In this much-anticipated sequel to Crazy Rich Asians, three of Asia's wealthiest families are back to show us a world of exclusive clubs, backbiting family drama, and shopping sprees that'll make your head spin. Though the story has several complex subplots and huge cast of characters, it mainly focuses on Nick Young: a Singapore aristocrat who chooses to marry Rachel, an American with no money or pedigreed blood lines (i.e. a nobody, according to Nick's mum and grandma). Set in Singapore, Hong Kong, London, Paris, and LA, this exciting and often humorous book will give you an inside look at how Asia's jet-set billionaires think and spend their time. There are a LOT of characters, and it can be difficult to remember who is who. Fortunately, I had read the first book (which had a helpful family genealogy chart in front) and could remember some of the characters, and how they were related. The first three-quarters of the book were fantastic, but the last part seemed to wrap up too quickly, and the dialogue often felt forced (especially between Rachel and Carlton). If you enjoyed the first book, it's worth reading this one to find out what happens to everyone. (CK)
China Rich Girlfriend is the sequel to Kevin Kwan's Crazy Rich Asians. The summary says: " On the eve of her wedding to Nicholas Young, heir to one of the greatest fortunes in Asia, Rachel should be over the moon. She has a flawless Asscher-cut diamond from JAR, a wedding dress she loves more than anything found in the salons of Paris, and a fiance willing to sacrifice his entire inheritance in order to marry her. But Rachel still mourns the fact that her birthfather, a man she never knew, won't be able to walk her down the aisle. Until: a shocking revelation draws Rachel into a world of Shanghai splendour beyond anything she has ever imagined. Here we meet Carlton, a Ferrari-crashing bad boy known for Prince Harry-like antics; Colette, a celebrity girlfriend chased by fevered paparazzi; and the man Rachel has spent her entire life waiting to meet: her father. Meanwhile, Singapore's It Girl, Astrid Leong, is shocked to discover that there is a downside to having a newly minted tech billionaire husband. A romp through Asia's most exclusive clubs, auction houses, and estates, China Rich Girlfriend brings us into the elite circles of Mainland China, introducing a captivating cast of characters, and offering an inside glimpse at what it's like to be gloriously, crazily, China-rich." China Rich Girlfriend is out in June 2015.
Rachel Chu and Nick Young have been dating for two years when Nick asks Rachel to go to Singapore with him for his best friend's wedding. Though they've been solid for quite some time, Rachel hasn't met any of Nick's family outside of his cousin, Astrid, so going home with him is a big step in their relationship. What she doesn't realise, however, is that Nick's best friend is having the wedding of the year, celebrated by every gossip rag and talked about by every society matron in Singapore. She also doesn't realise that Nick's family is super rich, like crazy, insanely, monstrously rich, until she gets to the tropical country and sees the extravagance for herself. From the private jets ready at a moment's notice to the priceless art lining Nick's Ah Ma's (grandmother's) estate, Rachel is thrust into a world of luxury that she never even knew actually existed. But when she's accused of being a gold-digger who is dating Nick only for his extensive fortune, can she handle the heat or should she just go back to New York alone? This is a fun novel that looks at the insane way these super-rich Asian families live. Though it was consistently OTT, there's no doubt that people out there actually do live this way, as hard as it is to believe. There were a lot of characters - at times too many to remember - but that's what the family tree at the front of the book was for. Besides one scene in Macau involving dogs, which left me a little nauseous, this story is really entertaining and gives a glimpse into a society that is so wealthy one couldn't even imagine. It's a must-read for anyone who craves that extra layer of indulgence and excitement. (AS)
Crazy Rich Asians, the debut novel by Kevin Kwan, is about what happens when the heir to a mega-wealthy family brings home his ABC (American-born Chinese) girlfriend. The summary says: "When Rachel Chu agrees to spend the summer in Singapore with her boyfriend, Nicholas Young, she envisions a humble family home, long drives to explore the island, and quality time with the man she might one day marry. What she doesn't know is that Nick's family home happens to look like a palace, that she'll ride in more private planes than cars, and that with one of Asia's most eligible bachelors on her arm, Rachel might as well have a target on her back. Initiated into a world of dynastic splendor beyond imagination, Rachel meets Astrid, the It Girl of Singapore society; Eddie, whose family practically lives in the pages of the Hong Kong socialite magazines; and Eleanor, Nick's formidable mother, a woman who has very strong feelings about who her son should - and should not - marry."