Reviews with content warning for Misogyny - Well, That Was Unexpected

This book was a whirlwind! I loved it! This book had me laughing so hard that I started crying, especially the first 15% of the book. While this book is just one miscommunication after another, which is something I usually don’t like, it felt endearing to watch Sharlot and George fall for each other despite thinking they didn’t like each other because they’re parents are kind of awful! I loved how much their thoughts mirrored each other in trying to hide the deception. I really feel like they were made for each other!

I thought the inclusion of Indonesian culture was really cool to learn about. I also thought the representation of the limited rights and stigmas that women and members of the LGBTQ+ community deal with in the story gave way for some great discussions throughout the book.

I’m also loved learning about Eleanor (Roosevelt) and Kiki and I’m definitely looking forward to Kiki’s book!

Thank you so much to NetGalley, Delacorte Press, and Jesse Q. Sutanto for providing me access to this book.

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dari's review against another edition

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emotional 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? No

5.0

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shector1's review

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adventurous emotional lighthearted reflective 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

5.0

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imstephtacular's review against another edition

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adventurous emotional funny hopeful lighthearted medium-paced

Plot- or character-driven? A mix
Strong character development? Yes
Loveable characters? Yes
Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes

4.0

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amberinpieces's review against another edition

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adventurous emotional funny lighthearted medium-paced

Plot- or character-driven? Character
Strong character development? Yes
Loveable characters? Yes
Diverse cast of characters? Yes
Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes

3.5

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katiemack's review against another edition

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funny informative inspiring 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

4.25

I received an eARC of this book from NetGalley and the publisher in exchange for an honest review.

I've enjoyed Jesse Q. Sutanto's adult and middle-grade books, but I think her writing is best suited for YA--it's silly and fun while also pointing out social issues and highlighting cultural aspects.

Like her other books, Sutanto sets up some madcap situational irony to kick things off. In Dial A for Aunties, for example, we had an accidental murder and the hiding of a dead body; here, George and Sharlot's parents (and, in George's case, sister Eleanor) catfish their own children. Hilarity ensues.

Sutanto's description of Indonesian food, locales, and Indo-Chinese culture (including the conservatism and bias against LGBTQ+ folks) is the strongest aspect of her book. I didn't know much about Indonesia before reading this--aside from what I've seen on travel shows--so that was the most engaging part for me. While Sharlot is mildly annoying in the beginning, her character growth is visible throughout the novel, and her relationship with George (which, of course, involves both of their families too) feels as organic as it can for the set-up.

If you haven't picked up a multicultural YA book in a while (or ever), it might be good to start with this one.

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cover2covertx's review against another edition

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adventurous funny hopeful 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

5.0

This was my first young adult book of Jesse Q. Sutanto. I fell in love with her writing style and characters after reading Dial A for Aunties and wanted to give this book a try when I saw that I could request an ARC.

It did not disappoint at all! Everything you love about the family dynamics, characters and humor of her Dial A series is fully in this book but through the eyes of a young teen girl named Sharlot, displaced for the summer when her mother takes her back to her home country of Indonesia.

Sharlot goes from having a very cynical, Americanized view of the beautiful country and the bustling city of Jakarta, to a growing fascination and love for her family’s birthplace after she’s thrust into a fake dating relationship with the handsome son of one of Indonesia’s most influential families.

The descriptions of the settings & cultures- specifically within Jakarta & Bali were some of favorite parts of the story. It opened my eyes to how beautiful & interesting the culture of Indonesia is. The love story between the two main characters was sweet and full of typical awkward teenage moments and experiences that brought back so many memories. And as always with Sutanto’s books, the relationship between the main character and her mother really stuck with me.

I really appreciated the discussions of heavier topics (specifically misogyny & LGTBQ+ equality and how it differs in different parts of the world) in such a light fun book because it adds more depth to an already amazing story.

Fantastic story overall and would highly recommend to any YA romance fan!

TW/CW: misogyny, sexism, homophobia

**Thanks to NetGalley and Random House Children’s for this ARC to review**

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