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3.79 AVERAGE
3.79 AVERAGE
adventurous
emotional
funny
lighthearted
relaxing
tense
medium-paced
funny
lighthearted
medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Character
Strong character development:
Complicated
Loveable characters:
Yes
Diverse cast of characters:
Yes
Flaws of characters a main focus:
No
funny
lighthearted
medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Character
lighthearted
medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
A mix
Strong character development:
No
Loveable characters:
Yes
Diverse cast of characters:
Yes
Flaws of characters a main focus:
No
Eh, this was a fine read. This review is going to sound a bit jaded maybe, but keep in mind that I do definitely recommend this book and I had a really fun time reading it. It's just that I've been reading YA books for almost a decade now, and contemporary has always been my favourite genre. So I've seen a lot pass, and therefore a book in this genre needs to stand out to me for it to be a four or five star. This sadly enough didn't do that for me.
Overall, I did really like this book. I thought it was such a really fun time. I laughed a couple of times. I thought our two main characters were quite interesting, and I loved the Indonesian setting. Jesse Q. Sutanto just does such a good job including her culture in her books (at least the ones I've read so far) and this was no exception. In the acknowledgements of this book she mentions this book being her love letter to the country and it was VERY obvious. I loved the scenes set there, and it all felt so very vivid. The romance was also really cute, so officially I have no complaints.
However, I do think the romance was just a little underdeveloped for me. I feel like in their scenes together we consistantly see them tiptoeing around each other because they don't want to expose their parents lies. Therefore to me it never really felt like they truly got to know each other. It also made it feel like the feelings came in a bit strongly out of nowhere. However, it definitely wasn't the worst case I have ever read. I also think the characters just are a bit stagnant. I don't know. I expected a bit of an actual journey for them, especially Sharlot. Her story definitely seemed set up for a huge journey of growth, but honestly there wasn't that much of it, and George basically stays the same the entire book.
So yeah, those aren't massive complaints but it did keep this book from fully standing out to me within this genre. As I mentioned before it was a really fun time, and I do definitely recommend it. Especially because it has one of my favourite side romances EVER.
Overall, I did really like this book. I thought it was such a really fun time. I laughed a couple of times. I thought our two main characters were quite interesting, and I loved the Indonesian setting. Jesse Q. Sutanto just does such a good job including her culture in her books (at least the ones I've read so far) and this was no exception. In the acknowledgements of this book she mentions this book being her love letter to the country and it was VERY obvious. I loved the scenes set there, and it all felt so very vivid. The romance was also really cute, so officially I have no complaints.
However, I do think the romance was just a little underdeveloped for me. I feel like in their scenes together we consistantly see them tiptoeing around each other because they don't want to expose their parents lies. Therefore to me it never really felt like they truly got to know each other. It also made it feel like the feelings came in a bit strongly out of nowhere. However, it definitely wasn't the worst case I have ever read. I also think the characters just are a bit stagnant. I don't know. I expected a bit of an actual journey for them, especially Sharlot. Her story definitely seemed set up for a huge journey of growth, but honestly there wasn't that much of it, and George basically stays the same the entire book.
So yeah, those aren't massive complaints but it did keep this book from fully standing out to me within this genre. As I mentioned before it was a really fun time, and I do definitely recommend it. Especially because it has one of my favourite side romances EVER.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Sexism
Moderate: Grief
Minor: Homophobia
I like this for so many reasons starting with the first 2 chapters which hilariously relate the back stories of the two protagonists.
There is so much sexual positivity & messages of open honest communication threaded in what will likely be a very popular romcom - & of course the Indonesian setting & myth busting of “3rd world” is an added bonus. Not preachy very funny & I think relating to teens coming to terms with their own relationships, consent, slut shaming etc
Think “sex education” tv series with a chinese-Indonesian twist
There is so much sexual positivity & messages of open honest communication threaded in what will likely be a very popular romcom - & of course the Indonesian setting & myth busting of “3rd world” is an added bonus. Not preachy very funny & I think relating to teens coming to terms with their own relationships, consent, slut shaming etc
Think “sex education” tv series with a chinese-Indonesian twist
adventurous
funny
hopeful
informative
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:
No
funny
slow-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
A mix
Strong character development:
Yes
Loveable characters:
N/A
Diverse cast of characters:
Yes
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Yes
Well, That Was Unexpected by Jesse Q. Sutanto is a delightful, laugh-out-loud YA rom-com that will whisk you away on a vibrant journey to Indonesia. Sharlot Citra, the protagonist, is uprooted from her comfortable life in LA by her well-meaning mother, who wants her to reconnect with her Indonesian roots. But what starts as an unwelcome trip quickly turns into an entertaining adventure full of unexpected twists.
This book gives off the vibe from a 2000s teen rom-com movie with its witty dialogue and endearing characters. The meddling parents, who hilariously pretend to be their children online to orchestrate their romantic futures, add a layer of comedic chaos that keeps the story engaging. Sharlot's fake-dating scenario with George Clooney Tanuwijaya, the son of a wealthy family, is both amusing and heartwarming. As Sharlot and George navigate their way through the cultural clash and familial schemes, the story evolves into a surprisingly touching exploration of identity and connection. Thanks to GetUnderlined for the free copy—I devoured it in a day and loved every moment!
This book gives off the vibe from a 2000s teen rom-com movie with its witty dialogue and endearing characters. The meddling parents, who hilariously pretend to be their children online to orchestrate their romantic futures, add a layer of comedic chaos that keeps the story engaging. Sharlot's fake-dating scenario with George Clooney Tanuwijaya, the son of a wealthy family, is both amusing and heartwarming. As Sharlot and George navigate their way through the cultural clash and familial schemes, the story evolves into a surprisingly touching exploration of identity and connection. Thanks to GetUnderlined for the free copy—I devoured it in a day and loved every moment!
I’ve become enamored with this author’s writing style. I loved Vera Wong & both Aunties books. The food, the family, the hijinks and the language humor between Indonesian-Chinese-English.
This was a fun book with lots of heart. And I enjoyed that it was set in Jakarta and Bali.
This was a fun book with lots of heart. And I enjoyed that it was set in Jakarta and Bali.