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kathyf1687's review
lighthearted
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? No
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
1.0
Content Warnings
Moderate: Gaslighting, Toxic friendship, Terminal illness, and Toxic relationship
cassielaj's review
adventurous
funny
lighthearted
mysterious
tense
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? It's complicated
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
5.0
Counterfeit is a TRIP. The framing of Ava’s story as an interview with a detective is genius, and the twist was employed at just the right moment to throw everything into perspective. I was thoroughly entertained throughout the whole book and loved Ava and Winnie’s scheming. The way Chen reframes the traditional “American dream” narrative and questions the “model minority” trope is smart, hilarious, and totally enthralling.
Content Warnings
Moderate: Alcoholism and Alcohol
Minor: Terminal illness and Death of parent
anntharai's review against another edition
funny
reflective
tense
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
4.0
I read this on a recommendation and without reading the blurb and I’m so glad I did. It was genuinely funny and interesting, and I definitely thought it was going to end a lot darker than it did.
I thought there was going to be a time shift twist or some heavy foreshadowing payoff - the plane Winnie gets on was going to be the one that crashed in Ava’s testimony/another plane with the same counterfeit part issue. If this was intentional from the author bravo it worked, if not maybe I’m a bit grim hahah)
Though I did have to look up a lot of the bags to understand some of the designer humour 😂.
I liked the structure and the style, plus the narrator Catherine Ho did a phenomenal job.
Though I did have to look up a lot of the bags to understand some of the designer humour 😂.
I liked the structure and the style, plus the narrator Catherine Ho did a phenomenal job.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Death of parent, Alcoholism, Chronic illness, Grief, Terminal illness, and Alcohol
Moderate: Toxic friendship and Toxic relationship
Minor: Ableism
kimveach's review
adventurous
informative
lighthearted
mysterious
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.75
I was somewhat bored by the first part of the book and even considered not finishing it. Once the twist showed up, then I couldn't finish fast enough. I also loved learning about the various scams of designer handbags.
Content Warnings
Moderate: Medical content and Terminal illness
erinmjustice's review against another edition
lighthearted
mysterious
tense
fast-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
2.5
Content Warnings
Graphic: Toxic friendship, Toxic relationship, and Xenophobia
Moderate: Alcoholism, Medical content, Racism, and Death of parent
Minor: Terminal illness and Ableism
thebakerbookworm's review against another edition
mysterious
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.5
This was a good quick listen; it kept me engaged and entertained, it surprised me in some places, though I was left with mixed feelings about the ending, unsure how I'm supposed to feel about the characters.
Most of the story is written as a conversation between Ava and a police detective, as she recounts how she got involved with the counterfeit scheme. I liked this narrative device and I think it served the story well, but I think the story would work better as a movie. Especially with the handbags—because honestly I am not a handbag person and had no idea what these bags were supposed to look like haha.
Even though the ending left me unsure how I feel about Ava and Winnie, they both still get nice development and complexity throughout the story and I appreciated that. I would actually say the characters are a little stronger than the plot here.
Anyways, it was an enjoyable listen and I'd definitely recommend the audiobook route for this one!
Thank you to Libro.fm, HarperAudio, and the author for my ALC!
Most of the story is written as a conversation between Ava and a police detective, as she recounts how she got involved with the counterfeit scheme. I liked this narrative device and I think it served the story well, but I think the story would work better as a movie. Especially with the handbags—because honestly I am not a handbag person and had no idea what these bags were supposed to look like haha.
Even though the ending left me unsure how I feel about Ava and Winnie, they both still get nice development and complexity throughout the story and I appreciated that. I would actually say the characters are a little stronger than the plot here.
Anyways, it was an enjoyable listen and I'd definitely recommend the audiobook route for this one!
Thank you to Libro.fm, HarperAudio, and the author for my ALC!
Content Warnings
Graphic: Toxic friendship, Toxic relationship, and Xenophobia
Moderate: Alcoholism and Racism
Minor: Death of parent, Medical content, and Terminal illness
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