Audiobook Review: Rich People Problems by Kevin Kwan

Author: Kevin Kwan

Narrator: Lydia Look

Title: Rich People Problems

(Crazy Rich Asians #3)

Genre: Contemporary Romance, Chick Lit, Humor

Format: Audiobook

Published:  May 23rd 2017 

Where I got It: Borrowed from the library

Summary: 

When Nicholas Young hears that his grandmother, Su Yi, is on her deathbed, he rushes to be by her bedside—but he's not alone. The entire Shang-Young clan has convened from all corners of the globe to stake claim to their matriarch's massive fortune. With each family member vying to inherit Tyersall Park—a trophy estate on sixty-four prime acres in the heart of Singapore—Nicholas' childhood home turns into a hotbed of backbiting and intrigue. As Su Yi's relatives fight over heirlooms, Astrid Leong is at the center of her own storm, desperately in love with her old sweetheart Charlie Wu but tormented by her ex-husband—a man hell-bent on destroying Astrid's reputation and relationship. Meanwhile, Kitty Pong, married to China's second richest man, Jack Bing, still feels upstaged by her new stepdaughter, famous fashionista Colette Bing.

In this sweeping tale that takes us from the elegantly appointed mansions of Manila to the secluded private islands in the Sulu Sea, from a kidnapping at Hong Kong's most elite private school to a surprise marriage proposal at an Indian palace that is caught on camera by the telephoto lenses of paparazzi, Kevin Kwan hilariously reveals the long-buried secrets of Asia's most privileged families and their rich people problems.

Review:

The last of the series! Been itching to read this...but also sad because I do not want to say goodbye. 

A little time has gone by and now Su Yi, Nick's grandma, is on her death bed. He rushes to her side...but he is not alone. The entire Shang-Young clan is there too. Everyone is vying to inherit Tyersall Park and the massive fortune. As the family fights for heirlooms, Astrid is at the center of her own storm. She is in love with Charlie Wu, but her ex-husband is hell-bent on destroying her reputation and relationship and Charlie's ex-wife...well...she is causing another set of problems. Meanwhile, Kitty Pong is still being upstaged by her new stepdaughter. 

This certainly got wild. Lots of drama. Lots of backstabbing. Lots of secrets coming to light finally. Lots of laughs. Lots of tears. Everything has been building to this. Death/dying of a family member can destroy or bring a family closer. And I had no idea what was going to happen here with these guys. 

I really loved getting to know Su Yi more. More of her history and why she is so revered and how the family got to where they are. 

This still had the humor and crazy situations, but we really got to see behind the money and look at our characters at a deeper level. So many characters got a chance to grow by the end and even some became slightly better people. It made me smile. I won't spoil anything, but I am so happy things ended the way they did. 

Awwww I really want them to continue with the movies because I would love to see this become a movie. Book 1 and book 2 are good, but I really feel like this was the best of the 3. This was insightful, sad, funny, and crazy. Oooo rich folk. 

The narrator was yet again perfect. Love her voices for these characters and she really brings the story come alive. I for sure recommend doing the audio for this series. 

In the end, I think this ended up being my favorite of the 3. Didn't think that was possible because I really liked book 2. Fingers crossed they continue making movies! I want to see this one come alive. I'll give this 5 stars. 

Challenge(s):
- #12 for Audiobook challenge

- #10 for Romance Reading Challenge - Not UK/US setting

Audiobook Review: China Rich Girlfriend by Kevin Kwan

 

Author: Kevin Kwan

Narrator: Lydia Look

Title: China Rich Girlfriend

(Crazy Rich Asians #2)

Genre: Chick Lit, Fiction, Comedy, Romance, Fiction

Format: Audiobook

Pages: 378 

Published: June 16th 2015

Where I got It: Borrowed from library

Summary: 

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 splendor 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. 

Review:

I could not resist when I seen this as available at my library as an audio. Yayy. Continue the craziness. 

A couple of years have passed. Rachel and Nick are about to get married. Rachel should be happy! But she still has not been able to find her biological father. Until....a meddling mother-in-law is able to find him and will draw Rachel and Nick into the Shanghai world of the super rich. Here she will meet bad boy Carlton, fashion-obsessed Colette, and Rachel's father. At the same time, Nick's cousin, Astrid, is soon to discover that there is a huge downside to having a newly minted tech billionaire husband. 

Poor Rachel. She just wants to find her father who saved her and her mom. She wants to have a dad be there on her wedding day. Yesss, she finds him. But...she is dragged back into the world of the terribly rich and snobby. Granted she gets to meet Carlton who is a bad boy, but he does have a good heart, but still.....being the bastard child of a rich guy? That is awkward and makes a lot of enemies among those rich folk. 

I liked Carlton a lot. I want him to be happy. 

I adore Astrid. I want her happy too. That hubby of hers needs to go. 

LOLLL I love Kitty too. Curious to see what she has in store for us in book 3. She is a hooligan and I love it. Never change girl!

This had just as much crazy drama and crazy rich stuff as the last. This was just as fun. There is a lot of secrets and drama. I felt like there was more here in a way and I liked it. Esp with what happens at the end!!!!! DANGGGG!!!!! Curious to see how everything plays off in the last book. And yessssss, I do want to continue on with book 3. I have to see how everything plays out esp with Nick and his family. 

And Kitty! And Astrid! And even Charlie (gotta feel bad for him). And Carlton now too!

I need to see how this all plays out. I am addicted to these rich folk. It reminds me of a soap opera for sure....less cheesy....but still cheesy in a way. There is a lot of drama and secrets going on. And yessss some comedy, but this one felt a little more serious than book 1, which I think worked really well.

The narrator is good. I for sure will want to continue this series with the narrator. She does good with all the accents and people. It is a large cast and she makes it seem easy. 

All-in-all, this series is good so far. I am addicted. I can't wait to get my hands on book 3. I must knowwww! I for sure recommend this series so far. Read book 1 first though...there is a lot of drama and back story you will need for book 2 and I'm sure for book 3. I'll give this 5 stars. I liked this more than book 1. 

Challenge(s):
- #13 for Audiobook challenge

Audiobook Review: Crazy Rich Asians by Kevin Kwan

Author: Kevin Kwan

Narrator: Lynn Chen

Title: Crazy Rich Asians

(Crazy Rich Asians #1)

Genre: Contemporary Romance, Chick Lit, Humor

Format: Audiobook

Pages: 544 

Published:   June 11th 2013

Where I got It: Audible

Summary: 

Crazy Rich Asians is the outrageously funny debut novel about three super-rich, pedigreed Chinese families and the gossip, backbiting, and scheming that occurs when the heir to one of the most massive fortunes in Asia brings home his ABC (American-born Chinese) girlfriend to the wedding of the season.

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.

Review:

Been meaning to read this book for a while. I want to watch the movie so bad, but I really wanted to start with the book first. Finally got myself to crack this open when I got the audio version!

We follow Rachel Chu and Nick Young mainly. Rachel agrees to spend the summer in Singapore with her boyfriend. She is excited to finally meet his family and see where he grew up. What she didn't expect is that Nick is one of Asia's most eligible bachelors and his family is rich beyond comprehension and not everyone is thrilled that Nick is bringing her home...especially his formidable mother. 

I knew this was going to be a hot mess for Rachel from the moment I realized Nick did NOT at all prepare her for his world. What the heck man? I would be pissed if I was Rachel. Sure - I get talking about one's family wealth is tacky and frowned upon....but tell her SOMETHING. She was for sure tossed into the snake's pit unprepared. 

Besides for Nick being an idiot, I really liked him. I felt so bad for him. So many vipers in that world! I can see why he wanted to live in New York and enjoy a simple life. I don't blame him. As much as I would love buying everything my heart desires and having a private jet....I like my simple life. 

Poor, poor Astrid. I want her to be happy. Screw you Michael! 

Gah. Everyone sucked except for Nick, Astrid, Rachel, Nick's BFF, and the BFF's wife-to-be. Stuck-up jerks. BUT it was so entertaining watching all the unneeded drama and cat-fights. Rich people are so dumb! Hahaha. 

OOOOOO that last minute twist had me so upset. I wanted to shake Rachel and shake Rachel's mom. I hope we get more resolution in the next book. This CANNOT BE SWEPT UNDER THE RUG. GAH!

I loved the author's writing style. It felt so breezy but it was loaded with a lot of information. The author did a great job making it clear who was who. 

The narrator helped too. I was a wee bit nervous because normally with big casts I try to avoid audio because it makes it hard to remember all the details of each person who pops up. The narrator did fantastic! Everyone had different voices. Sure some seemed similar but they all felt different. Kuddos to the author and the narrator! 

All-in-all, I really did enjoy this. It was a lot of unneeded drama because rich people are bored. I hated nearly everyone, but the ones I liked I loved. I am curious about book 2 mainly because that last minute twist had my head spinning. GIMME MORE PLEASE! I'll give this 4 stars. 

 

Challenge(s):
- #4for Audiobook challenge

- # 3 for Bingo

Not US/UK setting