Gifted eARC provided by Harlequin Trade Publishing and Netgalley.

I honestly don’t know what to make of this book. I liked it, but there were some parts of it that I didn’t.

Let me start off by saying I am not Chinese, but this book (from my perspective) gives a very in-depth look at women and men in the culture and how traditions and views impact everything from work to love. I liked the cultural aspects of this and being able to see these problems and situations from Lulu, Jane’s, and Rinas eyes.

This book is one part love story, one part heist, a a story of friendship. It’s a mismatch of things but it works. I like that the three women we follow are different and have different views and goals it helps to really get a rounded look at what it is like to be a woman within the Chinese culture.

The writing in this book was a little choppy, the pacing was too fast at times and then dragged in others. I was most invested in Vic and Rina.

The whole premise of this book is three best friends stealing the wedding gift money from Lulu’s wedding and the months leading up to it. But I don’t know if I can get behind them stealing the money? The reasons didn’t feel justifiable to me? I honestly don’t think they deserved their happily ever afters… it just seemed a little much.

Overall I think it was a fun read, and I loved the look into Chinese culture.

This was an extremely funny, tightly plotted heist story with wonderful characterization. The book is narrated from Lulu, Jane, and Rina's perspectives. All three women read as real and relatable, and all of their journies are inspiring. The side characters are equally entertaining and readers can't help wanting this heist to succeed and for every character to get their happy ending. I would recommend this book to anyone who enjoys heist stories and is looking for a fast, fun read with representation of the realities of living in modern-day Shanghai and the associayed familial and societal pressures.

This was such a fun concept with a great setting, developed characters, and delightful antics and hijinks along the way!

I enjoyed Women of Good Fortune! Each of the women have something to gain (and something to lose) from this heist taking place at a wedding in Shanghai. I found the writing to be simple and straightforward, easy to read and kept me flipping the pages. However, I didn't find there was much suspense until nearly the end of the book - I wish there was more! Overall, its a great beach read or something that does not require too much focus or deep thinking. I liked it, and would recommend if you're looking for something meaningful yet still light enough! A solid 3.5 or 4 stars.

Women of Good Fortune is like Oceans Eight but set in Shanghai. I really appreciated the accurate depiction of the evolution of female friendships as we get older. Not every friendship remains close or even survives as we grow into who we are. I enjoyed Rina’s storyline the most and Lulu’s the least. I felt bad for agreed with the shitty bridesmaids, but Lulu really was so boring and lacked a personality. Her entire life revolved around providing for her massively ungrateful family and being submissive to everyone around her. I felt like she was meant to be the central character but I didn’t care about her at all sadly. I would’ve enjoyed it more if Lulu had a life outside of the wedding and worrying about her family. That’s why I had to give the book 3.5 stars.

Venturing into 'Women of Good Fortune' was an unexpected delight for me. Set in contemporary Shanghai, the narrative orbits around three interconnected Chinese women, bound by deep friendship. Lulu, on the verge of marrying Harv, nicknamed for his Harvard background, grapples with doubts despite the apparent allure of Harv's opulent family wealth. Meanwhile, Jane navigates the disappointment of a loveless marriage, seeking solace in a drastic solution, and Rina, a diligent worker eyeing a promotion while confronting societal constraints.

The plot unfurls against the backdrop of Lulu's impending extravagant wedding, with the trio hatching a plan to utilize their monetary wedding gifts for personal transformation. Yet, as their lives intersect with unexpected opportunities - Jane reconnects with her spouse, Rina encounters a long-lost classmate - the storyline takes intriguing turns, highlighting the profound impact of these subtle shifts.

Beneath the surface of romance and humor lies a poignant exploration of female camaraderie and individual choices. The novel adeptly tackles themes like balancing familial obligations and career aspirations, navigating relationships for love versus practicality, and challenging societal norms. Sophie Wan skillfully weaves these themes into a narrative that's both entertaining and thought-provoking, maintaining a harmonious pace that blends humor and depth seamlessly.

For aficionados of stories akin to 'Crazy Rich Asians,' 'Women of Good Fortune' is a promising addition to the reading list. Its slated release in March 2024 is highly anticipated, promising an engaging journey into the lives and decisions of these three remarkable women.

I love stories, especially contemporary ones, set in China, and since this one is in Shanghai - a city I spend a lot of time in - I was excited. To be fair, this isn't my usual genre - I'm not such a fan of Harlequin-style romantic novels, but this one was fun. Let's be real - this isn't serious literature, and it doesn't attempt to be. I thought the relationship among the three best friends was honest and real - all the good and the bad. The heist story was a bit of a stretch, and more than a little unrealistic, but ,... who cares. The romance is weak, but, again, who cares. It's a quick read and you can vicariously join Shanghai's wedding of the year. I can definitely see some of my high school girls liking this story and reading it for an independent book project.

Thank you to NetGalley and Harlequin Trade Publishing, Graydon House for the ARC in exchange for my honest opinions.

Women of Good Furtune by Sophie WAN was a fun heist story that to be honest I was not sure I would be into.
This story follows three best friends who each have their own reasons why they need to come into a big pay day.
I really enjoyed how this shows different aspects of women and the struggles they face depending on their situations. We have the single woman Rina who is career motivated and is being unjustly shot down for promotions. Jane who her whole life is told she is less than and in a marriage she never wanted. And Lulu our bride who is tired of having to put everyone else’s needs before her own.
This was very much Oceans 8 with a splash of Dial A for Aunties. Now the comedy is not like Aunties but I loved seeing the heist from different points of views and of course it does not go to plan. Some things happened exactly how I thought but there were fun twists I didn’t see coming.
Thank you to Net Galley, Sophie Wan, Harlequin Trade Publishing and Graydon House for the eARC in exchange for my honest review.

Women of Good Fortune had a lot of potential, but fell a little flat for me. The beginning was interesting with the idea of Lulu wanting to steal the money from her wedding with her two friends Rina and Jane. Rina and Jane both have their own struggles and reasons for wanting extra cash. Initially I was fully invested in the story, but somewhere in the middle things started to run together and I started to lose interest in the characters. It was also hard for me to come to terms with Lulu stealing money from her future husband when he did nothing but love her and treat her well. By the end I think each character grew and learned some things. I think many will enjoy this book.

Thanks to Netgalley and Harlequin Trade Publishing, Graydon House for a digital ARC in exchange for my honest review.

I was able to make it about half way through Women of Good Fortune before I found myself losing interest in the book. I think I had high hopes because I liked other stories with similar plots, with rich characters, and drama.

"Women of Good Fortune" is a captivating novel that takes readers on a thrilling ride through the opulent world of high-society Shanghai. Set against the backdrop of a lavish wedding, the story unfolds as a reluctant bride, her two best friends, and their shared frustration with societal norms unite in a daring plan to liberate themselves. The author skillfully weaves together heartfelt moments, humor, and dazzling descriptions that bring the characters and setting to life.

Thank you Netgalley and Graydon House for the ARC!

Overll love the orginal premis of this story. They only thing I would critique would be how fast paced it was in the beginning. I wish it breathed more to know the back ground of how the main girls were together a bit. However it read like a great Netflix series. All three grils I thought brought something interesting to the table and seeing the dynamics of Chinese culture I thought was really cool.

Set in China by a debut author and full of culture and social norms. Three best friends have aspirations of their own while struggling to also live up to family and cultural expectations. Lulu is getting married to a wealthy man to improve her family's finances while wishing she could stay single. Rina is a career-minded woman who wants to have children and keep rising in her career. Jane is married and wants to fit beauty standards and climb socially. They come together with a plan to help all their dreams become reality.

This is a heist novel and reminded me of The Bandit Queens in some ways. I am sure there will be a lot of comparisons to Crazy Rich Asians but that's a different culture although some similarities about the roles of women in society. The story was great, and each character really stood out with their own thoughts and desires. I liked that it showed real friendships and how they grow and change over time.

Thank you to NetGalley and Graydon House for the ARC. This review is my own thoughts and opinions.

What a great little gun book!

Tina, Jane and Lulu are not only friends but the most intriguing characters. The author does a splendid job bringing them to life. Then there’s the wedding heist that keeps you on the edge of your seat. All the women are on amazing journeys . They’re fun to watch as they change and grow.

I would love to see a sequel to this and watch the characters come alive again!

Thank you NetGalley and Grayson House for the advanced copy in exchange for an honest review.

Wow! This was a refreshing red. The writing is incredibly artful and sets the perfect tone for all of the secrets that it holds.

This one just didn't work for me (definitely a case of "it's not you, it's me"), but I'm glad to see that others are enjoying it so much! Thanks to NetGalley and the publisher for the opportunity.

I love a friendship book and Women of Good Fortune is a great story of how we miss and miss appreciating what's right in front of us. So easy to take advantage of such a precious gift. Add in some really funny moments and you've got a really good book! I'd love to discuss this for a book club meeting.

If you enjoyed reading Crazy Rich Asians, Women of Good Fortune by Sophie Wan should be next on your to-read book list. Taken place in Shanghai, this story revolves around three women, friends who are discontent with their lives. Lulu is about to get married to a wealthy man who she is not in love with, but his family's money would take care of all her family's problems -- and her friends'. Her friends Rina and Jane come up with the crazy idea to use the wedding as an opportunity to steal all the red envelopes and use that money to solve their problems -- have the money to freeze Rina's eggs and Jane's plastic surgery. Will they be able to execute this crazy plan?

To be honest, I thought the plot was comedic -- the plan just isn't realistic. In fact, I felt the story dragged on a bit too long in the beginning when Lulu, Rina, and Jane were planning out the whole heist. However, the ending really redeemed the whole story. It really tied in all the characters' development. There's a lot of cultural references, which I thought were relatable. The characters could've been developed a bit more, especially Lulu. I felt like she is supposed to be this protagonist who goes through this metamorphosis throughout the book, but I feel she is still lacking depth.

Overall, this is a fun read. Do not think too deeply into the details -- it will kill the enjoyment. Take the plot with a grain of salt and you will end up thoroughly enjoying this entertaining read.

Thank you to Netgalley, publisher Harlequin Trade Publishing, and author Sophie Wan for providing me with an ARC, in exchange for my honest, unbiased review.

Pub Date: March 5, 2024

For fans of Ocean’s Eight, Bridesmaids, and Crazy Rich Asians - Sophie Wan’s WOMEN OF GOOD FORTUNE is for you!

Lulu is about to marry Shanghai’s richest and most eligible bachelor, Harv, much to her dismay. Harv may be kind, despite his overbearing parents' constant pressure and expectations, but Lulu isn’t in love with him. Their marriage would mostly be a financial gain to help out her family she’s been supporting, and avoid being considered a “sheng nu” (a woman passed the appropriate age for marriage).

Meanwhile, Lulu’s friends Jane and Rina are in their own predicament as well. Jane feels like she’s in a loveless marriage forced upon her because no other man would marry her for her looks. Rina has put aside love and starting a family to focus on her career, but has been constantly passed up for promotion in favor of her male colleagues. If the women had it their way and their own money, Lulu would escape from her duties, Jane would change her appearance, and Rina would freeze her eggs. Together, they hatch up a plan and form a small crew to steal the red envelopes that will be given by the wealthy guests at Lulu’s upcoming wedding.

With the plan set in motion, the three are faced with their own challenges they had been avoiding alongside their friendship that is put on the line the deeper they get into the heist.

I love Sophie Wan’s debut novel. It takes a cultural look into customs and expectations of women, but gives its three main characters a chance to break away from it and take back control of their lives through a heist. The whole idea and execution feels like something straight out of an Ocean’s Eleven movie, specifically Ocean’s Eight (yes, the one featuring Sandra Bullock and Cate Blanchett’s team), where I enjoyed seeing the details come together and was excited to see how it would come through. The two additional members of the Leftover crew, counterfeiter Michelangelo and getaway driver Mei, also rounded out the team.

Along with the heist, I really like how Wan explores each of the women’s own dilemmas, including their relationship with the people they care about, as well as how their friendship is affected with the goal in sight. Not everything is simple as planned and we see what is at risk for all of them, especially as relationships begin to develop and what they each thought was so important is called into question.

Without trying to spoil anything, I would have liked to have known more about some of the other characters in the end, such how Lulu and Harv’s family felt after, as well as Jane and Zihao’s marriage. Yet despite this, I thoroughly enjoyed this book and would reread it again upon its release.

*Thank you to NetGalley and the publishers for the eARC. All thoughts and opinions are my own.

Thank you to Netgalley and publisher for an arc in exchange for my honest opinions.

Publication: March 5, 2024

Rating: 2 stars

This is definitely a scenario of "it's not the book its me". I wasn't a fan of "Crazy Rich Asians" mostly because I really struggled to get into that story line. The same sort of thing happened with this book. It was confusing to keep up with all the names plus the plot turned out to be very superficial in my opinion. If you're a fan of "Loveboat Taipei" or "Crazy Rich Asians", give this book a try!