The book cover of ‘The Fraud Squad’ is gorgeous and it's exactly the way I imagined the characters would be. The plot twist was a total surprise for me, and I love how this is based in Singapore and has ‘Crazy Rich Asians' vibes. I also love how the main character, Samantha, aspires to work in publishing, and as someone who also shares the same dream, Samantha’s passion for publishing is very nice to read about 🤭 I also like how there are book club discussion points at the end.

However, I am sad about one thing: I didn’t enjoy this book as much as I thought I would. ‘The Fraud Squad’ is very well-written – it's clear that Kyla Zhao is a great storyteller, but the plot just wasn't it. There was absolutely no chemistry between Timothy and Samantha, and it felt like they were written as a couple just for the sake of having a romantic element within the book. Samantha's attitudes and behaviours also annoyed me too much – but then again, I think this is how the author wants the reader to feel (especially during the times when Samantha starts to lose herself in the socialite lifestyle). That’s why I said this is a very well-written book, because the book clearly has to be written well for it to elicit such a strong emotion from me. Yes, Samantha does realise at the end that being herself is the best and that how she acted towards her best friend and mum was wrong, BUT, the character development felt forced. It felt like Samantha’s remorse was written because that's the way the story should go, not because it flows. And honestly, the plan didn't make much sense to me because there were clearly no benefits for Anya and Tim – well, at least I didn't see why Tim would do it too, but we learn why towards the end of the book.

‘The Fraud Squad’ is perfect if you want to read something that is fun and light-hearted. Or, if you want to feel like you’re watching a Netflix show – because this book is based in a world where everything is perfect, regardless of what happens. Which, to be honest, is something we all need once in a while 🫶

My rating: 2.5/5 ⭐️

As soon as I saw the cover and read the blurb
of this book, I knew I was going to absolutely love it. Kyla Zhao has written an incredible novel about Singapore’s high society. I was very intrigued about the Singaporean social scene, and thoroughly enjoyed getting a glimpse into what it is like as an insider. You could definitely tell that the author has experience in the fashion and magazine industries; the references were spot on, and she clearly knew what she was talking about. Her descriptions of the characters’ outfits were very vivid and I loved how I could google the pieces that were worn and see exactly how they looked; it made for a really immersive experience! The portrayal of the main character’s job in PR was very realistic, and I also liked how the importance of interns for fashion magazines was emphasised.

As for the characters, I really enjoyed seeing Samantha’s personal journey and growth throughout the novel. Her character was very well developed, as were all of the others. I also really liked Tim as a love interest, although the romance is not a huge part of the book. I really liked the ending; I wasn’t expecting some of the reveals and it made for a very action packed and exciting ending! I will definitely be picking up Zhao’s next novel and will be buying the finished copy of this book so I can admire the stunning cover in person!

Thank you so much to Netgalley and Headline for the arc of this book.

I agree with all the reviews so far! This book definitely needs to become a series, I could see it jump from page to screen. Full of entertaining characters, beautiful scenery, and a great plot line this is sure to be a huge hit with the YA crowd all the way through adult.