Classic Kevin Kwan! I can't get enough of the designer namedropping & fabulous locations. And I loved every character. Highly recommend!

*thank you to NetGalley and Doubleday for a copy of this eARC in exchange for my review*

If you are looking for a rom com full of surprises and family drama to get you out of your reading slump, this is the book for you! Honestly, I have nothing but praise for this stunner of a story. Kevin Kwan is so brilliant that he can put footnotes in a novel. Footnotes in a novel. Did you catch that? But instead of being all academic, the footnotes keep you up to speed with family gossip and celebrity news and other humorous tidbits that had me completely obsessed.

Like Crazy Rich Asians, this book features the Chinese elite and juggles a lot of themes, including responsibility, social status, family secrets, and love. This one also touches quite a bit on internalized racism, and I really loved how Kwan handled the topic so graciously. But don’t misunderstand me—this book is full to the brim with crazy adventures, and if you’re like me, you’ll certainly laugh at all the absurdity.

The characters in this book are just incredible. And I don’t want to give anything away, so I’ll just mention a few— Rufus is the perfect Prince Charming—I mean, Viscount St. Abs. 😏 He’s all golden retriever and such a romantic. Eden Tong is the literal girl next door, and there’s just something about her that feels so comfortable and normal. She has the biggest heart, and while maybe her character could have been more complex, I really liked her. And of course, Martha Dung is one of my favorite characters of all time. She is so unserious, and I need to know so much more about her. Some of the characters will enchant you, and some of them will make you hate them. But the cast of characters is diverse and will keep you spellbound for sure!

The plot has a lot of twists and turns, and while some of them are easier to predict than others, there’s no way you will be able to anticipate them all. But we end up with more than one love story and more than one dead body, so… 👀 Believe me, it’s so worth your time. I’m ready to read it again right now.

Irreverent and surprisingly funny, although perhaps not in the ways Kwan intended.

So, I know that I have achieved peak-baddy when I kinda get were Arabella is coming from—and her own critiques on Rufus' laid-back, easy-going lifestyle that actually costs millions, because he's not aware of how money operates. But also Arabella is the the worst.

Anywho, I needed more Hemsworth. I needed more Martha. Despite a rocky start with Eden, who felt like another go-with-the-flow Rachel or Lucie, she has a backbone (AND integrity!) and she uses it judiciously throughout the book. She's also a doctor, and has absolutely no desire to become the next countess of Greshambury or lady of anything.

As for the actual villain in the book—I appreciate Kwan's humanizing him through Eden, although the way he resolved the issue was a bit too pat, and too much like the Crazy Rich Asian series (of which there were several callbacks—and also to Sex and Vanity).

I think more introspection needs to be done with the heroes of Kwan's stories: the laid-back, above-it-all, heir to mass fortune (or a title, or supposed fortune) who is incredibly handsome without realizing it. Arabella obliquely hints at the privilege Rufus doesn't really see (I mean, he does see it, to an extent, but doesn't seem to realize that his little surf shack in Hawaii is a fucking mansion, or that his super casual lifestyle costs a literal ton of money to fund), but I kinda want it to be addressed a little more. Rufus is just his father in a different font.

What would happen if the Greshams lost it all, and became truly insolvent?

I kinda wanted that story.

Regardless, this story was entertaining. More obscenely rich people being dramatic and obscenely rich, and an ambitious mother scabbing over her own hurts by fucking everyone else over.

P.S., it's a complete throwaway line, but I will forever and always been #TeamKittyPong.

I received an ARC from NetGalley

This book has all the hallmarks of a classic Kevin Kwan romp; beautiful people, obscene amounts of money, drama, and just the right amount of snark. It reminded me of how much I’ve loved his other books, and while it was still a pleasure to read, it fell a bit flat in the end. There were a few holes in the plot, characters that were inexplicably friends, and a twist that was just too convenient. To be clear, I enjoyed the hell out of it, and it was perfect to read by the pool but certainly not Kevin Kwan’s best work.

What a fun soap opera like drama of an adventure! The author of Crazy Rich Asians has returned to the world of the uber wealthy to spin ridiculous stories with a wild cast of characters and more opulent adventures. Great light and fluffy escapist reading!

I love Kevin Kwan books and I loved this one just like all the others. His characters are so fun and I love all the footnotes and them. I really liked all the settings and just had so much fun reading it.

Do you enjoy reading about over the top lifestyles? I love it and I get sucked right in.
Lies and Weddings was just that. It was a wild romp about a future Duke and a doctor whose lives keep crossing paths, including at completely over the top weddings. This was so much fun. I loved all of the LA references, I loved that they are just at the same hotel in Hawaii where we spent spring break, I loved the sarcasm and very dry wit. It had romance, family drama, statements about today’s society - socioeconomic, race and sexism. I can’t wait for the movie (please say there will be movie).

I've been chasing the Crazy Rich Asians high ever since Kwan wrote it.. and I have yet to find it in one of his newer books.

What a fun read! The characters each had very vivid personalities and the pages practically turned themselves. I know that it added to the character development, but the name dropping of popular couture was a bit distracting. It was too much. But the antics of the Gresham family and their friends were hilarious. Augie's wedding was so very well written. This was my first book by this author and I've never seen Crazy Rich Asians. I suppose I"ll have to. It was nice to read something light-hearted after a few thrillers.

I have always enjoyed Kwan's novels and this was no exception! He has a way with story telling that hooks you in and then you cannot stop.

Rufus and Eden are introduced as merely really good childhood friends. Rufus is the heir of an old English title and has been given every luxury from his parents. His mother, Arabella, has spoiled Rufus and his two sisters rotten. And spent a lot of money doing it. The wedding of Rufus' older sister starts the cascade of cracks in their world and everything starts to fall from there. Eden, a doctor and close friend of all the Gresham children, learns secrets about her past and her fate is interwoven through out.

A fun read - a great novel to take to the beach or on the plane.

Lies and Weddings is the newest juicy read from Kevin Kwan. This one is the perfect book to toss into your beach bag. It's full of label-dropping and fantastically wealthy getaways most of us can only dream about. However, the reader soon learns that not all is as it appears when it comes to the ritz and glamour being portrayed in the pages of this book. Read and enjoy!

(Actual: 4.5⭐, rounded up) Honestly, as much as I loved the CRA series - as well as having read some of Kwan's other books - I do believe this is Kwan at his best and brightest. A fun and dazzling romp, filled with both enough laughs & drama/tension to satisfy, as well as some solid history lessons to boot despite being set in modern times. I think L&W/Kwan managed to successfully find the perfect balance between substance and escapism with this, and I think many will be able to find something to relate to within it!

I enjoyed this fun and well written book. There were a few too many mentions of brand names and the schools people attended, (imagine my surprise when I saw my kids’ elementary school!) I know that they were there to enhance the atmosphere, but it got a little tiresome.

The book is focused on an exclusive, no expenses spared destination wedding on a private island. Everything is not as it seems when it comes to the bride’s family, and the powerful matriarch is demanding that her son, a future Earl, marry into a wealthy family. Unfortunately, he’s in love with someone else whom his mother would deem “unsuitable”.
It was a lot of fun to read about the habits of the super rich, and watch this family try and hide their troubles from their super rich friends. I thoroughly enjoyed this book, 4 stars.

Thanks to the publisher and NetGalley, I received a complimentary copy of this book. Opinions expressed in this review are completely my own.

Kevin Kwan, the mastermind behind the Crazy Rich Asians series, returns with another outrageous and hilarious comedy of manners in Lies and Weddings. This time, Kwan takes us on a wild ride through the decadent world of high society, where a forbidden affair ignites amid a luxurious tropical wedding.

The story centers around Rufus Leung Gresham, the future Duke of Greshambury. Rufus's family fortune has been drained by years of extravagant spending, leaving behind nothing but a mountain of debt. His scheming mother, determined to restore their wealth, sends Rufus to his sister’s wedding at a luxury eco-resort to seduce a wealthy woman.

Rufus finds himself torn between three women: Solène de Courcy, a French hotel heiress; Martha Dung, a venture capital genius; and Eden Tong, the humble daughter of a doctor and his childhood best friend. As a volcanic eruption disrupts the wedding, a secret tryst is revealed, and the Gresham family’s plans go up in flames. Can Rufus follow his heart and rescue his family from financial ruin?

Lies and Weddings is a globetrotting adventure, whisking readers from the black sand beaches of Hawaii to the opulent estates of England, from Marrakech to Los Angeles. Kwan’s signature style—full of wit, extravagance, and social satire—shines through, making this a thoroughly enjoyable read.

While some parts of the plot felt a bit predictable, the colorful characters, lavish settings, and humorous twists more than made up for it. The blend of romance, drama, and Kwan's sharp commentary on the ultra-wealthy makes this book a perfect escapist read.

A huge thank you to Doubleday and NetGalley for the ARC. This delightful novel is an excellent pick for anyone looking to dive into a world of glamour, love, and outrageous drama.

Too ridiculous for my taste… thanks anyway for the ARC, but it’s immediately apparent that this is not my kind of book and I will not be continuing.

What I enjoyed the most was how the rich people in the story complained about their privileges and how they felt the were being wronged. That was the most funniest thing. Or, them complaining about the most minor things. SMH I did enjoyed how Kevin K played upon that within the book. Their classism was insane and that was just one of the “isms” in the book. lol I will say, there were some slow parts in this one and is the reason it has taken me so long to finish it. I would have to listen In spurts. However… I can say that this one would be amazing if it were moved to screen. I could visualize these hilarious screens as if it were a movie. I do hope it is moved to screen in the future because I would be all over it.

The audiobook was also well done. The narrator Jing Lusi did a wonderful job with the characters and their different voices. I was able to clear distinguish each character which is import when there are several different ones.

Lies and Weddings by Kevin Kwan was a great escape read over this long, holiday weekend. As with all of Kevin Kwan's books, the settings were beautiful and wonderfully described, which makes me want to visit each of them on a vacation. This story is of Rufus Leung Gresham, an extremely wealthy very eligible bachelor, or so it seems. In reality, Rufus's family money has been decimated and they're living on a pile of debt. His mom comes up with the perfect plan to bail out the family by having Rufus marry not for love, but rather to save the family from financial ruin. Unfortunately for Rufus, he is in love with his childhood friend that isn't from a rich family, which leaves Rufus in quite a conundrum. The story is highly entertaining with a cast of superficial and phony characters, but also some that are good and kind and you can't help but root for.

Thank you to NetGalley for providing an advance copy. Lies and Weddings is literally Crazy Rich Asians meets Downton Abbey. Kwan’s fun romp through new and old money is the perfect kickoff to summer reading and for the first time, the author ponders the morality of familial wealth.

Welcome back to the world of Crazy Rich Asians. This time it's gone global with some English gentry added to the mix. The matchmaking mamas are busy making matches and then orchestrating over the top weddings in exotic locations. Drop a young doctor into this mix and enjoy. Such Fun!

Kevin Kwan’s newest book is a wealthy, catty, indulgent romp where its characters float from wedding to wedding and disaster to disaster in their private jets- each wedding seeming more ridiculous than the next. It is dripping with rare jewels and frothing with bitchiness and entitlement. It’s a book where the only logical characters are the few who are not born or married into uber-wealth (they happen to also be doctors and lawyers). Every one else is filthy rich and completely ignorant to the reality of living a non-priveleged life on planet earth (ya know- stuff like taxes, jobs, Old Navy). Like any Kwan book there is a large cast of characters (this book’s is much more manageable than Crazy Rich Asian’s enormous family tree) and a multi-layered plot. Trust me, it’s all wonderful and you will hate half the characters in the most delicious way. I loved all the descriptive gross displays of wealth, all the luxury name drops, the delightful satire of rich ass people and their prejudices, and the glaring differences between the rich and work classes. While we should thank @kevinkwanbooks for our favorite read of the summer, we should also thank our bestie Jane Austen who clearly inspired Kwan to write this perfectly juicy, silly book.

Smut- 0 stars. Not even sure the main characters boned.
Romance- 4.5 stars.
Story- 4.9 stars. 0.1 star deducted for not even mentioning a penis once.
Me reading a book w 0 smut- neg 3.2 stars.
Getting a dopamine hit from all the fancy-assed, luxury descriptions in this book- 18.6 stars