When Sir Walter Scott penned his famous line, "Oh what a tangled web we weave when first we practice to deceive," he must have been reading a novel by Kevin Kwan. This newest book by Kwan, author of the Crazy Rich Asians series, involves Hong Kong Chinese, British royalty, and various rajas, princesses, moguls and playboys who play hard and are used to the best.
Rufus Leung Gresham, hunky photographer son of Sir Francis, will come into the title of Earl of Gresham when his father dies. His mother, Arabella, a Hong Kong Chinese ex-supermodel, has taken to her role as the Countess Gresham with zeal, and has tasked her son and daughters to marry rich. But Eden Tong, the girl who lives with her dad in a cottage on the Gresham estate, won Rufus's heart years ago when they were kids and best buddies.
Arabella's contribution to the Gresham mystique is the designing and opening of several ultra-luxurious resorts under the "Bella" brand. Her newest resort on the Big Island of Hawaii is the perfect place to stage daughter Augusta's wedding to a Norwegian prince-oh, the publicity, oh-the spectacle. Unfortunately, Mother Nature had different plans for the wedding and Pele had her revenge, covering the wedding spot (and the whole resort) in molten lava. But the worst was to come-Lord Gresham gave his family carte blanche to spend money as they wished, but had secretly drained the inheritance, and they were broke. And it turns out that Augusta's wedding wasn't as lucrative as everyone thought it would be. Will Rufus find a rich bride to save the family fortune or will true love prevail?
Kwan throws in his signature tropes-designer clothes, exclusive clubs and restaurants, exotic locales such as Morocco, Beverly Hills, Kona, and Vienna, mega-money, and the exclusive pedigrees of all his characters. If you are looking for a fun read and pure escapism with a little romance thrown into the mix, pick up this novel...but first put out your Do Not Disturb sign.
Reviewed by Donna Ballard
Publication date - May 21, 2024
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