thank you to netgalley and getunderlined for an eARC of this book. all opinions are my own.

being disappointed by one of your most anticipated releases has to be one of the worst feelings in the world.

i really wanted to love this book ever since it was announced, because it sounded right up my alley: queer crazy rich asians x fake dating x making mooncakes!! what's not to love! i thought it could be similar to CAFE CON LYCHEE by emery lee or THEY HATE EACH OTHER by amanda woody, another may mlm release with fake dating, a rich LI, and baking.

however, less than 20% in, i knew i was not going to enjoy this book unless something drastic changed. i honestly considered dnfing, but i thought i owed this book a full read-through since i was so excited for it before. i don't think my opinion would be any better if i had just stopped reading at the 20% mark, though.

the first thing that stood out to me was the dialogue. there are maybe two (2) natural-sounding conversations within the 272 pages of this book. except for those two conversations, which were both flirty and lasted around five lines, the rest of the dialogue is dedicated to exposition. this can be okay in some contexts, but when *all* the dialogue is that? and none of it is actual character- or relationship-building? it becomes so unnatural so quickly. because of these stilted convos, i did not buy the attraction between theo and dylan, which is bad because the entire book hinges on them caring for each other wayyy too much for two people who just met. i don't dislike insta love/insta lust because sometimes it can work, but it only works when the characters have chemistry. i don't think we get a single personality trait from theo other than "rich" for the whole book, and while money can be attractive, that doesn't create the strongest romance for a romance book.

dialogue and chemistry aside, the plot is also weak. we have two concurrent plots: theo and dylan fake dating at theo's cousin's wedding, and dylan preparing for a mooncake contest. even before reading, i was skeptical of how these two plots would intersect, and unfortunately, they do not really. theo gets involved in the mooncake stuff seemingly randomly, and its not believable that he wants to help dylan because again, no chemistry.

the fake dating was probably the most disappointing part, though. fake dating is probably my favorite trope of all time, and when it's executed well it can be life-changing. however, one of the big pitfalls of fake dating is that the characters need to have a reason to fake date. this can be to appease family members, friends, or a PR scheme, but it has to be believable. in this book, i thought the fake dating would be happening because theo's rich family was putting pressure on him to "settle down" or something. wouldn't be the most original fake dating plot, but it's reliable. instead, the reason we got was... nothing. there was absolutely no reason for theo to 1. bring dylan to the wedding as his date and 2. pretend that they were already in a relationship. at no point did any family member comment on theo's relationship status past "oh look you have a bf cool." it was just so frustrating to read because again, fake dating is my favorite trope and one of the reasons i was looking forward to this book.

there are other reasons i disliked this book, such as the bland side characters, poorly written classism, under developed daddy issues, racial tokenism, and casual moment of bi-erasure, but i think this review is already too long. if you want to read a well-written mlm fake dating book with a rich MC that actually addresses parental and class issues, please read THEY HATE EACH OTHER by amanda woody.

I absolutely adore this book. I loved the characters and the storyline! Definitely recommend to all my friends and followers

I wanted to love this book a whole lot but was able to get my expectations down so I don't get too disappointed (I do that with every book)

Started it, and from the very first page was glued to the story of Dylan and Theo.

I adored Dylan and his character, his t-shirts, his love for his family, and the way he is as a person, I was able to connect with him with his grief.

His Aunt and his cousins were just so lovely and it was so nice to see the interactions with them and Dylan as well as Theo.

Theo though is a whole other kettle of fish. This boy is just up there trying to be the best book boyfriend and is probably succeeding in a lot of ways because how the hell could I not fall in love with this boy

Dylan's and Theo's love and relationship blossoming was so so lovely!!

I was not expecting this book to also make me cry!!! I was just bawling my eyes out near the end.

Clover the Corgi was the star of the show, I would have loved more of that doggo.

I loved finding out where mooncakes came from and other bits and pieces of the culture and language.

5 outta 5 stars

From the moment I started reading 'Fake Dates and Mooncakes', I was hooked on the heartwarming love story between Dylan and Theo. Sher Lee has crafted a delightful romantic comedy that is sure to put a smile on your face.

“Dylan Tang, a teenage chef who dreams of winning a mooncake-making competition in honor of his late mother and to bring attention to his aunt's struggling Chinese takeout restaurant in Brooklyn. However, his plans are derailed when he meets Theo Somers, a charming and wealthy customer who convinces Dylan to be his fake date at a family wedding in the Hamptons. Dylan begins to fall for Theo, but as Theo's true colors are revealed through his wealthy and dramatic family, Dylan must navigate his feelings and remain focused on the competition”.

The characters are lovable and relatable, and their chemistry is palpable. I especially appreciated the way the author handles themes around identity, the Asian American diaspora, and the challenges of navigating a new relationship. This book is a perfect blend of swoon-worthy romance and sweet humor, with a dash of delicious food descriptions thrown in. If you're a fan of 'Heartstopper' and 'Crazy Rich Asians', you won't want to miss this charming novel.

This was a fun YA read set in NYC. An awkward encounter has Dylan, a high schooler working at his aunt's restaurant, flustered but noticed Theo, someone who has anything but a similar life.

Add in awkward family gatherings, tensions, and a mooncake competition - and a corgi :) - and this was just a really fun book to escape in for a few hours!

Thank you to Random House and Netgalley for the ARC.

an extremely adorable title! I really loved the relationship between the two main characters and also it was so cool that food was a major part of the story :) Cannot wait to read more by Sher Lee

Dylan, living with his Aunt Jade and cousins Megan and Tim, works at their family restaurant Wok Warrirors. Wanting to help bring publicity to the struggling business and also honor his mother's memory Dylan decides to compete in a mooncake making competition where the winner is featured on "Off the Eaten Path". On top of that, while out on a delivery, Dylan runs into the attractive, Theo Somers, and agrees to be Theo's "date" to a family wedding in the Hamptons. Let the fake dating commence!

🥡Rom-Com
🥡Fake Dating
🥡Only 1 Bed
🥡Baking competition 
🥡Two Different Worlds
🥡Connecting over the loss of a parent
🥡All the family vibes
🥡An adorable adopted corgi

Y'all this was so stinking cute!!

It's being compared as Heartstopper meets Crazy Rich Asians and I would have to absolutely agree! I loved Dylan and Theo together and even though there was a bit of insta-attraction the topics and discussions these two bonded over made the connection feel genuine. I honestly forgot how short of a time they had known each other while reading.

Another highlight is the closeness and support that Dylan has with his Aunt and cousins. I adored them all and could not wait for this family (and their business) to get the recognition they deserved.

Speaking of, I wanted to eat all of the food described in this book and I need to find a snow skin mooncake ASAP 🤩 

Published May 16, 2023 - OUT NOW - I ordered a gorgeous special edition from @dazzlingbookishshop and cannot wait to revisit this cast of characters when it arrives!

This is Sher Lee's debut novel and I'm excited to read more of her work 💙

Thank you @netgalley @penguinrandomhouse and @sherleeauthor for providing an egalley copy of this book in exchange for an honest review.

i’m going to start this off by saying that i thought this book concept was adorable. gay people and baking? sign me up!

however, the execution was lacking at times. it was insta-love, so we didn’t have much connecting before they jumped right into their relationship. i have multiple notes where i just questioned why they are trauma dumping despite not knowing each other. it’s just not realistic. i also had some complaints about the culture aspect. as an asian person, i didn’t see much of asian culture being reflected through. even small things like how he calls his aunt “aunt jade” seems off because most people have an ethnic name for their aunt to call them by.

for the majority of the book though, it was cute. it was definitely cheesy and had the cute fluff that we all like. overall, it was alright. it’s not my favorite book i’ve ever read, but i definitely don’t regret picking it up.

I am not the biggest fan of insta love books.. I just feel like it’s the worst romance IN MY OPINION.
I went into this w very high hopes. Normal annoying this happening throughout the book that we’re probs just more annoying because I for real hate insta love. Trauma dumping as soon as they met, the third act break up was so annoying. I just was NOT FEELING this read..
I think the idea of this book was really cute.. It just wasn’t developed well & again, I think it’s because of how much I do not enjoy insta love.

Thank you to NetGalley for the ARC copy of this book in exchange for an honest review.

This was entertaining and I loved all the culture and food I learnt about and the family love (and dog!) I received a copy for review via NetGalley.

This is a young adult LGBTQ novel that is marketed as Heartstopper Meet Crazy Rich Asian.
This book follows Dylan Tang who has dreams of entering and winning the Mid-Autumn Festival mooncake-making completion for teen chefs. Not only is he doing this for his late mother but this is also a chance for him to give his Aunt’s struggling business more attention.
In comes Theo Somers, a wealthy and charming teenager, who asks Dylan to pretend to be his fake date at his family’s wedding in the Hamptons. Dylan is thrown into a world of privilege and family drama. As the mooncake contest is coming, Dylan can’t risk being sidetracked by family drama or his feeling for Theo.
Thank you so much to Netgalley and underlined publishing for the opportunity to read this book early for an honest review.


Can I say that I feel like this is a K-Drama in a book, we have a wealthy main love interest and a typical poor main character.
When I think about the novel Crazy Rich Asian, I think of chaos, drama, and of course crazy lifestyle. Of course, we get this weird family drama that lasts two seconds. But I didn’t really feel the same way reading as reading Crazy Rich Asians or even seeing the movie. I just kind of felt like we were told how rich Theo is but we don’t nearly get to see his lifestyle besides them going to the wedding. I don’t know how to explain it because it’s obvious that Theo is wealthier than Dylan, but it just I don’t know didn’t give me the same vibe as Crazy Rich Asian.

I also felt like the story had a ton of telling rather than showing, which made the story a bit dry. I wanted more from the characters than just being told how to feel. I feel like the writer could have gone into more detail, and built the story more than what we got. Then again, this book is only 272 pages and there is only so much you can do or say.

I really enjoyed that we were able to learn the history of mooncakes, and why they play such a big part in Chinese culture. We not only got to learn about how they were made, as Dylan tries to figure out how to make the best blue snow skin mooncakes but we also get to learn about the lore around them. I honestly love learning about different cultures, but I wish some of the scenes that he spent figuring out this recipe were used differently. I felt like we could go more into depth about Dylan and Theo’s relationship or had them spend more time at the wedding. After all, I feel like a whole week's event for a wedding would set the story up to be less rushed.

Fake Dates and Mooncakes by Sher Lee
Rating: 4 stars
Pub Date: 5/16

Fake Dates and Mooncakes by Sher Lee is a delightful, queer rom-com that offers an adorable romance, an exploration of Chinese culture, family dynamics, delectable food descriptions, and an irresistible Corgi. It's the perfect pick-me-up read that can be devoured in just a few sittings.

This story follows Dylan Tang, an aspiring chef who dreams of winning a mooncake-making competition in honor of his late mother. Along the way, he finds himself falling for a charming, wealthy stranger, Theo Somers, who convinces him to be his fake date at a family wedding in the Hamptons.

The romance between Dylan and Theo is undeniably sweet. Although their initial attraction was immediate, their different circumstances created a tension that kept me engaged. Their awkwardness around each other added an authentic touch to their teenage romance, making it relatable and genuine.

One of the standout features of this book is the mouthwatering descriptions of Chinese cuisine. The detailed portrayal of the food will leave readers practically tasting the flavors and longing for a delicious meal.
Dylan's bond with his aunt, Megan's relatability, and the support they all provide for each other create a sense of warmth and belonging. The contrast with Theo's family dynamics adds depth to the story, highlighting the importance of choosing our own family and not being solely defined by blood relations.

Overall, Fake Dates and Mooncakes is an enjoyable read that intertwines an endearing romance, an exploration of Chinese culture, and family dynamics. It offers a delightful escape into a world filled with love, delectable food, and the beauty of forging one's own path. I really enjoyed it, and I can’t wait to read more from this author!

Thank you so much to Netgalley and Random House for my advanced copy to read and review.

Thank you to The Bookish Lit, Underlined, and the author for the advanced reader copy and to PRH Audio for the complimentary audiobook. These opinions are my own.

Fake Dates and Mooncakes is a great new YA book. It focuses on Dillon, a teen who is grieving the death of his mother. To honor her memory and to help his aunt's financial security, he decides to join a competition making mooncakes. And he gets entangled with Theo, an extremely wealthy teen who has similarly experienced loss.

The synopsis mentions a comparison to Crazy Rich Asians. That is true in that the book explores class differences and wealth. Indeed, one underlying message is that money really does solve everything. But it's not as over-the-top as Crazy Rich Asians, and I greatly preferred the storytelling here.

In particular, I appreciated that Dillon and Theo being gay was just a matter of fact. This was a story that focused much more on joy than on the pain of coming out. And I really appreciated learning the history of mooncakes and several Chinese legends.

Joshua Chang narrated the book beautifully. His voice brought me deeper into the story.

3.5 stars rounded up

i have been looking forward to reading fake dates and mooncakes since i found out about it and i’m so glad i got the chance to! the cover was so freaking cute and so was the love story!! the familial relationships were so well written and sometimes tense between one of the boys and his dad, but it made it all the more interesting to see how things work out for them.

This was such a sweet and adorable book that filled me with all the gooey feelings. Was it very realistic? Absolutely not. But it was a heartwarming book that you’ll read with a big goofy grin on your face.

This book inspired me to try my hand at a book collage for the first time, swipe through to the third slide to see!

Other books with similar vibes: Spell Bound - FT Lukens, The Charmed List - Julie Abe, The Tea Dragon Society - Kay O’Neill

👍
+ Theo and Dylan were so so cute together! I totally see the Heartstopper comparison in that regard. You’ll spend most of the book wanting them to just notice how in love the other is with them. Especially Theo and his romantic gestures will have you swooning.
+ Some of those gestures, and the rich guy trope gave me K-drama vibes, I’m interested to see if anyone else thinks so.
+ I loved the food descriptions, though beware, you’re likely to be craving everything they mention in this book as you’re reading it. My current biggest goal in life is to eat mooncakes.
+ There were also a lot of great bits in there filled with Singaporean and Chinese culture. I loved reading about sayings, myths, customs etc, which were all woven into the story.
+ I really enjoyed the writing too, even though I don’t enjoy very descriptive writing, something about the way Sher Lee writes really made it easy to picture everything described, which made all the food descriptions even more drool-inducing.
+ While this isn’t a book where emotions and characters are deeply delved into, I did enjoy many of the characters in it! The two very selfless boys, their (mostly) loving families…
+ Overall I loved this joyful, wholesome, positive queer Asian romance.
+ Also featuring: bespoke suits, a Corgi named Clover, a fancy benefit at the Met, a baking competition to save them all, and some dastardly characters

Overall rating: ⭐⭐⭐⭐.5

Thank you to Underlined, Random House Children's and NetGalley for the eARC!

Exceedingly cute!! This was exactly the light confection of fluff, pining, family, cooking, and sweet romance that I needed. Dylan is too good for this world and deserves all the nice things! I love how close he is with his aunt and cousins, and how they all work hard to support each other and keep the business going. Theo is incredibly kind and has a good head on his shoulders; yes, he can be extravagant and sometimes oversteps, but he never tries to make Dylan change. Their fake dating leads to real feelings, as well as some real family drama, but no matter what, Theo never gives up on Dylan. My favorite part of the book is the representation of Chinese and Singaporean culture and traditions. Theo grew up feeling alienated from his mom's family and culture, but Dylan and his family are quick to welcome him in and share their stories, food, and knowledge with him. I loved getting to see their bond grow deeper as they worked together to make mooncakes. From start to finish, this book is a delight! I think the cover perfectly captures the vibes of the story and the characters -- fun, sweet, and diverse. Highly recommend!

I loved this book, all the charcters were great, loved the friends and family even the villains were well drawn the the two leads, I really enjoyed. The rich kid wasn't a jerk but he was pretty clueless aboiut his great wealth may come across to his less wealthy love interest! he's also a teenager so maybe he'll learn but I loved this and will recommend it!

THIS WAS THE CUTEST BOOK EVER I ADORE IT SO MUCH AND I’M OBSESSED 😭

Dylan helps run his aunt’s Chinese takeout, and he encounters Theo for the first time while he’s on a delivery. From there, they keep running into each other and the cutest friendship-turned-romance blossoms 🤭

The shy boy x flirty boy dynamic was everything to me 🤌 Theo was so unapologetic about his feelings for Dylan, and I ate it up! Him being a shameless flirt, and Dylan barely knowing how to act around Theo was just the CUTEST. I love how they always noticed every little thing about each other, and Theo was always doing the most amazing things for Dylan 🥲 Aside from the swoon-worthy moments, there were also hidden struggles that Dylan & Theo were dealing with, but I love how they both didn’t let any of that affect their feelings for each other and made them want to support each other more. It was so wholesome and amazing to witness 🤧 

I also loved the cooking/baking aspects of this book! I suggest that you don’t read this book when you’re hungry because I kid you not I was craving every food that was mentioned in this book 🫠 And as an Asian person, I enjoyed learning so many more things about Asian culture that I didn’t know 🫶

Overall, everything about this book was perfect! I think everyone should read Dylan & Theo’s adorable story 🥹 I was constantly smiling or shedding tears at so many moments, whether they were happy or sad. This book made me feel so much and also brought me lots of joy. I can’t wait to read more from Sher Lee, and to also re-read this book in the future 💙

Thank you so much to NetGalley & Underlined / Penguin Random House for an e-ARC of this book! 💌

Thank you so much to NetGalley, Random House Children's and Sher Lee for sending me this e-arc for an honest review!

This was such a CUTE quick read that had me obsessed within the first few chapters. I was so intrigued with the culture and Dylan's family history. And my mouth was literally watering anytime food was mentioned. I loved how comforting and supportive Dylan's family was throughout the whole book, it felt like I was welcomed with a warm hug.

Dylan and Theo's relationship is very intsa-lovey with their fake dating arrangement, but I didn't mind it all that much. I do wish there was a bit more tension in the beginning with their arrangement and between both of their families.

It was giving Heartstopper and Crazy Rich Asian vibes and I enjoyed every second! Fake Dates and Mooncakes is out now and if you're looking for a cute, cheesy queer read, I definitely recommend this!

3 Stars

Fake Dates and Mooncakes first captured my attention because of the cute and beautifully designed cover. I was even more on board to read this story once I heard it was a romance that also included baking, which is one of my favorite selling points.

Dylan was an enjoyable main character to follow as he works to support his family but also struggles to feel that he will ever fit into Theo’s world. Dylan’s family dynamics were fun and supportive of each other especially shown through how Dylan would do anything for his aunt.

Now let’s talk about the romance, which had lots of potential but ultimately fell flat. Unlike Dylan, Theo doesn’t get nearly as much character development, and it was difficult for me to describe his characterization. It was hard to know what his purpose was besides being Dylan’s love interest.

There are some nice moments like how Theo helps Dylan save his aunt’s restaurant and encourages him to balance his dreams while honoring his mother’s legacy. Additionally, Dylan helps Theo connect to his Asian heritage and through his troublesome family challenges. Regardless, the relationship doesn’t quite work for me but may work for other readers.

The descriptions of the food sounded delicious, and I loved learning how different dishes were made. Now after reading this story, I want to try mooncakes as I’ve never had them! With how many times food is mentioned in this story, I was surprised that the mooncake competition was of little focus in the overall story. Fake Dates and Mooncakes was overall an enjoyable read, but at times I just wanted more from the story.