Author: Kevin Kwan
Genre: Contemporary Romance / Satirical Glamour / Family Saga
Ideal For: Anyone craving a frothy escape into the wild, fabulous lives of the ultra-rich—but who secretly wants something sharper beneath the sparkle. Perfect for fans of Crazy Rich Asians, Sex and Vanity, or anyone who loves couture, secrets and weddings that escalate into intrigue.
Couture, Chaos and Commitment—With a Side of Scandal
From the outset of Lies and Weddings, Kevin Kwan whisks us into the world of the Greshams: aristocratic, glamorous, deeply in debt, and wonderfully reckless. The glamorous heir, Rufus Leung Gresham, finds his family’s dynastic future hinging on one magnificent destination wedding at a luxury eco-resort. But when a volcanic eruption, a spy-mic exposed tryst and a secret two-decades-old tragedy crash the celebration, the narrative leaps from champagne to cataclysm. Beaches of Hawaii, English country estates, Marrakech skies—all become stages for secrets, ambition and romance.
The novel glitters with high fashion and high stakes. Kwan isn’t just minding the mansions and yachts—he’s peering into what lies behind them: identity, legacy, cost, and the lie we tell when we say “everything is perfect”.
Kwan’s Style: Shimmering, Sharp & Irresistible
Kevin Kwan’s prose shines: observant without being shallow, indulgent without being vacuous. Reviewers note that Lies and Weddings “immerses readers in the glittering lives of the ultra-wealthy while expertly peeling back the layers of humanity that make his characters relatable.”
The tone is big—very big—in setting and cast, but the emotional beats are precise. He gives us gossip columns between chapters, footnotes on yachts, and cameo-like intrusions of luxury as statement. At one point The New York Times called it “another beach-ready confection starring pampered people in designer clothing behaving badly.”
What stands out is the balance: you laugh at the absurdity of a wedding in hot-air balloons, then you feel the sting when a character realises they’re not in control of their own story.
Themes That Spark
Wealth & façade. The Gresham family legacy is built on status, image—until the trust is empty and the walls start to crack. The novel asks: what happens to those born into gold when the gold runs out?
Identity and belonging. Rufus’s heritage, his mother’s ambitions, the assembled cast from across continents—Kwan tackles race, class and place with his trademark wit and some genuine insight.
Love vs obligation. Should Rufus marry for love (and risk bankrupting the family)? Or marry to rescue legacy? The heart-vs-lineage tension drives so much of the conflict.
High glamour, hidden costs. The designer clothes, the villas, the destination weddings—they’re dazzling. But moderate moments remind us of the underside: debt, secrets, expectation.
Chaos in luxury. Weddings are supposed to be perfect—but here one erupts (literally). Snowballing scandals remind us that the 1% have problems too—just louder and more sparkly.
What Works Spectacularly
- Globe-hopping energy. Hawaii to Marrakech to England—Kwan doesn’t stay still, and you love it.
- Characters you root for and roll your eyes at. Rufus is charming, vulnerable; Eden Tong (doctor, “girl next door”) is grounded. Arabella (the mother) is deliciously monstrous. The blend is delicious.
- Plot that marries (pun intended) romance, satire, drama. The wedding-gone-wrong setup gives shape to glamour and grit.
- Humour with bite. The jokes about watches, yachts, ultra-luxury status aren’t just surface—they underline the absurdity of the elite’s flexes.
- Emotional undercurrents. When the characters pause the drives and parties, you feel the legacy fracture, the longing, the truth beneath the image.
A Minor Quibble (But Only Slight)
With such an enormous cast and such lavish setting, some scenes may feel more glamorous spectacle than deep dive. A few characters remain archetypal rather than fully realised. If you prefer minimalist settings or very tight protagonist focus, the breadth might feel sprawling. But for many readers that’s part of the pleasure.
Why You’ll Remember It
Finished Lies and Weddings and you’ll recall the moment the volcanic eruption crashed the drinks reception. You’ll remember the line about “the rich kids all dress like old men”, you’ll remember the swoosh of a gown on black‐sand Hawaii beach, and you’ll remember that question: Would you marry to save your family—or marry for your own heart? You’ll recommend it with a laugh: “Want to go somewhere ridiculous, gorgeous and full of secrets? This is your ticket.”
You’ll carry it as a reference point when you see a news item about ultra‐wealth or a wedding headline. And you’ll reread it next summer on the beach, because yes—it is that kind of read.
Lies and Weddings earns its five-star rating because it delivers exactly what great escapist fiction should: glamour you can taste, characters you care about, scenes you’ll laugh at, and stakes you’ll feel. Kevin Kwan has once again woven a tale that glows—bright, bold, and beautifully messy. If you’re ready for romance, extravagance and wit, this is your next read.
