The Luxe
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4.2 • 131 Ratings
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- $6.99
Publisher Description
The Luxe is the first book in the New York Times bestselling Luxe series by Anna Godbersen.
In a world of luxury and deception, where appearance matters above everything and breaking the social code means running the risk of being ostracized forever, five teenagers lead dangerously scandalous lives. This thrilling trip to the age of innocence is anything but innocent.
Pretty girls in pretty dresses, partying until dawn. Irresistible boys with mischievous smiles and dangerous intentions. White lies, dark secrets, and scandalous hook-ups. 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. But when her carriage overturns near the East River, the girl whose glittering life lit up the city's gossip pages is swallowed by the rough current. As all of New York grieves, some begin to wonder whether life at the top proved too much for this ethereal beauty, or if, perhaps, someone wanted to see Manhattan's most celebrated daughter disappear...
“Mystery, romance, jealous, betrayal, humor, and gorgeous, historically accurate details. I couldn’t put The Luxe down!” —Cecily von Ziegesar, author of the #1 New York Times bestselling Gossip Girl series
Gilded Age Romance: Explore the opulent, treacherous world of 1899 Manhattan, where beautiful dresses hide ugly truths and every party is a battlefield.Arranged Marriage: When the Holland family fortune is threatened, Elizabeth must choose between marrying the wealthy Henry Schoonmaker for duty or following her heart.Friends to Rivals: Elizabeth’s closest friend, the ambitious Penelope Hayes, has her own designs on high society—and on Henry Schoonmaker.Sisters at Odds: While Elizabeth plays by the rules, her rebellious sister Diana is determined to forge her own scandalous path, no matter the cost.
PUBLISHERS WEEKLY
With a quote from The Age of Innocence as an epigraph and an enthusiastic blurb from the creator of Gossip Girl on its back cover, this lavishly produced debut makes no secret of its twin influences. The story opens in 1899 with the funeral of Elizabeth Holland, a well-bred beauty said to have plunged to her death in the Hudson River. The narrative then travels back several weeks, tracing the relationships and events that have led to the somber assembly. This tangled web includes not one but two sets of star-crossed lovers; an upstairs/downstairs romance; a scheming social climber; a bitter servant girl; and oodles of money, all set in a Edith Wharton via Hollywood vision of Old New York. The dialogue has its clunky moments, and the plot twist that drives the tale is telegraphed from the very start, but readers caught up in the fancy dress intrigue are unlikely to mind much: it's all part of the dishy fun. Needless to say, the ending paves the way for at least one sequel. Ages 14-up.
Customer Reviews
The Luxe
This has been my first read from this author and overall I think it has been very well done. She kept a good pace with her plot and outlined her characters well. Set in 19th century New York, The Luxe has many of the themes that fans of Jane Austen for example have come to love-family, duty, love. It's a good vacation read.
Best Book Ever!!!!!!
This book was soooooo good, I could never put it down. This was a perfect romance, adventure, mysterious type book, 4 people who likes those kind of books. This book also makes u think that ur there during that time period. This book is probably a 13+ age range. I read this book in about a day and it was soo good. Right now I'm in the middle of the 2nd book rumors, and it's as good as the first one . U hav not read a good book until u hav read this one!!!!!! :D
The Luxe
This book is so good!!! It's one of the best books I have ever read, I couldn't put it down!!!I highly recommend it.