Eden Tong feels out of place, having grown up next to Greshamsbury Manor, overshadowed by the formidable matriarch Arabella and her children: the free-spirited Augie, the golden child Bea, and her childhood best friend, Rufus. When Eden receives an invitation to a lavish wedding in Hawaii, she is unexpectedly drawn back into the family's world and confronts Rufus, who is not only stunning and artistic but also secretly in love with her. However, Arabella has her own agenda; the Greshamsbury family is deeply in debt, and Rufus must secure a wealthy match to save them. Arabella is determined to eliminate any obstacles in her path, including Eden. This engaging narrative takes readers from Hawaii's pristine beaches to the vibrant medinas of Marrakech, through Beverly Hills' glamorous bachelor pads and the opulent English countryside. It’s a humorous, captivating tale that explores themes of love, wealth, and the deceptions we employ to protect them. The book has garnered praise for being a perfect summer read, offering delightful humor and pure entertainment, making it an irresistible choice for those seeking a fun escape.
Kevin Kwan Book order (chronological)
Kevin Kwan crafts dazzling narratives that explore the opulent lives and intricate social dynamics of the ultra-rich. His work is celebrated for its sharp wit, vivid descriptions, and unexpected plot twists, offering readers a captivating and often humorous glimpse into a world of extreme wealth. Through his distinctive voice, Kwan delves into themes of identity, family ties, and the search for belonging amidst dazzling extravagance. His novels provide an insightful and entertaining examination of class, culture, and personal relationships.
Sex and Vanity
- 304 pages
- 11 hours of reading
The iconic author of Crazy Rich Asians returns with a glittering tale of love and longing as a young woman navigates the clash between her father's WASP family and George Zao, a man she desperately tries to resist. On her first morning on the stunning island of Capri, Lucie Churchill meets George and immediately dislikes him. She is irritated by his gallant offer to switch hotel rooms for a better view, his knowledge of Curzio Malaparte, and especially when he kisses her in the ruins of a Roman villa, only to be caught by her snobbish cousin, Charlotte. Teasingly, Charlotte remarks on Lucie's mixed heritage, highlighting her struggle with her identity as the daughter of an American-born-Chinese mother and a blue-blooded New York father. Lucie has always suppressed her Asian side, adamantly denying any feelings for George. However, years later, when George unexpectedly appears in East Hampton while Lucie is with her new fiancé, she finds herself irresistibly drawn to him again. This leads to a tangled web of deceit involving her family, fiancé, and even her Fifth Avenue co-op board, as she battles to keep George out of her life and heart. Set against a backdrop of privilege, decadent food, and extravagant fashion, this modern love story is a daring homage to A Room with a View and a brilliantly funny comedy of manners exploring two cultures.
Kevin Kwan, bestselling author of Crazy Rich Asians and China Rich Girlfriend, returns with a hilarious new novel centered on a fortune-driven family, a jealous ex-wife, and a couture-gown sabotage battle. When Nicholas Young learns that his grandmother, Su Yi, is on her deathbed, he rushes to her side, joined by the entire Shang-Young clan, all eager to claim their matriarch's vast fortune. As family members compete for Tyersall Park, Nicholas' childhood home becomes a battleground of intrigue and backbiting. Amidst the chaos, Astrid Leong grapples with her feelings for her old love, Charlie Wu, while being tormented by her vindictive ex-husband, who aims to ruin her reputation. Meanwhile, Kitty Pong, married to China's second richest man, Jack Bing, struggles with feelings of inadequacy as she feels overshadowed by her glamorous stepdaughter, Colette Bing. This sweeping narrative spans from opulent mansions in Manila to private islands in the Sulu Sea, featuring a kidnapping at an elite Hong Kong school and a surprise marriage proposal caught by paparazzi. Kwan humorously uncovers the long-buried secrets of Asia's elite and their extravagant dilemmas.
China Rich Girlfriend
- 496 pages
- 18 hours of reading
It's the eve of her wedding to Nicholas Young, heir to one of the greatest fortunes in Asia, and Rachel Chu should be over the moon. She has a flawless Asscher-cut diamond from JAR, a wedding dress plucked from the best salon in Paris, and a fiancé willing to sacrifice his entire inheritance in order to marry her. But Rachel still mourns the fact that the father she never knew won't be there to walk her down the aisle ... until a shocking revelation draws Rachel into a world of Shanghai splendor beyond anything she has ever imagined. A romp through Asia's most exclusive clubs, auction houses, and estates, China Rich Girlfriend brings us into the elite circles of Mainland China and offers an inside glimpse at what it's like to be gloriously, crazily China rich.
Traditional Chinese edition of Crazy Rich Asians