Rating: 4.5 Stars

The men in Meddelin Chan's family always leave. Her father, her uncles, even her male cousins all left. When an opportunity that would take her away presented itself, Meddelin sacrificed her own dreams to stay with her family. When Meddelin accidentally kills her blind date, she know exactly who she can count on for help. Who's more loyal than a family that will help you hide the body?

This book was a hoot! It was outrageous, hilarious, and surprisingly, really heartwarming considering it involved a murder. As I read this book, I invited the opportunity to suspend disbelief and simply allowed myself to revel in the misadventures of this delightful family.

I truly adored the aunties. They each had some fabulous quirk, and when you put them all together, comedy ensued. These sisters were a force of nature, and though they were known to quibble, they loved each other fiercely and were each others biggest champions.

Not only did the aunties love each other, they loved Meddelin. When Meddy found herself in a "situation", they did not hesitate to come to her aid. And they continued to help her cover up the murder for a whole weekend, which was filled with lots of bumbling, hijinks, and some pretty surprising developments.

One of the best surprises was the reunion between Meddy and the one that got away. There is nothing I love more than a second chance romance, and this one made my heart soar. I loved seeing those sparks fly and was really rooting for Meddy to get away with murder, so she could have her HEA with her one true love. Is that asking too much?

What a fun escape! This book combined a murder, a wedding, and a second chance romance in a rather amusing way. Many have name dropped Crazy Rich Asians, and there was the obvious inclusion of some Asians who were crazy rich, but this book was also similar in how over the top it was. All that family, fun, and farce had me flipping the pages, and the ending had me shedding some happy tears.

Dial A for Aunties is a hilarious comedy of errors, a Weekend-at-Bernie's-style series of hijinks (but with an Asian woman and her four meddling relatives instead of a couple of douche-y white guys) with a plot that only gets more complicated as the story goes on. It includes surprising mystery elements, with a delightful second-chance-with-old-flame romance that could have easily felt shoehorned in, but totally didn’t. At its heart, it’s also a family story, with all the love and complicated family dynamics of a close-knit family on full display.

The plot flirts with going over the top, but in a good way, in the way of the best sitcoms and comedy movies. I feel like in the hands of a lesser writer, this story would have broken my suspension of disbelief, but it’s so well done that I just sat back and enjoyed the ride. The one thing that made me go “really?” was some of the parts with the bumbling sheriff character, just because it felt a little jarring to have such a cliché in a book that was otherwise really refreshing and well crafted. (Although, I’ll admit, many tropes are tropes for a reason.)

The book is also an Own Voices novel, as it’s written by a Chinese-Indonesian author. Jesse Q Sutanto offers a fascinating peek into Chinese-Indo culture (and I’ll be honest, I didn’t know anything at all about this distinct pocket of Asian culture) and more specifically, Chinese-Indo weddings. I love a book that can teach me something new about the world and its people while also being so completely entertaining.

4.5 stars. Definitely give this one a try.

I pre-screened this one for a book club pick and I'm excited to say that we will be discussing it for the May pick. I can't wait to hear everyone's thoughts because I loved this one.

TYSM to NetGalley and Berkley for my copy of this novel.

Wow, what a fun read. This was one of those books that had me flying through the chapters from sheer enjoyment and curiosity, It was a perfect blend of multiple genres (romantic comedy, mystery, humor, etc.). It was one of those reads that had me going "wow, this would make an incredible movie" all the way through and so I was thrilled to learn upon finishing it that it's being turned into a Netflix film.

Definitely add this one to the top of your TBR pile, especially if you're on the hunt for an incredibly fun journey.

'Dial A For Aunties' follows Meddy who ends up accidentally killing someone after an awful first date with him. She then involves the help of her aunties and her mother to help her cover up her crime, but with the biggest wedding her family has ever taken on happening the next day, Meddy and her aunties end up in a lot of trouble.

This book is hilarious and such a fun read! The romance kind of takes a back seat to the mystery aspect of the book, but there was enough of it to really make me root for Meddy and Nathan. It’s part rom-com, part mystery, part crazy family shenanigans. I couldn’t turn the pages of this book fast enough. I finished it in a day and wanted more with Meddy and her crazy aunties. I liked Meddy, but the cast of aunties totally stole the show. The things that Meddy's mother and aunts do in order to prove one another wrong are PRICELESS. I laughed out loud so many times and the aunties, have so much humor and warmth. I kind of loved that the Aunties were just numbered and that’s how they were referred to the entire book. It made their antics so much funnier. I enjoyed that each aunt had her own POV and well-developed voice along with quirks. It made it so easy to be able to differentiate between them. Normally when someone commits murder, you want them to be caught, but I was rooting for Meddy and her aunts the whole time to get away with it because I loved them so much. It’s the “Crazy Rich Asians” meets “Weekend at Bernie’s” mash-up I never knew I needed! I found the deep dive into Chinese-Indonesian culture very interesting. I don’t know a lot about it and it was nice to learn more about it. I saw that this is going to be adapted by Netflix and I can’t wait to see it as a movie. I just hope that they do the book justice! I cannot wait to see what Jesse Q. Sutanto writes next. This is A MUST read and should be put on your TBR pile for 2021!! Thank you SO much to Berkley publishing + NetGalley for providing me an eARC. I predict that this book will be a big hit!

Wow. There is a lot going on here. The idea of it was so cute, but between the Weekend at Bernies dead guy antics and ALL of the characters to keep track of, I got a little lost in the chaos. This one just didn't land right for me this time.

I began reading this book - but I struggled to get into it. The naming of the aunts was confusing to keep up with, although I think that was more of my own problem. I loved their banter - but with so many of them, it got mixed up in my head. After reading the summary, I was excited to read this one; however, the plot fell short. I felt it could have been extremely funny, but it seemed to miss the mark.

I did not finish it, but I appreciate Berkley allowing me to read it and offer my honest opinion.

I absolutely adored Dial A for Aunties. It's not a genre I'd normally read, but I couldn't resist the description. Meddelin Chan accidentally kills her blind date - don't worry, he definitely deserves it. And when she shows up at home with a body in the trunk, her mother nods and calls Meddelin's aunts.
There is nothing more heartwarming that these four women planning a body-disposal at three in the morning. And nothing more stressful/funny than the ensuing debacle.
Sutano's personal note at the beginning of the story made it all the more touching.

3.5 stars

This was a quite the wild ride! If you're looking for a fun read, look no further than Dial A for Aunties. It felt like a mash up between Weekend at Bernie's and The Hangover, with a second chance romance thrown in. The situations and characters are way over the top and larger than life. Some of the humor was a bit too immature for my taste, but the intricate family dynamics, the importance of saving face, and the weight of filial responsibility were spot on. I think the author's note at the beginning is especially important and insightful and shouldn't be missed. I definitely related to Meddy's need to please and make her mother and aunts proud, regardless of her own personal desires. That sense of duty and expectation is so culturally ingrained that I completely understood how Meddy could make the decisions that she did throughout the novel. It was also a fun treat that the story was set in Southern California and I was familiar with many of the locations and cities mentioned (Go Bruins!)

I enjoyed the second chance romance between Meddy and Nathan, but it was the Aunties that stole the show in this one. They are a force to be reckoned with and their antics and barbs were hilarious. In many ways, they reminded me of my own aunts and relatives. I did find that the repeated broken English/incorrect English word jokes got a bit old at the end though. What I loved most was that when push came to shove, the Aunties always had each other's back. They were truly a delightful (albeit somewhat dysfunctional) bunch!

CW: murder, racism, taser/guns, hostage/kidnapping, threat of sexual assault

*I voluntarily read an advance review copy of this book*

Perhaps it's my personality and why I like reading darker novels that I really fell in love with this one. Like I said, this book was the opulence of Crazy Rich Asians crossed with a very witty rom-com (I like JLo, but insert your favorites here), and Weekend at Bernie's. If you're not aware of Weekend at Bernie's, it's basically a movie where this billionaire is murdered and these two subordinates from his company try and cover it up. That's pretty similar to what happened here with a few major changes.

The story started off a bit slow, but only because you're establishing what the book is going to be about. The characters are especially important in this story, so they needed an introduction and context before they get introduced. There's a little bit of time jumping as Meddie reflects back on her relationship with Nathan. For the most of it, I thought this would be a second-chance romance, but the scenarios Meddie and her family get caught in took more precedent than the romantic elements of the story.

This book made me laugh so much. It wasn't just Meddie and her family trying to hide a dead body in a super fancy hotel on the weekend of a very important wedding, but it's also the rapport between Meddie and her aunties. A lot of it was relatable with my own relatives who try and tell you how they know better than you. But I think what I absolutely loved is that their relationship is stronger than anything else. Meddie and these four women that made up her mother and aunts were probably the strongest group of women I've ever seen. They took the situation they found themselves in and made it work for them despite knowing they were committing some pretty big felonies.

And the shenanigans were supremely funny. Everything from carting the dead body around the hotel to the stolen jewelry and gifts to even the surprising ending twist were all the perfect concoction for this story to run and entertain the pants off of you. Like a rom-com, the scenarios kept getting bigger and bigger. It almost felt like there wasn't a moment to breathe from the moment they arrived at the wedding site to the final vows being uttered from the bride.

I'll admit, you do have to suspend disbelief a lot in this story. I was so surprised that Meddie's first instinct wasn't to call someone about the accident. And then the shenanigans at the hotel especially around her ex, Nathan, were hard to believe would really happen. However, it didn't matter to me. I know the book is flawed, but it didn't take away from my overall enjoyment. I think it's because I needed a good laugh and this book was delivering it despite not being 100% believable.

I think the one thing I wished it did more of was discuss Nathan and Meddie's relationship. It felt like the entire time, Nathan was trying to get a hold of Meddie so they can discuss the future of their life together. I wished that was brought up more and discussed on the page. Perhaps a hilarious scene of them at dinner with her aunties struggling to hold up the body in the background? LOL.

I will say what I appreciated the most about this story is the inclusion of Indonesian-Chinese culture. I personally don't know much about this world, so I appreciate the author to include it and bring their own culture to the story. It was a lovely touch.

Overall, it was such a fun read that will leave you laughing. It's great for days when you're not feeling so great and want to read someone else's drama. Also, the dead body isn't too gruesome, so you won't spend too much time with the squeamish.

This hilarious, zany, laugh out loud, madcap romcom caper provided a much needed escape. I couldn’t get enough of this, binge reading it in one sitting, trying to explain to other family members why I was laughing.
When faced with the accidental death of her blind date after the date goes horribly wrong, Meddy, a wedding photographer, turns to her Aunties for help. But hiding a dead body proves especially difficult while working the wedding of a wealthy client.
With lots of family drama and humorous characters, the reader is taken on a taken on a wacky, wonderfully entertaining ride. An unbeatable combination of good plot, well developed characters and distinct narrative voice while exploring trying to find your own way amidst the influence of family bonds, immigrant life and Chinese-Indonesian culture. If you are willing to suspend disbelief and your sense of reality while embracing the absurd, read this delightfully entertaining book.
Thank you to NetGalley for providing me with an ARC of this book.

This book is so much FUN!

This is a laugh out loud, family drama, that is chalk full of drama, accidental murder, romance, family feuding, curses, thieving, trickery, and everything else under the sun.

I haven’t had this much fun reading a story in a long time. I loved Meddy and the Aunties and all there hilarious high jinx drama.

When Meddy finds herself in the predicament of covering up the accidental killing of her blind date, she turns to her mother and aunts for help, what ensues is what I can only describe as Weekend at Bernies meets Crazy Rich Asians.

The family dynamics are so well done, they are full of heart, and despite the overbearing qualities and constant competitions amongst one another they really do stick together and are stronger as a unit.

Meddy is such a likeable heroine and despite all the hiccups she handles herself graciously.

With a dash of some swoony moments and lots of unbelievable mishaps you will be laughing and cheering for the Chan women.

This comes out April 27 and is a must add to your TBR.

If you are looking for a book to bring you immense amounts of joy and an abundance of laughs from over-the-top hijinks and family drama look no further. The amounts of times I laughed out loud or gasped in shock over some plot twist or reveal was insane, Dial A for Aunties is a fast-paced story that will keep you on your toes.

Near the beginning of the story, we get a split timeline which both really propelled the story and gave background to Meddy's relationship with her family and her struggles with balancing her romantic and familial relationships. While I did prefer the chapters in the past (Meddy and Nathan are too cute for words), once we switched to present day only, I was still hooked because everything really started coming together and there was truly too much going on for my focus to be pulled.

The strong family relationships were at the heart of this story and they were a joy to see. Though Meddy does feel limited by the family 'curse' that sees all the men in her family leave (so she's determined to stay with her mom and Aunties and keep the family together) there is such a strong and unconditional support network around her ready to lift her up - or hide a dead body if needed. All the Aunties have their own special place in the family - and bring unique perspectives (and humor) to Meddy's misfortunes. But seeing the entire family unit interact, even over the most mundane things brought me so much joy.

If you want a book that will make you laugh out loud and swoon over a second chance romance, Dial A for Aunties is the book for you.

The best way I can think of describing this book is "a wild ride." I was at the edge of my seat wondering how Meddy and her aunties were going to get away with murder, literally, but also found myself laughing out loud (something that does not happen for me often) and cheering on some potential romances. The only thing I will warn going into reading this is to be prepared for some ridiculous-ness - I believe it's fully intentional and if you're prepared for some crazy antics from the start, you'll enjoy this book. It's unlike anything I've ever read.

Meddy has lived under her mother and aunt’s expectations her entire life. She broke free of the Chinese-Indonesian culture expectations during college, but broke up with the love of her life and settled back home. When she accidentally kills her date she was set up with, her mother and aunt’s step in to help her.

This was such a cute and fun little story. I really had fun reading it and I bet it was even more fun for the author to write! I’m very glad that I read her author’s note and I think it’ll be important that reader’s review it ahead of time. The stereotypical dialogue may make some readers uncomfortable, which is why the author addresses it ahead of time. I love the idea of a family curse passed down, how family members hold onto tradition, but in the end, they just want what’s best for their loved ones. Meddy’s mother and aunt’s are hilarious! I loved their witty banter and sibling rivalry.

“.. I feel the weight of their expectations, as if I have four mothers and all of their hopes and dreams have been placed on my shoulders. I’m basically driven by a mixture of caffeine and familial guilt.”

Dial A for Aunties comes out 4/27.

Dial A For Aunties takes us on a journey of a few days, where Meddy Chan accidentally kills the blind date her mother set her up on, instills the help of her mother and 3 aunties to hide the body while they figure out how to handle it while working a super fancy wedding that weekend that will elevate their family wedding business. And Meddy's college boyfriend Nathan, who she abruptly left because she didn't want to disappoint her family and move across the country with him, shows up and wants her back.

It's a mess...BUT IN THE BEST WAY. This book has absolutely no sense of reality and that is why it is such a great damn book! I've seen so many reviews that disliked it because it wasn't realistic...so?! Do you read Fantasy? Sci Fi? Do you watch ridiculous tv shows? Sometimes ridiculousness is needed! Stop questioning the logic behind every single decision and let yourself be entertained!

This book was cute, funny and so sweet, and while I love a romance (and Nathan is a great love interest), it was Meddy's relationship with her family that was the star. They were hilarious and loyal as hell and their interactions brought a huge smile to my face on every page.

If you love a crazy, dramatic yet hilarious escape, READ THIS!

The perfect choice if you enjoy a hilarious mystery - like the show Dead to Me or the book Finlay Donovan is Killing It with a spice of Crazy Rich Asians. I am not a fan of thrillers or horrors but these mystery comedies are a hit for me. I think I found a new favorite niche genre that I love - like contemporary romance mystery comedies???

This book will have you laughing the whole way through as you devour this book to find out what happens in the end with these crazy family antics. I read this book in one day because I truly could not put this book down! I love crazy family drama books so obviously I was a sucker for this one.

I had read a few other 5 star reviews of this book before I went in so I had pretty high expectations for this one but I still loved it. I highly recommend if you are looking for a fun bingeable read that will have you laughing but also warm your heart.

Thanks a MILLION to the publisher for an ARC of this absolute GEM in exchange for an honest review.

I read this book in one sitting. I started it at 1 AM and it is now 4:15. I have a Zoom class in 6 hours and 45 minutes and I literally do not care because this was a total RIDE and worth the the zoning out I’ll be doing in class later on.

The humour? Elite. The family dynamics? On point (truly startling how similar Indian and Chinese family dynamics are tbh). The romance? Swoon worthy! I want a Nathan!!

This book will keep you on your toes the ENTIRE time. No joke. I can guarantee you will not be able to guess what happens when you flip the page.

The plot was fast paced, the characters were amazing and easy to connect to, and I seriously don’t have a bad thing to say about this book.

Truly cannot recommend this book enough and I am just so happy I found this on NetGalley because it had quickly become one of my favourite contemporaries.

This book was a WILD ride. I signed on for a modern romance and got much, much more. You really do have to suspend your disbelieve a bit when reading this, but it was fun and humorous, and touching.

I am unsure if there will be a wide audience for this one, but I will definitely recommend it to my readers who enjoy New Adult, Romance, and AAPI titles. This one was a winner for me, and I hope others enjoy it just as much as I did.

Dial A for Aunties by Jesse Q. Sutanto is humorous standalone novel. We meet our heroine, Meddelyn (Meddy) Chan, who is a wedding photographer for her family’s wedding business. Meddy lives with her mother, and is also constantly surrounded by her three aunts, none having husbands. Meddy does get frustrated when they are always trying to fix her up with a potential husband, and is shocked to learn her mother set her up for a date, using an online site, pretending to be her. Of course, the ladies all have a number of language barriers (Chinese, Mandarian, Taiwanese, etc), which does cause confusion at times, especially for Meddy, who knows some but is more Americanized.

When Meddy agrees to go on the date, she meets Jake, who was nice at first, but when he started making advance suggestions, she tries to leave, and he insists to take her home. While in the car, he starts getting very hands on and forcing himself on her, and to her defense, Meddy uses a taser that she always carries with her on Jake; the car crashes, and Jake ends up dead. Meddy runs home and tells her mother, who in turn calls the aunts to come and help them hide the body.

What follows is a wild insane and crazy adventure with the ladies trying to move the body, and at the same time make sure the big expensive wedding they are planning for the next day goes as planned. Unfortunately, every step along the way to hide the body, is a disaster (trunk, cooler, frozen body, etc.). At this point, the story gets even weirder, absurd, and humorous, though I did find it a bit over the top, as well as a little repetitive. While this is going on, Meddy meets her old college flame, who she stills loves, but she left to help her family with their business; now he is a part owner of the hotel where the wedding is. This is a difficult review to write, as everything was constantly going back and forth.

Dial A for Aunties was a wild and funny story, with the aunts and Meddy’s mother playing a major part in their humor. Meddy also a very good character, as she was in the middle of this all. Jesse Q. Sutanto did write a hysterical story, even if I thought it was a bit much. If you enjoy wild antics, crazy aunts & mother, hiding bodies, and an overall wedding romp, you need to read this book.