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Rumors: A Luxe Novel (The Luxe) | 
 enlarge | Author: Anna Godbersen
Publisher: HarperCollins
Category: Book
List Price: $17.99
Buy New: $6.20
You Save: $11.79 (66%)
New (31) Used (18) from $6.20
Avg. Customer Rating:  47 reviews
Sales Rank: 16106
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
Shipping: Expedited shipping available
Shipping: International shipping available
Condition: Brand new unread copy.
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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 42 more reviews...
 Slow beginning and middle, but Great finish August 25, 2008
I had trouble staying focused thoughout this book, it's like the author had to make sure it made ot past 400 pages. There was so much extra "fluff" that my attention was easily averted contantly. Then out of no where during the last few chapters, I find myself completly gripped to the story...and then it ended. All and all, it was a good read, and I will read the third one.
 Teenage Drama "Olde" School Style August 23, 2008
I found these books to be a whole lot tamer than other secular teen fiction series such as Gossip Girl, The It Girl or The A-List. Maybe it's because of the time period but there is almost no cursing and while there is teenage sex it is not as frequent as in the modern books. This series is being touted as the 1900s version of the aforementioned series. The premise being that the lifestyles of the rich and famous are always the same no matter the time period. However, regarding sex, it does make one think. This story takes place during a time period where there is no form of birth control. It appears that the characters who are having sex are doing it frequently. They seem to have no concern that they could possibly get pregnant. It just seems a little irresponsible of these teens to not think about the consequences.
Parents seem to exist only to provide the lavish lifestyles for the main characters to partake in. There is not one single grown up who is a role model for the teens. I don't know exactly how the wealthy exactly lived but I would have thought perhaps a childhood nanny or teacher could have been there to provide some sort of positive influence. It's a jarring absence that seems to enhance the surreal lifestyle. It's hard to get attached to any of the characters as I felt that they were too involved into their own drama. The only one I felt any feelings toward to was Diana and that was because she was the only one who wanted to not act like society. I was highly disappointed at the ending of the book but I can hardly say I didn't expect it. I had a feeling that situation was going to happen as there were too many events that kept leading up to that incident.
I do enjoy the covers of the books, the dresses are simply to die for although I felt that the necklines are too low for the Victorian age. That much skin would NOT be shown at all by a well-bred young female of that time period. I will read the next book in the series because although this is not the best writing that is out there, it is rather addictive.
 Just 90210 set back in the year 1899. August 22, 2008
3 out of 3 found this review helpful
If you like T.V. shows like One Tree Hill, 90210 and the like, then you will like this book. If you enjoy good classic literature by Edith Wharton then you will be sadly dissapointed.
When I read the description this book promised an Edith Wharton type of story and I was excited to read it. As I read it, I realized that I missed the first novel which carried over to this one and it was not historically accurate at all. Characters were doing things that they would not have dared to do back in 1899. It was like she took 90210 characters and transported them back in time. The language wasn't complex either. I was dissapointed and it left a bad taste in my mouth. The style reminded me a little of The House of Mirth, but nowhere near as emotionally gripping. And you never really got attached to the main characters. I was expecting more.
I was also disspointed in the ending, because nothing was resolved and it was completely set up for the next novel. It was like watching an episode of a T.V. drama. So sad in my opinion; I feel like the author could have done better.
Can't wait for the Third installment! August 22, 2008
Luxe left us in the lurch in October, 1899. Rumors picks up in December, two months later. Like its sister book, every chapter in Rumors starts with a quotation from authentic-seeming publications like the 1899 Guide to Raising Young Women or clips from gossip articles in newspapers. In Rumors, we catch up with all our favorite characters- Elizabeth Holland, new Californian, the budding secret romance between Diana Holland and Henry Schoonmaker, and Penelope, the dramatically beautiful woman scorned. Lina Broud, the former Holland family maid also plays a larger, interesting role of a person not born into wealth but desperate for its advantages. There are some surprising plot twists that will delight, and deeper looks into characters barely mentioned in the previous book like the Gamesome Gallant (a 1900s paparazzo-style newspaperman) and Isabelle Schoonmaker, stepmother to William despite their 5 year age difference. I found the Gamesome Gallant and Carolina "Lina" Broud to be the most interesting characters, as they are on the outskirts of New York Society looking in, and scheme to best manipulate the social customs and elite culture to their advantage. Readers should definitely read the first before this companion novel, and relish it while it lasts, because the next installment won't be released until January 2009. I can't wait! These books are so rich in detail and historical context, I can't imagine it'll be long before a movie is produced, and I'd love to see it.
 lacking August 18, 2008
3 out of 3 found this review helpful
I can't believe I made it halfway through this book... I hate "romances."
I was taken in by the dresses on the cover. I was expecting a bit more Edith Wharton, but it was next to impossible for me to feel any sympathy towards the cardboard characters who were boring and yet, unbelievable. The idea of striking it rich with oil in California too simple.
It was a page-turner, but the feeling more of wanting to get the book over with already.
Blah.
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