Fake Dates and Mooncakes

4.4 4.4 out of 5 stars | 735 ratings

Price: 18.11

Last update: 09-10-2024


About this item

Heartstopper meets Crazy Rich Asians in this heartfelt, joyful audiobook rom-com that follows an aspiring chef who discovers the recipe for love is more complicated than it seems when he starts fake-dating a handsome new customer.

Dylan Tang wants to win a Mid-Autumn Festival mooncake-making competition for teen chefs—in memory of his mom, and to bring much-needed publicity to his aunt’s struggling Chinese takeout in Brooklyn.

Enter Theo Somers: charming, wealthy, with a smile that makes Dylan’s stomach do backflips. AKA a distraction. Their worlds are sun-and-moon apart, but Theo keeps showing up. He even convinces Dylan to be his fake date at a family wedding in the Hamptons.

In Theo’s glittering world of pomp, privilege, and crazy rich drama, their romance is supposed to be just pretend . . . but Dylan finds himself falling for Theo. For real. Then Theo’s relatives reveal their true colors—but with the mooncake contest looming, Dylan can’t risk being sidetracked by rich-people problems.

Can Dylan save his family’s business and follow his heart—or will he fail to do both?


Top reviews from the United States

Zachary Bay
5.0 out of 5 stars Fantastic book.
Reviewed in the United States on July 26, 2024
Enjoyed this PG romance. It was great and accessible to YA.
Jonny
4.0 out of 5 stars Captivating Blend of Fiction, Cultural Awareness, & LGBTQ+ Respresentation
Reviewed in the United States on June 19, 2023
Sher Lee’s “Fake Dates and Mooncakes” is a beautifully crafted novel that seamlessly weaves together a captivating story, thought-provoking cultural influences, and meaningful LGBTQ+ representation. This enchanting tale takes readers on a journey filled with delightful surprises, emotional depth, and a profound understanding of different cultures, while celebrating diverse love stories.

The story centers around two main characters, Dylan and Theo, who find themselves entangled in a web of fake dates. As they navigate this charade, readers are introduced to a rich tapestry of cultural elements, providing an immersive experience. Sher Lee’s meticulous attention to detail shines through, making each cultural reference come alive on the pages.

What sets “Fake Dates and Mooncakes” apart is the author’s ability to bring awareness to cultural influences and incorporate meaningful LGBTQ+ representation seamlessly. The exploration of traditions, customs, and festivals is flawlessly integrated into the narrative, creating an educational yet entertaining experience. Readers are enlightened about cultural nuances, from the symbolism of mooncakes during the Mid-Autumn Festival to the importance of family and community ties.

Moreover, the representation of Dylan and Theo’s gay relationship is a refreshing and welcome addition to the story. Sher Lee handles their love story with sensitivity, authenticity, and respect. By portraying their journey as a natural and integral part of the narrative, the author sends a powerful message of acceptance and inclusivity.

The characters of Dylan and Theo are relatable and well-developed, each with their own unique personalities and struggles. Their personal growth and self-discovery are intricately interwoven with their cultural understanding and acceptance. Sher Lee effortlessly showcases the challenges faced by individuals navigating their cultural heritage while embracing their identity.

Sher Lee’s writing style is engaging and immersive, allowing readers to vividly experience the world of the story. The descriptive imagery and heartfelt emotions make it impossible not to be fully invested in the journey of Dylan and Theo. The author’s ability to evoke a range of emotions through their words is a testament to their storytelling prowess.

While “Fake Dates and Mooncakes” does an excellent job of celebrating cultural influences and LGBTQ+ representation, it occasionally falls into predictable plot devices and clichés. However, the overall strength of the storytelling, cultural exploration, and diverse representation more than compensates for these minor shortcomings.

“Fake Dates and Mooncakes” is a must-read for those seeking a well-written story that intertwines cultural awareness, LGBTQ+ representation, and a heartwarming romance. Sher Lee’s ability to blend a captivating narrative with an exploration of cultural influences and diverse love stories is commendable. This enchanting tale serves as a reminder of the beauty and significance of understanding, embracing, and celebrating different cultures and love stories in our increasingly interconnected world.
Kindle Reader SNGriff
5.0 out of 5 stars Heart warming and informative
Reviewed in the United States on May 3, 2024
There is a lot of food culture and Chinese culture in this pages. This seemed to be the main thrust of the story. There were also two boys falling in love. While I thought the romance aspects fell slightly short in terms of development, I still loved it. I loved the main characters, I loved the story, I loved the meaning. I smiled. A lot.
You should 100% read this.
HSHPrinceDavidChase
5.0 out of 5 stars Amazing Book!
Reviewed in the United States on September 4, 2024
I thoroughly enjoyed this story. It was a quick read too - once I started, I had a hard time putting it down. I’d love a sequel, or maybe this could be the next big movie? Either way, it was great!

Also, as a side, ever since reading this book, I have been on a mission to try mooncakes!
Muse
3.0 out of 5 stars cute, predictable. a little cringe
Reviewed in the United States on January 6, 2024
This is a sweet little teen romance and is very cute but it is incredibly cringe in some ways. Like achingly eye rolling. Theo just kept showing up like daddy warbucks and Dylan just goes through so much drama I’m like let these kids breathe! The romance was also like…are these 17 year olds talking like this? Also also also, so many random “villains” trying to break two 17 year olds apart? The tension wasn’t very believable in some ways. Also Dylan’s constant “but what are we?” thoughts made me want to scream.

I know this sounds negative but I still enjoyed myself!

I was very entertained by the antics so although I was rolling my eyes in disbelief half the time I quite enjoyed this. low stakes and predictable like I said, and all in all a nice cozy quick read if you just want something to vibe to. I didn’t mind learning a lot about Chinese history and some of the more intricate parts of recipes either! A nice little touch to keep me grounded.
Christian Hoke
4.0 out of 5 stars Amazing book but
Reviewed in the United States on July 13, 2024
This is a really lovely book but everything was predictable down to the exact moment it would happen. Also why did they fall so fast in such a short time.
Margaret
5.0 out of 5 stars Fake Dates and Mooncakes Review
Reviewed in the United States on May 18, 2023
I was so excited for this book when I heard about it and was even more excited when I got the opportunity to read it before the official release. This was just so stinkin cute! It had one of my favorite tropes: fake dating and everything was centered around food! Dylan and Theo were adorable too and although they came from vastly different backgrounds, they were similar in the ways that truly mattered.

Dylan is just trying to help his Aunt keep the family take-out restaurant afloat, all the while still grieving the recent loss of his mother. Then in walks Theo, handsome, rich, and devastatingly charming; he is the polar opposite of Dylan. Yet, when Theo asks him to be his fake boyfriend for a family wedding, Dylan finds it impossible to refuse. Dylan is quickly thrust into the world of glitz and glamour, cagey relatives, and Theo's distant father who is certain Dylan is nothing but trouble. Not to mention the constant eviction threats from the landlord at the restaurant/apartment Dylan and his family work/reside in. Dylan is certain that him and Theo are destined, but with forces constantly trying to tear them apart, he's not so sure if he's strong enough to hold everything together.

Fake Dates and Mooncakes was a queer romance, relatively low angst, and had lots of feel good vibes. A sweet YA that any teen/young adult could enjoy.
Sindu
5.0 out of 5 stars Adorable, fake dating, YA romance!
Reviewed in the United States on September 13, 2023
Fake Dates and Mooncakes was such a cute book! I really enjoyed this fake dating story and omg this book made me so hungry. The food described in this book just sounded so appetizing and I wanted them all! But in all seriousness, the story, the writing, the characters were all so wonderful and there wasn't a single moment where I wasn't fully invested. And I had the biggest smile on my face when I finally finished it because it was just so satisfying :) if you haven't checked out this book yet, I'd definitely recommend you do it now. It's got a supportive family, tons of shenanigans and really amazing representation too!

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