Absolutely brilliant! I thoroughly enjoyed it. Thanks to NetGalley and the publisher for providing me with an advance copy, I will definitely be recommending it.

Interesting book! It gives you a great cultural inspiration about Asian parents and kids from the perspective of food. A fun cozy read.

A memoir of food and drink, of old and new loves, and of a family forced to relocate to another country. Food critic Candice Chung shares her modest yet deeply personal story of self-discovery, career shifts, love, and the ever-complicated dynamics of family.

I dove into this book without any expectations. The title intrigued me (and let’s be honest, that cover design is an instant attention-grabber - so good!). After a quick glance at the synopsis, I knew this would be something right up my alley. A memoir where food plays a significant role? Hell yes. A story full of new beginnings: new relationships, new opportunities, work, travel, friends, cultures, homes, routines, a pandemic - and inevitably, death.

This is a heartwarming and deeply human book, a refreshingly bold woman’s story - her own story. I really admired Candice’s courage, honesty, and determination. Not everyone is willing to open up about the highs and lows of their personal life, let alone in such a public way. There are so many moments that feel like everything might fall apart, but somehow, things find their way back together. Turns out, sometimes a “plus” needs a “minus” to balance out - and that becomes the key to love and success. I especially loved her decision to refer to her future husband only as “the geographer,” never by name. A sweet way of preserving both his and her own privacy.

The book often feels like a collection of complicated questions. What do you do after a 13-year relationship ends? How do you deal with your parents disapproving of your partner? Who do you invite to dinner? Whose dinner invitations do you accept? What do you tell your family when you just want to eat alone? How do you start over? How do you even ask the big questions—and what comes after?

Though mostly told chronologically, the author occasionally dips back into her childhood, sharing fragments that helped shape her career and bring the reader closer to her as a person. These intimate moments help paint a fuller, more emotionally resonant portrait.

How would I sum up my reading experience? To be honest, I’m a little torn. On the one hand, I liked the book—it’s well written, soothing in its pace, and offers a gentle peek into someone else’s life. I think I was most drawn to the cultural aspect: Candice is a Chinese woman who spent most of her life in Australia, shaped by customs and traditions very different from my own. I’ve always found joy in reading about such contrasts - it feels like reading something slightly forbidden in the best way.

On the other hand - and this is tough to admit - I didn’t quite get that wow moment I was hoping for. No sparkle that lit me up inside. Instead, this was a quietly comforting read, perfect for cozy evenings under a blanket with a warm drink. A lovely pause. A moment to breathe and simply enjoy life.

Thank you, Candice, for sharing your story.

And thank you to NetGalley and Wavesound from W.F. Howes Ltd for the opportunity to read this memoir in advance!

This was not at all the book I expected it to me.
I’ll hold my hands up and say I possibly didn’t read too much about it before hand but I was expecting a Crying at H Mart / Tiny Moons vibe and this is not what this book is. For a book written by a food reviewer there is surprisingly little food and for a book with parents in the title, the authors parents don’t feature that prominently.
However, while this book wasn’t what I’d anticipated I did settle into enjoying the authors introspective meandering thoughts and experiences and I enjoyed the books referenced and quoted, we have similar tastes.
This book is ultimately one woman’s experience of starting over after the end of a 13 year relationship, rebuilding her relationship with her parents ( they were estranged for the duration of her relationship- no clue why) and her experience of finding love again. A lot of the book is set during the pandemic which is worth bearing in mind too before reading.
Overall I’ve mixed feelings- maybe I never got over the book being nothing like I expected it to be , I am not sure I’d have read it if I knew what the book actually was about. Nicely written all the same.