Lies and Wedding by Kevin Kwan

I read a review that stated "If you liked Crazy Rich Asians, you will enjoy this", and while I did not read the book I did watch the movie, and if there is a correlation between them, that would be an accurate perception. There is a similar vibe, with conspicuous transnational consumption and love against the odds. The basic template is familiar-- Hong Kong-born Arabella, the Countess of Greshamsbury, has made it her mission in life to arrange advantageous dynastic marriages for her three English Chinese children. She is particularly keen on landing a princess for her only son and heir, a hot wannabe artist named Rufus. In Arabella’s path lie three formidable obstacles, none of which she yet knows about. Her global chain of luxury hotels is mortgaged to the brink. Decades of unchecked family spending have emptied the Gresham trusts. And Rufus has long since consecrated his heart to the girl next door: Eden Tong, daughter of the Gresham family doctor and a kind and conscientious physician herself. She is also the only not-rich person in the entire book, which makes her by default its heroine. The story unfolds over a predictable but enjoyable trajectory, a romantic comedy that ends well, and it is light and enjoyable.