Another over-the-top indulgence read by Kevin Kwan! Not my favorite of his, but nonetheless enjoyable as a luxurious and hedonistic (yet warm and endearing?) plot and cast of characters that we've come to know and love from him.

First line: “If I had a flower for every time I thought of you, I could walk in my garden forever.”

Summary: Rufus Gresham is one of the most eligible bachelors and the heir to an earldom. However, the Gresham family has a secret they are hoping is remedied by his marriage to a wealthy young woman. But Rufus does not want to marry for money. He has long harbored feelings for the girl next door, a young doctor, Eden Tong. Then at the wedding of Rufus’s sister he accidentally reveals some rather scandalous information leading to whispers surrounding the young doctor. As the rumors and innuendos gain momentum Eden is ostracized by the matriarch of the family she has known her whole life. Can Rufus defy his mother’s plans and marry the woman he loves?

My Thoughts: I wasn’t sure about reading this book since the first one did not hit as highly as the Crazy Rich Asians trilogy but I am glad I gave it a try. It seems Kwan got back into the flow with this one. It felt much more complete. The story was filled with shocking moments, interesting characters and huge misunderstandings.

As with his other books, Kwan writes of the lavish lifestyles of the rich and this one is no different. There are several jaw dropping weddings and events throughout the story. It is a world that many cannot even imagine but he describes it in a way that makes it more accessible. The characters may feel a little cliché but they are interesting and memorable. Lady Arabella is the scheming mother looking for good matches for her children. Then there is Luis, a child of wealth who is determined to live lavishly without any cares for others. But on the opposite end is Eden, a doctor who spent her life on the periphery of wealth but not being tempted to enter its world. I found myself easily caught up in the plot. If you cannot take a real vacation then maybe a dive into this story will help you to escape the hot Kansas summer.

There is much to enjoy in this book! If you read and loved the Crazy Rich Asians trilogy then I would highly recommend Kwan’s newest book.

I really enjoy Kevin Kwan's work, and this book was no different!

I'm over simplifying this assessment, but this book is like Gossip Girl meets Bravoleberties meets Anna Delvey -- all rooted in Asian culture. It's wildly over the top and touches on a level of consumerism that I can't even fathom. It's high drama and fun to read! Definitely would reccomend.

Could not put this down, hilarious and amazing, tender. Rufus, a peer in England is also half Chinese, the son of a Hong Kong supermodel who fell in love with the Earl of Greshambury. His entire life, Rufus and his sister’s grew up, literally, grew up with the girl next door, Eden Tong. And for most of that time, he has been in love with her. But with the family in financial shambles and his mother working her matchmaking machinations, do Eden and Rufus stand a chance? Set amidst high flyers in Hawaii, England, LA, Morocco and Paris, this was a wildly fun romp.

There is so much to write about this novel. It will frustrate or thrill readers because of its emphasis on consumerism, haute couture, and domineering women, but inside all of those themes is a sweet, predictable love story of two childhood friends. Lady Arabella married into English society, raised three children, and built a career as a real estate developer for the wealthy. Along the way she has spent the funds inherited by her husband, the Earl of Greshambury. Now that the family is millions of dollars in debt, Arabella decides it is time for her adult children to marry for money to save face. At 640 pages, Lies and Weddings is a big beach read recommended for people interested in fashion, glamour and Eurasian culture. Each chapter contains hilarious footnotes that translate Cantonese threats and curses for English readers and offer amusing commentary on British society.

I love the wildly over the top characters from Kevin Kwan and this book didn't disappoint. All the different backstories, lush settings, surprise relationships and happy endings were delicious.

Lies and Weddings
By Kevin Kwan

🌋 🌋 🌋 🌋 🌋 / 5

Kevin Kwan did it again! I have read every one of his books and find them as laugh out loud funny as they are lavish! Lies and Weddings is no exception! The book was creative and full of drama!

Thank you to NetGalley and Doubleday Books for the digital advanced readers copy!! Opinions expressed in this review are completely my own. Add it to your TBR!!

Kevin Kwan gives us a unique glimpse into a completely different world that most of us will never truly see. I enjoyed the variety of characters and their respective views on the world and their places in it.

It was a little difficulty for me to get into initially due to all the footnotes, but after I got used to the writing style, the little notes were amusing and added to the experience.

When I think of a decadent, luxurious read, I think of Kevin Kwan. I have read and reread the Crazy Rich Asians series more times than I can count, so I was delighted to get an early copy of Lies and Weddings. And, it did not disappoint. It's lavish. It's wicked. It's pure fun. This is a summer blockbuster for sure.

Many thanks to the author, publisher, and NetGalley for sharing this book with me. All thoughts are my own.

A fun story of the rich and their extravagant lifestyle albeit in the case of the Greshamsbury it was all really for show. The Countess of Greshamsbury was very dramatic about everything but it made for some hilarious scenes. The plot was interesting and the characters kept the story moving along but some parts did drag on a little. Overall, the story was entertaining and the writing was very vivid.

Thanks Doubleday Books via NetGalley for the ARC.

I enjoyed this book and all the lavish lives included. Such a kick! This book did drag in the middle for awhile though and could have been shorter and still have the same impact

For now, this is a DNF for me. I was listening to the audio and I think it was too complex for audio without reading along. I would like to revisit this one in the future but right now its not for me.

This book is soooo fun! If you’re a fan of Crazy Rich Asians then I can guarantee you will love this as well. The humor in this book is 10/10 (I couldn’t stop giggling). The characters are absolutely outrageous in the best and worst ways lol. I found myself so excited to pick up my kindle and dive back into this world every chance I got. The romance was super cute as well. Loveddddd it!

Huge thanks to NetGalley and the publisher for providing this copy in exchange for an honest review.

It might not be great literature, but I started this on a plane and nearly missed the meal service because I was so engrossed! Compulsively readable, impossible to put down - loved every page.

Kevin Kwan is the master of escapist literature. Reading Lies and Weddings is like sitting at a cafe while sipping the finest glass of champagne and people watching. A delightful and thoughtful romp through the world of the rich and famous.

This novel is meant to entertain you, and all you have to do is keep up with the vast cast of characters.

Genre: contemporary relationship fiction

Kevin Kwan books are like candy to me, and my only real disappointment with this book was that I didn't just have the time to binge it in a day. Rich people problems, especially on the scale that these people experience, are so much fun to watch.

Countess Arabella Gresham makes for such a complicated villain of a mother, even when she thinks she's looking out for her children at the expense of all that is decent, trying to matchmake her half Chinese-half British children even further up the nobility ranks. With daughter Augie's multi-million dollar wedding, she sees the perfect opportunity to set her son Rufus (Viscount St Ives) up with gorgeous heiresses...but all Rufus has ever wanted is to spend his life with girl next door Eden Tong.

Having read all of Kwan's other books, I knew what to expect going into this one and really enjoyed the ride.

Kwan is back with another deliciously dramatic, ridiculously wealthy drama for the masses. Similar in structure to his 2013 debut Crazy Rich Asians, Lies and Weddings looks at the trials and tribulations of the wealthy elite. In this case, Rufus is a future Earl who's mother is desperate for him to marry someone white and titled, while Eden is the beautiful doctor next door who his mother despises. Attending weddings and dealing with financial fallouts, this novel will be the perfect summer fantasy fodder. Readers looking for a simple drama might be surprised by the environmental subplot as well as the criticism of the titled European elite, but those who have enjoyed Kwan's other works will enjoy the pointed commentary as well as the enjoyable context provided via footnotes.

Always funny! I was getting Crazy, Rich Asian vibes, especially with the names but I enjoyed the read. It is definitely a window into an unfamiliar world when you are talking millions and billions instead of thousands. Kevin Kwan’s books are always entertaining and I look forward to more!

I enjoyed the twists and turns of this novel. As a lower middle class millennial, reading about all this wealth was often times annoying. The constant mention of designers and the "better-than-thou" way of thinking became a little cringy. However, this is a trend in every Kevin Kwan novel I have read and it is a look into a world I would not know otherwise. There are redeemable characters in the novel as well that balances the obnoxious characters which I appreciated. I also enjoyed the informative and comical footnotes placed throughout the book. They added to the ludicrous novelty of the shenanigans ensuing. The story was fast paced, well written, and completely entertaining. Fans of Crazy Rich Asians will definitely enjoy the newest novel by Kevin Kwan.