Women of Good Fortune pulled me in with its interesting premise. I love a good heist. A fun, page turner with complex characters set in Shanghai. Short chapters, brilliantly flawed characters, entertaining read

WOMEN OF GOOD FORTUNE
by Sophie Wan

This was such a fun book with a really great setting in Shanghai - it is such a change of pace from the thrillers I have been reading. I’m so glad I picked up this book when I did and I flew by the chapters which were short, but the characters were so intriguing and they were the winners in this book.

Women of Good Fortune by Sophie Wan is a captivating novel that offers both an honest and funny look at the lives of three women navigating societal expectations in modern Shanghai. The story revolves around Lulu, a reluctant bride, and her two best friends, Jane and Rina, who each have their own unique struggles and dreams. It gave off a bit of Crazy Rich Asian vibes albeit not as lavish as that novel- still has the same level of drama though!
Wan’s writing is both engaging and insightful, the characters are well-developed and relatable, each facing their own challenges in a society that often places undue pressure on women. The plot, centered around a high-society wedding and a daring heist, is both entertaining and thought-provoking. Thanks to NetGalley for an advanced copy of this book.

I DNF'd this about about 40% through the book. It just felt over the top and I couldn't relate to the characters. The concept of the book was amazing, but I just wasn't connecting with the characters.

It has a bit of a slow start but the book was interesting and a good heist book. I enjoyed reading it

I think this book was a hit and a miss for me. I enjoyed the plot and the look into a culture so different from my own. I did not enjoy certain characters, Jane was absolutely atrocious and hard to read most of the time, but I loved to hate her character, and I enjoyed seeing her grow as she shifted her focus from shallow endeavors to more thoughtful interactions.

What I do enjoy; getting a look into Shanghai (as someplace I likely will never be able to afford to visit), learning about customs and marriage practices in a different region of the world, getting a taste of the high society snootery of somewhere different than the usual settings shown in media, and having a band of women decide to kinda eat the rich in this scenario. I think all of this made it interesting enough for me to complete the story to get a fun experience.

I didn't really enjoy how flat some characters felt, where the writing didn't seem expressive or just told us what they felt instead of showing it. I didn't like how some scenes were rushed so quickly, where we may be having an important conversation or scene for the story and it was over far too quickly. It felt like the pacing was bouncing around too much, I wanted more and often I was left wanting. I think maybe these are issues less with the author and instead more of an editing team issue, because I think this should have been caught before publication.

I really hope to see what Sophie Wan puts out next, because I did ultimately enjoy this book for the fun of it (despite my nit picky issues with structure).

this was suuuuuuuch a fun book to read!
I had very low expectations as I was coming off of reading another asian inspired book that hadn't been good, but boy was I pleasantly surprised with this book!!!!
it was very refreshing but also somewhat familiar? it was simple, yet very complex at the same time with some topics it dealt with?
I loved every single thing about it. the character development was phenomenal on every single one of the girls, on the husband to be, on the mom you loved to hate, and on the counterfeit queen as well as the cousin.
I felt like I was reading a book from the same universe as crazy rich asians but in its own right and with its own style.
my favorite part was the plot twist and the ending, truly a great ending and didn't leave me wanting at all.
I would read a book #2 if there was one, either a spinoff of one of the girls, or a continuation and a here they are now type of thing.
4.5/5, would certainly recommend I read it in like 2 days!

Thanks NetGalley and publishers for allowing me to read an ARC in exchange of an unbiased review.

I had pretty high expectations for this one! The idea of 3 woman planning a heist at a wedding and getting away with it sounded great. Sadly I didn’t love Rina, Jane or Lulu very much. The build up was a little slow but I really enjoyed it once we got to the wedding and heist-y things got underway.

I love the three story lines and how they all weave together between the three friends. I like the heist element and how the three friends would get together to plan. There is great character development. The relationship each character has and its endings were really well done.

I'm super glad that I waited until after a trip to Shanghai to pick up this book because it was full of references that I easily picked up after spending a few weeks in China. I love a good heist story, but I love a good friendship story even more, and this book was a lovely homage to both. It was a bit slow at times, especially when they were planning the heist, but when it all unfolded, I was completely sucked in. Can't wait for Sophie's next!

This wonderful story of 3 friends planning out an Ocean's Eleven style heist to escape their unfulfilling lives, trapped by chinese culture and societal expectations is heartwarming and exciting. One "spinster", one stuck in marriage of convenience, and the last engaged to an incredibly rich man with a mother like a hawk, they work together to steal the wedding gift money from the latter's upcoming wedding to escape their current situations and gain the freedom they desire. Inclusion of an Ace younger cousin helps broaden the already diverse personalities in the characters. This book does a wonderful job following the 3 main characters' journies as the plan is set and put into place. It allows the characters to truly see the choices they are making.

This delightful romp of a tale pushed all the right buttons for me. Lulu is scheduled to marry a man, not out of love but familial responsibility. When she confides her ambivalence to her best friends, Rina and Jane, the three cook up a plan to steal the red envelopes full of cash that are the traditional gift at a Chinese wedding. The big catch - the box holding the envelopes is kept on prominent display throughout the ceremony and wedding banquet. Toss in a controlling mother-in-law, a charming best man, and it won't be easy. Lulu, Rina, and Jane put together a crew to execute the heist, including a top notch counterfeiter and a younger sibling who drives like a madwoman. But as time gets closer, Lula gets to know her fiancé better and begins to second guess herself. Will the women go through with the plot? If they do, will they succeed?
The pacing of the story is great, and there are just enough subplots to keep things interesting. Each main character had their own personality and personal trials with which they struggle throughout the story.
A fun, engaging read.

Just loved this! Such a fun multi-generational web of stories, intersecting in the best ways, with the added bonus of immersing me in a culture I don't know enough about. Would absolutely recommend!

Women of Good Fortune delves into various aspects of Chinese society, including family expectations, the influence of relationships, gender roles, beauty standards, and the implications of the one-child policy. The narrative follows three friends: Lulu, Jane, and Rina. With Lulu’s wedding approaching, she feels uncertain about marrying but decides to proceed to honor her family’s wishes. However, her friends devise a scheme to steal the red envelopes to allow Lulu to leave town without disgracing her family.

As the plot unfolds, the book explores the depth of their friendship and their personal growth over time. While the story is engaging, some parts feel unrealistic and slow-paced. Additionally, a few characters are underdeveloped and could have been omitted without impacting the overall narrative.

Thank you to NetGalley for providing an advanced copy.

Guilted into an arranged marriage, Lulu's feet are getting colder the closer she gets to the wedding date. Under the stress of a fiancé she does not love (or even really know), an overbearing mother-in-law-to-be who has personally told her she is not good enough for her son, and a family that is pushing her into this marriage to help themselves financially, Lulu is subconsciously relieved when her two friends, Jane and Rina, offer her a way out that is crazy but might actually work.

I've become huge fan of novels featuring a glimpse into Asian culture, which jumped onto the scene with Kevin Kwan's bestsellers. This book has a great look into the culture, but is more serious than Kwan's work. Good summer read if you are looking for something a little different and thought-provoking!

Crazy Rich Asians but make it even more niche! This arranged marriage book was great! I loved getting to see different cultural views and preferences!

This book reminded me a lot of Cray Rich Asians. There's an arranged marriage and she's not because she is in love, but because she wants to help her family financially. She's marrying into a rich family. I really enjoyed this story and I enjoyed the audiobook so much I followed along in the ebook.

Dnf’ed at 20%. I love female scammer books, I love books about ridiculous rich people, and I love books set around weddings. So I should have loved this one. I really wanted to! But I think this was a case of great premise and a disappointing execution. The characters were meh and not interesting enough to keep me invested. Thank you to the publisher and netgalley for the opportunity to review!

I always enjoy a good heist story and this one done by women is especially fun because it highlights their relationships and the effect the plan is having on them. I enjoyed the different viewpoints and I loved the short chapters. The fast pace kept my interest level high. I especially enjoyed the ending and I think this book would be a great one to inspire a book club discussion.

"Women of Good Fortune" delivers a riveting blend of suspense and introspection, weaving a tale that delves into the complex tapestry of cultural pressures and generational burdens in Chinese society. The narrative swiftly moves through themes of beauty ideals, the nuances of the one-child policy, and the expectations placed on both genders, presenting a rich panorama of contemporary challenges.

The story is anchored by a daring heist that not only propels the plot but also symbolizes the struggle for autonomy faced by the three main characters: Lulu, who grapples with her family's deep-seated guilt; Jane, whose self-worth has been undermined by harsh societal judgments; and Rina, whose fear of losing control dominates her life. Their friendship is a central pillar of the story, offering a heartfelt exploration of loyalty and the pursuit of freedom.

While the novel touches on many elements of their lives, from family dynamics to romantic entanglements, it manages to craft a vivid portrayal of their personal growth against the backdrop of societal expectations. Some relationships in the story might benefit from further development, yet the overall narrative arc satisfyingly converges to a thoughtful conclusion.

"Women of Good Fortune" skillfully captures the essence of its setting and the internal conflicts of its characters, making it a compelling read and an impressive debut for Sophie Wan. This novel is a poignant reminder that even in the most opulent environments, freedom can be elusive.

Thank you HarperCollins Canada for the eARC!