Review: Rich People Problems by Kevin Kwan

Rich People Problems Book Cover Rich People Problems
Crazy Rich Asians #3
Kevin Kwan
Contemporary | Drama
Doubleday
May 23, 2017
Audiobook
398
March 10 - 28, 2023

Kevin Kwan, bestselling author of Crazy Rich Asians and China Rich Girlfriend, is back with an uproarious new novel featuring a family driven by fortune, an ex-wife driven psychotic with jealousy, a battle royal fought through couture-gown sabotage, and the heir to one of Asia's greatest fortunes locked out of his inheritance.

When Nicholas Young hears that his grandmother, Su Yi, is on her deathbed, he rushes to be by her bedside—but he's not alone. The entire Shang-Young clan has convened from all corners of the globe to stake claim to their matriarch's massive fortune. With each family member vying to inherit Tyersall Park—a trophy estate on sixty-four prime acres in the heart of Singapore—Nicholas' childhood home turns into a hotbed of backbiting and intrigue. As Su Yi's relatives fight over heirlooms, Astrid Leong is at the center of her own storm, desperately in love with her old sweetheart Charlie Wu but tormented by her ex-husband—a man hell-bent on destroying Astrid's reputation and relationship. Meanwhile, Kitty Pong, married to China's second richest man, Jack Bing, still feels upstaged by her new stepdaughter, famous fashionista Colette Bing.

In this sweeping tale that takes us from the elegantly appointed mansions of Manila to the secluded private islands in the Sulu Sea, from a kidnapping at Hong Kong's most elite private school to a surprise marriage proposal at an Indian palace that is caught on camera by the telephoto lenses of paparazzi, Kevin Kwan hilariously reveals the long-buried secrets of Asia's most privileged families and their rich people problems.

Review

I listened to the audiobook of Crazy Rich Asians back in 2019, shortly after I took my long hiatus from blogging my reviews. I was convinced I listened to the sequel, China Rich Girlfriend shortly after, however upon reading the blurb for CRG right now…. I’m fairly certain I did not! WHOOPS!

So, this review must be taken with a grain of salt, as a review from someone who missed the middle book in the series, and therefor, was slightly confused most of the time. 

In book 1, we follow Rachel Chu and Nicholas Young, as Nick prepares to introduce Rachel to his ridiculously rich family back in Singapore and ask her to marry him. Nick’s family is not just rich, they’re crazy rich. 

Fast forward, it’s a few years down the line, and Nick’s grandmother, Su Yi, has fallen ill and isn’t expected to live long. Nick, who was always the presumed heir to her grand estate, Tyersall Park, has fallen out of favor due to his marriage to Rachel. He immediately rushes home to apologize and make amends, and is soon amidst all of his crazy rich family drama.

Let’s first talk about Eddie, Nick’s cousin who is the absolute worst. I feel so bad for his poor wife and children. He’s convinced he’s sucked up enough by staying at Su Yi’s bedside that she’s changed the will to give him the estate. He probably made the biggest impression on me in this book. Simply because everything about him is so dramatic.

Astrid, Nick’s stunningly gorgeous cousin is going through a bitter divorce and becomes embroiled in her own drama thanks to her soon-to-be ex-husband making trouble for her and her boyfriend, Charlie. 

There’s also Kitty Pong, who we met in the first book as a social climbing piece of work who has since moved on to her second husband, Jack Bing, and is now stepmother to fashionista turned duchess Colette Bing. Kitty is forever trying to one-up her step-daughter. 

We won’t even get into all of Su Li’s extended relatives who crawl out of the woodwork to be with her at the end! 

There is literally so much going on in this book that I could barely keep up. That said, I enjoyed every second of the ride, even when I wasn’t entirely sure who I was reading about. I really think that, had I read China Rich Girlfriend, as I thought I had (D’OH!), I would’ve been able to keep up just a little better. I plan to get that audiobook from the library soon! (Maybe after I listen to all of the book holds I keep delaying because I’m listening to something else… whoops!) 

Also, the epilogue was fantastic. Really wrapped everything up nicely!

In short, if you love drama and reading about the filthy rich, this is the book series for you. Absolutely read them in order. Don’t be like me. 🤦‍♀️ 

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