Kirstin Chen

Counterfeit by Kirstin Chen is a thrilling heist ride with a medium-paced plot. The story is all about how a struggling mother's life changes after she meets her college friend. Ava's life is to be pity upon, as she is desperately trying to fulfill her roles as a mother and a wife. Winnie's entry changed the course of the story. The plot gives you an insight into the world of fake designer pieces, just like currency. I am definitely going to recheck my bags and purses after reading this book. Ava's character develops throughout the story, from a pitiful life to a conman.

This is my first time reading this author. The plot has that thrill to excite you from start to finish. The climax was just out of the world. I was not expecting this from Ava. But I felt that at some places the plot was dragged unnecessarily. Overall, the book is worth a one-time read.… (mer)

3.5 stars.

Why do books without quotation marks bother me so much? I guess it feels like the people aren't having a conversation with each other or me.

Imagine after 20 years of not seeing your college roomie who you weren't even close with and who left early on in freshman year, and have had no contact with, finds you after 20 years. Ava knows it that this is strange. But things happen and Ava decides to help Winnie – bad move I know. Ava isn't a dummy by any means but she does it out of revenge and happens to be in Hong Kong and decides to “help” her. She tries to get out this scheme and tells Winnie as much, but gets deeper involved. Winnie is such a manipulator that Ava can't get out of it. The book is past and present at the same time where she is explaining to a detective how it was with Winnie.

The epilogue was a disappointment for me.

A fast paced book that I finished in two days.… (mer)