This book was provided by the publisher for review purposes. All opinions are my own
Lies and Weddings : A Novel by Kevin KwanSeries: Cities Trilogy #2
Publication Date: May 21, 2024
Publisher: Doubleday / Penguin Random House
Pages: 448
Goodreads: Add It
Source: From the Publisher
Genre: Fiction / Asian American & Pacific Islander
Rating: ★★★★
Synopsis:
From the iconic internationally bestselling author of the Crazy Rich Asians trilogy: A forbidden affair erupts volcanically amid a decadent Hawaiian wedding in this outrageous comedy of manners.
Rufus Leung Gresham, future Earl of Greshambury and son of a former Hong Kong supermodel has a problem: the legendary Gresham Trust has been depleted by decades of profligate spending, and behind all the magazine covers and Instagram stories of manors and yachts lies nothing more than a gargantuan mountain of debt. The only solution, put forth by Rufus’s scheming mother, is for Rufus to attend his sister’s wedding on the Big Island of Hawaii, a veritable who’s-who of sultans, barons, and oligarchs, and seduce a woman with money.
Should he marry Solène de Courcy, a French hotel heiress with honey blond tresses and a royal bloodline? Should he pursue Martha Dung, the tattooed venture capital genius who passes out billions like lollipops? Or should he follow his heart, betray his family, squander his legacy, and finally confess his love to the literal girl next door, the humble daughter of a doctor, Eden Tong? When a volcanic eruption burns through the nuptials and a hot mic exposes a secret tryst, the Gresham family plans—and their reputation—go up in flames. Can the once-great dukedom rise from the ashes? Or will a secret tragedy, hidden for two decades, reveal a shocking twist?
In a globetrotting tale that takes us from the black sand beaches of Hawaii to the skies of Marrakech, from the glitzy bachelor pads of Los Angeles to the inner sanctums of England’s oldest family estates, Kevin Kwan unfurls a juicy, hilarious, sophisticated and thrillingly plotted story of love, money, murder, sex, and the lies we tell about them all.
REVIEW
As soon as I saw Lies and Weddings: A Novel by Kevin Kwan on social media, I added it to my to-read list. It’s the second book in his Cities Trilogy, but don’t worry if you haven’t read the first one, Sex and Vanity: A Novel. The books aren’t linked by plot or characters but by their varied city settings. Each book presents different cities and characters, depicting lives filled with immense wealth, privilege, drama, and secrets.
Although I enjoyed the first book, I loved Lies and Weddings: A Novel even more. It reminded me of the thrill and drama of “Crazy Rich Asians”. The romance between Rufus and Eden felt more believable than that of Lucy and George from the first book. Despite the absence of a comic relief character, I enjoyed the diverse characters and their portrayals. Each character added something to the story and advanced the plot, and while I didn’t connect with all of them, I came to understand their complexities.
The story and plot, while extravagant, are believable. They encompass landed gentry, extreme wealth, extravagance, immense pressure, and more. Race and class are prevalent in the book, subtly woven into the story. It doesn’t excuse some characters’ poor decisions, but it does help explain their actions.
Lies and Weddings: A Novel by Kevin Kwan is a highly entertaining read. I finished it in one sitting, eager to see how it ended. I also tried the audiobook version, which was good, but some character voices were stilted and choppy. Despite that, it didn’t detract from the overall story. The book is available in stores now and can be purchased on Amazon or Indigo.
