A look into the lifestyle of the Mega rich and elite, obsessed with status and pedigree. The setting is on the Island of Capri and Fifth Avenue, New York. Our heroine is Lucie Churchill, born to a Chinese Mother, and a blue-blooded American father. She travels to Capri for a wedding where she meets George Zao, and spends the next several years denying that she has any attraction to him. The story takes us from Capri and fast forwards us all those years later to New York, where she is becoming engaged to a Billionaire,
jet setter, Caucasian. The characters in this book are wonderful; well developed, quirky, and interesting. Lots of name dropping, and educational backgrounds for all. Snobbery at it’s finest! During this time, George Zao returns to New York, and back into Lucie’s life. She does everything in her power, and then some, to keep him out of her world, and deny her attraction. In the end, she can deny her heart no longer.

Kevin Kwan and his deliciously dishy footnotes are back! Fans of his “Crazy Rich Asians” trilogy will fall right back into step with him as his new, modern Edwardian story about young lovers, menacing cousins, and family expectations unfolds in “Sex and Vanity.”

Packed with references to the uber chic, severely posh, out of this worldly luxe, we meet Lucie Churchill who is in a tug-of-war between her attraction to the silent but deep George Zao, and the life she feels her family expects her to live. We travel with Lucie from an outlandish wedding week in Capri, where she and George meet, to five years later when she is newly engaged to someone the complete antithesis of George. What happened on the island of Capri that led Lucie to where she ended up? What direction is she taking her life now that she is in New York and seemingly on top of the world? It’s up to you, dear reader, to find out because SO much goes on that I do not want to give too much away -- it’s just too fun.

If you are looking for a great “beach read,” then I wholeheartedly recommend “Sex and Vanity.” Clearly an homage to E.M. Forster’s “A Room with a View,” its sometimes over the top references to a lifestyle I’ve only ever read about, kept me in suspense on how Kwan could keep outdoing himself. This fast, easy read also has some fun Easter eggs for fans of Kwan’s “Crazy Rich Asian,” so keep a lookout!

Delicious read for fans and newcomers alike! I was excited to receive this prepub and enjoyed every minute. This will be welcome in libraries and a great summer read for bookclubs, fan clubs, and anyone searching for well-written fiction.

NetGalley ARC | If you are looking for a multicultural June 2020 new book release that will take you to Capri and NYC, Sex and Vanity is perfect.

Although not quite as deep as Crazy Rich Asians, I loved Sex and Vanity just as much. Kwan immerses readers in pop culture references and delves into heavier topics in an engaging and even humorous way. The lavish pictures Kwan paints paired with themes of racism, ethnicity, and culture, make for a strong standalone. Lucie may be no Rachel, but her story is more about self-awareness and love. Such a fun read!

You can read my complete thoughts on The Uncorked Librarian: https://theuncorkedlibrarian.com/currently-reading-june-2020/

Thank you to the author and publisher for providing me with a free advanced copy in exchange for a fair and honest review.

Lucie Churchill, daughter of an American-born-Chinese mother and blue-blooded New York father, Lucie has always sublimated the Asian side of herself in favor of the white side. She meets George Zao in Capri one weekend and she adamantly denies having feelings for him. Several years later, when George unexpectedly appears in East Hampton where Lucie is weekending with her new fiancé, Lucie finds herself drawn to George again. 

I'm a huge fan of the Crazy Rich Asians series and Sex and Vanity is one of my most anticipated reads of the summer! I've picked up and put down many books lately and was hooked by the first chapter! Nothing has held my interest like this one!I binged this in two sittings and laughed out loud several times. Similar vibes as the CRA series with the lavish opulence, extreme privilege, high society and high fashion, but with different characters (and a couple brief appearances from some CRA players as well). CRA series still marks higher for me than this one but this was such a fun one for me.

Thank you @netgalley, @doubledayca, and @kevinkwanbooks for my advanced copy! This book publishes July 14.

#sexandvanity #kevinkwan #doubledaybooks

As soon as I saw Kevin Kwan had another story about fabulously wealthy characters but with a biracial protagonist, I immediately knew I would be reading it. Kwan's narrator in this book is just as gossipy and catty, with footnotes fact-checking his characters. Every character is introduced by listing the schools they've attended.

I never read A Room with a View so I can't say what this book would've been like if I knew the plot. After I read the Wikipedia article for the 1908 novel, I understood this was basically the plot of that book with updated devices and the addition of racial conflict. Rome is now Capri, London is New York, and Lucy/Lucie and George's kiss in Italy is much more intimate.

When I first saw that Kevin Kwan was writing another novel I was so excited! "Crazy Rich Asians" was such a blast and presented rich, upper-class society in a funny, satirical way while preserving a truly lovely relationship. In "Sex and Vanity" all of that quirky, not so tongue-in-cheek humor is present once again and the romance, when present, was smoking!

With Kwan's success, I had high expectations and unfortunately they ultimately fell short. Although "Sex and Vanity' was an entertaining read, the main love story between Lucie and George didn't have a lot of substance. Their entire relationship was based on a few chance meetings and was akin to many young adult novel romances. Girl meets boy, girl inexplicably hates boy for no apparent reason, girl suddenly realizes she's desperately in love with boy after a few days, and they live happily every after. Boring...

However, the most redeemable feature of this title was the exploration of microaggressions that come not only from chance met strangers, but family and loved ones as well. Kwan handles this subplot with precision. Ultimately I did enjoy reading "Sex and Vanity," but that was mostly due to the love that I have for "Crazy Rich Asians."

The problem with this book is fairly simple: there's no there there. No attempt to lean in to the sheer craziness of rich people (as in Kwan's other books), and no real development of the romance this book is ostensibly about. To be sure, there are attempts at both: lush real estate and shopping sprees are described, and we are TOLD that Lucie and George are interested in each other, but there is no definitive leap from this skimming of the surface, nothing to make this story soar.

Truth be told I wasn't expecting much out of the romance: I didn't care much for Nick and Rachel or any of the other couples in Crazy Rich Asians. For me, that element was always the weakest part of the story, and was more or less just a contrivance for craziness to spin around. What I definitely was expecting though was that dishy, gossipy feel Kwan's other books had in abundance: where you felt like you were being privy to all the behind the scenes insanity of these people. And yeah, that feeling was all but non-existent here. Instead, it's just a parade of fairly bland characters orbiting what has to be one of the most thinly written protagonists I've read in a while.

I have to say that I do appreciate what Kwan was trying to do with Lucie. I very much liked every time he addressed what it was like for her to have grown up (and to exist in the world) as a mixed race woman. But beyond that...I mean, how do you root for a character who does the things she does toward the end of this book? How do you care about a character who acts so inconsistently? For me, it was impossible; she was too frustrating. And that, on top of every other failing in this book, made it such a drag to read.

I really wish this had contained just a quarter of the verve and fun of Kwan's other books. But as it is...yeah, this one was not for me.

Perfect escapism for those of us dreaming of attending a wedding on Capri and the Amalfi Coast this summer, rather than sitting at home. Kevin Kwan's signature wit and access to the inner world of the uber-rich and uber-connected (and their hangers-on), with a meaningful subplot tackling racism and microaggressions within families.

Kwan's latest, an adaptation of Forster's A Room with a View, offers the fun, irreverent, look at wealthy lifestyles that one would expect, complete with fashion, art and architecture, and name dropping galore. Fitting the story into the frame of an adaptation felt a bit forced, and the main character Lucie doesn’t connect in the same way that Rachel Chu did in Crazy Rich Asians. Still, readers will clamor for this frothy summer read that offers escapism with a touch of romance.

I was thrilled to find a new Kevin Kwan book coming out! This book is absolutely delicious and I loved the descriptions of Capri. Especially enjoyed the shout out to my hometown Hobe Sound, FL (Kevin if you are talking about the rich part of Hobe Sound you actually mean Jupiter Island)! It was fascinating to watch Lucie struggle with her heritage and her family's unacknowledged racism.

This book wasn't nearly as engaging as the author's previous works. The name dropping feels too heavy here. Instead of feeling like one got a peek into an exclusive world, it just felt like a list of trendy things, places and people with little character development. My library system would purchase it, but there is not enough to discuss to make it a book club pick.

Kevin Kwan, in his unique and inimitable style, transports his readers right at the beginning of the book to the island of Capri where Issie Chiu is marrying Count Dolfi amidst unimaginable splendor. Invited to this wedding is 19 year old Lucie Churchill, a "hapa", half Chinese and half American young woman, along with her older cousin Charlotte. Although Lucie comes from reputable family whose father's side can trace their ancestors back to the Mayflower and they are old money, Lucie has never seen the show of wealth that she witnesses in the island. She meets the bride's dashing cousin George Zao and gets attracted to his chiseled looks and quiet charm. However, an incident happens which turns ugly and Lucie has to leave the island in shame. Fast forward 5 year, Lucie is engaged to be married to nouveau rich Cecil Pike when George Zao resurfaces in her life. And she discovers the attraction that she felt for Zao 5 years ago is still very real.
Although, I thought the plot of the book was predictable and the characters did not have as much depth as I would have liked, I am sure fans of Kevin Kwan will love to read this book. He truly takes his readers on a journey to modern fairy tale world full of designer clothes and jewelry, billion dollar mansions, luxury yachts and delectable food. A light summer read, for sure.

I did not find this as enjoyable as his other books. It is a fun, easy read but I found it hard to like the characters and found it hard to follow the story.
I voluntarily read and reviewed an advanced copy of this book. All thoughts and opinions are my own.

I'm disappointed! As someone who had seen the Crazy Rich Asians movie but hadn't read Kwan's books, I wasn't sure what to expect from the writing. Everything felt underdeveloped, from the plot to the characters to the satire (I think??) of the rich and famous. I can understand the escapist appeal, and there were moments where I felt like a guest at the extravagant wedding that serves as the main focus of the first third of the book, but "the decadence of it all was almost too much to bear," to quote the novel. It's enjoyable if you don't think about it too hard ('it' being capitalism and wealth inequality), but my advice would be to skip the book and wait for the movie—because there will almost certainly be a movie following the success of Crazy Rich Asians, no?—which will undoubtedly be gorgeous and fun.

Kwan did not disappoint with Sex and Vanity! Lucie Churchill, an Asian American born to a NYC WASP dad and Asian American mother goes to Capri for the outrageously extravagant wedding of her friend Isabel and meets Hong Kong born George Zao when sparks fly, cultures clash and crazy rich antics ensue. A joyful modern love story with mouth watering travel and food born liberally sprinkled throughout Kwan manages to write an homage to A Room with a View, that is both comedic and enthralling! I can't wait to read more from this author!

The main themes here were new money vs old money and privilege vs hard work. This is the story of Lucie, a 19 year old woman, going to her friend's luxurious wedding in Capri. She meets a lot of colorful characters and has some adventures while continually running into a man named George and his mom. I loved Crazy Rich Asians so I was excited to read this book. It was a cute story, but I never lost myself in it. The characters weren’t ever fully developed and the story was a bit choppy. If you like a beach read, this may be your thing.

Thanks to NetGalley and Doubleday books for the advanced reader copy in exchange for an honest review.

Thank goodness for another Kevin Kwan title this year! This book was hilarious & I had a hard time putting it down. The story was engaging & all the characters were either likable w/ tons of flaws or flawed & you love to hate them. The situations of the very rich are not some I'd ever find myself in but I do SO enjoy reading about their misadventures. And crazy families. And weird trips. PLEASE keep writing more hilarious novels, Mr. Kwan. They are so appreciated. :)

This fast-moving, rom-com from Kevin Kwan has a familiar setting & premise -- the super rich in an exotic locale, a girl-meets-boy, girl-loses-boy -- but there is a bit more depth here as Kwan explores different forms of prejudice (race and class are just the start) and the affects they can have on people.

Thanks to NetGalley for this ARC. Lucie and her chaperone Charlotte attend a wedding in Capri. There Lucie meets George. She can’t stand him and not only that, him and his mother don’t fit the “money” crowd. Fast forward, Lucie is engaged, George enters her life again. Kevin Kwan, author of the Crazy Rich Asians trilogy, writes another great book! #sexandvanity #kevinkwan