condls27's review against another edition
emotional
reflective
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.0
This was a really interesting and quick read. I struggled a little with the format in the beginning but everything came together in part two and I just sailed through the rest of the book. I really enjoyed it!
Content Warnings
Minor: Death of parent
cristinareading's review against another edition
challenging
mysterious
reflective
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
3.5
Content Warnings
Moderate: Xenophobia and Death of parent
brandie_abbie19's review against another edition
dark
funny
mysterious
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.0
Content Warnings
Graphic: Grief, Death, Gaslighting, Death of parent, Alcoholism, Addiction, Racism, Toxic friendship, and Alcohol
Moderate: Xenophobia
hmetwade's review
lighthearted
mysterious
relaxing
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.0
Content Warnings
Minor: Medical content, Death of parent, Stalking, Chronic illness, Classism, and Terminal illness
amanda_reads13's review against another edition
adventurous
funny
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
3.5
This story follows Ava and her college roommate Winnie as they create a counterfeit luxury handbag business.
This book is split into two parts. The first half sees Ava being interviewed by the police as to her involvement in the business. We see a bored and bitter housewife who gets manipulated by an old friend. She comes off as the innocent party who was completely taken advantage of.
Then we get to the second part which is from Winnie's POV and the entire story shifts. I liked the shift in the story. The second part was much more interesting than the first.
I really liked that this story focused on a strong female friendship and the drive of these women. Winnie and Ava are both extremely hardworking and driven women who will do whatever it takes to achieve their goals.
I really enjoyed the audio version.
This book is split into two parts. The first half sees Ava being interviewed by the police as to her involvement in the business. We see a bored and bitter housewife who gets manipulated by an old friend. She comes off as the innocent party who was completely taken advantage of.
Then we get to the second part which is from Winnie's POV and the entire story shifts. I liked the shift in the story. The second part was much more interesting than the first.
I really liked that this story focused on a strong female friendship and the drive of these women. Winnie and Ava are both extremely hardworking and driven women who will do whatever it takes to achieve their goals.
I really enjoyed the audio version.
Content Warnings
Moderate: Death of parent, Gaslighting, Racism, and Toxic friendship
bedtimesandbooks's review
hopeful
medium-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
3.75
Content Warnings
Graphic: Alcohol, Classism, Xenophobia, Death, and Ableism
Moderate: Alcoholism, Medical content, and Death of parent
kalehouse's review
adventurous
lighthearted
mysterious
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
3.0
(audio book) this was very middle of the road, nothing was super compelling characters or plot. actually, i really hated eva at first and the only thing that kept me listening was the hope that she couldn’t possibly be *that* annoying. she was redeemed towards the second half! still, this was pretty slow and i couldn’t relate much to eva.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Toxic relationship, Xenophobia, and Toxic friendship
Moderate: Ableism, Alcoholism, Death of parent, Grief, and Alcohol
sarcasmpotato's review
mysterious
tense
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? No
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
2.5
While I found the narrative structure interesting, the characters and the plot lost me shortly after part 2.
Content Warnings
Minor: Medical content, Death of parent, and Emotional abuse
jbpalumbo's review
adventurous
mysterious
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? It's complicated
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
4.5
An exceptionally clever exploration of the myth of the model minority and the American dream. I hope Ms. Chen gets a wonderful movie deal out of this (and that they do it well).
In addition to the content warnings, there are some passing descriptions of abusive labor conditions and post-op (elective) surgery recovery. And Ms. Chen’s research regarding US immigration law left a little to be desired.
In addition to the content warnings, there are some passing descriptions of abusive labor conditions and post-op (elective) surgery recovery. And Ms. Chen’s research regarding US immigration law left a little to be desired.
Content Warnings
Moderate: Terminal illness
Minor: Alcohol, Bullying, and Death of parent
siobhanward's review
tense
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.5
Reese's Book Club Pick 61/68
This was a fun read. Has it been done before? Yeah, probably, but I haven't read anything on the topic. Ava and Winnie were both incredibly frustrating but I couldn't bring myself to hate them. Honestly, Winnie was by far the more interesting character and I would have loved to have spent time inside her POV, rather than Ava's.
The characters felt well developed and the secondary plot about Ava's dissatisfaction with her personal life was well done. Overall, this was an interesting read that kept me engaged - who knew there was so much depth to the world of counterfeit handbags?
This was a fun read. Has it been done before? Yeah, probably, but I haven't read anything on the topic. Ava and Winnie were both incredibly frustrating but I couldn't bring myself to hate them. Honestly, Winnie was by far the more interesting character and I would have loved to have spent time inside her POV, rather than Ava's.
The characters felt well developed and the secondary plot about Ava's dissatisfaction with her personal life was well done. Overall, this was an interesting read that kept me engaged - who knew there was so much depth to the world of counterfeit handbags?
Content Warnings
Graphic: Death of parent
Moderate: Racial slurs and Terminal illness