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andra_mihaela_s's review against another edition
Unfortunately, after listening about 40% of this book, I decided to quit wasting my time on a book I clearly did not enjoy.(the specific scene: When Meddy and her aunties finally arrive at the wedding venue)
This novel doesn't know what it wants to be...the tagline is cosy mystery but half the story is about Meddy's past with her ex-boyfriend when she desperately "loves" him but cannot bring herself to introduce him to her aunties due to a fear of a family course...well...let me tell you: for me this type of heroine isn't great...far from it actually.
I understand she needs to be easily influenced and guided by people so that her aunts can be such a force in her life, but the whole drama of "I love you but I cannot be with you because reasons while I keep you in the dark about everything " doesn't work for me... :(
The 2nd thing I didn't enjoy, was the whole thing with the murder...well,...we have a ridiculous motif as to why Meddy ended up with this guy dead, but transforming that "funny situation" in an attack so fast..well...not my cup of tea either.
Don't get me wrong, the aunties were amazing and I really wanted a plot in which they did this type of thing before to protect themselves or something (a wasted opportunity in my opinion) but they aren't enough to keep me reading :(
hope this review is helpful to someone in deciding if they should continue reading this book or not.
This novel doesn't know what it wants to be...the tagline is cosy mystery but half the story is about Meddy's past with her ex-boyfriend when she desperately "loves" him but cannot bring herself to introduce him to her aunties due to a fear of a family course...well...let me tell you: for me this type of heroine isn't great...far from it actually.
I understand she needs to be easily influenced and guided by people so that her aunts can be such a force in her life, but the whole drama of "I love you but I cannot be with you because reasons while I keep you in the dark about everything " doesn't work for me... :(
The 2nd thing I didn't enjoy, was the whole thing with the murder...well,...we have a ridiculous motif as to why Meddy ended up with this guy dead, but transforming that "funny situation" in an attack so fast..well...not my cup of tea either.
Don't get me wrong, the aunties were amazing and I really wanted a plot in which they did this type of thing before to protect themselves or something (a wasted opportunity in my opinion) but they aren't enough to keep me reading :(
hope this review is helpful to someone in deciding if they should continue reading this book or not.
Content Warnings
Moderate: Murder and Sexual assault
brookey8888's review against another edition
dark
funny
informative
lighthearted
mysterious
relaxing
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.0
I’m so glad I enjoyed this! I do have to say the start of this was rough for me because I didn’t know where this was going and I didn’t like the flashbacks, but once we got into the plot, it really picked up and the Auntie’s were just so funny and the best part of this book. This made me laugh so much it’s really enjoyable, but it’s just a slower start.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Murder, Death, Racism, Sexual assault, and Sexual harassment
fromthefoxhole's review against another edition
adventurous
emotional
funny
lighthearted
mysterious
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
5.0
Oh my god, I don't even know where to start with this BOOK. I was constantly wiping my eyes, either from laughing so hard or from tearing up from the outpouring of love between the aunties and Meddy.
I love that this book is romantic and swoony as the b plot, that the familial love and hilarity takes center stage. It gives so much more breathing room to the romance, and really highlights how life changing it can be to grow up and realize that yes, your family can drive you mad, but oftentimes it's out of love and hope. If I'm being honest, the aunties stole the show for me, even though they're technically secondary characters.
Something about Sutanto's writing made their personalities so vivid, by the end of the book I feel like I could pop into any of their homes for a quick cup of tea or bite to eat.
This is my favorite book I've read so far this year, and easily leapt to my top ten I've read ever. *insert that lady Gaga gif where she's listing accolades*
I love that this book is romantic and swoony as the b plot, that the familial love and hilarity takes center stage. It gives so much more breathing room to the romance, and really highlights how life changing it can be to grow up and realize that yes, your family can drive you mad, but oftentimes it's out of love and hope. If I'm being honest, the aunties stole the show for me, even though they're technically secondary characters.
Something about Sutanto's writing made their personalities so vivid, by the end of the book I feel like I could pop into any of their homes for a quick cup of tea or bite to eat.
This is my favorite book I've read so far this year, and easily leapt to my top ten I've read ever. *insert that lady Gaga gif where she's listing accolades*
Content Warnings
Graphic: Murder and Death
Moderate: Drug use, Alcohol, and Cursing
Minor: Sexual content, Racism, Sexual assault, Toxic friendship, Vomit, and Death of parent
jpitts's review against another edition
funny
lighthearted
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.0
This was just a fun time! Pretty much exactly what I was expecting, but with some great characters and hilariously absurd situations to push it over the top. If you like wild family murder-hiding shenanigans, wedding hijinks and a sweet side-romance, pick it up.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Murder and Death
Moderate: Sexual assault, Drug use, and Alcohol
marissasa's review against another edition
funny
lighthearted
tense
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
5.0
This book is so wacky, wild, unserious, hilarious, and camp. I was gagged by how incredibly entertaining and ridiculous it was. I loved the main characters and felt that Meddy and the aunties were written well, striking that balance between the fierce, unconditional love and support of family and the inexplainable thoughts and baffling actions they all had. Every situation Meddy went through was crazy, but it felt like at the end of each couple chapters a new, even crazier development would occur and the entire situation would escalate tenfold, making me need to read on and find out what was going to happen. I loved the ridiculous twists and crimes committed and how things just kept piling higher and higher, and that despite going through everything from hiding a dead body to confronting her mom about the immense pressure and guilt she felt from her family's expectations, Meddy powered through to the end and found the resolve within herself to stand up and face all her problems head on. I cannot wait for this book to get adapted into a movie!
Content Warnings
Graphic: Alcohol, Sexual content, Cursing, Blood, Car accident, Racism, Death, Murder, and Sexual assault
hdoomk's review against another edition
adventurous
funny
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? No
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
2.5
Content Warnings
Graphic: Murder
Moderate: Vomit and Car accident
Minor: Sexual content, Death, and Sexual assault
ashwaar's review against another edition
adventurous
funny
lighthearted
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
3.5
Dial A for Aunties is a book with about a family trying to hide a dead body whilst they cater an extravagant wedding on an island in California. It’s an incredibly silly, unrealistic storyline but its also pretty entertaining and funny. You just have to suspend your beliefs about how people realistically act when confronted with a murder and go with it because otherwise you’ll end up questioning everything that happens.
The main character, Meddy, runs a wedding business with her mum and three aunts, and after she accidentally kills her blind date, she enlists her family to help her hide the body. But they’re also busy helping at the biggest wedding of the season, at a luxury hotel that Meddy soon realises is managed by her ex-boyfriend, Nathan, who she hasn’t seen in four years.
Meddy and her family are pretty funny, and the writing is fairly sharp. However, other side characters are literal cartoon people and by this I mean both that they act so goofy they’re unrealistic, but also they’re very undeveloped, making them seem basically 2D. Our romantic lead, Nathan, is somehow the most unrealistic out of all of these because he’s a a fantasy man, has zero flaws and is incredibly understanding that his ex has killed a man.
The story is funny and sweet but also incredibly stressful and chaotic. It gives you whiplash with the juxtaposition of the scenes, with Meddy going from trying to hide the body, to making out with Nathan, to crying over family feuds. It does feel like too much is being crammed in at some points, but I loved the scenes of the family and their dynamic together, especially how keen they are to help Meddy. Overall its a bit silly, but it's easy to read and its a lot of fun. I finished it in about two days and I think its very well suited for a younger audience.
The main character, Meddy, runs a wedding business with her mum and three aunts, and after she accidentally kills her blind date, she enlists her family to help her hide the body. But they’re also busy helping at the biggest wedding of the season, at a luxury hotel that Meddy soon realises is managed by her ex-boyfriend, Nathan, who she hasn’t seen in four years.
Meddy and her family are pretty funny, and the writing is fairly sharp. However, other side characters are literal cartoon people and by this I mean both that they act so goofy they’re unrealistic, but also they’re very undeveloped, making them seem basically 2D. Our romantic lead, Nathan, is somehow the most unrealistic out of all of these because he’s a a fantasy man, has zero flaws and is incredibly understanding that his ex has killed a man.
The story is funny and sweet but also incredibly stressful and chaotic. It gives you whiplash with the juxtaposition of the scenes, with Meddy going from trying to hide the body, to making out with Nathan, to crying over family feuds. It does feel like too much is being crammed in at some points, but I loved the scenes of the family and their dynamic together, especially how keen they are to help Meddy. Overall its a bit silly, but it's easy to read and its a lot of fun. I finished it in about two days and I think its very well suited for a younger audience.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Car accident, Sexual assault, Murder, and Death
stories_by_sharanja's review against another edition
dark
funny
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.0
To anyone who would like to read "Dial A for Aunties", I say you should be ready to suspend all of your beliefs. That's the only way you'll be able to get through Jesse Q. Sutanto's soap opera esque-story and numerous plot twists, with each one being more far fetched the last.
This is exactly my kind of light read. The readers are quickly drawn into mayhem surrounding the main cast of characters. The plot is also fast paced. I was not bored for one moment.
I also loved reading about the main character's Indo-Chinese family and their traditions. For the main character, family dynamics/relationshis plays a huge role in her life. To the extent that they influence many of her life decisions.
My only critique is that it takes Meddy too long to acknowledge the absurdity of her situation. The plot is pretty unbelievable from the start and it only snowballs from there.
"Dial A for Aunties" is a "light-hearted" dark-comedy. Great for anyone looking for a quick escape into the world of both impossible and implausible.
This is exactly my kind of light read. The readers are quickly drawn into mayhem surrounding the main cast of characters. The plot is also fast paced. I was not bored for one moment.
I also loved reading about the main character's Indo-Chinese family and their traditions. For the main character, family dynamics/relationshis plays a huge role in her life. To the extent that they influence many of her life decisions.
My only critique is that it takes Meddy too long to acknowledge the absurdity of her situation. The plot is pretty unbelievable from the start and it only snowballs from there.
"Dial A for Aunties" is a "light-hearted" dark-comedy. Great for anyone looking for a quick escape into the world of both impossible and implausible.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Murder, Sexual assault, and Alcohol
maya_thorburn's review against another edition
funny
lighthearted
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
4.75
Content Warnings
Graphic: Injury/Injury detail and Death
Moderate: Sexual assault, Alcohol, and Car accident
Minor: Body horror, Sexual content, and Gun violence
biblioghoul's review
funny
mysterious
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
4.5
Content Warnings
Graphic: Sexual assault, Murder, Car accident, and Death
Moderate: Alcohol and Drug use