Spotlight on Ms. Mebel Goes Back to the Chopping Block by Jesse Q. Sutanto

From the publisher:

This irresistible, laugh-out-loud story full of heart, hilarity, and hijinks stars a protagonist who’s ready to slice, dice, and stir up a second chance at life by enrolling in culinary school to win back her husband’s heart. Imagine Legally Blonde’s Elle Woods meets Jesse’s own Vera Wong—what, like cooking is hard?

Mebel, a doting Chinese Indonesian trophy wife, is 63 and completely unprepared for life’s next act: her husband of 40 years, Henk, leaving her for their much-younger private chef. But rather than wallow, Mebel does what any self-respecting almost-divorcée would do: she enrolls in culinary school. After all, any good wife knows that the way to a man’s heart is through his stomach. Take that, Henk’s mistress! Henk will be running back to Mebel in no time! Except, instead of kicking off her plans for revenge in a fabulous culinary institute in Paris, Mebel accidentally enrolls in a tiny program in the rainy English countryside. Amid culture shock, kitchen disasters, and unexpected friendships, Mebel begins to realize that maybe this escapade isn’t about getting her husband back. Maybe it’s about finding herself for the first time.

Whether you’re in it for the messiness, the mayhem, or the mouthwatering misadventures of a woman rediscovering her purpose, MS. MEBEL GOES BACK TO THE CHOPPING BLOCK is an absolute treat.

About the author:

Jesse Q. Sutanto is the author of adult, YA, and children’s middle grade books. She has an MSt in Creative Writing from Oxford University and a BA in English Lit from Berkeley, though she hasn’t found a way of saying that without sounding obnoxious. The film rights to her women’s fiction, Dial A for Aunties, was bought by Netflix in a competitive bidding war. Her adult books include Dial A for Aunties, its sequel, Four Aunties and a Wedding, and Vera Wong’s Unsolicited Advice for Murderers. Her YA books include The Obsession, The New Girl, and Well, That Was Unexpected. Her MG books include Theo Tan and the Fox Spirit and its sequel, Theo Tan and the Iron Fan. Find her on Twitter @thewritinghippo and on Instagram @jesseqsutanto.

My thoughts:

It is always a pleasure to find a book with a protagonist who is a mature woman given a good storyline. That said, readers don’t have to be of any particular age to enjoy this book.

I also love stories that have a cooking or baking background so that also drew me to this novel, as did the idea of finding oneself as a woman in her sixties. It was fun to see how Ms. Mebel makes her way from pampered wife, to a cooking school course, to getting to know new people, and enjoying (and learning) from new experiences.

This book did not disappoint. I will miss Ms. Mebel.

Those who enjoy women’s fiction will enjoy this one. It might well appeal to readers of Mrs. Quinn’s Rise to Fame as well.

This book has gotten many positive reviews. Here are some from the major book review magazines.

“Sutanto’s (Vera Wong’s Guide to Snooping (on a Dead Man)) heartwarming, feel-good story of a formerly entitled woman who learns she has desires of her own and is more than arm candy is laced with humor and will appeal to readers who enjoy stories of women reinventing themselves.”—Library Journal

“Sutanto, who is behind the beloved Vera Wong mystery series, has created another unsinkable and unstintingly funny 60-something female character, and readers should derive much pleasure witnessing Mebel’s transformation from castoff wife into Chinese Indonesian Golden Girl. Soufflé lightness, deliciously flavored with feminism.”—Kirkus Reviews

“The lessons beyond the kitchen about trust friendship, autonomy, resilience, (a little) revenge, and most importantly, her true self prove that even ‘at sixty- three, there is still so much more to life, so many more things to discover.’ Let’s hope Sutanto brings Mebel back soon.”—Booklist

“Sutanto keeps the pages turning with tight plotting and thoroughly enjoyable characters. Readers are in for a treat.”—Publishers Weekly

Many thanks to Berkley Publishing for the invitation to this blog tour. All thoughts are my own.

Pub date: 28 April 2026

Post first published on 28 April 2026