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Lies and Weddings
A forbidden affair erupts dramatically amid a decadent Hawaiian wedding in this hilarious, sophisticated, and thrillingly plotted story of love, money, murder, sex—and the lies we tell about them all.
Rufus Leung Gresham, future Earl of Greshambury and son of a former Hong Kong supermodel, has a problem: his family fortune, the legendary Gresham Trust, has been depleted by decades of profligate spending. While magazine covers and Instagram stories display impeccably designed manors and shiny new yachts, the secret reality holds nothing more than a gargantuan mountain of debt. The only solution, put forth by Rufus’s scheming mother, is for Rufus to seduce a woman with money, thereby securing the family's precarious financial future.
Should he marry Solène de Courcy, a French hotel heiress with honey-blond tresses and a royal bloodline? Should he pursue Martha Dung, the tattooed venture capital genius who passes out billions like lollipops? Or should he follow his heart, betray his family, squander his legacy, and finally confess his love to the literal girl next door, the humble daughter of a doctor, Eden Tong?
When the Gresham family descends on the Big Island of Hawaii to host a veritable who's who of sultans, barons, and oligarchs for the wedding of the decade, Rufus must merely flex his famous abs to bewitch the heiress of his choice. But instead a hot mic exposes a secret tryst, a volcanic eruption burns through the nuptials, and the Gresham family's plans—and their reputation—go up in flames.
Can the once-great earldom rise from the ashes? Or will a secret tragedy, hidden for two decades, reveal a shocking twist? Spanning the black sand beaches of Hawaii, the red city of Marrakech, the Los Angeles bachelor pad of a billionaire playboy, and the inner sanctum of England’s oldest family estate, Lies and Weddings reveals an enthralling family saga that is as scandalous and satirical as it is full of heart.
Rufus Leung Gresham, future Earl of Greshambury and son of a former Hong Kong supermodel, has a problem: his family fortune, the legendary Gresham Trust, has been depleted by decades of profligate spending. While magazine covers and Instagram stories display impeccably designed manors and shiny new yachts, the secret reality holds nothing more than a gargantuan mountain of debt. The only solution, put forth by Rufus’s scheming mother, is for Rufus to seduce a woman with money, thereby securing the family's precarious financial future.
Should he marry Solène de Courcy, a French hotel heiress with honey-blond tresses and a royal bloodline? Should he pursue Martha Dung, the tattooed venture capital genius who passes out billions like lollipops? Or should he follow his heart, betray his family, squander his legacy, and finally confess his love to the literal girl next door, the humble daughter of a doctor, Eden Tong?
When the Gresham family descends on the Big Island of Hawaii to host a veritable who's who of sultans, barons, and oligarchs for the wedding of the decade, Rufus must merely flex his famous abs to bewitch the heiress of his choice. But instead a hot mic exposes a secret tryst, a volcanic eruption burns through the nuptials, and the Gresham family's plans—and their reputation—go up in flames.
Can the once-great earldom rise from the ashes? Or will a secret tragedy, hidden for two decades, reveal a shocking twist? Spanning the black sand beaches of Hawaii, the red city of Marrakech, the Los Angeles bachelor pad of a billionaire playboy, and the inner sanctum of England’s oldest family estate, Lies and Weddings reveals an enthralling family saga that is as scandalous and satirical as it is full of heart.
437 pages, Hardcover
First published May 21, 2024
About the author
Kevin Kwan
8 books21.1k followersKEVIN KWAN is the author of New York Times bestsellers Crazy Rich Asians, China Rich Girlfriend, Rich People Problems, and Sex & Vanity. His books have been translated into 40 languages and the film adaptation of Crazy Rich Asians became Hollywood's highest grossing romantic comedy in over a decade. In 2018, Kevin was named by Time Magazine as one of the 100 Most Influential People in the World.
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 1,735 reviews
June 6, 2024
"Are you that cruel of a son, to stand there and watch your helpless parents wither away when all you have to do is marry a billionaire?"
Ahh. While The Notorious B.I.G. may have popularized the phrase "Mo Money Mo Problems," Kevin Kwan has turned it into the anthem of his stories.
I do have to say, there's no feeling quite like cracking open one of Kwan's book. You know you're in for a scathing good time, one that will transport you to wealthy and dazzling locales full of rich people and their rich people problems (wink wink). In fact, I try to save his books for when I'm jet-setting around the world (yeah right), spending the benjis like nobody's business (only in my dreams).
Okay, in all seriousness, while this may seem like a superficial romp at first glance, it's actually so much more. It's a social satire that strikes at the heart of our materialistic society and also Asian cultures and families. At times, it's so spot-on with its searing critiques, I marvel at their execution all wrapped up in this riveting tale.
In order for a satire to succeed, it must never lose sight of the characters' humanity. Otherwise, all we have is a bunch of caricatures without any soul. And this book gets it right. Even though the Countess of Greshamsbury, our "villain" of the story, perfectly embodies the worst of a social-climbing, guilt-tripping, shrilly opportunistic mother, she is also strangely sympathetic. I understood her need to secure a good future for her children, however misguided her actions may be.
But it isn't just one or two characters that stands out; it's all of them. Every main and supporting character in here is interesting and likable, and together, they imbue the scenes with their allure and charm. It adds an undeniable sparkle to the story, making each and every page a joy to read.
As I was going through this book, I kept being impressed by all the details in here. I imagine Kevin Kwan must have done extensive research into art, fashion, and architecture in order to infuse the story with so much authenticity. It adds yet another layer of fun to the reading experience to be able to look up many of the people and things referenced in here.
Recently I've been shying away from light and fun reads. It's not that I don't love them. In fact, escapist reads are my raison d'être for reading in the first place. But it feels like so many of the books I've picked up lately confuse light with boring, as if low stakes is somehow the same as no stakes. So it's refreshing to find a book that gets the balance right.
Kevin Kwan truly has an inimitable style. His stories are fun and frothy, but never frivolous. His characters are memorable. And his portrayals are so sharp and astute, they often leave me laughing and wincing in equal measure.
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See also, my thoughts on:
Crazy Rich Asians
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✧ Connect with me ✧ Instagram ✧
February 10, 2024
Releasing May 2024!!
What a FUN read! Full of drama that is definitely reminiscent of Crazy Rich Asians but updated for today’s social climate.
I enjoyed the storyline, following a man who wants what the heart wants and a mother who wants status instead. The heart opens with a doozy of a predicament and shocking start. As we move though the story, the characters come to life and I found myself engrossed in the choices they were making and where this story was headed.
This was an EXCELLENT book to get lost in, I ate chunks of the day and didn’t realize how much time had past! I deducted one star because I felt the plot could have had a few kind worked out-which I don’t want to divulge in fear of ruining the read for the rest of you, but it may not even bother some readers.
Overall, if you like a little romance with a a LOT of money, societal discord and familial drama, this right here just might be your jam…
What a FUN read! Full of drama that is definitely reminiscent of Crazy Rich Asians but updated for today’s social climate.
I enjoyed the storyline, following a man who wants what the heart wants and a mother who wants status instead. The heart opens with a doozy of a predicament and shocking start. As we move though the story, the characters come to life and I found myself engrossed in the choices they were making and where this story was headed.
This was an EXCELLENT book to get lost in, I ate chunks of the day and didn’t realize how much time had past! I deducted one star because I felt the plot could have had a few kind worked out-which I don’t want to divulge in fear of ruining the read for the rest of you, but it may not even bother some readers.
Overall, if you like a little romance with a a LOT of money, societal discord and familial drama, this right here just might be your jam…
March 16, 2024
Unofficial Synopsis:
Rufus, the future Earl of Greshambury has a small problem. His family’s trust has been depleted. So now he’s faced with a tough decision, marry for money and help the family, or, forget about money and confess his love for the girl next door?
Will things work out as planned? Or will a secret, thought hidden for two decades, reveal a shocking twist?
Review:
This book was like a soap opera. While there was a lot I liked about this book, there were a few things that were tough for me as well. I found the chapters a little too short for my liking as it seemed just as soon as I got into the character, the chapter would change. That was my biggest drawback though and there was plenty to like! There were plenty of laugh out loud moments, I found the footnotes to be particularly hilarious. The drama in this book was superb and just so entertaining. There’s not necessarily a lot that happens in this book, but it is fun! There is some serious name dropping that happens throughout the book, but it wasn’t in an obnoxious way, it worked out and made perfect sense for the story.
I adore the cover of this book as well! It is just stunning, and I can’t wait for it to be made into a fancy special edition with some gold foiling. I can already picture it in my head, and I’ve spent the money lol.
Thank you to the publisher for my review copy.
Rufus, the future Earl of Greshambury has a small problem. His family’s trust has been depleted. So now he’s faced with a tough decision, marry for money and help the family, or, forget about money and confess his love for the girl next door?
Will things work out as planned? Or will a secret, thought hidden for two decades, reveal a shocking twist?
Review:
This book was like a soap opera. While there was a lot I liked about this book, there were a few things that were tough for me as well. I found the chapters a little too short for my liking as it seemed just as soon as I got into the character, the chapter would change. That was my biggest drawback though and there was plenty to like! There were plenty of laugh out loud moments, I found the footnotes to be particularly hilarious. The drama in this book was superb and just so entertaining. There’s not necessarily a lot that happens in this book, but it is fun! There is some serious name dropping that happens throughout the book, but it wasn’t in an obnoxious way, it worked out and made perfect sense for the story.
I adore the cover of this book as well! It is just stunning, and I can’t wait for it to be made into a fancy special edition with some gold foiling. I can already picture it in my head, and I’ve spent the money lol.
Thank you to the publisher for my review copy.
May 26, 2024
Light and frothy but with enough substance to keep you reading. This is pure escapist reading and oh so delightful. Perfect for the start of summer reading.
July 3, 2024
Audiobook was SO GOOD!!!
Story was probably a 3.5, but I’m giving it 4 due to the outstanding audio narration. I wish Kwan kept it to 300 pages, the story dragged a bit, but overall chaotic, fun, and positively indulgent!
Story was probably a 3.5, but I’m giving it 4 due to the outstanding audio narration. I wish Kwan kept it to 300 pages, the story dragged a bit, but overall chaotic, fun, and positively indulgent!
March 13, 2024
Rufus Leung Gresham's journey from privileged dilettante to potential savior of his family's legacy had me on the edge of my seat, or rather, lounging on my beach towel, completely absorbed in the drama.
First off, can we talk about the setting? A luxury eco-resort filled with the crème de la crème of society, set against the backdrop of a volcanic eruption? It's like Kwan handpicked the most lavish, extravagant locations just to make us swoon with envy. And swoon I did!
The characters are like something out of a dream, or maybe a slightly surreal nightmare, depending on your perspective. Rufus, torn between duty and desire, had me rooting for him even when he was making all the wrong decisions. And the women vying for his attention? Solène with her royal bloodline, Martha with her billions, and sweet, unassuming Eden - each one brought their own brand of chaos to the mix.
But what really sets Lies and Weddings apart is Kwan's knack for weaving a tale that's as juicy as it is hilarious. The secrets, the scandals, the betrayals—each twist and turn had me gasping and giggling in equal measure. And let's not forget the steamy romance, because amidst all the chaos, there's still plenty of heat to keep you turning those pages.
For any reader in search of a delightful escape from reality, complete with a sprinkle of romance to sweeten the deal, I couldn't recommend this book more. It's the perfect pick-me-up for those days when you just want to lose yourself in a world of glamour, drama, and intrigue.
First off, can we talk about the setting? A luxury eco-resort filled with the crème de la crème of society, set against the backdrop of a volcanic eruption? It's like Kwan handpicked the most lavish, extravagant locations just to make us swoon with envy. And swoon I did!
The characters are like something out of a dream, or maybe a slightly surreal nightmare, depending on your perspective. Rufus, torn between duty and desire, had me rooting for him even when he was making all the wrong decisions. And the women vying for his attention? Solène with her royal bloodline, Martha with her billions, and sweet, unassuming Eden - each one brought their own brand of chaos to the mix.
But what really sets Lies and Weddings apart is Kwan's knack for weaving a tale that's as juicy as it is hilarious. The secrets, the scandals, the betrayals—each twist and turn had me gasping and giggling in equal measure. And let's not forget the steamy romance, because amidst all the chaos, there's still plenty of heat to keep you turning those pages.
For any reader in search of a delightful escape from reality, complete with a sprinkle of romance to sweeten the deal, I couldn't recommend this book more. It's the perfect pick-me-up for those days when you just want to lose yourself in a world of glamour, drama, and intrigue.
May 22, 2024
Kevin Kwan can be hit or miss for me and so far nothing of his has ever lived up to how much I loved Crazy rich Asians. This destination wedding story had a LOT of characters to keep track of and also alternated timelines making it confusing and difficult to follow at times. That said it did have great exotic settings and LOTS of family drama. Long time fans are sure to enjoy this latest but for me it was just an okay read (and a little long for my tastes). Many thanks to NetGalley and the publisher for an early digital copy in exchange for my honest review!
June 5, 2024
4 ☆
In Lies and Weddings, author Kevin Kwan delves into his favorite milieu - the world of the privileged and uber wealthy. And his characters have plenty of imagination.
The jet set readily hopscotch from continent to continent, as the whim for a certain cuisine or the need for a particular fashion house hits them.
Millions are won and lost on the tables of Macau's casinos.
The wife of titled British nobility has developed a lifestyle brand of ultra luxurious resorts.
But where's the fun in that if all is truly as it appears?
The jet belongs to a brother who possesses an actual fortune. The gambler who won big at the tables lost spectacularly in a different respect. And those ultra luxurious resorts are creating more debts than revenues.
So what happens when the next generation doesn't want to play by their parent's rulebook?
Rufus Leung Gresham, the sole heir to his family's long and respected lineage, isn't casually falling in line with his mother's social machinations. Formerly a super star model from Hong Kong, Lady Arabella wants to cement her son's position and legacy so that means a future daughter-in-law with an impeccable family reputation matched by a commensurate level of wealth. But neither the Thai princess nor the hotel heiress can hold a candle to Rufus' longtime affections for the girl next door. Trouble is brewing just as surely as volcanic lava is bubbling too close to one of those upscale eco-resorts.
I haven't read anything by Kevin Kwan since the end of his Crazy Rich Asians trilogy. But my Netgalley request for an ARC was approved, and I was happy enough to save this as a vacation read. It was a perfect pairing. Lies and Weddings was fun with a sympathetic hero and heroine, a dastardly "villain," and a bit of intrigue from a spectacularly gruesome event that jump started the novel. Do the events feel realistic? Not quite, this is pure escapist fiction.
Thank you to Doubleday and Netgalley for this advance reader copy. The publication date was May 21, 2024.
Anyone who lives within their means suffers from a lack of imagination.
In Lies and Weddings, author Kevin Kwan delves into his favorite milieu - the world of the privileged and uber wealthy. And his characters have plenty of imagination.
The jet set readily hopscotch from continent to continent, as the whim for a certain cuisine or the need for a particular fashion house hits them.
Millions are won and lost on the tables of Macau's casinos.
The wife of titled British nobility has developed a lifestyle brand of ultra luxurious resorts.
But where's the fun in that if all is truly as it appears?
The jet belongs to a brother who possesses an actual fortune. The gambler who won big at the tables lost spectacularly in a different respect. And those ultra luxurious resorts are creating more debts than revenues.
So what happens when the next generation doesn't want to play by their parent's rulebook?
Rufus Leung Gresham, the sole heir to his family's long and respected lineage, isn't casually falling in line with his mother's social machinations. Formerly a super star model from Hong Kong, Lady Arabella wants to cement her son's position and legacy so that means a future daughter-in-law with an impeccable family reputation matched by a commensurate level of wealth. But neither the Thai princess nor the hotel heiress can hold a candle to Rufus' longtime affections for the girl next door. Trouble is brewing just as surely as volcanic lava is bubbling too close to one of those upscale eco-resorts.
I haven't read anything by Kevin Kwan since the end of his Crazy Rich Asians trilogy. But my Netgalley request for an ARC was approved, and I was happy enough to save this as a vacation read. It was a perfect pairing. Lies and Weddings was fun with a sympathetic hero and heroine, a dastardly "villain," and a bit of intrigue from a spectacularly gruesome event that jump started the novel. Do the events feel realistic? Not quite, this is pure escapist fiction.
Thank you to Doubleday and Netgalley for this advance reader copy. The publication date was May 21, 2024.
May 24, 2024
Reading this was one of the most excruciating experiences I’ve had in a long time. Every character is either Mother Teresa or Hitler, and there’s pretty much zero character development across the chart of 500 pages — the way they enter the novel is also the way they leave, despite a topsy turvy plot that goes all over the place.
The book’s main antagonist, mother-from-hell Arabella, is so deeply hateable that she puts Cersei Lannister to shame, and unlike Martin, Kwan half-heartedly attempts, but fails to really justify her moods. Although Cersei is a hateable villain, she’s also relatable in that you can understand why she does the things she does. Arabella is really just a demon to everyone for no real reason and any scene with her (there are many) made me want to bang my head against a brick wall in frustration. Kwan attempts to garner some sympathy for her by cooking up some vague and generic scenes where she experiences racism, but many of the characters experience racism, and very few of them act in a way that makes me want to send them to Guantanamo bay for high grade torture.
Unfortunately, the plot is just as lacking. Kwan constantly writes himself into corners to manufacture conflict, and then back out again with improbable coincidences, all with no real sense of direction. The ending is deeply frustrating, insulting to the rest of the novel, and can only come about due to a whole series of conveniently timed deus ex machina plot twists.
With Lies and Weddings, Kwan attempts to recreate the success of Crazy Rich Asians by writing Crazy Rich Wasians but has actually just produced a deeply frustrating and relatively uncompelling story. At this point, you’d be better off just joining me in a re-read of Crazy Rich Asians.
The book’s main antagonist, mother-from-hell Arabella, is so deeply hateable that she puts Cersei Lannister to shame, and unlike Martin, Kwan half-heartedly attempts, but fails to really justify her moods. Although Cersei is a hateable villain, she’s also relatable in that you can understand why she does the things she does. Arabella is really just a demon to everyone for no real reason and any scene with her (there are many) made me want to bang my head against a brick wall in frustration. Kwan attempts to garner some sympathy for her by cooking up some vague and generic scenes where she experiences racism, but many of the characters experience racism, and very few of them act in a way that makes me want to send them to Guantanamo bay for high grade torture.
Unfortunately, the plot is just as lacking. Kwan constantly writes himself into corners to manufacture conflict, and then back out again with improbable coincidences, all with no real sense of direction. The ending is deeply frustrating, insulting to the rest of the novel, and can only come about due to a whole series of conveniently timed deus ex machina plot twists.
With Lies and Weddings, Kwan attempts to recreate the success of Crazy Rich Asians by writing Crazy Rich Wasians but has actually just produced a deeply frustrating and relatively uncompelling story. At this point, you’d be better off just joining me in a re-read of Crazy Rich Asians.
July 6, 2024
The Gresham family is the envy of British society. Aristocratic Francis and stunning Hong Kong-born Arabella are the heads of a buzzy hotel chain and the parents of three perfect young adults. But Francis has been hiding a secret…they’re flat broke and their properties are all mortgaged to a hilt. Arabella starts scheming to restore the family’s net worth before their whole lives go up in smoke.
This book is written in classic Kevin Kwan style, with plenty of footnotes, mouthwatering descriptions of food, a rich guy/middle class girl romance, and an omniscient POV that gives a glimpse inside just about every character’s head. I liked it a lot, and if you’re a fan of his other books, you will too. My one gripe was that the big twist is easily predictable and a bit too similar to something we’ve seen from him before…but I go to Kwan’s books for the vibes, not the plot.
This book is written in classic Kevin Kwan style, with plenty of footnotes, mouthwatering descriptions of food, a rich guy/middle class girl romance, and an omniscient POV that gives a glimpse inside just about every character’s head. I liked it a lot, and if you’re a fan of his other books, you will too. My one gripe was that the big twist is easily predictable and a bit too similar to something we’ve seen from him before…but I go to Kwan’s books for the vibes, not the plot.
May 22, 2024
4 Stars!
(ARC provided by Doubleday Books)
Rufus Gresham is the Viscount St. Ives, and an international playboy photographer living in Hawaii. He's a gorgeous bachelor that loves to surf and doesn't care about the lavish lifestyle he grew up with. Unfortunately he has a lot of pressure on him to deliver and live up to the family name. He comes from a noble family that embody modern day aristocrats. As the prodigal heir, his former supermodel mother has high expectations. Since one of his sister's is getting married soon to a prince, and made a magnificent match, he's next to step up and marry and have children. When he finds out his family isn't wealthy anymore, but actually drowning in debt, will he be the one to save them from ruin? In their world reputation is everything, and Rufus's scheming mother has big plans for him to meet and seduce a woman with money. Will he let others decide his future, or will he follow his heart that's always belonged to his childhood best friend, Eden Tong?
Lies and Weddings by Kevin Kwan is a friends to lovers romance full of twists and turns, drama, humor, secrets and lies. It's about family, friendship and forbidden love. I really enjoyed this story and love this authors writing! <333
***NOW AVAILABLE***
https://www.amazon.com/Lies-Weddings-...
(ARC provided by Doubleday Books)
Rufus Gresham is the Viscount St. Ives, and an international playboy photographer living in Hawaii. He's a gorgeous bachelor that loves to surf and doesn't care about the lavish lifestyle he grew up with. Unfortunately he has a lot of pressure on him to deliver and live up to the family name. He comes from a noble family that embody modern day aristocrats. As the prodigal heir, his former supermodel mother has high expectations. Since one of his sister's is getting married soon to a prince, and made a magnificent match, he's next to step up and marry and have children. When he finds out his family isn't wealthy anymore, but actually drowning in debt, will he be the one to save them from ruin? In their world reputation is everything, and Rufus's scheming mother has big plans for him to meet and seduce a woman with money. Will he let others decide his future, or will he follow his heart that's always belonged to his childhood best friend, Eden Tong?
Lies and Weddings by Kevin Kwan is a friends to lovers romance full of twists and turns, drama, humor, secrets and lies. It's about family, friendship and forbidden love. I really enjoyed this story and love this authors writing! <333
***NOW AVAILABLE***
https://www.amazon.com/Lies-Weddings-...
May 30, 2024
A one-hit wonder author, in my opinion and that hit was the Crazy Rich Asian series.
I was also listening to the audiobook while reading along and they really need to find a better narrator. The annoying voices she puts on for most of the Gresham family (excluding Rufus) made me despise the family members even more, especially the posh, pretentious, nasal-y "british" accents for all the females in the family.
I also hated how the narrator voiced Freddy. She made him sound like some frat boy surfer boy named Chad or Brad and it irks me every time he spoke. I bet he was actually a cool but, the narrator ruined him. Same with Gopal Das. He sounded like he was high with a breathing problem 99% of the time.
Kwan loves his footnotes and you can clearly see that with his CRA series, but at least with that series, it is a bit more welcomed and helpful. I thought most of the footnotes in this book were unnecessary with facts I didn't need to know. It made the actual story drag on more than it has to.
"TWIN FLAMES", Gopal Das describes Beatrice... wtf. Like the twin flames cult????? Kevin... no.... why...
The only saving grace in all of this is probably Thomas Tong. A down-to-earth guy who had to experience his brother's death but still sees the light in people and truly wants to help people. Eden is too much of a pushover. Rufus has his questioning moments, but at least they weren't annoying to listen to with the audiobook.
From top to bottom of most hated characters to tolerable.
1. Lady Arabella
2. Luis Felipe (douche bag x10000)
3. Augie & Beatrice (same annoying voice as Arabella, but they were crying and so annoying 100% of the time)
4. Freddy & Francis (narrator ruined them)
5. Eden
6. Rufus
7. Thomas & Martha Dung
After this and also attempting/DNF-ing Sex & Vanity, I'm not sure if I ever want to pick up another Kevin Kwan novel. I'm scared to re-read the CRA series as well.
I was also listening to the audiobook while reading along and they really need to find a better narrator. The annoying voices she puts on for most of the Gresham family (excluding Rufus) made me despise the family members even more, especially the posh, pretentious, nasal-y "british" accents for all the females in the family.
I also hated how the narrator voiced Freddy. She made him sound like some frat boy surfer boy named Chad or Brad and it irks me every time he spoke. I bet he was actually a cool but, the narrator ruined him. Same with Gopal Das. He sounded like he was high with a breathing problem 99% of the time.
Kwan loves his footnotes and you can clearly see that with his CRA series, but at least with that series, it is a bit more welcomed and helpful. I thought most of the footnotes in this book were unnecessary with facts I didn't need to know. It made the actual story drag on more than it has to.
"TWIN FLAMES", Gopal Das describes Beatrice... wtf. Like the twin flames cult????? Kevin... no.... why...
The only saving grace in all of this is probably Thomas Tong. A down-to-earth guy who had to experience his brother's death but still sees the light in people and truly wants to help people. Eden is too much of a pushover. Rufus has his questioning moments, but at least they weren't annoying to listen to with the audiobook.
From top to bottom of most hated characters to tolerable.
1. Lady Arabella
2. Luis Felipe (douche bag x10000)
3. Augie & Beatrice (same annoying voice as Arabella, but they were crying and so annoying 100% of the time)
4. Freddy & Francis (narrator ruined them)
5. Eden
6. Rufus
7. Thomas & Martha Dung
After this and also attempting/DNF-ing Sex & Vanity, I'm not sure if I ever want to pick up another Kevin Kwan novel. I'm scared to re-read the CRA series as well.
June 3, 2024
437 pages felt like 600+. I figured out the plot line/twist within 50 pages and waited the whole damn time for it to come to fruition at page 380. It wasn't clever; it was overwrought. It does not abide by the typical literary genre definition of romance and chick lit. Brava to the marketing team for writing a book synopsis that sounds enticing, fun, sexy, and romantic yet what is on the pages is anything but. You spend more time reading the intricacies of food dishes and fashion and home decor than spend time with Rufus, who we are told is the central character and plot by said book description.
May 20, 2024
Kevin Kwan unfurls a juicy, hilarious, sophisticated and thrillingly plotted story of love, money, murder, sex, and the lies we tell about them all.
TITLE: LIES AND WEDDINGS
AUTHOR: Kevin Kwan
NARRATOR: Jing Lusi
PUB DATE: 05.21.2024
LENGTH: 15h 8m
Crazier
Richer
Twistier
Kevin Kwan is back and I could not be happier reading Lies and Weddings - it was everything I expected but more. The story is centered on Eden Tong, who has lived most of her life next door to the Gresham family children - Augie, Bea and Rufus (the future Earl of Greshambury) who are half Chinese from their mother Arabella, a former Hong Kong supermodel. Eden now a physician just like her father has always vied for Arabella’s favor - but was always treated nothing more than hired help around their family. Unbeknownst to Arabella and the rest of society, their family coffers have been long depleted and their estate mortgaged to the hilt. Rufus is at the crossroads of following his heart with Eden or saving his family legacy by marrying for money.
In typical Kevin Kwan, over the top characters are what shines - there are meddling Asian mothers, misbehaving children, gazillionaire bad boys, and twists you will never see coming. The story is so satisfying and I loved globetrotting from London to Los Angeles, and Marrakech to Venice in private jets and yachts. There is no shortage of drama and laughs, but it’s also a very poignant story about sacrifices for family and love.
🎧Audiobook Review: Jing Lusi narrated the multitude of characters in the book and I thought she did a fantastic job keeping the voices distinct and the accents on point. Her voice was lively and kept me engaged throughout. I highly recommend it
TITLE: LIES AND WEDDINGS
AUTHOR: Kevin Kwan
NARRATOR: Jing Lusi
PUB DATE: 05.21.2024
LENGTH: 15h 8m
Crazier
Richer
Twistier
Kevin Kwan is back and I could not be happier reading Lies and Weddings - it was everything I expected but more. The story is centered on Eden Tong, who has lived most of her life next door to the Gresham family children - Augie, Bea and Rufus (the future Earl of Greshambury) who are half Chinese from their mother Arabella, a former Hong Kong supermodel. Eden now a physician just like her father has always vied for Arabella’s favor - but was always treated nothing more than hired help around their family. Unbeknownst to Arabella and the rest of society, their family coffers have been long depleted and their estate mortgaged to the hilt. Rufus is at the crossroads of following his heart with Eden or saving his family legacy by marrying for money.
In typical Kevin Kwan, over the top characters are what shines - there are meddling Asian mothers, misbehaving children, gazillionaire bad boys, and twists you will never see coming. The story is so satisfying and I loved globetrotting from London to Los Angeles, and Marrakech to Venice in private jets and yachts. There is no shortage of drama and laughs, but it’s also a very poignant story about sacrifices for family and love.
🎧Audiobook Review: Jing Lusi narrated the multitude of characters in the book and I thought she did a fantastic job keeping the voices distinct and the accents on point. Her voice was lively and kept me engaged throughout. I highly recommend it
May 25, 2024
Is this a new favorite? No, but I like a Kevin Kwan book.
If you've never picked up anything by Kwan you need to know a few things. 1) There will be footnotes and while you may think the footnotes are expendable if you are not reading them you are only getting half the story 2) if you cannot stomach the idea of hearing names of brands you have heard of and those you will never be able to afford let alone know exist you probably shouldn't pick it up 3) in addition to those brands you'll get various pop culture and historical references and 4) the school history of every named character is likely to be included and while you may not know these schools it's definitely an important facet of the character and how others in the narrative are going to view them. These books aren't so much about plot as they are about character. Though this might actually be Kwan's best attempt at writing a straightforward romance while also including all of the Kwan-isms.
I had an A+ time reading this book even though I definitely didn't care for the core romantic story being told.
Lies and Wedddings features plenty of lies and three destination weddings. The story is tied together by Rufus' extended family and the girl that has captured his heart, Eden. They aren't necessarily a match that Rufus' family would approve of and the book isn't so much them trying to prove that they can be together as it is them separated by various circumstances until they are able to finally be on the same page at the same time. I would expect nothing less than the twists and turns that Kwan takes the reader on, though I can say that some where objectively more foolish than other; particularly as the narrative starts to get close to the end and some of the things that were happening just felt almost eye roll worthy.
Lastly I'll just say that I was team Arabella the whole book. Yeah her children, and even her bestie, were right that she had some internalized anti Asian hate she had been harboring as being an Asian woman in the world of British aristocracy and wealth for as long as she had; but them kids were not cut out to be regular degular people. Let alone Rufus, so sure she was a meddler, but I was riding for her.
If you've never picked up anything by Kwan you need to know a few things. 1) There will be footnotes and while you may think the footnotes are expendable if you are not reading them you are only getting half the story 2) if you cannot stomach the idea of hearing names of brands you have heard of and those you will never be able to afford let alone know exist you probably shouldn't pick it up 3) in addition to those brands you'll get various pop culture and historical references and 4) the school history of every named character is likely to be included and while you may not know these schools it's definitely an important facet of the character and how others in the narrative are going to view them. These books aren't so much about plot as they are about character. Though this might actually be Kwan's best attempt at writing a straightforward romance while also including all of the Kwan-isms.
I had an A+ time reading this book even though I definitely didn't care for the core romantic story being told.
Lies and Wedddings features plenty of lies and three destination weddings. The story is tied together by Rufus' extended family and the girl that has captured his heart, Eden. They aren't necessarily a match that Rufus' family would approve of and the book isn't so much them trying to prove that they can be together as it is them separated by various circumstances until they are able to finally be on the same page at the same time. I would expect nothing less than the twists and turns that Kwan takes the reader on, though I can say that some where objectively more foolish than other; particularly as the narrative starts to get close to the end and some of the things that were happening just felt almost eye roll worthy.
Lastly I'll just say that I was team Arabella the whole book. Yeah her children, and even her bestie, were right that she had some internalized anti Asian hate she had been harboring as being an Asian woman in the world of British aristocracy and wealth for as long as she had; but them kids were not cut out to be regular degular people. Let alone Rufus, so sure she was a meddler, but I was riding for her.
May 17, 2024
Having read and enjoyed the Crazy Rich Asians series, I was eagerly anticipating Kevin Kwan’s latest, Lies and Weddings. It didn’t disappoint!
The novel is set primarily in England but there are chapters in other locales (including LA and Hawaii) befitting a story about the jet-setting ultra wealthy. The story unfolds from a few different points of view in the present day with flashbacks to the 1990s.
The novel sets up and playfully mocks the phoniness, materialism and superficiality of a dysfunctional (Asian British) wealthy aristocratic family. Other main characters include the family’s (middle-class) physician and his daughter, Eden. There is an overbearing, scheming mother wanting to successfully marry off her children, especially her son, Rufus, to prominent, powerful families, secrets from the past, scheming, backroom deals, and a forbidden romance.
This was a fun, entertaining, escapist read that made me feel like a fly on the wall, observing the bad behavior and antics of the wealthy and their over-the-top behavior. Through the main characters, Eden and Rufus, two of the most down-to-earth characters, the author shows just how out of touch those with wealth and power can be, touching on issues such as classism, racism, substance use, and the impacts of neglectful parenting. Towards the end of the novel, there is a delightful twist that is very satisfying.
A few minor quibbles for me was that there could have been more focus on the Eden-Rufus relationship and some of the characters could have been better nuanced. There were also some footnotes used and they did not show up properly on my e-reader (showing at the end of the chapter instead of on the page where it should have been). I found this annoying and ended up skipping the footnotes as the few I read didn’t add anything, IMO.
Overall, this was a fun/funny read which would make the perfect beach read for fans of the Crazy Rich Asians series!
Thanks to Penguin Random House Canada and Doubleday Canada for a complimentary copy. All opinions are my own.
The novel is set primarily in England but there are chapters in other locales (including LA and Hawaii) befitting a story about the jet-setting ultra wealthy. The story unfolds from a few different points of view in the present day with flashbacks to the 1990s.
The novel sets up and playfully mocks the phoniness, materialism and superficiality of a dysfunctional (Asian British) wealthy aristocratic family. Other main characters include the family’s (middle-class) physician and his daughter, Eden. There is an overbearing, scheming mother wanting to successfully marry off her children, especially her son, Rufus, to prominent, powerful families, secrets from the past, scheming, backroom deals, and a forbidden romance.
This was a fun, entertaining, escapist read that made me feel like a fly on the wall, observing the bad behavior and antics of the wealthy and their over-the-top behavior. Through the main characters, Eden and Rufus, two of the most down-to-earth characters, the author shows just how out of touch those with wealth and power can be, touching on issues such as classism, racism, substance use, and the impacts of neglectful parenting. Towards the end of the novel, there is a delightful twist that is very satisfying.
A few minor quibbles for me was that there could have been more focus on the Eden-Rufus relationship and some of the characters could have been better nuanced. There were also some footnotes used and they did not show up properly on my e-reader (showing at the end of the chapter instead of on the page where it should have been). I found this annoying and ended up skipping the footnotes as the few I read didn’t add anything, IMO.
Overall, this was a fun/funny read which would make the perfect beach read for fans of the Crazy Rich Asians series!
Thanks to Penguin Random House Canada and Doubleday Canada for a complimentary copy. All opinions are my own.
June 3, 2024
A summertime fun, soapy, escapist read! Really enjoyed this rom-com.. boy loves girl next door, BUT his meddling mother wants him to marry into royalty for the wealth (how dare she!) So much drama.. but this wouldn’t be a Kwan book without it! 😉 Loved Rufus and Eden. I rooted for them the entire book! ❥ 4 stars — 5/21/24
May 31, 2024
This was my first (but not last) Kevin Kwan book. Quick take.
Frothy & frivolous.
Ravishing & ridiculous.
Lavish & loaded.
Delightful & delectable.
Juicy & jocular.
Merry mayhem.
Convivial chaos.
PSA- If you are deciding on a format, I do not recommend the audio. It's very rare for me to stop an audiobook, but this narration necessitated a format shift.
Frothy & frivolous.
Ravishing & ridiculous.
Lavish & loaded.
Delightful & delectable.
Juicy & jocular.
Merry mayhem.
Convivial chaos.
PSA- If you are deciding on a format, I do not recommend the audio. It's very rare for me to stop an audiobook, but this narration necessitated a format shift.
May 27, 2024
I know that this author writes over the top situations, but for some reason in this book they irritated me. The people seemed so self centered, I found it very hard to like them. About 20% in, I realized that I couldn't take it any more, this one just wasn't for me.
June 8, 2024
2/5 - a shadow of crazy rich asians
This one tried to mimic the fun, glamorous vibes of CRA but failed. For one, too much virtue-signalling and rich-privilege bashing. CRA was able to strike the balance between having the protagonist show us how ridiculous rich people's lifestyles were but did not spend entire paragraphs lecturing the readers.
Something I found annoying was how each new character introduction would invariably be followed by all the schools they went to. I get that it's a commentary on how rich / pretentious people care about which schools you attended but I feel like it really adds nothing to the book. There are whole chapters that should have been axed and don't even get me started on the footnotes.
So basically, I think Kwan tried to pack too much stuff in without paying more attention to the plot. Sure, there were some juicy bits in there but it was a far cry from reading CRA. The story also ended a bit too neatly and perfectly for my liking.
This one tried to mimic the fun, glamorous vibes of CRA but failed. For one, too much virtue-signalling and rich-privilege bashing. CRA was able to strike the balance between having the protagonist show us how ridiculous rich people's lifestyles were but did not spend entire paragraphs lecturing the readers.
Something I found annoying was how each new character introduction would invariably be followed by all the schools they went to. I get that it's a commentary on how rich / pretentious people care about which schools you attended but I feel like it really adds nothing to the book. There are whole chapters that should have been axed and don't even get me started on the footnotes.
So basically, I think Kwan tried to pack too much stuff in without paying more attention to the plot. Sure, there were some juicy bits in there but it was a far cry from reading CRA. The story also ended a bit too neatly and perfectly for my liking.
March 23, 2024
Oh my goodness! Just see what this non-crazy middle-class American is missing! I loved this book. I loved the fact that it was written in different timelines (not much of the book, but some). I loved what a *itch Arabella was-although she wouldn't see it that way. She would see it as being helpful. The father Francis...clueless, but are we really sure about that?
The backdrops, the money spent, and the people all add up to make this a hilarious read—well, not knee-slapping funny, just jaw-dropping funny. I mean, who in heaven's name would build a bazillion-dollar resort on an active volcano?
The twist at the end had me amazed. I saw some of it coming but not all of it, and it was just perfect.
*ARC was supplied by the publisher Doubleday, the author Kevin Kwan, and NetGalley. Many thanks. This is an ARC that I'm going to purchase to add to my collection!
It is the perfect beach read for anyone who is looking for something fluffy but well-written and very entertaining.
The backdrops, the money spent, and the people all add up to make this a hilarious read—well, not knee-slapping funny, just jaw-dropping funny. I mean, who in heaven's name would build a bazillion-dollar resort on an active volcano?
The twist at the end had me amazed. I saw some of it coming but not all of it, and it was just perfect.
*ARC was supplied by the publisher Doubleday, the author Kevin Kwan, and NetGalley. Many thanks. This is an ARC that I'm going to purchase to add to my collection!
It is the perfect beach read for anyone who is looking for something fluffy but well-written and very entertaining.
June 18, 2024
Book Rating: 5 ⭐️/5
Audiobook Rating: 1 ⭐️/5
I can FINALLY say I've read a book by Kevin Kwan and this dramatic, over-the-top read was a ton of fun. I have no idea if I was supposed to read Sex and Vanity first since apparently, they are both in the "Cities" series? world? but I didn't feel like I was missing anything. The book starts out in a very thrilling and shocking way, and I love how Kwan expertly ties it back into the ending/climax. I loved almost all of the characters (some more than others), but Eden was probably my favorite of them all. She has a good head on her shoulders and is the steady voice of reason throughout the storyline.
The only thing I found fault with was the audiobook and I honestly think it is the worst audiobook I have ever listened to. Jing Lusi's narration was erratic, inconsistent, and hard to understand at times making the audio a complete dud for me. I would definitely recommend reading over listening, but I will say I enjoyed the way she narrated Rufus's mother, so I guess that's something. Thankfully, I was able to not let this take away from my enjoyment of the book itself, and I will have to do a reread at some point with my eyes. After all the drama, Lies and Weddings had a pretty surprising revelation that I wasn't expecting, and I was very happy with how everything wrapped up. I would read this if you are looking for an escape from real life and love nonstop drama in your books!
Thank you to the publishers for my advanced listening and reader copies of this book. All opinions and thoughts are my own.
Audiobook Rating: 1 ⭐️/5
I can FINALLY say I've read a book by Kevin Kwan and this dramatic, over-the-top read was a ton of fun. I have no idea if I was supposed to read Sex and Vanity first since apparently, they are both in the "Cities" series? world? but I didn't feel like I was missing anything. The book starts out in a very thrilling and shocking way, and I love how Kwan expertly ties it back into the ending/climax. I loved almost all of the characters (some more than others), but Eden was probably my favorite of them all. She has a good head on her shoulders and is the steady voice of reason throughout the storyline.
The only thing I found fault with was the audiobook and I honestly think it is the worst audiobook I have ever listened to. Jing Lusi's narration was erratic, inconsistent, and hard to understand at times making the audio a complete dud for me. I would definitely recommend reading over listening, but I will say I enjoyed the way she narrated Rufus's mother, so I guess that's something. Thankfully, I was able to not let this take away from my enjoyment of the book itself, and I will have to do a reread at some point with my eyes. After all the drama, Lies and Weddings had a pretty surprising revelation that I wasn't expecting, and I was very happy with how everything wrapped up. I would read this if you are looking for an escape from real life and love nonstop drama in your books!
Thank you to the publishers for my advanced listening and reader copies of this book. All opinions and thoughts are my own.
January 18, 2024
What a fun return to form from Kevin Kwan!
As soon as I saw the premise of Lies and Weddings and noticed that it follows a very similar structure, tone, and storyline as all of Kwan's previous work, I was a bit cautious. Moreover, I curious about if the flagrant displays of wealth and excess that made Crazy Rich Asians such a success in 2013 would hit the same way more than a decade later in this novel. A lot has changed in our world since then, and I think that's a small part of the reason why Sex and Vanity didn't quite work when it came out in June 2020; it was just bad timing with the sociopolitical climate.
But you know what? Kevin Kwan is out here writing entertaining, dishy books that are perfect for sitting next to a pool and immersing yourself deeply into a truly wild tale; I walked away from Lies and Weddings feeling fully satisfied that I got a whole meal out of this book.
I've written recently in other reviews about this idea of artistic evolution and the question of if we really need authors to create something entirely different every single time they pick up the pen. (Er, computer cursor?) Not every new book needs to be — or can be — a different Era™. So yes, Kevin Kwan deploys many of the same narrative devices, character archetypes, and developments in Lies and Weddings that readers have seen before — but I don't think that's automatically a bad thing. Nowadays, in these difficult times, I find a little more comfort in that.
Content warning: Brief violence, mentions of eating disorders, racism, and sexism
As soon as I saw the premise of Lies and Weddings and noticed that it follows a very similar structure, tone, and storyline as all of Kwan's previous work, I was a bit cautious. Moreover, I curious about if the flagrant displays of wealth and excess that made Crazy Rich Asians such a success in 2013 would hit the same way more than a decade later in this novel. A lot has changed in our world since then, and I think that's a small part of the reason why Sex and Vanity didn't quite work when it came out in June 2020; it was just bad timing with the sociopolitical climate.
But you know what? Kevin Kwan is out here writing entertaining, dishy books that are perfect for sitting next to a pool and immersing yourself deeply into a truly wild tale; I walked away from Lies and Weddings feeling fully satisfied that I got a whole meal out of this book.
I've written recently in other reviews about this idea of artistic evolution and the question of if we really need authors to create something entirely different every single time they pick up the pen. (Er, computer cursor?) Not every new book needs to be — or can be — a different Era™. So yes, Kevin Kwan deploys many of the same narrative devices, character archetypes, and developments in Lies and Weddings that readers have seen before — but I don't think that's automatically a bad thing. Nowadays, in these difficult times, I find a little more comfort in that.
Content warning: Brief violence, mentions of eating disorders, racism, and sexism
May 1, 2024
Thank you to NetGalley and Penguin Random House Canada for the ARC in exchange for an honest review.
I really enjoyed Crazy Rich Asians, however, now having read a few of his books, I found this plot line very predictable and felt frustrated for a majority of this novel. It bordered on wondering if there was a message the author was trying to convey or not on the social commentary of the elite and the discrimination faced by some of our characters. So much time was spent on status, branding, and location that it took away from the story as it was just so beyond belief. The same thing can be said when the characters experience really challenging and difficult situations and they seem to be unfazed. As such I found the characters underdeveloped as they stay pretty much the same from beginning to end. There is not any growth. Annabella was the most developed character, yet we have seen the same versions of her in each of his novels.
In the end, I don’t know if I felt anything for any of the characters asides from outrage at Annabella. There is very little romance between Rufus and Eden, and the relationships with Rufus’s two sisters becomes stagnant.
There are moments when some big-ticket items are touched upon, and this family goes through a lot. There was so much potential to dig deeper: found family, lost family, identity,… and it didn’t get there. I think this could have had so much more potential and when it just seemed to be heading there, it shied away. This one missed the mark for me.
I really enjoyed Crazy Rich Asians, however, now having read a few of his books, I found this plot line very predictable and felt frustrated for a majority of this novel. It bordered on wondering if there was a message the author was trying to convey or not on the social commentary of the elite and the discrimination faced by some of our characters. So much time was spent on status, branding, and location that it took away from the story as it was just so beyond belief. The same thing can be said when the characters experience really challenging and difficult situations and they seem to be unfazed. As such I found the characters underdeveloped as they stay pretty much the same from beginning to end. There is not any growth. Annabella was the most developed character, yet we have seen the same versions of her in each of his novels.
In the end, I don’t know if I felt anything for any of the characters asides from outrage at Annabella. There is very little romance between Rufus and Eden, and the relationships with Rufus’s two sisters becomes stagnant.
There are moments when some big-ticket items are touched upon, and this family goes through a lot. There was so much potential to dig deeper: found family, lost family, identity,… and it didn’t get there. I think this could have had so much more potential and when it just seemed to be heading there, it shied away. This one missed the mark for me.
December 15, 2023
Pure entertainment. After a little bit of a letdown with Sex and Vanity, this is very reminiscent of the Crazy Rich Asians trilogy. (Or maybe enough time has passed that it feels fresher?) The satirical take on the world’s ultrarich (and I guess a Trollope novel I have yet to read??) is the perfect amount of snark v fantasy. The footnotes are just perfection.
Possibly best for people who like to hate watch reality tv, read britlit, and don’t like romances to be overwhelmingly romancey.
Thanks Netgalley and the publisher for the arc.
Possibly best for people who like to hate watch reality tv, read britlit, and don’t like romances to be overwhelmingly romancey.
Thanks Netgalley and the publisher for the arc.
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May 31, 2024
Irreverent and surprisingly funny, although perhaps not in the ways Kwan intended.
So, I know that I have achieved peak-baddy when I kinda get were Arabella is coming from—and her own critiques on Rufus' laid-back, easy-going lifestyle that actually costs millions, because he's not aware of how money operates. But also Arabella is the the worst.
Anywho, I needed more Hemsworth. I needed more Martha. Despite a rocky start with Eden, who felt like another go-with-the-flow Rachel or Lucie, she has a backbone (AND integrity!) and she uses it judiciously throughout the book. She's also a doctor, and has absolutely no desire to become the next countess of Greshambury or lady of anything.
As for the actual villain in the book—I appreciate Kwan's humanizing him through Eden, although the way he resolved the issue was a bit too pat, and too much like the Crazy Rich Asian series (of which there were several callbacks—and also to Sex and Vanity).
I think more introspection needs to be done with the heroes of Kwan's stories: the laid-back, above-it-all, heir to mass fortune (or a title, or supposed fortune) who is incredibly handsome without realizing it. Arabella obliquely hints at the privilege Rufus doesn't really see (I mean, he does see it, to an extent, but doesn't seem to realize that his little surf shack in Hawaii is a fucking mansion, or that his super casual lifestyle costs a literal ton of money to fund), but I kinda want it to be addressed a little more. Rufus is just his father in a different font.
What would happen if the Greshams lost it all, and became truly insolvent?
I kinda wanted that story.
Regardless, this story was entertaining. More obscenely rich people being dramatic and obscenely rich, and an ambitious mother scabbing over her own hurts by fucking everyone else over.
P.S., it's a complete throwaway line, but I will forever and always been #TeamKittyPong.
I received an ARC from NetGalley
So, I know that I have achieved peak-baddy when I kinda get were Arabella is coming from—and her own critiques on Rufus' laid-back, easy-going lifestyle that actually costs millions, because he's not aware of how money operates. But also Arabella is the the worst.
Anywho, I needed more Hemsworth. I needed more Martha. Despite a rocky start with Eden, who felt like another go-with-the-flow Rachel or Lucie, she has a backbone (AND integrity!) and she uses it judiciously throughout the book. She's also a doctor, and has absolutely no desire to become the next countess of Greshambury or lady of anything.
As for the actual villain in the book—I appreciate Kwan's humanizing him through Eden, although the way he resolved the issue was a bit too pat, and too much like the Crazy Rich Asian series (of which there were several callbacks—and also to Sex and Vanity).
I think more introspection needs to be done with the heroes of Kwan's stories: the laid-back, above-it-all, heir to mass fortune (or a title, or supposed fortune) who is incredibly handsome without realizing it. Arabella obliquely hints at the privilege Rufus doesn't really see (I mean, he does see it, to an extent, but doesn't seem to realize that his little surf shack in Hawaii is a fucking mansion, or that his super casual lifestyle costs a literal ton of money to fund), but I kinda want it to be addressed a little more. Rufus is just his father in a different font.
What would happen if the Greshams lost it all, and became truly insolvent?
I kinda wanted that story.
Regardless, this story was entertaining. More obscenely rich people being dramatic and obscenely rich, and an ambitious mother scabbing over her own hurts by fucking everyone else over.
P.S., it's a complete throwaway line, but I will forever and always been #TeamKittyPong.
I received an ARC from NetGalley
May 26, 2024
3.5/5 stars
Lies and Weddings is a multi-cultural romantic comedy-drama.
It focuses a lot on the Gresham family. Rufus, Augie and Bea are siblings who grew up very wealthy. Their father is Lord Gresham (he is English) and their mother is Lady Arabella (she is from Hong Kong).
The title of the book works as there are numerous weddings/engagements and lots of secrets and lies. Characters have major money problems, yet buy the most lavish things. There are so many super rich characters in this book, which leads to a fun story.
The book starts with Augie's lavish wedding in Hawaii. Another main character is Eden who is a doctor (like her father). She is best friends with Rufus and Bea. And grew up in a cottage on the Gresham property.
There were definitely things that I liked about this book. The exotic settings were incredible. The characters and family drama were so fun. And the luxury was so over the top and crazy.
There are a lot of characters. Although I did really like them all. However the way that the book goes in and out of POVSs makes it at times a bit hard to follow. This also makes it harder to really connect with most of the characters.
The book was a bit too long. But I did enjoy how the author brought everything to a satisfying conclusion. Overall this was like reading a soap opera with the wealthiest characters.
Thanks to netgalley and Penguin Random House Canada for allowing me to read this book.
June 8, 2024
This book had a lot of potential and overall I enjoyed it but a couple things bugged me. First, the major reveal (assuming it’s meant to be that) was so obvious from quite literally abut 5-10% of the way into the book. Even smaller pieces were easily figured out as well and that to me makes the story a bit of a let down. Secondly, there were just way too many POVs and way too much going on. It was somewhat manageable in the beginning but by around 60% of the way through it was just too much jumping around to different people and places and by about 80% through it just felt like it went off the rails. All of that said I did like it but I think some of the storylines should have been cut and overall it could have been shorter and used a bit of editing.
March 3, 2024
▪️And so, with a mind at war with itself, she came forth armed to do battle against the world's prejudices, those prejudices she herself loved so well.
-Anthony Trollope's Doctor Thorne
If anyone knew the pulse of the movers and shakers of Victorian England, it was Anthony Trollope. And the same could be said of Kevin Kwan. He truly knows today's incredibly wealthy international rich. Both come to their insight from the viewpoint of a social satirist observing from the sidelines.
Kevin Kwan is a huge Trollope fan and his latest novel, Lies and Weddings, is a modern-day retelling of Doctor Thorne. It follows the plot of Doctor Thorne quite closely - Mary Thorne is Eden Tong and lives with her father in a cottage on the Greshambury Estate. Both are doctors. Eden grew up in the shadow of the Greshams, accepted by the Duke of Greshambury and his three children but never by his wife Arabella.
Doctor Thorne is a novel with hidden truths, extravagance, debt, class prejudice, addiction and debauchery along with some humour and plenty of heart. Kwan has taken all of this and turned it up to 11,000,000. Of course, the modern-day uber-rich (and uber-debt-ridden rich) are now more extravagant than Trollope could ever have imagined.
Kwan changes the class prejudice to racism for Lies and Weddings. Arabella Gresham is from Hong Kong and is proud of the life she has created with her British husband and her three mixed-race children. She's internalized the racism she's experienced and will do anything to marry her children off to European wealthy families. Arabella is probably the worst character in Doctor Thorne and she is in Lies and Weddings too. But, like Anthony Trollope, Kevin Kwan allows us to see why she is like this and although he never condones her actions, this knowledge at least lets us understand her better.
I really enjoyed this book - it's a very wild ride. Like with all his books, I spent my time googling the art, fashion and places that Kwan mentions and laughing at the ridiculousness of it all. I was also chortling with every Trollope Easter Egg Kwan hid in the story - not just from Thorne but also some Palliser nods as well!
Thank you to NetGalley and Penguin Random House Canada for this ARC.
-Anthony Trollope's Doctor Thorne
If anyone knew the pulse of the movers and shakers of Victorian England, it was Anthony Trollope. And the same could be said of Kevin Kwan. He truly knows today's incredibly wealthy international rich. Both come to their insight from the viewpoint of a social satirist observing from the sidelines.
Kevin Kwan is a huge Trollope fan and his latest novel, Lies and Weddings, is a modern-day retelling of Doctor Thorne. It follows the plot of Doctor Thorne quite closely - Mary Thorne is Eden Tong and lives with her father in a cottage on the Greshambury Estate. Both are doctors. Eden grew up in the shadow of the Greshams, accepted by the Duke of Greshambury and his three children but never by his wife Arabella.
Doctor Thorne is a novel with hidden truths, extravagance, debt, class prejudice, addiction and debauchery along with some humour and plenty of heart. Kwan has taken all of this and turned it up to 11,000,000. Of course, the modern-day uber-rich (and uber-debt-ridden rich) are now more extravagant than Trollope could ever have imagined.
Kwan changes the class prejudice to racism for Lies and Weddings. Arabella Gresham is from Hong Kong and is proud of the life she has created with her British husband and her three mixed-race children. She's internalized the racism she's experienced and will do anything to marry her children off to European wealthy families. Arabella is probably the worst character in Doctor Thorne and she is in Lies and Weddings too. But, like Anthony Trollope, Kevin Kwan allows us to see why she is like this and although he never condones her actions, this knowledge at least lets us understand her better.
I really enjoyed this book - it's a very wild ride. Like with all his books, I spent my time googling the art, fashion and places that Kwan mentions and laughing at the ridiculousness of it all. I was also chortling with every Trollope Easter Egg Kwan hid in the story - not just from Thorne but also some Palliser nods as well!
Thank you to NetGalley and Penguin Random House Canada for this ARC.
May 29, 2024
trash humans- complete caricatures 🙄🤮
If I hear one more word out of the mom’s mouth, I will light everything I own on fire. #eattherich
If I hear one more word out of the mom’s mouth, I will light everything I own on fire. #eattherich
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