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Ms. Mebel Goes Back to the Chopping Block
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, Kindle Edition
First published April 28, 2026
About the author
Jesse Q. Sutanto
30 books10.5k 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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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.
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.
Pub April 28, 2026
Thank you to Elisha, Berkley Publishing Group | Berkley and NetGalley for this ARC
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
September 19, 2026
...after forty years of peaceful marriage, Henk has just decided to drop a bomb right into their lives.
"You're leaving me for our chef"
Mebel thought Henk was her destiny - they both had tragically misspelled names, were compatible for decades and raised a wonderful son together...but destiny has a funny way of showing her humor.
"I will spare you the indignity of moving out," he adds magnanimously.
"Moving out?" Mebel echoes blankly. She hadn't even thought of that possibility.
And a whirl of a time later, Mebel finds herself suddenly sans husband. At first she tries to fill the void with mothering...but her only son is in his thirties with children of his own and it becomes increasingly clear that she's no longer needed in the way she once was. Then she has an idea.
"I won't go down without a fight. ... I am going to win your father back."
If the only reason Henk's eyes are straying is because she can't cook, then she will do something about it!
And thus she books a one-way ticket to culinary school! Not too shabby for a self-proclaimed Trophy Wife...only one problem. She actually has to learn to cook.
Ahhh! This one was so gosh dang fun and wholesome - I loved it!
Ms. Mebel was a firecracker of a main character - the author did such a good job balancing her lifestyle with a likeable personality (cause, to be honest, I do have a rough time connecting with uber-rich characters at times). But Ms. Mebel's character was full of sweetness, a bit of naivety and tons of heart.
I loved the way we watched her slowly become more confident in herself after spending decades thinking of herself as "only" a trophy wife - seeing that self-actualization was SO satisfying to watch!
The plot for this one was definitely more character driven than I typically read but at the same time, I was definitely along for the journey. It was quite engaging to see her being faced with challenges - both in the cooking course but also socially as well - and the climax of the story - WOW! Such a satisfactory ending!
Overall, I definitely recommend this one if you are looking for a feel-good and light-hearted read with a lot of love throughout.
September 19, 2025
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
My Reviews Can Also Be Found On:
The Book Review Crew Blog
⭐⭐⭐
Ms. Mebel Goes Back to the Chopping Block
Jesse Q Sutanto
Publication Date: April 28th, 2026
Berkley Publishing Group
304 Pages
Amazon | Bookshop.org
Genre: General Fiction | Women's Fiction
I’ve never read anything by this author before, and this was an okay book for a first-time reader. It’s about the 63-year-old titular character, Mebel. Mebel lives in Jakarta and is very uptight. After forty years of marriage, her husband, Henk, leaves her. Mebel is shocked by this and decides cooking lessons are the way to win him back. She joins a cooking school in Paris—or so she thinks—but makes a big mistake and accidentally enrolls in the smaller sister school located just outside Oxford in England, not France.
I enjoyed watching Mebel grow from trying to save her marriage to an ungrateful cad to learning a lot about herself; I just wish there was more of it. She has to deal with a lot of younger people in cooking class and ends up becoming friends with one named Gemma. Like the author's other books, this one turns into a mystery when Gemma disappears. Mebel may not be very good in the kitchen, but she is good at reading people.
This was what I would call a "romp" (yes, I am that old!), and because I am near Mebel’s age, I was cheering her on. The comedy of errors was a bit heavy-handed, but I found the book charming in its own way. Watching a 63-year-old trophy wife try and get through the rural English countryside and school was something to behold. I also enjoyed the "found family" aspect as well.
I was a bit put off by what the book was trying to be—too much, in my opinion. It started off as a high drama about Mebel’s marriage coming to an end, quickly turned into a comedy, and then changed again into a mystery. While I appreciated the lightheartedness, at times it became a bit too much and made it hard to clearly understand Mebel’s growth as a character. I also wish we got more of the cooking school; that would have been so much fun and interesting. The whole marriage ending and the education aspects felt rushed. This would make a good beach read if you like quirky stories and can overlook the repetitiveness.
Thank you to NetGalley and the publisher for the ARC.
The Book Review Crew Blog
⭐⭐⭐
Ms. Mebel Goes Back to the Chopping Block
Jesse Q Sutanto
Publication Date: April 28th, 2026
Berkley Publishing Group
304 Pages
Amazon | Bookshop.org
Genre: General Fiction | Women's Fiction
I’ve never read anything by this author before, and this was an okay book for a first-time reader. It’s about the 63-year-old titular character, Mebel. Mebel lives in Jakarta and is very uptight. After forty years of marriage, her husband, Henk, leaves her. Mebel is shocked by this and decides cooking lessons are the way to win him back. She joins a cooking school in Paris—or so she thinks—but makes a big mistake and accidentally enrolls in the smaller sister school located just outside Oxford in England, not France.
I enjoyed watching Mebel grow from trying to save her marriage to an ungrateful cad to learning a lot about herself; I just wish there was more of it. She has to deal with a lot of younger people in cooking class and ends up becoming friends with one named Gemma. Like the author's other books, this one turns into a mystery when Gemma disappears. Mebel may not be very good in the kitchen, but she is good at reading people.
This was what I would call a "romp" (yes, I am that old!), and because I am near Mebel’s age, I was cheering her on. The comedy of errors was a bit heavy-handed, but I found the book charming in its own way. Watching a 63-year-old trophy wife try and get through the rural English countryside and school was something to behold. I also enjoyed the "found family" aspect as well.
I was a bit put off by what the book was trying to be—too much, in my opinion. It started off as a high drama about Mebel’s marriage coming to an end, quickly turned into a comedy, and then changed again into a mystery. While I appreciated the lightheartedness, at times it became a bit too much and made it hard to clearly understand Mebel’s growth as a character. I also wish we got more of the cooking school; that would have been so much fun and interesting. The whole marriage ending and the education aspects felt rushed. This would make a good beach read if you like quirky stories and can overlook the repetitiveness.
Thank you to NetGalley and the publisher for the ARC.
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.
Read
April 10, 2026A must read if you loved Vera Wong!
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!!
October 12, 2026
This was so much fun! Mebel is a wonderful character. Sassy and funny. I loved her. And I loved her relationships with other characters. Her growth throughout the story is so well-done.
This was my first read from this author and I absolutely loved her writing style. The dialogues and Mebel's inner thoughts are hilarious. Such a sweet, feel-good story.
I thoroughly enjoyed the audiobook narrated by Eunice Wong. She gives each character a distinct voice and her accents are flawless.
Read for the Goodreads Fall Challenge (Heart-Warmers)
This was my first read from this author and I absolutely loved her writing style. The dialogues and Mebel's inner thoughts are hilarious. Such a sweet, feel-good story.
I thoroughly enjoyed the audiobook narrated by Eunice Wong. She gives each character a distinct voice and her accents are flawless.
Read for the Goodreads Fall Challenge (Heart-Warmers)
October 20, 2026
To be honest I wasn’t sure I wanted to read this one. I am probably in the minority, as I wasn’t a fan of her Vera Wong series. I DNF’ed the first book, “Vera Wong’s Unsolicited Advice for Murderers,” and decided that was enough for me. If interested, my review link is below.
But since this book was a donation to my Little Free Library Shed, I thought I should give it a read and perhaps put my feelings about Vera aside. Would I possibly like this one – or, most importantly, Mebel?
So, who is Mebel, and what is the chopping block that she has decided to return to, and why?
Readers soon learn that Mebel’s marriage has imploded after 40 years, with her husband leaving her for their 24-year-old private chef, Wendy.
So, what does Mebel do?
She decides she wants to win him back (why?) by enrolling in a culinary school in Paris, only to discover she actually enrolled in a culinary school in Oxford, England.
Of course, considering this major faux pas, things don’t go smoothly for Mebel.
She finds herself competing with Gen Z and millennial classmates. Fortunately, Gemma, the breakout star of the program, befriends her – only to go missing.
Suddenly, the story shifts from culinary school antics to a cozy mystery investigation.
Can Mebel become an investigative amateur sleuth and figure out what happened to Gemma?
Readers drawn to lighthearted humor about midlife crises might enjoy Mebel’s journey.
Despite its cuteness, the story felt predictable and a bit boring. Sorry, Mebel.
Please read other reviews as I suspect I’m an outlier.
“Vera Wong’s Unsolicited Advice for Murderers” Review: https://www.goodreads.com/review/show...
But since this book was a donation to my Little Free Library Shed, I thought I should give it a read and perhaps put my feelings about Vera aside. Would I possibly like this one – or, most importantly, Mebel?
So, who is Mebel, and what is the chopping block that she has decided to return to, and why?
Readers soon learn that Mebel’s marriage has imploded after 40 years, with her husband leaving her for their 24-year-old private chef, Wendy.
So, what does Mebel do?
She decides she wants to win him back (why?) by enrolling in a culinary school in Paris, only to discover she actually enrolled in a culinary school in Oxford, England.
Of course, considering this major faux pas, things don’t go smoothly for Mebel.
She finds herself competing with Gen Z and millennial classmates. Fortunately, Gemma, the breakout star of the program, befriends her – only to go missing.
Suddenly, the story shifts from culinary school antics to a cozy mystery investigation.
Can Mebel become an investigative amateur sleuth and figure out what happened to Gemma?
Readers drawn to lighthearted humor about midlife crises might enjoy Mebel’s journey.
Despite its cuteness, the story felt predictable and a bit boring. Sorry, Mebel.
Please read other reviews as I suspect I’m an outlier.
“Vera Wong’s Unsolicited Advice for Murderers” Review: https://www.goodreads.com/review/show...
July 13, 2026
__________________________
“I cook with wine. Sometimes I even add it to the food.” —W.C. Fields
Mebel is a Chinese-Indonesian trophy wife. She admits it. In fact, she revels in it. Her parents, who were wealthy themselves, started training her to be a trophy wife at an early age. They put her on a strict diet when she was just 8-years-old—not because she was obese—but a good trophy wife must be svelte, and it’s never too early to start good habits. They sent her to a U.S. university to study economics, because a good trophy wife in upper crust Chinese-Indonesian culture must be educated enough to be able to talk to her husband’s wealthy friends and associates without embarrassing her husband. She must also be skilled in giving servants orders. And, most importantly, she must be willing to exhaust herself shopping for top-of-the-line haute couture from the most exclusive fashion houses around world so her husband will not be humiliated by her wearing last year’s rags from Chanel, Dior, Prada, Gucci, and Versace.
Even her adult son refers to her as a CHIP (Chinese Indonesian Princess) and she is proud of the title, although she is 63-years-old now and is not likely to ever appear in a Disney/Pixar princess movie. None-the-less, Mebel is deeply shocked and surprised when her husband of 40 years tells her that he is leaving her and that he and Wendy—the couple’s 22 -year-old personal chef—are moving in together. Her husband kindly tells Mebel that he is not going to throw her out of the house. He is a sweetheart.
Mebel truly does not understand what skills a pretty but untrained 22-year-old girl like Wendy could possibly have that would attract her zillionaire husband, unless it is her ability to cook. So, Mebel decides she will fly to Europe to attend a high-end culinary school where she can learn to prepare French cuisine and thus win back her husband. Adventures ensue. Knives are sharpened. Cheese is cut. Redemptive arcs are travelled.
🌟🌟🌟🌟 Stars
If I hadn’t read Jesse Q. Sutanto’s hilarious Vera Wong series—Vera Wong's Unsolicited Advice for Murderers and Vera Wong's Guide to Snooping [On a Dead Man] —I probably wouldn’t have bothered to even read the blurb for this book. I mean you can tell by the cover that this book is about relationships and mushy stuff. Not my style. But I so loved Vera Wong’s character that I decided to give Mebel a shot. Mebel isn’t as quite as quirky as Vera, but the two women have the same comic-chaotic tone that made me love Mebel as well. I am therefore nominating Sutanto for the coveted Pseudonymous Cozy Trophy for 2026.
Note: Both Vera’s and Mebel’s dialects may seem like cultural stereotyping, but Sutano is herself a Chinese-Indonesian living in Jakarta, so there.
Here are links to my reviews of the Vera Wang books.
Vera Wong's Unsolicited Advice for Murderers
https://www.goodreads.com/review/show...
Vera Wong's Guide to Snooping [On a Dead Man]
https://www.goodreads.com/review/show...
“I cook with wine. Sometimes I even add it to the food.” —W.C. Fields
Mebel is a Chinese-Indonesian trophy wife. She admits it. In fact, she revels in it. Her parents, who were wealthy themselves, started training her to be a trophy wife at an early age. They put her on a strict diet when she was just 8-years-old—not because she was obese—but a good trophy wife must be svelte, and it’s never too early to start good habits. They sent her to a U.S. university to study economics, because a good trophy wife in upper crust Chinese-Indonesian culture must be educated enough to be able to talk to her husband’s wealthy friends and associates without embarrassing her husband. She must also be skilled in giving servants orders. And, most importantly, she must be willing to exhaust herself shopping for top-of-the-line haute couture from the most exclusive fashion houses around world so her husband will not be humiliated by her wearing last year’s rags from Chanel, Dior, Prada, Gucci, and Versace.
Even her adult son refers to her as a CHIP (Chinese Indonesian Princess) and she is proud of the title, although she is 63-years-old now and is not likely to ever appear in a Disney/Pixar princess movie. None-the-less, Mebel is deeply shocked and surprised when her husband of 40 years tells her that he is leaving her and that he and Wendy—the couple’s 22 -year-old personal chef—are moving in together. Her husband kindly tells Mebel that he is not going to throw her out of the house. He is a sweetheart.
Mebel truly does not understand what skills a pretty but untrained 22-year-old girl like Wendy could possibly have that would attract her zillionaire husband, unless it is her ability to cook. So, Mebel decides she will fly to Europe to attend a high-end culinary school where she can learn to prepare French cuisine and thus win back her husband. Adventures ensue. Knives are sharpened. Cheese is cut. Redemptive arcs are travelled.
🌟🌟🌟🌟 Stars
If I hadn’t read Jesse Q. Sutanto’s hilarious Vera Wong series—Vera Wong's Unsolicited Advice for Murderers and Vera Wong's Guide to Snooping [On a Dead Man] —I probably wouldn’t have bothered to even read the blurb for this book. I mean you can tell by the cover that this book is about relationships and mushy stuff. Not my style. But I so loved Vera Wong’s character that I decided to give Mebel a shot. Mebel isn’t as quite as quirky as Vera, but the two women have the same comic-chaotic tone that made me love Mebel as well. I am therefore nominating Sutanto for the coveted Pseudonymous Cozy Trophy for 2026.
Note: Both Vera’s and Mebel’s dialects may seem like cultural stereotyping, but Sutano is herself a Chinese-Indonesian living in Jakarta, so there.
Here are links to my reviews of the Vera Wang books.
Vera Wong's Unsolicited Advice for Murderers
https://www.goodreads.com/review/show...
Vera Wong's Guide to Snooping [On a Dead Man]
https://www.goodreads.com/review/show...
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.
May 14, 2026
𝗡𝗼𝘁 𝗩𝗲𝗿𝗮 𝗪𝗼𝗻𝗴, 𝗯𝘂𝘁 𝗜 𝗴𝗼𝘁 𝘁𝗵𝗲𝗿𝗲. ❤️
I went in with high expectations after loving the author’s previous books, especially the characters. Vera Wong is still hard to beat for me, and this didn’t quite create that same immediate attachment.
But it won me over in a different way.
The story moves through a few phases—light and funny, then chaotic and madcap, before settling into the mystery. What surprised me most was what came after: once the mystery resolves, the book becomes warmer, more character-focused, and genuinely beautiful.
𝗧𝗵𝗮𝘁 𝗳𝗶𝗻𝗮𝗹 𝘀𝘁𝗿𝗲𝘁𝗰𝗵 𝗴𝗮𝘃𝗲 𝘁𝗵𝗶𝘀 𝗯𝗼𝗼𝗸 𝗮 𝗹𝗼𝘁 𝗼𝗳 𝗵𝗲𝗮𝗿𝘁.
A fun, well-paced read that ended up being much more heartfelt than I expected.
I went in with high expectations after loving the author’s previous books, especially the characters. Vera Wong is still hard to beat for me, and this didn’t quite create that same immediate attachment.
But it won me over in a different way.
The story moves through a few phases—light and funny, then chaotic and madcap, before settling into the mystery. What surprised me most was what came after: once the mystery resolves, the book becomes warmer, more character-focused, and genuinely beautiful.
𝗧𝗵𝗮𝘁 𝗳𝗶𝗻𝗮𝗹 𝘀𝘁𝗿𝗲𝘁𝗰𝗵 𝗴𝗮𝘃𝗲 𝘁𝗵𝗶𝘀 𝗯𝗼𝗼𝗸 𝗮 𝗹𝗼𝘁 𝗼𝗳 𝗵𝗲𝗮𝗿𝘁.
A fun, well-paced read that ended up being much more heartfelt than I expected.
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 4, 2026
𝗡𝗼𝘁 𝗩𝗲𝗿𝗮 𝗪𝗼𝗻𝗴, 𝗯𝘂𝘁 𝗜 𝗴𝗼𝘁 𝘁𝗵𝗲𝗿𝗲. ❤️
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.
This didn’t quite deliver that same immediate character attachment, but it won me over in a different way.
The story moves through a few distinct phases: light and funny, then increasingly chaotic and madcap, before settling into the mystery. But what really surprised me was what came after. Once the mystery resolves, the book leans fully into its characters and becomes something much warmer, feel-good, and genuinely beautiful.
That final stretch gives the story so much heart and leaves it on a very satisfying note.
𝗙𝘂𝗻, 𝘄𝗲𝗹𝗹-𝗽𝗮𝗰𝗲𝗱, 𝗮𝗻𝗱 𝘂𝗻𝗲𝘅𝗽𝗲𝗰𝘁𝗲𝗱𝗹𝘆 𝗵𝗲𝗮𝗿𝘁𝗳𝗲𝗹𝘁. ❤️
It may not have the same standout character magic as the author’s earlier books, but it delivered a warm, engaging, and ultimately very satisfying story.
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.
This didn’t quite deliver that same immediate character attachment, but it won me over in a different way.
The story moves through a few distinct phases: light and funny, then increasingly chaotic and madcap, before settling into the mystery. But what really surprised me was what came after. Once the mystery resolves, the book leans fully into its characters and becomes something much warmer, feel-good, and genuinely beautiful.
That final stretch gives the story so much heart and leaves it on a very satisfying note.
𝗙𝘂𝗻, 𝘄𝗲𝗹𝗹-𝗽𝗮𝗰𝗲𝗱, 𝗮𝗻𝗱 𝘂𝗻𝗲𝘅𝗽𝗲𝗰𝘁𝗲𝗱𝗹𝘆 𝗵𝗲𝗮𝗿𝘁𝗳𝗲𝗹𝘁. ❤️
It may not have the same standout character magic as the author’s earlier books, but it delivered 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.
August 18, 2026
Maybe 3.5 stars? This was cute but there were some cringey parts
March 8, 2026
This 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.
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!
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 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 1, 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 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
May 14, 2026
4.5 rounded up !!! i love old people !!! i love asian aunties !!! i wish i could cook !!!
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