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Ms. Mebel Goes Back to the Chopping Block
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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.
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.
Audible Audio
First published April 28, 2026
About the author
Jesse Q. Sutanto
31 books9,935 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 928 reviews
June 14, 2026
this was so sweet! Mebel sends herself off to culinary school at the age of 63 to win back her husband after finding out he is leaving her for their personal chef. i lovedddd Mebel, loved watching her grow as a character, and loved watching her find her voice
June 11, 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:
medium blog
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.
June 2, 2026
When her husband leaves her for someone younger, Mebel heads to cooking school in London hoping to win him back, but instead finds a new sense of confidence and purpose. This is a fun, heart warming story about second chances, friendship, and self discovery.
I absolutely loved this book. Mebel was sassy, hilarious, and impossible not to root for. Her sharp wit and "larger than life" personality had me laughing throughout, and I loved watching her grow while staying true to herself. A charming, uplifting read with plenty of heart.
I absolutely loved this book. Mebel was sassy, hilarious, and impossible not to root for. Her sharp wit and "larger than life" personality had me laughing throughout, and I loved watching her grow while staying true to herself. A charming, uplifting read with plenty of heart.
April 29, 2026
4 solid stars for "Ms. Mebel" (NOT Mabel - IYKYK) who is a spurned early-60's self-proclaimed "trophy wife" who goes to Culinary school and finds herself instead. Mebel is much sexier and younger at heart than the author's Vera W. (who always seems at least a decade or two older and more stereotypical to me). I really enjoyed Mebel coming into her own and her character growth arc - loved how she grew a stiff spine by the end. I'd def. read another with these characters!!
April 10, 2026
A must read if you loved Vera Wong!
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
May 15, 2026
*Mebel is my hero*
Mebel Tanadi, a 63-year-old Chinese Indonesian woman, was raised to be just enough and excel only in one role: the perfect trophy wife. She was accustomed to all the trappings of wealth and married a wealthy man. Her name, a misspelling of Mabel, meant she had to explain it constantly, and here her husband should be Hank but was spelled Henk. This became a shared joke between them.
Forty years later, with a son, her husband decided he wanted to divorce her, leaving her for their 24-year-old personal chef. Devastated, Mebel resolved to win him back by learning to cook. Culinary school seemed like the answer, though she didn’t intend to complete it. She simply wanted to master a few dishes. Determined, she decides to Paris , believing it was the ideal place to learn. However, things didn’t go as planned.
Unbeknownst to Mebel, this decision would transform her life. I admired her perseverance and how she began to realise she was more than just a trophy wife. Laughter filled the air as she bonded with her fellow students and beyond. But, she her relationship with Gemma was very touching.
I enjoyed that this experience allowed Mebel to occupy roles unthinkable in her culture. It also reveals a striking resemblance between her husband and her son Sammy, in their behaviour. He was very spoiled.
Mebel Tanadi, a 63-year-old Chinese Indonesian woman, was raised to be just enough and excel only in one role: the perfect trophy wife. She was accustomed to all the trappings of wealth and married a wealthy man. Her name, a misspelling of Mabel, meant she had to explain it constantly, and here her husband should be Hank but was spelled Henk. This became a shared joke between them.
Forty years later, with a son, her husband decided he wanted to divorce her, leaving her for their 24-year-old personal chef. Devastated, Mebel resolved to win him back by learning to cook. Culinary school seemed like the answer, though she didn’t intend to complete it. She simply wanted to master a few dishes. Determined, she decides to Paris , believing it was the ideal place to learn. However, things didn’t go as planned.
Unbeknownst to Mebel, this decision would transform her life. I admired her perseverance and how she began to realise she was more than just a trophy wife. Laughter filled the air as she bonded with her fellow students and beyond. But, she her relationship with Gemma was very touching.
I enjoyed that this experience allowed Mebel to occupy roles unthinkable in her culture. It also reveals a striking resemblance between her husband and her son Sammy, in their behaviour. He was very spoiled.
June 2, 2026
Mebel is happy with her life as an Indonesian trophy wife. But suddenly her husband of 40+ years tells her he wants a divorce because he’s fallen in love with their young private chef. As a trophy wife, she has spent years anticipating her husband’s needs and ensuring his life runs smoothly. She decides that in order to win him back, she will go to culinary school and learn to cook.
She starts in Paris, but then is told it’s actually their school in England that she was accepted to. But rather than a glamorous time in Paris, she is in a small village on the outskirts of Oxford. And as her classes begin, she discovers how hard cooking is, and the other students are young.She starts to question her plan, and feels lonely. But in time she learns that she is enjoying learning to cook, and it’s giving her a newfound sense of accomplishment.
Mabel begins as a spoiled woman who is not very likable. But throughout the next months she makes friends and has a new perspective on life. Just when she’s feeling settled there is a shakeup and she needs to see what she is made of and what she wants in her future.
She starts in Paris, but then is told it’s actually their school in England that she was accepted to. But rather than a glamorous time in Paris, she is in a small village on the outskirts of Oxford. And as her classes begin, she discovers how hard cooking is, and the other students are young.She starts to question her plan, and feels lonely. But in time she learns that she is enjoying learning to cook, and it’s giving her a newfound sense of accomplishment.
Mabel begins as a spoiled woman who is not very likable. But throughout the next months she makes friends and has a new perspective on life. Just when she’s feeling settled there is a shakeup and she needs to see what she is made of and what she wants in her future.
May 14, 2026
I went into this with high expectations after loving the author’s previous books—especially the characters (Vera Wong is still hard to beat for me). And while this didn’t quite deliver that same immediate, standout character attachment, it ended up winning me over in a different way.
The story moves through a few distinct phases—it starts off light and funny, then shifts into a more chaotic, madcap adventure before settling into the mystery. What really surprised me, though, is what happens after that. Once the mystery resolves, the book leans fully into its characters and becomes something much more warm, feel-good, and genuinely beautiful. That final stretch gives the story a lot of heart and leaves it on a very satisfying note.
Overall, this is a fun, well-paced read that evolves into something unexpectedly heartfelt. It may not have the same standout character magic as the author’s earlier books, but it delivers a warm, engaging, and ultimately very satisfying story.
The story moves through a few distinct phases—it starts off light and funny, then shifts into a more chaotic, madcap adventure before settling into the mystery. What really surprised me, though, is what happens after that. Once the mystery resolves, the book leans fully into its characters and becomes something much more warm, feel-good, and genuinely beautiful. That final stretch gives the story a lot of heart and leaves it on a very satisfying note.
Overall, this is a fun, well-paced read that evolves into something unexpectedly heartfelt. It may not have the same standout character magic as the author’s earlier books, but it delivers a warm, engaging, and ultimately very satisfying story.
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.
June 15, 2026
Fun read. I had a long solo drive and picked this one up to listen to. It was an easy listen and kept me calm when I got completely lost. Laughed out loud a few times too. Mabel is in her 60s, and her husband leaves her after 40 years for someone MUCH younger. Now, instead of being her husband's show wife, she begins to stand up for herself and learn who she is. The narrator on this one did a great job. Because she also narrates Jesse Q. Sutanto's Vera Wong books (which I love), at times I kept hearing and picturing Vera Wong in my head! Overall, it was a nice, feel-good book and perfect for the drive.
May 9, 2026
I loved the Vera Wong books by this author and have been wanting to read more from her backlist as we wait for more books in the Vera Wong cozy mystery series, so when I saw this new contemporary standalone release I dove in! This book is definitely just contemporary fiction as we follow an almost-divorced woman in her 60s try and start over. I really had a fun time and while it isn’t cozy mystery at all, Mebel is a character that I think people would enjoy if they’re also a fan of the Vera Wong series.
Mebel is 63 and shocked when she finds out her husband wants to leave her for a much younger woman. She has always been a “trophy wife” and feels like she needs to get him back. So she applies to culinary school, leaves Indonesia, and shows up in England to learn to be a cook and win him back. Along the way Mebel learns a lot about life, a lot about herself, her worth, her interests, her wants, she meets new friends, and after a rougher start, actually learns to cook and is delightfully good at it! I loved Mebel, she isn’t a perfect character but you can’t help but root for her as she learns and grows. The audiobook was fantastic and I really just love this author’s writing overall!
Mebel is 63 and shocked when she finds out her husband wants to leave her for a much younger woman. She has always been a “trophy wife” and feels like she needs to get him back. So she applies to culinary school, leaves Indonesia, and shows up in England to learn to be a cook and win him back. Along the way Mebel learns a lot about life, a lot about herself, her worth, her interests, her wants, she meets new friends, and after a rougher start, actually learns to cook and is delightfully good at it! I loved Mebel, she isn’t a perfect character but you can’t help but root for her as she learns and grows. The audiobook was fantastic and I really just love this author’s writing overall!
June 17, 2026
Mebel, a 63-year-old self-proclaimed "trophy wife," leaves Indonesia for culinary school in England to win back her husband, who is cheating on her with their 24 year old chef. Along the way, Mebel develops some unlikely friendships and discovers her own independence and voice.
I love everything about this book. Eunice Wong narrated, and she can do no wrong. She truly brought Ms. Mebel to life for me. I laughed so hard listening to parts of this book, but I loved that it also addressed some complex topics, such as mental health and challenging societal expectations.
I love everything about this book. Eunice Wong narrated, and she can do no wrong. She truly brought Ms. Mebel to life for me. I laughed so hard listening to parts of this book, but I loved that it also addressed some complex topics, such as mental health and challenging societal expectations.
June 18, 2026
This was fun! I really liked the storyline and Mebel was hilarious.
May 2, 2026
No one can write hilarious older female characters like Sutanto! Ms. Mebel is a spunky, pampered older Indo Chinese 'trophy wife' whose life gets upended when her husband decides to leave her for their much younger private chef. Not willing to lose face by becoming a divorcee, Mebel decides win him back by enrolling at a Parisian cooking school to learn how to make delicious food.
Here she finds herself a fish out of water in the most ridiculous of ways but also makes friends, finds a lover and solves a murder while finding herself all at the same time. Perfect for fans of Vera Wong's guide to snooping or Detective Aunty, this cozy mystery will make you howl in laughter while rooting for Vera to live the life that truly makes her happy. Many thanks to NetGalley and the publisher for an early digital copy in exchange for my honest review.
Here she finds herself a fish out of water in the most ridiculous of ways but also makes friends, finds a lover and solves a murder while finding herself all at the same time. Perfect for fans of Vera Wong's guide to snooping or Detective Aunty, this cozy mystery will make you howl in laughter while rooting for Vera to live the life that truly makes her happy. Many thanks to NetGalley and the publisher for an early digital copy in exchange for my honest review.
May 13, 2026
I read this in a day, because it was too much fun to put down. It has the same sense of humour I loved in the Vera Wong books, which genuinely made me laugh out loud a couple times. I was a little afraid Mebel would be too similar to Vera, but they're both very distinct characters, so I needn't have worried. Where Mebel's story started off funny, it ended in a super heartfelt way. I loved seeing her grow as a character and realize she was allowed to make her own choices in life.
May 14, 2026
4.5 rounded up !!! i love old people !!! i love asian aunties !!! i wish i could cook !!!
May 29, 2026
An emotionally chaotic rich auntie, culinary school disasters, life lessons, personal growth, razor sharp humor, and unexpected heart. Jesse Sutanto cooked here. Absolutely devoured this.
5 stars 🌟
RTC
5 stars 🌟
RTC
Want to Read
May 18, 2026i was enjoying this one but unfortunately it needs to go back to the library now boo
June 4, 2026
Jesse Q. Sutanto delivers yet another hilarious but also heartfelt story with Ms. Mebel Goes Back to the Chopping Block. If you’ve read Jesse’s books before you know she has the best humor and that really shines in this one. Mebel is stubborn, quite dramatic, flawed, a little prissy, and very out of touch with reality so it was nice to watch her grow. This book also adds a bit of a mystery which complimented the story! Overall, this is another fantastic book by Jesse Q. Sutanto and I’m looking forward to many more in the future! She’s become one of my favorites.
𝗠𝗬 𝗥𝗔𝗧𝗜𝗡𝗚: ⭐⭐⭐⭐
𝗠𝗬 𝗥𝗔𝗧𝗜𝗡𝗚: ⭐⭐⭐⭐
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!
on-pause
May 29, 2026pre-read: i feel like this might add whimsy to my life so :)
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Sep/25: I’m SO excited for this one!
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Sep/25: I’m SO excited for this one!
April 28, 2026
Ms. Mebel Goes Back to the Chopping Block🔥 Book Review 📖 thank you @berkleypub for the free book! #berkleypartner #berkley
Ms. Mebel Goes Back to the Chopping Block
by Jesse Q. Sutanto
out today!
After 40 years of marriage, Mebel’s husband leaves her…for their private chef.
Determined to win him back, she heads to cooking school in “romantic” Europe, only to end up in a small English village instead of Paris.
Surrounded by younger classmates and unexpected friendships, Mebel starts to realize there might be more to her life than being the perfect wife.
💭 My thoughts:
Sassy, uplifting, and proof that it’s never too late for a comeback! This one caught me off guard in the best way EVER. I’ll be honest, I was a little hesitant at first, but Mebel really grew on me as the story went on. And by the end I was fully rooting for her. Watching her step out of her comfort zone, keep pushing, and slowly come into her own was a satisfying reading experience. She’s determined, a little chaotic at times, and absolutely a girls girl…which I love to see! There’s something so refreshing about a story that reminds you life doesn’t end at a certain age, and that you can still chase something new, even if it doesn’t go exactly as planned. It’s funny, a little messy, and SO full of heart. If you’re looking for a book that’ll leave you with hope and sass you won’t forget, you need to pick this one up!
What to expect 👇🏽
⏰Later in life growth
🐟Fish out of water
🍴Self-discovery
👯♀️Female friendships
Happy reading 📖 🔥🍴
Ms. Mebel Goes Back to the Chopping Block
by Jesse Q. Sutanto
out today!
After 40 years of marriage, Mebel’s husband leaves her…for their private chef.
Determined to win him back, she heads to cooking school in “romantic” Europe, only to end up in a small English village instead of Paris.
Surrounded by younger classmates and unexpected friendships, Mebel starts to realize there might be more to her life than being the perfect wife.
💭 My thoughts:
Sassy, uplifting, and proof that it’s never too late for a comeback! This one caught me off guard in the best way EVER. I’ll be honest, I was a little hesitant at first, but Mebel really grew on me as the story went on. And by the end I was fully rooting for her. Watching her step out of her comfort zone, keep pushing, and slowly come into her own was a satisfying reading experience. She’s determined, a little chaotic at times, and absolutely a girls girl…which I love to see! There’s something so refreshing about a story that reminds you life doesn’t end at a certain age, and that you can still chase something new, even if it doesn’t go exactly as planned. It’s funny, a little messy, and SO full of heart. If you’re looking for a book that’ll leave you with hope and sass you won’t forget, you need to pick this one up!
What to expect 👇🏽
⏰Later in life growth
🐟Fish out of water
🍴Self-discovery
👯♀️Female friendships
Happy reading 📖 🔥🍴
May 28, 2026
Mebel’s a sixty-three-year-old who excels at being a “trophy wife”. She maintains her body and looks and has built her life around what her husband, Henk, wants. However, her life is turned upside down when he asks for a divorce. He’s taken up with their twenty-four-year-old chef, Wendy. Mebel isn’t going to take this lying down, though, and decides to go to school to become a chef to win her husband back.
Right away, things don’t go as expected and instead of attending a glitzy school in Paris, she’s mistakenly enrolled herself at the campus England, in the very unglamorous town of Cowley. The classes are more work than she thought, and all the students are younger than her son. But soon Mebel is enjoying the feeling of accomplishment she has mastering the skills. She’s even making friends and even though they’re much younger, she feels truly seen for who she is as an individual apart from her husband.
Ms. Mebel was a lot of fun with Ms. Sutanto’s signature humor! Mebel was a character with her brutal honesty and Chinese grandmother ways, but this was also a touching journey. It was satisfying to see Mebel start over and find joy!
I voluntarily read a copy courtesy of the publisher. These are my thoughts and opinions.
Right away, things don’t go as expected and instead of attending a glitzy school in Paris, she’s mistakenly enrolled herself at the campus England, in the very unglamorous town of Cowley. The classes are more work than she thought, and all the students are younger than her son. But soon Mebel is enjoying the feeling of accomplishment she has mastering the skills. She’s even making friends and even though they’re much younger, she feels truly seen for who she is as an individual apart from her husband.
Ms. Mebel was a lot of fun with Ms. Sutanto’s signature humor! Mebel was a character with her brutal honesty and Chinese grandmother ways, but this was also a touching journey. It was satisfying to see Mebel start over and find joy!
I voluntarily read a copy courtesy of the publisher. These are my thoughts and opinions.
May 28, 2026
The story is amusing and annoying at the same time. The premise sounded fun and interesting. A woman’s marriage falls apart after 40yrs as the husband leaves her for a younger woman, their personal chef. She thinks that if she learns to cook she’ll win her husband back. She is a rich housewife from Indonesia that has never held a job in her life and sole purpose is to please her husband and bear him children.
Mebel Tenadi is the protagonist. At some point she would be considered a TROPHY WIFE if her looks justify it but at 63 years old and married 40yrs I believe that moniker ceases to apply. However, the narrative reminds the reader of it throughout the book and it’s the core of the story. Therefore quite annoying. However, the journey of self discovery and changing to have her own identity is what saves the story. She also helps Gemma stand up for herself.
There are other side characters that keep the story barely floating. Gemma, Mebel’s classmate at the culinary school. Sammy, Mebel’s son and his family. Mebel’s estranged husband. Alain Moreau, a renowned chef and director at the school. Mebel’s young classmates with their witty banter. Topics on French cooking.
Mebel Tenadi is the protagonist. At some point she would be considered a TROPHY WIFE if her looks justify it but at 63 years old and married 40yrs I believe that moniker ceases to apply. However, the narrative reminds the reader of it throughout the book and it’s the core of the story. Therefore quite annoying. However, the journey of self discovery and changing to have her own identity is what saves the story. She also helps Gemma stand up for herself.
There are other side characters that keep the story barely floating. Gemma, Mebel’s classmate at the culinary school. Sammy, Mebel’s son and his family. Mebel’s estranged husband. Alain Moreau, a renowned chef and director at the school. Mebel’s young classmates with their witty banter. Topics on French cooking.
April 22, 2026
*Thanks to PRH Audio for my ALC; all opinions are my own.*
The main character of this novel, Mebel, is a 63 year old wealthy Chinese-Indonesian woman. When her husband tells her he’s leaving her for their young personal chef, she decides the only thing to do is sign up for culinary school in Europe to win him back. Adventures and misadventures follow, and she ends up making some new friends and learning about herself too, not just cooking!
This book was just such a delight. If you’ve read Jesse Q Sutanto’s other books, imagine Mebel as a cross between the aunties and Vera, but with A LOT more money. And boy is she funny - literally laughed out loud while listening to this so many times. And loved seeing Mebel find her spunk and her backbone!
I’ve read Sutanto’s other books with my eyes, but now I see why people rave about Eunice Wong’s narration, and now I know why because she was just fabulous!
The main character of this novel, Mebel, is a 63 year old wealthy Chinese-Indonesian woman. When her husband tells her he’s leaving her for their young personal chef, she decides the only thing to do is sign up for culinary school in Europe to win him back. Adventures and misadventures follow, and she ends up making some new friends and learning about herself too, not just cooking!
This book was just such a delight. If you’ve read Jesse Q Sutanto’s other books, imagine Mebel as a cross between the aunties and Vera, but with A LOT more money. And boy is she funny - literally laughed out loud while listening to this so many times. And loved seeing Mebel find her spunk and her backbone!
I’ve read Sutanto’s other books with my eyes, but now I see why people rave about Eunice Wong’s narration, and now I know why because she was just fabulous!
June 5, 2026
For some reason this book made me laugh, and I found it entertaining. Mebel reminded me of Vera Wong, who I also liked.
2026
September 30, 2025ANHPI TBR
📱 Thank you to NetGalley and Berkley
📱 Thank you to NetGalley and Berkley
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