Well, That Was Unexpected

July 1, 2022
Southern California high school junior Sharlot Citra had everything planned out for her first time. What she did not plan for was her mom walking in on her and her boyfriend. Meanwhile in Jakarta, George Clooney Tanuwijaya, son of the country's second richest family, is caught by his father in a similarly racy solo situation. George's dad and sister decide he needs a girlfriend and set up an online profile for him. The perfect match comes in the form of one Sharlot Citra--or at least Sharlot's mom, who's likewise committing a catfishing scheme to set up her daughter with a respectable boy. Mama has whisked Sharlot off for her first trip to Indonesia to spend the summer learning how to jadi orang, or succeed as an adult. Horrified but resigned, the teens reluctantly meet, and an awkward coffee date spirals into a fake relationship for the press; George is the public face of an etiquette app for teen boys that his family's company is launching. Can a less-than-honest beginning lead to genuine connection? Sutanto's novel is full of hijinks, humor, and heart. Beyond the fake online personas are two teens with lots to connect over. Sutanto gives dimension to the secondary characters, exploring interpersonal expectations and misperceptions. Readers are swept along as Sharlot discovers her mother's home country, including naming quirks, dynamite coffee, layered history, and a conservative social climate. Most characters are Chinese Indonesian; biracial Sharlot is White and Chinese Indonesian. A delightfully lively rom-com. (Romance. 14-18)

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July 18, 2022
Sutanto’s (The Obsession) uproarious rom-com follows Sharlot Citra and George Clooney Tanuwijaya, both 17 and of Chinese Indonesian descent, as they navigate familial and cultural expectations via a fake dating scheme. Southern California native Sharlot is sent to Jakarta for the summer after her mother catches her and her secret boyfriend, Bradley, who is white, on the verge of having sex. Meanwhile, George, who lives in Jakarta, has his own troubles after his father walks in on him masturbating and an internet tab mix-up leaves his family believing he’s interested in furry porn. George and Sharlot’s lives intertwine when, to encourage associating with “respectable” people, George’s father and Sharlot’s mother set the teens up on a blind date—posing as their respective children on a social media site and effectively catfishing each other. Though Sharlot and George immediately butt heads, they agree to date to keep up appearances, but as they strip back their misconceptions and preconceived notions, the pair fall for each other. Sutanto explores the richness of Indonesian culture and history through alternating first-person perspectives, a large and vibrant Chinese Indonesian cast, well-timed comedy, and soap opera–worthy drama in this summery read. Ages 12–up. Agent: Katelyn Detweiler, Jill Grinberg Literary Management.

Starred review from September 15, 2022
Grades 9-12 *Starred Review* Sharlot Citra is ready to take her relationship to the next level with her extremely good-looking American boyfriend, but her plans are astronomically foiled when her mother walks in on her. Sharlot's traditional Chinese Indonesian mother is furious that Sharlot would even think about putting herself in that situation, and so she decides that she and Sharlot will go to stay in Indonesia for the summer. Being an ABC (American-born Chinese), Sharlot is not prepared for the cultural shifts and nuances of her mother's native country, so she rebels against being there. Meanwhile, George Clooney Tanuwijaya's family believes that he is too secluded and that he could do with finding a real girlfriend. When Sharlot's mom and George's dad and sister get involved, Sharlot and George find themselves in the midst of a high-profile fake-dating scenario with real sparks flying. Sutanto's novel holds the ingredients for the quintessential YA rom-com, particularly the quirky, dynamic, and relatable characters. The novel is full to the brim with humor, heart, and a joyous celebration of Chinese Indonesian culture. In a novel that brings to mind Bridget Jones' Diary, Sutanto has created a book that readers will want to return to again and again.

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