A frustrating novel that leans too much on drama for a story that was apparently attempting to create a nuanced picture of a multi-generational family and their restaurant. The plot was at once too fast while also consistently letting down readers as it built towards an ultimately unsatisfactory ending. While there were moments that shined, the good was buried underneath the undeniable bland that defined the narrative overall.

The Han's own The Duck House restaurant in Rockville, Maryland. The Duck House is a Chinese restaurant that has been a staple in the community for decades. Most of the employees have worked there since the beginning. Jimmy Han is not happy running his father's restaurant, though. He's ready to step out on his own. So when a fire destroys The Duck House, he sees this as a perfect opportunity to go through with his plan. But, will the cause of the fire, prevent Jimmy from doing what he wants to do?

Thank you to Henry Holt and NetGalley for the opportunity to read and review this book.

I was really interested to read this book since it is based where I currently live. Books that are local to my area, always have me intrigued before even opening them up. But this one fell flat for me. I didn't really care what happened. There really wasn't too much excitement in the book beyond the fire. I did finish the book because I had to see if there was going to be something more that was going to happen. Unfortunately, it never did.

The basis of this book was the people in the relationship. Although there were several main characters, I can't say that I really got to know any of these characters in a way that made me want to know more about them. All of the characters are seriously flawed and they don't contribute much to the overall book. I wanted to enjoy this book, but I couldn't find anything to keep me connected.

This book was just kind of meh for me. It's a novel set primarily at a Chinese restaurant, shifting perspectives from various people who work there. The writing was not bad (though sometimes the perspectives shifted so quickly in the same chapter that it was confusing), it's just that there were so many characters, they were all kind of unlikable, and none of them really changed during the course of the story. Definitely the kind of book that I kept reading just to finish it since I have a stubborn inclination to finish every book I start.

Reminded me of Last Night at the Lobster. A behind the scenes story of a family owned business and the employees that work there. Very good.

A mouthwatering, heartwarming read about food, family, and friends. Lillian LI will be known as an up and coming literacy tour de force.

*Thank you to NetGalley and the publisher for an ARC in return for a fair and unbiased review.
I have to be honest, I couldn't finish this one. I found the characters unlikable, and it just did not hod my interest.

I wanted to like this book, but I just couldn’t get into it. I might give it another chance soon, at which time I will revise my review.

The characters seemed like flat stereotypes. There was nothing to hook me at the beginning.

The premise did seem intriguing, but this book just failed to captivate me.

I did appreciate the multigenerational characters, and the various family dramas seemed believable.

Thank you to Net Galley for the galley to review, and Henry Holt and Co. for the free book.

I wanted to read this book so I would know if I would recommend it to my Chinese students who need to read in English. I think it is GREAT! Th,

I wanted to like this more than I did, it got a lot of buzz on summer reading lists. There were a lot of points of view and a lot of family drama.

First, thank you to NetGalley and and Henry Holt & Co for the ARC of Number One Chinese Restaurant. 

I was drawn to this book for so many reasons - multi-generational family drama, an examination of class issues and the immigrant experience, a diverse cast of characters written by a woman of color, and a bit of romance folded in for good measure. And as the name indicates, it's set in a Chinese restaurant... which is oddly close to my heart, as I worked in one during college for a couple of years, and still remember (with fondness? maybe?) the intensity of the work, and the days of working a double and then get up and do it again, still smelling like soy sauce, to do it all over again in service of making ends meet. 

That feeling is present here in NO1CR (Can I call it that? I'm gonna call it that.) There's the tension of the owners, comfortable, and the staff, some of whom are aged and still barely making it work. I especially loved the relationship between Ah-Jack and Nan, and the ways in which love can grow through the daily constant interactions that bond people together and wear away all the tensions that may have existed at the beginning. There's something about working in a restaurant that creates a family - even when it's already a family restaurant - and those bonds are on full display here. 

I would recommend this to lovers of intergenerational stories as well as immigration/acculturation stories, and also readers who can tolerate endings that aren't tied up neatly with every question answered... or, anyone who's ever worked in a Chinese restaurant.

I had trouble getting through this book. It's about dysfunctional families and insurance fraud, not what I expected.
However, I liked Li's writing, enjoyed her style and some of the descriptions, scenes, and backstories

Henry Holt and Co. and NetGalley provided me with an electronic copy of Number One Chinese Restaurant. I was under no obligation to review this book and my opinion is freely given.

I was excited to read this book, both due to the strength of the reviews and the fact that I enjoy supporting debut authors in their first endeavors. Although the premise was interesting, Number One Chinese Restaurant never comes together for me. This is a story about tradition, honoring family, forging your own path, and trying to live up to the expectations of others. To be perfectly honest, there was too much by way of family drama and not enough substance or character development. Not one character in this dysfunctional family were strong enough to draw my sympathy, nor did I actually care about the outcome of the family drama.

The other issue about Number One Chinese Restaurant is its format, as the multiple perspectives drew the focus away from the central story. I wanted more about the family dynamics, as it is difficult for any family, but especially immigrant ones, to work together successfully as a unit. Immigrants face a host of issues, whether it be discrimination, language barriers, or separation from their culture. I really did not feel the genuineness of the characters, nor of their realism. Although I did like the idea of this book, Number One Chinese Restaurant is one that I would probably advise others to skip.

Disclaimer: I received an e-ARC of this book from the publisher and NetGalley in exchange for an honest review.
A Five star read! I loved this book and all the characters. Well written!

I don't believe that characters have to be particularly likable, but they do have to be interesting. There wasn't a single character I cared about; some were outright obnoxious but most were just mildly irritating.

There were a few really lovely turns of phrase; unfortunately, I was bored by the story over all.

Content Warning: Alcoholic and former drug user, drunk driving, harassment against an ex-lover, Bully Boss, Gangster/Godfather type figure, Arson, Fucked up families, Hypercritical Mother, Absentee Father, Cancer, Capitalism, Sibling Rivalry,

I did not like this one. I don't know what to make of the ending, but I'm not a fan for sure. I didn't like the sudden POV switches without the usual notice/formatting.

In the beginning, I wasn't even sure I would finish it. It's not fun or funny. The characters are well done, but not likable for the most part. Every time I was getting bored, something new happened that made me go "Oh fine, I see where it goes" until I got so far to the end there was no point in quitting anymore. So A+ on the pacing at least.

It is great illustrating the restaurant industry and the immigrant experience. That background, that reality for the characters causing these problems and strained relationships was the main reason I kept going, TBH.

I don't think it's as good as Celeste Ng's books. The writing, twists, and themes aren't as flowy and deep. I also couldn't care about these characters like I have Ng's. The ending perplexes me instead of haunting me.

I'm sorry, I know it's bad form doing such a head to head comparison for a review, but I don't know how else to explain my feelings for this book.

Maybe I'm out of practice reading adult books with all these light grey and dark grey characters and murky lines. Maybe I just don't get it. *shrug* Glad I gave it a shot, but I kinda wish I saved time by DNF'ing it, but I'm kinda glad I get to write a full review so....I'm going to call it a wash.

While this was well written, I really could not get into the story

Many thanks to NetGalley, the publisher and the author for a review copy. This is my honest opinion..

This is a book about striving, about wanting more in your work or relationships or family, about disappointment. With that in mind, there is a lot to take away from this book, but I wouldn't exactly call it an enjoyable read. The families and romantic relationships are dysfunctional, and it's painful to watch bad decision after bad decision take place. However, I was intrigued by the delicate web of connections between characters and the history unveiled about the restaurant itself. I also love that it's set in DC and Maryland!

I had a hard time getting into this book. It was overall kind of depressing and difficult to get through. The interactions between the characters were well written and believable.

Number One Chinese Restaurant is a thought provoking and entertaining novel by Lillian Li. Li delves into the dynamics of a family that owns a Chinese restaurant. The word family also extends to long time employees that are like family, but without the financial benefits, Although parts of the novel are dark, Li's story provides an eye opening look into a world most of us know little about.

A little dark but a very good read. The lives of a restaurant owning Asian family are thrown into chaos when an unexpected death occurs.

Note: As I was reading this I had to make a trip to the oral surgeon. Two root canals and a few days of pain meds kept me foggy for awhile. When I got back to reading, the book was already published.