Kevin Kwan’s novels scratch a certain itch. They are decadent, delicious, and outrageous – perfect novels to gorge yourself on. And Lies and Weddings (Doubleday 2024) is my absolute favorite of his works. While some of it may seem like a regurgitation of the Crazy Rich Asians trilogy as far as certain plot points and characteristics, but that’s certainly an unfair dismissal of this novel.
Take Bridgerton but set it in present time and add some filthy rich Asians to the mix, and you’ll come close to this guilty pleasure. (Rufus and Eden are pretty much Colin and Penelope!) Rufus Leung Gresham is the future Earl of Greshamsbury, and it’s fallen on his shoulders to save his family’s fortunes, name, and estate. Only he doesn’t know he’s been tasked with such an endeavor because the family’s financial ruin still thrives on a house of cards held up by some generous loans from a “friend” of the family’s doctor, Thomas Tong. Rufus’s mother, however, works tirelessly behind the scenes to secure a rich bitch of a wife for her son, as well as securing good matches for her two daughters. Once confused with being the nanny instead of the Mistress of the House, she is consumed with appearances and money. Having the family go to ruin will never do. But her children don’t exactly play by the rules she’s set for them – especially Rufus. Instead of falling into a marriage agreement with a rich heiress or the Chinese venture capitalist billionaire his aunt has selected, he finds himself falling in love with the literal girl next door – Eden Tong. Despite being the daughter of the family doctor and the current Earl of Greshamsbury’s best friend, Eden is not someone Rufus’s mother would ever approve of to marry. It was fine when they were children and played together, but it is not fine any longer.
When the house of cards starts to collapse and a hot mic reveals secrets to a rabid crowd of gossipers, the Greshamsbury family and the Tongs have to face secrets that have long been buried, lies that writhe and damage, and the high stakes of a high society that would love to see them cut down. From London to Hawaii to LA to Marrakech, this is one jet setting novel of opulence, deceit, family obligations and expectations, and love.
Lies and Weddings is delightful and fun, and it never pretends to be something more than what it is – the perfect palate cleanser.
Read this book.
A Girl Named Tommi 