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The Luxe (Luxe, Bk 1)
The Luxe - Luxe, Bk 1
Author: Anna Godbersen
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 ...  more »
ISBN-13: 9780061345661
ISBN-10: 0061345660
Publication Date: 12/1/2007
Pages: 448
Reading Level: Young Adult
Rating:
  • Currently 3.8/5 Stars.
 69

3.8 stars, based on 69 ratings
Publisher: HarperTeen
Book Type: Hardcover
Other Versions: Paperback
Members Wishing: 0
Reviews: Member | Amazon | Write a Review

Top Member Book Reviews

reviewed The Luxe (Luxe, Bk 1) on
Helpful Score: 2
I really enjoyed this book and have started on book 2 (Rumors). The prologues give away WAY too much of the story though, in my opinion so you may want to skip them.

These books are relatively clean, which is not to say there is no innuendo, just no description of the events alluded to.

Lots of girly dresses and flowery descriptions of wealth in 1899. A fun and dramatic series.
reviewed The Luxe (Luxe, Bk 1) on + 10 more book reviews
Helpful Score: 1
Despite the fact that this is a book intended for teens, I loved it! The writing is good, the characters have a lot of depth and the plot was very interesting! I couldn't put this down! Finished it in one day.
skywriter319 avatar reviewed The Luxe (Luxe, Bk 1) on + 784 more book reviews
Helpful Score: 1
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 appearances always come first. Love is thrown aside in favor of money and the security of social status.

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.
daredevilgirl013 avatar reviewed The Luxe (Luxe, Bk 1) on + 746 more book reviews
Helpful Score: 1
This book is like a soap opera and if you love soap operas (especially the Young and the Restless as this book seems like that one the most) then you'll love this book. It's a case of girl loves boy, boy loves another girl, boy is forced to marry another girl who loves another boy, girl wants to break free from society and do what her heart tells her, etc. But an amazing read that keeps you wanting more (just like soap operas you keep coming back every day to keep finding out what happens). But just an amazing story line and read. I thought this book would be filled with smut but actually just like in the soaps they take their clothes off, kiss, and tahdah...that's the end of the scene and we go to someone else in another situation. Nothing that would make me think twice about giving this book to a tween to read. Now I can't wait to start reading the next book in the series!!
ophelia99 avatar reviewed The Luxe (Luxe, Bk 1) on + 2527 more book reviews
Helpful Score: 1
I was excited to read this book. The synopsis of it reminded me some of "A Great and Terrible Beauty" a little bit. This book really wasn't like that at all; it was okay and somewhat entertaining. I found it to be very predictable and the characters to all be very stereotypical and dull.

This book is set in the late 1800's in New York. Take every Victorian type story you have previously read and this story follows that storyline. Elizabeth's wealthy family is short on money; as Elizabeth is one of the most virtuous figures in New York society she is expected to marry into money. Only Elizabeth loves someone outside her station. Her intended husband also loves someone else; and a different someone (Penelope) loves Elizabeth's intended husband. Of course, Penelope is Elizabeth's best friend and a bit of a catty type of woman. If you have read a million plots like this before, well, this book ends exactly like you would expect it to.

Overall there is a bit of mystery to the plot and some intrigue which propels the story forward. Unfortunately the characters always do exactly what you think they would do. Some of the conversation and the way characters interact is interesting. The writing style itself was very good and very articulate. The book reminds a bit of Jane Austen's "Pride and Prejudice" except that there isn't much humor in this story and the characters aren't nearly was witty. I can't vouche for the accuracy with which this era of New York was portrayed because I just don't know much about it; I will trust other reviewers who say that a lot of research went into this book.

So, I thought the book was okay. It was a pretty good page turner. I was disappointed however at the lack of witty conversation between the characters and by the predictability of both the plot and the characters. Based on these things I don't think I will continue with the rest of this series. I just prefer books with a bit more substance and more uniqueness; if they are lacking in those areas sometimes wittiness can make up for it. Unfortunately neither of those were present in this book.
Read All 19 Book Reviews of "The Luxe Luxe Bk 1"

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lvp avatar reviewed The Luxe (Luxe, Bk 1) on + 41 more book reviews
This book was surprisingly amazing. Truthfully, I wasn't really expecting to get much from this book or finish it. The reviews stated that it was a lot like the Gossip Girl series which I loathe, but I think the extraordinary attention to the historical aspect appealed to me. I loved everything, the characters, the plot, the suspense, and the romance. I rarely finish books this long if I don't immensely like them, but I couldn't put this one down! I can't wait to read the second one in the series, Rumors!
solarawynn avatar reviewed The Luxe (Luxe, Bk 1) on + 724 more book reviews
Was very predictable and held no suprises for me.
xhollishx avatar reviewed The Luxe (Luxe, Bk 1) on + 68 more book reviews
I LOVED this book and couldn't put it down. It starts out with a bang and you don't want to stop reading it. Personally, I liked this better than the Gossip Girl series! I can't wait for the sequal to come out this summer to see how things end!
christaasteiner avatar reviewed The Luxe (Luxe, Bk 1) on
Wonderfully written YA historical fiction. Perfect blend of teen drama and 1899 New York glamour. Would recommend for anyone looking for a read not to deep or fluffy. Perfect fun read.
k-9lover avatar reviewed The Luxe (Luxe, Bk 1) on + 9 more book reviews
i liked this book, but it was a little predictable, but it was still a pretty good read. but i did read it in 2 days.
reviewed The Luxe (Luxe, Bk 1) on
A good read for the most part-can't wait to read #2!


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