The Luxe

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.

Reader reviewed by Debbie

First off, I have to say I love the covers of this series and it is
what drew me to read the book.  I found myself surprised that I
actually enjoyed this book and cant wait to read the next one.  I say
surprised because when I was about halfway through I didnt think I
wanted to even finish the book.  The main thing that kept me going was
that I hate not finishing a book so I kept reading.  I am so glad I
did.  The second half of the book kept me hooked and now I cant wait
to read the sequel to find out what happens with Diana, Henry and
Penelope.   I initially thought Diana was a pain in the behind but she
redeems herself in the end in my eyes and I do hope she can find
happiness.  I really hope Penelope gets what is due her and while I can
sort of understand Linas, Elizabeths former ladys maid, jealous
feelings I still dislike her intensely.  Im curious what the future
books hold for them as well.

Reprinted here with author's permission

Reader reviewed by stephanie

I don't really like historic fiction but I decided to try this one out since everyone was gushing about how they liked this series. Unfortunately, I was not in favor of everyone else's opinion on this book. Though the scandal and everything was fairly amusing, the writing really wasn't that interesting. The plot was also pretty dull and there were a lot of times where I thought the matter could be easily solved but the girls obviously could not or did not want to see that way. I thought the book moved too slowly hence the reason why it took me about 3 months to read this. This book reminded me of Gossip Girl because of all the gossip [obviously] and scandal that was happening but it was a poorer version of Gossip Girl. Since I didn't like Gossip Girl a lot, this shows where I stand on this book. I probably would not want to read this book again but since I read Rumors and Envy, sequels of this book, and they are way better, I suggest you guys to read this quickly to move on to the others.

Reader reviewed by Natalie

The book starts off with Elizabeth Holland's funeral service. Then it goes back to the weeks before Elizabeth's untimely death.

Eighteen-year-old Elizabeth Holland is a rich, beautiful and proper young lady. Elizabeth is the ideal wife for any man. What people don't know is that she is secretly in love, and sleeping with,Will, a member of her staff. Suddenly, her family is in a bad finacial situation so when she is betrothed to the most sought-after bachelor in New York City, a perfect match is creaed.

We then meet Diana, Elizabeth's sixteen year old sister. Diana is the complete opposite of Elizabeth. She has no manners, gets bored easily, is not impressed with wealth and she would rather spend her days reading romance novels, and kissing random boys, than acting proper. Diana has a wild imagination so when she learns of her family's financial situation, she belives it will bring excitement to her boring life. Because of her wild behavior, she ends up falling in love with her sister's betrothed, Henry Shoonmaker.

We also meet Penelope Hayes. She is Elizabeth's "best friend" and she too has ravishing clothes, gorgeous looks,and an estate that turns heads. It looks that Penelope and Elizabeth are best friends but we learn that Penelope hates and is jealous of Elizabeth. She hates her even more when she finds out that Elizabeth is going to marry the man of her dreams. Now she plans on destroying her future, no matter what it takes.

We are then intoduced to Lina Broud Elizabeth's personal maid. She was once friends with Elizabeth but Elizabeth is too busy to be friends with someone beneath her. Lucky for Lina, she knows Elizabeth's secret affair with Will, who Lina happens to be in love with. This secret, or gossip, could finally permit her to enter the glamorous world of high society as well as ruining Elizabeth's life.

Now the question is, who killed Elizabeth? or better yet, is Elizabeth really dead?

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.