Thank you NetGalley for the advanced copy, but I do apologize for not reading it until now. I read the advance copy while listening to the audiobook that I borrowed from the public library. Having the male and female narrators helped me get into the story. I really enjoyed reading this story.

i loved reading a book set in indonesia (this is my first one actually), however i thought the romance between sharlot and george was a bit rushed which is why this is not a full 5 five star book for me.

I’ve only heard amazing things about this author’s adult book, so I was super excited to try out her new YA contemporary! While I feel as if I’m growing a bit too old for YA contemporary, and haven’t yet found a different appreciation for it now that I can’t entirely relate, I hoped that I’d still really enjoy this one! I did overall enjoy this, but I also just never got that into it. Maybe that’s because I’ve been having a hard time with this genre in general, or maybe it was just this specific book, it’s hard to tell!

I think one of the main issues I had with this book was how long it took for the main characters to actually start liking each other. It was definitely a hate-to-love relationship, but not in the way that usually works for me. The hate was more just like extreme dislike, but the sort of dislike that comes with thinking the person in front of you is not someone you could ever see yourself being friends with. And while I know it was all based on incorrect assumptions due to the premise of the book, it felt like it just lingered on too long to make the final relationship feel true enough to me. I just couldn’t get over how much they just, didn’t care to be friends even.

I did really like the setting of the novel, though, and the exploration of this country and culture that I didn’t really know much about. It also didn’t feel like a super Americanized version of it either. While one character was Asian American, there was still so much focus on her family and her history and where she came from, and it didn’t feel like the book was trying to make Indonesia seem like America. It didn’t feel like the book was trying to specifically cater to me, a white American, and I honestly really appreciated that. It also makes me think that this book will be a wonderful read for teens everywhere, especially in the US, since it really does show how often things are reframed from our perspective, even when it's not needed. There was also just so much love here in this book, even as tougher topics were discussed (feeling disconnected from your history, feeling unwelcome in your home country, homophobia/sexism, etc.). I just loved how this book was able to balance both showing how beautiful and wonderful Indonesia is, while also remaining honest about the issues it has (without trying to find some miraculous fix to them, either).

Overall, while this book wasn’t a favorite, I am excited to finally read more of this author’s books, and I will definitely be keeping an eye out for future books as well!

Review will go live on my blog on June 9.

Thank you so much to the publisher for sending me an ARC!
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I really enjoyed this one. I think this is easily a highly recommendable read and I would buy this for others and scream for others to read this!

Well, That Was Unexpected by Jesse Q. Sutanto was a fun and quirky read that kept me entertained throughout. The premise of two strangers getting married in Las Vegas and then having to deal with the consequences was intriguing, and I appreciated the author's efforts to explore themes of family, identity, and cultural expectations. The writing was witty and engaging, and the pacing was generally good. However, there were a few issues that prevented me from giving this book a higher rating. Some of the humor felt forced or too over-the-top, and the resolution of certain plot points felt a bit too convenient. Additionally, I found myself wishing for more development of some of the secondary characters. Overall, I think this book is worth checking out if you're in the mood for a light and quirky romantic comedy, but don't expect it to be a literary masterpiece.

So this was definitely not for me. I didn’t finish this because I just genuinely didn’t like the characters, I thought they were mean and unnecessary and I just couldn’t stick through the whole book. I didn’t like how Sharlot treated her mother, she was projecting her anger from how others treat her onto her and it’s not fair to do to someone.

Not saying that it’s a bad book and someone else won’t like it- the cover is gorgeous and the writing itself was great, I just wasn’t a fan of it.

I enjoyed the infusion of Indonesian culture and the queer representation. Thought Sharlot and her mom's interactions had that unique humorously heartwarming vibe that Jesse has mastered. As a coming of a age, it works. As a romance, I'm not sure I bought in completely. Final rating 3.5

3.5 stars.

I really need to stop requesting YA books, it's not that they're not good books, it's that I can't count how many times I say "I'm too old to relate to this" now. This story fell under that category. I just felt like I couldn't connect as it's been so long since I've felt these kind of feelings discussed in this story.

Unfortunately this one wasn’t for me. If you enjoy Sutano’s other books this one will definitely speak to you but it didn’t last for me.

This was a super cute YA title that felt like a mix of Crazy Rich Asians and To All the Boys I've Loved Before. It was light-hearted, but also talked about different cultures' family and personal expectations and how teens navigate these things while becoming their own person. I can't wait to recommend this to my students as a fun read.

This has all the hallmarks of Sutanto's works - it's funny, there are plot points that require suspension of disbelief, there's great representation. It's just a really fun romantic comedy!

While this book had a cute premise and some fun humor in it, it was not the book for me. I found myself skimming through the last half of the book because I just wanted to be done with it. I think I would hav liked it more if it was an adult book instead of young adult. I also just can't stand books with a lot of miscommunication and that was largely what this book entailed. The book was also missing the fun antics of Dial A for Aunties so I personally did not find it as enjoyable.

Well that was super cute!! I loved the characters and as always, the aunts and mom stole the show! The story was fast paced and made me crack up laughing constantly. I would highly recommend this to readers who enjoy ya and adult rom-coms. Thank you netgalley for my free copy.

This book was so cute!! I loved all the characters so much. It was all around funny and you are guaranteed to get butterflies while reading this. 10/10 recommend.

I really enjoyed this romance. I thought it was unique and fun and like all Sutanto books I've read I learned more about a different culture. This is definitely more new adult than young adult. I would say for a classroom this needs to be in upper high school.

Well, That was Unexpected by Jesse Q. Sutanto had me grabbing my belly laughing so hard! Sharlot's mother and George's father catfishing one another without even realizing it put tears of laughter in my eyes. This story between Sharlot and George was so much more just falling in love with one another. It was so cool to Sharlot falling in love with her own culture and learning to embrace it, too. I love that Sutanto brought Indonesia to life in story and it made me want to go visit so badly! This story was so sweet and so silly in the best way. Definitely would recommend! Thank you Random House Children's for the advanced copy.

The opening of Well, That Was Unexpected by Jesse Q. Sutano had me ROLLING. Oh my god it was hilarious. Sharlot Citra is caught in LA in a compromising position with a boy, so her mom takes her away to Indonesia, where she is from. Meanwhile, the other point of view character, George Clooney Tanuwijaya, is also caught in a HILARIOUS situation that has his family cutting off his internet access. His family is wealthy and has essentially this empire of apps. Anyways, Sharlot and George's parents catfish each other on this app and so, to get their parents off their backs, the two decide to fake date, in a very public fashion, in front of the media. Also, neither one realizes that the other was a catfish, just that their parent was pretending to be themselves.

I had a blast listening to this audiobook. Well, That Was Unexpected kept me entertained and invested in the characters. I think this was the first book I've read with Indonesian representation, love that for me. The audiobook was an excellent listen. Risa Mei and Yoshi Sudarso narrate this 9 hour 41 minute audiobook. I absolutely would listen to another book narrated by these two who do a fabulous job. Highly recommend this book if you want something light and fun.

This was a cute story with a definite YA Crazy Rich Asians vibe. I love the fact that this author is branching out into other genres and she is really showing her versatility. The atmosphere and setting of the story is amazing - and left me wanting to visit Bali and experience some of this incredible scenery and culture. I will say that the swearing and language used was maybe a little more adult than I would have expected from a book marketed as a YA novel, but that's definitely just a preference thing.

Thank you to NetGalley and Delacorte for an advance copy of this book to read and review!

I just love the setting of this book. George and Sharlot travel through Indonesia on their many dates, and I thoroughly enjoyed learning more about the country and its beauty and customs. But, it’s really the humor in this book that kept me turning the pages and laughing and giggling as I continued reading. And I enjoyed watching Sharlot not only accept her heritage but embrace it.

I also enjoyed the characters, all the characters! Sharlot and George are terrific together, and they are truly meant to be, but of course, they don’t realize it for a while. And the side characters are so well developed and just a lot of fun. The way they all interfere with Sharlot and George’s life is hilarious, and I enjoyed both families so much.

i can't get enough of jesse's books! this was fun & funny in all the right aspects. enjoyable read!

- thanks to netgalley and the publisher for the free e-ARC.