A loving 3.5 ⭐️ rounded up

Writing this review with tears in my eyes at that ending *wipes face*

This story felt like a gift from one woman to another. It was beautiful and funny but more importantly it was honest and reflective at every turn.

What makes a book special to me is when it gives you something to walk away with and this book gave me that. I have so much highlighted, so many thoughts in my head and I was able to learn about a culture that wasn’t mine and see a perspective I haven’t had all while also being able to relate so much. And it was done so well.

⭐️ Characters - I thought all of the characters were written well. The dynamics between them all felt tangible. It was very easy to connect to them and their circumstances and differences.

⭐️ Plot - I loved the way this plot was set up, a grandmother telling her grandchild her life story by mouth and letters. It was great to see how it progressed and the ending had me in all my feelings. However, I do wish Izzy’s character (the granddaughter) was able to offer a bit more to the story/plot when things were in her perspective. I think that felt lacking at the end.

⭐️ Writing - I’m a big fan of this author’s writing style, it’s my first book by her but I can tell I’d like others. Everything flowed nicely, there were some really stunning quotes in there and the emotions read vividly. Very digestible writing.

⭐️ Themes - Sign me up for a book when feminism, cultural issues, family dynamics, trailblazing and love is at its core like this one.


☔️ So what kept this from a five star rating?

- Magnolia’s voice. For me personally, it was very hard to buy into the fact that a grandmother was telling this story. The voice felt very young, very modern and it was indistinguishable from Izzy’s voice. I do not mind cursing in books, but this grandmother and her 16 year old granddaughter cursed so much I ended up a bit annoyed.
- The lack of Izzy’s story throughout when it seemed she was meant to be such an important part of it all. It would have been great to see more of her and her thoughts.
- The age gap. It was something I really didn’t like from the beginning and it did stop me from fully connecting with that romance for the first half of the book or so. I felt like the ages of either love interest could have been changed for a smaller more appropriate gap (in that very sensitive age period) and the book would have still been completely fine. I just really couldn’t buy into the connection between a 16 and 22 year old (regardless if nothing physically happened) and got hung up on that. This would have been a 4 if not for this age gap.

⭐️ Overall, I do recommend this! Though I can see that age gap being a turn off for many (like me) the story outside of that is really gorgeous. There’s a lot to take away from this and I can see so many enjoying it.

Wow….. this book was amazing. This story is about the life of Izzy’s grandmother starting in 1998 when she was shipped to America to attend college at 16 years old. While the story is mostly told from her grandmother’s POV, Izzy’s thoughts and opinions are sprinkled in here and there. This book is packed with longing, love, heartbreak, loss and trying to break outdated cultural norms to find out who you truly are. I highly recommend this book.

3.5

magnolia's story was so raw and emotional. unfortunately, i couldn't ignore how flat and one dimensional the rest of the characters.

additionally, m confused as to why there was barely any information about izzy's life and her mother in the present timeline. while it's clear that magnolia's life story has had a huge impact on izzy's life, why have we barely seen any of it? especially considering izzy's introduction and the relationship she has with her mother, i find it odd this was barely explored.

I loved this book and everything up until the last quarter of it, which was as beautifully written and careful crafted as the rest of the book, but, didn’t go the way how I wanted and made me incredibly upset. whilst this could be seen as negative I more think about the amazing ability the author has to suck me into the world she has created and to humanise the characters as much as she did.

This was such a bittersweet DNF for me. I was really drawn in by the premise—an older sapphic woman finally embracing her identity and reconnecting with her first love as an adult. That kind of story is so rare and special, and I genuinely wanted to love it.

Unfortunately, I found myself struggling with the age gap between the main characters. When Ellery and Magnolia first meet, Magnolia is 16 and Ellery is 22. While the story doesn’t depict anything inappropriate at that time, the dynamic still gave me pause, and I had trouble fully investing in their later relationship. I honestly think I could’ve stayed in the story if Ellery had been 18 instead of 22; it wouldn’t have taken much away, and it would’ve helped me engage with the romance more comfortably.

Stylistically, I also wished for a bit more grounding, more texture in the setting and emotional depth in the scenes. The bones of the story are there, and I think it will resonate deeply with the right reader. I just realized it wasn’t quite the right fit for me, and that’s okay.

For Pride month, I read the ARC for Next Time Will Be Our Turn by Jesse Q. Sutanto. This is a coming of age story that explores, cultural and family expectations, sexuality and mental health across US and Asian cultures.

I loved reading about the sister relationship in this story. It really highlighted the dynamics between siblings that felt real to me, they weren’t best friends but they still knew each other. As their got older and their relationship matured, they really saw each other. To be seen in a way that you don’t even see yourself, it was raw and beautiful.

The family and cultural trauma was tough to get through but was at times so relatable. “Never before had the futility of existing as a a woman in my culture been more apparent.” Deep.

Lastly, the unrequited love got me, aw, so heartbreaking. Jesse did a great job writing about pining for someone, I felt that.

Thank you to Berkley Publishing for this ARC! I enjoyed reading it and can’t wait to read more of Jesse’s books in the future.

#bookstagram #bookreviewer #bookreview #arc #jesseqsutanto #pridemonth #asianauthor #netgalley #bookish #arcreviews

Book was overall a wonderful story and well written. It can be difficult to read as it is often sad, but a great story.

I am unwell- THAT ENDING! 😭😭😭😭😭😭

Izzy is talking to her beloved grandmother Nainai, who is an accomplished woman in Indonesia. Nainai has just entered the Chinese New Year party with a tall beautiful woman on her arm and shared a public kiss. The scandal!

And so the story jumps back to 1996 when Nainai (whose name is Magnolia) is 16 and following her big sister Iris to Los Angeles. Magnolia is smart but insecure, brilliant but impulsive.

Themes of found family, the bond of sisterhood and a gigantic criticism of patriarchal norms and purity culture, this book has a very ambitious goal to hit and knocks it out of the park. It has elements of romance but is truly, instead, Magnolia’s coming of age story. The themes change and attack culture both in the US and in her homeland. The time jumps are seamless and get right to the heart of the questions we ask… what traditions make sense to carry with us and what is best left behind?

Five stars. I usually reserve fives for books that both surprise me and make me cry. This story is extremely engaging. But seriously, is there a genre Jesse Q Sutano can’t write??

Critics will say… “how corny.” SHUT UP CHEESE HATERS SONE OF US HAVE HEARTS

Thanks to @netgalley and Berkeley he for the ARC. Book to be published November 11, 2025.

Sixteen-year-old Izzy finds herself in a pretty unique spot within the Chen Clan; she’s the ultimate introvert, often seen as a loner and an outcast. In a family that’s all about strong traditions and expectations, she feels like the odd one out, struggling with her identity and where she fits in. The annual Chinese New Year celebration becomes a turning point for her, something that changes how she views love and acceptance.

As the festivities kick off, the vibe is buzzing with laughter and the usual customs. Then, in a wild twist, the family matriarch, Izzy's grandmother—everyone calls her Nainai—shows up with a surprise companion. When Nainai walks in holding hands with another woman, everyone’s jaw drops, but it’s the sweet kiss they share that really leaves the family speechless.

Feeling overwhelmed by all the emotions this stirs up, Izzy decides to step outside for a breather. While she’s outside, lost in her thoughts, she unexpectedly runs into Nainai. They end up taking a walk together, and that’s when something special starts to happen between them. Nainai, with her warm voice and twinkling eyes, starts sharing stories from her younger days, especially about how she, back then called Magnolia, met the love of her life.

Their conversation dives into the past, bridging the gap between their generations, and Izzy finds herself totally hooked on Nainai's stories of love, happiness, and heartbreak. This sharing isn’t just about nostalgia; it’s a deep exploration of identity and self-discovery for both of them. While the story definitely has its fair share of angst and emotional ups and downs, it also highlights the joy that comes with acceptance and understanding.

The chemistry between Izzy and Nainai is super endearing and even funny, with witty banter that had me cracking up. Their relationship grows beautifully on the page, and I couldn’t help but find them relatable and adorable. This isn’t just a love story; it’s a heartfelt journey of growth and realization, capturing what it really means to figure yourself out amid family expectations and personal desires.

Every page I turned brought a mix of feelings—smiling at the funny moments, laughing at their exchanges, and even shedding a few tears during the more emotional scenes. The author’s writing style pulled me in effortlessly, keeping me hooked until the very end. It really resonated with the saying, "It's not about the destination; it's about the journey," reminding me how important our shared experiences are along the way.

Big thanks to NetGalley and the Berkley Publishing Group for sending me an advanced reader copy of this heartfelt story. This review is just my honest take, shared willingly, because I really enjoyed how the themes of love and self-discovery were weaved into the story.

Goodness gracious this book had me EMOTIONAL! It is such a beautifully written story about identity, feminism, cultural identity, lgbtq experiences, family, relationships, and legacy. First off, I loved the format of it and how it is told as a verbal story. This made it really fun and added comedic humor as well with Izzy's reactions. Secondly, the pacing of the book is perfect and I didn't want it to end. That being said though, the ending happened so quickly and was like a tidal wave of emotion that gave me whiplash. Third, the way the book deals with really heavy topics and focuses on finding family, love, and relationships in unexpected places is simply perfection. It doesn't glorify the dark things- it simply shows that there is a light at the end of the tunnel no matter how bad things are. Fourth/lastly, it is a well written and a non-cliche lgbtq romance that is both accurate and beautiful. The prose is just so well done and I found myself highlighting line after line of gorgeously written text.

Sutanto paves the way for more heartbreaking sapphic romances in "Next Time Will Be Our Turn." This book is perfect for fans of missed connection romances that rip out your heart and has several striking similarities that make this book very nostalgic for those who have read "The Seven Husbands of Evelyn Hugo."

"Next Time Will Be Our Turn" really tells the story of Magnolia Chen, a "fresh off the boat" Chinese-Indonesian girl who suffers at the hands of the patriarchy for much of her life. Once she arrives in America to start her studies (so that she is a good trophy wife), she finds herself falling head over heels for Ellery, her first American friend. Societal expectations push her towards marriage, but her heart pushes her towards her one true love, while circumstances threaten to take the choice out of her hands. Decades later, Magnolia recounts her life story to her grandniece, who is struggling with coming to terms with her sexuality and finding her place in the world within a regressive country.

A truly stunning work that I will have to immediately purchase a physical copy of because WOW this is incredible. After reading so many heart breaking books back to back, I really need a cry break. I'll just have to find the ability to see through my tears to recommend this to everyone I know...

Thanks to NetGalley and Berkley for allowing me the opportunity to review in exchange for access to such a wonderful book.

I was so excited for this book because I’ve loved Jesse Q. Sutanto’s other works I've read: "Vera Wong’s Unsolicited Advice for Murderers" and "Dial A for Aunties." The premise of this one felt really fresh and emotional, and I had high hopes.

"Next Time Will Be Our Turn" starts at a Chinese New Year party where Izzy’s Nainai (grandma), Magnolia, shows up with a surprise girlfriend and kisses her in front of everyone. The rest of the book follows Nainai sharing her past with Izzy—who’s secretly queer herself—including moving from Jakarta to Los Angeles and meeting her first love, Ellery.

Sadly I didn't love this one. A lot of the characters felt one-dimensional and frustrating, and it was hard for me to like them until much later in the story. I thought that Izzy was going to have a larger role in the story, but she only popped up for a couple of interludes and then finally at the very end, which disappointed me. I also found the timeline confusing—I think there’s a mention that Magnolia was a teen in the 1990s but is now in her 70s, which I guess would put this story in the future, but that’s never really explained.

I also think it was unnecessary for the romance to start with a 22-year-old and a 16-year-old having feelings for each other. Even though they weren’t fully together at those ages, it still felt icky and made it harder for me to root for them later, knowing how it started.

That said, the book explores important themes around identity, queerness, and breaking generational expectations. It made me super emotional, and I loved its portrayal of family relationships, especially between Magnolia and her sister. I think I just personally prefer Sutanto’s funny, fast-paced stories—but I’m glad I gave this one a try!

I loved this sweet story so much. It was a fast read, the characters were likable and I like her writing style. I will be reading more by this author after reading this one. The cover is a summer cover but it doesn't come out to November so perfect for when we've been in the arctic blast for weeks on end and are ready for a sunny beach read.

i’m so thankful to have gotten a copy of Next Time Will be Our Turn. This is the kind of book that pulls you in from the beginning with colorful writing and a wish to know more.

I loved how frank Izzy was from the beginning, her defiance sounding much like my own inner teen. As we get further in we are now taken into the past of Izzy’s grandmother, beautifully telling the story of how she met and the love of her life to her granddaughter. The coolest part? Izzy and Magnolia reside in the future, meaning Magnolia’s stories bein in 1998 and end around 2011.

SPOILERS AHEAD

I’m not sure I have ever highlighted this many lines in a book before. I found so much to relate to and also to learn from. I both loved, hated annd related to iris as a big sister. My heart was broken, stitched back together, and broke into pieces once more by the end. I love how real and raw the ending was no matter how much i yearned for a happy bellery and tulip ending. it was kind of nice to have a healthy dose of reality, a friendly reminder to “grab the bull by the horns and shake it until it gives you what you want”.

i look forward to purchasing this title when it releases in november and i give five stars!

I adore Sutanto’s writing and this one makes me love her more. Magnolia and Ellery’s story is laid out perfectly from their mutual attraction and fast friendship to their reunion. She lets the reader know early on that their romance would not last but I still hoped for them to end up together. Izzy’s talk with her grandmother is one to be envied. Magnolia doesn’t hold back and allows Izzy to see her as she really is/was. I love listening to Sutanto’s books. I can’t wait to reread this one as an audiobook.

This was such a good book. I loved the story and the writing so much. The characters were great and the story flowed smoothly. Will definitely read more books by this author in the future.

This one is such a bittersweet story of a grandmother retelling her life to her 16 years old granddaughter and looking back at when she moved to America from Indonesia at 16 years old, meeting the love of her life. I really enjoyed the author’s storytelling and how the themes of patriarchy, self-discovery, and romance were written in a way that made me keep reading.

So many times in this book I related to so many of the thoughts that Magnolia had while growing up as she explored her relationships with her family members, the people around her, and how it felt to fall in love. My heartstrings were tugged and pulled lots of times in this story. This one made me smile and cry.

Thank you to NetGalley and the publisher for the ARC for me to review!

Thank you to Netgalley and Berkley Publishing Group for this ARC

The timeline of this book really tripped me up. I thought this book was well written and a cute story. The ending...

3.5⭐️

3 stars.

Thank you to Netgalley and Berkley Publishing Group for an e-arc in exchange for an honest review.

I think this may be one of my favorite book titles of the year. Immediately, it tugged on my heartstrings and made me emotional. The title and realizing that this was Jesse Q Sutanto's newest book led me to want to pick this up.

While the book mainly follows Magnolia's love life, my favorite dynamic ended up being between Magnolia and Iris. Their relationship as sisters went through so many changes throughout the years, as they grow into adults. It was interesting to see how different they were and the ways they would try to protect themselves against rigid societal expectations. Magnolia sought protection through conformity and Iris protected herself by rejecting the status quo. I found the familial relationships throughout the book to be so realistic, even in ways that were be frustrating. I think the book was at its strongest whenever it was examining gender roles and expectations and how stifling and harmful they were. Despite the more serious moments, there is still that signature humor and playfulness that you can find in Sutanto's books.

I will say I wasn't the biggest fan of the last 15% of the book. It felt like everything happened one after the other, without a chance to process in either timelines. It's not that I needed this book to have a happy ending but I wish that the story had a more impactful conclusion. Instead, it almost feels like the story fizzled to a stop. I also think it was a missed opportunity to not have more scenes from the present timeline, especially when Magnolia finishes telling Izzy her story. I think there could have been a moment where Izzy and her mom interact after she learns about her past.

Overall, this was a very quick read and I think fans of Jesse Q Sutanto's previous works will be in for a treat.

Actual Rating: 4.25 stars

Thank you to NetGalley and Berkley Publishing Group for an eARC in exchange for an honest review. This comes out on November 11th 2025.

Izzy Chen and her family are shocked when her grandmother Magnolia arrives at their annual Chinese New Year party with a woman on her arm who she kisses in front of everyone. Izzy, questioning her own identity, is visited by Magnolia after the party. Magnolia tells Izzy her story - from moving from Indonesia to California at the age of 16 for college where she meets the forbidden love of her life, to how she successfully built a mental health empire.

I loved this book so much. I couldn’t stop reading. I loved the narrative voice so much. Magnolia is such a great character to follow and seeing her grow and blossom - even through the painful parts of her life - was so rewarding

While there is a central romance, categorizing this book as a romance feels wrong - it’s very much a character study, a coming of age story, and a love story between sisters too. I loved all of these parts of the story equally. The characters are so complex and layered, from the thorny Iris to the bubbly Ellery. Magnolia and Ellery’s friendship and romance was so beautiful. I could really feel the chemistry between them.

I didn’t love the interludes in Izzy’s point of view - they felt largely unnecessary. I think it could have worked better if there were fewer of them - maybe one at the start, one in the middle, and one at the end. Even though they were short, I missed Magnolia’s point of view and they distracted from the story more than benefitted it in my opinion.

I wish we had gotten more of Magnolia’s story after she returned to Indonesia for the second time - it was really only told to us instead of shown. The book would have been longer but I think it would have worked.

Finally, I would do away with the epilogue entirely as I found it cheesy and heavy-handed.

Overall, I really loved this. I highly recommend it for anyone who loves a sweeping life story, a romance, and enjoys reading about the very complicated bonds of family.

If you're looking for a romcom or a romance with a happy ending, this is not that book. Magnolia's story is filled with twists and turns, but overall, it's filled with sadness and the feeling of what could have/might have been