Sex and Vanity: A Novel

Kevin Kwan

Jun 2020 · Sold by Anchor

About this ebook

NEW YORK TIMES BESTSELLER • GMA BOOK CLUB PICK • The author of the international phenomenon Crazy Rich Asians takes us from Capri to NYC, where a young woman finds herself torn between two men—and two very different cultures.

"Another riveting tale of privilege, culture and romance ... extravagant fashion and deceit, resulting in one truly modern love story." —CNN

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 a view of the Tyrrhenian Sea, she can't stand that he knows more about Casa 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.

The daughter of an American-born Chinese mother and a 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, the co-op board of her Fifth Avenue apartment building, and, ultimately, herself as she tries mightily 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.

Ratings and reviews

4 Stars Review by Lisa Late Night Support Group Up All Night With Books Blog Sex and Vanity by Kevin Kwan who the bestselling author of Crazy Rich Asians is back and what a tale is told. We are taken on this ethnic world of the rich or should I say extremely wealthy and self privilege world. We start off with Luci attending her friend's lavish wedding on the island of Capri and she meets George and the back and forth begins. Compromising positions, stolen kisses, long chats and runs around every corner. Just a little taste: 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 We are taken on this journey of Luci trying to navigate her ownself, her heritage, her lifestyle, and her own beliefs, and dealing with family is never easy. Very well written. Strong characters. Sometimes things are in the details and this story is one of them, details, details to bring it all together.

With a nod to EM Forester's room with a view. Love!

i love the book! please make another of these!🤩🤩🤩

About the author

KEVIN KWAN is the author of the international bestsellers Crazy Rich Asians, China Rich Girlfriend, Rich People Problems, and Sex and Vanity. Born in Singapore, he has called New York’s West Village home since 1995.