Crazy Rich Asians

I couldn't put this book down! It's only making me more hyped for the movie (which I have held off seeing until I read the book). This novel mixes the snobbery of Downton Abbey and The Devil Wears Prada and mixes it with Jane Austen and The Princess Diaries. It's a light romantic comedy, filled with pitfalls and misunderstandings. Rachel agrees to spend the entire summer with her boyfriend, Nick, visiting his relatives, attending a wedding, and sightseeing in Singapore where he is from. There's only one catch, Nick has never told Rachel about his family. Little does she know that his family is like royalty and they have more money then she can comprehend. Billions of dollars! Every event they attend is more mind boggling than the last. Rachel didn't even know that people could live that way! Nick's mom is aghast that her son would date some commoner and does everything she can to get Rachel out of the picture. Witty, full of drama, couture, and snobbery. I loved this. I'll have to continue with the series.

Dead Gorgeous

I hadn't read a good old fashioned murder mystery in a while and this certainly whet my appetite. Elizabeth Flynn creates an absorbing read with a likable cast of characters, especially the lead,  Detective Inspector Angela Costello. She's a detective with heart, not some jaded PI like we're so often used to. She's methodical, jovial, and hard as tacks; she knows how to get the job done but she doesn't lose herself in the process.

When young aspiring model, Kristy Manners, is found dead Angela finds herself sucked into the world of fashion. She has to sort out Kristy's fashion designer boss, the jealous ex-boyfriend, the secretive flatmate, and other likely suspects. It's not so easily solved though, and in the process of trying to sort out the murder of beautiful, ambitious Kristy, Angela discovers that lurking behind the fashion industry's door is prostitution, drug addiction, and theft. A page turner that will leave you guessing til the end.

I received this book for free from Kregel Publications in return for my honest, unbiased opinion.