the title, they fake date and then they make Mooncakes. Simple, stunning, charming, cute, adorable. I loved this book.

Dylan is an excellent MC. A well behaved kid with a strong moral compass and completely devoted to his family. Again, simple but it works so well. You understand Dylan, you understand his motives and his decision making process. That doesn't mean that the story is full of easy decisions for him but that I am engaged in his actions throughout the book.

Then there is Theo.... Bloody rich kids... I have to give it to Lee, Theo is potentially the only Rich Kid I have come across in alllllllll my YA reading that I liked. If you have been around for some of my other reviews *cough* RWRB *cough, cough* you will know that I struggle a LOT with engaging with the Rich Kid characters. My actual struggle here was believing that this character could ever exist?! Like he is pretty much PERR-FECT!

Our side characters are wonderful. The cousins serve us humour and Aunt Jade brings the stoic head of the family role to life with so much vulnerability and resilience. Love.

I would also like to acknowledge how much I appreciate stories that are this strong and beautiful in under 300 pages! This is an amazing example of a strong queer book that most teen's would be able to pick up from the library and read within a week or two regardless of school, work and family demands. Accessibility to stories like this for young Queer teens is sooooo important!

Potential spoiler - but this beautiful climax could never occur in Australia! Those Bío-security laws would hit Theo HARD!

I loved the vibes in this book! It has the three Fs: fun, fake dating and food! What more could you want? Perfect for fans of Heartstopper, this is a joyful queer story.

I absolutely loved this book; from the story, which definitely has Crazy Rich Asians vibe, which again, I loved.
It’s fast paced, the story is structured well, I was hooked from the beginning to the very end.
Loved both Theo & Dylan and their journeys together and apart. They were definitely well suited characters and played off the other well too. Secondary characters were great too, full of life and helped elevate the story.
A great read!

This book was so adorable! It's a perfect quick read, especially if you're wanting to get out of a slump.
Dylan and Theo are super cute, and you just can't help rooting for them.
I do however wish the book was bigger to explore them in more depth but with how short the book is, I think the author did perfectly.
And now all I can think about are Mooncakes so I'll be definitely getting some soon 😂
Thankyou Netgalley and Macmillan for the ARC

Enjoyable storyline - I liked the fake dating part, just wished there was a bit more of it, and also I liked that Dylan was able to help Theo reconnect with his heritage through food

There were times that I forgot that they were 17, especially with Theo - due to his independence

- first person, single pov
- lgbt
- fake dating

Fake Dates and Mooncakes is a gloriously self-indulgent meet-cute, combing imagery from Crazy Rich Asians and popular romance tropes (such as miscommunication) to create an easy read that's perfect for fans of the romance genre.

I highly recommend this to anyone after a fun, light-hearted read, or anyone in a bit of a reading slump. It's such a sweet, quick book, with little surprises but plenty in the way of food descriptions that will make you incredibly hungry, that I am looking forward to what the author writes next.

I would say however that the description likening it to Heartstopper feels not-quite correct: its true our main character is in high school (as is his love interest) but it does not centre around school life, coming-of-age, or some of the darker concepts presented in Oseman's later graphic novels, but instead focuses on characters who know who they are. This is to this book's credit, but besides a m/m main pairing, its parallels are minimal.

My thanks to the author, NetGalley, and the publisher for this eARC in return for an honest review.

[ARC provided by NetGalley & Macmillan Children's Books]

Rating: 4.5/5

I knew Fake Dates and Mooncakes was going to be a cute read, but I didn't expect it to be such a fun and heart-warming story. Imagine Crazy Rich Asians but ten times sweeter and with a fake dating plot that will melt your heart. I loved this book so much, from the adorable romance to the mouth-watering food; everything about it left me feeling warm and fuzzy (and ridiculously hungry).

Fake Dates and Mooncakes follows Dylan Tang, an aspiring young chef who enters into a mooncake-making competition in an effort to save his aunt's struggling Chinese takeaway. Around about that time he meets Theo Somers, a charming and wealthy young man who starts to appear more and more in Dylan's life. It's not long before Dylan begins to fall for Theo, and when the differences between them becomes unavoidable, he has to choose between protecting his family or following his heart.

This YA queer romcom is a must read for anyone in need of light, optimistic break from life. If you're looking for a feel good story that focuses on family, endurance and the lengths we go to for love, this if the book for you.

I adored this! Dylan and Theo were so engaging and endearing; it was so sweet and charming.

This was a pretty fast-paced book and flowed nicely from start to finish. The actual 'Mooncake' part of the plot was smaller than I was expecting going in and didn't really properly take off until the last part of the book but it didn't feel rushed or irrelevant. It fits in very nicely and is incredibly poignant.

The fake dating aspect was pretty well done too and didn't feel trite or repetitive. Maybe it's just me but every other book I seem to pick up these days has the fake dating trope in it somehow and it can get a little boring but this book pulled it off well and it didn't become tiring.

The cover art is stunning and it fits the vibe of the novel very well.

Fake Dates and Mooncakes is full of heart and I loved it!

I'm LOVING the increase in asian YA on bookshops but oof, I struggled with this one.

<b>Plot</b>
The plot is about Dylan making mooncakes in memory of his mum and grandmother, for a competition that will help save his family's takeaway shop.

<b>Writing:</b>
This is what I struggled with the most. There's a lot of exposition. I get that the author is keen to try and include lots about Chinese and Singaporean culture but entire chunks of it were info-dumps and shoehorned in wherever possible. There was also a tone about it that left a bad taste in my mouth - I understand that realistically most readers are going to be non-Chinese and therefore the explanations are for them, but as a Chinese person looking to read more books that represent me, I was mostly frustrated that all of the descriptions and dialogue seem to assume the reader has never even met a Chinese person. Basically, this is a book written for the whites, and it assumes the whites are stupid.

<b>Characters & Relationships</b>
Dylan - I liked the MC! He's cute, trying his best, loves his family, has a few various interests, etc. He gets annoyed when Theo is being weird, he keeps quiet when it's appropriate, he calls him out when appropriate, up until the end. (One small detail I found bizarre is that he spends a lot of money for someone whose family is supposedly broke.)

Theo - the LI is cute but we honestly don't get enough of a sense of him outside of his relationship with Dylan. Like surely this boy had friends before he met Dylan? What happened to his BFF Adrian? We get more detail about half of his relatives, even. There's a token mention of him reconnecting with his dead mum's Hong Kong heritage with Dylan's help but Hong Kong culture is not the same as Singaporean Chinese culture and the author should know this. My main gripe with him is that his way of solving everything was just to throw more money at it and he never learned that this was something he needed to stop doing. (Also he apparently wants to major in music and art at college??? Please. That boy doesn't practice any instrument enough to make it in. Every Chinese kid I knew practised 1-3 hours a day and none of us were even going to study it. Also he recommends putting roisin on a violin near the pegs?? WHAT. Even basic googling tells you the roisin goes on the bow not the strings a;lfkdjalkfjalkfa)

The family relationship with Dylan's family is fun, some of the best scenes in the book. The part I felt uncomfortable is the bit at the end where they band together with Theo to hide a pretty big thing from Dylan. I would never want my family to trust a boy they'd known for a few months more than their own family member but I guess some people find this kind of deception cute.

tl;dr: There are some scenes that are cute, but I'm glad I got it as a netgalley arc rather than paid money for it.

I saw the cover and was immediately so excited to read it as its stunning! This is definitely quite a fast paced book so would be perfect for getting out of the slump which I was in. Theo and Dylan's relationship and their banter was everything. The wedding was definitely the stand out of the book with their fake relationship. Also the way the book shows their journey of grief is well done. Definitely recommend as a cute fast paced romance!

This is heartstopper crossed with Crazy Rich Asians and I loved every second of it. This book is full of food, culture and competition.

Fake dating is a favorite of mine so you can only imagine why I was drawn to this. I loved Dylan and Theo and there relationship was so easy going!

This would make an excellent tv show/movie!

This book was adorable and I loved it so much.

I loved Dylan and Theo! They were both amazing characters, I loved them both. I really enjoyed reading both of their character ARCs throughout the book. I loved how they were both supportive of each other, even when things weren't easy, and I loved how they helped each other grow.

While this book was pretty short, it packed a lot in. However, sometimes I did feel like the romance took off a bit too quickly, feeling quite insta lovey which isn't one of my favourite things. But, thankfully, because I liked both characters and the plot I didn't mind too much, even though I do still think things could've been paced slightly better and fleshed out more.

This book made me tear up multiple times, especially with it's descriptions of grief. Both Dylan and Theo lost their mothers, at different points in their lives, and I enjoyed seeing how they connected over this and was well explored. Lee portrayed grief as a complex, layered, ever changing immortal thing, in a way that was respectful and authentic. We got see a son's grief for his mother in different forms, and how this can impact relationships with family (and how family members cope with grief, also).

I, admittedly, did not know much about mooncakes before reading this book. So, reading about them and learning about the history of mooncakes was incredibly fascinating and one of my favourite things about this book.

One of my favourite things about this book was definitely Dylan's relationship with his Aunt and his cousins. Their love for each other, their banter . . . loved it.

Fake Dates and Mooncakes by Sher Lee is a tooth achingly sweet queer romcom - think Heartstopper meets Crazy Rich Asians.

Seventeen-year-old Dylan works at his aunt's Chinese takeaway in Brooklyn and dreams of becoming a chef. His mother has recently passed and he discovers a flyer for an upcoming Mooncake making contest hosted by a world-renowned celebrity chef. It could be his family’s big break and, what's more, it would be a heartfelt way to remember his mum who recently passed away from cancer. Remembrance and the importance of family are strong themes within in this book. I learned a lot about Chinese culture through heartfelt family anadotes and Dylan's love and appreciation of food. I didn't feel bombarded with information, it was done in a really meaningful and beautiful way.

After a chance encounter with an obnoxious customer, Dylan meets Theo Somers: he's wealthy and looks like he's straight out of a boy band. Is he out of Dylan's league?

He soon finds himself escorting Theo to the Hamptons as his fake date to a family wedding but things soon become complicated. The little moments between them in private seem... real. Could they be falling for each other? Not if Theo's dysfunctional and super rich family have anything to say about it.

This book was so wholesome and sweet. It was like one giant hug. The writing was incredibly descriptive, I could virtually smell all the fragrant aromas and taste the heavenly food featured on each page. I loved how Chinese myths and beliefs were interwoven throughout and how they complimented the dreamy romance slowly burning throughout perfectly.

Fake Dates and Mooncakes was one of my most anticipated reads of 2023 and boy did it deliver. This is a book about falling in love and connecting with your heritage and choosing to put your family first - found family or otherwise.

Dylan was a great protagonist, and I loved his relationship with his family. His relationship with Theo was really cute, if a bit cheesy, but I personally love when romance books lean into the cheesiness.

Two little pet peeves that didn't take away from my enjoyment of the book but that I feel I should mention anyway:
1) While I feel like I understood Dylan and his motivations really clearly, I think Theo's characterisation was lacking a little bit in this department. I would have liked to delve deeper into his complicated relationships with his father and heritage, but what we did get was done very well.
2) More of a marketing pet peeve - absolutely hate that every cute YA book with a queer romance is being compared to Heartstopper even when they're nothing alike. I understand how marketing works and I know that Heartstopper is 'in' right now but slapping "Heartstopper meets XYZ" on a book doesn't make that statement accurate, and I can definitely see people jumping into this and not liking it because it's nothing like Heartstopper. The Crazy Rich Asians comparison is at least accurate, and I think this book definitely deserves the chance to stand on its own because it's worth the read, but yeah just my two cents.

All in all would definitely recommend if you're in the mood for a Crazy Rich Asians-esque book with a queer couple and a lot of foodie talk.

If you want a super cute, easy read, then this is for you. Both MCs bond over their loss and love of food. I really enjoyed this, I just wish we got to know Theo and Dylan more. Also, the mooncakes competition seemed to fall more into the background, which felt odd. However, overall I adored these cuties and their story.