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.

I love the auntie books by this author. I should’ve research better than this book was ya as I tend to stay away from them. But regardless of that, I loved the fake dating trope and the fascination about a culture that I’m not familiar about. There was funny parts there were sad part and I think the overall character development was very well done. I will continue to read more from this author.

I really liked this one! I absolutely loved the family dynamics shown in the book from eighth aunt to Kiki I loved everyone. I also loved how Sharlot and her mom’s relationship developed, it was so sweet.
The chemistry between George and Sharlot was so good. It was practically enemies to lovers and I liked how they slowly confided about their problems and started to lean on each other. It was hilarious how their parents pretended to be them and flirted with each other.
I appreciated how the indo culture was portrayed, and the descriptions on the food made me sooo hungry. I also love the LQBTQIA+ element in the book because I did not expect it at all and it was so heartwarming and sweet.
It was definitely a bonus that this book is dual POV! I always feel like that adds a lot to the story and the characters.
Thank you to NetGalley, the author and the publisher for providing me with a copy of this book in exchange for an honest review!

This was such a cute YA book! I loved it so much and I definitely think everyone should read it.
Thank you to NetGalley and the publisher for an ARC of this book. All opinions expressed are my own.

“Well, That Was Unexpected”: A Whirlwind Filled with Charm, Wit and Growing Pains

In her new novel for young adults, Jesse Q. Sutanto once again cooks up a humorous story that includes intrusive parents and overbearing but lovable relatives.

One and a half years ago, Indonesian writer Jesse Q. Sutanto landed the literary surprise hit “Dial A for Aunties.” A hilarious combination of romantic comedy and murder mystery, Jesse was awarded the UK’s Comedy women in print prize for her novel, while it has also been picked up by Netflix for a film adaptation.
But Jesse is not one to remain idle. This year alone, she has followed up with the sequel “Four Aunties and a Wedding,” the children’s book “Theo Tan and the Fox Spirit,” and the latest addition to her fast-growing oeuvre: the young adult novel “Well, That Was Unexpected,” published on 27 September by Delacorte Press.
While some may struggle to constantly switch between different genres, Jesse is clearly up for the challenge and evidently enjoys writing for readers of all ages.
“I don’t ‘dumb things down’ [when working on a young adult novel]. I simply shift the focus and ask myself, what would a teen care about vs what would a 25-year-old care about?”, she explains. “Teens would be occupied with school and friends and have more boundaries set by parents, whereas adults are most likely concerned about their career paths and maybe finding a partner to settle down with. These things naturally shape the story.”
In “Well, That Was Unexpected,” we meet Sharlot Citra, a teenager who has lived in LA all her life – until she is caught red-handed in a rather R-rated situation by her mother. Without losing any time, Sharlot’s mother quickly decides to take her to her native Indonesia for the summer holidays; it’s the first time Sharlot sets foot in Jakarta. At the same time in Indonesia’s capital, George Clooney Tanuwijaya’s father is concerned: as the only son, George is poised to take over the family business someday, but he seems to have lost his way.
Two worried single parents have the same crazy idea: setting up a fake account for their children on a social media platform. Sharlot and George soon start chatting with each other, but of course, it is their parents who do the talking. Appalled by their action, Sharlot and George have no intention of ever meeting face-to-face – and yet, through a series of unexpected events, they are thrown together and whisked away on a short trip to Bali. As they get to know each other better, they keep wondering: how can someone be so devastatingly wrong online and yet so understanding and approachable in real life?
“I’ve always wanted to set a story in Indonesia,” says Jesse when asked about her inspiration for Sharlot’s and George’s turbulent romance. “It’s a beautiful place with such an amazing culture and history.”
At the same time, she adds, the idea for the young adult novel was a bit of a spin-off from her Aunties series. Indeed, one can find similar elements in both books – the meddlesome families and parents who are catfishing the dates – with the major difference that “Well, That Was Unexpected” doesn’t include a dead body, which was probably a wise choice, considering the target audience.
“It’s like ‘Dial A for Aunties’ but with a focus on the romance and discovering the beauty of Indonesia,” Jesse explains.
Told alternately from both Sharlot’s and George’s point of view, it’s mostly Sharlot’s chapters that introduce an international readership to Indonesia’s beauty, richness and quirks, as she discovers her roots with wondering eyes and a pang of guilt because it took her so long to connect to her mother’s home – and her home, by default – in the first place.
Even though Jesse spent her teenage years in Singapore, attending a strict all-girls Catholic school, she can relate to Sharlot: “I came back to Indonesia [from Singapore] twice a year, and for the longest time I felt like an outsider, much like Sharlot does in the book.”
After graduating from high school, Jesse moved to the UK and studied Creative Writing at Oxford University. Almost a decade ago, she moved back to Jakarta where she still lives today with her English husband, her two daughters – and a heap of relatives nearby, a constant source of inspiration for her books.
“I think when it comes to comedic stories, I will probably stick with similar family dynamics and meddlesome parents,” she says. “I myself grew up in a huge family with meddlesome parents, so writing humorously about them comes naturally. But I’m finding that in my dark suspense stories, I’m staying away from the large families. I have an adult suspense coming out next year, called ‘I’m Not Done With You Yet,’ which focuses on how isolated the characters feel.”
While humor and comedy dominate “Well, That Was Unexpected,” often resulting in laugh-out-loud moments, the book also offers tender and reflective moments that will no doubt be familiar to many teenagers: the difficulty of finding your own path during your formative years, the weight of familial expectations on one’s shoulders and the incomparable flutter, confusion and joy of falling in love for the first time.
The book also features a bunch of lovable supporting characters, with George’s younger sister Eleanor and Sharlot’s cousin Kiki providing the best one-liners and becoming true scene-stealers every time they appear – which is all the more reason to revel in the news that Jesse has to announce: “I’m so excited to share that the second book will be about Kiki, and Eleanor is going to play a pretty big part in it! It’s called ‘Didn’t See That Coming’ and will be out sometime next year.”

Disclaimer: I received this e-arc from the publisher. Thanks! All opinions are my own.

Book: Well, That Was Unexpected

Author: Jesse Q. Sutanto

Book Series: Untitled Book Series Book 1

Rating: 4/5

Diversity: Chinese Indonesian American MC and characters, Chinese Indonesian MC and characters, Sapphic couple, Bisexual character

Recommended For...: young adult readers, contemporary, romance, humor, fake dating, Indonesian, Chinese Indonesian, travel, celeb boy/normie girl

Publication Date: September 27, 2022

Genre: YA Contemporary Romance

Age Relevance: 16+ (sexual content, cursing, parental death, HP reference, teen pregnancy, romance)

Explanation of Above: There is a lot of sexual content in the book. There is no sex or sexual acts shown, but masturbation (nothing shown, just mentioned and talked about) and talking openly about sex and wanting sex is in the book. There is a lot of romance in this book. There is a lot of cursing in this book. Parental death and teen pregnancy are mentioned. There is one HP reference, but quickly another author is mentioned as being better (N.K. Jemison).

Publisher: Delacorte Press

Pages: 352

Synopsis: After Sharlot Citra's mother catches her in a compromising position, she finds herself whisked away from LA to her mother's native Indonesia. It'll be exactly what they both need. Or so her mother thinks.

When George Clooney Tanuwijaya's father (who is obsessed with American celebrities) fears he no longer understands how to get through to his son, he decides to take matters into his own hands.

To ensure that their children find the right kind of romantic partner, Sharlot's mother and George's father do what any good parent would do: they strike up a conversation online, pretending to be their children.

When the kids find out about their parents' actions, they're horrified. Not even a trip to one of the most romantic places on earth could possibly make Sharlot and George fall for each other. But as the layers peel back and the person they thought they knew from online is revealed, the truth becomes more complicated. As unlikely as it may seem, did their parents manage to find their true match after all?

Review: This book was so cute! This book is an adorable contemporary romance with multi-POVs. One of the POVs is a Chinese Indonesian American girl who is caught in a compromising position with her boyfriend and taken to Indonesia by her mother for it. The other perspective is a Chinese Indonesian boy who is from a wealthy family, but when he is also caught in a compromising position his family take matters in their own hands via setting him up on a blind date… with our other MC. I loved how it openly discussed sex and sexual desires in teenagers, but also showing and talking about some of the dangers of sex at a young age especially socially in certain countries. While sex is natural, it is not seen that way in a lot of countries and this book talks openly about that. The book has my favorite trope in it (family sets me up on blind date) and the book also showcases the fake dating trope. The book was well written and I loved the story. I also loved seeing Indonesia through the eyes of our MC and I love all of the commentary about the land from an American and Native Indonesian prospective. The book also had well developed characters and world building.

The only issue I had with the book is that I didn’t think it was necessary to have an HP reference, even if it’s slightly bashed. It could have been “oh you’re reading Percy Jackson” or something like that instead.

Verdict: It was great! Highly recommend!

Thanks so much to @netgalley and the publisher for an E-ARC in exchange for my honest opinion.
I have to admit I totally requested to review this book after I read another Goodreads friend's early review.

I adore the first Crazy Rich Asians book and the movie, so I loved this YA novel that harkens back some of those same vibes.

The book is an about an Asian American girl Sharlot who is forced to spend her summer in Indonesia with her mom’s estranged family after her mom discovers her and her boyfriend in a moment of passion.

And George, an Indonesian boy and the only male heir in his generation of a wealthy large family who is discovered engaging in habits his family finds worrisome.

Their meddlesome family arranges a date between the two, that turns into fake dating.

The dialogue and inner monologue in the book are so fun, and feel so authentic. I love how the author captures the cultural challenges of being an immigrant and an “ABC”. I loved that you learn about Indonesian culture and history in a way that doesn’t feel didactic. I really felt immersed into a part of the world I haven't read about a lot before. The book also tackles societal differences in sexuality when it comes to girls and boys, in a very age appropriate way.

If you love YA definitely check this one out!

Love, friendship, family, and LGBT representation.-- what a delight as I read this cute and funny story of teens who get caught up in a catfish scheme cooked up by their parents. Lots of laughs, beautiful scenery and a sweet romance. The characters are well written, from Sharlot and George, to Eight Aunt, to the tag-a-long reporter. Each character has a unique personality. The book has broad appeal and anyone who loves rom-coms will enjoy this. Highly recommend!


I received this book through NetGalley from Penguin Teen, Random House Children's, and Delacorte Press. Many thanks.