Overall, it was a cute read! There were parts of this book that I really liked and got me hooked, and then parts that dragged on. The characters were funny, cute, and vibrant. Some unexpected twists were sprinkled in there, but I found the ending to be a little too convenient. I know it was a happy ending everyone would benefit from, but it just was "too perfect" (sorry if this sounds awfully cynical and pessimistic of me).

I was hooked into reading this because of the concept of two parents setting up the main characters by posing as them on their online accounts was so UNIQUE to me. I found this to be a cute YA read, especially with an emphasis on the focus of Chinese Indonesian culture.

what a delightfully entertaining read! we are following george and sharlot, who are both found in compromising positions by their respective parents. sharlot is whisked away to indonesia for the summer and ends up in a fake dating relationship with george, after their parents set them up in a double-catfish situation. it was fun to watch these characters try to reconcile the person in front of them with the person that they met online and that created plenty of room for miscommunication. i really enjoyed seeing sharlot's cultural exploration as she gets to experience life in indonesia for the first time. jesse sutanto did a great job of making the reader feel immersed in this place, from the food descriptions (yum!) to the architecture of the city. pacing-wise, it takes a minute to get going, but once sharlot touches down in indonesia, it really picks up! this made for a great light read and i really enjoyed my time with these characters!

*thank you delacorte & netgalley for the eARC!

This was such a cute book! I was not expecting to like it as much as I did. It felt like a younger version of Crazy Rich Asians but with real life situations. I found the main characters to be a little young at certain points but when you think of being that age, it all makes sense. I was into every single twist and turn and rooting for the two of them. Highly recommend this book.

The premise sounded interesting (parents accidentally catfishing each other instead of their kids but the kids end up together anyway), but the execution missed the mark for me. The voice, especially Sharlot's, seemed like Sutanto was trying too hard to write "a teenager," and I didn't love Sharlot's character and personality for a good chunk of it. George sounded really nice though, and Eleanor stole the show! But overall, it just didn't do it for me. I would love to read Dial A For Aunties though!

(Thank you to NetGalley and the publisher for providing me with an ARC in exchange for an honest review. Any quotes are taken from an advanced copy and may be subject to change upon final publication.)

OMG, this was amazing! This was hilarious and touching, so much fun to read, and I loved everything about it. I had to finish this in one sitting because I could not find a stopping point.

There were parts of this book that I loved and parts that dragged on for me. Overall, it's a cute story and I liked the characters. There are a couple of unexpected twists and I liked how the ending wrapped everything up.

The concept of two parents setting up the main characters by posing as them on their online accounts was funny and led to them thinking they were completely different people when they met. It was fun to read along as they truly got to know each other.

This was a very cute story about two teenagers whose parents catfishes them into meeting each other. I thought the plot was very unique, and although unrealistic, it was still very cute. While this is considered a YA book, it was definitely upper YA because of the language and other things throughout the story. I loved that parts were unpredictable and do recommend this one. If you are looking for a upper YA summer vacation read with fake dating, than this is your book!

Thank you to the publisher for the ARC in exchange for my honest review.

Did someone say YA fake dating? With a hot nerdy boy? Complete with family bonding? If you said yes to any of those questions you are correct. If you said no you should still pick up this book.

Sharlot unexpectedly finds herself in Indonesia for the summer after her mother walks in on her in a compromised situation. Meanwhile, George is also caught in a compromising position, but by his father and sister. Their parents decide to do what any rational parent would do and decide to find their children a partner. The parents catfish each other and Sharlot and George end up fake dating for the summer.

I loved this book. I spent half the book obsessing over how much I loved George and Sharlot's relationship, and the other half wishing I was in Indonesia. Sutanto's writing made me feel like I was right alongside them in Jakarta and Bali (unfortunately, I was not actually there, but it sure felt like it).

The side characters were all perfect. I loved their interactions with each other and how they helped George and Sharlot grow. Speaking of character growth, their character arcs were stunning. I felt like a proud parent watching them. And there was some amazing family bonding. All those emotional conversations with parents had me reaching for the tissue box.

I absolutely loved this book and I hope you will check it out.

In Well, That Was Unexpected Sharlot Citra's Chinese Indonesian mother catches her in a compromising position with her boyfriend and immediately takes her to Jakarta for the summer to get her away from him. To ensure Sharlot finds a suitable romantic partner, Mom starts an online conversation with George Clooney Tanuwijaya's father. George's dad is equally worried about his son's romantic endeavors. Online each parent is pretending to be their teenage offspring. Sharlot and George reluctantly meet for coffee and immediately butt heads. Neither resemble the online version of themselves that their parents created. However, George is the public face of an etiquette app for teen boys that is being launched by his family's wealthy business empire and he agrees to a fake dating situation. As they spend time together, Sharlot begins to warm to Jakarta and George himself. This charming romcom is filled with humor and romance and an intriguing insight into the Chinese Indonesian culture.

Whar a ride! This was a very entertaining read! I really liked the starting point of the story with both parents catfishing each other and enjoyed learning about the indonesian-chinese culture and the exotic setting! It really came out of the page and made me crave some real strong Indonesian coffee! I feel like Jesse Q. Sutanto has a distinctive style which is instantly recognizable and while this isn't my favorite of hers, I can say with certainty that I'm pulled in by her stories and always will! This was a fun one!

I loved this book so much is was a fun and fast read for me. I would definitely recommend it to others! Thank you NetGalley for this copy!

I LOVED 'Dial A for Aunties' so I knew I had to pick this one up..... was I disappointed??? NOPE! this was such a fun romantic read. The perfect combination of romance and comedy, FABULOUS

Thank you, @netgalley for my gifted copy of this book.

I have loved everything that I have read so far by this author. This book did not disappoint!

Pick this one up if you like young adult romance + fake dating that has relatable characters, is laugh out loud funny, & is just overall really entertaining.

After reading this one, I really want to visit Indonesia and have a really good cup of coffee!

So, I read this cute book over the weekend. Written by the same author as Dial A for Aunties but more YA focused, this one was just what I needed to make me smile. When Sharlot's mother flies her back unexpectedly, to the homeland, Indonesia, Sharlot does not envisage enjoying herself. But when her mother plays matchmaker and sets her up with a nice boy (George), Sharlot finds herself in a situation where fake dating becomes necessary. Give me the fake dating trope any day and I'm in. Our main characters were fantastic but the supporting characters were even better, with so much personality. If you're after a quick read, delightful YA romance, make sure you have this one on your to read list.

Sharlot ‘s mom catches her with her boyfriend right after they decide not to have sex, but it looks like they were about to, so she drags Sharlot to Indonesia and takes her phone. Only to present Sharlot with an acceptable boy she has been messaging with in Indonesia over their first week there.
George’s dad walks in on him watching porn and changes the screen to a video game before his dad can see. At which point George’s dad thinks his son needs a real girlfriend and takes over his phone with the help of George’s little sister. Together they talk to a girl for a week and declare she is perfect.
Thus Sharlot and George must meet for coffee after their parents have catfished some unsuspecting teen. But the texts their families have exchanged make this seem like a very bad idea. But when they meet up, the two soon realize that the person in front of them is nothing like the texts that were exchanged with their parents. But can a romance really start with a lie?
First, This book made me hungry. Second, a thank you to the publisher and netgalley.com for the pre-published copy in exchange for an honest review. The description of Indonesia and the food is something special. Even someone who not into spicy was getting hungry reading this. The book had me laughing at times, but to be honest I did put it down about half way through to come back to it a few days later. It’s not a book that will keep hold of me all the way through, but it is a good read that will make me want to finish it. I’m honestly not sure how much call there would be for an app for boys to become more gentleman like. But that could just be my own opinion of the American teen boy. It could be a great idea in Indonesia. But I doubt it would go well here. Anyway, I really liked the book though.

3.75 ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️

This cute story was unexpected indeed! Full of laughs, hijinks, and girl meets millionaire boy drama, this YA romcom centered on Chinese-Indonesian culture is perfect for anyone who enjoyed Crazy Rich Asians.

Our story begins in LA with Sharlot Citra. After her mom discovers her in a compromising position with a boy, Sharlot is sent to Indonesia for the summer with the hopes of “setting her on the straight and narrow.” Meanwhile in Indonesia, our love interest George Clooney Tanuwijaya is in PR crisis mode after his father thinks he needs a little less time with computer gnomes and more time with actual people. Shar and George’s parents take matters into their own hands and secretly set up their children. Cue fake dating profiles, major miscommunication, and tons of coffee dates!

This story really is a love letter to Indonesia and all the wonderful culture and sights the country has to offer. Having grown up in the US as half Indonesian, Shar has very little exposure to Indonesia and only knows as much as she has googled. Through her time with George, and the rest of her family, she begins to learn and appreciate the true beauty of her culture and her roots. You feel you’re right there with them at every coffee date and expedition the two take on.

There is also a crazy crew of side characters that add a lot of fun antics to the whole experience. From Sharlot’s very cool and fashion forward cousin Kiki, to George’s bad ass matriarch of the family Eight Aunt, you can feel how much all the family members care for Shar and George.

Although the beginning took me a bit to get into the story picked up quickly and I felt as if I was watching a teen drama on page. The characters are young teens and as such their reactions and behaviors can be dramatic at times but they both had growth towards the end of the book. There is a a bit of texting and online communication as well. I haven't read any of Jesse's other work but I am definitely looking forward to her adult books like Dial A for Aunties. Jesse truly paid homage to her home country and I was itching to look up photos and learn more about Indonesia. Trust me you will definitely be looking up flights to Jakarta and Bali after reading this one !

Release Date: Out Now!
Thank you to TBR and Beyond Tours and for providing me with the eARC in exchange for an honest review.

💜🧡💛❤️💜🧡💛❤️💜🧡💛❤️💜🧡💛❤️💜🧡💛❤️💜

After Sharlot Citra's mother walks in on her clumsily exploring her sexuality, her mother freaks out. Things are going to change around here!

After George Clooney Tanuwijaya's father walks in on him clumsily exploring his sexuality, his father freaks out. Things are going to change around here!

For Sharlot, this change includes leaving her life in California behind, getting dragged onto an international flight, and flying to her mother's native Indonesia where they will remain for the rest of the Summer.

For George, the change isn't quite as shocking to the system. As a member of one of the wealthiest and most prominent families in Indonesia, George isn't going anywhere, but he will have his family meddling a lot more into his social life.

Unbeknownst to both teens, Sharlot's mom and George's dad have begun quests to find appropriate romantic partners for their children. They cannot sit by and let their teens deviant behaviors progress any further. Thus, they do what any good parent would do and they both begin cat-fishing potential love interests via social media.

And that's how Sharlot and George ultimately end up on the most uncomfortable date ever, in one of the most beautiful coffee shops ever, struggling to live up to whatever ridiculous things their parents invented about them. For example, Sharlot's fake hobbies include cooking strong bone broth and hopefully one day being a good wife, while George's hobbies include math and someday taking over the family empire.

As the teens are forced to continue the charade for a number of different reasons, they begin to get to know one other on their own terms. Will they like what they find? And if so, how will they ever clear the air about the truth behind their meeting in the first place? What other terrible things could go wrong?! With these two families, literally anything and everything.

Y'all, I loved this with my whole heart and soul. I was so invested in these characters. Sharlot and George have to be two of my favorite characters ever. Well, That Was Unexpected got unexpectedly under my skin. While the humor kept me giggling throughout, certain emotional aspects got me deep in my feels. It was everything I wanted and more. I knew going into this that Sutanto's sense of humor meshes really well with my own. I love how realistically she writes her characters thoughts, which are always so darn on point and witty.

This story is told via alternating perspectives from Sharlot and George. It was so fun seeing both of their sides to this unbelievable situation they found themselves in. I also liked being able to see both of their thoughts involving the evolution of their feelings towards one another. 100% satisfying start-to-finish!!

This is definitely my favorite Romantic Comedy of the year and in fact, is one of my favorites ever. I would fall on a sword for it. I would shout from a rooftop for it. I would fly to Jakarta to defend its honor...and might as well get some delicious coffee whilst I'm there... 😋☕️

Thank you so much to the publisher, Delacorte Press, for providing me a copy to read and review. I am a Jesse Q. Sutanto stan and this novel is the perfect example as to why. I can't wait to pick up whatever she serves up next!!

As someone who loves reading about Asian cultures, this book made my heart leap- with the humor, travel, and a slightly dragged romance. It was a tropical delight through and through. If you’re a seasonal reader, make sure to add this book to your Summer TBR.

This was a really cute YA romance! I really liked both main characters and loved seeing them form a connection with each other. I also thought this book did a great job addressing toxic masculinity as well as some other important issues.

This was also full of humor and heart!

I think this would be a great book for teens but would also be enjoyable for people of all ages!

Thank you to @delacortepress @randomhousechildrens and @netgalley for an early release copy of this book!
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Sharlot feels like she’s been at odds with her mother for her entire life. After their latest disagreement - and a rather awkward encounter - Sharlot’s mom decides it’s time for Sharlot to finally visit her native Indonesia. Sharlot cannot believe this new idea of punishment…

George Clooney Tanuwijaya’s dad is at a loss since his wife’s death and struggling to get through to George. As the up and coming heir to the family business, George needs to grow up and take ownership of all that is to come. But, how can his dad get him there?

As any “good” parent would do, Sharlot’s mother and George’s father take things into their own hands and pretend to be their children online to find the most suitable romantic partners for their kids. What could go wrong?

Well, That Was Unexpected, takes you on the twisting, turning, laugh out loud journey of what happens when Sharlot and George find out just what their parents have done.
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I loved this one. I found myself smiling and laughing throughout the whole book - unable to put it down and uninterested in removing myself from Sharlot and George’s world. Sutano does an incredible job of immersing the reader in the backdrop of Indonesia and I never wanted to leave!

As a biracial (White & Vietnamese) kid growing up, I would have ABSOLUTELY EATEN THIS UP! It felt so refreshing to read about Asian characters, family dynamics, and FOOD! I also felt like I was watching myself and my mom in so many of Sharlot’s interactions with her own mom. I am so so so happy that we are seeing more representation in modern literature!

Sutano is author of “Dial A for Aunties” and you bet I’m going to read that next! I absolutely adored the world she created and her writing style.