Lies and Weddings

A Novel

By: Kevin Kwan

Narrated by: Jing Lusi

Length: 15 hrs and 7 mins

Publisher's summary

NEW YORK TIMES BESTSELLER • A MOST ANTICIPATED BOOK: The New York Times, The Washington Post, TIME, Entertainment Weekly, Cosmopolitan, CNN, Lit Hub, Minneapolis Star Tribune, Reader's Digest, BookRiot, SheReads, PureWow, Publishers Weekly • From the iconic internationally bestselling author of the Crazy Rich Asians trilogy: A forbidden affair erupts volcanically amid a decadent tropical wedding in this outrageous comedy of manners.

"Imagine Crazy Rich Asians mated with Saltburn and you've got Lies and Weddings—a heavenly summertime read!"—Plum Sykes, New York Times best-selling author of Bergdorf Blondes

Rufus Leung Gresham, future Earl of Greshambury and son of a former Hong Kong supermodel has a problem: the legendary Gresham Trust has been depleted by decades of profligate spending, and behind all the magazine covers and Instagram stories manors and yachts lies nothing more than a gargantuan mountain of debt. The only solution, put forth by Rufus’s scheming mother, is for Rufus to attend his sister’s wedding at a luxury eco-resort, a veritable who’s-who of sultans, barons, and oligarchs, and seduce a woman with money.

Should he marry Solène de Courcy, a French hotel heiress with honey blond tresses and a royal bloodline? Should he pursue Martha Dung, the tattooed venture capital genius who passes out billions like lollipops? Or should he follow his heart, betray his family, squander his legacy, and finally confess his love to the literal girl next door, the humble daughter of a doctor, Eden Tong? When a volcanic eruption burns through the nuptials and a hot mic exposes a secret tryst, the Gresham family plans—and their reputation—go up in flames.

Can the once-great dukedom rise from the ashes? Or will a secret tragedy, hidden for two decades, reveal a shocking twist?

In a globetrotting tale that takes us from the black sand beaches of Hawaii to the skies of Marrakech, from the glitzy bachelor pads of Los Angeles to the inner sanctums of England’s oldest family estates, Kevin Kwan unfurls a juicy, hilarious, sophisticated and thrillingly plotted story of love, money, murder, sex, and the lies we tell about them all.

©2024 Kevin Kwan (P)2024 Random House Audio

Critic reviews

"If you loved Crazy Rich Asians, Kevin Kwan’s latest won’t disappoint....Alliances are made and unmade. Fortunes are won and lost. Rich people, trying to get richer, outwit themselves. Poor girls, armed with only their stubborn integrity, stake a claim on happiness. And the laugh lines arrive punctually....Kwan has a gimlet eye.”—Louis Bayard, The Washington Post

“[Lies and Weddings] bounces from England to Hawaii to Morocco, with enough designer labels, priceless artwork and luxurious accommodations to make Beverly Hills seem folksy. But there’s an undertow beneath the froth.”—Elisabeth Egan, The New York Times

“An irresistible tale of eye-popping glamour and shocking deception...This romantic romp circles the globe, hitting luxury locations and high comic notes in classic Kwan style.”—People

Painful Narration

The narrator made it painful to listen - especially to Lady Arabella. Just too far over the top. The story is ok, evoking life of the rich but not revelations weren’t surprising. I prefer the Crazy Rich Asians series.

Another great story

Amazing plot as usual for Kevin Kwan’s stories. Great characters and details.
excellent narrator, but at times it was difficult to continue listening because of all the fake voices

outrageous excesses!

I usually read Mysteries but occasionally need a break and this was perfect. wonderful descriptions of excess after excess and funny plot lines. I read his first two and enjoyed this just as much.

I never want his stories to end

I loved this story. Kinda figured out the twist mid-story but loved the end. I always want an epilogue to know what happened to the main couple after the story wraps up. Highly recommend any of these novels

Bad Narration

I'm an audiobook girlie. I love to listen to audiobooks because I love to reas but often feel like I don't have time. Kevin Kwan is one of my all-time favorite authors, and this book brings the same charm his other novels do. Truly a great read- a little predictable in spots, but the characters are super great.

The narrator for this installment is awful. She chooses the worst voices for characters and makes it feel like their lines are jokes, even when it's serious points in the novel. I could not take several essential characters seriously because the way they are narrated they sound like idiots. Buy the actual book for this one and read it- this listen totally cheapens the novel's quality.

Expected more from this story

I think the story would have been in book form. The narrator was over the top especially when performing Lady Arabella's part. The shrill hoyty toyty voice was so annoying it was hard to listen to. The first book of the series was much better.

Never Disappoints!

Classic Kevin Kwan! This was his best book since Crazy Rich Asians. Outstanding detailed storytelling.

So annoying

This narrator has an incredibly annoying staccato way of speaking. It's hard to stay in the story. Is she out breath?
Does she think this is the way that Asian people speak? I will not purchase another audible book if she is the narrator.

Beautifully indulgent

I LOVED this glamorous Cinderella-like story. Feel good and beautifully written! I can't wait to read the rest of his books!

Entertainingish

I expected a bit more. This novel is a bit too over the top. Narrator is uneven.