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32 of 36 people found the following review helpful:
5.0 out of 5 stars
You Can't Always Get What You Want, July 21, 2008
Customer review from the Amazon Vine™ Program (What's this?)
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.
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18 of 22 people found the following review helpful:
4.0 out of 5 stars
The Young and the Restless -- Old New York style!, June 9, 2008
New York, 1899. It is Christmastime, and all of New York's polite society is mourning the loss of the young socialite and debutante Elizabeth Holland. Well, everyone except for her sister Diana Holland and "best friend" Penelope Hayes, who are the only ones who know the truth -- that Elizabeth had staged her own death so that she could escape to California and be with her true love, her former coachman Will Keller. Elizabeth had been set to marry Mr. Henry Schoonmaker, former rogue and son of an aspiring New York mayor, ready to sacrifice her great love in order to save her family from certain financial ruin and social disgrace. That all soon changed when she discovered that Henry and Diana were secretly seeing each other and had developed feelings for one another (this all happened in The Luxe), and so a plan was set into motion. Now that her main rival is out of her way, new money and social climber Penelope Hayes will do everything to get Henry into the altar. Speaking of social climbers, Lina Broud, former maid at the Holland home, is still enjoying her small fortune obtained by supplying information to Miss Hayes and is going about town posing as an heiress visiting from the west. She even makes the gossip columns. But what's going to happen to her when her money -- and therefore her luck -- runs out? Overcome with guilt, Henry, who doesn't know Elizabeth is alive and happy in California, refuses to continue his liaison with Diana. He wishes to marry Diana, but it would be improper. Meanwhile, Mrs. Holland is holding on to Diana as her last hope to regain fortune by introducing her only daughter to every rich suitor in the city. Welcome to New York circa the turn-of-the-twentieth-century, where the rich, beautiful and scheming go from lovers to betrotheds and friends turn into rivals.
Rumors is an entertaining sequel to The Luxe. It has the same lustrous language and somewhat melodramatic style. As you read it, you can't help but be reminded of soap operas like Dynasty and The Young and the Restless. There is romance, gossip, intrigue, beauty and gorgeous descriptions of wardrobe and home décor. Old New York is described well and you do get a sense of the time period in spite of some glaring anachronisms. (Though the author takes care of bringing up propriety and mores of the times, the girls in this series are very loose when it comes to giving in their virginity or walking about town without a chaperone.) I like the star-crossed romance between Diana and Henry, and Penelope is definitely a fictional version of Consuelo Vanderbilt. Elizabeth and Will are also great, and there is a twist at the end that will move you very much if you come to care about these characters the way I have done. The only storyline I do not like is the one centered on Lina Broud. I know this is a somewhat campy series, but the way Lina passes off as a lady of quality, and the things that transpire with Tristan the conning Lord & Taylor salesman, Mr. Longhorn and her deal with Penelope are too contrived and far-fetched for my taste. Other than that, I enjoyed Rumors very much and look forward to reading Envy. The future of these young characters is uncertain, and I for one can't wait to see what happens next.
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12 of 14 people found the following review helpful:
4.0 out of 5 stars
Courtesy of Teens Read Too, July 3, 2008
The mysterious death of Elizabeth Holland still hangs onto the hearts of those whom she was close to. Her fiancé remembers the look she gave him the last time their eyes met and it continues to haunt him. Only Diana Holland and Penelope Hayes know the truth behind Elizabeth's death. That she didn't in fact perish, but fled New York to follow her one true love, Will Keller.
Penelope has her heart set on claiming everything that Elizabeth left behind, including her fiancé, Henry Schoonmaker. Henry, however, is even more aware of his feelings for the younger Holland sister, Diana.
Lina Broud, the Holland's former maid, continues to rise into society as she had often dreamed. Box seats at the Opera and lavish parties are now her reality. She also continues to be a cause of trouble for the Holland sisters, with the help of Penelope Hayes.
When Elizabeth receives word that her mother is ill and that the family is in financial disarray, she knows that she must return to New York. Even if it means revealing the scandalous nature of her true disappearance. Elizabeth never could have imagined what events would unfold next.
RUMORS was an entertaining and captivating sequel to THE LUXE. If possible, it may be even better than its predecessor! Godbersen continues to impress me with her writing and flair for the dramatic. Although I initially started reading this book for its historical fiction aspect, I couldn't help but become engrossed in all components of the story!
Diana continues her reign as my favorite character. I admire her strength and compassion. Penelope, unfortunately, continues to be her evil, conniving self, and I only hope that she gets what she deserves in the end. I have come to know and care for these characters and I was very surprised and shocked by the ending! I have to say I was a little disappointed at first and thought that certain aspects were unnecessary, but not every book can have a happy ending.
I have faith in Godbersen's creative mind and I can't wait to see what she has devised next. I will eagerly be waiting for the release of ENVY.
Reviewed by: The Story Siren
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