Member Reviews

And the Auntie fun continues!

The second Aunties book was just as fun as the first one. All the hijinks and shenanigans you could ask for!

I definitely think the first one is still my favorite - only because I felt bad the whole time reading this one that Meddy's wedding was the setting - and it was basically about to be ruined. But the Aunties made up for most of it. Specifically Intoxicated Aunties. :)

I did actually notice more of how Sutanto peppered her family customs and traditions throughout - more so in this one than the last one (probably because a wedding is all about family tradition!) and I LOVED how she showed how just because you are Asian, your customs and cultural differences are so varied depending not only on where you were born, but also where you have lived. It was added into the narrative so well and so interesting!

I'm pretty sure that mafia, kidnapping, getting stoned, and tackling people at your wedding are NOT traditional wedding behaviors, but I mean - it's all in good fun just the same! The Aunties are wildly over the top in the best of ways and I will never tire of them. Don't take it too seriously - enjoy the ride and have fun. I cannot wait for Meddy and Nathan to have babies... the next book should be a riot!

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Four Aunties and a Wedding is the second book in the Aunties series by Jesse Q. Sutanto. So not only do we have four aunties but three uncles too! They're back and ready to handle the mafia during Meddy's wedding. Uh oh!

Meddy has been to countless weddings as the photographer but never the bride. Now she is the center of attention and marrying her college sweetie, Nathan. Instead of Meddy's mom and aunties catering the wedding, they are enjoying the day as guests in standout purple dresses and all the flair.

As a compromise, they hire a Chinese-Indonesian family-run company that runs like their business. What's a wedding without a charade? Meddy overhears a phone conversation of The Family's plans to take out a target. The day turns into preventing a murder scene and taking down the mafia.

Four Aunties and a Wedding quickly went from entertaining to ridiculously funny. If you're looking for a funny read with a storyline that would probably never happen in real life, then read this! It is a bit on the silly side and not much of a mystery. Certainly a book I had to be in the mood to read.

Happy Early Pub Day, Jesse Q. Sutanto! Four Aunties and a Wedding will be available Tuesday, March 29.

~LiteraryMarie

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Meddy and her aunties are back in another wedding chaos story. However, this time was more special because it was Meddy and Nathan's wedding. The craziness of Meddy's family was still the most exciting part of the series.

Since the wedding was held in London, Meddy's mom and her aunties prepared themselves to be as "British" as possible. They learned the British slang and prepared Komodo fascinators for the wedding. Thus, it was dog's bollock!

Meddy decided to hire a wedding vendor instead of using her family to organize her wedding. But it turned out the vendor was a mafia family, and they planned to kill someone during the ceremony. So Meddy and the aunties had to save the day before it happened.

It's not easy to write a story about a foreign culture. It could lead to a long explanation of how things worked in certain cultures and drag the story. However, Jesse Q. Susanto did an excellent job balancing that out. The only thing I found missing from this second book was it was less "fun" and more chaotic. Nevertheless, FOUR AUNTIES AND A WEDDING was an enjoyable read, and I would recommend reading these books in order.

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Why I love this book:
👰🏻 Over-the-top and super hilarious, I’d just about peed in my pants reading this one!!!
💍 I super adore the meddling but lovable aunties, they are just like my 10 paternal aunties back home!
👰🏻 Relate much on the Chinese-Indonesian culture and traditions, from calling everyone aunties and uncles (even if unrelated) down to the calling of in laws as ma and pa.
💍 Despite not having read book 1, I was able to understand the backstory and appreciate the current one.
👰🏻 Komodo dragon fascinators?!? Yep, you had me at Komodo!😂 IYKYK! Oh and “Mary Joanna”?!?!😂😂😂
💍 The aunties’ antics especially the British slangs were so funny, I was seriously laughing out loud! I can literally hear them in my head with their accents!
👰🏻 Nathan…the perfect boyfriend/fiancé/groom! I love him!!!
💍 Meddy…I absolutely love her train of thought and sense of humor! I could live in her head just to be entertained!
👰🏻 It’s about family and them having your back no matter what. Inspite of and despite the consequences!!!😂

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The Aunties are back! Lets face it, I dont think I met a single person last year that did not love " Dial A for Aunties " so when I got a advanced copy of this- I was stoked!

The aunties are hilarious as always and I found myself laughing out loud so many times for the first 30-40% of the book.
Getting ready for Nathan and Meddy wedding is fun plus being transported to Londo is exciting!
I loved the tie in to the first the book and the closure and full circle about Ah Guan from the first book.

I must admit though I think I liked Dial A for Aunties better than this one, for some reason myabe this time some of the circumstances and all of the craziness seemed a bit too over the top.

Overall though I enjoyed the Asian representation, the aunties, family values, the mystery element and all the funny moments.

Thank you to Berkley Publishing and Netgalley for an advanced copy in exchange for my honest review

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This was such a fun read!! I loved Dial A for Aunties and was so excited to hear Jesse was giving us more from Meddy and her Aunties!!! There were so many laugh out loud moments! The book felt evenly paced and kept my attention throughout the read. I hope Jesse continues to write more books like this one! Thank you to the publisher and to NetGalley for the opportunity to read this in exchange for a review.

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I received an e-galley of Four Aunties and a Wedding by Jesse Q. Sutanto from Berkley Publishing Group via NetGalley in exchange for an honest review.

Dial A for Aunties by Jesse Q. Sutanto was such a memorable book to read that I knew that I had to read the sequel when I first heard about it. I remember feeling all sorts of conflicted feelings when I read Dial A for Aunties - it had such distinctive and hilarious characters while also such a morally conflicting plotline to it. All of that continues throughout its sequel, Four Aunties and a Wedding. In this story, Meddy Chan is preparing for her wedding to Nathan and her Ma and Aunties are back at it with their well-meaning but chaotic ways. In this story, the family finds themselves in trouble when it appears that they have hired the mafia as their wedding vendors who are intent on "taking out" a target at the wedding.

I want to say that I enjoyed Four Aunties and a Wedding. I liked that Jesse Q. Sutanto explores how diverse the Asian diaspora can be - there is a huge contrast between the Aunties and Nathan's parents. I liked that the Aunties continued their mischief and once again, have conflicted feelings about their ease in which they kidnap and speak of disposing their enemies. So many of the elements that made Dial A for Aunties great were there - yet it just fell short. I think that part of the interactions between the Aunties and Meddy just fell short. It felt more chaotic and destructive this time around. It was easy to understand the way things turned out in the first book since Meddy had accidentally killed Ah Guan and her family wanted to help her. In this book, there was a lot of talk from the Aunties of disposing of the mafia in a way that felt too... intentional? I think I could have done with just a novel about a wedding with the Aunties and all the diaspora miscommunications/ misunderstandings and conflict without the plot of the mafia.

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What could have been better?
It had the “if only you would talk to someone” trope, so WARNING…but it was with good reason, which you will see, so I let it slide for the most part.

What I enjoyed?
The aunties were just as funny and OUTRAGEOUS as ever.

Book 2, Meddy and her aunties get themselves into more hijinks but this time they’re not hiding a dead body, they’re trying to prevent a dead body…AND AT MEDDY AND NATHAN’S WEDDING NO LESS!

This book made me go OMG and laugh so many times and shake my head, but in the best way.

This book had commentary on the differences in Asian diaspora experiences and how there’s no right/wrong way to be Asian. I feel this deeply when I remember my Indonesian grandparents and my mom’s experience being born in the US when her parents came to the US from Indonesia. The different experiences, expectations, and when there are so many white societal norms and expectations, how it feels impossible to navigate it all and not let it get to you.

Also some of these aunties definitely remind me of my Aunt who is also from Indonesia though she’s not Chinese-Indonesian, so it made my heart happy.

10/10 recommend reading the authors note 😍

This book was a super fun and easy read! It’s a little chaotic, but if you liked the last book, books like finlay donovan, moments that you’d probably see in New Girl? Check this one out

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We’re back with Meddy and her aunties! Four Aunties and a Wedding is just as funny and heartwarming as the first book. Meddy and her aunties once again find themselves wrapped up in nefarious business and of course crazy shenanigans ensue.

Some scenarios are as far-fetched as they are hilarious, so it’s best to just suspend some belief from the start and let the book take you along for the ride!⁣

It’s hard to review this one without giving too much of Dial A away. Both books have such wonderful themes of family, self-discovery, and understanding your place within your larger family, country, and culture. It’s full of heartwarming moments where Meddy sees her family, and herself, through new eyes. ⁣

Four Aunties talks a lot about Asian diaspora and the different experiences of immigrants. Sutanto writes about these experiences with personal insight, understanding, and humor. Be sure not to miss her author’s note at the start of the book!

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🔊Song Pairing: Celebration - Kool & The Gang (it’s a wedding, had to go with a classic!)

💭What I thought would happen:

After the first book, I don’t know if I could even try to predict what would happen in this one…

📖What actually happens:

Meddelin is getting married!! She is back in the next book getting ready for her big day with her wacky mother and 3 eccentric aunties!

The wedding is in Oxford so the aunties are getting their British accents perfected for the event of the century! Does Meddy and the gang run into unimaginable trouble? Yes. Is the wedding an absolute Shitshow? 💯

🗯Thoughts:

Oh man, I was busting a gut reading this calamity of a book. I didn’t possibly think the first one could be beaten in terms of ridiculous but somehow Jesse Q gloriously accomplished that!

I love Jesse Q Sutanto. I read The New Girl recently (highly recommend) and obviously the first aunties books and honestly this is an auto-buy author! So please don yourselves a favour and check her out!

This book has everything! Planes, dragons, drugs, bondage, profanity, dogs bollocks, meddlesome aunties. 😂

Cannot wait to see what other people think of this hilarious quick read!

Thank you so much NetGalley, Berkley Publishing and Jesse Q Sutanto

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The aunties are back in Four Aunties and a Wedding, the sequel to Dial A for Aunties! This time, they’re helping Meddy plan her perfect wedding. They found amazing Chinese-Indonesian wedding vendors for her, but there’s just one problem - the vendors are actually the mafia and are planning to take someone out on Meddy’s special day.

I just love these aunties!! They would truly do anything and go to any lengths for Meddy! They’re also hilarious! I couldn’t help laughing out loud at their antics, the things they said, and even their wedding attire! I would love to spend a day with them or even just have tea with them! I love Meddy too because she’s the kind of character you can’t help rooting for, and Nathan is just amazing! These books are so much fun and a great pick me up on days you need something light and entertaining to read! I really hope there will be a third installment in the Aunties series soon!

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Four Aunties and a Wedding is the laugh out loud sequel to Dial A for Aunties. ⁣

Meddy is back with her family for more over the top antics in this book. If you need a light, cozy mystery, this one is for you.⁣

Now that I’m fully invested in the characters from book one, it was pretty each to binge this book. The plot is a little more unbelievable than the first one so be prepared to suspend belief. ⁣

The common themes of family love and bond are just as strong as the first book. I adore the way this family loves each other, even if it is too much sometimes. Their reactions and emotions always feel genuine.

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Thank you to @netgalley and @berkleypub for the e-ARC of this book!

This is the sequel to Dial A For Aunties, which was published last year, and after really enjoying the first book, I was excited to get an advanced copy of the second one.

While I didn’t enjoy this one as much as the first, it was still a really func fast-paced, energizing, and family-oriented read. I loved that there was a focus on Meddy and Nate’s relationship in this book, so we got a bit of romance. I also thought the aunties were even more hilarious this time around. I was cracking up the whole time! As with the first book, I loved the focus on family bonds. Meddy’s relationship with her aunties and mom is unbreakable. Their bond as a family is tested throughout the book, but they are fiercely protective of each other and love one another more than anything, and I think the author does a phenomenal job of portraying that. Meddy also realizes how similar she is to them, and despite their antics, how much she loves and appreciates everything they do for her.

I did think the crime/mystery aspect of this one was unbelievable, especially in how it played out at the wedding. It felt like there was waaaay to much going on all the time, and we didn’t get a chance to just enjoy the story. I also thought the ending was rushed and I would’ve liked a couple of the other plot points to have been wrapped up better.

Overall, though, it was a good, quick, and fun read! I’ll definitely be getting myself a copy to have on my shelf!

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A hilarious sequel to the first book that delves into the hijinks Meddy and her family get into. While not as good as the first one in my personal opinion, this will still make you laugh. I look forward to picking up anything else by Sutanto!

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Four Aunties and a Wedding is a follow-up to Dial A for Aunties, which had me laughing and giddy at the antics Meddy, her mom, and her aunties got into.

The aunties made this book. They were hilarious and this was an unputdownable book for me. The banter was witty, I loved the family drama and the way the relationships were portrayed. I loved Meddy acknowledging her crazy family and loving them for who they are. This was an immersive and wonderful experience. You need to read this, and I recommend reading Dial A for Aunties first!

Thank you to NetGalley and Berkley for providing me with an advanced copy in exchange for an honest review.

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Meddy is finally marrying Nathan in Oxford, England. For the Aunties to enjoy the wedding, Meddy decides to look for the wedding vendors. But of course the Aunties have it covered. They have found a Chinese-Indonesian family-run company to handle the wedding. Meddy immediately hits it off with Staphanie, the wedding photographer. But the night before the wedding, Meddy discovers about Staphanie and her family's shady plan. Not letting anyone to ruin Meddy's special day, the Aunties will do everything to save the day.

The Aunties have stolen once again the show for me. I loved their sparkling purple dresses and their Komodo dragon fascinators though I easily got tired of their British slangs. There were more Meddy and Nathan scenes compared to the first book but still not enough for me. Most of the time Meddy is absent in her own wedding and it was surprising that no one really finds it strange. I also wished that Nathan has a huge role in the story aside from being the very supportive groom.

I personally didn't like that the story is set in a wedding just like in the first book because some of the scenes felt repetitive. I just felt sad for Meddy most of the time. Just let her have her dream wedding. I thought the mafia plot was ridiculous and very predictable. It's not as good as Dial A For Aunties, but nonetheless, it was a fun read.

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So this is the follow up to the hilarious Dial A for Aunties by Jesse Q Suantro. The ever charming Meddy and Nathan are preparing for their wedding with the help of Meddy’s aunts and as you can imagine, hijinks abound.

Meddy has a hard time letting go and being the bride instead of the photographer before she has doubts on the abilities of the wedding vendors her aunts have found. This is a cross between a cozy and a rom com. Then you throw in the straight laced parents of the groom, jolly old England and trying to stop a hit on one of your wedding guests. Almost anything that can go wrong will as Meddy tries to hide it all from Nathan. This book is ramped up many times over from the first one as Meddy is still embarrassed by her aunts and they continue to meddle in everything because they know best.

While at times it is a little too over the top, it is nonetheless entertaining and had me laugh out loud more than once.

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The aunties and Meddy are back and just as hilarious as ever! I love how over the top and ridiculous this series is and while I didn’t love this as much as the first book I still liked it a lot.

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With open arms, we welcome back the Aunties. We've missed them since their hijinks at the last wedding they planned and orchestrated. From Meddy's mom's extreme TCM that may be some potent weed to Big Aunt and her energy that demands your attention. Meddy Chan and her family are back and this time it's her wedding at the forefront. She's finally getting married to her dream man Nathan, and she just wants the day to be perfect, but the world has other plans.

When she discovers her new best friend and wedding photographer Staphanie is mafia with a target at her wedding, Meddy has no choice but to tell her family, who have no choice but to do some seriously questionable shenanigans. I'm not saying Fouth Aunt knows her way around some zip-ties, but I'm also not not saying that. Meddy and her family race to stop Staphanie and her family's plan before their mission is carried out. She can't have another person's death on her hands, and she can't ruin her own wedding.

Jesse Q Sutanto's return to the Aunties series is warm and vibrant just like the last novel. She breathes life and character into each of the Aunties. You laugh with them, and you cringe at their antics but you love them just the same. Sutanto threads comedy and mystery expertly in this sequel. It's sweet and thrilling, kind and absurd all at once, you can't help but smile.

Thank you Net Galley, Jesse Q Sutanto and Berkely for the early read. It was incredible

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This book was all about the characters for me…the funny things they say and the funny situations they get themselves into. Meddy’s family is full of colorful and engaging characters that are so fun to read about.

Plotwise, the book was more of a madcap scramble filled with hijinks I associate with slapstick comedy.

Overall an entertaining story with exceptionally funny and interesting characters.

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