I’m not sure if “Bridge Novel” is a term that I just made up. Let’s pause for Googling…
… OK. Nothing came up. I’m going to claim it as my own. What is a “Bridge Novel”, you ask? According to the randirock dictionary, it is the second book in a series that usually follows a wildly popular premiere book and sets the stage, or bridges the gap, for book three.
China Rich Girlfriend is the second book in the crazy popular, crazy fun Crazy Rich Asians trilogy. Nick and Rachel are engaged, and the family drama continues. Following their wedding, the newly married couple jet off to China to spend time with Rachel’s long-lost father and brother (and the step-mother who really doesn’t want her around). They land in China and are, once again, instantly swept up in the lives of the rich and famous. Parties, shopping, street car racing, and a whodunit poisoning keep the pages turning and leave the reader wondering what’s in store for book three.
I enjoyed this novel, but it’s not the stand-out hit of its predecessor. It’s fluffy, beach-y, and a great way to give your mind a break from the tragedy that is 2020. I wavered between three and four stars. As a stand-alone, I would likely give it a three-star rating; however, because I enjoy the characters, and I was invested in the story from Crazy Rich Asians,I am going to consider this a continuation of the book I enjoyed and give it four stars. (Let’s pretend it’s 3.5.)