Rumors: A Luxe Novel

The book Rumors by Anna Godbersen is a great insight into Manhattan's most popular social scene, in 1899, during the turn of the century. Each of the characters Ms. Godbersen writes about has their own unique personality. Elizabeth was always seen as Manhattan's "good girl", but what is she really hiding? Everyone knows Henry and Penelope were going to get engaged, but what happens now that he proposed to Elizabeth? What about Elizabeth's sister, Diana? She has always been rebellious to traditional ways, but how far will she take it? Each of the characters are about to make decisions that will change the rest of their lives. After the first chapter of Rumors, the reader is swept into all of the drama. Although at times it can be hard to keep up with which character is preparing to back stab her best friend or tell a new lie, the plot is very interesting. The author does an amazing job of setting up the scene and gives a great description of what is happening in the plot. While the book is obviously a romantic fiction novel, it does contain some historical information about the end of the nineteenth century. Before I read this book, I had no idea what the wealthy people were treated like at the turn of the twentieth century. Even if a young lady was just going on a shopping trip, she was treated like a goddess. Rumors also shows what the poor people used to live like. They had to work as maids or servants to wealthier people and had to wear hand-me-down clothes. Sometimes the poorer people would do anything to get money, like Lina who sold out her old boss who used to be her good friend. At a time when everyone is changing, how will they survive? All of the characters are keeping their own secrets, but rumor has it that soon these secrets will all come spilling out.

In Rumors: A Luxe Novel (The Luxe), gossip "rears its ugly head," aiming poisonous darts of rumor and half-truths at the dazzling young women of New York's upper echelon of society in 1899 Manhattan. But before I get to the plot, and the "plotting," I must pause to admire another type of beauty: the book itself. Rumors: A Luxe Novel (The Luxe) is an exquisite book ... probably the most elegant I've ever seen. The dust jacket is undoubtedly the most beautiful, and the hardcover binding is tres chic. As you can see, the dust jacket features Diana Holland, a gorgeous New York debutante, in a red French gown with a bouffant train. But what you can't see is that the train trails from front cover to back where it dramatically sweeps across the entire page. I was so taken by this dust jacket that I felt like running to Kinko's, having it enlarged, framed and then displayed on my living room wall. And I would do that if the dress were a shade of teal green, but since I don't decorate with red, I reluctantly vetoed that idea. But there I go, digressing again; books have a way of affecting me like that. Now back to the aesthetics of this special book, the hard cover and text got the royal treatment from the publisher, too. This is the second in the "Luxe" series and I understand the first cover was just as gorgeous, with Elizabeth Holland, the most sought-after deb, gracing the cover, wearing a sumptuous pink gown. I could rave on and on about the interior fonts and chapter headings, also, but I think you get the idea: I'm crazy about the elegance of this book. I was delighted to see that the author's style is just as fine as the "window dressing"; Anna Godbersen is a fabulous writer, a voice that speaks with knowledge, clarity and emotion. She makes old turn-of-the-century New York and its characters come alive. The first book ends with Elizabeth's funeral--but she's not dead. This is not a spoiler because it's revealed in The Luxe that she faked her death to protect her family from "ruin," which is what happened in those days when girls failed to adhere to the outrageous conventions concerning "arranged" marriages. She fell in love with a family servant and chose to follow her heart ... all the way to California. Two characters aid Elizabeth in her plan, faithfully keeping their commitment to her when tongues start wagging, when rumors float, threatening to expose the truth of her situation. Rumors: A Luxe Novel (The Luxe) opens at Tuxedo Park where the upper echelon of New York Society go to escape New York's prying eyes; they're assembled there for the wedding of Henry Schoonmaker, the groom Elizabeth jilted. After a proper mourning period, Henry is marrying another beautiful debutante. But which of the ones who scheme to get him?. Is it the sneaky, seductive Penelope Hayes? Is she the right one for him? Is he truly in love with her, or is he the victim of parental interference in his desire to follow his heart ... as Elizabeth had done?

The second book in the Luxe series by Anna Godbersen, Rumors picks up approximately two months after The Luxe left off, showcasing the wealthy and beautiful of 1899's New York City. Henry Schoonmaker, mourning the untimely death of fiancee Elizabeth Holland, is slowly coming out into society again, and his eye has fallen on Elizabeth's younger sister, Diana. While he ponders the consequences of being with his dead fiancee's sister, Henry himself is being stalked by the beautiful and wily Penelope Hayes. Penelope's not going to rest until she has Henry for herself, and the secrets she carries are going to ensure heartbreak and triumph. This is a page-turner, with the characters of Penelope and Diana struggling over their feelings and schemes for Henry. Secrets abound: Elizabeth, who is not dead (which is not a spoiler since The Luxe determined this), is living with love Will Keller but realizes her family, in desperate financial straits, needs her; Elizabeth's former maid, Lina, is masquerading as a "lady" by using her hush money from Penelope; and Diana must keep the biggest secret of all. Amid all these secrets and layers, Godbersen has given us a glimpse of the mores and regulations of genteel society in 1899. Many who read these novels will be surprised at the subterfuge and scandal that affected those lives just as much as ours do today. This is a young adult novel, but it is engaging enough for those of all ages who enjoy looking at others' lives covertly. Think of it as a "Gossip Girl" for the historical fiction set, and you'll have a good idea of the fun and drama involved. I am looking forward to the third installment, Envy. Recommended.

New York on the cusp of the new century is brimming with hope. Elizabeth Holland has joined Will Keller, formerly her late father's valet, in California. Elizabeth's sister Diana keeps the fact that Elizabeth is really alive secret. Diana is convinced Elizabeth's mourning ex-fiancé Henry Schoonmaker has reformed and is in love with her. She barely heeds her sister's warning that Elizabeth's "best friend" Penelope Hayes would stop at nothing to procure Henry as her husband. Meanwhile the Holland family fortunes continue to fall and Mrs. Holland is determined to make a financial and matrimonial match for her remaining daughter, Diana. The arrival of the late Mr. Holland's business partner Snowdon Cairn provides the family with some financial respite. Diana dabbles in the gossip business and dodges her mother's best efforts. The final weeks of December 1899 frames the unfolding events. Anna Godbersen has once again crafted a fast paced, beautifully written story that deftly places these interwined lives within the framework of known events and persons of the late 1899's. I couldn't put this book down once I started....A great second book, readers will be eagerly waiting the third installment.

The year is 1899. New York City, a place of much hustle and bustle, has been placed under an eerie glow marred by the tragic demise of young Elizabeth Holland. Elizabeth Holland was a debutante, and the pride and joy of New York City. She was kind, gentle, and ever so beautiful - three things that all young ladies should be. Destined to marry the handsome and debonair Henry Schoonmaker, Elizabeth was the envy of everyone around her. But then her young life was taken from her in a tragic accident; or so everyone thought. Elizabeth Holland never wanted to hurt her family. Seeing them under financial duress, she would have done anything to make their lives better. Anything but marry Henry Schoonmaker. Henry Schoonmaker, while handsome in his own right, couldn't hold a candle to Will Keller, a servant in her lavish home. But even at eighteen-years-old, Elizabeth knew that she would never be able to be with Will, so she did the unthinkable. She faked her own death and disappeared to California. While different than New York City, California is a lovely place; and Elizabeth has Will's love to make her feel at home. But when she learns that her mother is ill, Elizabeth realizes that, as much as it pains her to leave her new life behind, she must make the trek back to New York City to help her family. Diana Holland, in just sixteen-years, has managed to make her name known in the society pages as a wild child, intent on breaking the rules, and living life to her heart's content. While never truly close to her sister, Diana and Elizabeth created a strong bond with one another, when Elizabeth let Diana in on her little secret. The truth is, part of the reason why Elizabeth left New York City had to do with Henry Schoonmaker. She could not marry a man whom her sister loved, and, it was quite evident in Henry Schoonmaker's eyes that he loved Diana, as well. With Elizabeth gone, Diana believes that she and Henry can finally be together, but others are intent on standing in their way. Unlike many of the other families in New York City, Penelope Hayes comes from new money, and she's not afraid to display her wealth wherever she may go. Elizabeth's former best friend, and the individual who assisted her in escaping to California, Penelope has always been the bad girl. Running off with Henry Schoonmaker in the dead of night for romantic trysts, wearing provocative clothes, she has done it all. But now, with Elizabeth out of the picture, Penelope has taken up her good girl persona, and plans on claiming Henry Schoonmaker for herself, once and for all. Good thing she doesn't know about Henry and Diana. But she may soon. Lina Broud (now known as Carolina Broad in the society papers), worked for the Holland's as a maid for years; fighting the jealousy that overwhelmed her regarding their wealth. She has always wanted to be a part of high society; but, even more, she wants Will Keller. Too bad his heart belongs to Elizabeth. Now that Lina has begun selling secrets