The Fraud Squad

By: Kyla Zhao

Narrated by: Siho Ellsmore

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.

©2023 Kyla Zhao (P)2023 Penguin Audio

Critic reviews

"Immersive, cinematic, and exquisitely fun! The Fraud Squad is the perfect debut, full of high society hijinks, high-stakes, and the joy of finding oneself. A delightful, transportive ride, and the New Adult book I was waiting for!"—Ali Hazelwood, New York Times bestselling author of Love on the Brain

"With the glitz of Gossip Girl, the allure of vibrant and vivid Singapore, the glamour only the elite can bring, and the promise of a fake-it-till-you-make-it quest, The Fraud Squad is escapism at its finest. This book will swallow you right up and keep you awake until you turn the last page."—Elena Armas, New York Times bestselling author of The Spanish Love Deception and The American Roommate Experiment

“Zhao updates My Fair Lady in her sparkling debut, a high society farce set in Singapore. Zhao brings buckets of charm to her characters...The author also gets plenty of mileage from arrogant socialite Lucia, who reads like she strutted off the pages of The Devil Wears Prada. Readers will be eager to see how Zhao follows up this whip-smart and witty rom-com.”—Publishers Weekly

More Fraud please!

It was an okay enough story to listen to but not something I’d return to or remember after a while. 39 chapters felt like a waste for a story that could’ve wrapped up in 20. For a debut it’s not bad but I have hope that the author can only go up from here.

Great Read

I really loved the plot! It kind of jumped into it unexpectedly, but once you're in the story, it's really good!

Lighthearted

Predicable in a comfortable way. I enjoyed listening and ended up wanting more of the story. Felt like Crazy Rich Asians meets Devil Wears Prada.

My new favorite Autobuy author!!!

This book has been on my most anticipated 2023 releases and it did not disappoint! My fair lady set in Singapore high society. Bit of mystery, romance, and allll the glamour.
A very strong debut from Zhao and I can’t wait to see what she does next!

Couldn’t put it down

The story was not predictable. I really loved it. I hope she writes a follow up book.

Singing the praises of Samantha Song!

I’m not a writer-just someone who loves a great story about fashion, fame and betrayal! This story has it all! I certainly hope we hear more from Samantha Song and her adventures into “high society,” and her on again off again love life with TK! I think it might be time for Samantha to meet a real prince who doesn’t do her wrong! Can’t wait for more!
Best Regards-
JB

Kevin Kwan, you have a strong competitor here.

The narrator truly captured the accents and gave each of the different characters a unique voice making it easy and a pleasure to follow.

Light Hearted Reading/ Listening

Can be predictable at times but the story and narration was overall good. I listened to it on a road trip across the country. Entertaining enough to keep me attentive and engaged but not comprehensive that requires too much brain activity. Potential chick flick movie.

I enjoyed this one!!!

Just when I thought it would turn I to a Hallmark movie, there was a twist! I hate Hallmark movies haha.

An Enjoyable Read

3-3.5 Stars

I really enjoyed this book once we got past the conflict, but the ending felt rushed and the beginning had me struggling to really connect in a meaningful way with the characters.

Being in the world of the Singapore specialities was fascinating and watching Sam navigate that was intriguing and sometimes terrifying. The friends she met along the way really kept me on my toes and anxious as I waited for the other designer shoe to drop.

The romance between Tim and Sam was cute but felt rushed. I wish they had a better ending, but it did leave it hopeful (definitely not a definitive HEA). I felt like it could have been explored more and then would have really hit hard towards the end.

The best relationship and overall journey in this book that I truly loved was between Sam and her mom. The scene after the gala aas truly touching and healing and it was absolutely the best written part of this book.

Overall, The Fraud Squad was a quick and enjoyable book that had elements of romance but truly leaned more into what it means to be true to yourself and how to carve out your own future despite the life you were born into.