Book Review: Lavash at First Sight | Taleen Voskuni

Sparks fly between two women pitted against each other in this delectable new romantic comedy by Taleen Voskuni, Lavash at First Sight.

What is Lavash at First Sight about?

Twenty-seven-year-old Nazeli “Ellie” Gregorian enjoys the prestige of her tech marketing job but is sick of the condescending Patagonia-clad tech bros, her micromanaging boss, and her ex-boyfriend, who she’s forced to work with every day. When Ellie’s lovingly overbearing parents ask her to attend PakCon—a food packaging conference in Chicago—to help promote their company and vie to win an ad slot in the Superbowl (no big deal), she’s eager for a brief change and a delicious distraction.

At the conference, she meets witty, devil-may-care Vanya Simonian. Ellie can’t believe how easy it is to talk to Vanya and how much they have in common—both Armenian! From the Bay Area! Whose families are into food! Their meet-cute is cut short, however, when Ellie’s parents recognize Vanya as the daughter of the owners of their greatest rival, whose mission (according to Ellie’s mother) is to whitewash and package Armenian food for the American health-food crowd.

Sworn as enemies, Ellie and Vanya must compete against each other under their suspicious parents’ scrutiny, all while their feelings for each other heat to sizzling temps. (synopsis from goodreads)

What did I think?

I’m a Chicago girlie so I’ll never turn down a book set in Chicago! It seems like a lot of the contemporary romance books set in Chicago have a food or culinary theme (or at least a heavy presence) and you know what? It’s accurate. We have amazing food here and overall it’s more affordable than other foodie cities like NYC or LA.

Taleen Voskuni made a splash last year with her first novel, Sorry, Bro. In her newest book, Voskuni brings another rom com centering around an Armenian American lead and a female-female relationship. I am loving this diversity! I venture to say hers are the only books I’ve read that predominantly feature Armenian characters and I’ve enjoyed learning more about their culture.

This book is all about family, belonging, culture, and of course, food (I do find food to be a common theme in books that celebrate different cultures, particularly middle eastern ones, and I love it!) The book centers around twenty-seven-year-old Nazeli, who works in marketing for a tech company alongside her ex-boyfriend. Nazeli’s parents ask her to attend a food packaging conference in Chicago and help promote their company.

At the conference, Nazeli meets our other leading lady, Vanya. Not only are both women Armenian (something that instantly bonds them), but Nazeli can’t help but feel an ease when she’s talking to Vanya that she’s not used to. Unfortunately when Nazeli’s parents find out that Vanya is the daughter of their rivals, the women are torn apart. Nazeli and Vanya are forced to compete against one another, but they can’t deny their attraction and chemistry. Can they find love and help their families?

Nazeli seems to have been a bit westernized in some ways, particularly working with the tech bros in Silicon Valley. Vanya in contrast is more confident and comfortable in her Armenian culture. Immediately this made me root for them to work, because it seems that Vanya could help Nazeli accept her heritage as an amazing part of her, and not one to push aside.

I enjoyed seeing Nazeli’s journey of self-acceptance, and how Vanya played a role in that. Their chemistry was strong and their relationship unfolds in a fun, easy way. There’s some tension, but it isn’t the driving force of the novel (at least in terms of the central couple). The tension comes more from the family pressures the women are dealing with. I found this book adorable and refreshingly light. Let their parents fight it out, these two women just want to fall in love!

In terms of romance tropes, this had a classic Romeo-and-Juliet style romance, featuring two Armenian women and their feuding families. Neither family was painted as the “bad guys” and the other as the “heroes”, and that made the story feel more authentic. I loved the ending and that it gave the reader a happily-ever-after (expected), and some other unexpected little twists.

Heartfelt and charming!

Thank you to Berkley Publishing for my copy. Opinions are my own.