Splendor: a Luxe novel by Anna Godbersen

Title: Splendor: a Luxe novel
Author: Anna Godbersen
ISBN: 9780061626319
Publisher: HarperCollins

Summary:
"A Spring turns into Summer, Elizabeth relishes her new role as a young wife, while her sister, Diana, searches for adventure abroad. But when a surprising clue about their father's death comes to light, the Holland girls wonder at what cost a life of splendor comes.

Carolina Broad, society's newest darling, fans a flame from her past, oblivious to how it might burn her future. Penelope Schoonmaker is finally Manhattan royalty - but when a real prince visits the city, she covets a title that comes with a crown. Her husband, Henry, bravely went to war, only to discover that his father's rule extends well beyond New York's shores and that fighting for love may prove a losing battle.

In the dramatic conclusion to the bestselling Luxe series, New York's most dazzling socialites chase dreams, cling to promises, and tempt fate. As society watches what will become of the city's oldest families and newest fortunes, one question remains: Will its stars fade away or will they shine ever brighter?"
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Review:

This series has been wonderful from beginning to end - I am very sad to realize this is the last book in the series. I really hope Godbersen has more on the horizon! I think this may have been the best historical fiction story that I've read. It's very accessable and wonderfully written. The author understands her audience well and it shows on every page. The descriptions are so vivid, I feel like I will see these people walking down 5th ave!

As has been said a few times, this is Gossip Girl set in the late 1800s-early 1900s. It's very true that there is a lot of the friendship drama, backstabbing, etc that is in Gossip Girl, but this story seem (to me) to have more deepth to it. Especially this last book - the characters are pretty well set where they are at the beginning of the story and everything gets all roughed up through the book.

I do have to say that I have spent several hours just hoping that the characters get the best life in the end. There's a lot of discontent with who they are, where they are, who they're with, etc... but I always am wishing that could be happy or find happiness. That's one of the great things about this book - I've truly grown to care about these characters. They're not just names on a page. So well written!

I'd recommend this book to everyone! Well, okay, not everyone loves historical fiction... but this one is just so good! I suppose guys may not love this story, but I'd sure hope they would try it! It has been so worth it for me! So, give the series a shot.

Here's the website for the series.
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