China Rich Girlfriend (Crazy Rich Asians, #2) in Around the World in 80 Books

Jul 26, 2017 Astrid Lim rated it liked it · review of another edition

Shelves: funny-ha-ha, series, chicklit, dysfunctional-family, asia, culture, contemporary

3,5 stars for me. Somehow it's not as enjoyable as the first book, but still engaging and addictive. A bit over the top in some parts, thus feels very soap opera-ish. There are some new characters who became the focus of the story, but unlike the previous book, some of them could not develop well here and I miss the depth of characters from the first book. Even Astrid (my fave character from 1st book) is not as likable and cool as I remembered!

And the subplot about Rachel - what's with her newly ...more

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May 11, 2021 Nadine in NY Jones rated it it was amazing

Shelves: audio, fiction, next-in-the-series

This book has no business being as entertaining and riveting as it is. It’s everything I dislike in a book, and yet I was entranced and couldn’t get enough.

I didn't love the new audiobook narrator, Lydia Look. She has an accent that sounds like Hong Kong by way of Boston, so when she says words like "girl" or "professor" it sounds like "gull" and "professah." Which means when a guy, in a deeply emotional moment, cries out "I killed a girl!" ... it sounds like "I killed a gull!" which is a mu This book has no business being as entertaining and riveting as it is. It’s everything I dislike in a book, and yet I was entranced and couldn’t get enough.

I didn't love the new audiobook narrator, Lydia Look. She has an accent that sounds like Hong Kong by way of Boston, so when she says words like "girl" or "professor" it sounds like "gull" and "professah." Which means when a guy, in a deeply emotional moment, cries out "I killed a girl!" ... it sounds like "I killed a gull!" which is a much less upsetting confession.

The briefest of plot summaries, full of spoilers, for myself, because I know I'll forget a few things before I get to book #3: (view spoiler)[Prior to Rachel & Nicholas's wedding, his mother Eleanor happens to run into mainlander Bao Shaoyen, wife of Bao Gaoliang, mother of Carlton Bao, who is a dead-ringer for Rachel, because yes Bao Gaoliang is Rache's long-lost (and very rich, and politically powerful) father. Carlton is in London hospital recuperating from a bad car accident caused by drag racing, in which another girl died. Eleanor confirms his parentage, and instead of just sending Nicholas a letter or actually leaving him a voicemail telling the news, she leaves vague and annoying messages such as "I have something important to tell you, you must call me," but Nicholas has gone NC with his mom, so he doesn't call. She finds out where they are getting married and shows up in a helicopter during the rehearsal. Thus, both of Nicholas's parents AND both of Rachel's parents end up being able to attend their wedding.

Colette Bing is Carlton's "friend" and wishes she were his fiancée, although she claims to not want to get married yet. Rachel and Nick are swept up in Colette Bing's party group, they even jet off to Paris for a weekend of shopping. There is some controversy with "Richie" who Colette's parents have chosen for her to marry, who she publicly rejects. Rachel is POISONED while travelling in China, Carlton suspects his mother (who has refused to meet Rachel) but it turns out to have been Colette's assistant. Colette apologizes to Rachel, claims she knew nothing, Rachel accepts her apology, and then Colette asks Rachel to talk to Carlton for her. Rachel declines, Colette rips into her and says how pathetic and cheap she is, Rachel gives it right back and tells her how she's a spoiled rich girl, someone in the restaurant got it all on video and posted it online.

Meanwhile, Kitty Pong, who has married Bernard Tai, is living it up and getting press in all the gossip columns. Corinna Ko-Tung takes Kitty on as a client, to try to repair Kitty's image in Hong Kong high society. Ultimately, it turns out that Bernard, after some botched plastic surgery, is holed up in Mar Vista, CA, with their toddler daughter Gisele, and has gone Full New Age. At the end of the book, Kitty "kidnaps" Gisele, dumps Bernard, announces she is Jack Bing's girlfriend, and he just bought the Brewer house in Singapore for her and her daughter. (Jack Bing, who is Colette Bing's father.) Which is where she hangs the $$$ artwork she purchased at the beginning of the book.

Astrid is the third main story, although her story can be quickly summed up with: she's back with her husband Michael, he has become a HUGE ass, she turns to her ex-fiance Charlie Wu for friendship, and by the end of the book she leaves Michael, and Charlie announces he is separated from his (estranged, and possibly addicted) wife Isabelle. (hide spoiler)] ...more

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Sep 13, 2018 Julie rated it really liked it

Funny, juicy, over the top! Didn’t love it as much as the first, but can’t wait to read the last. I’m hoping Astrid and Charlie get their happy ending!

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