A Delicious Cocktail of Scandal, Humor and Heart
Oh darling, have I got a juicy story for you. Picture this: A lavish Hawaiian wedding erupting in chaos as family secrets and forbidden romances explode like a volcanic tour de force. Sprinkle in some meddling aristocrats, a dash of billion-dollar drama, and garnish with Kevin Kwan’s signature wit. What you get is “Lies and Weddings,” a fizzy, fabulous concoction that goes down smoother than a top-shelf mai tai.
Kwan, the mastermind behind the “Crazy Rich Asians” trilogy, is back with another wickedly funny tale of love and luxury among the obscenely wealthy. But this time, he sets his sights on a crumbling British estate and the delightfully dysfunctional family desperately trying to save it. Think “Downton Abbey” meets “Succession,” with a hefty dose of tropical flair.
A Titillating Tangle of Love and Legacy
At the heart of this decadent drama is Rufus Leung Gresham, the dashing heir to the earldom of Greshamsbury. With abs that could grate cheese and a jawline sharp enough to cut glass, Rufus seems to have it all. Except, well, actual money. You see, the family fortune has been hemorrhaging faster than you can say “avocado toast,” leaving the Greshams with little more than their titles and a mountain of debt.
Enter Arabella, Rufus’s fierce tiger mom/former supermodel, with a plan straight out of a Jane Austen novel: marry off her son to the wealthiest bride she can find. Will it be Solène de Courcy, a French hotel heiress with a pedigree as long as her blonde tresses? Or perhaps Martha Dung, a tattooed venture capital wunderkind who tosses around billions like confetti?
But wait! There’s a wrench in Arabella’s well-oiled matchmaking machine. Her name is Eden Tong, the girl-next-door doctor’s daughter who’s been Rufus’s best friend since childhood. She’s smart, she’s kind, and she’s decidedly NOT on Arabella’s approved list of potential brides. Can true love triumph over cold hard cash? (Spoiler alert: it’s complicated.)
A Wedding to End All Weddings (Literally)
The action kicks into high gear when the Gresham clan descends upon Hawaii for the wedding of Rufus’s sister, Augusta. It’s meant to be the social event of the season, a chance for Arabella to show off her event planning prowess and maybe—just maybe—secure a wealthy match for Rufus.
But darling, this is a Kevin Kwan novel. Nothing goes according to plan.
What follows is a riotous cascade of mishaps, misunderstandings, and pure mayhem. We’re talking hot mic confessions, unexpected hookups, and yes, an actual volcanic eruption that sends the carefully crafted nuptials up in smoke (quite literally). It’s a feast for the senses, with Kwan’s lush descriptions bringing every outrageous moment to vivid life. You can practically smell the plumeria and taste the caviar as you turn the pages.
More Than Just a Pretty Face
Now, it would be easy to dismiss “Lies and Weddings” as mere fluff. But beneath the glittering surface, Kwan weaves in some surprisingly poignant themes. There’s a thoughtful exploration of cultural identity, as Rufus grapples with his mixed-race heritage and the expectations placed upon him. The novel also takes a sharp look at class divides and the often-suffocating weight of family legacy.
Don’t worry, though – Kwan never lets things get too heavy. His trademark humor keeps the pages turning, whether he’s skewering the pretensions of the upper crust or crafting truly laugh-out-loud dialogue. The scene where Luis Felipe Tan (a spoiled billionaire’s son) crashes a stuffy family dinner had me cackling so hard I nearly spilled my champagne.
A Globe-Trotting Adventure
While much of the action unfolds in Hawaii, Kwan takes us on a whirlwind tour of luxury hotspots. We jet from the red city of Marrakech to the sun-drenched streets of Los Angeles, before landing back at the ancestral Gresham estate in the English countryside. Each location is rendered in sumptuous detail, making “Lies and Weddings” the perfect escapist read for those of us still daydreaming about post-pandemic travels.
The Good, The Bad, and The Fabulously Dressed
What Sparkles:
- Kwan’s prose is as effervescent as ever. His descriptions of food, fashion, and locations are so vivid you’ll swear you can taste, touch, and smell every luxurious detail.
- The characters, while often larger-than-life, have surprising depth. Even seemingly villainous figures like Arabella reveal hidden layers as the story progresses.
- The pacing is relentless. Just when you think you know where the plot is headed, Kwan throws in another delicious twist.
- There’s a perfect balance of humor and heart. For all its outrageous moments, the core emotional beats feel refreshingly genuine.
A Few Wrinkles in the Silk:
- At times, the sheer number of characters and subplots can feel a bit overwhelming. You might need a flowchart to keep track of all the tangled relationships.
- Some readers might find the focus on extreme wealth a tad off-putting, especially given the current state of the world. (Though one could argue that’s part of the point.)
- If you’re looking for gritty realism, this isn’t it. But honestly, who reads Kevin Kwan for a documentary-style portrayal of life?
The Verdict: A Dazzling Summer Escape
“Lies and Weddings” is the literary equivalent of a five-star resort vacation. It’s indulgent, it’s escapist, and it leaves you feeling utterly refreshed. Kwan has crafted a perfect beach read that’s smart enough to make you feel like you haven’t completely abandoned your brain cells to the sun.
Fans of Kwan’s previous work will find plenty to love here, but “Lies and Weddings” also works beautifully as a standalone novel. It’s a bit like “Bridgerton” crossed with “The White Lotus,” with a dash of “Crazy Rich Asians” energy for good measure.
So grab your biggest sunhat, mix yourself something fruity, and prepare to be transported. “Lies and Weddings” is a vacation in book form—and darling, you deserve it.
For Readers Who Loved…
- The “Crazy Rich Asians” trilogy by Kevin Kwan
- “The Party Crasher” by Sophie Kinsella
- “The Knockoff” by Lucy Sykes and Jo Piazza
- “China Rich Girlfriend” by Kevin Kwan
- “The Nest” by Cynthia D’Aprix Sweeney
About the Author
Kevin Kwan is the author of the internationally bestselling novels “Crazy Rich Asians,” “China Rich Girlfriend,” and “Rich People Problems.” The “Crazy Rich Asians” trilogy has been translated into more than 40 languages and adapted into a major motion picture. Kwan was named by Time Magazine as one of the 100 Most Influential People in the World. He lives in Los Angeles.
