Just meh for me.
Time jumps a little disrupting. Character development, mostly reader sympathy and connection to character, lacking.
Liked author's first books much better. This narrative scattered.
I received an ARC from netgalley in exchange for an honest review

No sophomore slump here - The Family Recipe is just as strong, and dare I say - stronger, than Huynh’s first novel, The Misfortunes of Jaded Women.

Her characters are complex and delicious. Each family member is messy, real, and deliciously stubborn. The plot speeds along taking the reader on a journey through time and geography. I love a novel that gives me insight into an experience that is completely outside my own - in this case that of Vietnamese immigrants just after the war. It’s a perspective that I haven’t seen often and it’s handled with a depth that is balanced by the humor in other parts of the novel. Huynh writes complicated family dynamics with ease. A sign to me of a well-written novel with multiple POVs is that you never feel lost - the characters and the settings all have their own unique voice and that's definitely the case for The Family Recipe.

My heart broke in several places and then came back together with the beautiful ending. I absolutely couldn’t put this one down - And just for good measure - I think Georgia is my favorite character but there’s someone for everyone.

Thank you @netgalley and @AtriaBooks for the ARC.

Carolyn Huynh did it again! Her first novel The Fortunes of Jaded Women was a masterpiece and this sophomore novel is just as good. Carolyn does an excellent job creating complex female characters with trauma. I was glad to see this book had some complex male characters added to the mix.

The premise of this contemporary novel is quite entertaining: 5 children meet in Houston to discuss their father’s inheritance (he’s not dead yet, just proactive). He sends his faithful lawyer Huey to give the terms of the inheritance game. All 4 daughters are supposed to spend a year in each of the Duc’s Sandwiches shop locations around the country (San Jose, Philly, New Orleans, and Houston) and try to bring them back to a profitable business. Jude, the only son of the family, is supposed to get married. Whichever child achieves their goal first at the end of a year will receive all of the inheritance.

There is a historical fiction aspect to the book that was very informative. The story alternates between each of the 5 siblings, their estranged mother Evelyn, the stepmother Connie, and a POV centered on what happened in the 1980’s when Duc and his friend Huey were fishermen in Seadrift, Texas. Apparently in the 1980’s with the influx of Vietnamese refugees from the war, the KKK became a terrifying force to scare off the Vietnamese who came to Texas looking for work as fishermen on the gulf. Duc and Huey have multiple encounters with the KKK and are even involved in a trial where the local fisherman sue the KKK for their terrorism. I had no idea the KKK were so focused on Vietnamese immigrants in the 80’s on the gulf coast in Texas and I found this quite shocking.

Overall the book was so intriguing. Each of the children are so real in the descriptions of their current life situations (struggling to find themselves in their 20’s and 30’s), their internalizing of the abandonment of their mother and their not-so-great-father. I really love Carolyn Huynh’s books because they focus on generational trauma of immigrant families in a way that is healing to read. I even found myself tearing up at multiple parts of the ending of this book. Her characters are so nuanced and I’m just in love with everything she writes.

I liked what was here, but I needed more. More Jude and Phoebe. More Georgia and Evelyn. More sandwich shop improvement shenanigans! More Bingo in Philly! And less time jumps.

The first line of a book, often referred to as an "opening line" or "hook," is considered crucial as it sets the tone, introduces the story's world, and grabs the reader's attention, essentially deciding whether they continue reading or not; a powerful first line can immediately establish the characters, setting, and overall theme of the narrative.

Carolyn's first line hit me like a huge cloud of laughing gas. I immediately fell in love with the story and was impressed with the level of research she did on a city that isn't her home.

The first chapter had me wanting to cancel all my life's plans until I could finish this story. (I still haven't finished the book, but I already know I will love it as a timeless classic that I will be rereading and recommending to everyone until I die.)
The true depth and graceful way she low-key exposes/illustrates Vietnamese culture is very demure.

It took 35 years of being alive to finally find the author who wrote a book that represents me.
I am eternally grateful that Carolyn was the one to tell our stories in the most humorous and classy way possible.

This heartwarming and sharp novel is a delightful blend of humor, drama, and cultural exploration. It delivers a multi-layered story about family, identity, and the enduring complexities of the immigrant experience. Duc Tran’s unorthodox inheritance challenge sets the stage for an engaging tale as his five estranged children embark on journeys to revive failing sandwich shops and their fractured relationships and sense of purpose.

The novel shines in its depiction of Duc’s daughters, each navigating unique challenges in cities rich with cultural history but struggling against the forces of gentrification. Their struggles are relatable and compelling—balancing personal ambitions, family expectations, and the weight of preserving a fading slice of Vietnamese-American heritage.

Jude’s subplot, meanwhile, adds an intriguing layer of conflict as he wrestles with the pressure to marry and the moral implications of his father’s scheme. His journey is as much about discovering his own values as it is about his role in a family that has long viewed him through the lens of tradition and favoritism.

Duc’s larger-than-life personality and the sibling rivalries provide moments of levity, while the story’s deeper themes—loss, belonging, and reconciliation—are handled with grace and sensitivity. The mystery surrounding Evelyn, their absent mother, unfolds beautifully, culminating in a poignant reveal that ties together the family’s struggles and sheds light on the real meaning of Duc’s inheritance scheme.

This novel is about finding strength in community, embracing one’s roots, and redefining the American dream. It’s a testament to the resilience of immigrant families and the enduring power of food to connect generations. It is a perfect read for fans of multi-generational family sagas, cultural commentary, and mouthwatering descriptions of banh mi. Highly recommended!

The publisher provided ARC via Netgalley in exchange for an honest review.

I enjoyed this book. I am always a sucker for a book that has families and recipes (I cook a little and enjoy baking sometimes) Jude was a character for sure. In the beginning it is very evident that he struggles with rage and doing the right thing at the right time. I can relate to not having a handle on my emotions when it comes to my siblings, and I could fully see how he could blow up at his sisters straight away. The theme of wanting to have it all because of how much you suffer at the hand of a parent is generational and also somewhat universal. It endeared me towards the sisters. And reading about desertion by a mother, is an interesting turn of situation. I can't say that it isn't common in real life, however I enjoyed reading about it in this novel. The book was great and I look forward to reading more by Carolyn Huynh.

This is the author's second book, and in my opinion it is much improved over the first one (which I also loved). The writing seems much more structured, and even with all of the POVs it flows very well. I always love stories revolving around immigrant families and food, and adding a big family secret to it always ups the stakes! This story was no different, there were so many similarities between the Trans and my family that I could have been reading about my own cousins. Some of the characters aren't very likeable but that's how things are in real life as well!

Overall a very solid and enjoyable read.

This book was interesting, but I didn' t enojy it as much as the author's debut novel. The pacing seemed somewhat off. There were multiple different plot lines that didn't really seem to go anywhere. The first two-thirds of book felt slow, and then there seemed to be a rush to finish in a way that didn't really seem to tie everything together. The mystery of the mother's character was unmasked, but I didn't feel connected enough to any of the characters to care.

Having married into a Vietnamese family and enjoyed my fair share of Bellaire-sourced bánh mì, I had high hopes for this book. The family drama does deliver, but the characters are too negative for me to continue reading. If you don't mind that and enjoy reading about the legacy of refugees trying to achieve the American Dream, then I recommend this book to you. Carolyn Huynh captures the complex emotions the Vietnamese faced upon arriving in the US, plus what it was like for the next generation to grow up in poverty yet achieve prosperity over time.

Special thanks to the Publisher, Atria Books, and NetGalley for a complimentary copy of this book. Opinions expressed in this review are completely my own.

For me, the best thing about this book was learning more about how the Vietnamese refugees lived in America both in the near past and the present. I wish the author would have had more details about this rather than more about the characters. The characters were all unlikable, but since they were representing a traumatized and dysfunctional family, that kind of makes sense. And they do seem to slowly be going towards redemption.
It's the kind of story that could have been written about any ethnic group so, yes... the details of the Vietnamese culture really were the best part. I also liked how we traveled to all of the different cities and the fact that it was a mystery of sorts. But could such a thing really happen? Did it happen? I will be watching for the next book from this author!

Thank you to NetGalley for an advance copy of this book. My three stars is really 3.5 or even 3.75.

Duc Tran, the founder of the national Vietnamese chain Duc’s Sandwiches, is retiring. In order for his five estranged children to get their inheritance, they must revive failing shops in Little Saigon locations. As for his firstborn son, he needs to get married within a year.

The inheritance game is what propels the plot and the mystery behind one character's disappearance makes the narrative juicy. I love the concept of family business plus there's something precious about immigrant food - one follows the Tran siblings, their interactions a cacophony of chaos. Huynh is gifted at crafting messy characters, whose authenticity overshadows even the unlikable nature. In this inheritance scheme, they need to find themselves again while searching for a purpose together.

Jumping between past/present and different POVs, I enjoyed the historical fiction aspect of the story in which one dives into Duc's past and understands the motives behind his actions. Huynh covers legacy, generational trauma, racism, abandonment, diasporic experience, love and belonging with a hilarious touch. My critiques are that I wish the POVs were more distinct and I was personally more invested in the family mysteries than their personal journeys.

The story is emotionally laden when questioning the meaning of home through characters trying to figure out how family works. This is a beautiful journey punctuated by invisible threads and the author, ultimately, invites the reader to find joy again and celebrate small wins.

THE FAMILY RECIPE is the epitome of a family's brokenness - it's about rediscovering one's roots and I, like the characters, learned to be vulnerable. I had a good time with this family drama that made me crave bánh mì.

[ I received an ARC from the publisher - Atria books . All opinions are my own ]

After having loved the ARC of The Fortunes of Jaded Sisters, I ran to request this ARC. The Family Recipe combines complicated family relationships, humor, and a strong sense of place. This book did not disappoint!

Duc Tran, the patriarch of the Tran family, who built a fortune and a gaudy mansion on a chain of banh mi shops spread across the country. While the banh mi shops peaked ages ago, Duc retained his fortune. To win it, the Tran children must each compete against each other in their respective quests. The four daughters are given one banh mi shop each, in different cities and challenged to make them profitable. The spoiled only son is challenged to get married. They have one year.

The author skillfully weaves the history of Vietnamese Americans throughout this entertaining story. She explores some of the earliest Vietnamese refugees, who worked on fishing boats in Texas, alongside the following waves of immigration and small businesses that these Americans built. While the relationships are complicated, Huynh succeeds in bringing some of the lightheartedness and laughs that made me love The Fortunes of Jaded Sisters.

Great book. Thanks Netgalley for a free ARC in exchange for an honest review.

This is my first book by Huynh. It was VERY GOOD!! I was invested from Chapter 1. I really wanted to know why Evelyn left, and what the big secret was. I was not disappointed. This book was really amazing.

Thank you to Netgalley and the publisher for the ARC of this book.

When the famed Duc Tran of the bánh mì chain Duc's Sandwiches brings his five estranged children together to announce his retirement. Only, their shifty family lawyer is there with the children and their father has fled to Vietnam. The incredulous terms of their inheritance are as follows: the four daughters (Jane, Bingo, Paulina and Georgia) must take over a failing Duc's Sandwiches restaurant in one of four far flung American cities. The son, Jude, has to get married. Duc has pitted the five adult children against each other in an all or nothing sweep for the family jewels.

Their mother has been estranged and missing--walking out over two decades ago. Duc really never knew how to parent after that--leaving the Tran's starved for intimacy. Belive me, this sets the stage for some absolutely ridiculous family drama. But, even better, there is a historical fiction flashback component involving hate crimes again Vietamese fisherman in the 1980s involving the KKK. Carolyn Huynh definitely did her homework, and I was truly enlightened by this piece of seedy American history.

Yes, there are a LOT of characters and many are unlikeable. There is a lot to love about them though, and it's worth the effort to get to know them. I read the print version; however, because of the multiple timelines and POV (we have over a dozen named characters to keep up with) I feel like this would be better in print format.

Thank you Atria Books and Netgalley for the advanced copy of this one! This one hits shelves April 1, 2025.

Carolyn Huynh has written another hilarious and relatable Vietnamese family drama. As a Vietnamese American myself, I loved Fortunes of Jaded Women, and I also loved this book so much. She wove so much history into this one, and brought in settings all over the US with high Vietnamese American immigrant populations through the different siblings and I found that to be genius. I truly enjoyed this story!

The Family Recipe is a delightful blend of humor, family drama, and heartfelt emotion. The novel explores family relationships, the power of secrets, and the importance of being true to oneself.

The story follows the 5 Tran siblings as they embark on a contest to win their father's inheritance. They are each sent to a different state with cryptic notes from their father. They believe they are in this places to revitalize the locations of the family Banh Mi shops, but each one finds much more than they expected. As each sibling learns threads of their family story they realize they can only be successful is they rely on each other.

Intertwined with the story of the Tran siblings is the back story of their Vietnamese immigrant parents. You learn of the struggles they went through to survive. The racism they endured, and the perseverance they needed to create a family and thrive.

The Family Recipe is a heartwarming reminder that family is not just about bloodlines, but about the connections we forge. It encourages readers to embrace their individuality, to cherish their loved ones, and to never be afraid to be their authentic selves.

I had high hopes for this book, but never felt fully immersed into it, which was disappointing as I loved Carolyn Huynh's earlier book, The Fortunes of Jaded Women. This book, while still well written, was somehow less compelling for me. It was beautifully written and the shifting narrative was masterfully done as there were so many characters and they all had distinct voices and personalities. The family/sibling dynamics were both beautifully and painfully real as were the raw emotions. I thought the older/younger sibling dynamics were also so recognizable and accurate.

I did not guess the family secret, but had an idea of what it was about and was confused as to why it was a secret for so long? I won't go into detail to avoid spoilers, but maybe it has to do with the generational/experiential differences between immigrants and their children (which felt genuine and recognizable to me even though I'm not Vietnamese American).

Rounding up from 3.5 stars for the masterful writing and execution. Also, maybe I just was less into this book since it felt more sad and less hopeful, which was not what I was expecting.

Thank you NetGalley and publisher for this book!!

What a great book!! It had me hooked from page one! I couldn’t put this down. I finished it in one sitting. I enjoyed the storyline and the characters. This was a first for me by this author but it will not be my last!!

I didn't want to pick up this book but I decided to force myself to finish this book since it was an arc. It had good parts and bad. I just felt like most of the characters were not likeable. I didnt care if Jude found a girl or whether any of the 4 susters successfully turned Duc's sandwiches around. All i wanted to know was why Duc had done this to them and what happened to their mother. We do get a bit of a mystery surrounding the parents of the kids. The back and forth between all of the POVs and also the past of Duc and Huey kind of disrupted the story. It does help hs piece together the mystery. I found myself slimming the book because I didnt care about any of the siblings and their lives. All i cared about was Evelyn's story. The ending was satisfying for her at least.

I did enjoy the way the author touches upon racism against the Vietnamese and also some misogyny as well.

Okay spoilers below:

Duc says he will leave the inheritance to any one of his kids but they have to be the first to do something and then they'll get all of the money. Jude must get married. The 4 sisters must turn their Duc's sandwiches into money making machines. They all go out and try and fix it up. Jane gets entangled with an ex. Paulina also reacquaints with an ex and his daughter. Bingo meets a girl and wants to reconnect. Georgia is the one to find Evelyn and finally figure out why Evelyn left. They all eventually figure out Duc isnt their father. In the past, Duc had to pretend to be Eveyn's husband because the KKK were looking for Huey. Huey is the father to the girls. On a boating trip, Evelyn's first husband actually dies and he's Jude's father. They lied to Evelyn that he died by the hands of the KKK when in reality, he died because he was drunk and fell overboard. Im glad in the end the siblings do get along and open the sandwich story in Evelyn's real name.