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Ms. Mebel Goes Back to the Chopping Block
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Expected 28 Apr 26Win a free print copy of this book!
16 days and 01:10:32
25 copies available
U.S. only
A nearly divorced housewife enrolls in culinary school to win back her husband, only to start questioning the strange antics of her classmates in this new novel from the USA Today bestselling author of Vera Wong's Unsolicited Advice for Murderers.
Retirement should mean long-awaited trips to the sapphire waters of Santorini or careening down a sand dune in Dubai. For sixty-three-year-old Mebel, retirement means her husband of more than forty years announcing that he's leaving her for their private chef. Mebel isn’t sure who's the bigger loss.
Not to worry, Mebel has the perfect plan: she’s going to win back her husband. No one knows what he needs better than her—after all, she's been anticipating his needs their whole marriage. And if he wants a wife who can cook (why else would he leave her for a chef?), she will simply go to cooking school. Luckily, class at the renowned Saint Honoré School of Culinary Arts in France starts in just four days!
However, Mebel quickly realizes that her culinary school is not in illustrious Paris but rather in England—and some small village outside of Oxford no less. Despite the less-than-warm welcome from her much younger classmates, Mebel manages to befriend Gemma, the breakout star of the program, who offers to help Mebel on their first day. When Gemma stops showing up to class, Mebel knows she must figure out what—or who—caused her friend’s sudden disappearance. After all, Mebel may not know the first thing about how to cut a potato, but she certainly knows how to identify a fraud, and there’s definitely something fishy going on.
Retirement should mean long-awaited trips to the sapphire waters of Santorini or careening down a sand dune in Dubai. For sixty-three-year-old Mebel, retirement means her husband of more than forty years announcing that he's leaving her for their private chef. Mebel isn’t sure who's the bigger loss.
Not to worry, Mebel has the perfect plan: she’s going to win back her husband. No one knows what he needs better than her—after all, she's been anticipating his needs their whole marriage. And if he wants a wife who can cook (why else would he leave her for a chef?), she will simply go to cooking school. Luckily, class at the renowned Saint Honoré School of Culinary Arts in France starts in just four days!
However, Mebel quickly realizes that her culinary school is not in illustrious Paris but rather in England—and some small village outside of Oxford no less. Despite the less-than-warm welcome from her much younger classmates, Mebel manages to befriend Gemma, the breakout star of the program, who offers to help Mebel on their first day. When Gemma stops showing up to class, Mebel knows she must figure out what—or who—caused her friend’s sudden disappearance. After all, Mebel may not know the first thing about how to cut a potato, but she certainly knows how to identify a fraud, and there’s definitely something fishy going on.
304 pages, Paperback
Expected publication April 28, 2026
17 people are currently reading
10606 people want to read
About the author
Jesse Q. Sutanto
27 books9,288 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 71 reviews
March 1, 2026
What a fizzy delight. At sixty-three, Mebel—a polished, Chinese-Indonesian “trophy wife” with an immaculate closet and a suddenly vacant marriage—decides the recipe for winning back her husband is…culinary school. A tiny mix-up sends her not to Paris but to a village outside Oxford, where the baguettes are hard, the humor is dry, and her classmates are young enough to be her grandchildren. Watching Mebel crash into this world—heels, handbags, and iron will—was pure entertainment. The voice sparkles, the food descriptions are indecently tempting, and the small-town setting wraps the story in cozy warmth.
What I loved most is Mebel’s arc. She begins the book trying to become “wife 2.0” for a man who traded her in like last season’s accessory; she ends it discovering a self that doesn’t need his gaze to feel valuable. The intergenerational friction is funny and sharp (her banter with rising-star classmate Gemma is a treat), and the school’s Clooney-adjacent celebrity chef adds just the right pinch of romantic tension. There’s a light mystery thread—odd happenings, missing pieces, secrets simmering beneath the syllabus—that keeps the pages turning without ever tipping the tone out of “cozy.”
If I have quibbles, the opening chapter or two run a little long on despair before the comedy lands, and a few fashion/food flourishes are so extra they threaten to steal scenes from the plot. But once Mebel finds her footing (and her knives), the book becomes a buoyant late-in-life coming-of-age with found family vibes, cultural texture, and genuine heart. I grinned, I got hungry, and I rooted hard for this auntie to choose herself.
Overall: ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️ (4/5). A charming, mouth-watering, feel-good cozy with a heroine you’ll want to adopt—and invite to dinner.
A very huge thanks to NetGalley and Berkley Publishing for providing me this very entertaining cozy mystery’s digital reviewer copy in exchange for my honest thoughts.
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What I loved most is Mebel’s arc. She begins the book trying to become “wife 2.0” for a man who traded her in like last season’s accessory; she ends it discovering a self that doesn’t need his gaze to feel valuable. The intergenerational friction is funny and sharp (her banter with rising-star classmate Gemma is a treat), and the school’s Clooney-adjacent celebrity chef adds just the right pinch of romantic tension. There’s a light mystery thread—odd happenings, missing pieces, secrets simmering beneath the syllabus—that keeps the pages turning without ever tipping the tone out of “cozy.”
If I have quibbles, the opening chapter or two run a little long on despair before the comedy lands, and a few fashion/food flourishes are so extra they threaten to steal scenes from the plot. But once Mebel finds her footing (and her knives), the book becomes a buoyant late-in-life coming-of-age with found family vibes, cultural texture, and genuine heart. I grinned, I got hungry, and I rooted hard for this auntie to choose herself.
Overall: ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️ (4/5). A charming, mouth-watering, feel-good cozy with a heroine you’ll want to adopt—and invite to dinner.
A very huge thanks to NetGalley and Berkley Publishing for providing me this very entertaining cozy mystery’s digital reviewer copy in exchange for my honest thoughts.
Follow me on medium.com to read my articles about books, movies, streaming series, astrology:
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Review of advance copy received from Netgalley
I got tricked by a cute cover once more. I'm not sure if I was in this mood to read this book or not, but I found it quite bland. I really wanted to like it, but Mebel's continued child-like behavior really irritated me. I understand it's due to her being a naive trophy-wife but I just don't think any 63 year old woman talks or acts like that. I found the over-the-top moments and it's silliness kind of cringe. I just kept rolling my eyes the entire time. I enjoyed her friendship with her classmates and the character development she went through, but I cannot get over her in the beginning and middle of the book. The sweet moments and ending just don't make up for how lackluster the majority of the book was.
The writing itself was very simple, nothing too outstanding. It's definitely a quick, light, and humorous book, more like a palate cleanser. The way it was written is very young adult, which is a genre that I don't particularly lean towards. Definitely not a memorable book. I think someone else may enjoy it a bit more than me.
Thank you NetGalley and Publisher for the ARC. All opinions are my own.
The writing itself was very simple, nothing too outstanding. It's definitely a quick, light, and humorous book, more like a palate cleanser. The way it was written is very young adult, which is a genre that I don't particularly lean towards. Definitely not a memorable book. I think someone else may enjoy it a bit more than me.
Thank you NetGalley and Publisher for the ARC. All opinions are my own.
October 24, 2025
*** 10/24/25 *** Sutanto is a master of writing to her target market: "older" women eager for modern takes on women reclaiming power and adventure absent from their lives, and Ms. Mebel is no different.
Featuring tried and true elements from Sutanto's own background (Oxford & Jakarta), we have a novel centered around a "Chindo" traditional wife, known in Indonesia as a "trophy wife" because their mission is to look good at all times, like a shiny trophy, attesting to their husband's financial strength and societal status.
I loved that the novel didn't dawdle setting up the premise for the plot, in which Mebel leaves Jakarta for a London culinary school. Mebel is a 63-year-old pampered rich woman who is totally out of her depth learning to cook, but we see her slowly build connections with others and develop her confidence in funny, but heartwarming moments.
Sutanto's writing is so successful because of the foundation of honest, relatable personal feelings under the humor and plotlines of a "quirky" and somewhat bumbling Main Character navigating a major life transition.
My only quibble is that Sutanto has a tendency to characterize 60-something year old healthy women as super old when she describes, making the reader think she is writing about 80-something year olds before the character's age is disclosed. I have observed this in several books, and it has been noted by other reviewers (including me, I think). As someone who fits her demographic, it feels a little out of touch and just walking the line of almost off-putting for the reader. 60 is the new 40 lol! With that being said, I loved this book, and recommend it. 4.5-stars rounded up.
Thank you to NetGalley for the free book in exchange for my honest review. Pub date April 28, 2026.
Featuring tried and true elements from Sutanto's own background (Oxford & Jakarta), we have a novel centered around a "Chindo" traditional wife, known in Indonesia as a "trophy wife" because their mission is to look good at all times, like a shiny trophy, attesting to their husband's financial strength and societal status.
I loved that the novel didn't dawdle setting up the premise for the plot, in which Mebel leaves Jakarta for a London culinary school. Mebel is a 63-year-old pampered rich woman who is totally out of her depth learning to cook, but we see her slowly build connections with others and develop her confidence in funny, but heartwarming moments.
Sutanto's writing is so successful because of the foundation of honest, relatable personal feelings under the humor and plotlines of a "quirky" and somewhat bumbling Main Character navigating a major life transition.
My only quibble is that Sutanto has a tendency to characterize 60-something year old healthy women as super old when she describes, making the reader think she is writing about 80-something year olds before the character's age is disclosed. I have observed this in several books, and it has been noted by other reviewers (including me, I think). As someone who fits her demographic, it feels a little out of touch and just walking the line of almost off-putting for the reader. 60 is the new 40 lol! With that being said, I loved this book, and recommend it. 4.5-stars rounded up.
Thank you to NetGalley for the free book in exchange for my honest review. Pub date April 28, 2026.
Want to read
September 15, 2025this sounds delightful
September 18, 2025
Mebel (pronounced “Mabel”) is shocked with Henk (pronounced “Hank”) tells her that he is leaving her for their 24 year old chef. Mebel loves being a Chinese-Indonesian “trophy wife,” she plays tennis and shops and has a collection of Manolos and Birkins to die for. She loves being an elder auntie and meddling mom. Mebel wants her life to go back to normal,
And decides she needs to learn to cook at culinary school in order to win Henk back.
Michelle Obama once said that when they go low, we go lower. Or something like that anyway. She’s not one to argue with Michelle Obama.
Hilarity ensues! Mebel is a fish out of water as a first year student surrounded by Gen Z kids who don’t pay her the respect she expects in her culture. And a famous chef, Alain, who looks like George Clooney, is a compelling character who we aren’t sure may become a romantic interest.
I am telling you right now, son, treat your wife better than how your father has treated me.
Jesse Q Sutanto created the extremely endearing and lovable Vera Wong, as well as the cozy mystery Aunties series. Mebel is cut from the same mold, but this story has no murder and little mystery. Although there is a little romance, I would classify this as more of a “coming of age” tale except the main character is 63. Mebel is hilarious and a deep character with amazing growth. This is really the kind of story where a one-dimensional caricature becomes much deeper and eventually grows into a better version of themselves.
“That is nice, but I am Chinese mother, I don’t respect anybody’s privacy. Start the car.”
Mebel would probably hate that I described her that way. But going along for the journey was certainly entertaining. Suntanto has deep respect for her culture while finding the smart woman within.
If you like Vera Wong, you’re going to love Ms Mebel.
Thanks to NetGalley and Berkeley for the ARC. Book to be published 4/28/26.
And decides she needs to learn to cook at culinary school in order to win Henk back.
Michelle Obama once said that when they go low, we go lower. Or something like that anyway. She’s not one to argue with Michelle Obama.
Hilarity ensues! Mebel is a fish out of water as a first year student surrounded by Gen Z kids who don’t pay her the respect she expects in her culture. And a famous chef, Alain, who looks like George Clooney, is a compelling character who we aren’t sure may become a romantic interest.
I am telling you right now, son, treat your wife better than how your father has treated me.
Jesse Q Sutanto created the extremely endearing and lovable Vera Wong, as well as the cozy mystery Aunties series. Mebel is cut from the same mold, but this story has no murder and little mystery. Although there is a little romance, I would classify this as more of a “coming of age” tale except the main character is 63. Mebel is hilarious and a deep character with amazing growth. This is really the kind of story where a one-dimensional caricature becomes much deeper and eventually grows into a better version of themselves.
“That is nice, but I am Chinese mother, I don’t respect anybody’s privacy. Start the car.”
Mebel would probably hate that I described her that way. But going along for the journey was certainly entertaining. Suntanto has deep respect for her culture while finding the smart woman within.
If you like Vera Wong, you’re going to love Ms Mebel.
Thanks to NetGalley and Berkeley for the ARC. Book to be published 4/28/26.
2026
September 30, 2025ANHPI TBR
📱 Thank you to NetGalley and Berkley
📱 Thank you to NetGalley and Berkley
December 3, 2025
I loved this book!!🤩 It has a lot of the same vibes of Sutanto's Vera Wong books. Mebel is a 63 year old trophy wife who decides to go to cooking school to win her husband back.
There is lots of fun dialog between Mebel and her classmates. I enjoyed the relationship between Mebel and Gemma. They both learn so much from each other.
If you like looks with older main characters, I think you will love this one!
Thank you to NetGalley for the ARC!
There is lots of fun dialog between Mebel and her classmates. I enjoyed the relationship between Mebel and Gemma. They both learn so much from each other.
If you like looks with older main characters, I think you will love this one!
Thank you to NetGalley for the ARC!
Read
March 8, 2026This was a really charming and funny cozy with a premise that immediately hooked me. Mabel, a sixty three year old woman whose husband leaves her for their private chef, decides the logical way to win him back is to enroll in culinary school. Instead of Paris she ends up in a small English village outside Oxford, surrounded by classmates young enough to be her grandchildren, and the culture shock alone makes for some very entertaining moments.
What worked best for me was the setting and atmosphere. The culinary school, the food descriptions, and the small town environment all create a very cozy backdrop for the story. The humor also lands well and there were several moments that genuinely made me laugh. Mabel herself is a fun protagonist to follow as she begins questioning the role she has played in her own life and slowly starts discovering her independence and self worth.
The story leans more toward character development and personal reinvention than high stakes mystery, so readers looking for a fast paced plot may find the pacing a bit gentle. For me the strongest elements were the humor, the food, and watching Mabel navigate a completely new chapter of her life.
Overall this was a warm, entertaining cozy with a memorable main character and a setting that made me want to keep reading just to spend more time in that world.
Thank you to NetGalley and Berkley Publishing Group for providing this ARC in exchange for an honest review.
What worked best for me was the setting and atmosphere. The culinary school, the food descriptions, and the small town environment all create a very cozy backdrop for the story. The humor also lands well and there were several moments that genuinely made me laugh. Mabel herself is a fun protagonist to follow as she begins questioning the role she has played in her own life and slowly starts discovering her independence and self worth.
The story leans more toward character development and personal reinvention than high stakes mystery, so readers looking for a fast paced plot may find the pacing a bit gentle. For me the strongest elements were the humor, the food, and watching Mabel navigate a completely new chapter of her life.
Overall this was a warm, entertaining cozy with a memorable main character and a setting that made me want to keep reading just to spend more time in that world.
Thank you to NetGalley and Berkley Publishing Group for providing this ARC in exchange for an honest review.
Review of advance copy received from Netgalley
Oh, this story is the best! Mebel hooks you right in, it's so refreshing to read about an older woman finding herself. Even though I'm 20+ years younger than Mebel , I can relate SO MUCH to her. Her growth and character journey , *chefs kiss* (pun intended 😂) The food sounds absolutely divine and I just wanted to dive right into cooking school with these characters. I honestly could not put this book down. Jesse Q Sutanto knows what she is doing folks!
#MsMebelGoesBacktotheChoppingBlock
Thank you #NetGalley and #Berkleypublishing for the ARC.
#MsMebelGoesBacktotheChoppingBlock
Thank you #NetGalley and #Berkleypublishing for the ARC.
November 29, 2025
Sutanto once again delights with her new novel about an aging trophy wife who goes to culinary school to win back her husband! Mebel has been raised to be the best wife possible. And she has been succeeding. But when her husband leaves her for their 20-something private chef, she decides she will win him back by learning how to cook at a culinary school. But things don't go quite how she expected once she arrives.
This was a fun read and Mebel does have a good character arc, but she's fairly insufferable through the first half of the book. I feel like I'm way underestimatibg when I say she called herself a Trophy Wife over a hundred times. Her sole connection to her husband seems to be that he also has a misspelled first name (Henk). And if she's so self conscious about her own misspelled name, can't she just go by Mabel everywhere that's not official? Or, for that matter, can't she have it changed? 🤷♀️
Anyway, this was a cute, quick story that was worth a read, but it's not without its flaws.
This was a fun read and Mebel does have a good character arc, but she's fairly insufferable through the first half of the book. I feel like I'm way underestimatibg when I say she called herself a Trophy Wife over a hundred times. Her sole connection to her husband seems to be that he also has a misspelled first name (Henk). And if she's so self conscious about her own misspelled name, can't she just go by Mabel everywhere that's not official? Or, for that matter, can't she have it changed? 🤷♀️
Anyway, this was a cute, quick story that was worth a read, but it's not without its flaws.
September 25, 2025
Oh my gosh, you have to go put this book on pre-order.
Having said that, I need to tell you why, other than it is another book by the very talented and prolific Jesse Q Sutanto.
The basic premise is that Ms Mebel’s husband of 40 years walks out on her for the new chef that they hired. (They are very wealthy). Mebel decides that if her husband wants a chef, then she will become a chef. So she goes out and signs up for a cooking school in Paris, goes out and buys everything she things she will need (which are designer clothes), and books a flight to Paris.
But the school turns out to be in Cowly, outside Oxford, UK. And Mebel has to adjust to going from a huge city to a small town.
I loved the inner dialogue Mebel is having with herself. Sometimes her brain and thoughts are useful. Other times, not so much. “Long story short, Mebel’s brain is abit of an a**hole.”
Another quote from the books about her thoughts: “All of the thoughts were voicing their opinions at the same time, while one of them is always singing a random song in the background.” I laughed at this one, because that is the way my brain works as well, and I am very near in age to Mebel, so perhaps that is why.
This was a wild ride of a book, and I was never sure where it was going to end up, but what a delightful main character. I thoroughly enjoyed this, and hope we might see more of Mebel, in the future. I hated to see the end of this book.
This book will be out on the 28th of April 2026. Thanks to NetGalley and Berkley Publishing Group for supplying this novel for an honest review.
Having said that, I need to tell you why, other than it is another book by the very talented and prolific Jesse Q Sutanto.
The basic premise is that Ms Mebel’s husband of 40 years walks out on her for the new chef that they hired. (They are very wealthy). Mebel decides that if her husband wants a chef, then she will become a chef. So she goes out and signs up for a cooking school in Paris, goes out and buys everything she things she will need (which are designer clothes), and books a flight to Paris.
But the school turns out to be in Cowly, outside Oxford, UK. And Mebel has to adjust to going from a huge city to a small town.
I loved the inner dialogue Mebel is having with herself. Sometimes her brain and thoughts are useful. Other times, not so much. “Long story short, Mebel’s brain is abit of an a**hole.”
Another quote from the books about her thoughts: “All of the thoughts were voicing their opinions at the same time, while one of them is always singing a random song in the background.” I laughed at this one, because that is the way my brain works as well, and I am very near in age to Mebel, so perhaps that is why.
This was a wild ride of a book, and I was never sure where it was going to end up, but what a delightful main character. I thoroughly enjoyed this, and hope we might see more of Mebel, in the future. I hated to see the end of this book.
This book will be out on the 28th of April 2026. Thanks to NetGalley and Berkley Publishing Group for supplying this novel for an honest review.
October 16, 2025
Well written with great character and location development. I really enjoyed the Mebel, a little clueless sexagenarian who was used to being an innocent "trophy-wife" but throughout the story became feisty. Jesse wrote a well balanced cast of characters in the cooking school, from the head-chef to each individual student who clearly had their own identities and relationships with each other. Overall this was a fun read. Thank you to NetGalley for the advanced reader copy.
Want to read
September 2, 2025I’m SO excited for this one!
January 23, 2026
IN JESSIE Q SUTANTO WE TRUST!!! this book had me smiling and kicking my feet. while it was a tiny bit slow to start, by the end was rooting SO hard for mebs and team. i absolutely flew threw this, it was addicting and i really loved the characters (I’d read a second book if this were to become a series btw 👀). also all of the mentions of the delicious food made me hungry! many thanks to netgalley for such a sweet ARC!
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
September 30, 2025
I really, really wanted to love this one more than I did. Mebel’s character has a great arc by the end, but she annoyed me so much I just couldn’t cheer her on. The book has a great message of female empowerment, which I enjoyed.
Review of advance copy received from Netgalley
Ms. Mebel Goes Back to the Chopping Block by Jesse Q. Sutanto (Apr. 2026) [reading in Jan. 2026]
216-page Ebook story pages 10-213
Genre: Contemporary Women's Fiction
Rating as a movie: R for adult content
Featuring: Praise, Bibliography for Jesse Q. Sutanto, Sexagenarians, Jakarta, Indonesia; Divorce Trope - Abandoned For Younger Woman; Chinese Indonesian MC, Second Chance Trope, Tropy Wife, 40 Years of Marriage, Anxiety, Adult Son, Grandchildren, Culinary School, August, Paris, France; Cowley, Oxford, Oxfordshire, England; Sex - Off-Camera, Self-Actualization, Feminism, Cultural Relativity
Books and Authors mentioned: Vera Wong's Guide to Snooping (on a Dead Man) by Jesse Q. Sutanto, Vera Wong's Unsolicited Advice for Murderers by Jesse Q. Sutanto, Dial A For Aunties by Jesse Q. Sutanto, Snow White by the Brothers Grimm, The Wonderful Wizard of Oz by L. Frank Baum, Sex and the City by Darren Star [based on] Sex and the City by Candace Bushnell;
My rating: ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️💔🔪🥔🍲
My thoughts: 🔖Page 75 of 216 Chapter 9 - I am not sure where this story is going. I like the opening but shortly after she got to culinary school the pace decreased. I thought maybe it might be some kind of cozy mystery but so far that hasn't surfaced, I'm not sure exactly what this is but I'm guessing Women's Fiction which was my initial thought with the first chapter. It is humorous but it was funnier when she was in Indonesia.
🔖110 [two pages into] Chapter 12 - I'm not happy about it, but I fell asleep. I was really hoping to finish last night. Now it's 0230 and I'm ready to read, if I can get away with it.
📱⏸️ It's 0328 and I've been on FB instead of reading. I'm disappointed but going to bed, I'll find out if Mebel finds herself and maybe an alternative LI in the morning.
Well, this story did not go the way I was expecting it to. It had a very humorous opening and then I wasn't sure about what direction it was taking. The results were more beautiful than I could imagine. Mebel really surprised me. Thank you to NetGalley for this ebook in exchange for an honest review.
Recommend to others: Yes. This isn't a thriller or mystery but it's still a rewarding experience and I think most people would enjoy this story.
216-page Ebook story pages 10-213
Genre: Contemporary Women's Fiction
Rating as a movie: R for adult content
Featuring: Praise, Bibliography for Jesse Q. Sutanto, Sexagenarians, Jakarta, Indonesia; Divorce Trope - Abandoned For Younger Woman; Chinese Indonesian MC, Second Chance Trope, Tropy Wife, 40 Years of Marriage, Anxiety, Adult Son, Grandchildren, Culinary School, August, Paris, France; Cowley, Oxford, Oxfordshire, England; Sex - Off-Camera, Self-Actualization, Feminism, Cultural Relativity
Books and Authors mentioned: Vera Wong's Guide to Snooping (on a Dead Man) by Jesse Q. Sutanto, Vera Wong's Unsolicited Advice for Murderers by Jesse Q. Sutanto, Dial A For Aunties by Jesse Q. Sutanto, Snow White by the Brothers Grimm, The Wonderful Wizard of Oz by L. Frank Baum, Sex and the City by Darren Star [based on] Sex and the City by Candace Bushnell;
My rating: ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️💔🔪🥔🍲
My thoughts: 🔖Page 75 of 216 Chapter 9 - I am not sure where this story is going. I like the opening but shortly after she got to culinary school the pace decreased. I thought maybe it might be some kind of cozy mystery but so far that hasn't surfaced, I'm not sure exactly what this is but I'm guessing Women's Fiction which was my initial thought with the first chapter. It is humorous but it was funnier when she was in Indonesia.
🔖110 [two pages into] Chapter 12 - I'm not happy about it, but I fell asleep. I was really hoping to finish last night. Now it's 0230 and I'm ready to read, if I can get away with it.
📱⏸️ It's 0328 and I've been on FB instead of reading. I'm disappointed but going to bed, I'll find out if Mebel finds herself and maybe an alternative LI in the morning.
Well, this story did not go the way I was expecting it to. It had a very humorous opening and then I wasn't sure about what direction it was taking. The results were more beautiful than I could imagine. Mebel really surprised me. Thank you to NetGalley for this ebook in exchange for an honest review.
Recommend to others: Yes. This isn't a thriller or mystery but it's still a rewarding experience and I think most people would enjoy this story.
Review of advance copy received from Netgalley
It took some time for me to get into this one, but once I did it was a fun read. I love to cook so this seemed like it could be a good fit. From cubing a potato to creative dishes worthy of top restaurants this one had a lot to enjoy.
🍽️🍽️🍽️🍽️
Mebel's husband has asked for a divorce which floors the sixty-three-year-old self-proclaimed trophy wife. Mebel feels she has done everything perfect from her appearance to mingling with all the right people. He tells her that he's leaving her for their much younger chef. In Mebel's mind there's only one thing to do, attend culinary school and win her husband Henk back. Mebel soon finds out that her much younger classmates have far more advanced skills than she and she is a little confused by the way they handle issues and speak their minds. It's a culture shock and the perfect catalyst to spur on her character development. She befriends Gemma who is the star of the program. The two have an interesting dynamic. However, overnight Gemma disappears from classes. She just leaves without a word. Mebel knows something isn't right as culinary school meant so much to Gemma. She endeavors to get to the bottom of things.
👩🏻🍳👩🏻🍳👩🏻🍳👩🏻🍳
I understood that Mebel was a spoiled trophy wife, but it took some time for me to appreciate her as she was very hard to like right out of the gate beyond a few laughs. It would've been easy for her to give up and choose another path, but her tenacity rang true and she became much more than a trophy wife. Being out of touch in any way can serve a variety of plotlines and it works here. The supporting characters added a lot to the story Mebel's interactions with her classmates were balanced because both sides learned from the other. That's one of the best things about befriending someone with a different background. The tone and conversational writing style were both on point for the material.
🔪🔪🔪🔪
Will Mebel's plan to get Henk back be a success?
🥠🥠🥠🥠
Or will Mebel find a different goal altogether?
🩶🩶🩶🩶
A light read with more to offer than expected! I began to root for Mebel and by the end I had an appreciation for how far she had come.
Thank you to Berkley for providing an ARC via NetGalley. All thoughts and opinions are my own.
🍽️🍽️🍽️🍽️
Mebel's husband has asked for a divorce which floors the sixty-three-year-old self-proclaimed trophy wife. Mebel feels she has done everything perfect from her appearance to mingling with all the right people. He tells her that he's leaving her for their much younger chef. In Mebel's mind there's only one thing to do, attend culinary school and win her husband Henk back. Mebel soon finds out that her much younger classmates have far more advanced skills than she and she is a little confused by the way they handle issues and speak their minds. It's a culture shock and the perfect catalyst to spur on her character development. She befriends Gemma who is the star of the program. The two have an interesting dynamic. However, overnight Gemma disappears from classes. She just leaves without a word. Mebel knows something isn't right as culinary school meant so much to Gemma. She endeavors to get to the bottom of things.
👩🏻🍳👩🏻🍳👩🏻🍳👩🏻🍳
I understood that Mebel was a spoiled trophy wife, but it took some time for me to appreciate her as she was very hard to like right out of the gate beyond a few laughs. It would've been easy for her to give up and choose another path, but her tenacity rang true and she became much more than a trophy wife. Being out of touch in any way can serve a variety of plotlines and it works here. The supporting characters added a lot to the story Mebel's interactions with her classmates were balanced because both sides learned from the other. That's one of the best things about befriending someone with a different background. The tone and conversational writing style were both on point for the material.
🔪🔪🔪🔪
Will Mebel's plan to get Henk back be a success?
🥠🥠🥠🥠
Or will Mebel find a different goal altogether?
🩶🩶🩶🩶
A light read with more to offer than expected! I began to root for Mebel and by the end I had an appreciation for how far she had come.
Thank you to Berkley for providing an ARC via NetGalley. All thoughts and opinions are my own.
Review of advance copy received from Netgalley
If you have enjoyed spending time with Vera Wong-then you will also enjoy spending time with Mebel (not Mabel) Tanadi, the sixty-three-year-old self proclaimed “trophy wife” living in Jakarta, who is pictured on this adorable book cover!
Like Vera, she has no “boundaries” thinking nothing of bursting into her married son Sammy’s bedroom in the morning after just one knock.
Unlike Vera, she cannot cook. So, when her husband of more than forty years, Henk (not Hank) announces that he's leaving her for their 24 year old private chef, she decides she will win back her husband by attending the renowned Saint Honoré School of Culinary Arts in France whose classes begin in four days.
When she finally arrives at the “correct” cooking school with all of her designer clothing including a custom Chef’s uniform and hat-Mebel quickly finds out that she has no status anymore and her skills are far outmatched by her much younger classmates.
Fortunately, Gemma, the breakout star of the program, chooses to help Mebel-becoming an honorary daughter in the process.
Although Chef Clarke doesn’t feel that Mebel is cut out to be a French chef- she is determined to keep her “lifestyle” so she doubles down on her cooking assignments and ends up learning MUCH MORE than knife skills.
Will she even want her “old life” back by the end of the course?
If you haven’t yet read the often humorous Vera Wong series, you will probably find this delightful story quite entertaining and I am choosing to rate and review this story on its own merits.
But, if you have read that two book series, you might find this story to be just a bit predictable since both feature a sexagenarian protagonist who sometimes struggles with English and understanding social media but perseveres and finds new purpose in their retirement years.
Regardless, it’s an entertaining way to spend an afternoon.
P.S. Jesse, if you are reading this review-hello Carrie Bradshaw! 😉
Did Marilyn and DeAnn agree? Another fun buddy read-Be sure to watch for their reviews!
Available April 28, 2026
Thank You to the Berkley Publishing Group for the gifted ARC provided through NetGalley. As always, these are my candid thoughts!
Like Vera, she has no “boundaries” thinking nothing of bursting into her married son Sammy’s bedroom in the morning after just one knock.
Unlike Vera, she cannot cook. So, when her husband of more than forty years, Henk (not Hank) announces that he's leaving her for their 24 year old private chef, she decides she will win back her husband by attending the renowned Saint Honoré School of Culinary Arts in France whose classes begin in four days.
When she finally arrives at the “correct” cooking school with all of her designer clothing including a custom Chef’s uniform and hat-Mebel quickly finds out that she has no status anymore and her skills are far outmatched by her much younger classmates.
Fortunately, Gemma, the breakout star of the program, chooses to help Mebel-becoming an honorary daughter in the process.
Although Chef Clarke doesn’t feel that Mebel is cut out to be a French chef- she is determined to keep her “lifestyle” so she doubles down on her cooking assignments and ends up learning MUCH MORE than knife skills.
Will she even want her “old life” back by the end of the course?
If you haven’t yet read the often humorous Vera Wong series, you will probably find this delightful story quite entertaining and I am choosing to rate and review this story on its own merits.
But, if you have read that two book series, you might find this story to be just a bit predictable since both feature a sexagenarian protagonist who sometimes struggles with English and understanding social media but perseveres and finds new purpose in their retirement years.
Regardless, it’s an entertaining way to spend an afternoon.
P.S. Jesse, if you are reading this review-hello Carrie Bradshaw! 😉
Did Marilyn and DeAnn agree? Another fun buddy read-Be sure to watch for their reviews!
Available April 28, 2026
Thank You to the Berkley Publishing Group for the gifted ARC provided through NetGalley. As always, these are my candid thoughts!
Review of advance copy received from Netgalley
Ms. Mebel Goes Back to the Chopping Block by Jesse Q. Sutanto
Sixty-three-year-old Ms. Mebel could be the twin of this author's Vera Wong, possibly separated at birth and marrying men so very different from each other. Because I was used to Vera Wong, I was able to slip into this story very easily. Poor Ms. Mebel has always been a trophy wife, that was what her family and culture had always raised her to be, nothing more or less than a trophy wife. There are the benefits of this life, the massive wealth and ability to buy anything, go anywhere, and never want for material things. But there is constant oppression for a trophy wife, too, she's almost like a servant to her husband, although since this was all that Mebel was ever meant to be, she has no idea that she should or could want anything to be different than it is right now.
And then Mebel's husband informs her he is leaving her for their early 20 something chef, a woman younger than their son. Mebel is just supposed to accept this despite the fact that she will forever lose face in their Jakarta culture. The only thing Mebel can think to do is go to chef school and become a chef. She will win her husband back!
Off Mebel goes, with all her expensive designer "stuff" to an international Paris chef school. Turns out she's not going to be at a fabulous location because the fancy schools have been long booked. But she is able to be entered into a chef school in a small village outside of Oxford. Her room at the school is about the size of a tiny prison cell but she won't be spending much time there. Once Mebel locks onto something she is all in and she'll be spending almost all her time in the school kitchen, including after hours. Mebel is on a mission and she will not be deterred even though the school instructor thinks she'd be better suited to watching cooking videos rather than taking part in chef classes.
Lots of cultural and generational shock but there is also the aspect that this school will pit students against each other. Mebel stands out like a beacon of wealth and "Gen whatever is old and clueless". Real social issues arise, Mebel thinks she has made friends, there is romance of an intimate sort, and then Mebel realizes she is really and truly alone. Even her own family will fight her for thinking for herself. The story is predictable in some ways but it is also very funny. I'd love to see Mebel and Vera Wong run into each other someday. Go Mebel! I was able to read this story with Jayme and DeAnn so check out their reviews for more thoughts.
Expected pub April 28, 2026
Thank you to Elisha, Berkley Publishing Group | Berkley and NetGalley for this ARC
Sixty-three-year-old Ms. Mebel could be the twin of this author's Vera Wong, possibly separated at birth and marrying men so very different from each other. Because I was used to Vera Wong, I was able to slip into this story very easily. Poor Ms. Mebel has always been a trophy wife, that was what her family and culture had always raised her to be, nothing more or less than a trophy wife. There are the benefits of this life, the massive wealth and ability to buy anything, go anywhere, and never want for material things. But there is constant oppression for a trophy wife, too, she's almost like a servant to her husband, although since this was all that Mebel was ever meant to be, she has no idea that she should or could want anything to be different than it is right now.
And then Mebel's husband informs her he is leaving her for their early 20 something chef, a woman younger than their son. Mebel is just supposed to accept this despite the fact that she will forever lose face in their Jakarta culture. The only thing Mebel can think to do is go to chef school and become a chef. She will win her husband back!
Off Mebel goes, with all her expensive designer "stuff" to an international Paris chef school. Turns out she's not going to be at a fabulous location because the fancy schools have been long booked. But she is able to be entered into a chef school in a small village outside of Oxford. Her room at the school is about the size of a tiny prison cell but she won't be spending much time there. Once Mebel locks onto something she is all in and she'll be spending almost all her time in the school kitchen, including after hours. Mebel is on a mission and she will not be deterred even though the school instructor thinks she'd be better suited to watching cooking videos rather than taking part in chef classes.
Lots of cultural and generational shock but there is also the aspect that this school will pit students against each other. Mebel stands out like a beacon of wealth and "Gen whatever is old and clueless". Real social issues arise, Mebel thinks she has made friends, there is romance of an intimate sort, and then Mebel realizes she is really and truly alone. Even her own family will fight her for thinking for herself. The story is predictable in some ways but it is also very funny. I'd love to see Mebel and Vera Wong run into each other someday. Go Mebel! I was able to read this story with Jayme and DeAnn so check out their reviews for more thoughts.
Expected pub April 28, 2026
Thank you to Elisha, Berkley Publishing Group | Berkley and NetGalley for this ARC
Review of advance copy received from Netgalley
4 Trophy Wife Stars
What’s a trophy wife supposed to do when her husband asks for a divorce and leaves her for a younger woman? Why not go to cooking school to win him back?
Mebel is 63 and a hoot! She’s Indonesian-Chinese and reminds me of another character from this author, Vera Wong.
Mebel researches cooking schools and heads off to one in Paris. All is good, EXCEPT the school she’s admitted to is actually in a tiny town in England. So much for the glamorous life she was envisioning in Paris.
She’s got her luxury suitcases filled with high-end stuff and has to cram them all into her small dorm room. Her classes have a bumpy start, too, and she debates about throwing in the towel.
She decides to really work at cooking and finds herself actually enjoying the process and some of her classmates. When a famous restaurateur (and employed by the cooking school) sweeps her off her feet, Mebel hardly knows what to do.
She has one really good friend at the school, but when she suddenly drops out, Mebel is forlorn. Maybe she should just go back home. But her competitive streak comes out, and she decides she wants to continue the course.
This one was a fun and quick read, and I enjoyed the character’s storyline, realizing that she doesn’t need a man to define who she is and to make her happy. A tad predictable, but still a worthwhile read. I did laugh out loud a few times!
This made for a fun buddy read with Jayme and Marilyn, be sure to see what they thought of Mebel.
My thanks to NetGalley for the opportunity to read and honestly review this one. Scheduled to release on 4.28.2026.
What’s a trophy wife supposed to do when her husband asks for a divorce and leaves her for a younger woman? Why not go to cooking school to win him back?
Mebel is 63 and a hoot! She’s Indonesian-Chinese and reminds me of another character from this author, Vera Wong.
Mebel researches cooking schools and heads off to one in Paris. All is good, EXCEPT the school she’s admitted to is actually in a tiny town in England. So much for the glamorous life she was envisioning in Paris.
She’s got her luxury suitcases filled with high-end stuff and has to cram them all into her small dorm room. Her classes have a bumpy start, too, and she debates about throwing in the towel.
She decides to really work at cooking and finds herself actually enjoying the process and some of her classmates. When a famous restaurateur (and employed by the cooking school) sweeps her off her feet, Mebel hardly knows what to do.
She has one really good friend at the school, but when she suddenly drops out, Mebel is forlorn. Maybe she should just go back home. But her competitive streak comes out, and she decides she wants to continue the course.
This one was a fun and quick read, and I enjoyed the character’s storyline, realizing that she doesn’t need a man to define who she is and to make her happy. A tad predictable, but still a worthwhile read. I did laugh out loud a few times!
This made for a fun buddy read with Jayme and Marilyn, be sure to see what they thought of Mebel.
My thanks to NetGalley for the opportunity to read and honestly review this one. Scheduled to release on 4.28.2026.
September 29, 2025
MS. MEBEL GOES BACK TO THE CHOPPING BLOCK
RATING: 4
GENRE: Fiction
Jesse Q Sutanto is back again with a new lovable and quirky character of Mebel Tanadi, self-proclaimed CHIP “Chinese-Indonesian Princess”. After receiving the shocking news that her husband of forty years is leaving her for their much younger private chef, Mebel decides to win him back by attending a culinary school. Mebel, pronounced ‘Mabel’, heads off to London in order to learn how to cook for the first time in her life.
As Mebel steps out of her comfort zone of her luxurious life of being a CHIP, she begins to question her and wonder about the life she has been previously living. Who is Mebel and what are her goals and dreams? Much hilarity ensues as Mebel embraces on this new journey in her life and she is surrounded by those who are 1/3 of her age.
Mebel is a breath of fresh air in the age of young and strong female protagonists in their twenties. She is of an older generation and is steadfast in who she is, yet is still learning she does not have the conform to what has always been expected of her. I sped through this book because I loved Mabel’s shenanigans but also her resilience as the oldest person in her cooking classes. She does not allow age to stop her from doing what she intended to do.
Thank you Netgalley and Berkeley Publishing Group an advanced copy of the book. Sutanto never misses and I recommend if you are looking for a fun, yet uplifting read. I hope we get to see more of Mebel in the future. Also, can we get a Mebel/Vera collab?!
RATING: 4
GENRE: Fiction
Jesse Q Sutanto is back again with a new lovable and quirky character of Mebel Tanadi, self-proclaimed CHIP “Chinese-Indonesian Princess”. After receiving the shocking news that her husband of forty years is leaving her for their much younger private chef, Mebel decides to win him back by attending a culinary school. Mebel, pronounced ‘Mabel’, heads off to London in order to learn how to cook for the first time in her life.
As Mebel steps out of her comfort zone of her luxurious life of being a CHIP, she begins to question her and wonder about the life she has been previously living. Who is Mebel and what are her goals and dreams? Much hilarity ensues as Mebel embraces on this new journey in her life and she is surrounded by those who are 1/3 of her age.
Mebel is a breath of fresh air in the age of young and strong female protagonists in their twenties. She is of an older generation and is steadfast in who she is, yet is still learning she does not have the conform to what has always been expected of her. I sped through this book because I loved Mabel’s shenanigans but also her resilience as the oldest person in her cooking classes. She does not allow age to stop her from doing what she intended to do.
Thank you Netgalley and Berkeley Publishing Group an advanced copy of the book. Sutanto never misses and I recommend if you are looking for a fun, yet uplifting read. I hope we get to see more of Mebel in the future. Also, can we get a Mebel/Vera collab?!
Review of advance copy received from Netgalley
2.5 stars, rounded down
I was a big fan of Sutanto’s Vera Wong books. But this book didn't work for me in the same way.
The premise is that Mebel is a 63 year old “trophy wife” who is losing her husband to the next, much younger, trophy wife to be, who is the family chef. She decides the way to win back her husband is by attending culinary school even though she’s never cooked a meal. The problem with the story is that in the beginning, Mebel was such an inane, aggravating character that she set my teeth on edge. Her life revolves around purchasing designer clothes and jewelry. Sutanto makes Mebel into a punching bag of silliness. The humor fell flat because Mebel was such a cliche.
The story proceeds in the way you would expect, with Mebel gradually becoming her own person, not just someone else’s wife and mother. As the story goes along, she becomes more likeable. But she’s a cliche, albeit now of the plucky older woman striking out on her own variety. The story is cute, but it’s also pretty trite and very, very predictable.
For a major part of the story, I was wondering why this was labeled as a mystery. The book is ⅔ over before her friend and classmate goes missing. Even then, I wouldn’t call this book a mystery, let alone a mystery thriller.
My thanks to Netgalley and Berkley for an advance copy of this book.
I was a big fan of Sutanto’s Vera Wong books. But this book didn't work for me in the same way.
The premise is that Mebel is a 63 year old “trophy wife” who is losing her husband to the next, much younger, trophy wife to be, who is the family chef. She decides the way to win back her husband is by attending culinary school even though she’s never cooked a meal. The problem with the story is that in the beginning, Mebel was such an inane, aggravating character that she set my teeth on edge. Her life revolves around purchasing designer clothes and jewelry. Sutanto makes Mebel into a punching bag of silliness. The humor fell flat because Mebel was such a cliche.
The story proceeds in the way you would expect, with Mebel gradually becoming her own person, not just someone else’s wife and mother. As the story goes along, she becomes more likeable. But she’s a cliche, albeit now of the plucky older woman striking out on her own variety. The story is cute, but it’s also pretty trite and very, very predictable.
For a major part of the story, I was wondering why this was labeled as a mystery. The book is ⅔ over before her friend and classmate goes missing. Even then, I wouldn’t call this book a mystery, let alone a mystery thriller.
My thanks to Netgalley and Berkley for an advance copy of this book.
Review of advance copy received from Netgalley
Well, this was the 5th book I read from Jesse Sutanto and what can I say by now? I am a fan!!!
I absolutely loooved this book! (Still not sure if this is now my favourite from this author... - the first Vera Wong book has a very special place in my heart!), but it is very close. I loved everything about this story: Mebel, the main character, is such a delightful character to follow. Her constant statements of how Chinese mothers should behave and act always put a wide smile upon my face. Actually, I had a wide silly smile upon my face the entire time I was reading this book.
I usually read more dark, dense, tense novels, mostly in thrillers, or in horror novels or even sad and disturbing literary fiction novels. And to read such a light, amusing, adorable and funny story about a wealthy trophy wife, in their 60's, who is about to divorce her husband and then decides to venture herself in a culinary school to learn how to cook in another continent was a blast! I didn't know I needed this book.
What's more, this is a new approach from the author. Or new from my experience reading Sutanto's novels.
I had previously read 1 romance and 3 cozy mysteries from her, and Ms Mebel is actually a general fiction story. No murders. I am really enjoying reading different genres from this author.
I highly recommend this book to anyone who likes Sutanto's writing style, and also to any readers who are into amusing and fun reads with an elderly woman as the main character.
Thank you, NetGalley and Berkley, for providing me with a free eARC of this novel in exchange for my honest opinion.
I absolutely loooved this book! (Still not sure if this is now my favourite from this author... - the first Vera Wong book has a very special place in my heart!), but it is very close. I loved everything about this story: Mebel, the main character, is such a delightful character to follow. Her constant statements of how Chinese mothers should behave and act always put a wide smile upon my face. Actually, I had a wide silly smile upon my face the entire time I was reading this book.
I usually read more dark, dense, tense novels, mostly in thrillers, or in horror novels or even sad and disturbing literary fiction novels. And to read such a light, amusing, adorable and funny story about a wealthy trophy wife, in their 60's, who is about to divorce her husband and then decides to venture herself in a culinary school to learn how to cook in another continent was a blast! I didn't know I needed this book.
What's more, this is a new approach from the author. Or new from my experience reading Sutanto's novels.
I had previously read 1 romance and 3 cozy mysteries from her, and Ms Mebel is actually a general fiction story. No murders. I am really enjoying reading different genres from this author.
I highly recommend this book to anyone who likes Sutanto's writing style, and also to any readers who are into amusing and fun reads with an elderly woman as the main character.
Thank you, NetGalley and Berkley, for providing me with a free eARC of this novel in exchange for my honest opinion.
Review of advance copy received from Netgalley
Mebel was raised in the Chindo (Chinese-Indonesian) culture to be a trophy-wife. Literally- that is what she was taught to do: find a rich husband and become a show piece to compliment him in all things. When Henk, Mabel's husband, decides to upgrade trophies, Mebel suddenly finds herself adrift and in disbelief at the thought of a future not being all things to an inattentive husband. (And being okay with it.). Since Henk left Mebel for their personal chef, Mebel decides to learn to cook to win Henk back.
This was not my favorite Sutanto book, but I will always read anything she writes at this point. It took getting to the mid-point of the book before I was hooked; the first half of the book focused on a very spoiled and entitled Mebel, and the character was simply irritating to the point of ridiculousness. This is one of those books, though, that the second half and ending not only make the first half necessary, but tolerable. The reader begins to understand why Mebel had to be so obnoxious in order to for the whole theme of personal growth and self-awareness in society to work. I also like this book (and Sutanto's Vera Wong books) because of the age of the character. Not too many books are written with a character of this age and even fewer that have cross-generational appeal. I like the comparison of generational perspectives and manners as well as the "window" into the Chindo culture.
This was not my favorite Sutanto book, but I will always read anything she writes at this point. It took getting to the mid-point of the book before I was hooked; the first half of the book focused on a very spoiled and entitled Mebel, and the character was simply irritating to the point of ridiculousness. This is one of those books, though, that the second half and ending not only make the first half necessary, but tolerable. The reader begins to understand why Mebel had to be so obnoxious in order to for the whole theme of personal growth and self-awareness in society to work. I also like this book (and Sutanto's Vera Wong books) because of the age of the character. Not too many books are written with a character of this age and even fewer that have cross-generational appeal. I like the comparison of generational perspectives and manners as well as the "window" into the Chindo culture.
Review of advance copy received from Netgalley
Ms. Mebel Goes Back to the Chopping Block was such a warm, humorous, and genuinely fun read. Picking up a Jesse Q. Sutanto book is basically a guarantee of entertainment and laughs for me, and this one absolutely delivered. With a sixty-year-old main character, I was hoping for Vera-esque quips and humour, and I’m happy to report there’s plenty of that here.
I can best describe Mebel as Vera’s more stylish, definitely richer twin. She may be dressed head-to-toe in Gucci and Prada, but at heart she’s a Chinese-Indo mom who doesn’t forget her roots, especially when she’s being forcefully assertive in that deeply familiar way all Asian kids will instantly recognize (and probably laugh at).
I loved following Mebel on her adventures, and I’d wholeheartedly recommend this book if you’re in the mood for something lighthearted yet meaningful. It’s packed with delicious food descriptions (this book made me so hungry), found family dynamics, and a story about a woman in her sixties exploring, learning, and breaking out of the mold she’s lived in for so long. Most of the characters are incredibly likeable, and the ones who aren’t? They add just the right amount of spice to the story.
Huge thanks to NetGalley and Berkley Publishing Group for the ARC! Out April 2026, definitely one to add to your list 📚
I can best describe Mebel as Vera’s more stylish, definitely richer twin. She may be dressed head-to-toe in Gucci and Prada, but at heart she’s a Chinese-Indo mom who doesn’t forget her roots, especially when she’s being forcefully assertive in that deeply familiar way all Asian kids will instantly recognize (and probably laugh at).
I loved following Mebel on her adventures, and I’d wholeheartedly recommend this book if you’re in the mood for something lighthearted yet meaningful. It’s packed with delicious food descriptions (this book made me so hungry), found family dynamics, and a story about a woman in her sixties exploring, learning, and breaking out of the mold she’s lived in for so long. Most of the characters are incredibly likeable, and the ones who aren’t? They add just the right amount of spice to the story.
Huge thanks to NetGalley and Berkley Publishing Group for the ARC! Out April 2026, definitely one to add to your list 📚
Review of advance copy received from Netgalley
Plot: ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️
After her husband leaves her, Mebel ditches the Real Housewife life for culinary school.
-
Just as light, humorous, and engaging as Sutanto’s other works, this novel is a cozy look at one Chinese-Indonesian woman’s journey from a wealthy self-proclaimed “trophy wife” to an audacious, ambitious chef. From Jakarta to Oxfordshire, this story tackles the fun and the serious, and I’m certain it is sure to delight!
[Content warnings at the end]
Characters: ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️
Mebel is a supremely funny and charming character, and an insightful one, too. Everything from her relationship with Gen Z to her discovery of a better sex life is inspired. The group of youngsters is great too, especially Gemma. And Alain’s role is so crucial for Mebel’s narrative arc. I love how everyone’s storylines crescendo into a surprisingly deep and purposeful ending
Writing: ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️
Witty, eccentric, and light-hearted, the novel’s writing is capital-f Fun. Susanto has a knack for writing quirky older characters, fun ensembles, clever dialogue, and silly albeit plausible situations. There’s also a lot of depth to the feminist and anti-ageist themes. But I while say the vibes do feel a little too similar to her other novels!
Recommended to fans of humorous, wholesome tales.
.
.
.
[Content warnings: sexual harassment]
After her husband leaves her, Mebel ditches the Real Housewife life for culinary school.
-
Just as light, humorous, and engaging as Sutanto’s other works, this novel is a cozy look at one Chinese-Indonesian woman’s journey from a wealthy self-proclaimed “trophy wife” to an audacious, ambitious chef. From Jakarta to Oxfordshire, this story tackles the fun and the serious, and I’m certain it is sure to delight!
[Content warnings at the end]
Characters: ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️
Mebel is a supremely funny and charming character, and an insightful one, too. Everything from her relationship with Gen Z to her discovery of a better sex life is inspired. The group of youngsters is great too, especially Gemma. And Alain’s role is so crucial for Mebel’s narrative arc. I love how everyone’s storylines crescendo into a surprisingly deep and purposeful ending
Writing: ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️
Witty, eccentric, and light-hearted, the novel’s writing is capital-f Fun. Susanto has a knack for writing quirky older characters, fun ensembles, clever dialogue, and silly albeit plausible situations. There’s also a lot of depth to the feminist and anti-ageist themes. But I while say the vibes do feel a little too similar to her other novels!
Recommended to fans of humorous, wholesome tales.
.
.
.
[Content warnings: sexual harassment]
Review of advance copy received from Netgalley
I am genuinely grateful to have received an ARC of Ms. Mebel via NetGalley.
Jesse Q. Sutanto has been an auto buy for me ever since Dial A for Aunties. Vera Wong’s Unsolicited Advice for Murderers only confirmed it. Her books are precise, self aware, and confident about the stories they are telling.
And honestly this might be my favorite yet.
I have learned that I especially love reading from the POV of women who are further along in life. Women who know who they are, but remain open, curious, and willing to grow. Mebel walks that line beautifully. She is smart, funny, and deeply self aware, and watching her change over the course of the book is genuinely satisfying.
If I had one small wish, it is that the story had unfolded over a longer stretch of time. A full school year rather than a single semester. A few more months to let that growth breathe. The transformation works emotionally, but occasionally I wanted more time on the page to sit inside it.
And still I could not help but feel incredibly proud of her by the end.
I sincerely hope this is not a standalone. I would happily follow Mebel further.
Rating Breakdown
Writing & Voice
⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️½ 4.5
Story / Ideas
⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️½ 4.5
Characters / Presence
⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️ 4.0
Pacing & Structure
⭐️⭐️⭐️½ 3.5
Emotional / Intellectual Impact
⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️ 4.0
Personal Enjoyment
⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️ 5.0
Overall Rating: ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️¼ 4.25
Jesse Q. Sutanto has been an auto buy for me ever since Dial A for Aunties. Vera Wong’s Unsolicited Advice for Murderers only confirmed it. Her books are precise, self aware, and confident about the stories they are telling.
And honestly this might be my favorite yet.
I have learned that I especially love reading from the POV of women who are further along in life. Women who know who they are, but remain open, curious, and willing to grow. Mebel walks that line beautifully. She is smart, funny, and deeply self aware, and watching her change over the course of the book is genuinely satisfying.
If I had one small wish, it is that the story had unfolded over a longer stretch of time. A full school year rather than a single semester. A few more months to let that growth breathe. The transformation works emotionally, but occasionally I wanted more time on the page to sit inside it.
And still I could not help but feel incredibly proud of her by the end.
I sincerely hope this is not a standalone. I would happily follow Mebel further.
Rating Breakdown
Writing & Voice
⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️½ 4.5
Story / Ideas
⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️½ 4.5
Characters / Presence
⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️ 4.0
Pacing & Structure
⭐️⭐️⭐️½ 3.5
Emotional / Intellectual Impact
⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️ 4.0
Personal Enjoyment
⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️ 5.0
Overall Rating: ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️¼ 4.25
Review of advance copy received from Netgalley
2.5 stars
Thanks to NetGalley and Corvus for the advanced copy of this title in return for an honest review.
I own about half a dozen of Jesse's books but for some reason, this is the first I'm reading.
I really wanted to love Mebel right from the odd but she was hard work. I know she's the victim in this story but she was a hard woman to like. I didn't like her obsession with winning her husband back, like she was only worth being a trophy wife and not her own woman. I know she's spent her life being this trophy wife, but she felt like a child in a 60+ woman's body. I think the way she acted was meant to be humorous but I found it irritating.
I was expecting a comedy, something light to read, and it did have comedic moments but I felt the start of it at least, the first quarter was really morose and it meant overall the story felt so slow and miserable.
I did like the character arcs and the message of female empowerment, and it definitely got better as it went along. I enjoyed the generational and cultural shifts between the characters, that really helped flesh the story out.
But I just couldn't take to Mebel at all. She was better by the end but I found her so insufferable for the most part that it was hard to enjoy her story. I can't say any of the other characters were stand out either.
I've looked at other reviews and it seems people are split between it being a five-star read, and being a bit disappointed and I am definitely in the latter. It had such promise and I will definitely still read her other books, but I personally think an interesting premise and potential story was let down by such an unlikeable protagonist.
Thanks to NetGalley and Corvus for the advanced copy of this title in return for an honest review.
I own about half a dozen of Jesse's books but for some reason, this is the first I'm reading.
I really wanted to love Mebel right from the odd but she was hard work. I know she's the victim in this story but she was a hard woman to like. I didn't like her obsession with winning her husband back, like she was only worth being a trophy wife and not her own woman. I know she's spent her life being this trophy wife, but she felt like a child in a 60+ woman's body. I think the way she acted was meant to be humorous but I found it irritating.
I was expecting a comedy, something light to read, and it did have comedic moments but I felt the start of it at least, the first quarter was really morose and it meant overall the story felt so slow and miserable.
I did like the character arcs and the message of female empowerment, and it definitely got better as it went along. I enjoyed the generational and cultural shifts between the characters, that really helped flesh the story out.
But I just couldn't take to Mebel at all. She was better by the end but I found her so insufferable for the most part that it was hard to enjoy her story. I can't say any of the other characters were stand out either.
I've looked at other reviews and it seems people are split between it being a five-star read, and being a bit disappointed and I am definitely in the latter. It had such promise and I will definitely still read her other books, but I personally think an interesting premise and potential story was let down by such an unlikeable protagonist.
October 25, 2025
**ARC Review**
This was really enjoyable! While I didn’t find this as humorous as the Vera Wong books, I didn’t find myself disappointed by it. I thought that the story was really thought out and well paced.
It was really interesting hearing more of Mebel’s story! I think she is an inspiration that you are never too old to “start over” whether it’s a career change or relationship status.
I hope there will be a second book that continues her story because I feel there is so much I would still love to learn.
Note: While Mebel is a character in the Vera Wong series, I don’t think it’s necessary to read the books in any particular order.
Thank you Jesse Q. Sutanto and Berkley Publishing Group for this ARC! All thoughts and opinions are my own.
Quotes:
“Long story short, Mebel’s brain is a bit of an asshole.”
“All things worth having are things worth waiting for.”
“And this time, her life path isn’t one that has been prescribed to her by others. It is going to be one that she paves one step at a time, all on her own.”
“She allows herself to feel sorry for herself for a few more minutes, then she sniffs and wipes her tears away. It is important, she thinks, to let one mourn, even for a bit.”
This was really enjoyable! While I didn’t find this as humorous as the Vera Wong books, I didn’t find myself disappointed by it. I thought that the story was really thought out and well paced.
It was really interesting hearing more of Mebel’s story! I think she is an inspiration that you are never too old to “start over” whether it’s a career change or relationship status.
I hope there will be a second book that continues her story because I feel there is so much I would still love to learn.
Note: While Mebel is a character in the Vera Wong series, I don’t think it’s necessary to read the books in any particular order.
Thank you Jesse Q. Sutanto and Berkley Publishing Group for this ARC! All thoughts and opinions are my own.
Quotes:
“Long story short, Mebel’s brain is a bit of an asshole.”
“All things worth having are things worth waiting for.”
“And this time, her life path isn’t one that has been prescribed to her by others. It is going to be one that she paves one step at a time, all on her own.”
“She allows herself to feel sorry for herself for a few more minutes, then she sniffs and wipes her tears away. It is important, she thinks, to let one mourn, even for a bit.”
October 17, 2025
Ahh, another hilarious, witty Jesse Q. Sutanto book! It was a fast read, which isn’t to say that the characters or the story are underdeveloped at all. In fact, the opposite was true. Mebel was a great character- funny, sassy, full of sharp comebacks, and easy to love. Anyone who reads this book will be able to see the fault in Mebel’s plan to win back her husband, but that’s part of why it makes it even better when she learns that she actually can cook, and that she’s actually pretty dang good at it. I loved seeing her relationship with Gemma and the other students grow as she overcame her ingrained “respect your elders” mentality. Mebel grew so much as a person over the course of this book that it was easy to root for her success. I loved watching her change her ways, take back her life, and learn that maybe the “traditional way” isn’t always the best way. The author has such a great way of writing that makes you feel like you’re listening to Mebel’s running stream of consciousness in her head, which only adds to her charm. If you liked Vera Wong’s Unsolicited Advice for Murderers, make sure you read this one too!
Thanks to Netgalley for this ARC!
Thanks to Netgalley for this ARC!
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