thefickleinkdrinker's review
emotional
funny
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? It's complicated
4.5
This book about girl, her mom, and her Asian aunties is laugh out loud funny. I listened on audible and enjoyed it from the first page to the last. Don’t sleep on this book!
Content Warnings
Moderate: Sexual assault and Murder
erica_0000's review against another edition
3.0
Content Warnings
Graphic: Murder and Car accident
Moderate: Death
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.
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.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Alcohol, Car accident, Gaslighting, Murder, Cursing, Death, and War
Minor: Sexual harassment, Injury/Injury detail, and Vomit
taylorgarcia's review
adventurous
funny
lighthearted
relaxing
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
4.25
On the whole I really liked this book! My main two complaints were that a) Nathan just seemed too perfect to be true, it really made the romance a lot less compelling for me, and b) Overall, a really cute read!
Spoiler
the whole thing with Maureen falls into some problematic tropes about unhinged criminal queers, which Sutanto definitely tried to write against but it still didn’t sit right with me
Content Warnings
Graphic: Injury/Injury detail and Murder
Minor: Homophobia
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
andra_mihaela_s's review
Unfortunately, after listening about 40% of this book, I decided to quit wasting my time on a book I clearly did not enjoy.(the specific scene: When Meddy and her aunties finally arrive at the wedding venue)
This novel doesn't know what it wants to be...the tagline is cosy mystery but half the story is about Meddy's past with her ex-boyfriend when she desperately "loves" him but cannot bring herself to introduce him to her aunties due to a fear of a family course...well...let me tell you: for me this type of heroine isn't great...far from it actually.
I understand she needs to be easily influenced and guided by people so that her aunts can be such a force in her life, but the whole drama of "I love you but I cannot be with you because reasons while I keep you in the dark about everything " doesn't work for me... :(
The 2nd thing I didn't enjoy, was the whole thing with the murder...well,...we have a ridiculous motif as to why Meddy ended up with this guy dead, but transforming that "funny situation" in an attack so fast..well...not my cup of tea either.
Don't get me wrong, the aunties were amazing and I really wanted a plot in which they did this type of thing before to protect themselves or something (a wasted opportunity in my opinion) but they aren't enough to keep me reading :(
hope this review is helpful to someone in deciding if they should continue reading this book or not.
This novel doesn't know what it wants to be...the tagline is cosy mystery but half the story is about Meddy's past with her ex-boyfriend when she desperately "loves" him but cannot bring herself to introduce him to her aunties due to a fear of a family course...well...let me tell you: for me this type of heroine isn't great...far from it actually.
I understand she needs to be easily influenced and guided by people so that her aunts can be such a force in her life, but the whole drama of "I love you but I cannot be with you because reasons while I keep you in the dark about everything " doesn't work for me... :(
The 2nd thing I didn't enjoy, was the whole thing with the murder...well,...we have a ridiculous motif as to why Meddy ended up with this guy dead, but transforming that "funny situation" in an attack so fast..well...not my cup of tea either.
Don't get me wrong, the aunties were amazing and I really wanted a plot in which they did this type of thing before to protect themselves or something (a wasted opportunity in my opinion) but they aren't enough to keep me reading :(
hope this review is helpful to someone in deciding if they should continue reading this book or not.
Content Warnings
Moderate: Murder and Sexual assault
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
passionatereader78's review
funny
hopeful
lighthearted
relaxing
fast-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
5.0
Hilarious read! I enjoyed reading this book. I was laughing so much. Meddy killed a man and her family helps her hide the body. I love the sister interaction and the mother daughter relationship.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Car accident, Death, and Murder
Minor: Vomit and Drug use
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