Rich People Problems (Crazy Rich Asians Trilogy)

Love these books! This is the third one that I have read.
At first I thought that the person that recommended the first one was crazy. Yes, crazy fun!
Hard to explain, but fast moving, unpredictable, crazy fun....

I am a huge fan of the CRA trilogy, so you can imagine my excitement when Rich People Problems became available on my Kindle. I easily went through the book in 8 hrs and I just re-read the entire book to re-live the fun and excitement.

Overall, I had a fun time reading RPP and for me this could have been my favorite book of the series if the following could be changed:

* Kitty's storyline. She's one of my least favorite characters and I personally would have preferred less of a presence of her in this book, even though I can see why she was needed. Especially since her story does tie in with Oliver's, who happens to be one of my favorite characters.

* More of an emphasis of Su Yi's background, and even from Sir. James Young. I love reading Su Yi's flashbacks, which made me look at her in a different light and she is now one of my favorite characters of the series. I know Kevin Kwan did say that RPP will be the last book in the trilogy but I hope he will consider writing a book that will go more in depth of the Shangs, Youngs and T'siens during the war and how the families became intertwined.

Aside from that, I will definitely miss following the lives of Nick, Rachel, Astrid, Oliver, The Khoos and heck, even Eddie's crazy antics. The ending for me wasn't exactly what I expected but I was satisfied with it. Rich People Problems is definitely a great summer/vacation read that will leave you wanting more.

This book, like the other two in the trilogy, is mostly about insanely rich, superficial people leading deliciously superficial lives, with the exception of a few characters that deal with real life issues. You're not supposed to finish the book and say to yourself, "This was a brilliantly written masterpiece that I'm glad I read before I die." It's fluff. Buttered, salty, popcorn you can't stop eating until you get to the bottom of the bucket where the hard kernels lay. And there are some hard kernels I would rather have not chipped a tooth on. Most of the characters are caricatures of themselves, and I liked them all because while they take themselves seriously, as a reader I can enjoy their egomaniacal quirkiness and some LOL dialogue. Out of all of them I found Nick and Rachel to be a real snooze-fest and wish that Kwan gave them better personalities. (Or any personality!) This was my least favorite of the three books but Kwan ties up their stories in a nice, neat bow. I was on the fence about whether or not to read this one but I'm glad I did. Save your money on the hardcover and wait for the paperback.

This appears to be the last in the trilogy...so far of the Kevin Kwan books. His first two Crazy Rich Asians and China Rich Girlfriend were excellent books and this books is no different, the author's writing style I really liked. This book is continuing the story of all the characters from the first two books. I really liked the back story of Su Yi the matriarch of the Shang-Young clan, the elderly grandmother in the storyline in all the books. Just her story alone could lead to another book. But once again the whole family gets together (along with their maids and nannies) at the deathbed of Su Yi. This books somewhat sums up many of the character story lines and again this book is filled with wealth unimaginable and funny stories. A must read, I loved it.

Love these books! This is the third one that I have read.
At first I thought that the person that recommended the first one was crazy. Yes, crazy fun!
Hard to explain, but fast moving, unpredictable, crazy fun....

Very entertaining in a gossip kind of way! It was catchy from the beginning as if reading a juicy column in to the lives of the rich and famous. Nothing gives more pleasure than to see how the uppery rich have problems and are not always blissfully happy in every way. It just goes to show that no one is safe from nagging parents, or jealousy from friends or family. Kwan is fabulous making us fall for all the craziness of a soap opera. Recommend the. lol to anyone who enjoys a good gossip. It is fun and it keeps you entertained for hours. Some of the stories just were so outrageous they didn't seem credible but it was all in good fun. Can't wait to read more of his fun novels

I bought this book after listening to a review on the local radio station. It's not a subject that I normally would pick but after listening to the review -"great beach read, couldn't put it down, great wring style" I bought it. Big mistake.

This book is such drivel it becomes nauseating. I tried hard to like it but after less than 1/4 way thru it, I started scanning and ditched it.

I am absolutely in love with this series. I hope there is another one coming soon. Kevin Kwan has written an entertaining telenovella about the wealthy and super wealthy in Singapore. It is a series about old money versus new money and all the other people who don't fit in. He weaves in culture and history to make it all realistic. This third installment is an excellent read. Su Yi - the matriarch of the Young family, falls terribly ill. Her descendants are all trying to figure out who will inherit her fortune, specifically her home, when she passes. All of the other non-familial characters are back - Kitty Pong (now Bing), Collette, Charlie Wu. This novel does not disappoint. I highly recommend starting from the first book, Crazy Rich Asians, if you have not already done so. If you have, keep reading. You will enjoy the ride!

By Sara Steven

There were a lot of dramatic moments inside the Shang-Young clan. So much so, I felt like I had first-row access inside every nook and cranny of the gossip mill. I’d metamorphosed into the popcorn eating meme, kicking back and allowing myself to become engrossed within an intricate web of secret, lies, and layer upon layer of deceitful behavior, that only made Rich People Problems that much more enjoyable!

Here’s what I appreciated the most: The characters are completely out there, bright lights emblazoned on the page. There was much to be said that made me cringe, or turn crimson. But that was part of the beauty of it all. Human nature at times can be downright ugly, particularly when jealousy plays a role. Band-aids were never applied here- I was privy to each and every wound left open by words said, or actions that were mistaken or taken for granted. Then, gossip would stir up inside the minds of various characters, only adding fuel to the fire, or as my grandfather used to call it, “stirring the pot”. There are plenty of pot stirrers in the mix here, lending into each and every sordid scene.

My only snag with Rich People were the additional footnotes added to the story. I understood the need for them. There were certain scenes or particular words that probably needed further explanation, but I felt as though while reading the story, the footnotes took me out of the scenery. After several pages of reading the story, then shifting to the footnotes, I decided to do away with them and stopped reading any additional explanations listed at the bottom of the page, making for a smoother experience for me, personally.

I understand Rich People is the third installment to a trilogy, with China Rich Girlfriend and Crazy Rich Asians before it. I can honestly tell you that I didn’t at all feel lost by not reading the first two, which is a testament to how well this story was written. I picked up right where the story started, with no troubles. However, with that being said, I have every intention of reading the first two installments, primarily for the entertainment value and because I need to know the backstory going on for several of the characters that were so vividly brought to life. They’re so well-written and very likable, you can’t help but want to get to know them all better.

IDEA:

I should probably talk about the idea for the series as a whole, which quite simply is PURE genius! Being Asian, I’ve seen my fair share of those ULTRA RICH people (maybe not as rich as the people in this series) but I’ve seen them around/ know them. This book embodies extravagance, love, gossip, beauty, couture, status and most importantly, money.
It’s so different from the normal world we live in and the ENTIRE Crazy Rich Asians series has this power to make you forget your normal life and live in theirs.

WRITING:

There are so many characters in this book, and the writing is just gorgeous. Sometimes a chapter is told from one person’s point of view, and sometimes you’re given a location and the viewpoints keep switching between the people present there. It was truly a different experience to read from SO MANY people’s points of view to understand everybody’s motivations better.

I also SPECIFICALLY loved that we heard from Nick’s grandmother, Sun Yi in Rich People Problems, because even though everyone was talking about her, she was the one character I felt like I didn’t know.
PLOT:

The plot of Rich People Problems was by far the MOST interesting one of the series. The whole series has revolved around one underlying questions of WHO would inherit the gigantic fortune of the Young/ Shang clan and well, THIS WAS THE BOOK WHERE WE FOUND OUT! I spent most of the time wanting to JUST FLIP and reach the part where everything was announced, and it took such an effort for me to not!
CHARACTERS:

I feel like I KNOW these characters. In the span of three books and three days I got to know Nick, Rachel, Astrid, Charlie, Eleanor, Eddie, Oliver, Kitty, Colin and every other secondary character we saw this glamourous world from.

While Nick and Rachel were this solid, dependable couple, Astrid and Charlie have been my OTP for the entire series. I loved the two of them together, and specifically flipped pages to see when I’d hear from them next.

There’s honestly too much I want to talk about and very little I can talk about without spoiling it. If there is a sequel, I will jump across continents for it!

A different kind of world, a diverse cast of characters thrown in a whirlwind of money, family, fame, status, love and all things Asian!

What do you do when you’re outrageously rich and you’re part of the most powerful, influential families in Asia? You spend it of course, in the wildest and craziest ways.

From plastering oneself with the next season’s designer labels, to being named a Countess and having everyone bow to them, to getting plastic surgery for a prized pet fish, there is no going too far for these people. Only not going far enough which is ridiculously entertaining.

With the revered grandmother Su Yi’s health on the line and her inheritance as the talk of the town, the Shang-Young clan make preparations for her legacy.

Nicholas Young, the prodigal grandson living in New York, debates whether to return and make peace with his grandmother. Astrid, the good daughter who has never disappointed her parents, is in the midst of divorce and reuniting with an old flame. The outlandish Edison is set out to mourn by his grandmother’s bedside in the showiest of manners, and it’s also not the last we’ve seen of the tacky Kitty Pong in her rise to fame.

I loved all the vivid descriptions of the French inspired grandeur of the Tyersall Park home, and the stunning locations from the designer boutiques in France, to the sandy beaches of Asia, the buzzing food stalls of Singapore and everything in between. With the name dropping of expensive watches, designer labels and even pop culture references, Rich People Problems shows us a world unattainable to most. I particularly loved the minute descriptions of the delicious Asian delicacies, from dim sum, to fried noodles with gravy, and of course, multiple course degustations.

My favourite part of Rich People Problems is that it felt very much like a direct sequel of the first book, as we see what becomes of each and every character. I loved Nick Young and the loyalty he feels towards his family and preserving Tyersall Park, even though his grandma banished him several years ago. I loved Rachel and how she tries to do what’s best for Nick and his family, despite their ill treatment to her. I also loved seeing all the family members reunite under one roof over their grandmother’s health and also a breathtaking and oestentatious proposal that could only be orchestrated by the filthy rich.

While I loved the conclusion of the book and seeing what becomes of our favourite characters, I felt that the ending was a bit rushed. The epilogue references some scenes that I wish we got to experience firsthand. Aside from this, everything was wrapped up beautifully and you couldn’t ask for a better ending to this wild and crazy whirlwind of a book.

As the last book in the trilogy, Rich People Problems reminded me of everything I loved about the first book – fame, fortune and the wacky antics of Asia’s finest. This excessive, over the top world was entertaining, fast paced, hilarious and ridiculously addictive. I can’t wait for the Crazy Rich Asians movie to come out, especially with it’s all Asian cast. If you’re looking for a hilariously entertaining insight to the filthy rich from a different perspective, you can’t go wrong with this series.

Check out Happy Indulgence Books for more reviews at happyindulgencebooks.com

What a fun book! Hilarious and full of over-the-top, memorable characters.

Rich People Problems is the third book in the Crazy Rich Asians series by Kevin Kwan that follows the ultra-rich (think billionaires and multi-multi-millionaires) that live in Asia. The plot of the third book here involves the decline of the matriarch of the Young family, and the battle for her estate. Many of the characters we’ve grown to love from the previous books are back for more adventure here. Rich People Problems made me laugh out loud in many places, and when I wasn’t reading the book, I was thinking about it and wondering what crazy antics the characters would get into next. The comedic standouts here are Edison “Eddie” Chang, one of Su Yi’s grandson’s who is obsessed with appearance and money, and Kitty Pong Tai Bing, a social climber who has netted her second billionaire, but still isn’t satisfied. Both of these characters sound despicable, and they can be, but Kevin Kwan has written them in a hilarious, loving, way and it really shows that he cares about his characters: the good, the bad, and the in-between. After three books, Kitty has become my favorite character in this series. She steals every scene she is in and I’ve always got a smile on my face when she appears on page. She may not be as kind as Astrid, or as down to earth as Nicholas, but I enjoy reading her ups and downs.

The one downside is that there are so many characters, that it is hard to keep track of everyone. It took me at least a quarter of the book to remember who everyone was, and how everyone was connected. I would’ve really appreciated a character index, or family tree at the beginning of the book to show how everyone is connected. Kevin Kwan writes hilarious footnotes throughout the book (don’t skip them! They have wonderful historical and cultural references, as well as being funny), and he could really make a family tree worth reading as well as being a great resource for the characters in the series.

I don’t know if this is the last in the series, but I really hope there is another book coming. This book, and the series as a whole, is perfect for summer, and I really enjoyed this entry in the series.

I don’t want to say too much about the plot here, as it might spoil the earlier books in the series, but if you enjoy quirky characters, pop culture references, over-the-top scenery, reading about people with a lot of money, and don’t mind a bit of swearing then you will really enjoy this series!

***I voluntarily reviewed an advanced reader copy of Rich People Problems. This review first posted on my blog, luvtoread.

First off, many ask if they have to have read the first two books to understand this book. And the answer is yes, to truly appreciate the story lines. When I first started reading this book, I didn't think so, as summaries of the main storylines were given. But as I got more into the book, I realized that I probably wouldn't have fully appreciated the characters' situation if I hadn't read the first two books. And some of the minor storylines were not given any summaries at all. So you may miss some of the "inside jokes". And if you though all the characters were confusing in the other two books, this one introduces even more characters! So be prepared to get pen and paper out to chart all the relationships.
That said.
Good ending to the trilogy. As with the other books in the series, the first third of the book dragged a little, but the last two-thirds goes by fairly fast. This one didn't evoke as much emotion as the first one did, not even when Eleanor invited Rachel to a a "Bible study". I was confused by why Kitty's story line was being continued but nicely done wrapping it up in the end. Astrid's story line was a little unsatisfying though I did like that not everything ends nice and neat. Eddie's storyline was a little too unbelievable, specially the complete switch in the end. And there were other surprises, like Oliver Tsien's storyline. I would have like to have learned more about the Shang family history and Su Yi's history.
Over all, it was a good end to a series. Great job Mr. Kwan!

DISCLAIMER: I received this as an ARC from the publisher through NetGalley, and I borrowed the first two books from the library. I have recommended Crazy Rich Asians to many people though and would probably read it again in the future because it was just plain fun.

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.

There’s just one moment that strained my credulity. One scene hinges on the aunties not identifying Kitty Pong (Tsai Bing) immediately. A lot of the second novel is around Kitty’s attempts to turn her fame and fortune into a high society entrance, and she’s constantly caught out doing something gauche. All of the others characters felt consistent through the novels, and it just felt off that the gossiping aunties would completely fail to recognize who’s making a massive bid on their property.

Rich People Problems is a fabulous read. Kevin Kwan’s witty writing and highly entertaining characters make Rich People Problems so much fun to read. There are A LOT of characters to keep up with, but once I had them all straight again I didn’t want the book to end. Kwan is a master at depicting familial relationships, and with everyone descending on Tyersall Park, there is much family drama to be had.

I really enjoyed learning more about Su Yi’s background and Tyersall Park itself. Kwan’s descriptions of the ultra-rich lifestyles of certain characters and the outlandish behavior of others, including poor Eddie and Kitty. A fish gets plastic surgery, a socialite has a “personal documentarian”, and a decorator creates a look he called “Ming emperor meets Louis-Napoleon at Studio 54” which includes Tibetan yak hair dyed simmering shades of persimmon. Kwan is truly a master at depicting the absurdity of various characters’ lifestyles in the most hilarious manner. Be prepared to laugh out loud repeatedly.

I was excited to see artist James Turrell receive a shout-out from Kwan. Turrell designed an illuminated tunnel at the art museum near my home, and it remains one of our favorite things to see whenever we visit the museum.

I highly recommend this book and hope there will be another one. I am looking forward to the Crazy Rich Asians movie in the meantime. Thanks to Doubleday and NetGalley for the chance to read this book.

Rich People Problems is a fabulous read. Kevin Kwan’s witty writing and highly entertaining characters make Rich People Problems so much fun to read. There are A LOT of characters to keep up with, but once I had them all straight again I didn’t want the book to end. Kwan is a master at depicting familial relationships, and with everyone descending on Tyersall Park, there is much family drama to be had.

I really enjoyed learning more about Su Yi’s background and Tyersall Park itself. Kwan’s descriptions of the ultra-rich lifestyles of certain characters and the outlandish behavior of others, including poor Eddie and Kitty. A fish gets plastic surgery, a socialite has a “personal documentarian”, and a decorator creates a look he called “Ming emperor meets Louis-Napoleon at Studio 54” which includes Tibetan yak hair dyed simmering shades of persimmon. Kwan is truly a master at depicting the absurdity of various characters’ lifestyles in the most hilarious manner. Be prepared to laugh out loud repeatedly.

I was excited to see artist James Turrell receive a shout-out from Kwan. Turrell designed an illuminated tunnel at the art museum near my home, and it remains one of our favorite things to see whenever we visit the museum.

I highly recommend this book and hope there will be another one. I am looking forward to the Crazy Rich Asians movie in the meantime. Thanks to Doubleday and NetGalley for the chance to read this book.

Rich People Problems is the final book in Kevin Kwan’s Crazy Rich Asians trilogy. This review will contain spoilers for the first two books, Crazy Rich Asians and China Rich Girlfriend. I highly recommend reading the first two books before reading Rich People Problems. I don’t think it will make much sense if you aren’t already familiar with the characters.

Rich People Problems takes place about two years after China Rich Girlfriend left off. Nick’s grandmother is sick and probably close to dying. Nick was the heir apparent to Tyersall Park but he has been estranged from his grandmother since he married Rachel against her wishes. If Su Yi dies who will inherit Tyersall Park now? Nick’s conniving cousin Eddie thinks it should be him. He hasn’t changed a bit over the past two years – he’s still a pretentious snob. Some of what he does and how he acts is funny but sometimes I just wanted to punch him in the face.
Meanwhile, Nick’s mother is after Nick and Rachel to give her a grandchild. If you thought the lengths she went to try and keep them from getting married were over the top, you ain’t seen nothin’ yet!

We also check in with the Michael/Astrid/Charlie situation. Since getting rich, Michael has continued to become more and more of a jerk. He and Astrid are in the middle of an acrimonious divorce. We learn more about Charlie’s wife Isabelle, who has major problems of her own.
And then there’s Kitty, who has either forgotten or rejected everything her consultant Corrina taught her about fitting in with the old money Asians. Now that she’s married to Jack Bing, one of the richest men in Asia, she can and will behave however she wants.

The life-styles of most everyone in this book are even more outrageously lavish than in the two previous books. But Kwan, who grew up in Singapore has said that the way his characters live is totally based in reality. Regardless, it’s fun living vicariously through these people. I was mostly satisfied with the way Kwan wrapped up this series. My only problems were that Astrid’s ending seemed a little of character for her and Peik Lin’s ending felt rushed.

The book starts off a bit slow but soon returns to the level of humor that China Rich Girlfriend had. (I don’t think Kwan will be able to top Crazy Rich Asians.), including his droll and informative foot-notes. If you’re looking for a light, funny summer read, this is it.

Do rich people really have problems? Of course they do, and Kevin Kwan illustrates them all in his new novel Rich People Problems. The third in his trilogy of bestselling books--Crazy Rich Asians, China Rich Girlfriend, and now Rich People Problems--this outrageous novel of the ultra-mega-rich men and women of Asia blends social satire with family drama in the most clever way possible. 

While this novel is about a grandmother's illness and how her control of her family has cost her relationships, the melodrama is raised to almost Kardashian levels because of the wild spending habits, insider knowledge, and name-dropping of the family members and other friends and family around them. Add to that Kwan's sly footnotes and clever commentary on modern life (modern rich life, that is), and you have the delicious novel that is Rich People Problems. 

While some of the rich people problems are the same as us middle-class types, some are distinctly unique to those whose net worth ends in slightly fewer fingers than I have on both hands (which is a truly unfathomable amount of money to me). I have never had my one-of-a-kind multi-million dollar designer dress destroyed by jealousy. I have never had my social status put in jeopardy by spilled soup. I've never had a near-psychotic ex make international headlines outing my new lover. Which is probably why no one has written a bestselling novel about my life. Rich people and their problems are just so much more interesting. 

Do you have to read the first two novels first? Not really. There is a large cast of characters to keep track of, so reading the novels in order helps make that easier. But you can read this as a stand-alone, if you want the latest for your summer reading. However, what you will find so much harder to do is to read this novel first and not go back and start Crazy Rich Asians from the beginning. Kevin Kwan is just too masterful for that. 

Galleys for Rich People Problems were provided by Doubleday through NetGalley.com, with many thanks. 

First of all, before we even get into BookSparks’ latest Summer Reading Challenge novel, RICH PEOPLE PROBLEMS, let’s just agree that author, Kevin Kwan’s novels, CRAZY RICH ASIANS and its sequel, CHINA RICH GIRLFRIEND are absolutely BRILLIANT – BRILLIANT! Both are being turned into films! Whoever designed the covers is also so smart; the continuity of the look is so fresh! LOVE IT! Yes, I’m excited!
In RICH PEOPLE PROBLEMS (Doubleday), the entire Shang-Young clan has converged in Singapore from all corners of the globe, Switzerland, New York City, Paris, India to get their piece of the inheritance from grandmother, Su Yi’s massive fortune – especially, Tyersall Park, the estate sitting on sixty-four pristine acres in the heart of Singapore. We’re not talking about millions, it’s billions, baby! The claws are out! Only the fittest of the fit will survive.
It’s your 2017 version of “Dallas” or “Dynasty” – so not, American-style. It’s typical Housewives of wherever, except the Asian version. Astrid Leong is in love with her old sweetheart, but tormented by her ex-hubby, a man hell-bent on destroying her. Kitty Pong, married to China’s second richest man, Jack Bing feels second best to her new step-daughter couture-gown costumed, it-girl, Collette Bing. We’re living large in Manila mansions, getting kidnapped at Hong Kong’s most elite private schools, the telephoto lens of the paparazzi are snapping shots they shouldn’t be snapping. In the societal pecking order, Chinese nouveau rich is considered low-class to Hong Kong’s older money. I love how Kevin write’s the English translation of Chinese words on the bottom of the pages. It’s a mini language lesson.
Bottom line, the rich have an distinct way of behaving that is uniquely their own, and Kevin Kwan captures it. The family drama is juicy and delectable! As Tolstoy wrote, “Happy families are alike, every unhappy family is unhappy in its own way.” Anna Karenina.

Trying to write this review is hard. It is hard, not because the book wasn't good--there is just so much that happens that to try to briefly explain any of it feels impossible.

There is a part of the world's wealthy elite that even Forbes doesn't have the ability to count-- and the people that make up that upper portion of the 0.1% really do have Rich People Problems. But they also have normal people problems--just with the implications that having normal people problems mixed with wealthy family problems can create.

Nick's grandmother has fallen ill and his family has been told that she may not recover--in an average family that would be hard enough, but in Nick's world extended family reaches beyond continents and with the wealth that his grandmother's estate boasts a rat race for sucking up ensues. Familial bonds are tested and secretes are used for power plays.

Parts of the conversations and interactions between the family units are often funny while others are heartbreaking. The standards and expectations are the same.

I rooted for Astrid and Nick, the only sane family members-- well, aside from Su Yi herself.

It made me wonder, are there people that live this way? With money and family relations being nothing more than something to leverage you into something greater.

I received a complementary copy of this title in exchange for my unbiased review.

I requested this book from NetGalley based on the description..."uproarious new novel of a family riven 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. "

This book was only lukewarm funny, in my opinion. It had its moments, of peeling back the curtain on Asia's elite family lifestyles...but the characters still felt hollow to me. And I'm not sure what is so funny about cruel and shallow people. Maybe it's because I'm not Asian...but I felt sad for most of the characters. As for the ex-wife driven psychotic...she wasn't psychotic, she had bipolar disorder, which shouldn't be made light of. The couture gown sabotage was one scene...and the inheritance battle was more of a skirmish.

I did get sucked in because I liked the grandmother and I kept waiting for the big secret reveal...again, sort of unsatisfying. But it was ok read, worth at least 3 starts, since I did finish the whole book. There were two books before this one, so maybe it would've helped if I had grown to know these characters in the prior two books.

I received a copy from Netgalley in exchange for an honest review

The over the top lives of the elite of Singapore continue to amaze in this continuation of the story of Nick and Rachel and their extended family. Repercussions are still being felt as the family is a bit estranged after the wedding (and attempted poisoning) of Nick's ABC fiance. The situation comes to a head as Nick's grandmother lay dying. Will he have the chance to reconcile with the woman who basically raised him? What will happen with her will? The whole clan is jockeying for favor and position. Rich People Problems is a humorous book with a wild cast of characters. It is also a heartfelt one, exploring family ties, values and expectations. Kevin Kwan went even deeper in this novel by examining the life of Nick's illustrious grandmother. We find there is a lot more to her past that readily meets the eye. I have thoroughly enjoyed the books in this series and hope that the saga continues.

I received an ARC of Kevin Kwan's Rich People Problems from Netgalley and Doubleday in exchange for an honest review.

In this third installation, Kevin Kwan brings back the magic I felt China Rich Girlfriend was missing. Although to be honest, I could still do without Kitty. I did not like her in the second book, and still felt like she was mostly unneeded - mainly because there are so many great characters in the book who could have used the time given to her.
Back to the great parts of this book - I continue to love the relationships between Rachel and Nick and Astrid and Charlie, and I loved that Kevin brought back Rachel's best friend too! I also thoroughly loved getting the glimpses into Su Yi's history.

There is a whole lot of great drama, and definitely some laugh out loud moments - mostly around Eddie and his ridiculousness. And of course, there is the luxury these characters are afforded. The beautiful vacation spots, the descriptions some times made me feel like I could be right there.

Well done Kevin Kwan! I cannot wait to see Crazy Rich Asians when it hits the big screen - and who knows....maybe we will get a fourth book in the future!

Kevin Kwan has done it again. The third book in the Crazy Rich Asian series brings just as much crazy shenanigans that take place in Singapore, throughout Asia, and even in Europe too. It was fun to revisit the characters, see what situations they get themselves into this time around, and enjoy laugh-out-loud moments. While a lot of the plot may often seem over the top, it still has a lot of heart running beneath it to so that you actually do care what happens to these crazy rich folks!

One caveat: I do think that this book would be very difficult to understand and appreciate if you haven't read the first two books in the series, so I highly recommend that you read them in order. The books have a long list of characters and jumps around from people to locations so do yourself a favor, and don't read this one in a vacuum.

Title: Rich People Problems
Author: Kevin Kwan
Publisher: Doubleday
Series: Crazy Rich Asians # 3
Reviewed By: Arlena Dean
Rating: Four
Review:

"Rich People Problems" by Kevin Kwan

My Thoughts...

This author gives the reader in this third book in the Crazy Rich Asians series a read of great drama, some hilarious laughs with some characters, wonderful vacations spots, entertainment and scenic descriptions[clothing and jewelry] that will really have you thinking you are looking at a movie right in front of you. What wacky antics that this large family seems to have that will keep you turning the pages to its conclusion to a hilarious series. Be prepared to read of a 'dysfunctional, paranoid, social climbing crazies with some ridiculous fun.' This will be one intriguing, incredible and entertaining read that I would recommend to the readers.

Oh, how happy I was to see the third installment of Kevin Kwan's delectable series was available to read! Having absolutely loved Crazy Rich Asians and greatly enjoyed China Rich Girlfriend, I couldn't wait to get my hands on Rich People Problems. Fortunately, I was not disappointed in this book, after being oh so slightly let down by the second one. This book is witty, engaging, funny, and full of characters that are over the top! It was great fun following up on the characters from the two previous books, I would actually suggest going back and reading the other two before starting this one. That way everything would be fresh on the mind and most importantly, the story would last longer. I also greatly appreciated the footnotes (although, they're not easy to get back and forth to on the Kindle), they were funny in their own right and also extremely helpful in understanding things I had no clue about otherwise.

I loved Crazy Rich Asians and China Rich Girlfriend so my expectations were sky high when I started reading Rich People Problems. I was disappointed. Rich People Problems is by no means a bad or dull read – it just doesn’t live up to the first 2 books. The pace is much slower and there is not much of a story. Even the footnotes which were, quite possibly, more entertaining than the narratives in the first 2 books, were dull and uninspired. The story meanders aimlessly for most of the book and it feels like the author can’t decide what to do with some of the characters - Kitty, Colette, Eleanor, the Young sisters. I expected a more intense storyline, given the main event is the impending, and eventual, death of Su Yi. There were hardly any humorous scenes (though the scene where Eddie witnesses a massage and his subsequent conversation with his mother is the funniest scene in all the 3 books), and I got the sense that the author was not really into writing the book but was fulfilling a contractual obligation. Kitty and Colette’s plotline was interesting but lead nowhere. Astrid, Charlie and Michael also had an interesting plotline but it fizzled out towards the end of the book. Rachel barely made an appearance which was disappointing as she was a key character in the previous books. There was potential for a great plotline for Oliver and the Tsiens but the author did not delve into Oliver other than to portray him as a desperate man who kowtows to the whims of some of the characters in order to survive. The ending was a huge letdown. It was anti-climatic and for some characters (Eddie, Colette, Astrid, Charlie) quite odd. I felt that the ending was superficial and not realistic. However, even though the book did not live up to its predecessors, it is still an entertaining read. I would love for Kevin Kwan to write a book about Su Yi. The flashbacks were the most engrossing part of the book.

I have to start by saying I never read a book series one after the other. I usually take a break between them and read something else. These books were such fun to read I read them one after the other. I love these characters, however over the top they may be, and will really miss them now that I've finished the series. Their lives are based solely around their money and the crazy stuff that they do to one up each other is so outrageous. The few that are more down to earth are so likable and you find yourself routing for them to find their happy ending without worrying about money.

Received a publisher's uncorrected proof in exchange for a review.

I was delighted to get to immerse myself in this world for a third time. Kevin Kwan, beginning with Crazy Rich Asians, has created characters you love and empathize with and those you want to strangle, and I expected nothing less from this third book in the series. Old friends return, new characters show up, and Kwan, as always, brings the high stakes drama that makes you feel emotionally connected to people who are, by any standard, in their own world.

There is a two-year leap forward since the end of China Rich Girlfriend, so Kwan has to catch you up and thrust you right back into the current crises: Nicholas' grandmother, the matriarch of one of the families the series spotlights, is sick. Formerly the favorite grandson, Nick hasn't spoken to her since she spurned his now-wife, but despite living contentedly in the two intervening years, Nick is convinced to return home to make peace. In the meantime, every child, grandchild, cousin and distant relation has descended to curry favor in case the old lady decides to amend her will.

Nick and Rachel were the couple whose relationship set into motion the machinations of incredibly wealth Asian mothers and served as our window into the absurdity of high society but are not as present here as they were in the first and second books. I found that because I knew the world, they weren't necessary anymore. I knew these characters and was happy to follow their storylines, which Kwan blends and manages adeptly. Every time a chapter ended mid-drama, I wanted desperately for it to continue only to be pulled into the story of the next chapter.

I was surprised to learn recently that Kwan had not planned this series as a trilogy but rather had written the first book and was coaxed into writing more after it was such a success. I think he's managed to create arcs that played out unexpectedly but also realistically and give a satisfying conclusion, if this is in fact the end for these characters. I'm impressed he has kept the quality high and the stakes ever-changing and cannot wait to see what he does next.

I almost didn’t read the second and third books because of the negative reviews. But I’m glad I didn’t listen to them. All three books were excellent. I call these type of trilogies- tree trilogies. They start with the main story and characters- and then branch out and tell stories about the surrounding characters. I didn’t feel that Nick and Rachel were ignored as much as they played an archal role. I felt he told the stories of the family members and wove them together like a beautiful tapestry. I truly enjoyed all of the books

Kevin Kwan continues his humorous depiction of the super-rich Young, Leong and Cheng families in a novel titled, Rich People Problems, the third in this series. Set mostly in Singapore, the extended families are gathered in and around the great house called Tyersall Park in which matriarch Sun Yi has fallen ill. While the novel stands on its own, fans of the earlier books will be familiar with most of the characters. I found this novel more interesting that the previous one because of the deeper character development.

Rating: Four-star (I like it)

For me this book was better than “China Rich Girlfriend” but still not as good “Crazy Rich Asians.” I found myself wishing the book focused more on Nick and Rachel and Astrid and Charlie and left the Kitty Pong subplot our of it. Good book, I just wished the writer would have one last book that focused on the main characters that made us all love the original.

I love these books, and this might be the best of the three. Packed full of mind-boggling wealth, uber-luxurious settings, and of course "scandale", it's the ideal summer read. I'm endlessly amused that these people have hundreds of BILLIONS of dollars, yet their family/social dynamics and behaviors retain the same provincial pettiness and lack of boundaries as if they were still the peons they were 4+ generations ago. Pure vicarious fun!

I don't know how I didn't realize it in the title, but I didn't know it was a trilogy. lol And honestly? I didn't need to. I wasn't confused at all. I am definitely going to buy the first two after reading this. My only complaint is I wish I could've been the fly on the wall between the last chapter and the epilogue!!!

Last updated on 07 May 2017

I would like to thank NetGalley, Doubleday Books, Doubleday, and Kevin Kwan for the ARC of "Rich People Problems" by Kevin Kwan for my honest review.
The Genre of this book is Women's Fiction. Please note that this is the third book in a series of books by the author. I have not read the other two books.
Kevin Kwan describes many of the locations in Asia, as well places in the rest of the world in a delightful, easy to visualize paradise. He describes the beautiful shades of water and landscape in such an alluring way. I appreciate the way the author describes Tyersall Park on 64 acres in Singapore, and the interior designs, as well as the architectural designs in other places.
The characters are described as complex, complicated, competitive, greedy, vain, manipulative, jealous,secretive and rich. There a few characters that have integrity and flaws. The author describes all the materialistic fashions, jewelry, cars and design houses with a "NAME" that costs a fortune. Many of the characters are portrayed as shallow, and visit plastic surgeons, and live to get more and better than the others. There is jealousy and revenge.
Kevin Kwan writes about Asia's most prestigious and wealthy families. Many have fortune and wealth and fancy titles.
Su-Yi, the powerful and wealthy Matriarch is on her deathbed, as close and distant relatives congregate waiting to see who will inherit Tyersall Park. At the same time, the author describes the toxic relationships of various relatives and characters. Traditions, religion and expectations are discussed.
This was an intriguing read, and I would recommend this to those of you that have read the other two books in the series. I would rate this book as 3.5 stars. Happy Reading!

This is another wonderful book by Kevin Kwan. I laughed so I had tears in my eyes. These people are so outrageous, so over-the-top. All they talk about is fashion, pedigree (and not the dogs), how much money they have and where they spend it, who they know (who they think is important), how many homes they have and so much more. You get to hear what they eat, the delicious food that I wish I could eat along with them. How many servants they have and what they do for them (and who tried to steal them away).
Charlie Wu is finally single again and has asked Astrid in an elaborate show complete with Bollywood dancers and an elephant to marry him. Kitty has her second billionaire husband and decorated his house in a ‘unique’ style. Eddie is still trying show everyone how important he is and who he knows. And relatives from the previous 2 books are now coming together at Tyersall Park to see what will be done here because Su-Yi the matriarch has fallen ill and everyone now wants a piece of the pie or to see who gets the whole pie. You get to see these people interact with some funny and heartrending issues. They are really not so different from regular people; they just have outrageous amounts of money (and egos to go with that).
And the information about Su-Yi when she was young is so very interesting. While she is home and still attached to the machinse and medicine that keeps her with us, she is remembering her past and we learn so much about the way she has lived and who is really is, that you just can’t put this book down. At the end of the book it seems there might be another and that would be wonderful, I just love all this stuff.
I won this book from Goodreads and am giving this review.

5 stars! I was ready to love this book and it did not disappoint. It’s a hysterically funny view into the Asian Lifestyles of the Rich and Famous. Even Robin Leach would be impressed.

Kevin Kwan continues telling the story of my beloved Asian high society characters and introduces a few more. This book, like the previous two, spans the globe with jet setting characters, their glamorous lifestyles, and rich descriptions of elite environments. Like the other two books, this one also has witty footnotes and Asian languages such as Cantonese, Mandarin, and Malay written in English and the translations that have you laughing out loud on every other page. Kevin Kwan’s sharp sense of humor comes out in every character. His strong sense of Asian heritage, the nuances of each nationality, and the tales of the super rich have me wanting to know more about how the author did his research into this book.

The Asian family hierarchy, the class distinction, the different forms of wealth – it’s all very fascinating and probably true. You just wonder how the author got the inspiration for his characters and fabulous settings. Does he have access to these kinds of people that exist in real life? Does he lead this kind of life? I’m so curious and envious!

There are so many characters in this book that it was hard to remember how they are all related. Kevin needs to write a family tree supplement for his readers so that we can keep track of them all.

In addition to being exposed wealth beyond our imaginations, the reader has insight into multiple cultures, languages, complicated large Asian family dynamics, marriage and divorce drama, fame, servants and scandal. The character flashbacks were very interesting and gives the reader a better understanding of the events that shaped that character’s life.

This book is a guilty pleasure and my favorite of the trilogy. If you want a mental vacation from daily life, READ THIS BOOK. It will transport you out of your boring daily setting into a place that seems out of this world. Highly recommend.

Don't think for a minute that I didn't like Kevin Kwan's trilogy on the crazy rich Asians and their problems. I enjoyed every minute of it. I loved how he skewered the untouchables of Singapore who are so convinced of their own grandeur. He does great character development, has a wicked sense of humor, and an infinite knowledge of social minutiae that I would envy if I cared about it. It's fun to read though. Now, why not five stars? Well, Mr. Kwan needs, at least in my opinion, to learn how to quit when he's ahead. By that I suggest that Rich People Problems soared as a novel until the death of a certain matriarch. I can't say who lest I spoil it for readers to come. For me, that was the peak of the novel. Everything that came after lacked the delightful buildup to that death- the greed, the pageantry, the property, the matriarch. It was all so good. Then it became a bit forced. Much of what followed just wasn't that interesting. There was one scene that absolutely had me putting the book down. That's when we went through an underwater tunnel into a cave. My claustrophobia went wild. And it all seemed so unrealistic. Kwan wraps the series up nicely and I am sure he would have done so if he had wrapped it up many pages earlier. So now with the trilogy complete, what could possibly be next? He lives in New York's West Village. But there are no people there to skewer, are there?

This book has been in my the store book suggestions for awhile. A Book club pick this month . It was presented as a stand alone book but I have a feeling it was a sequel of some kind . Maybe if I had read the previous ones I would have liked it more . It was just ok I'm my eyes .

Lots of fun to read. I really got involved with some of the characters, though not all of them were distinctive. But the sense of place and atmosphere was very good, the plot really held together and the characters motivations made sense. It was also quite funny and I really really enjoyed reading all the books in the series and hope there are more. I also want to see the movie thats coming up.

Have read all three and enjoyed them all. I am fascinated with the lives of the wealthy. In the I wouldn't want what they have because of their inherent weaknesses and a lack of real insight. These books are deliciously gossipy and a very fast read.

This story is a fun and imaginative excursion into history, fashion and the jet setting lifestyle of the ultra-rich in Asia. The humor is fabulous; my favorite parts are when the "aunties" plot among themselves and the colorful expressions they use in conversation. The narration is a bit sappy at times and some of the main characters are saccharinely good, but it's easy to forgive the fluff because there are enough drama queens to keep you gleefully entertained.

Hilariously written. There are so many great lines. The story is fun and I love (most) the characters. :-) Each of the three books are stand alone,but together they are a great read! Fun. Over the top outrageous personalities and a relaxing,cheery way to spend the day...or a long flight. For me it was slowing down to enjoy the summer. Many thanks to the author.

What are you waiting for? Read all three. Start now!

I love this series of books. Kevin Kwan's writing is so immersive he has to include asterisks to further elaborate or provide context because there is so much to say. I always feel completely transported but as an insider. It is like having VR glasses and a tour guide. I couldn't exactly remember everyone's roles at the beginning of the book because it had been a while since I read the other two books. Ideally, you should binge read all three in sequence. It would be like a vacation without leaving home. Please write more!!!

This book was great. Tied up all the loose ends, the story telling was like the first book. The second one lost my interest a bit because of all the chapters of online gossip columns of who's where and what is everyone wearing. Still a fairy tail ending, wouldn't have it any other way (for this series).