Reviews

Counterfeit by Kirstin Chen

rachelnevada's review against another edition

Ava Wong has stepped away from her life as a lawyer to help raise her developmentally delayed son, Henry. However, she's finding life difficult even with the help of her nanny and her husband is frequently away on business trips. When Ava's freshman year roommate, Winnie Fang, appears out of the blue with a business proposition, Ava finds it difficult to turn down. 

It feels like Chen has attempted to pull off a Gone Girl style twist in the middle of the book. But, other than the few chapters from Winnie's perspective, there isn't enough development to transform Ava from an unwitting accomplice to a mastermind.

While there are brief asides, like Ava's relationship with Winnie lasting long enough for her to help her with her citizenship and the missing phone being Ava's intentional idea rather than a mistake, there are still so many holes (especially about Winnie and Ava's relationship)

I'm also deeply curious how accurate this might be to actual counterfeit sales and creation. It feels as though Chen has taken pains to ensure that there are no people hurt in the process, but it feels as though that's a bit unrealistic-- garment work is notoriously damaging and extractive, so I'm unconvinced that all of this was perfectly fine/normal!

Either way, a quick listen with a glamorous peek into the world of designer fashion (plus I love a con book)

sarahmjames's review against another edition

funny lighthearted mysterious medium-paced

• Loveable characters? No

3.5

gallagherjill's review against another edition

4.0

Thoroughly enjoyable and quick read. Perfect book for a flight or beach. Very specific designer handbag mentions, so if that does not interest you then you may be bored in portions.

geauxgetlit's review

4.0

This book is perfect for summer reading and reminded me of Finlay Donovan. A lifetime ago two Asian American immigrants was roommates in college for only two short months. Only speaking twice in 20 years; having forged different paths of life. One, became an honest attorney through the guidance of strict parents, the other chose to live the American dream through her own ways.

These two women finding a way to make money off of luxurious fake handbags, also found much more about themselves that they never even thought imaginable.

Deliciously entertaining and I hope this dynamic duo returns for more.

iwi's review

2.0

U m m m m boo? 

Idk about this one. It was interesting, but also basically nothing happened. It was here's how I got into the business and did my first crime and then court case says I'm innocent and epilogue. 

I thought the one sided conversation with the detective was weird. And when we find out Ava is lying the whole time I was like wait... cos everything about their relationship, Ava and Winnie's, wasn't true and the epilogue highlighted that even more. Both of them were so unlikable in Ava's telling that I didn't like either of them. 

I can't tell if we're supposed to like them or not, but the text calling them "queens" at the end seems like we are? I wasn't rooting for them. Especially when they let a man die over fake bags. Very feminist wow. 

But then all the stuff Ava says about her kid and husband I'm like is this true? Cos if so I do hate her. If it's a lie for the detective then okay, let me know more. 

I feel like the format of the story just didn't work for me. I want to know the truth and maybe not knowing is fun for other people. In the end I just didn't like them and I found the actual events boring sooo yeah 

kierstanryan's review against another edition

3.0

It was a good story with such an interesting perspective. There was more narration than conversation though. It took awhile to figure out what the climax of the story was going to be and what the impact of it was. I did like the 2 different perspectives!

annieschenk's review against another edition

adventurous informative mysterious fast-paced

• Plot- or character-driven? A mix
• Strong character development? No
• Loveable characters? Yes
• Diverse cast of characters? Yes
• Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes

5.0

lozababe's review against another edition

informative mysterious medium-paced

• Plot- or character-driven? Character
• Strong character development? It's complicated
• Loveable characters? No
• Diverse cast of characters? Yes
• Flaws of characters a main focus? N/A

4.0

A thrilling read and not at all what I expected. 
Ava is being interviewed by a detective about how she got involved in returning counterfeit handbags to department stores, and we hear all about an old friend who came back into her life and convinced her to help her out. Ava seems completely innocent and like she has been coerced by this friend and I felt sorry for her most of the way through, until I got to Winnie’s version of the truth. It was interesting to see how both women described the same situations. 
It was interesting to get an insight into just how good some of the counterfeit handbags being sold in China really are and how a lot of people wouldn’t even be able to tell the difference. 

my_book_trolley's review against another edition

3.0

Audiobook is really well done!

Story has so much detail and feels very realistic. Such a fun storyline!

molb8's review against another edition

adventurous funny medium-paced

• Plot- or character-driven? A mix
• Strong character development? It's complicated
• Loveable characters? It's complicated

3.5