First time reading work by this author and I've been missing out!! LIES AND WEDDINGS, mostly focused on the wealthy Gresham family, is filled with chaos, hilarity, drama, and ludicrousness in all the best ways! I thoroughly enjoyed the author's sharp and sophisticated wit and the satirical take on high society. I do not like reality television but I found myself so swept up and immersed in this type of world, the characters and their struggles. As absurd as some of the characters are in the story with their idiosyncrasies, they all still felt believable, which I admired. I like how the plot kept exponentially heightening along with all the secrets that are revealed, and just when you think the plot can't get any crazier....

Without giving too much of the plot away, I do want to say that the mother character sure is something else! I would have said "piece of work" at the beginning, but as the story unfolds, I appreciated getting to learn and understand why and how she became who she is. If I had her as mother, I would be afraid to know how I would have turned out. I liked how prominent the theme of family is throughout, whether that's the family you're stuck with, family you're married into, or chosen family. I loved how pure and down-to-earth Rufus and Eden's relationship is.

This was such a great escapism -- in which it made my problems feel like nothing compared to the ones in this book haha -- the reader will find themselves on the sandy beaches in Hawaii with a volcano about to erupt, a hot air ballon in Marrakech, the most exclusive establishments in Beverly Hills, old family estate in London, and a luxurious villa in Venice. I had a feeling what the twist was going to be at the end and it did not disappoint! Be sure to read the footnotes, it adds a nice other layer to the story. Looking forward to reading all of the author's other published work to tide me over until his next book release!

Thank you to Doubleday Books and NetGalley for the digital advanced readers copy in exchange for my honest review.

Kevin Kwan, the mastermind behind the sensational Crazy Rich Asians trilogy, has once again dazzled readers with "Lies and Weddings." This uproarious comedy of manners unfolds against the backdrop of an opulent tropical wedding and is every bit as hilarious and glamorous as his previous works.

At the center of this outrageous tale is Rufus Leung Gresham, a young man grappling with the weight of the legendary Gresham Trust's debts. To salvage his family's dwindling fortune, he's tasked with an unenviable mission: attend his sister's wedding at a luxurious eco-resort and ensnare a wealthy woman into matrimony. The options before him are equally alluring and baffling. Should he choose Solène de Courcy, the French hotel heiress with a royal pedigree? Or perhaps Martha Dung, the venture capital genius with a penchant for philanthropy? Then there's the girl next door, Eden Tong, who tugs at his heartstrings. When volcanic eruptions disrupt the nuptials and expose a secret tryst, the Gresham family's carefully constructed façade disintegrates.

Kevin Kwan's narrative whisks readers away on a globe-trotting adventure from the shores of Hawaii to the skies of Marrakech, offering a glitzy portrayal of high society and aristocracy. His storytelling is immersive and dynamic, enriched by his satirical observations on love, wealth, and societal expectations. The plot unfolds with hilarious twists and turns, and Kwan's witty prose infuses every page with humor and charm.

As secrets unravel and buried tragedies resurface, "Lies and Weddings" keeps you guessing, and its clever commentary on relationships and the extravagant lifestyles of the elite adds depth to the narrative.

Kevin Kwan's signature humor, sharp wit, and delightful storytelling come together once again in "Lies and Weddings." This novel is a feast for those who revel in tales of lavish excess, family drama, and the absurdity of high society. Prepare to be entertained, amused, and thoroughly engrossed by Kwan's latest literary creation.

Did you watch/read Crazy Rich Asians by Kevin Kwan? If you like CRA, then you won’t be disappointed by Kwan’s latest book — Lies and Weddings.

The Gresham family dukedom is on the brink of financial ruin after a lifetime of lavish spending. The final nail in the coffin is hammered when Countess Arabella’s (uninsured) hotel project is destroyed by lava during her daughter Augusta’s wedding. Rufus, the future Earl of Greshamsbury (Earl Francis and Arabella’s son), has temporarily escaped the aristocratic lifestyle to pursue art in Hawaii. Faced with the Greshams’ impending ruin, Arabella schemes to marry off Rufus to a rich woman and to thwart any chance of romance with his childhood crush Eden Tong.

Goodness… There is so much to talk about with this book.

Yes, ofc, there is the craziness of rich Asians still going on in this book and all the ridiculousness that comes along with it. And, yes, this is ultimately a fun romantic comedy (no smut).

But setting that aside, I found this book endearing because of Arabella--the character I liked the least and yet probably understood the most. Arabella is a controlling, conniving Chinese mother and is married to the (British) Earl of Greshambury. Her children are, therefore, Eurasian/hapa. In an exaggerated form, Arabella embodies the struggle Asians have in keeping up with the Joneses. She does this for the future of the dukedom and, most importantly, for her children. She casts disdain on anyone beneath her social class and who may threaten her security. However, most of her insecurity actually stems from her own self-loathing for being Chinese, which she projects onto other Chinese people. She only identifies with being Chinese when it conveniently befits and excuses her critical behavior, or when she wants to play the victim against her “British” family. Arabella is essentially stuck in the tension of being Chinese by descent but British in every other respect. (As an Asian-American, I feel this racial identify crisis!)

L&W is a fun, quick read. L&W has all the drama, gossip, and decadence of CRA. (I will say that L&W is more akin to CRA than Sex and Vanity.) And, true to form as seen in Kwan’s books, L&W has the same amount of name-dropping (from who you know, what you’re wearing, and where you went to school) and over-the-top antics of rich/titled persons as his other books. Be prepared for all of it!

So grab a glass of wine and pop yourself some popcorn as you curl up with this gossipy, better-than-reality-tv book!

Thank you for this eARC! :) It was one I was very much looking forward to! <3