Take a photo of a barcode or cover
3.79 AVERAGE
3.79 AVERAGE
Interested in hearing my full thoughts and review, be sure to check out my video here: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Lb_vrmaQGx0&t=25s
Jesse Q. Sutanto’s YA debut, Well, That was Unexpected, is a hilarious, heartfelt rom-com with a refreshing take on matchmaking, complete with embarrassing, yet well meaning, parents and a social media twist. Discovering where you fit in a family of any size can be difficult and Sutanto expertly illustrates a first-generation American experience and the multigenerational pressure of carrying forward a legacy without sacrificing a swoon-worthy romance set against the rich and beautiful background of Indonesia. Family is at the heart of this in this coming of age novel and the wonderfully textured relationships are handled with care, wit, and humor.
Disclaimer: I was given an advance copy of this novel in exchange for an honest review.
Disclaimer: I was given an advance copy of this novel in exchange for an honest review.
This had a much better flow than the author’s first book. I really enjoyed it!
emotional
funny
lighthearted
fast-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Character
Strong character development:
Yes
Loveable characters:
Yes
Diverse cast of characters:
Yes
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Complicated
Love this one! I'm new to this author but now I want to check out some of her other books! I laughed out loud, I shed a tear, I cringed a few times, it was a story told to illicit many emotions!
This was a really fun strangers-to-relationship, fake dating contemporary young adult romance set in Indonesia. I really appreciated the cultural dive into the Indo-chinese culture, the languages, the landscapes, and the food.
Well, That was unexpected toes that wonderful line of laugh out loud funny and serious look at how women are treated in more conservative countries. Sharlot and George are thrown into an awkward meeting that just so happens to become very public when George is the famous only male air in the tanujuya family.
I received an eARC of this book from NetGalley and the publisher in exchange for an honest review.
4.5. I've enjoyed Jesse Q. Sutanto's adult and middle-grade books, but I think her writing is best suited for YA--it's silly and fun while also pointing out social issues and highlighting cultural aspects.
Like her other books, Sutanto sets up some madcap situational irony to kick things off. In Dial A for Aunties, for example, we had an accidental murder and the hiding of a dead body; here, George and Sharlot's parents (and, in George's case, sister Eleanor) catfish their own children. Hilarity ensues.
Sutanto's description of Indonesian food, locales, and Indo-Chinese culture (including the conservatism and bias against LGBTQ+ folks) is the strongest aspect of her book. I didn't know much about Indonesia before reading this--aside from what I've seen on travel shows--so that was the most engaging part for me. While Sharlot is mildly annoying in the beginning, her character growth is visible throughout the novel, and her relationship with George (which, of course, involves both of their families too) feels as organic as it can for the set-up.
If you haven't picked up a multicultural YA book in a while (or ever), it might be good to start with this one.
4.5. I've enjoyed Jesse Q. Sutanto's adult and middle-grade books, but I think her writing is best suited for YA--it's silly and fun while also pointing out social issues and highlighting cultural aspects.
Like her other books, Sutanto sets up some madcap situational irony to kick things off. In Dial A for Aunties, for example, we had an accidental murder and the hiding of a dead body; here, George and Sharlot's parents (and, in George's case, sister Eleanor) catfish their own children. Hilarity ensues.
Sutanto's description of Indonesian food, locales, and Indo-Chinese culture (including the conservatism and bias against LGBTQ+ folks) is the strongest aspect of her book. I didn't know much about Indonesia before reading this--aside from what I've seen on travel shows--so that was the most engaging part for me. While Sharlot is mildly annoying in the beginning, her character growth is visible throughout the novel, and her relationship with George (which, of course, involves both of their families too) feels as organic as it can for the set-up.
If you haven't picked up a multicultural YA book in a while (or ever), it might be good to start with this one.
Okay this book had it all. Comedy, chaos, lies, drama, tear jerking revelations, and of course.... Relationships. This was a lot of fun, especially with how they end up meeting in the first place.