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3.84 AVERAGE
3.84 AVERAGE
mysterious
tense
medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Plot
Strong character development:
Yes
Loveable characters:
Yes
Diverse cast of characters:
Yes
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Yes
Thanks to Macmillan Audio for the free copy of the audiobook.
funny
medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
A mix
Strong character development:
No
Loveable characters:
Complicated
Diverse cast of characters:
Yes
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Complicated
mysterious
medium-paced
lighthearted
mysterious
fast-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Plot
Strong character development:
No
Loveable characters:
Yes
Diverse cast of characters:
Yes
Flaws of characters a main focus:
No
For whatever reason, I am drawn to stories about rich people behaving badly. This one was a real mix of styles, sometimes serious with its ideas about family, money and happiness, and then a complete romp with its jet-setting characters, continuous labeling of luxury items,
and almost “Knives Out” like pursuits. It was over the top, silly and heartfelt, and the mysterious narrator was a fun surprise!
and almost “Knives Out” like pursuits. It was over the top, silly and heartfelt, and the mysterious narrator was a fun surprise!
mysterious
reflective
medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Character
Strong character development:
Yes
Loveable characters:
Yes
Diverse cast of characters:
Yes
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Yes
funny
mysterious
reflective
medium-paced
medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
A mix
Strong character development:
No
Loveable characters:
No
Diverse cast of characters:
Yes
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Yes
This was easy to read and outlandish! Jia Song is a Korean American and daughter of immigrant parents working at a high-powered NYC law firm. She becomes the representation for the heirs to a billion-dollar beauty company - the Park siblings, 3 fellow Korean Americans in their 30s, who want their inheritance back from their villainous father and for their ailing mother. This was a quick read, but it didn't totally tie together. The novel has an unidentified narrator (whose identity is eventually revealed), and those passages have an air of pretense and philosophical waxings — it almost seemed like Ahdieh was trying to make this fluffy book more significant that way. It didn't really work. But i wanted to keep reading! And in the right context, I live for the designer label dropping and fancy locales like in this book.
Also worth noting that even though Jia is supposed to be a super smart Columbia Law grad, her behavior and her "work" is absolutely nothing like what a lawyer would actually do. But for the plot, that's kind of besides the point. The Parks also conveniently employ a swoony, smart, heart-of-gold house manager named Darius. He and Jia immediately have heart eyes for each other. Predictable, but fun!
Also worth noting that even though Jia is supposed to be a super smart Columbia Law grad, her behavior and her "work" is absolutely nothing like what a lawyer would actually do. But for the plot, that's kind of besides the point. The Parks also conveniently employ a swoony, smart, heart-of-gold house manager named Darius. He and Jia immediately have heart eyes for each other. Predictable, but fun!
hopeful
mysterious
slow-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Plot
Strong character development:
Complicated
Loveable characters:
Yes
Diverse cast of characters:
Yes
Flaws of characters a main focus:
No
adventurous
emotional
funny
inspiring
mysterious
tense
fast-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
A mix
Strong character development:
Yes
Loveable characters:
Yes
Diverse cast of characters:
Yes
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Yes
I was lucky to win a copy of the audiobook through the Macmillan Audio’s StoryGraph giveaway.
What a beautiful story! I love the mystery narrator who while I guessed who it was (which the narrator implied they knew many would) I absolutely did not expect other things we learned about this character as the book came to a close!
What a beautiful story! I love the mystery narrator who while I guessed who it was (which the narrator implied they knew many would) I absolutely did not expect other things we learned about this character as the book came to a close!
Content Warnings
Graphic: Infidelity, Alcohol, Classism
Moderate: Bullying, Cancer, Cursing, Death, Emotional abuse, Toxic relationship, Vomit, Gaslighting
Minor: Homophobia, Physical abuse, Racism, Sexual content, Murder, Pregnancy
emotional
mysterious
reflective
fast-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
A mix
Strong character development:
Yes
Loveable characters:
No
Diverse cast of characters:
Yes
Flaws of characters a main focus:
No