Reviews with content warning for Kidnapping - The Good, the Bad, and the Aunties

Reviews tagging 'Kidnapping'

The Good, the Bad, and the Aunties by Jesse Q. Sutanto

12 reviews

jrae_miller's review against another edition

lighthearted fast-paced

Plot- or character-driven? Plot
Strong character development? No
Loveable characters? It's complicated
Diverse cast of characters? It's complicated
Flaws of characters a main focus? No

3.5

I picked this up on a whim and didn't realize it was the last of the series, I think I'd have enjoyed it more if I'd read the middle book as well. I had a really hard time suspending my disbelief at the entire premise, frankly, although it did have a few good lines. The premise:

a supposed mafia leader gives out the WRONG envelope for New Year?

I cannot.

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victoriaarosenberg's review against another edition

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adventurous dark emotional funny mysterious tense fast-paced

Plot- or character-driven? A mix
Strong character development? No
Loveable characters? It's complicated
Diverse cast of characters? It's complicated
Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated

3.0

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lettuce_read's review against another edition

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3.75

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716a_m's review against another edition

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adventurous challenging funny lighthearted medium-paced

Plot- or character-driven? Plot
Loveable characters? Yes

3.0

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mollyb13's review against another edition

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funny lighthearted medium-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

3.75

A fun read, though I feel it was the weakest of the series. While we got a lot of great backstory and character development among the aunties, I feel like we learned next to nothing new about Meddy. And why did we not get more Nathan?? I'm glad that I saw this series out to the end, and would still recommend the entire thing, but the first book was definitely far and away my favorite and could have been a stand alone. One of my biggest complaints in this book was the entire

pregnancy storyline thrown in at the end. I feel like it came out of nowhere and didn't do anything to move the plot forward, other than to let us know that the aunties will be doting on a grandchild post-series.

The four aunties are certainly gems and some of my favorite fictional characters!

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kirstym25's review against another edition

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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? Yes

3.75

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m_a_j's review against another edition

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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? It's complicated

2.5

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fkshg8465's review against another edition

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emotional funny hopeful lighthearted fast-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

4.0

I’m probably rating this higher than it deserves, but I enjoyed it as much as I have the previous ones in this series. The characters continue to entertain, and I am crossing my fingers for another one to follow 👏🏻

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katebrownreads's review against another edition

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3.5

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bookishmillennial's review against another edition

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adventurous challenging dark funny mysterious tense 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

disclaimer: I don’t often give starred reviews. I hope my reviews provide enough information to let you know if a book is for you or not. Find me here: https://linktr.ee/bookishmillennial

I think Dial A For Aunties will always be my favorite, and it will always have an incredibly special place in my heart. It was one of the first books I felt “seen” because of the familial dynamics, especially those including Asian elders guilting you or making you feel silly for your “American” problems.

This book, on the other hand, was not my favorite out of the series, but that’s not to say it’s a horrible book! It just didn’t grab and maintain my attention the same way Dial A For Aunties did. There’s a missing land deed, a kidnapping during a Tai Chi practice, elders reminiscing on past lost love, and more. The goofy dialogue from our beloved aunties makes a return and Chinese-Indo folks are named after famous white people, like Kristofer Kelombos, and Julia Child lol.

I can’t particularly put my finger on it, but I just wasn’t as interested in reading this, and I adore Jesse Q. Sutanto! I have read her entire backlist! I will miss the aunties, and I am grateful for this series but when I do a reread, I may just reread the first two books.

This book is still a goofy, ridiculous time, but it just wasn’t my favorite.

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