Auntie Q's Golden Claws Nail Salon

by Van Hoang

A heartwarming and funny middle grade novel about family, resilience, and the power of second chances where one girl’s summer punishment turns into a mission to save her aunt’s struggling nail salon and bring her family together.

Twelve-year-old Domi Pham had the perfect summer lounging by the pool, making art with her best friend, and celebrating her escape from seventh grade. But one costly mistake puts her dream summer on hold. Instead, she finds herself deep in debt to her parents, and shipped off to New Mexico to work at her Auntie Q’s nail salon for the next three months.

At first, Domi is miserable—surrounded by nosy aunties, constant nail polish fumes, and endless work. But as she gets to know Auntie Q and the people in the salon, she starts to see their struggles and resilience in a new light. When she discovers that the salon is at risk of closing, Domi puts her creativity and determination to the test to help save it.

Genres: Middle Grade

272 pages, Hardcover

Expected publication April 21, 2026

About the author

Van Hoang's first name is pronounced like the van in minivan. Her last name is pronounced “hah-wawng.” She earned her bachelor’s in English at the University of New Mexico and her master’s in library information science at San Jose State University. She was born in Vietnam, grew in up Orange County, California, and now resides in Los Angeles with her husband, kid, and two dogs.

Reviews

[Jessica Milliner · Rating 4 out of 5]

This book is about Domi who wanted the perfect summer. Due to a mistake that she made she has to go to New Mexico to work at her Auntie Q’s Nail Salon. Domi has to work to pay her parents back. At first she didn’t like it. She gets to know her aunt and the others at the nail salon. The nail salon has some struggles and Domi has to find a way to get business back on track. This book is a good read.

[Luv2TrvlLuvBks · Rating 5 out of 5]

#AuntieQsGoldenClawsNailSalon #NetGalley

The brightly hued cover camouflages a story with depth. From the start, the author engrosses the reader in Domi's story. Her resentment against her parents is palatable. For (initially) an unknown reason, she is shipped off to an Auntie Q as a form of punishment for an unspeakable transgression.

The author skillfully reveals the origin story of this at exactly the right moment. That's just one reason to pick up this book. Other reasons include portraying the Vietnamese immigrant journey after the fall of Vietnam with sensitivity. She describes the harrowing experiences of the initial generation in this county and how it spills onto the next. She illuminates reasons how Vietnamese owned nail salons in the US are metaphorical vehicles for ambition, family, and dreams. Excellent read !!

This ARC was provided by the publisher, Macmillan Children's Publishing Group | Roaring Brook Press via NetGalley in exchange for an honest review.

[Misty · Rating 5 out of 5]

Auntie Q's Golden Claws Nail Salon sparkles with heart, and humor. Set in a nail salon that’s anything but ordinary, the story follows Domi to her aunt’s house for a summer of work to earn back money (and her parents trust) after a misunderstanding. Though Domi begins the summer searching for ways to go home early, she becomes increasingly fond of her aunt and the motely cast of characters at the salon. Auntie Q is a standout character: wise, quirky, and full of surprises. The salon is brought to life with vivid descriptions that make you wish you could book an appointment yourself. Themes of family, identity, and courage are woven seamlessly into the plot, making it both entertaining and meaningful. At the end of the story, not only has Domi been transformed, but so has her aunt, her mother, and the whole staff of the salon.