Lunar New Year Love Story: A YA Graphic Novel about Fate, Family and Falling in Love | 
pickWell deserving of the 2025 Eisner Award for Best Graphic Album, Best Publication for Teens, and Best Writer for Yang. Valentina believes her family is cursed in love, so the spirit of St. Valentine gives her one year to find true love, or he will free her of the burden of ever falling in love. In that year, she learns the truth of her family and joins a team of lion dancers. Predictable ending, but a great journey to it.
pickReally well done. The art was beautiful and colorful. The story was sophisticated. About high school age characters but had a grown-up feel to it. The paternal grandma was very funny. Jae‘s uncle was funny, too. I predicted Jae would be the one she ended up with. Although the hate-to-love trope gets annoying. Lots of aha moments. Lovely ending.
pickLunar New Year Love Story, by Gene Luen Yang (illustrated byLeUyen Pham) (2024)
Premise: A Vietnamese-American teenager is pulled in many directions after she learns of a family curse that means they are all destined to fail at love.
Review: This was a bit of a mixed bag for me, largely because there were a few too many things stuffed in this particular bag for my liking. Cont.
Happy Lunar New Year to all that celebrate
pickFirst read of the year. First five star of 2025. This is a beautiful story of discovering love in different spaces: family, friendship, and romance. The past of others does not write someone else's future.
A big thank you to @MeganAnn for great the #auldlangspine recommendation!
@monalyisha
pickEvery bit as good as expected. Val believes her family is cursed—no one ever has any luck with love, something particularly devastating for someone who loves Valentine‘s Day…until she doesn‘t. Is she really fated to never find true love? She wonders & it‘s a question that comes into sharper focus when she meets a pair of cute lion dancers. Family secrets, friendship, falling into love (maybe?!?) combine in a wonderful story. An entertaining read.
Yang‘s stories never disappoint so I‘m anticipating a good read. 🤞
pickThis is an absolutely delightful young adult graphic novel, both the artwork and the story! I loved being immersed in the Asian culture and though I don‘t normally enjoy romance, I found this to be a believable and heartfelt love story. All about Valentine‘s Day, family, abandonment, but also showing up, lion dancing, second chances, friends, Rome and more! I was charmed. For Heartstopper fans.
so-soI must not be in a graphic novel mood lately. 🤷🏻♀️ This story was fine but it just didn‘t grab me that much. It might be me and not the book, though. I think I‘ll try some non GNs for my next few reads.
pickBook 15 of 2024! I was sad when this YA graphic novel was over. So good! ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️
An intriguing, slightly mystical young adult romance. I loved how it incorporated elements from different cultures and mythologies into its theme, and that the art is really important to the story, not just illustrating the words. It would make a fantastic animated movie.
#BlameItOnLitsy
@Faranae I'm tempted to use this for URC “fine art on the cover“ 'cause it's so gorgeous or should I go more conventional?
pickValentine‘s Day used to be Valentina‘s favorite holiday—but not anymore. She believes her family is cursed to be unlucky in love. But when she meets a cute lion dancer on Lunar New Year, she embarks on a reluctant journey, hoping that maybe—just maybe—she can break that curse. This didn‘t have the complexity I loved in American Born Chinese, but as a love story, it still took some unexpected turns! Great characters, & I loved the artwork as well.
pickSuch a great graphic novel! The story took a lot of twists and turns, the characters were funny and heartwarming, and the art was INCREDIBLE. I got this around Lunar New Year, and I was a little late in finishing it, but so worth it. Would definitely recommend!
pickBest graphic novel I have read in ages!!! A YA love story at its core, but its so much more. It tackles the decisions we make as parents, which we think are in our childrens best interests, butsometimes they are not. It also showcases Korean culture and lion dancing. This story has an amazing cast of characters (some of whom made me laugh out loud). The illustrations are beautiful.
This young adult graphic novel romance is absolutely gorgeous. Top graphic novel read of the year so far.
It weaves together young love, insecurity, Valentine's Day, Catholic history, family abandonment, cross-cultural and immigrant issues, with a touch of ghostiness and/or magical realism. The main characters are teenage lion dancers and the art is delightful.
Paused my TOG for tonight to read this cute comic (manga?) Lunar New Year Love Story! It‘s actually must darker than I thought it was going to be but I‘m invested ❤️
pickI‘ve been looking forward to this one, and it‘s finally out! A beautiful story and a great collaboration. I adore Gene Luen Yang‘s work, but I think this is my first LeUyen Pham. (I should read Real Friends next!) Bought this as a gift, but read it before giving it. (That way I can discuss it with the giftee! 😉)
pickI adored this book. Full of heart and wonderful characters. Also a lot of cultural details that only added to the magic of this graphic novel. Highly recommend this one.
pickBeautifully written, gorgeous art, I was surprised by how much I enjoyed everything about the book. The story is one that made me tear up, laugh out loud, and smile throughout. It was more than just a love story. It was about family and grief, as well. Truly, it might be the best graphic novel I have had the pleasure of reading. I'm definitely adding it to my favorites shelf.
