Talk about being juicy and scandalous, Kevin Kwan has made the an Asian soap opera that is entertaining and addicting. Think Dynasty, Gossip Girl, Keeping up with the Kardashians but the Asian version and better. This novel has history, money, gossip, and love all in one outrageous bundle. This book talks about the richest families in Asia, these families are not just rich but filthy rich. Our main character gets sucked up into this world without even knowing.
Rachel Chu is a Chinese-American living in New York as a professor of economics, she is invited by her boyfriend; The charming Nicholas Young to spend the summer with him in Singapore. She envisions being in a humble family home however it is quite the opposite. His childhood home is a mansion, he has been in multiple private planes, and he happens to be the most eligible bachelor in Singapore. Rachel‘s vacation becomes a obstacle course of old money, cunning relatives, judgement, and money-obsessed socialites.
One thing I really liked about this book was the subplots in addition to the main plot especially Astrid’s. It was interesting to have multiple perspectives through Europe and Asia throughout the story. I am so protective of Rachel she didn't deserve all of the hate she got from these jealous cousins, but let’s not get started on Nick’s mom she is the most crazy. The thing she did towards the end was very ruthless especially since she thought Rachel knew, ruining Rachel’s whole identity. I know she is not supposed to be nice because that the whole point of book but still that was insane.
” I’m sorry but I’ve had enough. I’ve had enough of being around all of these crazy rich Asians, all of these people whose lives revolve around making money, spending money, flaunting money, comparing money, hiding money, controlling others with money, and ruining their lives over money."
I liked a lot of the other characters such as Nick, Astrid, Pek Jin ( her whole family honestly), and Colin. The book did a really good job of going into the history of the rich families in this book, also the history of wealth in overseas countries such as Singapore. I learned a lot of new things about Asian Culture while reading which made the experience overall better.
The only thing I wasn’t a fan of wasn‘t the ending, it felt very incomplete to me. Something was missing, I’m not sure what was but the ending needed something to make it more whole. Overall though this a fun read If you are In the mood for something that is soapy, dramatic, and gossipy: your book is right here.
3.5/5 stars
- V