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book_concierge's review against another edition
2.0
Book on CD read by Lynn Chenn
2.5**
NYU Economics professor and PhD, Rachel Chu has sworn off Asian men. But then her good friend introduces her to the new history professor, Nicholas Young, who transferred from Oxford. They hit it off and after dating for a couple of years he invites her to join him during their summer break for a visit back to Singapore, where he’s to be best man at his best friend’s wedding. Rachel has no idea what she’s getting into. Nick is the scion of an ultra rich, and extremely private OLD money Singapore family.
Okay I knew it was chick-lit going into it, and of course I’ve seen the incessant trailers for the movie. Sounded like a fun, quick, breezy beach-read kinda book.
But I have to say that I really hated most of these characters. Rachel and Nick were okay but Kwan does little to really explore their relationship. Every time I thought we’d get to something important regarding the two of them, the story was side tracked to Nick’s cousin Astrid and her marital problems, or to his crazy mother and her friends, or to the crazily jealous “bridesmaids” of the aforementioned wedding party. (Talk about bachelor and bachelorette parties from hell!) I also got tired of all the “product placements” for designer this and designer that … much of which was lost on me. Not impressed.
And then it ends with basically nothing resolved …. WTF?! I’ll just put on my Walgreen’s sunglasses and Kohl’s sandals and enjoy a different book at the beach. (Though I might still go to the movie on $5 Tuesday …)
P.S. At the risk of sounding as shallow as most of these characters … for a book about the ultra rich who are SOOooo concerned about the latest fashions, this has got to have the ugliest cover EVER. Though, if you wanted to judge the book by the cover .. you wouldn’t be far off.
Lynn Chenn does a pretty good job of the audio performance. But she didn’t have very good material to start with. At least she moved along at a brisk pace. Her accents were all over the place and I found them distracting, but I think she was trying to differentiate all the many characters.
2.5**
NYU Economics professor and PhD, Rachel Chu has sworn off Asian men. But then her good friend introduces her to the new history professor, Nicholas Young, who transferred from Oxford. They hit it off and after dating for a couple of years he invites her to join him during their summer break for a visit back to Singapore, where he’s to be best man at his best friend’s wedding. Rachel has no idea what she’s getting into. Nick is the scion of an ultra rich, and extremely private OLD money Singapore family.
Okay I knew it was chick-lit going into it, and of course I’ve seen the incessant trailers for the movie. Sounded like a fun, quick, breezy beach-read kinda book.
But I have to say that I really hated most of these characters. Rachel and Nick were okay but Kwan does little to really explore their relationship. Every time I thought we’d get to something important regarding the two of them, the story was side tracked to Nick’s cousin Astrid and her marital problems, or to his crazy mother and her friends, or to the crazily jealous “bridesmaids” of the aforementioned wedding party. (Talk about bachelor and bachelorette parties from hell!) I also got tired of all the “product placements” for designer this and designer that … much of which was lost on me. Not impressed.
And then it ends with basically nothing resolved …. WTF?! I’ll just put on my Walgreen’s sunglasses and Kohl’s sandals and enjoy a different book at the beach. (Though I might still go to the movie on $5 Tuesday …)
P.S. At the risk of sounding as shallow as most of these characters … for a book about the ultra rich who are SOOooo concerned about the latest fashions, this has got to have the ugliest cover EVER. Though, if you wanted to judge the book by the cover .. you wouldn’t be far off.
Lynn Chenn does a pretty good job of the audio performance. But she didn’t have very good material to start with. At least she moved along at a brisk pace. Her accents were all over the place and I found them distracting, but I think she was trying to differentiate all the many characters.
niniboo's review against another edition
adventurous
funny
lighthearted
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
4.75
alexutzu's review against another edition
adventurous
emotional
funny
informative
lighthearted
relaxing
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? It's complicated
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.0
This was a long adventure throughout the world of these extremely rich people. So much happening all the time, it was a lot to keep track of! I would really like to check the movie adaptation next and possibly continue the series.
😍 The good:
I felt that the narration was authentic and I enjoyed the diverse perspectives. The story seemed realistic and it kept having cliffhangers, which really made me curious about what is next. I really felt immersed while learning more about the culture. It was fun, while also having some thoughtful scenes. The audio version was really fast-paced, almost like a movie, and I liked the narrator.
😅 The not-so-good:
There were a bit too many characters to keep track of, even though I can understand their purpose. It also was a bit overwhelming in terms of jumping from one character to another... I kept forgetting what was happening to each of them.
😍 The good:
I felt that the narration was authentic and I enjoyed the diverse perspectives. The story seemed realistic and it kept having cliffhangers, which really made me curious about what is next. I really felt immersed while learning more about the culture. It was fun, while also having some thoughtful scenes. The audio version was really fast-paced, almost like a movie, and I liked the narrator.
😅 The not-so-good:
There were a bit too many characters to keep track of, even though I can understand their purpose. It also was a bit overwhelming in terms of jumping from one character to another... I kept forgetting what was happening to each of them.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Bullying, Classism, Emotional abuse, and Xenophobia
Moderate: Animal cruelty, Domestic abuse, and Racism
aangi16's review against another edition
emotional
funny
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.0
I still love the movie but after reading the book I wish they'd adapted it a bit more faithfully. The main conflict in the movie is that Rachel is "too American" whereas in the book money and class are the root and remedy to all the characters problems. I also wish they'd kept the Astrid/Michael storyline the same in the movie because they, Evelyn, and even Francesca showed different potential futures for Nick and especially Rachel. Both Michael and Evelyn were deemed "not good enough" for the Young/Leong family and the classism and snobbery didn't stop once they were married to their respective partners. Even Evelyn who came from a rich family is still never truly accepted because she wasn't from a more respectable bloodline. This is what's in store for Rachel. Maybe she and Nick will live happily ever after but the odds aren't in their favour. Francesca's storyline also showed how a sudden (and unearned) increase in wealth and social status can change you as a person, especially when surrounded by the type of people in this book.
jessicaeliz's review against another edition
3.0
I can't, the only one who doesn't annoy me is astrid.
adreann's review against another edition
emotional
lighthearted
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
3.0
beebonet's review against another edition
emotional
lighthearted
relaxing
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
3.0
This is a fun read. It moves nicely and is an interesting introduction to a rarified world. If you like fashion and luxury content this book will be good read for you.
I am not often into love stories, so I found the background and secondary characters much more interesting than the main charecters.
I am not often into love stories, so I found the background and secondary characters much more interesting than the main charecters.
casuallyreadingx's review against another edition
4.0
3.75 rounded up.
This book played like a movie in my head!! A fun, dramatic read with an immersive cast of characters. I would recommend to even watch the trailer of the movie before you read the book (I watched the movie years ago) as it helps create a face for all the characters! Yes, i know it sounds dramatic to do that but it fits with the book.
Was it slow at times? Yes, it lost my attention with all the dialogue. Were the characters likeable? Not really. You have to push foward. But this was a fun book to binge at the pool.
In the end...
yeah, the movie was better.
This book played like a movie in my head!! A fun, dramatic read with an immersive cast of characters. I would recommend to even watch the trailer of the movie before you read the book (I watched the movie years ago) as it helps create a face for all the characters! Yes, i know it sounds dramatic to do that but it fits with the book.
Was it slow at times? Yes, it lost my attention with all the dialogue. Were the characters likeable? Not really. You have to push foward. But this was a fun book to binge at the pool.
In the end...
yeah, the movie was better.