Rich People Problems

Rich People Problems by Kevin Kwan is the third book in his satiric romantic comedy series about the ultra rich and powerful Asian families from Singapore. All of these books are full of designer fashion, gourmet food, expensive art and tongue-in-cheek fun. There is also family greed, speculation and social pressure as the extremely wealthy Su Yi, mother and grandmother to many of these influential people is dying, and this brings out members from every extended branch of the family, all seeking their share of her huge estate.

Nicky Young and Astrid Leong have been her favorite grandchildren but in recent years Nicky and his grandmother fell out over his marriage, and Astrid is in trouble with her family because of her too public romance with Charlie Wu, even though they are both married to other people. Some members of the family, most notably Eddy Chang, are trying to keep the favorites away from their grandmother in the hope that he will benefit by their absence. Of course the author updates his readers on all of his characters, the many multi-billionaires of southeast Asia that have appeared in the other books.

These over-the-top books have been a fun escape from reality. The action has played out all over the globe as the ultra-rich go about their soap opera lives full of petty intrigues and lavish spending. If you are in the mood for some crazy family drama set in some of the world’s most expensive locations, these books should fill that craving nicely. ( )

A fun and happy ending to the trilogy. Alot of Kitty and Astrid in this one. ( )

This trilogy is a lightning-fast read. The second book lags a little and feels a bit of a rehashing, but the third gave me some good LOLs.

I do take issue with how most of the romantic storylines are wrapped up, though:
-Carlton needs to read this. Say Anything is not romantic.
-Pregnancy in the epilogue, because of course.
-No single ladies at the end because of course. A Hemsworth brother for everyone! ( )

A fun summer beach read with outlandish characters. ( )

This is the third in Kevin Kwan’s series about hyperrich Asian families. The opening has a bit of awkward exposition dialogue, but I’ll overlook it as a way to catch up readers who missed China Rich Girlfriend and Crazy Rich Asians.

Su Yi, the matriarch from the first two novels, is on her deathbed, so all of the questions around Nick’s inheritance and who will receive the family estate at Tyersall Park are about to come clear. Naturally, that’s a perfect time for manipulation, backstabbing, secrets and spending among the clan. And great-grandmother Su Yi has a few secrets of her own.

There’s more of the family drama, conspicuous consumption and snarky multilingual footnotes that I loved in the first two books. Nosy in-laws drop a surprise gyno exam to find out why a young wife hasn’t produced a grandchild yet (Rachel, uh, declines the offer). Heiress Colette Bing has married a title, and traded Instagramming her fashions for experiments in looking like she didn’t try at all. She’s also taken up philanthropy, and goes just as OTT with her charity and minimalism as we’d expect. Charlie stages an elaborate Bollywood proposal for Astrid, while someone else pays the paparazzi extra to snap it and publish the story. And, in keeping with the theme of secrets getting out, there’s also a sex tape and a suicide attempt.

Reviewed on my book blog: http://www.thefictionaddiction.com/rich-people-problems/
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