Going into a Roselle Lim book, I know to expect food, family and a dash of magical realism. But what I wasn’t quite expecting this time was Sophie Go’s quiet melancholy. A not-quite-accredited matchmaker, Sophie is back in Toronto looking to get her business off the ground while she completes her last steps to certification. In the process she hooks the older gents in her building as clients.
The joy in this story is in Sophie’s developing relationships with the Old Ducks, as she calls her clients. Some are old softies, some are the cranky uncles a lot of us know and love. And slowly but surely, they all become a little family. Each duck has a codename by their defining characteristic — Mr. Regret, Mr. Porcupine, Mr. Durian (lol), etc. so it has a little bit of a Snow White feel.
But even as Sophie is doing good work matching her clients, her relationship with her parents is a disaster. Sophie is hamstrung by filial piety and the desire to be “a good daughter.” It’s a dynamic that’s sure to hit home for a lot of readers. You’ll either identify with Sophie’s situation or want to tell her mother off, or both. And Sophie’s dad is no better, as he’s an enabler who just tries to keep the peace.
One of the real delights in the story is its showcase of Asian snacks and candies. But even more than just underlining Asian culture in this story, they’re almost a coping mechanism for Sophie. They’re kind of an offset for the sour parts of her life. Still, the book made me rush out to my local Asian market to grab all the snacks!
Ultimately, this is a lovely food-filled story about courage, love, and found family. Worth a read.
CW: suicide of a past client, narcissistic /abusive parent
Roselle is doing a virtual event August 16 at 5 p.m. Pacific with Suzanne Park on The RIpped Bodice Facebook page.
Get Sophie Go’s Lonely Hearts Club from The Ripped Bodice | Bookshop.org | IndieBound | Amazon | Apple Books
Check out my reviews of Roselle Lim’s previous two books: