The Luxe by Anna Godbersen ★★★★☆ Pretty girls in pretty dresses, partying until dawn. Irresistible boys with mischievous smiles and dangerous intentions. White lies, dark secrets, and scandalous hookups. This is Manhattan, 1899. Beautiful sisters Elizabeth and Diana Holland rule Manhattan’s social scene. Or so it appears. When the girls discover their status among New York City’s elite is far from secure, suddenly everyone—from the backstabbing socialite Penelope Hayes, to the debonair bachelor Henry Schoonmaker, to the spiteful maid Lina Broud—threatens Elizabeth’s and Diana’s golden future. With the fate of the Hollands resting on her shoulders, Elizabeth must choose between family duty and true love. The Luxe is a lush, romantic story rife with scandal and betrayal. The pages are filled with vivid details, from the mansions to the gowns. I loved that it brought the era to life accurately and interestingly, but it sometimes seemed too much. In scenes like Penelope’s party, it fit with the over-the-top atmosphere of the party. Other times, it was more dead weight. The love triangles in The Luxe are knotted up and confusing - more like love octagons, actually. This is where the main conflict of the book is, so it was important that they exist, but it seemed like almost every character in the book was involved in one. Even so, The Luxe was a beautifully detailed and well-written story. Lovers of romance, scandal, and the Victorian age will be delighted.
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Once Upon a Time...As a longtime lover of stories and a believer in the power and magic of books, I've spent my life seeking out the best reads. This blog is dedicated to reviewing the books I read - good, bad, or magnificent - to help other readers find their next favorite books. Currently ReadingKing Zeno
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