"Park Avenue" | Reviewed by Pat Sainz

“Park Avenue,” by Renee Ahdieh, is the author’s first foray into adult, popular fiction books after writing award-winning young adult fantasy series for several years. “Park Avenue” is a fun book, filled with intrigue and drama. 

Jia Song is the daughter of first-generation Korean parents who own a small bodega in New York’s Lower East Side. Until age 15, Jia had no particular goals until she waited on a customer carrying a leather Hermes Birkin handbag made from Barenia leather ($12,000 to $2,000,000). 

Jia’s future snaps into place…one where she can afford a Hermes handbag and wear a floor-length chinchilla coat and flaunt canary diamonds like her customer.

Once Jia graduates from law school, she is named the youngest junior partner in her prestigious law firm with ambitious plans to be made partner soon after. Her plans seem within reach when she is assigned to handle the divorce between Mr. and Mrs. Park, multi-billionaires who own a world-renowned cosmetics company.

Jia tries to overlook the fact that she was likely hired to represent the Korean family because of her own ethnic background. If Jia wins for the Parks, her company will earn the Parks’ business and she will certainly be made partner.

Jia represents Mrs. Park and her three adult children.  Mrs. Park and the siblings know that billions are being hidden from them by Mr. Park. They are determined to find this money. They resent his affair with a much younger woman who is pregnant. Revenge and greed are the games each of the Parks are playing.

Mrs. Park gives Jia a month to settle the case. Jia and the Park siblings begin visits to Korea, the Bahamas, and France on the Parks’ private jets. Jia is introduced to luxury that few experience; stays in mansions and hotels owned by the Parks; dinners at the most prestigious restaurants in the world, access to staff for any anticipated needs, time spent on the most luxurious yacht in the world.

Mr. Park may be guilty of murder, extortion, and offshore money laundering. It’s unclear if any of the children are secretly working in tandem with him, in an effort to win his admiration and to be rewarded with money in the billions if they stick with him. It’s in this atmosphere that Jia navigates a world of wealth, narcissism, and subterfuge that are in part horrifying and humorous.

Jia begins to question her own morals and goals as she embarks on a worldwide quest to uncover the billions the Parks feel they are owed. It is unclear whether the nefarious Park siblings will be able to win their case against their family, and the intrigue will keep the reader engaged.

This book reminded me of the novel “Crazy Rich Asians” with its focus on material goods that only extreme wealth can provide. 

The author, Renee Ahdieh, is in discussion with producers for a movie or series version of “Park Avenue.” With its colorful, over-the-top characters and foray into crime and mystery, the novel should be perfect for the screen.

            Buy the Book.