Zhao Kyla Bücher

A working-class woman who infiltrates Singapore’s high society to fulfill her dreams risks losing everything in the process—including herself—in this propulsive novel by debut author Kyla Zhao. For as long as she can remember, Samantha Song has dreamed of writing for a high-society magazine—and she’d do anything to get there. But the constant struggle to help her mom make ends meet and her low social status cause her dream to feel like a distant fantasy. Now Samantha finds herself working at a drab PR firm. Living vicariously through her wealthy coworker and friend, Anya Chen, is the closest she’ll get to her ideal life. Until she meets Timothy Kingston: the disillusioned son of one of Singapore’s elite families—and Samantha’s one chance at infiltrating the high-society world to which she desperately wants to belong. To Samantha’s surprise, Timothy and Anya both agree to help her make a name for herself on Singapore’s socialite scene. But the borrowed designer clothes and plus-ones to every glamorous event can only get her so far. The rest is on Samantha, and she’s determined to impress the editor in chief of Singapore’s poshest magazine. But the deeper Samantha wades into this fraud, the more she fears being exposed—especially with a mysterious gossip columnist on the prowl for dirt—forcing her to reconcile her pretense with who she really is before she loses it all.

IT'S TIME TO SWAP HAUTE COUTURE FOR HTML. Zoe Zeng seems to have it all in New York's fashion scene, but reality falls short of her dreams. Her editor at Chic magazine pressures her to tone down her opinions for the sake of big brands, her cramped apartment is shared with three roommates who won't let her store kimchi in the fridge, and her meager salary barely covers designer clothes. When a job offer comes from FitPick, a startup in Silicon Valley, the attractive salary and perks tempt her, but leaving her best friends behind poses a dilemma. Taking the plunge, Zoe swaps high fashion for high tech but quickly discovers that not everyone in the industry has altruistic motives. With an eight-figure investment at stake, she must navigate Silicon Valley's elitism and her cold colleagues to revamp the app's image. If she fails, both the company and her future could be in jeopardy. This bold, addictive novel blends elements of LEGALLY BLONDE and SILICON VALLEY, showcasing a vibrant cast of characters and sharp class critique. Praise for the author highlights the immersive and escapist qualities of her writing, making it a captivating read that keeps you turning pages until the end.

I HAD THE BEST TIME READING THIS BOOK! It's immersive, cinematic, and exquisitely fun! The perfect debut, filled with high society antics, high stakes, and the joy of self-discovery. Escapism at its finest, this book will keep you awake until the last page. Imagine CRAZY RICH ASIANS meets THE DEVIL WEARS PRADA, with a dash of GOSSIP GIRL. Samantha Song dreams of a by-line in a high-society magazine, but her father’s death and her mother’s struggles make that seem distant. Stuck at a drab PR firm, she lives vicariously through socialite Anya Chen. Then she meets Timothy Kingston, the disillusioned son of Singapore's elite, who offers her a chance to infiltrate the world she longs to join. With Tim and Anya’s help, Sam gets designer clothes and invites to parties, but she fears being exposed. An anonymous reporter is on the hunt for gossip, and Sam must reconcile her pretense with her true self before she loses everything. Packed with glitz, glamour, food, fashion, and heart, this novel is perfect for fans of Kevin Kwan and Lauren Ho. Readers are raving: “One of my favorite reads of the year!” “The characters were phenomenal!” “I read it in a single day!” This delightful blend of emotion and aspiration is a must-read!