03 Jan / The Donut Trap by Julie Tieu [in Booklist]
Casting an Asian American narrator for Asian American characters created by an Asian American author initially seems to be a promising decision, but Taiwanese American Natalie Naudus, though pleasant overall for Julie Tieu’s debut, isn’t consistently convincing with the multiple Asian languages in play. One might argue, for example, that the Cambodian Chinese American protagonist could be less than fluent when ordering Korean barbecue favorites, but Naudus’ previous Korean-infused narration with Korean American characters, A Sweet Mess, was equally clumsy.
Missteps aside, Naudus earnestly embodies 22-year-old Jasmin Tran, who’s been rather career-unfocused since graduating from UCLA. After thwarting her immigrant parents’ pre-med plans for her, Jas is back at home, working again in the family donut shop. She’s trapped between her parents’ impossible expectations and her overdue need for independence.
And then her best friend delivers Jas’ single-encounter college obsession to her doorstep. He’s shockingly perfect – even in Jas’ parents’ eyes! – until his own tiger-mom issues plummet his potential.
Sweet turns bitter before readers get – can’t resist – their just desserts.
Review: “Media,” Booklist Online, December 30, 2021
Readers: Young Adult, Adult
Published: 2021