Genre: Romantic Comedy, Contemporary Fiction, Family Drama, Cozy Mystery
Ideal For: Readers who adore laugh-out-loud rom-coms with a quirky twist, fans of family-centered narratives filled with love, meddling, and chaos, anyone looking for a feel-good, binge-worthy read with both humour and heart
Every once in a while, you stumble upon a book that makes you laugh out loud, gasp in shock, and clutch the pages in gleeful disbelief—all within the span of a few chapters. Dial A for Aunties by Jesse Q. Sutanto is exactly that kind of book. A sparkling blend of romantic comedy, family drama, and over-the-top chaos, it’s the literary equivalent of your favourite rom-com and a family reunion gone spectacularly wrong. What Sutanto has achieved here is nothing short of brilliant: a novel that doesn’t take itself too seriously but still manages to deliver heart, humour, and a deep resonance about love and loyalty.
A Premise Bursting with Energy
The story kicks off with a delightfully outrageous premise. Meddelin “Meddy” Chan, a wedding photographer at her family’s business, finds herself in the kind of situation you’d never imagine happening in real life: she accidentally kills her blind date. Yes, you read that correctly. But rather than panicking alone, she does what any good daughter from a close-knit Indonesian-Chinese family might do—she calls in her mother and her three formidable aunties for help.
From this inciting incident, the book hurtles forward into a whirlwind of comedic disasters. The body must be hidden, but of course, it ends up being mistakenly shipped to a wedding venue on an island. What ensues is a weekend of madcap mishaps, elaborate cover-ups, and slapstick scenarios worthy of a big-screen adaptation. It’s a premise that could have easily veered into farce, but Sutanto keeps it grounded with the warmth of family ties and the sweet undercurrent of a second-chance romance.
Characters that Sparkle
The true charm of Dial A for Aunties lies in its characters. Meddy is an endearing protagonist—awkward, dutiful, and hilariously relatable. She’s torn between her own dreams and her family’s expectations, a tension that resonates with anyone who has struggled under the weight of cultural obligations. Her voice is witty, self-deprecating, and instantly lovable.
But it’s the aunties who steal the show. Big Aunt, Second Aunt, Fourth Aunt, and Meddy’s mother form a powerhouse quartet of meddling, bickering, and fiercely loyal women who dominate every scene they enter. Their banter is pure comedic gold, peppered with misunderstandings, half-truths, and sharp one-liners that had me cackling. They’re larger-than-life yet utterly believable—an affectionate portrayal of matriarchal love in all its chaotic glory.
The romance subplot adds an extra layer of sweetness. Enter Nathan, Meddy’s college sweetheart and the one who got away. His reappearance at the most inconvenient moment possible (while Meddy is juggling a body and a wedding disaster) sets the stage for tender, awkward, and laugh-out-loud interactions. Their chemistry is genuine and serves as a grounding force amidst the madness.
Themes Woven Beneath the Comedy
While Dial A for Aunties is laugh-out-loud funny, it’s also layered with deeper themes. At its core, this is a story about family—the ties that bind us, even when those ties can feel suffocating. Meddy’s relationship with her mother and aunties is messy, loud, and sometimes frustrating, but it’s also deeply loving. Sutanto captures the unique blend of exasperation and fierce loyalty that defines so many immigrant families.
The book also explores identity—specifically the challenges faced by children of immigrants who straddle two cultures. Meddy’s struggles with independence versus filial duty will resonate with readers who understand the push and pull of tradition and modernity. Sutanto delivers these themes without preaching, embedding them seamlessly into the fast-paced narrative.
And then there’s the romance. While the central plot revolves around a corpse and a wedding gone wrong, the love story between Meddy and Nathan provides a warm and satisfying counterbalance. It’s about reconnecting, forgiveness, and the idea that true love can weather even the most absurd of storms.
A Writing Style That Shines
Sutanto’s writing is sharp, witty, and cinematic. She has a gift for comedic timing, ensuring that every outrageous situation lands perfectly without tipping into chaos. The prose moves at a snappy pace, pulling readers along through escalating disasters with gleeful abandon.
Yet, she also knows when to slow down. The quieter moments—Meddy’s conversations with Nathan, her reflections on family expectations—are tender and heartfelt. Sutanto balances the absurdity with sincerity, ensuring the novel feels both hilarious and emotionally satisfying.
The Reading Experience
Reading Dial A for Aunties feels like being on a rollercoaster of comedy. You’ll laugh at the aunties’ antics, cringe at Meddy’s escalating predicaments, and swoon at the romantic beats. It’s a novel that entertains at every turn, making it nearly impossible to put down.
What’s most impressive is how Sutanto manages to balance so many tones—romantic comedy, family saga, and crime caper—without losing her footing. The novel never feels overstuffed or disjointed. Instead, it’s a seamless blend that works astonishingly well.
This is also a book that begs to be shared. I found myself retelling scenes to friends, laughing all over again as I described them. It’s the kind of story that invites communal joy, the same way a great rom-com movie does.
Why It’s a Five-Star Read
There are many reasons why Dial A for Aunties deserves five stars, but they boil down to this: it’s endlessly entertaining, emotionally resonant, and utterly unique. Jesse Q. Sutanto has taken a wildly improbable premise and turned it into a heartfelt, hilarious, and unforgettable novel.
It’s a love letter to family, culture, and the messiness of relationships. It’s a comedy of errors with genuine heart. And it’s proof that sometimes, the best stories are the ones that embrace chaos and imperfection.
You’ll Love It If You Enjoy…
- Family-driven comedies where meddling relatives create as much chaos as they do love.
- Rom-coms with a twist, especially ones that mix romance with mystery or over-the-top scenarios.
- Books like Crazy Rich Asians or Finlay Donovan Is Killing It, where humor and heart go hand in hand.
- Second-chance romances that feel both sweet and refreshingly real.
- Stories that read like a Netflix rom-com, fast-paced, hilarious, and impossible to put down.
Final Thoughts
Dial A for Aunties is a triumph. It’s a rare gem of a book that manages to be laugh-out-loud funny while still carrying emotional depth. Whether you’re here for the aunties’ outrageous antics, the sweet romance, or the heartfelt exploration of family ties, there’s something for everyone.
Jesse Q. Sutanto has created a story that feels fresh, joyful, and bursting with personality. If you’re in need of a feel-good read that will make you laugh until your sides hurt and then warm your heart, look no further. This book is pure delight from beginning to end.
In short: Dial A for Aunties is a five-star comedy masterpiece that proves sometimes, family really is the best—and worst—thing that can happen to you.
