Crazy Rich Asians by Kevin Kwan

Synopsis from Goodreads: Crazy Rich Asians is the outrageously funny debut novel about three super-rich, pedigreed Chinese families and the gossip, backbiting, and scheming that occurs when the heir to one of the most massive fortunes in Asia brings home his ABC (American-born Chinese) girlfriend to the wedding of the season.
When Rachel Chu agrees to spend the summer in Singapore with her boyfriend, Nicholas Young, she envisions a humble family home, long drives to explore the island, and quality time with the man she might one day marry. What she doesn't know is that Nick's family home happens to look like a palace, that she'll ride in more private planes than cars, and that with one of Asia's most eligible bachelors on her arm, Rachel might as well have a target on her back. Initiated into a world of dynastic splendor beyond imagination, Rachel meets Astrid, the It Girl of Singapore society; Eddie, whose family practically lives in the pages of the Hong Kong socialite magazines; and Eleanor, Nick's formidable mother, a woman who has very strong feelings about who her son should--and should not--marry. Uproarious, addictive, and filled with jaw-dropping opulence, Crazy Rich Asians is an insider's look at the Asian JetSet; a perfect depiction of the clash between old money and new money; between Overseas Chinese and Mainland Chinese; and a fabulous novel about what it means to be young, in love, and gloriously, crazily rich.

Release date: June 11, 2013
Number of pages: 403

My review: Honestly, I have a couple of different emotions about this book. I read it while reading a few other books because it is just a massive hunk of a book (you know the type, big book but tiny writing), but also because there were some spots that were a bit slow for me. The first 100 pages were awesome; a lot of backstory which made me really care for or understand the characters later on down the road, and I liked how the switching viewpoints was set up. Sometimes when books switch the views on different characters I am left feeling a bit confused and dizzy, but Crazy Rich Asians did it where it wasn't switching all over the place and each character had their fair share of speaking time throughout the novel.
The next 100 pages (so around the 200 range) were pretty good, lot's of name dropping and finally more of the characters and families get to interact, especially Rachel being introduced to a large majority of Nick's family. Also more thrawting and scheming comes out which always makes a book more exciting!
Then the 300 page range. Oh my goodness. It seemed to drag on a little too long. The story was good I just felt that it wasn't going anywhere fast. Often in cases like this I'll say something like it could have been taken out, but honestly it's probably better left in otherwise the ending would have felt weird or sort of rushed (which it already kind of was but I'll explain that in a minute).
The last 100 pages were pretty awesome. A LOT more drama started happening and the ending story about Rachel and her mom made the whole book worth it. That story in itself could be a novella or companion novel for this book!
The characters themselves were pretty cool. Nick and Rachel are a good couple; you can totally see how they are compatible, even if Rachel is sometimes a little TOO goody-two-shoes for my liking (although she does have her moments of outburst which made me laugh).
Nick's family; pretty much all jerks, except for a couple cousins or uncles and aunts here and there. His mother is pretty awful although his dad seems super cool. Astrid, one of Nick's cousins is honestly such a chic and cool character. I loved her little side story and I was rooting for her from the very beginning (dare I say it, more than Rachel?). Rachel's family, which is just her mom, total sweetheart. Loved her!
Another cool thing about the book was when it discussed Asian cuisine or used some phrases that were in different languages it left little asterisk and at the bottom of the pages it explained everything for you. Some were really short one sentence things, but some asterisk were pretty long and took up almost half the page. You're sort of getting a mini-history lesson with some of the things the author included.
So, in conclusion, it wasn't completely awesome but it wasn't a let down either. I gave it a solid four stars on Goodreads and I would definitely recommend you check this out for yourself when it comes out. Warning though; if you don't like name dropping or rich people flaunting money, don't read this. You'll hate it.
See you soon!