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Well, That Was Unexpected #2
Didn't See That Coming
A hilariously fresh and romantic send-up to You’ve Got Mail about a gamer girl with a secret identity and the online bestie she’s never met IRL until she unwittingly transfers to his school, from the bestselling author of Dial A for Aunties , The Obsession , and Well, That Was Unexpected .
Seventeen-year-old Kiki Siregar is a fabulous gamer girl with confidence to boot. She can’t help but be totally herself… except when she’s online.
Her secret? She plays anonymously as a guy to avoid harassment from other male players. Even her online best friend—a cinnamon roll of a teen boy who plays under the username Sourdawg—doesn’t know her true identity. Which is fine, because Kiki doesn’t know his real name either, and it’s not like they’re ever going to cross paths IRL.
Until she transfers to an elite private school for her senior year and discovers that Sourdawg goes there, too.
But who is he? How will he react when he finds out Kiki’s secret? And what happens when Kiki realizes she’s falling for her online BFF?
Seventeen-year-old Kiki Siregar is a fabulous gamer girl with confidence to boot. She can’t help but be totally herself… except when she’s online.
Her secret? She plays anonymously as a guy to avoid harassment from other male players. Even her online best friend—a cinnamon roll of a teen boy who plays under the username Sourdawg—doesn’t know her true identity. Which is fine, because Kiki doesn’t know his real name either, and it’s not like they’re ever going to cross paths IRL.
Until she transfers to an elite private school for her senior year and discovers that Sourdawg goes there, too.
But who is he? How will he react when he finds out Kiki’s secret? And what happens when Kiki realizes she’s falling for her online BFF?
309 pages, Hardcover
First published November 28, 2023
199 people are currently reading
15500 people want to read
About the author
Jesse Q. Sutanto
27 books9,114 followersJesse Q Sutanto grew up shuttling back and forth between Jakarta and Singapore and sees both cities as her homes. She has a Masters degree from Oxford University, though she has yet to figure out a way of saying that without sounding obnoxious. She is currently living back in Jakarta on the same street as her parents and about seven hundred meddlesome aunties. When she's not tearing out her hair over her latest WIP, she spends her time baking and playing FPS games. Oh, and also being a mom to her two kids.
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 1,076 reviews
February 4, 2025
“Crazy” is not such a bad word, isn't it? There are worse words out there, so why make such a big fuss about it? Wrong.
I can't physically express my devotion to Jesse Q. Sutanto for have written an entire book about why we - as in both men and women - should stop using that word. And maybe I'm a little sensitive over it because *some people* in my life love to use it during arguments against me, but it's still a necessary conversation.
What I felt during my reading could only be described as gratitude.
See, maybe I'm a little older compared to her targeted audience, but how much I’d have needed this story when I was growing up? Reading about someone like Kiki, who doesn't give up to express who she is even if nobody stands with her, not only made me feel like a proud mom but set an example that I've never seen in real life.
Reading this story at the beginning of my youth would have shown me that even if I felt like I was alone in the world, someone was going through the same thing as me. And who knows? Maybe I’d still be an extrovert now.
But the past is the past, and now I can just hope stories like this one will help the new generations dealing with important topics such as sexism, bullying and cyberbullying, and the relationships with your peers and your elders - which I’ve always believed should be of mutual respect, otherwise, how could I respect you?!
Game language aside, I encourage Occidental teens to read this book with the specific intent of learning about Asian culture regarding the food, the schools, the cities and many more cultural aspects that we don't think could be so diverse.
↠ 3.5 stars
Thanks to Random House Children's and NetGalley, who provided me with a copy of this book in exchange for an honest opinion.
I can't physically express my devotion to Jesse Q. Sutanto for have written an entire book about why we - as in both men and women - should stop using that word. And maybe I'm a little sensitive over it because *some people* in my life love to use it during arguments against me, but it's still a necessary conversation.
What I felt during my reading could only be described as gratitude.
See, maybe I'm a little older compared to her targeted audience, but how much I’d have needed this story when I was growing up? Reading about someone like Kiki, who doesn't give up to express who she is even if nobody stands with her, not only made me feel like a proud mom but set an example that I've never seen in real life.
Reading this story at the beginning of my youth would have shown me that even if I felt like I was alone in the world, someone was going through the same thing as me. And who knows? Maybe I’d still be an extrovert now.
But the past is the past, and now I can just hope stories like this one will help the new generations dealing with important topics such as sexism, bullying and cyberbullying, and the relationships with your peers and your elders - which I’ve always believed should be of mutual respect, otherwise, how could I respect you?!
Game language aside, I encourage Occidental teens to read this book with the specific intent of learning about Asian culture regarding the food, the schools, the cities and many more cultural aspects that we don't think could be so diverse.
↠ 3.5 stars
Thanks to Random House Children's and NetGalley, who provided me with a copy of this book in exchange for an honest opinion.
November 26, 2023
Jesse Q. Sutanto never ceases to surprise me with her ability to navigate various genres, including mystery, twisty thrillers, highly entertaining humorous women’s fiction, family dramas, and, of course, YA romance and fiction stories. I've never rated any of them lower than four stars because each genre is crafted with great intelligence. Her enjoyable writing style and the creation of likable characters allow me to engage with her books right from the opening chapter.
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. These are universal issues that readers have either experienced or encountered at some point in their lives, making the book resonate on a broader level.
The tropes of fake dating and false identity are skillfully interwoven with high school drama. The blossoming love story between Liam and Kiki is sweet and, while somewhat predictable, it didn't bother me. When I read the blurb of the book, which brought to mind a blend of "You’ve Got Mail" and "Never Have I Ever" storylines, I was already anticipating how Kiki’s story would unfold, so the predictability was acceptable to me.
Overall, if you're looking for a clean-slate, teen-sweet romance with a thought-provoking perspective on cyberbullying, school bullying, financial inequalities, and the power of feminism, this book is a great fit for your interests.
I'm eagerly anticipating more of the author's work to continue being impressed by her highly proficient writing skills.
I extend my sincere gratitude to NetGalley and Random House Children’s / Delacorte Press for providing me with a digital review copy of this wonderful book in exchange for my honest thoughts.
If you’re interested in reading my extended book reviews, movie critiques, and hilarious astrology articles, be sure to check out my Medium account using the link below:
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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. These are universal issues that readers have either experienced or encountered at some point in their lives, making the book resonate on a broader level.
The tropes of fake dating and false identity are skillfully interwoven with high school drama. The blossoming love story between Liam and Kiki is sweet and, while somewhat predictable, it didn't bother me. When I read the blurb of the book, which brought to mind a blend of "You’ve Got Mail" and "Never Have I Ever" storylines, I was already anticipating how Kiki’s story would unfold, so the predictability was acceptable to me.
Overall, if you're looking for a clean-slate, teen-sweet romance with a thought-provoking perspective on cyberbullying, school bullying, financial inequalities, and the power of feminism, this book is a great fit for your interests.
I'm eagerly anticipating more of the author's work to continue being impressed by her highly proficient writing skills.
I extend my sincere gratitude to NetGalley and Random House Children’s / Delacorte Press for providing me with a digital review copy of this wonderful book in exchange for my honest thoughts.
If you’re interested in reading my extended book reviews, movie critiques, and hilarious astrology articles, be sure to check out my Medium account using the link below:
medium.com
December 29, 2024
Didn't See That Coming is a companion sequel to Jesse Q. Sutanto's 2022-YA Rom-Com, Well, That Was Unexpected, a book I loved with my whole freaking heart.
It ended up being my favorite Romantic Comedy of that year, and in fact is probably my favorite ever. In fact, I stated in my review that I would fall on a sword for it. I stick by that.
I just want to get it out of the way early that I am a huge Jesse Q. Sutanto fan. If you frequently read my reviews, you probably know this already, and may even be sick of hearing me singing her praises.
Too bad, I say, because if she keeps cranking out wildly-enjoyable stories like this, those praises are going to continue raining down for a long time to come.
In this book we are following Kiki, who is the cousin of Sharlot, the leading lady from Well, That Was Unexpected. Kiki is attractive and popular, just your typical teen girl in Jakarta, except Kiki has a secret.
She's a fabulous gamer, but no one in her real life really knows how good she actually is. After running into hugely sexist attitudes in the gamer community, Kiki changed her username to one where all of her teammates and opponents will think she's one of them, a bro.
Playing anonymously has allowed her to just play, instead of having people treat her differently because she is a girl. She's even made some good friends, in particular, one boy whose username is Sourdawg.
When Kiki's parents make her transfer schools to an elite private school, her world is flipped upside down. Once the popular girl with a horde of IRL friends, Kiki is now at the bottom of the pecking order.
The school's golden boy even singles her out, gives her the atrocious nickname of Crazy Kiki and ends up harassing her every day. It's terrible. Kiki can't believe that the other kids just sit back and let this little despot control them all.
She ends up turning to her now normal interactions with Sourdawg for comfort during this difficult transition period. Then the unexpected happens. As it turns out, Sourdawg, who she thought lived in an entirely different country, actually lives in Jakarta and goes to her new school!
But who is he? And what will he do when he finds out that Kiki is Kiki, a girl! He's opened up to her, thinking she was just a bro. It's too late for her to come clean, she's in too deep. He'll hate her. This throws Kiki into a tailspin, as over the months, she's fallen for him hard.
I really enjoyed my time with this story. It had actually been so long since I first read the synopsis, I had forgotten that it was a companion novel. I was very happy to be with Kiki again, because I thought she was so dynamic and fun in Well, That Was Unexpected.
I listened to the audio and highly recommend that format. The narration was very well done and brought Kiki to life for me. I felt like I was listening to her tell me her story.
Additionally, this ended up being a lot more than a light and fluffy Rom-Com. It surprised me the level of thoughtful substance Sutanto brought to the page.
I would love to hear Sutanto talk about her inspiration and process for this one. As I feel like this story, as far as the gaming elements, the sexism experienced as a female player, really came from the heart. I'm left wondering how much of her own experiences she channeled into this.
Sutanto's signature humor and style were still here on full display, but it also tackled some fairly serious topics. I feel like Kiki's story, read at the right time, by the right Reader, could hit real hard.
Overall, I found this to be a super cute, engaging story of a girl trying to find stability and her place in an entirely new landscape. The romance was well paced and I'm so happy with the ultimate outcome.
I'd love to see another companion novel in this series. The setting of Jakarta is fun and I love just this entire group of characters. I definitely think there are more stories to tell among this group of young people!
It ended up being my favorite Romantic Comedy of that year, and in fact is probably my favorite ever. In fact, I stated in my review that I would fall on a sword for it. I stick by that.
I just want to get it out of the way early that I am a huge Jesse Q. Sutanto fan. If you frequently read my reviews, you probably know this already, and may even be sick of hearing me singing her praises.
Too bad, I say, because if she keeps cranking out wildly-enjoyable stories like this, those praises are going to continue raining down for a long time to come.
In this book we are following Kiki, who is the cousin of Sharlot, the leading lady from Well, That Was Unexpected. Kiki is attractive and popular, just your typical teen girl in Jakarta, except Kiki has a secret.
She's a fabulous gamer, but no one in her real life really knows how good she actually is. After running into hugely sexist attitudes in the gamer community, Kiki changed her username to one where all of her teammates and opponents will think she's one of them, a bro.
Playing anonymously has allowed her to just play, instead of having people treat her differently because she is a girl. She's even made some good friends, in particular, one boy whose username is Sourdawg.
When Kiki's parents make her transfer schools to an elite private school, her world is flipped upside down. Once the popular girl with a horde of IRL friends, Kiki is now at the bottom of the pecking order.
The school's golden boy even singles her out, gives her the atrocious nickname of Crazy Kiki and ends up harassing her every day. It's terrible. Kiki can't believe that the other kids just sit back and let this little despot control them all.
She ends up turning to her now normal interactions with Sourdawg for comfort during this difficult transition period. Then the unexpected happens. As it turns out, Sourdawg, who she thought lived in an entirely different country, actually lives in Jakarta and goes to her new school!
But who is he? And what will he do when he finds out that Kiki is Kiki, a girl! He's opened up to her, thinking she was just a bro. It's too late for her to come clean, she's in too deep. He'll hate her. This throws Kiki into a tailspin, as over the months, she's fallen for him hard.
I really enjoyed my time with this story. It had actually been so long since I first read the synopsis, I had forgotten that it was a companion novel. I was very happy to be with Kiki again, because I thought she was so dynamic and fun in Well, That Was Unexpected.
I listened to the audio and highly recommend that format. The narration was very well done and brought Kiki to life for me. I felt like I was listening to her tell me her story.
Additionally, this ended up being a lot more than a light and fluffy Rom-Com. It surprised me the level of thoughtful substance Sutanto brought to the page.
I would love to hear Sutanto talk about her inspiration and process for this one. As I feel like this story, as far as the gaming elements, the sexism experienced as a female player, really came from the heart. I'm left wondering how much of her own experiences she channeled into this.
Sutanto's signature humor and style were still here on full display, but it also tackled some fairly serious topics. I feel like Kiki's story, read at the right time, by the right Reader, could hit real hard.
Overall, I found this to be a super cute, engaging story of a girl trying to find stability and her place in an entirely new landscape. The romance was well paced and I'm so happy with the ultimate outcome.
I'd love to see another companion novel in this series. The setting of Jakarta is fun and I love just this entire group of characters. I definitely think there are more stories to tell among this group of young people!
May 9, 2024
this is one of those books that tries to tackle so many things at once and ends up only scratching the surface of them, so you feel like nothing was accomplished. you know? disappointing
August 21, 2025
This quick and easy read is billed as a romance. Yes, there may be a high-school crush, but there is so much more to this story.
Confident and out-spoken, Kiki is quite the gamer. No one knows, because she has to play anonymously. When she reveals the reason why, the student body is shook.
I am so very excited to introduce this book to "my" students.
Confident and out-spoken, Kiki is quite the gamer. No one knows, because she has to play anonymously. When she reveals the reason why, the student body is shook.
I am so very excited to introduce this book to "my" students.
May 21, 2024
-`, (𝑫𝒊𝒅𝒏𝒕 𝒔𝒆𝒆 𝒕𝒉𝒂𝒕 𝒄𝒐𝒎𝒊𝒏𝒈!! ) ꒱ ↷🖇🥛
oh snap my first REAL review!!! ┆↓↓
╭┈◦•◦❥•◦𝓈𝓸𝓶𝓶𝓪𝓲𝓇𝓮┆彡
➥ plot
➥drama
➥characters
➥stats
➥results
║▌│█║▌│ █║▌│█│║▌║
𝙨𝙘𝙖𝙣𝙣𝙞𝙣𝙜 𝙘𝙤𝙙𝙚...
˗ˏˋ꒰ 🍒 ꒱.⓵𝘗𝘭𝘰𝘵 ██ 20%
╰┈➤School•°. *࿐
¡! ❞ Kiki is a high schooler and for her last year her parents thought it would be a great idea to send her to a really 𝙘𝙤𝙣𝙨𝙚𝙧𝙫𝙖𝙩𝙞𝙫𝙚 school because they think she's too 𝙬𝙚𝙨𝙩𝙚𝙧𝙣𝙞𝙯𝙚𝙙 lmao ok i get it she's indo so the asian culture is very well known for…….bullying!!!
If there's no bullying this is not an asian story at this point
╰┈➤《𝘐 𝘴𝘸𝘦𝘢𝘳 𝘐 𝘤𝘢𝘯 𝘧𝘦𝘦𝘭 𝘵𝘩𝘦 𝘴𝘤𝘩𝘰𝘰𝘭 𝘭𝘰𝘰𝘬𝘪𝘯𝘨 𝘥𝘰𝘸𝘯 𝘢𝘵 𝘮𝘦 𝘢𝘯𝘥 𝘫𝘶𝘥𝘨𝘪𝘯𝘨 𝘮𝘦》
(ᴼʰ ʰᵒⁿᵉʸ ᵃⁿᵈ ᵐᵉ ʷiᵗʰ iᵗ !)
ˏˋ°•*➼ ˏ𝘓𝘪𝘧𝘦 •°. *࿐
Kiki is ALSO a gamer and after recieving a loooooooooot of threats like
╰┈➤《𝘎𝘪𝘳𝘭𝘴 𝘤𝘢𝘯𝘵 𝘴𝘩𝘰𝘰𝘵 𝘛𝘩𝘪𝘴 𝘪𝘴 𝘢 𝘙𝘌𝘈𝘓 𝘨𝘢𝘮𝘦 𝘴𝘰 𝘧𝘶𝘤𝘬 𝘰𝘧𝘧 𝘢𝘯𝘥 𝘴𝘵𝘪𝘤𝘬 𝘵𝘰 𝘺𝘰𝘶𝘳 𝘥𝘰𝘭𝘭𝘴 》
╰┈➤《𝘉𝘰𝘰𝘣 𝘱𝘪𝘤 》
╰┈➤《𝘎𝘳𝘦𝘢𝘵 𝘸𝘦𝘳𝘦 𝘨𝘰𝘯𝘯𝘢 𝘧𝘶𝘤𝘬𝘪𝘯𝘨 𝘭𝘰𝘴𝘦 𝘤𝘶𝘻 𝘵𝘩𝘦 𝘢𝘭𝘨𝘰𝘳𝘪𝘵𝘩𝘮 𝘨𝘳𝘰𝘶𝘱𝘦𝘥 𝘶𝘴 𝘸𝘪𝘵𝘩 𝘢 𝘤𝘩𝘪𝘤𝘬 𝘍𝘶𝘤𝘬 𝘪𝘵 𝘐𝘮 𝘫𝘶𝘴𝘵 𝘨𝘰𝘯𝘯𝘢 𝘴𝘪𝘵 𝘪𝘯 𝘵𝘩𝘦 𝘴𝘵𝘢𝘳𝘵𝘪𝘯𝘨 𝘢𝘳𝘦𝘢 𝘢𝘯𝘥 𝘸𝘢𝘪𝘵 𝘶𝘯𝘵𝘪𝘭 𝘸𝘦 𝘭𝘰𝘴𝘦 𝘵𝘩𝘪𝘴 𝘳𝘰𝘶𝘯𝘥 𝘴𝘰 𝘐 𝘤𝘢𝘯 𝘫𝘰𝘪𝘯 𝘢 𝘯𝘦𝘸 𝘨𝘳𝘰𝘶𝘱
╰┈➤《𝘐𝘨𝘯𝘰𝘳𝘦 𝘵𝘩𝘦𝘮 𝘐 𝘳𝘦𝘢𝘭𝘭𝘺 𝘥𝘰𝘯𝘵 𝘮𝘪𝘯𝘥 𝘨𝘪𝘳𝘭𝘴 𝘱𝘭𝘢𝘺𝘪𝘯𝘨 𝘵𝘩𝘪𝘴 𝘨𝘢𝘮𝘦 𝘐 𝘵𝘩𝘪𝘯𝘬 𝘪𝘵𝘴 𝘩𝘰𝘵 𝘸𝘩𝘦𝘯 𝘨𝘪𝘳𝘭𝘴 𝘢𝘳𝘦 𝘪𝘯𝘵𝘰 𝘨𝘶𝘯𝘴 𝘏𝘰𝘸 𝘰𝘭𝘥 𝘢𝘳𝘦 𝘺𝘰𝘶 》
yeaaaah gamers will never break the allegations….
➫Hopefully @sourdawg (her hottie online bestie who doesn't know kiki is a girl, did i mentioned her online username is @𝗗𝗨𝗗𝗘𝗕𝗥𝗢𝟭𝟬 …. yeah yikes end that fraud) is a 𝗛𝗢𝗧 gamer who play with her without knowing she's a girl. kiki is actually pretty good player and they become really close to each other┆彡. . • ☆ .
•°. *࿐ 🤍━━��━━ ◦ 🤍 ◦ ━━━━━🤍•°. *࿐
˗ˏˋ꒰ 🍒 ꒱.⓵ 𝘋𝘳𝘢𝘮𝘢. ███ 40% ↺
Kiki new school happens to be in @sourdawg school they end up in the same class.
kiki freaks out :
ˏˋ°•*➼ ˏ𝙬𝙝𝙚𝙣 𝙨𝙝𝙚 𝙡𝙚𝙖𝙧𝙣𝙨 𝙗𝙤𝙮𝙨 𝙞𝙣 𝙝𝙚𝙧 𝙘𝙡𝙖𝙨𝙨 𝙥𝙡𝙖𝙮 𝙩𝙤 𝙩𝙝𝙚 𝙨𝙖𝙢𝙚 𝙜𝙖𝙢𝙚 𝙖𝙨 𝙝𝙚𝙧...
ˏˋ°•*➼ 𝗪𝗵𝗲𝗻 𝘀𝗵𝗲 𝗱𝗶𝘀𝗰𝗼𝘃𝗲𝗿𝘀 𝗵𝗲𝗿 𝗼𝗻𝗹𝗶𝗻𝗲 𝗯𝗲𝘀𝘁𝗶𝗲 𝗶𝘀 𝗶𝗻 𝗵𝗲𝗿 𝘀𝗰𝗵𝗼𝗼𝗹
ˏˋ°•*➼𝙒𝙝𝙚𝙣 𝙥𝙚𝙤𝙥𝙡𝙚 𝙧𝙚𝙟𝙚𝙘𝙩 𝙝𝙚𝙧 𝙗𝙚𝙘𝙖𝙪𝙨𝙚 𝙨𝙝𝙚 𝙨𝙩𝙖𝙣𝙙 𝙪𝙥 𝙖𝙜𝙖𝙞𝙣𝙨𝙩 𝙅𝙊𝙉𝘼𝙎 𝙩𝙝𝙚 𝙥𝙚𝙧𝙛𝙚𝙘𝙩 𝙨𝙘𝙝𝙤𝙤𝙡 𝙨𝙩𝙪𝙙𝙚𝙣𝙩 (or in shakespeare language : the bully (hiii hana yori dango !! )
•°. *࿐ 🤍━━━━━ ◦ 🤍 ◦ ━━━━━🤍•°. *࿐
˗ˏˋ꒰ 🍒 ꒱.⓵𝘊𝘩𝘢𝘳𝘢𝘤𝘵𝘦𝘳𝘴. ████ 60% ↺
𝙇𝙞𝙖𝙢 rating: HOT/10❣
╰┈➤hottie guy next to kiki in her class, is just so nice(and hot), he tries to protect her from the bully, he also play games online and kiki fell for him ofc i mean who WOULDN'T ???? look at him !!↓↓↓
╰┈➤《𝘐 𝘸𝘰𝘶𝘭𝘥 𝘭𝘰𝘷𝘦 𝘵𝘰 𝘣𝘦 𝘢𝘣𝘭𝘦 𝘵𝘰 𝘣𝘢𝘬𝘦 𝘧𝘰𝘳 𝘩𝘦𝘳 》her =me bake=love
╰┈➤《𝘉𝘦𝘤𝘢𝘶𝘴𝘦 𝘓𝘪𝘢𝘮 𝘕𝘨 𝘪𝘴 𝘥𝘦𝘷𝘢𝘴𝘵𝘢𝘵𝘪𝘯𝘨𝘭𝘺 𝘩𝘢𝘯𝘥𝘴𝘰𝘮𝘦 𝘊𝘩𝘦𝘦𝘬𝘣𝘰𝘯𝘦𝘴 𝘧𝘰𝘳 𝘥𝘢𝘺𝘴 𝘵𝘩𝘪𝘤𝘬 𝘦𝘺𝘦𝘣𝘳𝘰𝘸𝘴》thick is not just for his eyebrows i fear
╰┈➤《𝘐 𝘭𝘪𝘬𝘦 𝘴𝘮𝘦𝘭𝘭𝘪𝘯𝘨 𝘣𝘰𝘰𝘬𝘴》Green flag
╰┈➤《𝘎𝘰𝘥 𝘸𝘩𝘦𝘳𝘦 𝘥𝘰 𝘐 𝘦𝘷𝘦𝘯 𝘣𝘦𝘨𝘪𝘯 𝘐𝘮 𝘴𝘰𝘳𝘳𝘺 𝘢𝘣𝘰𝘶𝘵 𝘩𝘰𝘸 𝘦𝘷𝘦𝘳𝘺𝘰𝘯𝘦𝘴 𝘵𝘳𝘦𝘢𝘵𝘪𝘯𝘨 𝘺𝘰𝘶 》
╰┈➤《𝘺𝘰𝘶 𝘴𝘢𝘪𝘥 𝘺𝘰𝘶'𝘳𝘦 𝘣𝘳𝘦𝘢𝘬𝘪𝘯𝘨 𝘶𝘱, 𝘶𝘩, 𝘐 𝘫𝘶𝘴𝘵 𝘸𝘢𝘯𝘵𝘦𝘥 𝘵𝘰 𝘴𝘢𝘺 𝘐' 𝘭𝘭 𝘸𝘢𝘪𝘵 𝘏𝘦 𝘴𝘮𝘪𝘭𝘦𝘴 𝘢𝘯𝘥 𝘭𝘰𝘰𝘬𝘴 𝘥𝘰𝘸𝘯 𝘢𝘵 𝘩𝘪𝘴 𝘧𝘦𝘦𝘵 𝘧𝘰𝘳 𝘢 𝘴𝘦𝘤𝘰𝘯𝘥 𝘣𝘦𝘧𝘰𝘳𝘦 𝘭𝘰𝘰𝘬𝘪𝘯𝘨 𝘣𝘢𝘤𝘬 𝘢𝘵 𝘮𝘦 "𝘐𝘮 𝘨𝘰𝘰𝘥 𝘢𝘵 𝘸𝘢𝘪𝘵𝘪𝘯𝘨" 》I' LL NEVER MAKE U WAIT LIAM 😭😭
𝙇𝙞𝙖𝙢 𝙬𝙖𝙨 𝙢𝙚𝙣𝙩𝙞𝙤𝙣𝙣𝙚𝙙 368 𝙏𝙄𝙈𝙀𝙎 𝙣𝙤 𝙘𝙤𝙢𝙥𝙡𝙖𝙞𝙣𝙨 𝙖𝙡𝙡𝙤𝙬𝙚𝙙
•°. *࿐ 🤍━━━━━ ◦ 🤍 ◦ ━━━━━🤍•°. *࿐
╰┈➤𝘑𝘰𝘯𝘢𝘴¡! ❞ rating : - 1000/10
Oh boy where do I begin with ? He's the richest guy of the school is ALSO class president, 𝗵𝗲 𝗮𝗹𝘀𝗼 𝗽𝗹𝗮𝘆 𝗴𝗮𝗺𝗲𝘀 𝗼𝗻𝗹𝗶𝗻𝗲 and ofc he's sexist, toxic aaaaand pathetic
╰┈➤《‘’ 𝘠𝘰𝘶'𝘳𝘦 𝘯𝘰𝘵 𝘭𝘪𝘬𝘦 𝘵𝘩𝘦 𝘰𝘵𝘩𝘦𝘳 𝘨𝘪𝘳𝘭𝘴 “》 Jonas just can't stop spreading the fcking pandemic!!
╰┈➤《𝘐 𝘬𝘯𝘰𝘸 𝘢𝘵 𝘭𝘦𝘢𝘴𝘵 𝘰𝘯𝘦 𝘰𝘵𝘩𝘦𝘳 𝘱𝘦𝘳𝘴𝘰𝘯 𝘢𝘵 𝘟𝘪𝘯𝘨𝘧𝘢 𝘸𝘩𝘰 𝘱𝘭𝘢𝘺𝘴 𝘞𝘢𝘳𝘧𝘳𝘰𝘯𝘵 𝘏𝘦𝘳𝘰𝘦𝘴 : 𝘑𝘰𝘯𝘢𝘴. 𝘎𝘙𝘖𝘚𝘚𝘚 𝘈𝘙𝘎𝘎𝘎𝘏 𝘈𝘙𝘎𝘏 𝘈𝘙𝘎𝘏 𝘞𝘩𝘢𝘵 𝘪𝘧 𝘚𝘰𝘶𝘳𝘥𝘢𝘸𝘨 𝘪𝘴 𝘑𝘰𝘯𝘢𝘴》
╰┈➤《《“𝘞𝘩𝘦𝘯 𝘺𝘰𝘶 𝘸𝘦𝘢𝘳 𝘵𝘩𝘦 𝘟𝘪𝘯𝘨𝘧𝘢 𝘶𝘯𝘪𝘧𝘰𝘳𝘮 𝘺𝘰𝘶 𝘳𝘦𝘱𝘳𝘦𝘴𝘦𝘯𝘵 𝘰𝘶𝘳 𝘴𝘤𝘩𝘰𝘰𝘭 𝘠𝘰𝘶 𝘩𝘢𝘷𝘦 𝘵𝘰 𝘸𝘦𝘢𝘳 𝘪𝘵 𝘸𝘪𝘵𝘩 𝘱𝘳𝘪𝘥𝘦 𝘯𝘰𝘵 𝘣𝘦𝘴𝘮𝘪𝘳𝘤𝘩 𝘰𝘶𝘳 𝘩𝘢𝘳𝘥𝘦𝘢𝘳𝘯𝘦𝘥 𝘳e𝘱𝘶𝘵𝘢𝘵𝘪𝘰𝘯" " 𝘏𝘰𝘸 𝘵𝘩𝘦 𝘩𝘦𝘭𝘭 𝘥𝘪𝘥 𝘐 𝘣𝘦𝘴𝘮𝘪𝘳𝘤𝘩 𝘺𝘰𝘶𝘳 𝘴𝘵𝘶𝘱𝘪𝘥 𝘳𝘦𝘱𝘶𝘵𝘢𝘵𝘪𝘰𝘯 𝘣𝘺 𝘩𝘢𝘷𝘪𝘯𝘨 𝘧𝘶𝘤𝘬𝘪𝘯𝘨 𝘤𝘢𝘬𝘦 𝘺𝘰𝘶 𝘰𝘣𝘯𝘰𝘹𝘪𝘰𝘶𝘴 𝘵𝘸𝘢𝘵"》
𝗝𝗼𝗻𝗮𝘀 𝘄𝗮𝘀 𝗺𝗲𝗻𝘁𝗶𝗼𝗻𝗻𝗲𝗱 𝟱𝟬𝟭 𝘁𝗶𝗺𝗲𝘀, 𝗵𝗼𝗽𝗲𝗳𝘂𝗹𝗹𝘆 𝟱𝟬𝟭= 𝟬 𝗶𝗻 𝗺𝘆 𝗯𝗼𝗼𝗸𝘀
•°. *࿐ 🤍━━━━━ ◦ 🤍 ◦ ━━━━━🤍•°. *࿐
┆彡➫ Cameos ↺1%
➥There's kiki parents, eleanor who is the sister of kiki bestie boyfriend,
➥Jessica who's New to the school and eleanors friend
➥Zoelle who has a crush on Liam
➥Pershian who's in front of her in class
➥The crazy school director who can't stop suckin Jonas D
➥cassie or kiki bestie
And some other i don't remember lol
•°. *࿐ 🤍━━━━━ ◦ 🤍 ◦ ━━━━━🤍•°. *࿐
˗ˏˋ꒰ 🍒 ꒱.⓵My thoughts. █████ 80%
╰┈➤basic asian dramas tropes, funny, not a serious book, it gives story time but in the youtube way, it was just soooo youtube that i was waiting James Charles to apologies randomly in the middle of the book.
╭┈◦•◦❥•◦It gives thai dramas hana yori dango reboot version gaming.
╭┈◦•◦❥•◦The end was very disney “𝒆𝒗𝒆𝒓𝒚𝒐𝒏𝒆 𝒊𝒔 𝒉𝒂𝒑𝒑𝒚 𝒚𝒆𝒂𝒉" channel
╭┈◦•◦❥•◦It wasn't a serious book i had a great time and 𝙙𝙞𝙙 𝙞 𝙨𝙖𝙮 𝙡𝙞𝙖𝙢 𝙬𝙖𝙨 𝙝𝙤𝙩 ?
•°. *࿐ 🤍━━━━━ ◦ 🤍 ◦ ━━━━━🤍•°. *࿐
˗ˏˋ꒰ 🍒 ꒱.𝗧𝗛𝗘 𝗦𝗧𝗔𝗧𝗦 ██████ 100%
ˏˋ➼Dark was mentioned 18times
*➼Tall was mentioned 5 times( omg that's a win ?????)
ˏˋ➼Brown was mentioned 1 time
Sexy was mentioned 6 times
ˏˋ➼Abs was mentioned 0 times
*➼Game was mentioned 14 times
ˏˋ➼School was mentioned 193 times
*➼Kiki was mentioned 187 times
*➼Dck was mentioned 4 times
*➼Love waas mentioned 55 times
*➼Library was mentioned 14 times
˗ˏˋ꒰ 🍒 ꒱.⓵RESULTS •°. *࿐┆彡
➥stars : 4 ★★★★ (liam carried) ¡! ❞
➥Spice : 0/10¡! ❞
➥Plot : 6.5/10¡! ❞
➥Writing : 4/10¡! ❞
•°. *࿐ 🤍━━━━━ ◦ 🤍 ◦ ━━━━━🤍•°. *࿐
I tried to tell a lot without spilling the tea sorryyyyy + english isn't my first language sorry
Byeee have a wonderful day !!
•°. *࿐ 🤍━━━━━ ◦ 🤍 ◦ ━━━━━🤍•°. *࿐
November 28, 2023
Happy release day~
Thanks to Delacorte Press at Random House Children's for a copy of this to review. It's out on November 28th.
So, Didn't See That Coming is You've Got Mail but with underage, Southeast Asian gamer kids, basically. Dudebro (Kiki) and Sourdawg (Liam), our main pairing, become confidantes in their gaming world with Kiki adopting the guise of Just Another Teenaged Boy. I thought it'd be fun and refreshing to read about main characters from Singapore and Indonesia...I'm not sure what I expected, but I think this plot would have worked a lot better with college students or older adults. It was uncomfortable to read what amounted to friendship-catfishing at one point from the POV of a protagonist, Kiki, whose narrative voice was so very young sounding. In fact, her POV was very simply not my jam at all, so the story felt doomed for me from the start. As the inner monologue-narration for a show or movie, I could see it working, but on page it was a cringe-fest of over the top slang and weird talking to the camera or her diary, without it being either of those.
Kiki was most bearable when she was pushing back against misogyny in her school and challenging dress code boundaries, although her bravery balks at playing overtly as a female on her game. The plot addressed school violence in Asia, which was a great, timely inclusion as it's been all over the news and dramas on tv. The downside of that was Kiki being called "Crazy Kiki" for a lot of the book, something I wasn't wild about either. Other narrative choices include a lot of in-game chats recorded on-page, texts, etc. - in all their shorthand, internet slang glory; I know a lot of people don't love epistolaries, and this is probably a quarter to a third of that. There is also the miscommunication slash hidden identity trope at play here, where Kiki figures out they're online gaming buddies and doesn't tell Liam, all while she's also got a complicated relationship with another boy going on.
I like the representation in this story, and some of the social issues it tackled, but overall, I did not enjoy the narrative for itself.
Thanks to Delacorte Press at Random House Children's for a copy of this to review. It's out on November 28th.
So, Didn't See That Coming is You've Got Mail but with underage, Southeast Asian gamer kids, basically. Dudebro (Kiki) and Sourdawg (Liam), our main pairing, become confidantes in their gaming world with Kiki adopting the guise of Just Another Teenaged Boy. I thought it'd be fun and refreshing to read about main characters from Singapore and Indonesia...I'm not sure what I expected, but I think this plot would have worked a lot better with college students or older adults. It was uncomfortable to read what amounted to friendship-catfishing at one point from the POV of a protagonist, Kiki, whose narrative voice was so very young sounding. In fact, her POV was very simply not my jam at all, so the story felt doomed for me from the start. As the inner monologue-narration for a show or movie, I could see it working, but on page it was a cringe-fest of over the top slang and weird talking to the camera or her diary, without it being either of those.
Kiki was most bearable when she was pushing back against misogyny in her school and challenging dress code boundaries, although her bravery balks at playing overtly as a female on her game. The plot addressed school violence in Asia, which was a great, timely inclusion as it's been all over the news and dramas on tv. The downside of that was Kiki being called "Crazy Kiki" for a lot of the book, something I wasn't wild about either. Other narrative choices include a lot of in-game chats recorded on-page, texts, etc. - in all their shorthand, internet slang glory; I know a lot of people don't love epistolaries, and this is probably a quarter to a third of that. There is also the miscommunication slash hidden identity trope at play here, where Kiki figures out they're online gaming buddies and doesn't tell Liam, all while she's also got a complicated relationship with another boy going on.
I like the representation in this story, and some of the social issues it tackled, but overall, I did not enjoy the narrative for itself.
March 4, 2024
I normally don't read the second book in a series without reading the first, but I somehow forgot this was book two and only realised when I already started it, at which point it was too late to go back. I don't think they're super connected so it was probably okay to read them out of order.
It was sooo addicting, which I'm already used to with this author, but I really couldn't stop listening, except to make some progress with another book for a bit, then I came back to finish this.
I figured I'd get to 50% today, but the book said "YOU MUST FINISH", so obviously I had to listen to it!! I loved it from the start, it was funny and relatable, Kiki was a great character and so were her friends.
Reading from the PoV of a girl gamer when you are one yourself made me sympathise with Kiki, because I too had my fair share of men acting like I don't belong in "their space". That issue was tackled really well in the book.
I could feel her anxiety and pain at not being able to tell her online-turned-IRL friend who she was, how it was eating her up inside....AHHHH. Poor Kiki.
The only thing I wish we got is more time with them as a couple when everything was revealed. Because they literally just got together and then BAM, the book is over. It felt a little anticlimactic, because their relationship was building from the start and we only get that...so maybe two epilogues instead of one would've been good?
Either way I had so much fun, and I will be going back and reading the first book.
4.5
It was sooo addicting, which I'm already used to with this author, but I really couldn't stop listening, except to make some progress with another book for a bit, then I came back to finish this.
I figured I'd get to 50% today, but the book said "YOU MUST FINISH", so obviously I had to listen to it!! I loved it from the start, it was funny and relatable, Kiki was a great character and so were her friends.
Reading from the PoV of a girl gamer when you are one yourself made me sympathise with Kiki, because I too had my fair share of men acting like I don't belong in "their space". That issue was tackled really well in the book.
I could feel her anxiety and pain at not being able to tell her online-turned-IRL friend who she was, how it was eating her up inside....AHHHH. Poor Kiki.
The only thing I wish we got is more time with them as a couple when everything was revealed. Because they literally just got together and then BAM, the book is over. It felt a little anticlimactic, because their relationship was building from the start and we only get that...so maybe two epilogues instead of one would've been good?
Either way I had so much fun, and I will be going back and reading the first book.
4.5
March 5, 2024
— 3✮
set in indonesia, a gamer girl with a secret identity forms a friendship with someone she meets in a online game until she unwillingly moves school and finds out her online friend is going to the same school as hers. curious to find out who her online bestie is and also scared because her friend thought that she's a guy.
ah, reading this book is like walking down memory lane because it is set in high school in indonesia.
the familiarity of the atmosphere was so fun for me and i love how realistic Sutanto wrote about reality in some schools on how conservative people are and the challenges they have to face. it deals with sexism and sexual harassment in gaming as a girl.
the story was so fun to go through; it was hillarious especially eleanor roosevelt tanuwijaya and sarah jessica susanti lmaoo i love those kids😂
kiki was so endearing. i really like her. i love how confident and brave she has been after everything she went through.
my only complaint was the last 30% of the story because i didn't feel the need for it at all. It ruined the story for me i feel like it can be done better. but again i enjoyed this; it pretty much reminds me on high school days with their questionable rules😂 and oh the last scene with the mmcs under pohon beringin? *chef's kiss* 🤣🤣🤣🤣
set in indonesia, a gamer girl with a secret identity forms a friendship with someone she meets in a online game until she unwillingly moves school and finds out her online friend is going to the same school as hers. curious to find out who her online bestie is and also scared because her friend thought that she's a guy.
ah, reading this book is like walking down memory lane because it is set in high school in indonesia.
the familiarity of the atmosphere was so fun for me and i love how realistic Sutanto wrote about reality in some schools on how conservative people are and the challenges they have to face. it deals with sexism and sexual harassment in gaming as a girl.
the story was so fun to go through; it was hillarious especially eleanor roosevelt tanuwijaya and sarah jessica susanti lmaoo i love those kids😂
kiki was so endearing. i really like her. i love how confident and brave she has been after everything she went through.
my only complaint was the last 30% of the story because i didn't feel the need for it at all. It ruined the story for me i feel like it can be done better. but again i enjoyed this; it pretty much reminds me on high school days with their questionable rules😂 and oh the last scene with the mmcs under pohon beringin? *chef's kiss* 🤣🤣🤣🤣
September 9, 2023
This book was light in tone but handled a lot of delicate/heavy topics (cultural expectations, bullying, sexism etc) very well! I really enjoyed Kiki as a character: I loved that she was fiercely independent and proud to be herself. But what stood out to me was the honest portrayal of her moments of struggle and doubt.
Sadly, it felt a little rushed at the end but overall I think this was an important story to tell. Perfect for YA readers.
Thank you so much Penguin Teen for my ARC!
3.5/5⭐️
Sadly, it felt a little rushed at the end but overall I think this was an important story to tell. Perfect for YA readers.
Thank you so much Penguin Teen for my ARC!
3.5/5⭐️
Read
September 17, 2023I first started reading this author because I thought, yay, more South Asian representation, finally! Now after two books--I loved this one even more than the previous--I'll be looking for more of her work because I adore this writer's voice.
I could just see my grand-niece glomming onto this book. The language is salty--as is the language of pretty much all the teens I used to teach, when they thought adults weren't listening. I loved Kiki's personality, and Liam's, and I absolutely cheered for Kiki taking on the rampant misogyny in the gaming industry--and in upper crust boarding schools. The heavy cultural weight of Asian tradition gets its bow, but that doesn't excuse the abuse, the shame-tactics that women get hit with but aren't given to the men, and above all the gaslighting.
That makes this sound like a problem novel, but though it dealt with some heavy issues, there is a ton of humor, and some great characters. (I loved the younger teenage girls in this book. They cracked me up.) The pacing was terrific, and I loved Kiki's parents' handling as well as the young people.
I could totally see this as a film--I hope it gets bought as a property.
I could just see my grand-niece glomming onto this book. The language is salty--as is the language of pretty much all the teens I used to teach, when they thought adults weren't listening. I loved Kiki's personality, and Liam's, and I absolutely cheered for Kiki taking on the rampant misogyny in the gaming industry--and in upper crust boarding schools. The heavy cultural weight of Asian tradition gets its bow, but that doesn't excuse the abuse, the shame-tactics that women get hit with but aren't given to the men, and above all the gaslighting.
That makes this sound like a problem novel, but though it dealt with some heavy issues, there is a ton of humor, and some great characters. (I loved the younger teenage girls in this book. They cracked me up.) The pacing was terrific, and I loved Kiki's parents' handling as well as the young people.
I could totally see this as a film--I hope it gets bought as a property.
April 16, 2024
Thank you Fully Booked for providing a complimentary book in exchange for an honest review!
Didn't See That Coming highlights the following topics: sexism and bullying. I can relate so much to the main character Kiki Siregar and we have one thing in common. We're both avid gamers. Jesse Q. Sutanto laid down facts about a girl gamer's experiences on sexism.
It's filled with threats such as rape, death, suicide etc., vulgar words and belittling women/girls because we are weak. This is very common in one of the multiplayer team fighting games like Mobile Legends, Farlight, Call of Duty, League of Legends, etc. Stereotypically, boys think that we only excel by picking the "easier" heroes like mage, marksman, support etc. Unfortunately, some of them are arrogant and sore losers. They can't handle when someone stepped on their egos when they refused to acknowledged a girl plays better than them.
The difference between Kiki and I are our perceptions. Kiki pretends to be a guy by having a username that identifies her as a male player and it makes her feel safe. In contrast, I proudly use my gamer username: Ladyvantassel / LadyVanGarrett -- I got these names from Sleepy Hollow and other players know I'm a girl. I'm not a pro player but I refuse to let my guard down on these whiny players. To be a leader, is to be a team player.
So when Kiki realizes that her game buddy: Sourdawg studies at Xingfa, she wonders who he is but she's also terrified someone will reveal her true identity. Anyways, this is going to be a lengthy review as I want to address the bullying part: it was a slap in the face to Jonas and Principal Lin. I believe Kiki and those who were bullied didn't get the justice they deserved. I am so furious with Jonas for being such a jerk, spoiled misogynist. Don't get me started with Principal Lin. Someone should replace his job for being biased and tolerating bullies. Obviously, favoritism is common in Asian schools.
This is a good contemporary romance. It will be better if it has an alternate ending or slightly extending the pages addressing properly the issues..
Didn't See That Coming highlights the following topics: sexism and bullying. I can relate so much to the main character Kiki Siregar and we have one thing in common. We're both avid gamers. Jesse Q. Sutanto laid down facts about a girl gamer's experiences on sexism.
It's filled with threats such as rape, death, suicide etc., vulgar words and belittling women/girls because we are weak. This is very common in one of the multiplayer team fighting games like Mobile Legends, Farlight, Call of Duty, League of Legends, etc. Stereotypically, boys think that we only excel by picking the "easier" heroes like mage, marksman, support etc. Unfortunately, some of them are arrogant and sore losers. They can't handle when someone stepped on their egos when they refused to acknowledged a girl plays better than them.
The difference between Kiki and I are our perceptions. Kiki pretends to be a guy by having a username that identifies her as a male player and it makes her feel safe. In contrast, I proudly use my gamer username: Ladyvantassel / LadyVanGarrett -- I got these names from Sleepy Hollow and other players know I'm a girl. I'm not a pro player but I refuse to let my guard down on these whiny players. To be a leader, is to be a team player.
So when Kiki realizes that her game buddy: Sourdawg studies at Xingfa, she wonders who he is but she's also terrified someone will reveal her true identity. Anyways, this is going to be a lengthy review as I want to address the bullying part: it was a slap in the face to Jonas and Principal Lin. I believe Kiki and those who were bullied didn't get the justice they deserved. I am so furious with Jonas for being such a jerk, spoiled misogynist. Don't get me started with Principal Lin. Someone should replace his job for being biased and tolerating bullies. Obviously, favoritism is common in Asian schools.
This is a good contemporary romance. It will be better if it has an alternate ending or slightly extending the pages addressing properly the issues..
January 10, 2025
I really like this author. She has a wide range of genres, and I think I’ve read all her books - at least the ones I could find at the library. As an adult, I’d probably give this book four stars because it’s way too cheesy for me. But given it’s a YA book, I think she’s captured the heart of how most teens think and talk and hope and feel. So five stars it is. Plus, I love that she tackled bullying of women both online and in person.
June 8, 2025
Oh my god. This was such a good book. It deserved the five star rating for sure. FOR SUREEE.
I could relate to Kiki in a bunch of ways. Sometimes, I’m bullied for being myself which is honestly really shitty. But it happens.
Bro I loved Liam. He was the best to me. He was just so sweet and kind to her, I couldn’t help but giggle.
At first, I kinda liked Jonas, but the further I got into the book, I started to not like him at all. He was quite literally, in Kiki’s own words, “an obnoxious twat” which absolutely made me laugh out loud. Because she doesn’t give a crap what people think about her.
One of my favorite parts in this book was when Liam and Kiki were talking about things that liked in a SO (Significant Other if you’re wondering). And he said that he would love to play Warfront Heroes with his girlfriend and bake her stuff which I just found absolutely freaking adorable.
But something I might’ve done.. not by accident, but I shouldn’t have done it because I confused myself, was I read ahead. And I saw the name Liam as the guy she kissed on the last page, and I was like… huh? That’s not his name. And then I realized. His game name was Sourdawg. And his real name was Liam. So my common sense really flew out the window there 😂
Well that’s all for now! Byeee!
I could relate to Kiki in a bunch of ways. Sometimes, I’m bullied for being myself which is honestly really shitty. But it happens.
Bro I loved Liam. He was the best to me. He was just so sweet and kind to her, I couldn’t help but giggle.
At first, I kinda liked Jonas, but the further I got into the book, I started to not like him at all. He was quite literally, in Kiki’s own words, “an obnoxious twat” which absolutely made me laugh out loud. Because she doesn’t give a crap what people think about her.
One of my favorite parts in this book was when Liam and Kiki were talking about things that liked in a SO (Significant Other if you’re wondering). And he said that he would love to play Warfront Heroes with his girlfriend and bake her stuff which I just found absolutely freaking adorable.
But something I might’ve done.. not by accident, but I shouldn’t have done it because I confused myself, was I read ahead. And I saw the name Liam as the guy she kissed on the last page, and I was like… huh? That’s not his name. And then I realized. His game name was Sourdawg. And his real name was Liam. So my common sense really flew out the window there 😂
Well that’s all for now! Byeee!
November 15, 2023
ARC copy provided in exchange for an honest review. This in no way changes my rating or review.
3.5 stars
After reading “ Dial A for Aunties ” I knew Jesse Q Sutanto would never disappoint me in my search for humour and messy Asian families – and once again she has provided. “Didn’t See That Coming” was hilarious and adorable, while also encapsulating the brutal misogyny still rife today – especially in the online gaming world. Such a fun but important YA novel!
“we pretend that the patriarchy is done and we’re in a society with gender equality, so we can’t even fight it because the fight’s over. How do I fight something that’s already playing dead but is still very much alive behind closed doors?”
Kiki was confident, strong, and funny – I loved her character. As she would say, she absolutely slayed, and I loved her refusal to back down and fall in line. She did NOT have a fun time at her new school, and while she made a few decisions that truly pissed me off, she was also a stressed teenage girl, so I couldn’t really blame her. Sutanto’s powerful messages on misogyny and sexism were so brilliantly told through Kiki’s character, and I also adored the abundance of hilarious and adorable side characters.
“I’d like to find the asshole who normalized “Not like other girls” as a compliment and grind his stupid head into the dirt.”
I may not be a gamer, but this book struck hard when talking about the struggles that women go through when gaming. Nonetheless, I had so much fun, and read this in a day. A masterful blend of important topics and fun teenage shenanigans, and while one event in the book really irritated me, I truly enjoyed this overall. Super fun! Thank you so much to the author, publisher, and TBR and Beyond Tours for the ARC copy.
~~~
pre-read review: just got an arc for this one - yay!!! cinnamon roll mmc here i come...
3.5 stars
After reading “ Dial A for Aunties ” I knew Jesse Q Sutanto would never disappoint me in my search for humour and messy Asian families – and once again she has provided. “Didn’t See That Coming” was hilarious and adorable, while also encapsulating the brutal misogyny still rife today – especially in the online gaming world. Such a fun but important YA novel!
“we pretend that the patriarchy is done and we’re in a society with gender equality, so we can’t even fight it because the fight’s over. How do I fight something that’s already playing dead but is still very much alive behind closed doors?”
Kiki was confident, strong, and funny – I loved her character. As she would say, she absolutely slayed, and I loved her refusal to back down and fall in line. She did NOT have a fun time at her new school, and while she made a few decisions that truly pissed me off, she was also a stressed teenage girl, so I couldn’t really blame her. Sutanto’s powerful messages on misogyny and sexism were so brilliantly told through Kiki’s character, and I also adored the abundance of hilarious and adorable side characters.
“I’d like to find the asshole who normalized “Not like other girls” as a compliment and grind his stupid head into the dirt.”
I may not be a gamer, but this book struck hard when talking about the struggles that women go through when gaming. Nonetheless, I had so much fun, and read this in a day. A masterful blend of important topics and fun teenage shenanigans, and while one event in the book really irritated me, I truly enjoyed this overall. Super fun! Thank you so much to the author, publisher, and TBR and Beyond Tours for the ARC copy.
~~~
pre-read review: just got an arc for this one - yay!!! cinnamon roll mmc here i come...
November 29, 2023
such a good YA!! I LOVED all of the characters, especially Kiki. This felt like the perfect combination of fun + important. this book touched on so many important topics + was so incredibly relatable as a female. I would absolutely recommend!
Thank you Netgalley + Penguin Audio for the ARC/ALC's!
Thank you Netgalley + Penguin Audio for the ARC/ALC's!
January 6, 2024
4.5 Stars
A surprisingly heartfelt, You’ve Got Mail Style Rom-Com that offsets its witty charm and humorous quips, with a deft exploration into sexism, toxic masculinity and online harassment of girls that I found refreshingly relevant.
Though not really a gamer myself (Pokemon and Animal Crossing being pretty much my only experience), I enjoyed exploring both the perks and pitfalls of the gaming community from a female centred perspective.
And what a perspective it was! Kiki was such a confident and compelling protagonist, with flaws and insecurities that brought depth to her character— which I found utterly endearing. Her relatable foray into the world of first love, starting a new school and the awkward task of making friends is certain to be a just as much of a hit with teen readers as well.
As I previously mentioned, we do explore some highly important subject material, such as the emotional and psychological impact of bullying (both on and off-line) and the multitude of problems that an environment of misogyny and toxic masculinity can cause.
However, the biggest highlight for me was the witty banter and character cameos from Jesse Q. Sutanto’s previous YA Rom-Com (Well, That Was Unexpected) which imbued the perfect amount comic relief to break up the more emotionally intense scenes. Especially with the return of the precocious Eleanor Roosevelt Tanuwijaya, whose elaborate (and secret) school wide dating service brings Kiki face to face with her online gaming bestie— who doesn’t know she’s a girl.
The romance was really good, in a slightly angsty will-they-won’t-they-kind of way but I did really enjoy it. Our male love interest was an adorable cinnamon roll and he and Kiki’s IRL interactions are the absolute cutest. My only criticism is that the pace did dip a little in the middle—however, Kiki’s resilient attitude and determination not to give into her bullies,and drive to change her school’s outdated (and sexist) policies, did lead to a satisfyingly uplifting conclusion that did definitely make up for it.
So, if you’re an avid gamer or adore YA Rom- Coms with a message then I highly recommend checking this out!
Also huge thank you to Rachel Quin and Electric Monkey Books for the finished copy.
A surprisingly heartfelt, You’ve Got Mail Style Rom-Com that offsets its witty charm and humorous quips, with a deft exploration into sexism, toxic masculinity and online harassment of girls that I found refreshingly relevant.
Though not really a gamer myself (Pokemon and Animal Crossing being pretty much my only experience), I enjoyed exploring both the perks and pitfalls of the gaming community from a female centred perspective.
And what a perspective it was! Kiki was such a confident and compelling protagonist, with flaws and insecurities that brought depth to her character— which I found utterly endearing. Her relatable foray into the world of first love, starting a new school and the awkward task of making friends is certain to be a just as much of a hit with teen readers as well.
As I previously mentioned, we do explore some highly important subject material, such as the emotional and psychological impact of bullying (both on and off-line) and the multitude of problems that an environment of misogyny and toxic masculinity can cause.
However, the biggest highlight for me was the witty banter and character cameos from Jesse Q. Sutanto’s previous YA Rom-Com (Well, That Was Unexpected) which imbued the perfect amount comic relief to break up the more emotionally intense scenes. Especially with the return of the precocious Eleanor Roosevelt Tanuwijaya, whose elaborate (and secret) school wide dating service brings Kiki face to face with her online gaming bestie— who doesn’t know she’s a girl.
The romance was really good, in a slightly angsty will-they-won’t-they-kind of way but I did really enjoy it. Our male love interest was an adorable cinnamon roll and he and Kiki’s IRL interactions are the absolute cutest. My only criticism is that the pace did dip a little in the middle—however, Kiki’s resilient attitude and determination not to give into her bullies,and drive to change her school’s outdated (and sexist) policies, did lead to a satisfyingly uplifting conclusion that did definitely make up for it.
So, if you’re an avid gamer or adore YA Rom- Coms with a message then I highly recommend checking this out!
Also huge thank you to Rachel Quin and Electric Monkey Books for the finished copy.
March 2, 2024
3.75 ⭐️
This book deals with really important topics, and I’m happy to see those topics in a book targeted to teens. But the “twist” didn’t really convince me, overall it was really enjoyable tho.
This book deals with really important topics, and I’m happy to see those topics in a book targeted to teens. But the “twist” didn’t really convince me, overall it was really enjoyable tho.
October 7, 2023
Kiki has been friendly with a guy online who doesn't know she's really girl and she never figured out how to tell him, which becomes a huge issue when she finds out he goes to her new school where she's been bullied into submission to their ultra-conservative rules.
3.5 rounded up.
I wasn't aware this was part of a series with the other only book I'd read by this author, but I don't think it will make you feel like you're missing anything. Well, unless you take it into account the first book was more interesting. The comparison was inevitable when I loved so much that one and felt like this lacked a lot of the charm that had enticed me.
I think one of the problems is how long it takes for us to get somewhere. I wonder if the author wasn't very sure what would be the main plot or changed idea as she wrote. I can't spoil you but there is one development I think would have brought more if it had happened earlier on. The story is very lukewarm and because this only comes up later, it feels like it's too late to do anything substantial.
At least, this isn't a book that drags. Events keep happening and they do add to the character building and the plot. I felt super bad for Kiki and for what she needs to go through at her new school. It's unbelievable that I actually believe such place and characters can exist. Still, it's baffling. I also liked how you don't immediately know who her online friend is, even if we've seen this trope a million times before. It wasn't even that it was a fresh take, just that it was well executed.
Still, I miss the magic I found in the author's previous work. That one was just so funny, exploring the Indonesia culture in the perfect way to fit the plot. Didn't See That Coming still talks about Indonesia, but Kiki not being an outsider and her school, the main scenery to the story, not being the most common there maybe took its toll. I'm not convinced those are the only differences to blame, though. Of course you can't expect an author to parade their country every book and still keep it fresh, I do get that. But that was really what I had liked her for before, so it's too bad.
The book does deal with serious issues that will be as universal as it can be to teenagers, and the conclusion was also excellent. Despite the problems, it was still a fun and quick read I couldn't stop. I'm sure other fans of romcom YAs will enjoy it as well.
Honest review based on an ARC provided by Netgalley. Many thanks to the publisher for this opportunity.
3.5 rounded up.
I wasn't aware this was part of a series with the other only book I'd read by this author, but I don't think it will make you feel like you're missing anything. Well, unless you take it into account the first book was more interesting. The comparison was inevitable when I loved so much that one and felt like this lacked a lot of the charm that had enticed me.
I think one of the problems is how long it takes for us to get somewhere. I wonder if the author wasn't very sure what would be the main plot or changed idea as she wrote. I can't spoil you but there is one development I think would have brought more if it had happened earlier on. The story is very lukewarm and because this only comes up later, it feels like it's too late to do anything substantial.
At least, this isn't a book that drags. Events keep happening and they do add to the character building and the plot. I felt super bad for Kiki and for what she needs to go through at her new school. It's unbelievable that I actually believe such place and characters can exist. Still, it's baffling. I also liked how you don't immediately know who her online friend is, even if we've seen this trope a million times before. It wasn't even that it was a fresh take, just that it was well executed.
Still, I miss the magic I found in the author's previous work. That one was just so funny, exploring the Indonesia culture in the perfect way to fit the plot. Didn't See That Coming still talks about Indonesia, but Kiki not being an outsider and her school, the main scenery to the story, not being the most common there maybe took its toll. I'm not convinced those are the only differences to blame, though. Of course you can't expect an author to parade their country every book and still keep it fresh, I do get that. But that was really what I had liked her for before, so it's too bad.
The book does deal with serious issues that will be as universal as it can be to teenagers, and the conclusion was also excellent. Despite the problems, it was still a fun and quick read I couldn't stop. I'm sure other fans of romcom YAs will enjoy it as well.
Honest review based on an ARC provided by Netgalley. Many thanks to the publisher for this opportunity.
January 25, 2024
I went into Didn't See That Coming by Jesse Q. Sutanto not realizing it was the second in a series, but I don't think that ended up being a hindrance at all! It read very well as a standalone although it definitely made me want to go back and read Well, That Was Unexpected. I loved our seventeen-year-old FMC Kiki, and she was just the strong-willed and self-aware character that I love reading about. She did lose her way there for a bit, but she came back to herself in the best possible way, and I was rooting for her the entire time. While this was a very humorous laugh-out-loud read, it was also very serious at times, and I enjoyed Sutanto's approach to the various topics.
The audiobook for this novel was fantastic, and I honestly think it made me love the story even more getting to hear it told through Risa Mei's voice. She was an EXCELLENT narrator for Kiki and made her feel very vivid and alive to me. Her emotions were in check with how the character was feeling at any given time, and she was just a real treat to listen to as well. I am not a gamer, but I even enjoyed that part of the book and I swear this author can make anything sound good to me. Some characters were pretty terrible, and my jaw dropped near the end even though I just KNEW a certain something was coming. The romance was cute, but overall, there was a lot more to the book than that, and I can't wait to read the first.
I received an advanced listening copy of this book. Opinions expressed in this review are completely my own.
The audiobook for this novel was fantastic, and I honestly think it made me love the story even more getting to hear it told through Risa Mei's voice. She was an EXCELLENT narrator for Kiki and made her feel very vivid and alive to me. Her emotions were in check with how the character was feeling at any given time, and she was just a real treat to listen to as well. I am not a gamer, but I even enjoyed that part of the book and I swear this author can make anything sound good to me. Some characters were pretty terrible, and my jaw dropped near the end even though I just KNEW a certain something was coming. The romance was cute, but overall, there was a lot more to the book than that, and I can't wait to read the first.
I received an advanced listening copy of this book. Opinions expressed in this review are completely my own.
November 23, 2023
Didn't See That Coming
Kiki is a girl who enjoys video games, but male behavior towards female gamers don't create a safe environment. After receiving countless threats from them, she decides to use a male username and act as a boy online to avoid their harassment. This seems to work really well, and she even ends up making a friend online. He doesn't know she's a girl, but they bond over personal struggles and have a strong connection. She thinks she'll never meet him in real life, but everything changes once her parents decide she needs to transfer schools to learn some manners. When she discovers that her online friend goes to the same school, she decides to discover his identity while protecting her own secret.
Where do I start? I had hopes for this book. The cover and the plot made me think this was going to be some cute romance novel… and it does have a tiny bit of romance. But for me, I found this book tedious to read. Even when it’s short. I spent three weeks trying to finish it. It's probably me? I was mad at everything the whole time. It’s just unbelievable that everything that could go wrong or bad about the patriarchy will happen at once to one human being. I got tired of the mistreatment; I would’ve dropped out of school. I felt drained reading this. And I guess it wants to criticize society, but I read to escape a trashy life, not to enter another one. Kiki was also annoying and disrespectful (sometimes she had her reasons, but sometimes it was a rage that came out of nowhere). Also, I don’t think I got the humor that comes in the book, maybe it's something cultural that I didn’t understand, and that’s okay. I'm not the audience for this.
Since I have to share my honest thoughts, I’ll give this book 2/5 stars. Because I really liked the ending
Thank you, Netgalley, for the ARC.
Kiki is a girl who enjoys video games, but male behavior towards female gamers don't create a safe environment. After receiving countless threats from them, she decides to use a male username and act as a boy online to avoid their harassment. This seems to work really well, and she even ends up making a friend online. He doesn't know she's a girl, but they bond over personal struggles and have a strong connection. She thinks she'll never meet him in real life, but everything changes once her parents decide she needs to transfer schools to learn some manners. When she discovers that her online friend goes to the same school, she decides to discover his identity while protecting her own secret.
Where do I start? I had hopes for this book. The cover and the plot made me think this was going to be some cute romance novel… and it does have a tiny bit of romance. But for me, I found this book tedious to read. Even when it’s short. I spent three weeks trying to finish it. It's probably me? I was mad at everything the whole time. It’s just unbelievable that everything that could go wrong or bad about the patriarchy will happen at once to one human being. I got tired of the mistreatment; I would’ve dropped out of school. I felt drained reading this. And I guess it wants to criticize society, but I read to escape a trashy life, not to enter another one. Kiki was also annoying and disrespectful (sometimes she had her reasons, but sometimes it was a rage that came out of nowhere). Also, I don’t think I got the humor that comes in the book, maybe it's something cultural that I didn’t understand, and that’s okay. I'm not the audience for this.
Since I have to share my honest thoughts, I’ll give this book 2/5 stars. Because I really liked the ending
Thank you, Netgalley, for the ARC.
December 15, 2023
A fun, classic rom-com that explores topics such as sexism, classism and sexual harassment within the world of gaming and academia, as well as society and cultures in general.
Whilst I didn’t love this as much as Sutanto’s previous work, due to finding certain aspects of the plot frustrating and/or unnecessary, I really appreciate the message this book sends and the issues it tackles.
TW: sexism, sexual harassment
Whilst I didn’t love this as much as Sutanto’s previous work, due to finding certain aspects of the plot frustrating and/or unnecessary, I really appreciate the message this book sends and the issues it tackles.
TW: sexism, sexual harassment
January 22, 2024
Thanks, Netgalley and Publisher for this advanced copy.
23 years living in Jakarta, Indonesia and I felt like remembering my high school day when I read this. Except, that Kiki was studying in elite high school, but I studied in common public high school, The culture was everything I loved. Like how Indonesian mothers would be freaking out if they know their daughters dating in age 16. Lol, I am 23 and my mom still like that.
Also the romance was cute, but I didn't think the drama by the end of book was needed.
Overall, I liked this book and made me want to go back to my high school days.
23 years living in Jakarta, Indonesia and I felt like remembering my high school day when I read this. Except, that Kiki was studying in elite high school, but I studied in common public high school, The culture was everything I loved. Like how Indonesian mothers would be freaking out if they know their daughters dating in age 16. Lol, I am 23 and my mom still like that.
Also the romance was cute, but I didn't think the drama by the end of book was needed.
Overall, I liked this book and made me want to go back to my high school days.
June 8, 2023
2.5 stars
I have read Sutanto's other work and enjoyed it a lot. While I mostly enjoyed this book it, unfortunately, fell a little flat for me. The characters could have used a bit more depth but overall I really enjoyed reading it.
ARC kindly provided by the publisher via NetGalley in exchange for an honest review.
I have read Sutanto's other work and enjoyed it a lot. While I mostly enjoyed this book it, unfortunately, fell a little flat for me. The characters could have used a bit more depth but overall I really enjoyed reading it.
ARC kindly provided by the publisher via NetGalley in exchange for an honest review.
October 3, 2024
Начинала слушать эту книгу просто потому что она была единственной скачанной в букмейте, ни на что не надеясь. Я очень редко читаю романтический янг эдалт, истории про подростков интересны мне еще реже. С творчеством Джесси Сутанто я была знакома по ее книгам об индонезийских тетушках, и они мне не то чтобы понравились. Эта же книга — полный восторг и отличный способ провести время.
Кики — геймерша, которая играет под мужским ником, общается с другом в онлайн игре и заранее ненавидит новую школу, куда ее перевели родители под предлогом адаптации в традиционном обществе. Она очень веселая бунтарка, и до перевода у нее не было проблем с тем, чтобы влиться в новый коллектив. Вот только в новой школе ее откровенно травят, а способствует этому староста ее класса. А еще сосед Кики — милый тихий Лиам, и по стечению обстоятельств именно он оказывается тем самым другом из игры.
Нетрудно догадаться, что, во-первых, эта книга очень похожа на романы Али Хейзелвуд, а во-вторых, на фанфики или даже снс-аушки, по которым мы все сохли лет пять назад. Я люблю все перечисленное, поэтому погрузилась в книгу с головой. Поначалу кажется, что Кики описывается не-такой-как-остальные-девушки, но это быстро проходит.
История очень легкая и интересная, несмотря на наличие минусов. Да, здесь много закрученных элементов и тропов: фейковые свидания, друзья в интернете и незнакомцы в реальности, подростковый бунт против устаревших взглядов на жизнь, неловки очаровательные встречи в библиотеке и всякое такое. Каша та еще, но авторка не слишком углубляется в каждую составляющую. И много юмора, пусть временами он и какой-то уж устаревший для молодежи.
Мне показалось, что авторке намного легче даются истории про старшеклассников, чем про взрослую героиню из тетушек, которая часто ведет себя как ребенок, но оказывается в очень серьезных ситуациях. Здесь есть отсылки на поп-культуру, типичное поведение подростков и веселые переписки. В общем, получился отличный ромком, так что, по традиции, скажу, что хотела бы посмотреть это в кино. Плюс книге достался хороший переводчик, чего не скажешь про остальные у авторки.
Из бросающихся в глаза минусов — странненькие моменты сексуального напряжения между Кики и Лиамом и ее размышления о том, как она его хочет, они кажутся неуместными. Но их один или два в книге, особой роли они не играют. Конец получился супер счастливыми и наивным, но я не против.
Рекомендую всем, что любит ромкомы, посмеяться, упрямых главных героинь и все еще скучает по временам, когда можно было торчать в играх целый день напролет.
Кики — геймерша, которая играет под мужским ником, общается с другом в онлайн игре и заранее ненавидит новую школу, куда ее перевели родители под предлогом адаптации в традиционном обществе. Она очень веселая бунтарка, и до перевода у нее не было проблем с тем, чтобы влиться в новый коллектив. Вот только в новой школе ее откровенно травят, а способствует этому староста ее класса. А еще сосед Кики — милый тихий Лиам, и по стечению обстоятельств именно он оказывается тем самым другом из игры.
Нетрудно догадаться, что, во-первых, эта книга очень похожа на романы Али Хейзелвуд, а во-вторых, на фанфики или даже снс-аушки, по которым мы все сохли лет пять назад. Я люблю все перечисленное, поэтому погрузилась в книгу с головой. Поначалу кажется, что Кики описывается не-такой-как-остальные-девушки, но это быстро проходит.
История очень легкая и интересная, несмотря на наличие минусов. Да, здесь много закрученных элементов и тропов: фейковые свидания, друзья в интернете и незнакомцы в реальности, подростковый бунт против устаревших взглядов на жизнь, неловки очаровательные встречи в библиотеке и всякое такое. Каша та еще, но авторка не слишком углубляется в каждую составляющую. И много юмора, пусть временами он и какой-то уж устаревший для молодежи.
Мне показалось, что авторке намного легче даются истории про старшеклассников, чем про взрослую героиню из тетушек, которая часто ведет себя как ребенок, но оказывается в очень серьезных ситуациях. Здесь есть отсылки на поп-культуру, типичное поведение подростков и веселые переписки. В общем, получился отличный ромком, так что, по традиции, скажу, что хотела бы посмотреть это в кино. Плюс книге достался хороший переводчик, чего не скажешь про остальные у авторки.
Из бросающихся в глаза минусов — странненькие моменты сексуального напряжения между Кики и Лиамом и ее размышления о том, как она его хочет, они кажутся неуместными. Но их один или два в книге, особой роли они не играют. Конец получился супер счастливыми и наивным, но я не против.
Рекомендую всем, что любит ромкомы, посмеяться, упрямых главных героинь и все еще скучает по временам, когда можно было торчать в играх целый день напролет.
November 14, 2023
I probably wasn’t the target audience for this book. I am a sixty-year-old woman who does not particularly like romances, doesn’t like gaming, and avoids chiclit like the plague, BUT I loved this book! I was captivated from the start and could not put it down.
The main protagonist is a teenage girl called Kiki, whose parents have made her change schools from her beloved, liberal Mingyang school, where she was popular with staff and pupils, to the ultra-strict Xingfa school, where all the wealthy Chinese in Jakarta send their offspring. Kiki’s first day at school is a disaster – and it gets worse.
Kiki’s main hobby (when not eating cake or texting with her female friends) is playing the online team game Warfront Heroes. She had received a lot of on-line trolling and abuse when she played as a girl, so switched her identity to the male Dudebro10 - end of abuse. Online she has a wonderful friendship with Sourdawg, a gamer boy who likes baking sourdough bread. Sourdawg believes Kiki is male. Kiki believes Sourdawg is in Singapore, so they will never meet. But, then it turns out they are at the same school in Jakarta.
Who on earth could Sourdawg be? Does Kiki have to keep her online identity secret? Can she? And how can Kiki make friends with her classmates at her new school when they have quickly labelled her as #CrazyKiki.
There are some wonderful characters in this book – some loveable (including Kiki), and some entitled, misogynist dirtbags.
The book is a comment on the place of females in Asian society, and the pressure to conform, and for families not to lose face. It also deals with the insidious effects of bullying. At the start of the book, Kiki is a confident, happy, loveable young woman. But, as the bullying increases, she loses much of her confidence and joie-de-vie. Only once she reaches rock bottom, and with the intervention of some of her genuine friends, can she break out of this downward spiral, and fight back – very effectively!
I don’t think this book needs a sequel – the situation with Kiki, Sourdawg and those in her year group has reached a very satisfying conclusion. However, I’d love to see a spin-off series on juniors Eleanor Roosevelt Tanuwijaya and Sarah Jessica Parker Susanti (is it really a surpise that mega-rich parents give their children ridiculous names?) and their bid for world domination (read the book and you will see what I mean).
I really highly recommend this book to everyone. Even if you think it might not be for you given the blurb – try it! You may be very pleasantly surprised.
I received this copy from the publisher via NetGalley in exchange for an honest review. All opinions are my own and not influenced by either the author or publisher.
The main protagonist is a teenage girl called Kiki, whose parents have made her change schools from her beloved, liberal Mingyang school, where she was popular with staff and pupils, to the ultra-strict Xingfa school, where all the wealthy Chinese in Jakarta send their offspring. Kiki’s first day at school is a disaster – and it gets worse.
Kiki’s main hobby (when not eating cake or texting with her female friends) is playing the online team game Warfront Heroes. She had received a lot of on-line trolling and abuse when she played as a girl, so switched her identity to the male Dudebro10 - end of abuse. Online she has a wonderful friendship with Sourdawg, a gamer boy who likes baking sourdough bread. Sourdawg believes Kiki is male. Kiki believes Sourdawg is in Singapore, so they will never meet. But, then it turns out they are at the same school in Jakarta.
Who on earth could Sourdawg be? Does Kiki have to keep her online identity secret? Can she? And how can Kiki make friends with her classmates at her new school when they have quickly labelled her as #CrazyKiki.
There are some wonderful characters in this book – some loveable (including Kiki), and some entitled, misogynist dirtbags.
The book is a comment on the place of females in Asian society, and the pressure to conform, and for families not to lose face. It also deals with the insidious effects of bullying. At the start of the book, Kiki is a confident, happy, loveable young woman. But, as the bullying increases, she loses much of her confidence and joie-de-vie. Only once she reaches rock bottom, and with the intervention of some of her genuine friends, can she break out of this downward spiral, and fight back – very effectively!
I don’t think this book needs a sequel – the situation with Kiki, Sourdawg and those in her year group has reached a very satisfying conclusion. However, I’d love to see a spin-off series on juniors Eleanor Roosevelt Tanuwijaya and Sarah Jessica Parker Susanti (is it really a surpise that mega-rich parents give their children ridiculous names?) and their bid for world domination (read the book and you will see what I mean).
I really highly recommend this book to everyone. Even if you think it might not be for you given the blurb – try it! You may be very pleasantly surprised.
I received this copy from the publisher via NetGalley in exchange for an honest review. All opinions are my own and not influenced by either the author or publisher.
November 26, 2023
This book had everything I love about YA. A strong FMC, an adorable MMC, banter, & real life issues that causes tension. I was fascinated by the light given to Asian culture. It isn't something I had been aware of prior. It was my first book by this author but won't be my last.
March 16, 2024
I loved this book! At first, I thought it would just be a cute romance, but it delves into the harassment girl gamers face online, as well as sexual harassment in schools that girls are just expected to "take." Also, Liam was the perfect love interest. All the stars!!
November 26, 2023
4.25 stars!
August 14, 2024
Oh this was SO SO cute and heartwarming and had the best characters and I love how the author dealt with so many important topics. Love love love.
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