Love, Lies, and Cherry Pie by Jackie Lau

Love, Lies and Cherry Pie by Jackie Lau is a charming tale that earns a solid four stars in my book, though it leans more towards a 3.5. Since half-stars aren’t an option, I rounded up for the sheer delight of the Canadian content and the satisfying ending.

The first half of the book, narrated from Emily’s perspective, delves into the depths of millennial angst with a slightly exhausting fervor. As an author herself, Emily’s narrative often feels meta, inundating the reader with explanations about the publishing industry and the struggles of a single life in an expensive city. While some of this adds relatability and depth to Emily’s character arc, it occasionally bogs down the pacing and feels overly repetitive.

However, the second half of the book picks up the pace admirably, offering genuine relationship development between Emily and Mark, the male main character. I particularly enjoyed the exploration of family dynamics, which added layers to both protagonists and their respective journeys.

While Mark’s character could have been fleshed out more comprehensively, he still embodies the white knight dream boyfriend archetype. I do wish the author had included his point of view earlier in the story to provide a more balanced perspective.

What truly shines in this novel is the rich depiction of Toronto. Lau’s decision to anchor the story in Toronto, with all its quirks and charms, delighted me to no end. It’s refreshing to see Canadian authors embracing their roots rather than defaulting to American settings for broader appeal.

Overall, Love, Lies and Cherry Pie is a delightful read that I highly recommend, especially to fans of Bridget Jones, My Big Fat Greek Wedding, and Kim’s Convenience. And if you haven’t watched Kim’s Convenience yet, you’re missing out on a treat—Simu Liu’s charm knows no bounds, and he perfectly embodies the image of Mark in my mind’s eye.