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| Rumors: A Luxe Novel (The Luxe) | 
 enlarge | Author: Anna Godbersen
Publisher: HarperCollins
Category: Book
List Price: $17.99
Buy New: $9.99
You Save: $8.00 (44%)
New (35) Used (14) from $9.99
Avg. Customer Rating:  56 reviews
Sales Rank: 17065
Media: Hardcover
Reading Level: Young Adult
Number Of Items: 1
Pages: 432
Shipping Weight (lbs): 1.3
Dimensions (in): 8.2 x 5.6 x 1.6
ISBN: 0061345695
EAN: 9780061345692
ASIN: 0061345695
Publication Date: June 1, 2008
Availability: Usually ships in 1-2 business days
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Product Description
After bidding good-bye to New York's brightest star, Elizabeth Holland, rumors continue to fly about her untimely demise. All eyes are on those closest to the dearly departed: her mischievous sister, Diana, now the family's only hope for redemption; New York's most notorious cad, Henry Schoon-maker, the flame Elizabeth never extinguished; the seductive Penelope Hayes, poised to claim all that her best friend left behind—including Henry; even Elizabeth's scheming former maid, Lina Broud, who discovers that while money matters and breeding counts, gossip is the new currency. As old friends become rivals, Manhattan's most dazzling socialites find their futures threatened by whispers from the past. In this delicious sequel to The Luxe, nothing is more dangerous than a scandal . . . or more precious than a secret.
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| Customer Reviews: Read 51 more reviews...
 You Can't Always Get What You Want July 21, 2008
26 out of 31 found this review helpful
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.
In Old New York, "old money" marries "old money" ... or else ... September 2, 2008
21 out of 22 found this review helpful
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? How does Elizabeth's younger sister Diana fit into the picture? And the maid who betrays Elizabeth's secret? When she sells information to a popular gossip columnist, how does that affect the outcome of all their lives, including her own?
Will Elizabeth find happiness In California with her true love? Or will she be forced to return to Manhattan when rumors become too rampant and she receives a letter from Diana?
There are many more questions that seek answers in this intriguing, convoluted plot, but you can RFY to find the questions AND answers this time.
My favorite character by far is the younger sister Diana, even though Elizabeth has always been the paragon of virtue and the most sought-after debutante in Manhattan. Diana, Elizabeth and the younger sister of Claire, Diana's maid, are my three favorite characters. Her name is Lina Broud, and while I don't admire her methods when she seeks to rise above her "class" and worms her way into "high society," I admire her guts, her determination and her reasons.
Elizabeth--despite her proper ways and strict adherence to the "societal mores" of those days--showed determination and free-spiritedness by following her heart in defiance of her father's marital choice for her. Although I generally like my heroines to be independent and feisty, I disliked the way Elizabeth went about it, but at the same time, I realized she had to act as she did to save the family "reputation." In following her own heart, her younger sister Diana was not as subtle as Elizabeth, which seemed much more realistic to me, thus earning her the place closest to my heart.
As for the men in the book, Henry Schoonmaker--a playboy and a cad in many ways--is still a likable character, and his best friend, the loyal, good-natured Teddy Cutting is a breath of fresh air and good humor.
This page-turner series is a showcase of the wealthy and beautiful of 1899's New York City. The dialogue, description, and formatting are cleverly created, and with the author inserting newspaper quotes from favorite columnists of the day in between each chapter, she added a charming, authentic touch.
Although this is supposed to be a young adult book, I found it engaging enough for women of all ages, and for men who enjoy a good romance mixed with a bit of history.
I look forward to the third novel in this series, but this is the first book I've ever read where I feel that the author is "forcing" me to buy her next book. I say that because of certain happenings that disgruntled me in the final chapters. I can't reveal them without being a "spoiler," and I was going to take off one point for that reason. But because the novel is so well-written, the author obviously gifted, and the book itself such a gorgeous work of art, I can't bring myself to do it.
Highly recommended with a feeling of delicious pleasure.
Reviewed by: Betty Dravis, 2008
author of 1106 Grand Boulevard
 Not quite up to expectations July 26, 2008
19 out of 36 found this review helpful
Rumors: A Luxe Novel (The Luxe)
Rumors: A Luxe Novel is the second in a series. I chose to review this book without reading the first story so my perception would not be tainted by prior events. That said, I'm not sure I'd recommend reading this story without first reading The Luxe.
The story follows the lives of Elizabeth Holland, whose faked death in the previous book leaves lasting consequences for her family and grieving fiance; her younger sister, Diana, and Diana's scheming friend Penelope Hayes. It is also the story of the Hollands' former maid, Lina Broud, now passing herself off as the orphaned daughter of a coppermine owner.
With Elizabeth conveniently out of the way (having secretly escaped to California to be with her father's valet, Will), Diana pursues the dashing and very wealthy Henry Schoonmaker who is also sought after by devious Penelope.
Without revealing the endings of the three storylines here, I will say that they are both predictable and unpredictable, in some cases and there remains a third book in the series to tie up any remaining loose ends.
In reading Rumors, I found myself wanting more. While the era has the potential for great detail, nothing is new here. Godberson injects considerable fact into her story of turn-of-the-century New York. Well-known people and places are tossed about with regularity as the main characters play their parts on this exciting period of the Gilded Age. The characters themselves seem rather one-dimensional so I don't end up caring what happens to them. Ditto the nebulous descriptions (in this story "less is definitely not more"). I felt the story suffered from too many instances of omniscient point of view, too much passive voice, author intrusion, and an overall "explainy-ness".
 The Young and the Restless -- Old New York style! June 9, 2008
17 out of 22 found this review helpful
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 decor. 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.
 Very disappointing considering all the hype July 27, 2008
17 out of 40 found this review helpful
Perhaps it's because I haven't read the first book, although after reading this one I have no desire to read it. The story begins in late 1899 New York and California as it tells the tale of Elizabeth and Diane Holland (upper crust family in financial difficulty), Penelope Hayes (new wealth) and Lina Broud (Elizabeth's former maid) who is trying to set herself up as a "lady". A good deal of the first third of this book sets up what happened in The Luxe, Elizabeth's faked death so she could join her former servant and lover Will in California, Diana's pining over Henry Schoonmaker while Penelope schemes to trap him in marriage and Lina's entree' into society via an older gentleman. Enough reviewers have covered the plot sufficiently that I needn't rehash it again, however I do have several problems with this book and that is what I'm here to talk about.
First is that this book and the previous one are written and promoted for the YA market, yet most of the main characters are hopping in and out of bed, Elizabeth (the perfect lady) is living with Will in an unmarried state and no one even talks about birth control, let alone the consequences of being outed in society if one got caught in the act? I don't think so, and I feel this is a horrible example to be setting for our younger readers. Try Edith Wharton. She lived and breathed upper crust New York society and she wrote it and heroines who didn't live by said society's rules were ostracized and suffered for their sins. And what's with these well born young women doing going out with young gentlemen without a proper chaperone? Or wandering around the opera house and visiting a young man's box?
Secondly, this book is too spread out with too many POV's in too many short little chapters. The author would have been better off focusing on one couple exclusively with the others being secondary characters, instead of this soap opera feel to it -- five minutes on one scene here, 10 minutes there, etc. -- that things didn't flow smoothly for this reader. Perhaps telling Elizabeth and Will's story with more focus on life in California and Elizabeth's experiences in roughing it. Instead of letting the reader see the great difficulties a well bred young lady would experience in adjusting to that kind of life -- broken nails, rough hands, no hairdresser, no manicures, no silk stockings -- all we read about is a bit of trouble with the can opener. Maybe telling it mainly through Lina or Penelope, anything would have been better than these choppy vignettes of chapters.
That said all I can say is that what was hyped as a tale of gossip, rumors and treachery amongst the upper crust of New York society was a shallow boring tale -- the main villainess wasn't much of a bad girl, I didn't find any chemistry between Diana and Henry, and as for Elizabeth and Will I won't be a spoiler but readers will not be happy with this ending. All in all, very mediocre. Sorry, but I'm going to be in the minority and call this one at two stars.
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