The writing. Don't get me started on the writing. It was okay but it wasn't okay at the same time. Do you get what I'm saying? Anna Godbersen’s young adult historical novel The Luxe (2007) is the first book in a tetralogy. Set in 1899 New York, it follows two sisters, Elizabeth and Diana Holland, who hail from the elite class of Manhattan. When the sisters’ father dies and his rich legacy suddenly holds no weight, they scramble to stabilize their lives before they fall from high society and are forced to undergo a drastic shift in consciousness. The novel is structured episodically, rotating perspectives between three minor characters, as well as the two sisters who are its central protagonists. This complex, shifting, and non-linear plot serves to produce an anachronistic characterization of the destructive social dynamism of American capitalism’s upper echelons. When I say this felt exactly like gossip girl- I mean exactly like gossip girl. Take this with a grain of salt, because I have never read the books and only watched about half of the first season of the show but to me, these characters were scarily similar: Life for Elizabeth isn't easy though, even though all she has to do is sit around and look beautiful. It turns out, since the death of her father, her family is having financial problems and aren't able to keep up the type of lifestyle they are used to living. One thousand dollar gowns, priceless works of art, and trips abroad are a thing of the past unless something can be done to secure the family's place in society before everyone learns of their trouble. Mrs. Holland thinks Elizabeth can save the family by marrying Henry Schoonmaker – New York's most eligible and most sought after bachelor. 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.

At that time, I haven't read enough historical fiction to know what was the good quality ones and the bad quality ones. I was only interested on what this book was going to contain.Diana Holland considers herself the romantic Holland sister. Diana is a 16-year-old with a rebellious streak that, Elizabeth believes, stems from the fact that she did not have a very refined coming-out party. Diana has wild, chestnut brown curls and features similar to her sister, pale skin and brown eyes. Diana is not one to follow rules, but she is often seen with her nose in a book, her only escape from what she thinks is a dull and ridiculous life. She falls in love with her sister's fiancé, Henry Schoonmaker. We begin the story with an end of one. The funeral of miss Elizabeth Holland, a tragic and unexpected death of one of society’s most loved. The next chapter, we see Elizabeth, before her death. I loved this element, as we knew she died- but not how, why or by who. It's September 1899 and the Manhattan season is starting off with a bang. Elizabeth Holland, the darling of the high society set, has returned from her year in Paris in time for the first ball of the season, held at her best friend Penelope Hayes' newly finished and incredibly vulgar mansion. Penelope is all about showing herself to the best advantage, and has her sights set on young rake Henry Schoonmaker - but his father has other ideas. Intending to run for mayor the following year, he wants his only son to shape up and marry a good girl from a good family: Elizabeth. Ich bedanke mich bei Netgalley und dem LYX digital Verlag für das kostenlose Rezensionsexemplar des Buches. Ich gebe hier meine unabhängige und unbezahlte Meinung zu dem Buch ab. You didn’t think you would be expected to clean while enjoying time off did you? The housekeeping team spotlessly clean the rooms whenever you are not in them, arranges your laundry as required, and turn down your beds at dusk. You don’t lift a finger. Butler

The Luxe is a beautiful condominium development that has many charms to it. There are various facilities that residents can enjoy while living in The Luxe. Residents of The Luxe would not have to travel far to get their basic necessities as everything is close within their reach. Residents can enjoy the shops, eateries and malls in the vicinity during their free time. Residents can enjoy taking evening walks around the condominium development or take a dip in the pool on a hot day. Residents can enjoy taking walks around the area during the evenings while enjoying the sun set during their free time. Upon their father’s death, the two girls learn that their position is more unstable than they had assumed. None of his famous wealth has been left to them. To secure her and her sister’s futures, Elizabeth agrees to marry Henry, a narrow-minded, rich bachelor whose father is an industry magnate. Meanwhile, Elizabeth doesn’t know that Penelope Hayes, her clever and social best friend, is also being entertained by Henry and is secretly competing for Henry. Penelope tries to leverage Elizabeth’s secret financial instability to throw her out of the running. Finally, Elizabeth has to reconcile all of this with her own affair with Will Keller, her childhood friend and a servant in the Holland household. Elizabeth's secret relationship with Will isn't the only thing that becomes more difficult after the wedding becomes public. Henry doesn't want to get married any more than Elizabeth does. He resents the fact that he is being forced to wed and give up his freedom. Penelope, her supposed best friend, is infuriated by the news of the wedding. She expected to marry Henry herself and is planning to break up the wedding by any means necessary. Elizabeth's personal maid, Lina, finds out about Elizabeth and Will's relationship and is hurt because she has grown to love Will herself. Even more problems crop up when Elizabeth's younger sister, Diana, begins to have feelings for Henry. Finally, and most devastating to Elizabeth, Will tells her he is leaving New York and heading west to California. How can a proper girl deal with all of these problems and be expected retain her poise? Penelope was who I initially hated the most, but that was because she was written was such a purposeful intent for us the hate her. She knew what she wanted, and was prepared to do whatever she must to get it. She was resourceful, cunning and ambitious. A true slitherin queen. Upon reflection, she may the character I hated the least.Elizabeth Holland and her best friend Penelope Hayes rule Manhattan's social scene. But when Elizabeth learns her family's status is far from secure, suddenly everyone is a threat to a golden future. Elizabeth is forced into an engagement to Henry Shoonmaker, a man she barely knows, with a terrible reputation as a ladies man, who happens to be the person Penelope is in love with. Elizabeth Holland must choose between the family duty of an arranged marriage and true love. Elizabeth, 18 years old, is described as angelic, with ash blond hair and brown eyes. She does everything she is told, and obeys her mother. She secretly spends long passionate nights with her stable boy, Will, but she has to marry Henry Schoonmaker to save her family from becoming poor. Ein Buch, das in New York um die Jahrhundertwende spielt, hatte ich bisher noch nicht gelesen, aber ich denke, das man die Stimmung und Etikette sehr gut eingefangen hat. Vom Gefühl her würde ich sagen, es ist eine Mischung aus Gossip Girl und Downton Abbey. And, oh my god yeek I loved this book! I don't know how to explain it but I did! I fell in love with a historical romance third person book! Who would have thunk it? I can't even begin to describe how much I loved this book.

I was actually pleasantly surprised with the writing and worldbuilding. While I am under no illusions that it is perfectly researched and historically accurate in terms of dialogue or general conduct- it served its purpose of transporting me to the time with its descriptions of fine gowns, lavish balls and court like intrigue. The Luxe Bali has a state-of-the-art home theatre room with a high end three-metre projector screen, KEF surround sound speakers and seating by cosy leather recliners to enjoy a comfortable and exciting cinema-like experience. Gym Beautiful Elizabeth Holland, lovely, prim, proper and of course a lady. Too bad she is dead. The story opens to a dreary day in late 19th century New York at the funeral of Miss Elizabeth Holland, the exact day in which she was to be wed. If you didn't think the nineteenth century was full of drama then think again. Life in New York in 1899 was very eventful. At least it was for the very wealthy. Elizabeth Holland has been a perfect daughter her entire nineteen years of life. She has been groomed for years to be perfect - to talk when she was supposed to, to receive visitors on Sundays, and always appear happy no matter when she was feeling on the inside. People in New York expect her to marry well and continue the traditions of high society. Her instinct was to do some violence to the white-and-gold upholstery that decorated the room, but she had not so lost her head as to want to ruin good brocade. Not yet."The period is also supported by little clippings from newspapers, journals and those books on the proper deportment of a lady at the beginnings of the chapters, which help remind you of the world outside and surrounding these preoccupied young women, and how everyone is watching them. There is some thought given to class consciousness, the social expectations, pretensions and manoeuvring of the rich, but I was pleased to see it didn't suffer from too much "presentism". It was also good to have one of the protagonists be a lady's maid who ends up on the street - you get to see the less glamorous, more hard-working "trade" side of the city. customer can choose the suitable size according to the size guide and the design of the female size chart. The types are targeted at waist and chest circumference, hip joints, and also targeted at different regions, such as Europe and Australia and other countries in different regions to choose the appropriate size. To enrich the optional diversity. there is always one that will satisfy you and make your life more elegant in The Luxe Company.