Reviews

Soy Sauce for Beginners by Kirstin Chen

sharkie's review

medium-paced

• Strong character development? It's complicated
• Loveable characters? No
• Diverse cast of characters? No
• Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes

2.75

daumari's review

4.0

Received for free via the Kindle First program last December, but didn't get around to reading until today. A relatively short read (accidentally binged it in one day whoops), I actually really liked it. I was expecting a fluffier chic-lit, but as someone who doesn't know what she wants to do in life (and with the 30s looming on the distant horizon), Gretchen's indecision on whether to finish her music degree or withdraw and helm the family company really resonated for me. And unlike a puff book, there isn't really a neat resolution at the end which is nice.

I also liked the food descriptions- somewhat reminded of [a:Kevin Kwan|634694|Kevin Kwan|https://d.gr-assets.com/authors/1412808034p2/634694.jpg]'s [b:Crazy Rich Asians|16085481|Crazy Rich Asians (Crazy Rich Asians #1)|Kevin Kwan|https://d.gr-assets.com/books/1364852559s/16085481.jpg|21571970] which also takes place in Singapore, but in the world of old money (which is almost another planet entirely).

rallythealli's review

reflective sad

• Plot- or character-driven? Character
• Strong character development? Yes
• Diverse cast of characters? Yes
• Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes

3.0

maris0994's review

hopeful reflective medium-paced

• Plot- or character-driven? Character
• Strong character development? It's complicated
• Loveable characters? No
• Diverse cast of characters? Yes
• Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes

3.0

readingindreams's review against another edition

emotional hopeful reflective fast-paced

3.25

bookwoom's review

hopeful inspiring slow-paced

• Plot- or character-driven? A mix
• Strong character development? Yes
• Loveable characters? Yes
• Diverse cast of characters? Yes
• Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes

4.0

whatkayliereads's review

emotional lighthearted reflective medium-paced

4.0

aja_jay's review

slow-paced

• Plot- or character-driven? Character
• Strong character development? Yes
• Loveable characters? No
• Diverse cast of characters? No
• Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes

3.5

tessyoung's review

3.0

This was an enjoyable listen, light, amusing with an interesting main character who wasn't immediately likeable, and appealed to me all the more for this. There are some real ouch moments when she takes out her own hurt on others.
The plot of being torn between parents exceptions and the competition between 'East" and 'West', seemed a little run of the mill although it as explored quietly nicely through the juxtaposition of Gretchen's experience with that of her mother.
The reflections on cultural differences between Singapore and US were interesting, as were the wider insights into the history of Singapore, although there could have been more of that in my view. The time when the writing really comes alive however is in the descriptions of food, the tastes and flavours of which came really alive.

peaseloise's review

emotional hopeful medium-paced

• Plot- or character-driven? A mix
• Strong character development? Yes
• Loveable characters? It's complicated
• Diverse cast of characters? Yes
• Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes

4.5