Sex and Vanity Review

Sex and Vanity 

By: Kevin Kwan

Released: July 14th, 2020  

Pages: 336

My Rating: 4/5 

Goodreads Synopsis: 

On her very first morning on the jewel-like Island of Capri, Lucie Churchill sets eyes on George Zao and she instantly can't stand him. She can't stand it when he gallantly offers to trade hotel rooms with her so that she can have the view of the Tyrrhenian Sea, she can't stand that he knows more about Curzio Malaparte than she does, and she really can't stand it when he kisses her in the darkness of the ancient ruins of a Roman villa and they are caught by her snobbish, disapproving cousin, Charlotte. "Your mother is Chinese so it's no surprise you'd be attracted to someone like him," Charlotte teases.

Daughter of an American-born-Chinese mother and blue-blooded New York father, Lucie has always sublimated the Asian side of herself in favor of the white side, and she adamantly denies having feelings for George. But several years later, when George unexpectedly appears in East Hampton where Lucie is weekending with her new fiancé, Lucie finds herself drawn to George again. Soon, Lucie is spinning a web of deceit that involves her family, her fiancé, and the co-op board of her Fifth Avenue apartment, and ultimately herself as she tries to deny George entry into her world-and her heart. 

Moving between summer playgrounds of privilege, peppered with decadent food and extravagant fashion, Sex and Vanity is a truly modern love story, a daring homage to A Room with a View, and a brilliantly funny comedy of manners set between two cultures. 

My Review:

I cannot express my excitement level when I finally decided to dig into this book! If you've been following me at all this year, you would know that I read the Crazy Rich Asian series this year and absolutely loved all three books of the series. I feel like Kevin Kwan can do no wrong and writes some of the most fun fiction I have ever read.

I am happy to report that I enjoyed Sex and Vanity! It was sad for me at first because all I wanted to read was more Nick and Rachel and their crazy families, but shortly found myself captivated by Lucie and George's story. This novel really packs a punch - it has a great romance story but also touches on larger topics such as racism, family, and gender roles. 

While this was not Crazy Rich Asians, though there were a couple characters that homages were paid to (and you bet I fangirled!), I walked away really enjoying getting to know a new set of characters and their families. If there is one thing Kevin Kwan does well it is creating captivating characters. I cannot express enough how much I love Kevin Kwans books, so instead of saying all of that again... for the fourth time... I will just say that if you are looking for a great beachy read, check this one out ASAP. 

Catch you later, 

Molly