Reviews tagging 'Alcohol'

Dial A for Aunties by Jesse Q. Sutanto

80 reviews

fkshg8465's review against another edition

emotional funny tense medium-paced

• Plot- or character-driven? Character
• Strong character development? Yes
• Loveable characters? It's complicated
• Diverse cast of characters? Yes
• Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes

4.0

Almost as cute as Vera Wong’s Unsolicited Advice for Murderers. Started out as what I thought was going to be a syrupy sappy romance, and I was initially disappointed after having fallen in love with Vera Wong - was hoping it was going to be more of the same. Glad I stuck it out. There were definitely a few small editorial issues with structure and continuity, but if I ignore all  that, it was funny and charming and fun enough that I’ve already taken out the sequel from the library.

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Content Warnings

Graphic: Alcohol, Car accident, Drug use, Racism, Xenophobia, and Death

fernandalaram's review

funny hopeful lighthearted mysterious 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

4.5

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Content Warnings

Graphic: Death, Murder, and Cursing

Moderate: Alcohol, Gun violence, Sexual harassment, and Drug use

jackieyvette's review

adventurous funny hopeful lighthearted 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

4.5

This book was so fun to read, and I loved the pacing.
This story had so much love winding through it in so many ways. From Meddy and her aunts, Nathan, Jacqueline, and everyone in between. I can't wait to see what happens next. With all the love you almost forget this involves a dead body. Meddy and Nathan are adorable, and I really loved their story.
What I would describe as a rom-com Weekend at Bernie's.


Crying score: none

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Content Warnings

Graphic: Murder and Death

Moderate: Sexual assault, Alcohol, Sexual harassment, Drug use, and Toxic relationship

deluna's review

funny lighthearted fast-paced

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

1.5

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Content Warnings

Graphic: Car accident, Alcohol, and Murder

Moderate: Sexual assault

morahsharon1's review

adventurous lighthearted mysterious 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? Yes

2.5

 was really looking forward to reading this. Zany, madcap mystery with Indonesian-Chinese aunties. 
Maybe it's just that I so dislike the trope of " none of this would have happened if anyone actually talked!"
I understand that Sutanto was trying to capture the culture of "anything for family" along with the idea of cultural and familial pressure,  but really? 
Yes there was love there, but so much disfunction!
The main character was super immature and didn't function/think as an adult.

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Content Warnings

Graphic: Alcohol, Car accident, Gaslighting, Murder, Cursing, Death, and War

Minor: Sexual harassment, Injury/Injury detail, and Vomit

mle11's review

funny lighthearted fast-paced

• Plot- or character-driven? Plot
• Strong character development? Yes
• Loveable characters? Yes
• Diverse cast of characters? It's complicated

3.75

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Content Warnings

Graphic: Alcohol, Sexual harassment, Death, Murder, and Car accident

Moderate: Gun violence

Minor: Racism and Abandonment

pookiee's review

funny lighthearted medium-paced

• Plot- or character-driven? A mix
• Strong character development? Yes
• Loveable characters? Yes

4.0

I love the family of women and how Meddelin’s confidence grows by the end. the barrage of obstacles they face with the wedding and hiding the body are fun to read about, and the pages fly by so fast. I also like that, while this is a rom-com, the romance isn’t the main thing—the aunties are. as they should be.

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Content Warnings

Graphic: Sexual harassment and Car accident

Moderate: Toxic relationship, Alcohol, Drug use, Sexual content, and Murder

Minor: Vomit, Racism, Infidelity, and Blood

greatexpectations77's review against another edition

adventurous emotional funny lighthearted relaxing 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

4.0

I really enjoyed the plot of this book, and I think I'd read another, even though the writing wasn't my fave. It was very conversational, which is totally accessible and fun and makes for a nice relaxing read. It's just not as much my jam. But I love a good love story, and I really liked the peak into this very female-driven world. 

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Content Warnings

Graphic: Alcohol, Death, and Drug use

Moderate: Bullying, Car accident, Gun violence, Murder, Abandonment, Emotional abuse, Toxic friendship, and Toxic relationship

Minor: Blood, Body shaming, Classism, Confinement, Grief, Injury/Injury detail, Xenophobia, Sexual harassment, Sexual content, and Vomit

elizlizabeth's review against another edition

dark funny lighthearted fast-paced

• Plot- or character-driven? Plot
• Loveable characters? Yes
• Diverse cast of characters? Yes

4.5

This was NOTHING like I expected but in a good way. Super entretaining and a total page turner if you don't mind suspending your disbelief for a bit -absolutely not for you if you're a fan of police drama or thrillers as this is not it. If anything, the aunties' personalities are so endearing you're gonna want to keep reading. It does get a bit slow at the end but I had so much fun that I don't mind all that much.

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Content Warnings

Graphic: Murder, Toxic relationship, Blood, Drug use, Medical trauma, and Alcohol

fromthefoxhole's review

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*

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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