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zombiezami's review against another edition
emotional
funny
lighthearted
medium-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 was hilarious. I never quite knew where the story was going to go next, but I loved Medellin and the Aunties. My one complaint is that Nathan didn't seem that developed as a character. In general, there were a lot of coincidences that seemed to exist just so the story could move forward. But still, I highly recommend, and I look forward to the screen adaptation.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Car accident, Murder, Drug use, Kidnapping, Body horror, Blood, Confinement, Death, and Alcohol
Moderate: Toxic friendship, Sexual assault, Sexual harassment, Vomit, Cursing, Sexual content, and Toxic relationship
Minor: Abandonment, Death of parent, Excrement, Racism, Xenophobia, and Gun violence
Attempted rapemarkedwithanm's review against another edition
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
4.5
Content Warnings
Graphic: Murder
Moderate: Racism
Minor: Sexual harassment
erinmjustice's review against another edition
funny
hopeful
inspiring
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
Content Warnings
Graphic: Alcohol, Car accident, Death, and Murder
Moderate: Sexual harassment, Confinement, Gun violence, Drug use, and Toxic relationship
Minor: Abandonment and Racism
bedtimesandbooks's review against another edition
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
4.75
Content Warnings
Graphic: Murder, Racism, Xenophobia, Drug use, Blood, and Alcohol
readerette's review against another edition
adventurous
funny
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? It's complicated
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.0
I enjoyed the Indonesian cultural education, Meddy is generally relatable as someone who wants to do right by her family and still retain independence, and the aunties are funny. It's heartwarming that they would help Meddy so much in her time of need.
However, the aunties also annoyed the hell out of me with their in-fighting (which I understand was a choice the author made to reflect her culture, but just got tiresome for me as a reader), Nathan is too perfect to be real, the dead body plot is somewhat cute but mostly just a series of dumb decisions, and Meddy's stream of consciousness narration was distracting.
Kissing and mentions of sex but no sex scenes.
However, the aunties also annoyed the hell out of me with their in-fighting (which I understand was a choice the author made to reflect her culture, but just got tiresome for me as a reader), Nathan is too perfect to be real, the dead body plot is somewhat cute but mostly just a series of dumb decisions, and Meddy's stream of consciousness narration was distracting.
Kissing and mentions of sex but no sex scenes.
Content Warnings
Minor: Cursing, Racism, Sexism, Death, and Sexual content
now_booking's review against another edition
adventurous
emotional
funny
lighthearted
mysterious
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? It's complicated
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.25
4.25 Stars.
I was apprehensive about approaching this because of the mystery element not being much of a mystery reader, but this is a romantic mystery of the wild hijinks, slapstick comedy, somewhat ridiculous actioned variety. And I completely loved it. Was it realistic? No. But was it immensely heartfelt and an absolutely wonderful representation of the lengths family goes to for one another, unreservedly YES!
The premise is that Meddy works with her mom and 3 aunts in their family’s wedding planning business. Meddy is stuck in a rut and plotting how to leave when her mom secretly sets her up on a blind date via a dating app. What follows is high drama and murder and a cover up of the most dramatic sort set around an Asian high society wedding.
This was over the top but in a way that felt very deliberate and strategic. Yes, it tended towards the ridiculous and couldn’t have been more unrealistic, but it was always laugh out loud funny and meaningful and heartfelt. I would have given it 5 stars if I wasn’t left feeling somewhat unsettled about the fate of the murder victim. Nevertheless, Meddy’s relationship with Nathan more than made up for that by making my heart sing and break and feel all the feels. The intra-generational family dynamics between the sisters and the inter-generational one between Meddy and her aunts, were very well-executed and felt real and relatable. The performativity of respect and the weight of expectation to perform as expected was a significant theme of this book. It is not my place to comment on criticism that Meddy’s mother and aunts stereotype Asian culture, but what I can say is that in their love and dedication to family and to family honour, they resonate with anyone who’s grown up Westernised but who comes from a non-Western culture and way of being. I adored those women and how far they were willing to go for family.
Highly recommend if you’re looking for something fun and light-hearted with a bit of romance and cozy mystery thrown in. This is like Crazy Rich Asians meets slapstick comedy and has a baby with a mystery in a dumplings shop and it’s absolutely fabulous.
I was apprehensive about approaching this because of the mystery element not being much of a mystery reader, but this is a romantic mystery of the wild hijinks, slapstick comedy, somewhat ridiculous actioned variety. And I completely loved it. Was it realistic? No. But was it immensely heartfelt and an absolutely wonderful representation of the lengths family goes to for one another, unreservedly YES!
The premise is that Meddy works with her mom and 3 aunts in their family’s wedding planning business. Meddy is stuck in a rut and plotting how to leave when her mom secretly sets her up on a blind date via a dating app. What follows is high drama and murder and a cover up of the most dramatic sort set around an Asian high society wedding.
This was over the top but in a way that felt very deliberate and strategic. Yes, it tended towards the ridiculous and couldn’t have been more unrealistic, but it was always laugh out loud funny and meaningful and heartfelt. I would have given it 5 stars if I wasn’t left feeling somewhat unsettled about the fate of the murder victim. Nevertheless, Meddy’s relationship with Nathan more than made up for that by making my heart sing and break and feel all the feels. The intra-generational family dynamics between the sisters and the inter-generational one between Meddy and her aunts, were very well-executed and felt real and relatable. The performativity of respect and the weight of expectation to perform as expected was a significant theme of this book. It is not my place to comment on criticism that Meddy’s mother and aunts stereotype Asian culture, but what I can say is that in their love and dedication to family and to family honour, they resonate with anyone who’s grown up Westernised but who comes from a non-Western culture and way of being. I adored those women and how far they were willing to go for family.
Highly recommend if you’re looking for something fun and light-hearted with a bit of romance and cozy mystery thrown in. This is like Crazy Rich Asians meets slapstick comedy and has a baby with a mystery in a dumplings shop and it’s absolutely fabulous.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Car accident, Toxic relationship, Murder, Racism, and Sexual harassment
Moderate: Gaslighting and Abandonment
kelly_e's review against another edition
funny
lighthearted
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
3.5
Title: Dial A for Aunties
Author: Jesse Q. Sutanto
Genre: Contemporary Romance
Rating: 3.50
Pub Date: April 1, 2021
T H R E E • W O R D S
Comedic • Unbelievable • Lighthearted
📖 S Y N O P S I S
Meddy, is the photographer in her family's wedding business. When her mom sets her up on a blind date through an dating site, Meddy soon finds herself in a nightmare situation culminating in the accidental death of her date. Without thinking she puts the body in her truck, and immediately turns to her family, her mom and four aunts, to help clean up the mess. At the same time, the family business must continue with a very important wedding. Dial A for Aunties is part cozy mystery and part rom-com, with a side of family drama and finding oneself.
💭 T H O U G H T S
The quirky and entertaining family dynamic is what makes this book! Each of the characters (particularly the aunties) has their place within this hilarious story. Each aunt played a different part, and their bickering cracked me up with their meddling behaviour and untimely one-liners. Reading Meddy's backstory in the beginning, and setting the stage seemed fun, but eventually the plot got a little carried away. I thoroughly enjoyed the family wedding business aspect and getting a glimpse into Chinese-Indonesian culture. While the story is definitely a little over the top, I did feel as though the familial guilt aspect was extremely relatable.
Dial A for Aunties was so much fun and the premise was clever making this the perfect vacation read. If suspending reality is something you struggle with, this may not be the book for you as this one certainly requires quite a bit of it. I am looking forward to hooking back up with Meddy, her mom and aunties and continuing this series.
📚 R E C O M M E N D • T O
• soap opera watchers
• readers needing a palette cleanser
• anyone needing a laugh
🔖 F A V O U R I T E • Q U O T E S
"Your aunties coming over, so late at night, coming to help us get rid of body, and we don’t even offer them any food?"
Author: Jesse Q. Sutanto
Genre: Contemporary Romance
Rating: 3.50
Pub Date: April 1, 2021
T H R E E • W O R D S
Comedic • Unbelievable • Lighthearted
📖 S Y N O P S I S
Meddy, is the photographer in her family's wedding business. When her mom sets her up on a blind date through an dating site, Meddy soon finds herself in a nightmare situation culminating in the accidental death of her date. Without thinking she puts the body in her truck, and immediately turns to her family, her mom and four aunts, to help clean up the mess. At the same time, the family business must continue with a very important wedding. Dial A for Aunties is part cozy mystery and part rom-com, with a side of family drama and finding oneself.
💭 T H O U G H T S
The quirky and entertaining family dynamic is what makes this book! Each of the characters (particularly the aunties) has their place within this hilarious story. Each aunt played a different part, and their bickering cracked me up with their meddling behaviour and untimely one-liners. Reading Meddy's backstory in the beginning, and setting the stage seemed fun, but eventually the plot got a little carried away. I thoroughly enjoyed the family wedding business aspect and getting a glimpse into Chinese-Indonesian culture. While the story is definitely a little over the top, I did feel as though the familial guilt aspect was extremely relatable.
Dial A for Aunties was so much fun and the premise was clever making this the perfect vacation read. If suspending reality is something you struggle with, this may not be the book for you as this one certainly requires quite a bit of it. I am looking forward to hooking back up with Meddy, her mom and aunties and continuing this series.
📚 R E C O M M E N D • T O
• soap opera watchers
• readers needing a palette cleanser
• anyone needing a laugh
🔖 F A V O U R I T E • Q U O T E S
"Your aunties coming over, so late at night, coming to help us get rid of body, and we don’t even offer them any food?"
Content Warnings
Graphic: Death and Murder
Moderate: Car accident, Sexual assault, Racism, and Drug use
Minor: Gun violence and Alcohol
hkburke2's review against another edition
funny
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
4.0
Wooo what a ride! So glad I picked this one up on audio - great production - and I loved the intro about language from the author. Culture was woven in really nicely and the family relationships were fun and engaging. You do need to suspend disbelief to get into this one, but it's worth it and a fun trip.
Content Warnings
Moderate: Murder, Alcohol, and Drug use
Minor: Sexual harassment and Racism
bookcasey's review against another edition
funny
lighthearted
mysterious
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? It's complicated
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
4.0
Be warned that there is a second book, but it doesn’t come anywhere close to the first.
Content Warnings
Moderate: Death
Minor: Racism
queergoth_reads's review
emotional
funny
lighthearted
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? Yes
5.0
This book was so much fun. Yes it was a total farce but it has me rolling around laughing. I absolutely loved the characters and while I had a good idea of how it would end from the start the journey definitely kept me on my toes. Absolutely fantastic.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Murder, Death, and Car accident
Moderate: Racism