I love a Jackie Lau novel that gets into the conflict between family expectations and living an authentic life. Lau has given Yvonne and Leo rich interior lives that they slowly reveal to one another. Yvonne is finding out who she is when she isn’t being the good girl. Leo doesn’t share much of himself, but he will for Yvonne.
At the end of Four Weddings to Fall in Love, Kim sees Max’s mom, Lynne, help Yvonne flee her wedding. Lynne’s kindness and practical support help Kim overcome her fears about committing to Max. When Yvonne flees, she runs into Leo Mok, who is arriving late. He drives her away and spends a surreal afternoon with the woman he has been secretly in love with. Leo knows that he still can’t make a move on her because she is just out of a relationship with his cousin. But he offers to take care of her beloved snake plant, Francine, goes out to brunch with her, and agrees to be her sex friend, as long as they follow his rules which will surely prevent their sex from becoming complicated.
Yvonne has a big journey of self-discovery. She has always been the good girl who follows expectations. Her biggest act of rebellion before becoming a runaway bride was loving her houseplants enough to give them names. As she grapples with being a disappointment for the first time, she’s able to center her own wants. One of those wants is Leo. She learns that she was wrong about herself in her sexcapades with Leo, and it opens up her path to figuring out who she really is.
Leo is quiet, almost subterranean. He doesn’t reveal much about what he’s thinking or feeling. His emotional arc is quieter than Yvonne’s, but no less satisfying. The stoic guy who doesn’t talk much and works out a lot starts to let out the whimsical artist parts.
As always when reading a Jackie Lau book, I am fantasizing about a gastronomic tour of Toronto.
I received this as an advance reader copy from the author. My opinions are my own, freely and honestly given.