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3.79 AVERAGE
3.79 AVERAGE
emotional
funny
hopeful
lighthearted
relaxing
medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Plot
Strong character development:
Yes
Loveable characters:
Yes
Diverse cast of characters:
Yes
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Yes
I wish I could give this book more stars. I absolutely loved the characters, plot, pacing, writing style. I actually enjoyed the miscommunication trope in this one which was great. Normally I get really frustrated with a lot of miscommunication. The food descriptions made me want to book a flight to Indonesia and finish listening to the audiobook on the plane.
The audiobook was wonderful and I loved the narrators.
This book was just so much fun to read and I am an absolute auto-read on Jesse Q. Sutanto.
The audiobook was wonderful and I loved the narrators.
This book was just so much fun to read and I am an absolute auto-read on Jesse Q. Sutanto.
This one was unexpectedly (ha!) super cute. Had no expectations going into it, but I did laugh out loud quite a few times and found myself really enjoying the Indonesia/Bali setting. Would recommend as a cute, easy YA rom com.
Cute YaA romcom. Indonesian Chinese rich boy who is being groomed to take on the family dynasty but is caught in a compromising position by his dad and sister. Meanwhile in LA an Indonesian Chinese and white girl is caught in a sexy situation with her white boyfriend. So mom takes them both to her family home in Jakarta. Family catfishing occurs to bring the teens together and of course romance ensues.
Sharlot grew up in the US completely separate from her mother's Indonesian roots. She's okay with it until her mom walks in on her failed attempt to have sex with her boyfriend and decides that the only logical thing to do is escape to Indonesia like thieves in the night. Sharlot then proceeds to lock herself up in her new room in protest.
George Clooney Tanuwijaya experiences a living nightmare when his dad and other family members walk in on him doing what all normal teenage boys do. The problem is they think he was doing it to something totally inappropriate and have decided to take things into their own hands to 'fix' him.
Thus begins the weirdest catfishing ever as George's dad and sister pretend to be him while Sharlot's mom pretends to be her, and then proceed to convince each other that they'd make the perfect traditional and well-behaved couple.
Things are weird when they're forced to first meet in person, but it gets even weirder when it turns out that George is the most eligible bachelor in Indonesia, and now everyone thinks they've been a couple forever so they have to keep up the charade.
It's fun and light and brings up some very interesting points that readers in the intended age group could benefit from discussing and seeing discussed. How things are handled by the families and the pressure put on both teens is both fun and worrying, with the way that Sutanto handles things keeping everything perfectly light and entertaining.
The entire plot is full of insane little details and what I assume are interesting little callbacks to the culture and how things are handled by Indonesian individuals. There were a couple of times when I worried it may be a little racist, but the author is writing about her culture, so I guess it's okay.
Overall, it was fun while also making me think about things in a different way.
George Clooney Tanuwijaya experiences a living nightmare when his dad and other family members walk in on him doing what all normal teenage boys do. The problem is they think he was doing it to something totally inappropriate and have decided to take things into their own hands to 'fix' him.
Thus begins the weirdest catfishing ever as George's dad and sister pretend to be him while Sharlot's mom pretends to be her, and then proceed to convince each other that they'd make the perfect traditional and well-behaved couple.
Things are weird when they're forced to first meet in person, but it gets even weirder when it turns out that George is the most eligible bachelor in Indonesia, and now everyone thinks they've been a couple forever so they have to keep up the charade.
It's fun and light and brings up some very interesting points that readers in the intended age group could benefit from discussing and seeing discussed. How things are handled by the families and the pressure put on both teens is both fun and worrying, with the way that Sutanto handles things keeping everything perfectly light and entertaining.
The entire plot is full of insane little details and what I assume are interesting little callbacks to the culture and how things are handled by Indonesian individuals. There were a couple of times when I worried it may be a little racist, but the author is writing about her culture, so I guess it's okay.
Overall, it was fun while also making me think about things in a different way.
Jesse Q. Sutanto’s latest novel, Well, That Was Unexpected, is a love letter romantic comedy to her home country of Indonesia. Filled with laughs, meddling side characters and picturesque scenes, this is a young adult romantic comedy that one will want to read.
When Sharlot’s mom catches her in the worst position, she is whisked away to mother’s home country of Indonesia. Mom is there for a job, Sharlot is there to measure back up to expectations.
George Clooney’s father (no, sadly not the actor) has caught his son in an unfavorable situation. The only male heir in the family legacy, George needs to change his ways in order to be the face of the family’s latest media application.
Two different parents wanting the best for their children, dating partners included. Two parents who strike up a conversation on a digital dating app pretending to be their son/ daughter. One meeting at a cafe store later, and well, the rest is a wild ride. Will true love be knocking in an unexpected way?
Sutanto’s passion for her latest novel shines through the pages as she describes the beautiful cities of Indonesia through the eyes of Sharlot. Both Sharlot and George’s point of views are interwoven every other chapter to allow the reader to see all “behind the scenes” feelings. While I loved the meddling families and exciting premise, I do wish the story was a tad shorter. I recommend this novel for anyone who enjoys young adult romantic comedies or any of Sutanto’s other works.
Thank you Random House Children’s and Netgalley for my earc in exchange for my honest review. All thoughts and opinions are my own.
When Sharlot’s mom catches her in the worst position, she is whisked away to mother’s home country of Indonesia. Mom is there for a job, Sharlot is there to measure back up to expectations.
George Clooney’s father (no, sadly not the actor) has caught his son in an unfavorable situation. The only male heir in the family legacy, George needs to change his ways in order to be the face of the family’s latest media application.
Two different parents wanting the best for their children, dating partners included. Two parents who strike up a conversation on a digital dating app pretending to be their son/ daughter. One meeting at a cafe store later, and well, the rest is a wild ride. Will true love be knocking in an unexpected way?
Sutanto’s passion for her latest novel shines through the pages as she describes the beautiful cities of Indonesia through the eyes of Sharlot. Both Sharlot and George’s point of views are interwoven every other chapter to allow the reader to see all “behind the scenes” feelings. While I loved the meddling families and exciting premise, I do wish the story was a tad shorter. I recommend this novel for anyone who enjoys young adult romantic comedies or any of Sutanto’s other works.
Thank you Random House Children’s and Netgalley for my earc in exchange for my honest review. All thoughts and opinions are my own.
I am a huge fan of the whole "You've Got Mail" trope, so I was already invested at the start. I think my high school students would like this.
As a geriatric 35 year old, I would love to read the "story in the background" of Mama and Eighth Aunt.
As a geriatric 35 year old, I would love to read the "story in the background" of Mama and Eighth Aunt.
funny
lighthearted
relaxing
slow-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
This book was a blast - love and teen comedy drama in Indonesia with interfering Aunties and cousins galore!
A very predictable plot, but totally forgivable because the characters are such fun - and being a disguised love-letter to Indonesia through the eyes of a newcomer makes this a quick and breezy read.
Not my usual genre, but it makes me keen for more!
A very predictable plot, but totally forgivable because the characters are such fun - and being a disguised love-letter to Indonesia through the eyes of a newcomer makes this a quick and breezy read.
Not my usual genre, but it makes me keen for more!
adventurous
lighthearted
medium-paced
Loveable characters:
Yes
4.5
Very funny and entertaining. I am now desperate to try Indonesian coffee.
My only issue was that the storyline has the plot point of most sitcoms where a simple exchange of communication would easily fix the problem. For this book, it’s an easy forgive though because I thoroughly enjoyed it regardless.
Very funny and entertaining. I am now desperate to try Indonesian coffee.
My only issue was that the storyline has the plot point of most sitcoms where a simple exchange of communication would easily fix the problem. For this book, it’s an easy forgive though because I thoroughly enjoyed it regardless.