Review Detail

I decided to reread The Luxe because I want to eventually finish this series, and this book didn’t stick in my mind well enough for me to understand future installments. Turns out, there was a reason I didn’t remember much of The Luxe—it’s an entirely unmemorable type of novel.

The best way I can describe The Luxe is trashy chick lit for historical fiction readers. If you enjoy complicated soap operas about the lives of the rich and entitled, The Luxe is certainly a book for you. Romantic intrigue is the order of the day in this book. And, because of that, The Luxe is definitely a recipe for mindless entertainment. It’s only too easy to become immersed in Anna Godbersen’s world, but it’s only too easy to walk away once the book is over.

As a reader who values characters, I think it’s regrettable that characterization isn’t Godbersen’s strong point. Everyone in this book—Will, Elizabeth, Diana, Penelope, Lina—fell easily into a classic archetypes. In my opinion, it’s very easy to write a cliched plot without relying on shallow character cliches.

Godbersen’s writing isn’t all that bad. It’s fast-paced and easy to follow along with. The novel’s historical setting was detailed—especially in regards to whatever pretty dress the narrating character happened to be wearing. I have no complaints to make toward the author’s style or her way of expressing herself.

And though, technically speaking, The Luxe isn’t a bad novel by any means, it failed to impress me. I’ve read it twice, and nothing has stood out for me. I enjoyed this, but it’s something I’ll forget about in a week. Like I said, it’s completely unmemorable.