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!

Jesse Q Sutanto is an autobuy and auto read for me! I have seriously read every single one of her books. I am constantly impressed by how she can write into so many different genres! So I was absolutely so excited to have received an ARC for this book!

This book may be YA fiction but I still found it very relatable! I love Kiki and the fact that she is a gamer girl (we need more of those girls in books!) She reminded me a lot of my younger self. Especially since the blurb describes this as You've Got Mail/ Never Been kissed vibes which were two of my fave movies growing up. Did the book live up to my expectations from that description? Absolutely. This book made my heart swell from the absolute cuteness, and happiness it brought me.

I enjoyed so much about it! I loved the romance, and all the tropes along with it. I am a huge fan of reading anything with AAPI representation as well. This book will be making another re-read round for me in May for AAPI month! I cannot wait to read more from the author in the future. 4 stars out of 5! Thank you Netgalley for the ARC in exchange for an honest review.

Well... I didn't see that coming that it was a sequel/companion to another book which I hadn't read though I have enjoyed a few of her other books including the dark Obsession story. She certainly knows how to churn them out and she's on my radar as someone to watch.

Set in Indonesia, Kiki is attending a new school and as the new girl is nervous but invested in making a go of it but nothing starts out right including the obnoxious boys that are in her class. Though, that's nothing new as a gamer who regularly deals with sexism in gaming. She is a confident girl and speaks her mind which gets her in trouble almost immediately with the teachers and principals. She's got a plan to best them all though in order to out the harassment that is accepted and/or brushed under the rug for the sake of propriety and machismo.

Kiki won't take being #CrazyKiki and uses her class project as the avenue while also getting closer to a gamer she's always felt connected to who happens to attend this school..

With the touch of romance, it's a strong read that has voice and power mixed with culture and gaming.

What a delightful YA romcom from Sutanto! I loved the premise of a gamer girl impersonating a guy and then falling for her new guy friend—and then having to go to school with him and keep her identities separate! The themes of misogyny were well done, but it was ultimately a fun and heartwarming romp.

A sweet and silly novel that tackles tough topics like bullying and the friendships that can pull you through the hard teenage years. It seemed like the tie to other Sutanto’s books through “the little aunties” was pretty loose and not really needed. Still, a quick and enjoyable read.

I love Jesse Q. Sutanto books and this was no exception.

She tackles tough subjects and gives it value but is able to keep it a bit light.

This book however and whatever it deals with is FUN.

My favorite thing though is that it is RELATABLE. I will be able to recommend this book to so many of my HS aged students and know they feel seen and heard.

Thank you NetGalley and the publisher for a chance to read and review.

Didn't See That Coming follows a teenage gamer girl who plays online as a guy to avoid being harassed. Not even her online best friend knows that she's actually a girl. She didn't think she would ever meet him, until she transfers to his school and realizes that he could be anyone there.

Kiki has started at a new, very strict Chinese school in Indonesia and is facing social isolation and bullying for the first time. She spends her free time playing first-person shooter video games under a male gamer tag due to previous online harassment when playing under an obvious female name.

Several of Kiki’s issues at school mirror her online issues: bullying, sexism, etc. I found the principal to be absolutely abhorrent but I don’t know enough about the culture to state if that’s an accurate description in said environment.

Kiki also makes an unlikely friend online and at one her new school but that turns into a whole tangle of deceit and emotion.

Overall, I enjoyed the story and the author’s take on important issues I do wish the resolution with the love interest would’ve been handled differently and we would’ve seen more impact to the school and bullies (though I do feel that low impact to them reads as more realistic).

3.5 stars, rounded up.

⭐️ ⭐️⭐️💫

Thank you to NetGalley and Randomhouse Childrens for the E-ARC in exchange for an honest review.

When I started this book I did not realize it was the second in a series. I haven't read the first book, but I was still able to really enjoy this one. I thought it was really cool to hear about how the school is and learn more about life in Jakarta. I am not a gamer but I enjoyed hearing about gamer life, and I think that the way the story was written made it really accessible for non-gamers, but I feel that people who do game would still enjoy it. The drama of the story was compelling and I enjoyed when Kiki was able to make friends at her new school. I thought some things were a little predictable, but I didn't mind it. All in all, a good book that I will recommend to both teenage patrons and adults. Thank you to NetGalley and Delacorte Press for this ARC!

I requested this book because I have been a fan of Jesse Q Sutanto's books targeted at adults (Vera Wong is one of my favorite books I read last year). It was a cute and enjoyable read, but being 25 and the book being YA, I was not the target audience for this book. Still, Sutanto is a great creative and imaginative writer and her books are very funny. I will definitely request other books from her! Thank you to NetGalley and the publisher for providing me with this book in exchange for my review.

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Jesse Q. Sutanto has become one of my auto-buy authors, so when I saw she wrote another YA novel, and a sequel to Well, That Was Unexpected I knew I had to read it.

It was so nice to revisit those characters in Didn’t See That Coming - especially sassy Eleanor Roosevelt who shines on every page she’s on. (Seriously, she needs her own book!)

I loved that Sutanto tackles bullying for woman and girls in gaming in this book.

This was a very cute YA rom com but I struggled with it. This book is about gamers so I definitely don’t think I connected with the characters. I think this is just because I’m not a gamer and it was also very YA. This book would be great for a younger crowd. However, even though I struggled this was a good book for the right reader.

This is the 2nd or 3rd book I've read from Jesse Q Sutanto and I enjoyed the book. I definitely would recommend it.

Kiki gamer girl with confidence to boot. She can’t help but be herself… except when she’s online. ( I think most of us all do)

Her secret? She plays anonymously as a guy to avoid harassment from other male players. Sourdawg who doesn't know her true identity and best friends with Kiki online, How will he react when he finds out Kiki’s secret? And what happens when Kiki realizes she’s falling for her online BFF Sourdawg? A fun read, and lessons learned. Thank you.

Equal parts funny and infuriating. The Lil Aunties were more interesting than the main character in my opinion. I enjoyed the storyline, however I felt that some parts were rushed and not fully fleshed out.

Honestly, this was a fun enough read, but I wasn't in love with it. I absolutely flew through this novel. I couldn't put it down, and it was such an easy and fun read. Therefore I would definitely recommend it to anyone who's just the slightest bit interested in it. I also think this book had some great messages, although they did end up being a bit too heavy-handed for me.
That truly is the first of my problems with this book. They aren't big problems, but there are some issues I had with this book. The writing felt a bit stiff to me. It felt like Jesse Q. Sutanto isn't used to writing teenage characters, and didn't quite find the voice of this main character. Despite Kiki being an amazing main character, with great character growth throughout the novel, her inner monologue just didn't feel very natural. In the beginning it was the most noticeable as Jesse Q. Sutanto did several info dumps to make us understand what point of her life our main character was in, how the game she plays works, how her family dynamic works, and so on. I think you get the point. As the book continued the info dumping dissapeared, but there was still something about the inner monologue that didn't fully click for me.
The romance also felt a bit underdeveloped for me. There were quite a lot of cute moments between Kiki and her love interest, and I definitely ended up rooting for them to get together throughout the novel. However, I do feel like their feelings came a little bit out of nowhere. Especially for Kiki, as we actually get her inner monologue. It just goes from "this is my best friend" to "I'm madly in love with him" very abruptly and quickly. I just feel like it could have been developed a bit better, despite still thinking the romance was incredibly cute.
I also quite appreciated the discussions around sexism, and sexism within the gaming space, but also the double standard still very present in our society despite institutions constantly telling us that the genders are completely equal already and there is no more fight to be had. I do think those discussions were really interesting, and realistic. I definitely think it's great to present this the way that it did to a YA audience, so different girls can know that they're not alone, and no it's not alright. However, like I said before I do think it could get a bit heavy handed at times. Especially because Jesse Q. Sutanto would repeat the same few points over and over again, not really phrasing them any differently. It felt a bit too much. But overall, I did still think this was a really strong aspect of the novel.