Any book by Jesse Q. Sutanto has been a winner for me. Didn't See That Coming didn't disappoint. I found it to be a fun quick read that I think teens will enjoy. Plus the cover is cute and portrays what the story is all about.

thank you for the advance copy.

Thank you to Netgalley and the publishers for the arc of this book. All thoughts and opinions are my own.

One quick note before my actual review... when I grabbed this I had no idea that is was actually #2 in a series... So, without having read the first book, there were definitely characters and events mentioned that I could tell I was supposed to already know about, but didn't. That didn't necessarily hinder my understanding of this story, but it detracted from the reading experience and that's on me!

Other than that, I did find it interesting learning about the culture, especially of highschools, in Jakarta and Indonesia. I feel like I learned quite a bit, and all the food descriptions made me hungry!

I usually enjoy a good highschool rom-com, and this had all the angst, drama, and more. I did like the relationship between Kiki and Liam and how it developed. This has some fun aspects like a student-created matchmaking app, and the gaming world, which I've found I like reading about in fiction.
I also appreciate the theme in this book of standing up to bullying, no matter what form it takes.

Some negatives for me:
I felt there was way too much language for this to be a YA book written about highschoolers. Not one I would recommend to the teens in my life.
Also did not love how the fmc treated her parents for 95% of the book. There was a last-min apology but I guess I wished that family dynamic had been different in this book.

I am a big fan of Jesse Sutanto and I really enjoyed this book and I feel it discussed a lot of topics that aren't always discussed or taken serious and while I enjoyed the story I do wish there was more to the ending as it felt pretty abrupt

First off It was fun to see characters from Sutano last Ya book make appearances but that was about the extent of my enjoyment. It felt immature and silly at times. I didn’t realize it was a retelling of You’ve got mail, which is something I am not familiar with. Overall, it’s okay but not my fav from this author

**Review ⭐⭐⭐⭐/5** (3.5-4)

*Didn’t See That Coming* is a fun and drama-filled story about the challenges of relationships, navigating a new school, staying true to yourself, and standing up for what you believe in. Billed as a *You’ve Got Mail* meets teen gamers, this story follows confident gamer Kiki as she struggles to fit in at a new, elite school in Indonesia. Things get even more complicated when Kiki finds out that her best gamer friend (who she has never met in person), “Sourdawg” is also a student at this school! Kiki has been playing games anonymously as a guy for years to avoid online harassment, and never expected that make any real friends like Sourdawg, let an alone have feelings for him that might be even more than friends. Can she keep her identity secret? And if Sourdawg realizes who she is, will she lose him as a friend forever?

>> What I loved: The relationship between the FMC and MMC was very cute and (surprisingly) healthy. Important themes like misogyny and sexism are raised throughout the story, and I appreciate how Sutanto in both online and offline contexts. I also enjoyed the non-Western context and setting of this story—the way the author paints the cultural context and setting in Indonesia was really engaging and accessible for those who might not be super familiar with that particular cultural context!

>> What I didn’t love: The fake relationship thrown in here was not great for me. Without spoilers, I was not a fan of the choices that were made about how Kikki interacts with a boy who is harassing her—her attitude towards it was so blasé in a way that didn’t match her characterization. There were also some pop culture references that, especially as someone who teaches the target audience, I could see them finding cringy. Writing contemporary fiction is hard when it comes to setting the cultural landscape, and I think a little less on the pop culture references would have gone a long way towards making this book feel more grounded.

There are many YA books that I think transcend their age genre, but for me personally this didn’t resonate as an adult read. Though this book was a little bit of a miss for me, I can see a variety of my teen students who love realistic fiction finding *Didn’t See That Coming* to be a fun read, especially those tapped into pop culture and gaming culture, and who like a little romance.

**Acknowledgments & Disclaimers**
✨ Thank you to NetGalley, Jesse Q. Sutanto, and Random House Children’s, for providing an ARC and the opportunity to share an honest review of this book.
✨ All thoughts and opinions expressed in this review are my own.
✨ My reviews and ratings strive to evaluate books within their own age-demographic and genre.

This was good but not great. I was really excited by the concept but the execution was a bit of a miss for me. I love a strong female protagonist, but I think other books do it better.

This is a really sweet teen romance that puts a focus on the main characters growth. Addressing themes of sexism and misogyny in an overall lighthearted easy read manner.
Thank you to NetGalley and the publisher for this ARC in exchange for my honest opinion.

Did not expect to enjoy this so much once I realized it was set in high school but the fmc was a strong character and the relationship she was fighting for was really her own reputation. I was invested in the drama and rooting for her. Sure the crush is fun and sweet, but it’s definitely a personal growth journey about Kiki. The ending was very “stick it to the man” but it worked with the story.

I received an advance review copy for free via Netgalley and I am leaving this review voluntarily.

As far as sweet, light-hearted YA books goes, this one was alright. It’s not stellar, but it’s a quick and easy read that does tackle some topical and important issues. The plot focuses on Kiki’s transition to a new and elite private school, and follows the romance and tentative friendships she forms along the way. As Kiki navigates not only the new and very traditional high school, but also her online gaming world as well, she is subject to blatant sexism and hatred simply for being a women who’s entering spaces that it’s viewed that women “do not belong” or “should not speak out.” It’s a story we’ve seen before, but perhaps a more modern take.

I don’t really see this book as creating a positive narrative on overcoming or defeating sexism in the gaming world, or even in the school community. At a school rampant with outdated and misogynistic views, Kiki is first labelled an outcast and later, a hero, as she dares to speak her mind and unabashedly share her opinions. Those around her are stifled by fear of repercussion, and instead of offering Kiki support, the school rallies to other her as “crazy.” Kiki is really only seen and supported by others when her love interest stands behind her and shows his support for her. In the gaming world, she’s never able to play publicly as a woman. And lastly, there’s little true resolution to show the change in the education setting towards a more positive and inclusive atmosphere.

The setting and dual perspectives of the real-world view and the online-view are interesting and could have been utilized to make a powerful and impactful statement towards positive change both online and in real life. I do love that Kiki is an open, outspoken character, and her experience in high school is one that so many teens face all over the world. There’s so much potential in this book, and I do think that young readers will really enjoy it. I hope that other readers will be able to approach this novel with a critical lens to see that it’s intentions are good and it’s trying to demonstrate a positive shift for stronger women in the world and online. It’s great to see feminism represented in a YA novel and I hope this is a trend we’ll continue to see more and more of. Unfortunately, this one just didn’t hit the mark for me, personally.

💕Second book in a series but could be read as a stand alone
💕 YA take on You’ve Got Mail
💕 Discusses online bullying, sexism and cultural expectations
💕Takes place in Indonesia

I didn’t love this book as much as the first book in the series.

✨Never Have I Ever meets Crazy Rich Asians meets You’ve Got Mail
🇮🇩 set in Indonesia
👤 hidden identity
🏫 new girl at an elite academy
💗 friends to lovers
✏️ Asian school culture
👯‍♀️ supportive female friendships
⚠️ addresses bullying, sexism, misogyny and classism

Didn’t See That Coming is laugh-out-loud funny and full of heart! This is not just a sweet teen romance. Sutanto thoughtfully explores bullying, sexism, misogyny and classism. I felt every emotion right along with Kiki, as she loses her voice, and finds it again.

Even if you’re not a gamer, didn’t grow up in Indonesia or experience an Asian school system, this story will still resonate because the issues are universal.

I wish the story had explored Sourdawg’s family life. I would have loved some chapters in his POV. Also, the ending felt a tad bit rushed.

Overall, this was a quick and enjoyable read! It made me laugh often!

Note: This is a standalone book, but a couple characters from Sutanto’s book, Well That Was Unexpected, make an appearance.

Thank you NetGalley, Random House Children’s and Delacorte Press for the opportunity to read and review this gem!

ok first of all lol at this having the same title as the Rachel Hollis book Didn't See That Coming: Putting Life Back Together When Your World Falls Apart. second of all I liked it more than the Hollis book for sure!

Third of all I got this off NetGalley bc the description sounded cute but I didn't realize it was #2 in a series? (Well, That Was Unexpected) I realized it might be one when the narrator started making very specific references to stuff that happened last school year. But it was easy to follow on its own without having read the first one. For me as an adult reader there were points where I was definitely like AUGH JUST HAVE A CONVERSATION TEEEEEENSSSS but also I do remember the agony of being a teen so...I get it. anyway this is a cute romance, great for gamer girls and also for either readers who might be curious about what school life is like in Indonesia or also for Indonesian readers.

✨Book Review✨
Didn't See That Coming by Jesse Q. Sutanto
⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️💫
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I will read and love anything Jesse Q. Sutanto writes! She keeps proving that over and over. This book was so cute! I have actually never read a book that addresses sexism like this one does, and I really enjoyed it. Sutanto talks a lot about how sexist the gaming world can be, and serves an uplifting story with a badass main character. This book is a romance at its core, and while there is a pretty awful villain, the love interests are *chef's kiss!* Do yourself a favor and read this book, and really anything else by Sutanto while you're at it!

Kiki Siregar is a confident and outspoken teenage girl who loves gaming. Online, she has been the victim of bullying for being a gamer girl, and she has taken up anonymous identity, pretending to be a boy online. Over time, she becomes close to one person in particular. What she doesn't realize is that her online life and real life are about to collide with each other when her parents transfer her to a new school.

This book is an easy, and at times amusing read. I did find it predictable at times, but I did find Liam's character to be endearing. The relationship Kiki has with her parents is relatable and well written.

Even though this book is geared towards a younger audience and I'm not an avid gamer, I still found it easy to relate to the themes of cyberbullying, toxic masculinity, and class differences.

Didn't See That Coming is the epitome of Jesse Q. Sutanto's writing style - it is witty, hilarious and yet covers some really difficult topics in such a thorough and realistic way. You feel rage for Kiki and the sexism she is subjected to, but you also get to see so much of her hilarious personality. There are gamers, some very precocious tweenagers and very cutesy nerds, a perfect recipe for a great read!

Overall, I enjoyed this book. Jesse Q. Sutanto writes some of the most hilarious dialogue and scenes that I have ever eyeballed. It is hard to say I enjoyed the sexism representation, but I guess I can more accurately say I highly appreciated it. As a women in STEM I am always amazed at the rampant sexual harassment and inequality that still runs rampant even in 2024.

There was so much to love about this book, but the thing that didn't work for me was Kiki lying to Liam for so long. This is definitely a personal preference, but I hate when the big fight is because people just can't talk and be honest. This trope works for so many people though that I do not think it should stop anyone from reading this hilarious and emotional book.

I will read anything and everything that Jesse Q. Sutanto writes and this book is a great representation as to why that is. She is a master at writing a hilarious book, but with more. Her side-characters are always so well developed and enjoyable; the little aunties in this one are my favorite part of the whole book! Everyone should give this book a read. I can't wait to see what this author does next!

*I received a free ARC of this ebook from the publisher. This review is my own opinion.*

I haven't read the first book in the series, but fortunately, they're sequential companion novels that don't require one another to make sense. Unfortunately, I did not like this book enough to go back and read the first book. It wasn't terrible, but I also wasn't sad to finish it.

This book was marketed as a gamer girl version of You've Got Mail, which is one of my favorite rom-coms. Although it does have the online friends element of You've Got Mail, it didn't follow the movie plot completely, which I actually appreciated. I love tributes and retellings, but I love it more when authors take the original material and make something new from it rather than just rehashing the exact same story in a different setting. So that aspect was good.

So what went wrong? For me, the main problem was that the story took one social issue (misogyny and bullying females) and made it the whole focus of the book. Everything about Kiki revolved around negative experiences she had with men or boys. Everything. The vast majority of the male characters were chauvinists who were out to put her and all women in their subservient, submissive place. There were two exceptions: Liam and Kiki's father. But literally every other male character in the book existed to demonstrate that men are pigs, and they had no redeemable qualities. I recognize that misogynistic men exist, and I understand that many women still have to struggle at school, at home, in the workplace, in society because of the expectations placed on them by men. However, this book felt like overkill. It didn't come across to me as a story that brought attention to an issue that still exists in varying degrees throughout the world; it felt like a flashing billboard screaming, "Girl power! Men are evil!" disguised by a story. Having that message constantly shoved in my face turned me off from the story itself.

Another thing that bothered me was the constant focus on the word "crazy." Yes, gaslighting exists. Yes, women's emotions are sometimes used to dismiss them. But the extent this book went to make "crazy" a bad word was ridiculous. Is gaslighting okay? No. Is "crazy" mainly used to gaslight? No. Kiki was bullied, but taking one word that was used to bully her and making a blanket statement that it's pretty much the worst word out there is too much.

The deal with Jonas came across as far too implausible. It was a weak point in the story for me, to be honest.

My favorite characters were Sarah Jessica and Eleanor Roosevelt, the 13-year-old masterminds behind Li'l Aunties. They were hilarious masterminds, but I also loved their easy way of forgiving Kiki. Liam was another character I liked (not surprising); however, I also kind of resented his character. Kiki made such a huge deal about the "not like other girls" cliche and how stupid it was, yet Liam was very much her own example of "not like other guys." She may not have used those words, but that's what he was. I assume Kiki was meant to be an example of a brave female standing up to the oppressive patriarchy, but she was so overdone that I struggled to like her. Her parents bothered me for much of the book, but they showed up for Kiki in the end.

In the end, I think this book had potential to be cute and bring attention to certain forms of bullying. But, at least for me, the presentation of the message was so loud and obtrusive that it became a distraction.

Notes: Swearing, including a LOT of f words. I lost count. I almost gave up within the few 5% of the book because of all the f words. If I hadn't gotten this from NetGalley and felt obligated to finish and review it, I would have abandoned it.

Characters-8

I enjoyed the characters in this book. I really enjoyed Kiki and how much she cared about gaming. Liam was a great character as well, and I enjoyed his journey throughout the story.

Atmosphere- 8

I was brought into the world of elite high school in this book. I didn’t go to schools like this, so the elite high school was all new to me. I’ve also never been to Singapore. While there were scenes outside of the school, I wish there were more scenes outside of the school so I could learn more about where the characters lived.

Writing-9

This was my first book by Jesse Q Surtanto and I loved the writing style. Some scenes that had snappy dialogue, and witty liners that made me laugh. The other side of Didn’t See That Coming offered commentary about how women are treated when playing video games online, and at their schools. This commentary was offered in such a way that made you vote for Kiki and was told with passion.

Plot-8

Normally I love the trope of “online but they know each other in real life.” This book executed this trope in a different way, and I did enjoy the new take on it. My only reason the plot didn’t work as well as I hoped was that I want more of a romance between Kiki and Liam. I enjoy fake dating, but I didn’t like Jonas as a character, so the fake dating in this wasn’t my favorite. I loved the fact that Kiki stuck up for herself and for the other girls at her school.

Intrigue-8

I was interested in this story. I wanted to see how the story was going to go; I wanted to see if the romance I wanted to happen would happen, and this book did have a happily ever after.

Logic-8

I could follow the logic in this, mostly. The only confusing thing to me was that I couldn’t tell why Jonas wanted to fake date Kiki. I could tell that he had an agenda, but I could see the reasoning.

Enjoyment-8

Overall, this was a fun read. The story offered important commentary on how teenage girls are treated in some spaces, which I loved. I also loved that Kiki found a group at her name school, eventually.

Didn't see that coming was a good book. I liked the friendships that were made and the plot line was unique, a girl gamer hiding her identity to keep herself safe.

I liked the love plot, but I did guess who the online guy was going to be.

Thank you Netgalley and publishers for allowing me the chance to read and review this book! It was a 3 star rating.

Okay yeah, yeah I get that I am a 30 year old woman who seeks fulfillment in YA romance, but that’s ONLY because more than often, they deliver. I was first drawn to this novel because of the comparison made to You’ve Got Mail—one of my favorite movies of all time—in the synopsis. Unfortunately this planted seeds of many, many expectations for me throughout the storyline that ultimately fell wayyyyy too short, i.e., this YA romance did not deliver/did nothing for me/ made me realize I can be a grumpy millennial, easily. Main protagonist? Eh, okay. Love interest? Boring. Number of butterflies that took flight in my gut? Zero. I realize I am annoyingly picky when it comes to high hopes for swoony feels (and that, also, it is all I really care about eek), so I am gonna stfu now and recognize that this book is 1) well-written, 2) discusses important issues regarding the social construction of gender, and 3) is a realistic portrayal of teens who are not 30 years old and thus, a good message to the intended audience. Special thanks to NetGalley and the publisher for this ARC!