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
Content Warnings
Graphic: Alcohol, Sexual harassment, Death, Murder, and Car accident
Moderate: Gun violence
Minor: Racism and Abandonment
lycoriswee'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.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Sexual harassment and Car accident
Moderate: Toxic relationship, Alcohol, Drug use, Sexual content, and Murder
Minor: Vomit, Racism, Infidelity, and Blood
colorful_lulu's review against another edition
adventurous
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
4.0
Wow, that was chaotic, in a good way. It was a really fun read where every chapter you have a wtf moment. It’s giving chaotic neutral, not exactly evil but definitely not innocent of crime.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Murder, Blood, and Death
Moderate: Rape, Sexism, Gun violence, and Car accident
Minor: Racism and Sexual content
brookey8888's review
dark
funny
informative
lighthearted
mysterious
relaxing
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
4.0
I’m so glad I enjoyed this! I do have to say the start of this was rough for me because I didn’t know where this was going and I didn’t like the flashbacks, but once we got into the plot, it really picked up and the Auntie’s were just so funny and the best part of this book. This made me laugh so much it’s really enjoyable, but it’s just a slower start.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Murder, Death, Racism, Sexual assault, and Sexual harassment
hmetwade's review
funny
hopeful
lighthearted
mysterious
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? No
4.0
Content Warnings
Minor: Car accident, Death, Murder, Racism, and Rape
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*
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*
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
lizgriffinwords's review against another edition
emotional
lighthearted
tense
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.25
Part comedy, part drama, part romance. The last 15% made the difference between a 3 star and 4 star rating. The comedy of errors swerved too far into secondhand embarrassment cringe for my personal preference. That said, the representation of Chinese-Indonesian families and filial loyalty, honor, etc was both lovely and a learning experience.
Content Warnings
Minor: Sexual harassment, Gun violence, and Racism
analenegrace's review against another edition
funny
hopeful
lighthearted
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.0
My boss, a woman in her fifties, gave this to me so I wasn't expecting much but wow! This was a super fun and easy read that made me laugh.
Meddy as a character was sweet although a little frustrating; her fundamental misunderstanding of her family's struggles and strength, as well as how her mom and aunties care for her, got a bit tiring, but the resolution was so sweet. I loved Nathan and am hoping we get more of him in the sequel.
The obvious stars here are Meddy's mom and aunties. They were icons and legends and I need more of them!
Looking forward to the sequel!!
Meddy as a character was sweet although a little frustrating; her fundamental misunderstanding of her family's struggles and strength, as well as how her mom and aunties care for her, got a bit tiring, but the resolution was so sweet. I loved Nathan and am hoping we get more of him in the sequel.
The obvious stars here are Meddy's mom and aunties. They were icons and legends and I need more of them!
Looking forward to the sequel!!
Content Warnings
Graphic: Toxic relationship and Death
Minor: Racism, Kidnapping, and Police brutality
thiasgomez's review against another edition
adventurous
emotional
funny
lighthearted
tense
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? No
4.0
Content Warnings
Graphic: Drug abuse, Car accident, Death, Drug use, and Murder
Moderate: Alcohol and Toxic relationship
Minor: Racism, Vomit, Gun violence, and Kidnapping
marissasa's review against another edition
funny
lighthearted
tense
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
This book is so wacky, wild, unserious, hilarious, and camp. I was gagged by how incredibly entertaining and ridiculous it was. I loved the main characters and felt that Meddy and the aunties were written well, striking that balance between the fierce, unconditional love and support of family and the inexplainable thoughts and baffling actions they all had. Every situation Meddy went through was crazy, but it felt like at the end of each couple chapters a new, even crazier development would occur and the entire situation would escalate tenfold, making me need to read on and find out what was going to happen. I loved the ridiculous twists and crimes committed and how things just kept piling higher and higher, and that despite going through everything from hiding a dead body to confronting her mom about the immense pressure and guilt she felt from her family's expectations, Meddy powered through to the end and found the resolve within herself to stand up and face all her problems head on. I cannot wait for this book to get adapted into a movie!
Content Warnings
Graphic: Alcohol, Sexual content, Cursing, Blood, Car accident, Racism, Death, Murder, and Sexual assault