September Book Buzz
By: Jill Gunderson
Hi Neighbors!
Happy September, neighbors! I hope everyone’s summer was full of fun, family, and much-needed time off, because it’s now, it’s officially time to get down to business. This month, I bring you Park Avenue by a new author (to me). Ren`ee Ahdieh is a long-time best-selling young adult author, but this is her debut adult novel, and I can’t wait for you to read it!
First off, this book was initially pitched as “Crazy Rich Asians” meets “Succession” and friends, I was all in! Jia Song is a junior partner in a law firm, and as the daughter of Korean bodega owners, her parents are nothing short of thrilled! Years ago, Jia’s grandfather came to her in a dream, saying that she was destined for greatness and that she was the key to their family’s success.
That’s a huge promise to carry, right? She has worked her tail off ever since, and it doesn’t matter that her love life is in shambles; things are now looking up!
One day at work, she gets called in by her boss to sit in on a meeting of a high-level client, and, the firm’s best kept secret. She accepts. It’s not until the meeting that she finds out it’s nothing but the ultra-wealthy and most famous Korean family in the world—the Parks. NBD right? Jia finds out that there is complete drama within this family, all the while trying to navigate a billion-dollar beauty brand, and it’s Jia’s job to help make things right. There’s more…their mother is dying; their father is filing for divorce and the three gown adult kids cannot stop disagreeing and fighting over what to do about it. Seems pretty straight forward until Jia discovers a dark secret the Park family is hiding and each member of the family seems to be telling a different form of the truth. (This, my friends, is where it gets really juicy!)
Jia’s journey takes her jet-setting around the globe (with super handsome and best friend to the family/personal assistant…wink wink), she gets to know each member of the Park family individually, and unknowingly starts to love them all for who they are and all of this had me in a complete chokehold. I could not put this book down! It was all things luxurious, captivating, intriguing and had me second-guessing my initial assumptions. I found myself almost whooping out loud for Jia as she grew as a character into a strong woman who learned to stand up for herself, and others.
This book was a scrumptious read and is a perfect transition for all of us still mentally living that summer life. Business meets pleasure, so to speak.
So, friends, grab your mocktail and a little snack, and dive in!
Happy reading!
Jill xoxo
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