Fake Dates and Mooncakes by Sher Lee
on May 16, 2023
ISBN: 0593569954
Genres: Realistic Fiction
Format: Chapter Book Fiction
Goodreads

“Fake Dates and Mooncakes” by Sher Lee is a young adult realistic fiction/romance novel featuring two Asian-American teens  whose lives come together due to a Mid-Autumn Festival mooncake competition. Dylan is determined to win the competition for his mother and to improve business at his aunt’s Chinese restaurant, while Theo needs a date to a family wedding and is willing to donate a large amount to the restaurant to get Dylan to be his date (the title’s “Fake Dates”). Themes of embracing your values and being willing to be yourself are clearly shown in the narrative. The teen characters felt realistic and well developed by the author. The ending is easily guessed, but still a worthwhile read. A recommended purchase where LGBTQIA + YA romances are popular. Good for fans of Heartstopper.

Reviewed by Kate Radke, Walker Memorial Library, Westbrook, ME.