Review - Anna Godbersen's THE LUXE

This was a win from Amber of Feed your Reading Habit. Set in 1899 in a sequel of months leading to a wedding and finally a funeral, the book takes us through the lives of elite New York

families and the stand they rigidly follow, maintaining peculiar standards of their own in a tightly knit enclosed world (almost like royalty).

Elizabeth our main character is destined for a wonderful marriage, much more important than before as the family is bankrupt. So far it has been kept a secret known just to the immediate family only. Elizabeth is the dutiful daughter. She will do what is best for all. We get Henry next, playboy but who has to knuckle down in order that his father can get into politics - he is forced into a loveless marriage, he knows he has no choice however reluctant he is. We have the younger sister Diana - outspoken, fearless and innocent who falls in love with her brother in law without even knowing that it is happening and then we have Penelope the evil one - in love with Henry and furious and green with envy that Elizabeth has walked away with the prize catch. We also have unexpected love stories which may or may not have happy endings.

The story is interlinked very closely with the characters and the plot thickens. I did realize that there was going to be a twist in the tale very early on and it worked out like that which was an interesting take on a straight forward story. YA mixed with a dash of romance and intrigue is the best way to describe this story. A genre which is new to me but very likeable!