Reviews with content warning for Abandonment - Dial A for Aunties

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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nehanaomi's review against another edition

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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? Yes

4.25

so fun!! idc if shit was unrealistic or didn't make sense i'm having a good time!!

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zombiezami's review against another edition

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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.

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erinmjustice's review against another edition

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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

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now_booking's review against another edition

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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.

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