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Solving for the Unknown
In this sweet, incredibly heartfelt companion to A Pho Love Story, Vietnamese Americans Viet and Evie juggle family expectations with their desire to forge their own path in between college classes and falling in love.
To his friends back home, Viet Ho is calm and collected and a lovable oddball who nurses an obsession with forensic science. He’s relieved to head off to UC Davis and escape from being in the middle of his bickering immigrant parents. Yet, on campus and with the school year unfolding at an overwhelming pace, Viet struggles to belong and to keep his depression hidden.
Evie Mai is a junior biology major and the eldest daughter who has never trod far off the beaten path. She has everything: good grades, a solid group of friends, and a smart, ambitious boyfriend, who’s the son of a well-connected university board member. But their busy schedules, as well as their interests, no longer align. Determined to close the distance, she and her boyfriend both apply to a student-run clinic for underserved communities. But will that save or expose the gaps in their relationship?
When a clumsy accident brings Viet and Evie together, they bond over their shared hometown and similar history—and their orbits grow smaller as their friends collide. The more time they spend with each other and support each other, mentally and emotionally, the more their friendship shifts into something else.
A sweet, emotional slice-of-life story, Solving for the Unknown is about characters questioning the paths they have taken and finding a new path that will lead them to their happiest selves.
To his friends back home, Viet Ho is calm and collected and a lovable oddball who nurses an obsession with forensic science. He’s relieved to head off to UC Davis and escape from being in the middle of his bickering immigrant parents. Yet, on campus and with the school year unfolding at an overwhelming pace, Viet struggles to belong and to keep his depression hidden.
Evie Mai is a junior biology major and the eldest daughter who has never trod far off the beaten path. She has everything: good grades, a solid group of friends, and a smart, ambitious boyfriend, who’s the son of a well-connected university board member. But their busy schedules, as well as their interests, no longer align. Determined to close the distance, she and her boyfriend both apply to a student-run clinic for underserved communities. But will that save or expose the gaps in their relationship?
When a clumsy accident brings Viet and Evie together, they bond over their shared hometown and similar history—and their orbits grow smaller as their friends collide. The more time they spend with each other and support each other, mentally and emotionally, the more their friendship shifts into something else.
A sweet, emotional slice-of-life story, Solving for the Unknown is about characters questioning the paths they have taken and finding a new path that will lead them to their happiest selves.
Hardcover
First published March 4, 2025
16 people are currently reading
1,836 people want to read
About the author
Loan Le
3books789followersLoan Le is the author of A Ph� Love Story, a YA rom-com that earned praise from NPR, POPSUGAR, Bustle, Bon Appetit, USA TODAY, and Buzzfeed. Solving for the Unknown, her next YA contemporary novel and a companion to A Ph� Love Story, is slated for Spring 2025. Her speculative short story appeared in Firsts & Lasts, a YA anthology that Penguin Workshop released in Fall 2023. She holds an MFA degree in fiction from Fairfield University, where she also earned her bachelor’s degree. She is an editor at Atria Books, a Simon & Schuster adult imprint, where she acquires dark fiction. When Loan isn’t writing young adult novels, she’s writing ghostly, dark adult fiction, trying to make sourdough bread, and listening to BTS. Visit her website at writerloanle.com and find her on X @loanloan and Instagram @loanloanle.
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 48 reviews
February 27, 2025
COMING SOON
The author sure took her time to write this book. Can't believe it's actually in existence now and that people can read it next week...
:)
June 2024
The cover was just officially revealed! Please add to your shelves or pre-order now!
December 2023
Okay . . . so I might have an official pub date? Spring 2025! First draft is with my editor now!!!
December 2021
Oh, friends. This has been a tough one to write!!!
There's no real update, only me complaining here :) Just a reminder for any new people seeing this review: this novel will be more contemporary than rom-com, so just remember that whenever this darn book is published.
Original
It's masterful! It's heartwarming! It's . . .
Nonexistent. But I'm working on it!
The author sure took her time to write this book. Can't believe it's actually in existence now and that people can read it next week...
:)
June 2024
The cover was just officially revealed! Please add to your shelves or pre-order now!
December 2023
Okay . . . so I might have an official pub date? Spring 2025! First draft is with my editor now!!!
December 2021
Oh, friends. This has been a tough one to write!!!
There's no real update, only me complaining here :) Just a reminder for any new people seeing this review: this novel will be more contemporary than rom-com, so just remember that whenever this darn book is published.
Original
It's masterful! It's heartwarming! It's . . .
Nonexistent. But I'm working on it!
April 3, 2025
જ⁀� 4/5 ⭐️
� � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � �.� being the eldest daughter feels like being
� � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � an only child
arc review 💌
release date: march 4
� 𝘴𝘵𝘢𝘳𝘵𝘦𝘥 2025.02.24
� 𝘧𝘪𝘯𝘪𝘴𝘩𝘦𝘥 2025.02.26
� 📚� 𝐩𝐥𝐨𝐭 - this book follows viet and evie, who both go to the same university. viet is friends with evie's younger sister (the fmc from a pho love story) this is a companion novel to that. viet is an only child with parents who argue all the time, he has depression which affects him at random times. there are days, which he calls "dark days" when he gets really sad and can't do anything, shutting everyone else out. evie is the eldest daughter, who is always there to help others, always putting herself second. she's in a relationship of 2 years, but he's not the best overall. he's kinda rude and careless with her. things were great as a freshman but started going downhill. he comes from money, but doesn't put her first. when evie and viet first meet on campus, they realize they have a mutual connection, she introduces him to her friend group and they hit it off immediately. overtime viet grows feelings for evie but feels like it's wrong of him to do so, since she's in a relationship and all. they are really close, running a few times a week together. there's not cheating of any sort in this book.
� ☕️ � 𝐦𝐲 𝐭𝐡𝐨𝐮𝐠𝐡𝐭𝐬
this was such a cute read and i'm so glad to finish febuary with this. viet was SO relatable, and all these books with depressed characters are making me realize that i'm actually depressed (so yayy) and like it's actually heartbreaking and honestly a fresh outside perspective. that probably made no sense lol. i love evie sm, she's also really relatable since she's an eldest daughter who strives to be perfect and not needy. i've always been told i'm too much and too loud, needing too much but i actually don't ask for help etc. when i need to and it's just sad honestly. i loved how she and viet had a authentic friendship to start off with since it made it so real and they learned about each other first. helping one another with struggles, this slow burn was completely worth it. it didn't feel like a romance novel at times, i'd say it's more ya fiction/coming of age with mental health topics and a side plot of romance. i completely reccomend if you want a cute, ya, romcom.
⁀� 𝐭𝐫𝐨𝐩𝐞𝐬
🩵 friends to lovers
🫂 mental health rep (depression)
🩵 slow burn
🫂 eldest daughter x only child
🩵 vietnamese rep
🫂 slow burn
┶┶┶┶୨ৎ┶┶┶┶
warnings: no spice, little kissing (no deep descriptions) some lgtbq (2 friends are in a gay relationship) some swearing- sh*t, i don't think the f bomb was dropped
age rating: 12/13+ (just know some mental health stuff might be affect you so keep that in mind)
thanks to simon & schuster and edelweiss plus for an e-arc
┶┶┶┶୨ৎ┶┶┶┶
pre- read
this has been on my e-reader for months now and i decided to start it <33
2024.11.11
got the arc!!
� � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � �.� being the eldest daughter feels like being
� � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � an only child
arc review 💌
release date: march 4
� 𝘴𝘵𝘢𝘳𝘵𝘦𝘥 2025.02.24
� 𝘧𝘪𝘯𝘪𝘴𝘩𝘦𝘥 2025.02.26
� 📚� 𝐩𝐥𝐨𝐭 - this book follows viet and evie, who both go to the same university. viet is friends with evie's younger sister (the fmc from a pho love story) this is a companion novel to that. viet is an only child with parents who argue all the time, he has depression which affects him at random times. there are days, which he calls "dark days" when he gets really sad and can't do anything, shutting everyone else out. evie is the eldest daughter, who is always there to help others, always putting herself second. she's in a relationship of 2 years, but he's not the best overall. he's kinda rude and careless with her. things were great as a freshman but started going downhill. he comes from money, but doesn't put her first. when evie and viet first meet on campus, they realize they have a mutual connection, she introduces him to her friend group and they hit it off immediately. overtime viet grows feelings for evie but feels like it's wrong of him to do so, since she's in a relationship and all. they are really close, running a few times a week together. there's not cheating of any sort in this book.
� ☕️ � 𝐦𝐲 𝐭𝐡𝐨𝐮𝐠𝐡𝐭𝐬
this was such a cute read and i'm so glad to finish febuary with this. viet was SO relatable, and all these books with depressed characters are making me realize that i'm actually depressed (so yayy) and like it's actually heartbreaking and honestly a fresh outside perspective. that probably made no sense lol. i love evie sm, she's also really relatable since she's an eldest daughter who strives to be perfect and not needy. i've always been told i'm too much and too loud, needing too much but i actually don't ask for help etc. when i need to and it's just sad honestly. i loved how she and viet had a authentic friendship to start off with since it made it so real and they learned about each other first. helping one another with struggles, this slow burn was completely worth it. it didn't feel like a romance novel at times, i'd say it's more ya fiction/coming of age with mental health topics and a side plot of romance. i completely reccomend if you want a cute, ya, romcom.
⁀� 𝐭𝐫𝐨𝐩𝐞𝐬
🩵 friends to lovers
🫂 mental health rep (depression)
🩵 slow burn
🫂 eldest daughter x only child
🩵 vietnamese rep
🫂 slow burn
┶┶┶┶୨ৎ┶┶┶┶
warnings: no spice, little kissing (no deep descriptions) some lgtbq (2 friends are in a gay relationship) some swearing- sh*t, i don't think the f bomb was dropped
age rating: 12/13+ (just know some mental health stuff might be affect you so keep that in mind)
thanks to simon & schuster and edelweiss plus for an e-arc
┶┶┶┶୨ৎ┶┶┶┶
pre- read
this has been on my e-reader for months now and i decided to start it <33
2024.11.11
got the arc!!
Want to read
November 1, 2021Let me just read this the summer after I graduate *insert crying emojis bc I am typing on a school chromebook*
Want to read
November 4, 20212023 is so far away 😭😭😭
April 3, 2025
2.75
Solving for the unknown? More like solving for the plot.
I need a little banter in my stories, I need a little like I don't know more chemistry? Maybe it's the fact that friends to lovers (and slowist slow burn at that) is not my favorite but when done well it is a 10/10. Also our fmc was in a relationship at the start of the book for a good chunk so mentally that through me off but yeah, the plot was mid. I did love the cameos our mc's from A pho love story--which was a fantastic book let me tell you) but yeah, really sad because I loved the author's first book
come back when the relationship is more developed, the plot is found, and Im not just bored out of my mind.
Solving for the unknown? More like solving for the plot.
I need a little banter in my stories, I need a little like I don't know more chemistry? Maybe it's the fact that friends to lovers (and slowist slow burn at that) is not my favorite but when done well it is a 10/10. Also our fmc was in a relationship at the start of the book for a good chunk so mentally that through me off but yeah, the plot was mid. I did love the cameos our mc's from A pho love story--which was a fantastic book let me tell you) but yeah, really sad because I loved the author's first book
come back when the relationship is more developed, the plot is found, and Im not just bored out of my mind.
March 27, 2025
so understated and yet so emotional, this book portrayed evie's and viėt's journeys so well and had such a sweet slow-burn romance between them. i loved the depiction of their families. this almost slice-of-life college story was such a comforting read (for my insane high school senior self) because of the wonderful depictions of friendship, both in terms of becoming art if a new friend group and keeping up with old ones. i loved the friendships in this book so much! overall, a heartwarming read that was well worth the time.
March 17, 2025
Wow what a rollercoaster of emotions
Loan Le if you are reading this � do we know each other??? Like why did I also experience everything that happened to these characters???
Shout out to student run health clinics 😅
Loan Le if you are reading this � do we know each other??? Like why did I also experience everything that happened to these characters???
Shout out to student run health clinics 😅
February 27, 2025
Thank you so much to Simon Teen & NetGalley for the e-ARC!
I initially didn’t realize that this was an interconnected standalone to another book by this author, A Pho Love Story, but it was such a good one! I read APLS last year and really enjoyed being back in that universe while still having a whole new story.
On its own, this book is such a wholesome, cute college romance: lighthearted but still with just enough serious undertones and meaning. It has depression rep in our MMC and also deals with tough family dynamics, divorce, etc, which were all addressed so well, but didn’t make the story too heavy.
The feeling of found family as our MMC meets a friend group and by the end becomes totally part of it was so sweet and such a great display of friendship.
The romance was the same way.
All in all, this was a great read and I had such a fun time! Would definitely recommend for a diverse college romance!
I initially didn’t realize that this was an interconnected standalone to another book by this author, A Pho Love Story, but it was such a good one! I read APLS last year and really enjoyed being back in that universe while still having a whole new story.
On its own, this book is such a wholesome, cute college romance: lighthearted but still with just enough serious undertones and meaning. It has depression rep in our MMC and also deals with tough family dynamics, divorce, etc, which were all addressed so well, but didn’t make the story too heavy.
The feeling of found family as our MMC meets a friend group and by the end becomes totally part of it was so sweet and such a great display of friendship.
The romance was the same way.
All in all, this was a great read and I had such a fun time! Would definitely recommend for a diverse college romance!
March 5, 2025
3⭐️ This was cute. I think if you like college age characters as well as the Asian cultural/parental expectations it’s worth a read. Loan Lee touches on divorce, mental health, finding yourself, silly/wonderful friends, and friends to lovers romance.
Synopsis:
To his friends back home, Viet Ho is calm and collected and a lovable oddball who nurses an obsession with forensic science. He’s relieved to head off to UC Davis and escape from being in the middle of his bickering immigrant parents. Yet, on campus and with the school year unfolding at an overwhelming pace, Viet struggles to belong and to keep his depression hidden.
Evie Mai is a junior biology major and the eldest daughter who has never trod far off the beaten path. She has everything: good grades, a solid group of friends, and a smart, ambitious boyfriend, who’s the son of a well-connected university board member. But their busy schedules, as well as their interests, no longer align. Determined to close the distance, she and her boyfriend both apply to a student-run clinic for underserved communities. But will that save or expose the gaps in their relationship?
When a clumsy accident brings Viet and Evie together, they bond over their shared hometown and similar history—and their orbits grow smaller as their friends collide. The more time they spend with each other and support each other, mentally and emotionally, the more their friendship shifts into something else.
Thank you to @netgalley, Simon and Schuster, and the author for the advanced reader copy. #netgalley #solvingfortheunkown #arcreview #releaseday
Synopsis:
To his friends back home, Viet Ho is calm and collected and a lovable oddball who nurses an obsession with forensic science. He’s relieved to head off to UC Davis and escape from being in the middle of his bickering immigrant parents. Yet, on campus and with the school year unfolding at an overwhelming pace, Viet struggles to belong and to keep his depression hidden.
Evie Mai is a junior biology major and the eldest daughter who has never trod far off the beaten path. She has everything: good grades, a solid group of friends, and a smart, ambitious boyfriend, who’s the son of a well-connected university board member. But their busy schedules, as well as their interests, no longer align. Determined to close the distance, she and her boyfriend both apply to a student-run clinic for underserved communities. But will that save or expose the gaps in their relationship?
When a clumsy accident brings Viet and Evie together, they bond over their shared hometown and similar history—and their orbits grow smaller as their friends collide. The more time they spend with each other and support each other, mentally and emotionally, the more their friendship shifts into something else.
Thank you to @netgalley, Simon and Schuster, and the author for the advanced reader copy. #netgalley #solvingfortheunkown #arcreview #releaseday
March 13, 2025
This was a really sweet and heartfelt read. Thank you to Simon Teen for the e-Arc!
This book is a wholesome and lovely college romance. Two students from the same hometown discover a connection between them when they find each other at the same college. This is peak friends to lovers! These characters are relatable and fun and the world crafted felt authentic and real. While this book is mostly lighthearted, it wasn’t afraid to dive into more serious topics and issues. It dealt with topics such as depression, divorce, and tough family dynamics. It also had wonderful Vietnamese representation.
When I picked this up, I didn’t realize that it was a companion novel! It would have made this world richer if I had read that book first, but it did not stop me from enjoying this book. I loved Evie’s and Viet’s journey a lot, and will be definitely revisiting A Pho Love Story to meet his friends. I also would love to see an Ali story, really hoping the tease we got will lead to another book!
This story has a wonderful found family aspect to it, as we see Viet make so many amazing friends at school and find his home. This story really made me want to root for the characters. As an older sister, I really related to Evie and her struggles. I am very glad she learned to stand up for herself and find the love she deserves,
If you are looking for a soft and sweet college romance, this is it!
This book is a wholesome and lovely college romance. Two students from the same hometown discover a connection between them when they find each other at the same college. This is peak friends to lovers! These characters are relatable and fun and the world crafted felt authentic and real. While this book is mostly lighthearted, it wasn’t afraid to dive into more serious topics and issues. It dealt with topics such as depression, divorce, and tough family dynamics. It also had wonderful Vietnamese representation.
When I picked this up, I didn’t realize that it was a companion novel! It would have made this world richer if I had read that book first, but it did not stop me from enjoying this book. I loved Evie’s and Viet’s journey a lot, and will be definitely revisiting A Pho Love Story to meet his friends. I also would love to see an Ali story, really hoping the tease we got will lead to another book!
This story has a wonderful found family aspect to it, as we see Viet make so many amazing friends at school and find his home. This story really made me want to root for the characters. As an older sister, I really related to Evie and her struggles. I am very glad she learned to stand up for herself and find the love she deserves,
If you are looking for a soft and sweet college romance, this is it!
Read
April 7, 2025This was a cute, clean, friends to lovers college romance.
I say clean because there weren't any closed door scenes, nothing went beyond kissing in the book.
This follows the story of Viet and Evie who bond in college over their love of running and being from the same hometown. Evie has a boyfriend throughout most of the book. It follows the two's friendship while Evie comes to terms on her own that her boyfriend has a lot of red flags and doesn't treat her the way she deserves to be treated.
I loved that Viet was just a really good solid friend, and although it was clear to the reader that he had feelings for Evie, he didn't push any boundaries or try to make any moves when she had a boyfriend. He didn't really even push her on anything, which I thought was pretty admirable.
If you are looking for a cute college romance that is entirely clean, you should check this one out.
I say clean because there weren't any closed door scenes, nothing went beyond kissing in the book.
This follows the story of Viet and Evie who bond in college over their love of running and being from the same hometown. Evie has a boyfriend throughout most of the book. It follows the two's friendship while Evie comes to terms on her own that her boyfriend has a lot of red flags and doesn't treat her the way she deserves to be treated.
I loved that Viet was just a really good solid friend, and although it was clear to the reader that he had feelings for Evie, he didn't push any boundaries or try to make any moves when she had a boyfriend. He didn't really even push her on anything, which I thought was pretty admirable.
If you are looking for a cute college romance that is entirely clean, you should check this one out.
Want to read
February 24, 2024Just finished
, and I can't wait to read another book in that universe, especially one that explores Viet's and Evie's characters, which made me so curious in APLS!
January 9, 2025
there were so many great parts of this book, however they were all so underdeveloped. i didn't believe the romance when it finally started and the other plots fizzled out at the end without any concrete conclusions
Want to read
July 19, 2021This is going to be awesome!!
Want to read
March 5, 2022NO WAY THIS EXISTS?? OR WILL EXIST?? PLEASE I NEED THIS!!!
March 21, 2025
Solving for the Unknown is told from the dual perspectives of Việt and Evie, both of who were also in A Pho Love Story. Although connected through Evie’s little sister Linh, it was a chance meeting at the college they both attended that became their meet-cute. The story was as much about friendship as it was about romance, with Evie drawing Việt into her circle of friends. Those friends formed a found family for all involved, which was beautiful and supportive and everything anyone could want in a friend group. They were truly there for each other in all the important ways.
The author didn’t shy away from difficult topics, either. Việt’s own family dynamic was difficult, affecting his mental health in ways he didn’t really understand at first. It was his friends� support that helped open his eyes, that helped him find his way through it. His pain and suffering were palpable and heart-wrenching, but still surrounded by hope. And the author explored the difficulty of expectations, both cultural and familial. As an only child and eldest sister, these expectations weighed heavily in the people that Việt and Evie became, in how they approached the world. But while they used it in positive ways, there was a character whose own familial and cultural expectations manifested in ways that were far last positive.
The only downside I could possibly have with this book is the same as with A Pho Love Story. There is a fair bit of Vietnamese in the book, some of which is not always explained very clearly. I’m lucky that I speak enough of the language to be able to understand the majority of it, but it could be difficult for someone who does not speak it. However, I didn’t find any of it to be of such significance as to leave understanding of what was happening lacking.
The author didn’t shy away from difficult topics, either. Việt’s own family dynamic was difficult, affecting his mental health in ways he didn’t really understand at first. It was his friends� support that helped open his eyes, that helped him find his way through it. His pain and suffering were palpable and heart-wrenching, but still surrounded by hope. And the author explored the difficulty of expectations, both cultural and familial. As an only child and eldest sister, these expectations weighed heavily in the people that Việt and Evie became, in how they approached the world. But while they used it in positive ways, there was a character whose own familial and cultural expectations manifested in ways that were far last positive.
The only downside I could possibly have with this book is the same as with A Pho Love Story. There is a fair bit of Vietnamese in the book, some of which is not always explained very clearly. I’m lucky that I speak enough of the language to be able to understand the majority of it, but it could be difficult for someone who does not speak it. However, I didn’t find any of it to be of such significance as to leave understanding of what was happening lacking.
February 22, 2025
Wow. I enjoyed this sweet New Adult treat more than I thought I would.
Solve for the Unknown is a companion novel to the YA hit “A Pho Love Story� and I think I enjoyed it even more. The 3rd person POV story follows a bunch of characters but focuses on the very slow burn of Viet and Evie during their time at UC Davis.
I appreciated that the author continues in the universe but enters the college real and allows the reader to grow with them. Along rhetorical was you get to “stay in contact� with Bao and Linh as they enrich the lives of Viet and Evie.
What I like the most is learning about Vietnamese culture, families and food in an endearing way. I loved the sub plot of the forensic science competition bit wished it had a bit
More to it and a better resolution. The biggest challenges in the book is that there are so many sub plots that many get
lost and peter out where the reader doesn’t get a resolution to them.
However, I love the romance as it is age appropriate and sweet ending in an HEA on true romance book fashion.
I am thankful to have gotten an eARC for free from Simon and Schuster Children's Publishing through NetGalley to read which gave me the opportunity to voluntarily leave a review.
If you loved A Pho Love story you’re sure to love this sweet but chock full of real life, culture and romance. It’s on sale March 5th 2025 so get it on your TBR!
My rating system since GoodReads doesn’t have partial stars and I rarely round up.
⭐️ Hated it
⭐️⭐️ Had a lot of trouble, prose issues, really not my cup of tea (potentially DNF’d or thought about it)
⭐️⭐️⭐️ Meh, it was an ok read but nothing special
⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️ Really enjoyed it! Would recommend to others
⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️ Outstanding! Will circle back and read again
Solve for the Unknown is a companion novel to the YA hit “A Pho Love Story� and I think I enjoyed it even more. The 3rd person POV story follows a bunch of characters but focuses on the very slow burn of Viet and Evie during their time at UC Davis.
I appreciated that the author continues in the universe but enters the college real and allows the reader to grow with them. Along rhetorical was you get to “stay in contact� with Bao and Linh as they enrich the lives of Viet and Evie.
What I like the most is learning about Vietnamese culture, families and food in an endearing way. I loved the sub plot of the forensic science competition bit wished it had a bit
More to it and a better resolution. The biggest challenges in the book is that there are so many sub plots that many get
lost and peter out where the reader doesn’t get a resolution to them.
However, I love the romance as it is age appropriate and sweet ending in an HEA on true romance book fashion.
I am thankful to have gotten an eARC for free from Simon and Schuster Children's Publishing through NetGalley to read which gave me the opportunity to voluntarily leave a review.
If you loved A Pho Love story you’re sure to love this sweet but chock full of real life, culture and romance. It’s on sale March 5th 2025 so get it on your TBR!
My rating system since GoodReads doesn’t have partial stars and I rarely round up.
⭐️ Hated it
⭐️⭐️ Had a lot of trouble, prose issues, really not my cup of tea (potentially DNF’d or thought about it)
⭐️⭐️⭐️ Meh, it was an ok read but nothing special
⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️ Really enjoyed it! Would recommend to others
⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️ Outstanding! Will circle back and read again
February 25, 2025
Language: R (47 swears, 2 “f�); Mature Content: PG13; Violence: PG
Coming in as a first-year in college, Việt (18yo) is worried about making friends and about leaving his parents in the house alone without him as a buffer. After a rocky encounter with his roommate’s friends, Việt changes his mind about accepting a party invitation. He might not remember most of the night, but Việt is grateful for the people he meets in the morning, especially Evie—third-year Evie who has a jerk boyfriend.
Việt struggles with depression, and Evie struggles with self-worth. Even with their support system of loving friends and family, their problems are not slain with a one-time defeat. These characters have to figure out how to not get discouraged when their trials resurface and how to be comfortable sharing the burden by accepting help. Not all problems go away, but they can become smaller. While this is the companion to a previous book by Le, Việt and Evie’s story can stand alone.
Việt, Evie, and their families are Vietnamese American. The majority of active characters in the story are Asian, and the majority of supporting cast characters are implied White. The mature content rating is for kissing and for alcohol use, including underage drinking. The violence rating is for mentions of blood and murder in fake crime scenes.
Reviewed for
Coming in as a first-year in college, Việt (18yo) is worried about making friends and about leaving his parents in the house alone without him as a buffer. After a rocky encounter with his roommate’s friends, Việt changes his mind about accepting a party invitation. He might not remember most of the night, but Việt is grateful for the people he meets in the morning, especially Evie—third-year Evie who has a jerk boyfriend.
Việt struggles with depression, and Evie struggles with self-worth. Even with their support system of loving friends and family, their problems are not slain with a one-time defeat. These characters have to figure out how to not get discouraged when their trials resurface and how to be comfortable sharing the burden by accepting help. Not all problems go away, but they can become smaller. While this is the companion to a previous book by Le, Việt and Evie’s story can stand alone.
Việt, Evie, and their families are Vietnamese American. The majority of active characters in the story are Asian, and the majority of supporting cast characters are implied White. The mature content rating is for kissing and for alcohol use, including underage drinking. The violence rating is for mentions of blood and murder in fake crime scenes.
Reviewed for
April 23, 2025
Solving for the Unknown by Loan Le is a heartfelt YA contemporary that focuses more on catching feelings than full-blown romance. It follows Viet and Evie—two high-achieving teens brought together by a STEM competition but bonded by deeper, more personal struggles. The audiobook, narrated by David Lee Huynh and Vyvy Nguyen, adds a lot of emotional texture and authenticity to their dual POVs.
The narration is a real strength here. Huynh brings a quiet intensity to Viet, whose anxiety and grief are portrayed with care. Nguyen voices Evie with clarity and compassion, capturing her drive, pressure to succeed, and the weight of balancing family expectations. Together, the narrators make the story feel incredibly grounded and human.
What stood out to me most wasn’t the romance—which stays light—but the exploration of mental health, the pressure of perfection, and the complexity of being a second-gen Asian American teen. The cultural context is handled thoughtfully, and the audiobook really enhances those emotional beats.
If you’re looking for a YA story with strong character development, thoughtful representation, and a gentle emotional arc, this is one worth listening to.
Thank you Simon & Schuester for the gifted ALC
The narration is a real strength here. Huynh brings a quiet intensity to Viet, whose anxiety and grief are portrayed with care. Nguyen voices Evie with clarity and compassion, capturing her drive, pressure to succeed, and the weight of balancing family expectations. Together, the narrators make the story feel incredibly grounded and human.
What stood out to me most wasn’t the romance—which stays light—but the exploration of mental health, the pressure of perfection, and the complexity of being a second-gen Asian American teen. The cultural context is handled thoughtfully, and the audiobook really enhances those emotional beats.
If you’re looking for a YA story with strong character development, thoughtful representation, and a gentle emotional arc, this is one worth listening to.
Thank you Simon & Schuester for the gifted ALC
March 20, 2025
I’m a huge fan of romance set on a college campus. 𝐒𝐨𝐥𝐯𝐢𝐧𝐠 𝐟𝐨𝐫 𝐭𝐡𝐞 𝐔𝐧𝐤𝐧𝐨𝐰𝐧 is a warm and delightful, slow-burn friends-to-lovers romance, that offers so much more.
I loved both Viet and Evie’s personalities. Viet, with his sweet and quirky nature and obsession with forensic science, also struggles with depression. Evie, majoring in biology (which is near and dear to my heart), is slowly realizing that her ‘perfect-for-her-boyfriend' is not what 𝘩𝘦𝘳 heart wants. Their relatable struggles and kind and supportive relationship make them a great couple. It was heartwarming to see their relationship blossom.
The author skillfully weaves a narrative that is both light and serious. The realities of navigating college life, family expectations, and dealing with depression and loneliness are depicted with sensitivity, making the story well-rounded and engaging without being overly heavy.
🎧 I’m so thankful I was able to listen to this audiobook production. Narrators David Lee Huynh and Vyvy Nguyen brought these characters to life for me.
Thank you @SimonTeen for the gifted ebook via #netgalley. Thank you @simon.audio and @librofm for the gifted audiobook.
April 6, 2025
I love how many authors are writing clean college romance now! (As a college freshman, I appreciate it!) Reading about 16 year olds dating is starting to freak me out. (Like honey, you are just learning how to drive. WHY are you dating someone??? Someone please call CPS)
I liked this, I didn't love it. I liked the mental health side that was shown and the nuance of college relationships and friendships. (At one point, I was a little nostalgic for college, as I read this book in my college dorm room lol)
I didn't feel like the main characters had a ton of chemistry but I guess that's okay. Their separate stories were interesting. One thing that these stories never focus on is classes. Like, all I do is eat and go to class. There was plenty of focus on eating but nothing on class, which was shocking. It's my whole life, dude. I also loved the focus on running, as it is also a part of my life here on campus (usually (*cries in calf injury*))
Maybe I should go back and read the cooking one? I dnf'ed it but this was okay, so I might give it another shot.
I liked this, I didn't love it. I liked the mental health side that was shown and the nuance of college relationships and friendships. (At one point, I was a little nostalgic for college, as I read this book in my college dorm room lol)
I didn't feel like the main characters had a ton of chemistry but I guess that's okay. Their separate stories were interesting. One thing that these stories never focus on is classes. Like, all I do is eat and go to class. There was plenty of focus on eating but nothing on class, which was shocking. It's my whole life, dude. I also loved the focus on running, as it is also a part of my life here on campus (usually (*cries in calf injury*))
Maybe I should go back and read the cooking one? I dnf'ed it but this was okay, so I might give it another shot.
April 23, 2025
OK, I hate writing a one-star review, but this book was so entirely dull. I really genuinely hate writing bad reviews. The scenarios introduced were solid. I really wanted to read something about first-year college kids to get excited for next year. This was not it. Instead, this book was very, very slow. The plot was way too drawn out, and I kept hoping it would get better. For example, it had interesting issues like how to handle divorce, how to handle conflict with foreign parents, how to deal with depression, and find friends. It had really good potential. Unfortunately, the storyline was choppy. I kept hoping it was going to get better. It didn't. Instead, the author would write about something like a conversation or an event that occurred. Then it would be rehashed over and over again. It was a bit repetitive and dull, and kinda weird. Why is a first-year getting with a third year that's like his best friend's sister? He barely talks about his best friend and her reaction to this. It's a bit weird.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
March 4, 2025
A lighthearted college romance with realistic angst that fit well with the plot. This was an enjoyable read, it had an amazing friend group, realistic depression rep, and good character development.
The romance is so nicely done in such a short amount of time, a friendship developing before anything else was really sweet. I had such a good time reading this, it was the perfect rom-com vibe that I needed.
(Note: I received this copy from the publisher via NetGalley in exchange for an honest review. Thank you to the publisher for the opportunity!)
Read For
� Rom-Com
� Found Family
� Friends to Lovers
� Good Depression Rep
� Wholesome Friendships
⚠️ Content Warning
Moderate: Mental illness
𓍊𓋼𓍊𓋼𓍊𓋼𓍊𓋼𓍊𓋼𓍊𓋼𓍊𓋼𓍊𓋼𓍊𓋼𓍊𓋼𓍊𓋼𓍊
Spice Level: n/a
Sad Level: 💧
Plot: 8/10
Pace: 8/10
Ending: 9/10
Characters: 9/10
Enjoyability: 9/10
Writing Style: 9/10
Would I Recommend? Yes
Favorite Character: վê
Favorite Quote: �"Don't give me shit like 'Boys aren't supposed to cry,’� Evie warned him. "No, I'm just worried my mascara's going to run," he attempted to joke.�
POV: Duel, Third Person
Pages: 333
Format: eBook
Language: English
Release Date: 04, March 2025
Rep/Extras: Vietnamese characters, LGBTQIA+ side characters, Depression Rep
March 2, 2025
4.75 stars rounded up
This was such a lovely, sweet college romance between characters that were previously seen in A Pho Love Story. I absolutely loved the treatment of mental health in this book and the amazing found family of friends. Tate, Kale, and Lis are incredible to the main characters. Really, my only complaint was that the writing style could be a bit jarring at times, referring to people as "his/her friend" instead of by name. The family dynamics were on point and the pressure of being the oldest/only child was so well depicted.
While the protagonists are college age, there is no spice in this book beyond kissing, and it doesn't need it. I loved the way their relationship developed from friends to more.
Thank you to NetGalley and publisher for the opportunity to read and review.
This was such a lovely, sweet college romance between characters that were previously seen in A Pho Love Story. I absolutely loved the treatment of mental health in this book and the amazing found family of friends. Tate, Kale, and Lis are incredible to the main characters. Really, my only complaint was that the writing style could be a bit jarring at times, referring to people as "his/her friend" instead of by name. The family dynamics were on point and the pressure of being the oldest/only child was so well depicted.
While the protagonists are college age, there is no spice in this book beyond kissing, and it doesn't need it. I loved the way their relationship developed from friends to more.
Thank you to NetGalley and publisher for the opportunity to read and review.
February 22, 2025
Thank you to Netgalley for the free arc!
This book was different than I expected. When I picked it up, I was expecting a sweet light-heartedness romance between two Vietnamese college students. Told in alternating narratives between Evie and Viet, the story unfolds slowly. Both storylines reveal personal struggles for each character. For Evie, it is a relationship in which her boyfriend does not treat her well and she wrestles with how and if to stay with him. For Viet, he battles what turns out to be depression. Throughout the novel, the characters develop the same friend group as well as their own individual friendship. The ending of the story is very predictable and when it finally happens, it does not feel too believable.
This book was different than I expected. When I picked it up, I was expecting a sweet light-heartedness romance between two Vietnamese college students. Told in alternating narratives between Evie and Viet, the story unfolds slowly. Both storylines reveal personal struggles for each character. For Evie, it is a relationship in which her boyfriend does not treat her well and she wrestles with how and if to stay with him. For Viet, he battles what turns out to be depression. Throughout the novel, the characters develop the same friend group as well as their own individual friendship. The ending of the story is very predictable and when it finally happens, it does not feel too believable.
March 28, 2025
OMG, the cover for this book is so cute. I'm not sure why, but the style of the art is really stinking cute to me.
The characters were overall easy to relate to and understand age events they are going through. The only thing I struggled with was the Vietnamese language. From what I saw, there was no translation when a character was speaking Vietnamese, which made it harder for me to understand sometimes what was going on. Overall, the relationship aspect of the book was non-existent. I mean, we do read about the characters holding hands and kissing a little bit, but nothing descriptive.
Very good for teenagers and young adults to read!!
The characters were overall easy to relate to and understand age events they are going through. The only thing I struggled with was the Vietnamese language. From what I saw, there was no translation when a character was speaking Vietnamese, which made it harder for me to understand sometimes what was going on. Overall, the relationship aspect of the book was non-existent. I mean, we do read about the characters holding hands and kissing a little bit, but nothing descriptive.
Very good for teenagers and young adults to read!!
April 9, 2025
4.5 out of 5 stars
Thank you to SimonTeen for a copy of this ebook in exchange for my honest review.
I really enjoyed this book. I have been on a YA kick recently and this one was no different. I LOVED the mental health representation in this book. As someone who suffers from depression, it was explained and expressed perfectly by Viet. I loved reading about the family dynamics and the college friendships. I appreciated the portrayal of college relationships and how they translated. Viet and Evie's personalities mixed so well and I thought it was so cute!
I had not read Pho Love Story before this book and now it is going towards the top of my list.
Thank you to SimonTeen for a copy of this ebook in exchange for my honest review.
I really enjoyed this book. I have been on a YA kick recently and this one was no different. I LOVED the mental health representation in this book. As someone who suffers from depression, it was explained and expressed perfectly by Viet. I loved reading about the family dynamics and the college friendships. I appreciated the portrayal of college relationships and how they translated. Viet and Evie's personalities mixed so well and I thought it was so cute!
I had not read Pho Love Story before this book and now it is going towards the top of my list.
April 14, 2025
I thought this was pretty cute. I liked the characters and the friends to lovers concept. It had some really good moments but also moments where something was missing but I couldn’t pin point what it was. I also wish that I had read a pho love story before this one. Though it wasn’t necessarily. This one was cute enough to make me add it to my tbr though! So overall an enjoyable read but was missing something that I can’t pin point.
Audiobook specific: I was a huge fan of the narration. It was a bit slow for me but after speeding it up a bit, it got better.
Thank you to simon teen for the gifted copy. All thoughts are my own.
Audiobook specific: I was a huge fan of the narration. It was a bit slow for me but after speeding it up a bit, it got better.
Thank you to simon teen for the gifted copy. All thoughts are my own.
Want to read
January 2, 2023Oh wow, I just finished the first book and even tho the ending was meh, I hoped for a book for the side characters and then I find this! Totally reading it. Tho Viet and EVIE? okay lol, I hoped it'd be about home and Ali, not necessarily romantically but I feel their relation ship was kind of teased, like when Viet said they were talking, his parents bad relation ship and Linh mentioning Ali' parents went thro a divorce. These were all one lines mentioned but I thought that's how they're gonna connect but don't mind me cause now boy's about to get with his best friend's older sister 😭
March 4, 2025
This cute collage ‘friends to loves� romance will have you giggling and kicking your feet in glee! While being an awesome rom-com book it has a lot to make it feel unique. There is a great friend group that really highlights ‘found family�. The author also touches on some more serious topics like divorce and mental health I.e depression. While being a rom-com I feel the author touched on these subjects really well without making them too heavy.
I really enjoyed this book thank you Simon teen
I really enjoyed this book thank you Simon teen
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