Rumors by Anna Godberson

Rumors: A Luxe Novel by Anna Godberson

Publisher: HarperCollins
Category: Young Adult
423 Pages

Summary from Amazon:
True love. False friends. Scandalous gossip. Welcome back to Manhattan, 1899.

As rumors fly about the untimely demise of New York's brightest star, Elizabeth Holland, all eyes are on those closest to the dearly departed: her sister, Diana, the family's only hope for redemption; Henry Schoonmaker, the flame Elizabeth never extinguished; Penelope Hayes, poised to claim all that her best friend left behind; even Elizabeth's former maid, Lina Broud, who discovers that while money matters and breeding counts, gossip is the new currency. In this delicious sequel to the New York Times bestselling The Luxe, nothing is more dangerous than a scandal . . . or more precious than a secret.


This one was a lot better then it's predecessor. The characters were far better developed this time around. The plot seemed to move faster this time around. It still dragged on at times, but at least the entire novel didn't drag

This time, I liked all the characters save for a few. Diana was probably my favorite character this time around. I even liked Henry this time since he was so torn. Elizabeth is also easier like this time around as she's happy with Will. Penelope is just as evil and conniving in this novel, if not more so. With Lina, I don't know if I'm hoping she falls hard of if she succeeds with becoming like all the famous ladies.

I hated the ending of this book. It just seemed way to rushed. While I liked this one way more then I liked The Luxe, I'm not sure if I can stand to read another one. I wish I could like this series more, but for some reason I just can't get into them. I might read the last two just to see how the mess these girls are making of their lives sorts out.

Three out of five stars

The Luxe

The Luxe by Anna Godberson
The Official Luxe Site



433 Pages
Publisher: Harper&Collins (through Harper Teen)
Category: Young Adult

This isn’t really my kind of story so I went into it having no clue what to expect. I mean, I’ve never even touched a Gossip Girl book -gasp!-. So getting into was really hard for me.

Although let me say the cover art is gorgeous.

That being said, I thought it was an ok book. It’s got its flaws, but it was definitely a step out of my comfort zone which is a good thing. I didn’t really like Elizabeth honestly. I don’t understand how she could be having sex with one former friend and being a complete jerk to another. I didn’t like Henry either. Penelope was a totally piece of work, but at least she was interesting. My favorite character has to Diana. She has the spirit of someone from today’s world stuck in 1899.

The plot moves slowly, but towards the end of the book I was hooked and wanted to know what happened. I wouldn’t recommend this to anyone who gets bored easily. I’m still debating on whether or not to read Rumors, but I probably will. It might be more interesting with the Penelope verses Diana angle.

There is not a single doubt in my mind that if this became a movie it’d be right up my alley since I liked the movies Vanity Fair and Marie Antoinette.


Three out of five stars