Review Detail

Reader reviewed by Stephanie

If you can't get enough of Gossip Girl, here's something perfect for you: Anna Godbersen's new trashy series, THE LUXE, set in turn-of-the-century New York. The world is poised on the break of a modern revolution, but within the old and powerful families of New York, tradition and appearance always come first. Love is thrown aside in favor of money and the security of social status. This is the kind of world that perfect 18-year-old Elizabeth Holland and her peers inhabit.

Elizabeth's family, once a well respected moneyed family, has fallen into debt after the death of her father. Desperate to keep up appearances, Mrs. Holland forces her into a hastily arranged marriage with the equally unwilling Henry Schoonmaker, the troublesome, ever-partying hottest bachelor in New York. However, Henry secretly carries a flame for Elizabeth's younger sister, Diana, the rebel. And even more unknown is that Elizabeth is in love with Will Keller, the Hollands' coachman. Will plans to go West, and urges Elizabeth to abandon her family and the lifestyle she has always known to join him.

Add to that the fact that Lina Broud, Elizabeth's childhood friend turned ladies' maid, is in love with Will herself and therefore hates Elizabeth. Her sentiments are shared by Penelope Hayes, Elizabeth's social-climbing pseudo-best friend, who is beyond furious that Elizabeth seems to have stolen her crush, Henry, from her. With so many people hating her, it should be no surprise that Elizabeth's life is in danger...Yikes!

While I didn't think that THE LUXE was as well written as similar, more popular series, such as Gossip Girl or The A-List, it is perfectly satisfactory as fast, light reading. THE LUXE never pretends to be more than it is--a delicious imitation of Gossip Girl--and you have to admire it for that.