While the “whats” of the story are detailed out, the “whys” aren’t. The motivation/rationale behind most character decisions isn’t explained at all.

Counterfeit by Kirstin Chen | Goodreads

Binding. It differs from the one of the authentic textbook. The glue can be of a different color and unevenly distributed along the binding, and the book may generally look poorly made. Books with bindings for which cheap glue was used also smell differently than an original quality edition. The curvature of the spine can also be different (e.g., too flat or bent). Overall, I definitely enjoyed this “fun” and engrossing read, but more than that, I also appreciated the fact that it was a welcome departure from the “heavier” books that I’ve read lately. Immediately after finishing this one, I put both of Kirsten Chen’s previous books on my TBR, though of course, I also look forward to what she might have in store next.Hmm... What can I say about Counterfeit? There was just something about this book that I didn't quite like.

Counterfeit – HarperCollins

Maybe 4.5 (I know, unpopular opinion apparently because so many people have rated this book within the 2 to 4 star range lmfao) A con artist story, a pop-feminist caper, a fashionable romp . . . Counterfeit is an entertaining, luxurious read—but beneath its glitz and flash, it is also a shrewd deconstruction of the American dream and the myth of the model minority. . . . Chen is up to something innovative and subversive here.” — Camille Perri, The New York Times Ava Wong, Asian American lawyer, has the appearances of a perfect life. Sure hasn’t worked since having her son, Henri, now two years old. Her husband Oli is a renowned transplant surgeon and everything should be rosy. So why does she feel so flat? Well Oli spends too long either at work or travelling to and from it and Henri is a very difficult child who cries at every opportunity. In fact Ava would be completely lost without her nanny, Maria. Example #1: Side-by-side comparison of an original and a counterfeit. The item on the right has a different color tone:Editorial note: I received a copy of Counterfeit in exchange for a review. All opinions are my own. Now you know the differences between fake and real textbooks, so feel free to share this information with your friends to help them avoid scammers. You can also find the list of titles that are very frequent subject of counterfeiting.

‘Counterfeit’ Is New Pick for Reese’s Book Club | Kirkus Reviews

The novel starts out well enough. We are introduced to Ava, the main character, who struggles as a new mom to a (I think?) developmentally challenged son and her husband (a cardiac surgeon), while they somehow have money problems. Already, this is drastically unrealistic but alright... go on.Ava and Winnie are initially presented as different as can be. Ava grew up in the states while Winnie is from Mainland China. Winnie desperately wanted to fit in college and Ava seemed kind of standoffish and not willing to help Winnie—a little bit of mean girl behavior. So it seems way out of left field for Winnie to enter Ava’s life again, right? Of course, there’s more to the story there and it’s quite intriguing and surprising.

Counterfeit - Kirstin Chen Counterfeit - Kirstin Chen

Other than Ava and Winnie, the characters don’t stand out. Most are quite flat and come on a need-be basis into the story.

Propulsive and captivating . . . A provocative story of fashion, friendship, and fakes (in more ways than one), with characters that both subvert and capitalize on the model-minority myth. No surprise that the sly feminist caper was the subject of a fierce eight-way bidding war for TV rights.” — Vogue , The Best Books of 2022