The Luxe

Author: Anna Godberson

Title: The Luxe
Number of Pages: 433
First Publication: 2007
Genre: Fiction
Synopsis: "Pretty girls in pretty dresses, partying until dawn. Irresistible boys with mischievous smiles and dangerous intentions. White lies, dark secrets, and scandalous hookups. This is Manhattan, 1899.
Beautiful sisters Elizabeth and Diana Holland rule Manhattan's social scene. Or so it appears. When the girls discover their status among New York City's elite is far from secure, suddenly everyone—from the backstabbing socialite Penelope Hayes, to the debonair bachelor Henry Schoonmaker, to the spiteful maid Lina Broud—threatens Elizabeth's and Diana's golden future.
With the fate of the Hollands resting on her shoulders, Elizabeth must choose between family duty and true love. But when her carriage overturns near the East River, the girl whose glittering life lit up the city's gossip pages is swallowed by the rough current. As all of New York grieves, some begin to wonder whether life at the top proved too much for this ethereal beauty, or if, perhaps, someone wanted to see Manhattan's most celebrated daughter disappear...
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."

The Luxe is one of the best books that I have read this year. It was well written and the characters were pretty awesome.

  I loved how different the Holland sisters were. Although I don't know which of the Holland sisters I liked more; the fiery tempered Diana, or the loyal yet mysterious Elizabeth.
Penelope was just one of those characters that you just love to hate. With her schemes to win Henry and do away with her "best friend", all because she is jealous of anyone who's better than she is.
I didn't much care for Lena. She was just a little too money hungry and almost as vindictive as Penelope.
Henry on a whole I found to be a pig and a push over concerning his father and the possibility of being cut off from his inheritance, and the way he was just playing around with Penelope’s feelings.
  I totally saw the twist at the end of the book coming; it was so obvious from the beginning (to me it was plainly obvious).
  It was also pretty cool how you learned more about Elizabeth in the scrapes of her diary between chapters. It gives you a pretty good insight into the real Elizabeth Holland.
I am definitely looking forward to reading Rumors the next book in this amazing series.

I am giving The Luxe 5 out of 5 pineapples.

Dame Orchid