This book is exactly like Gossip Girl (I've only seen the tv show) set in the olden days.

It would have been my dream book when I was a teenager. I wasted all my youth with a series of young adult teen historical romances with titles like "Gabrielle" and "Danielle." I'd read the entire book waiting for the heroine to get kissed by her hot historical honey. And it would only be a peck!

This book was smutty - characters were sleeping with stable boys, back-stabbing, drinking themselves into oblivion. I loved it! It was a rockin' good time. Yes, I guessed the ending within the first 20 pages, but it was still fun to read. I can't wait to read the next one! ( )

Reviewed by Julie M. Prince for TeensReadToo.com

One of the elite, one of the daughters of New York society, is dead.

In life, the lovely and fair Elizabeth Holland is everything a young, turn-of-the-century girl of her position ought to be. But, it's not easy to be proper and mannerly all the time, and a handsome servant who lives in the stable gets to see more of her than anyone else -- much, much more.

No one knows of their secret affair, except Miss Holland's personal maid, Lina. Why did Elizabeth Holland have to go and pick Lina's love interest to treat as her personal plaything? Isn't it enough that the wealthy and admired young lady is betrothed to New York's most eligible bachelor?

Henry Schoonmaker doesn't even want to marry the prim and boring Miss Holland. He's having too much fun living a carefree life and having a secret affair with his fiancé's best friend, Penelope Hayes. But, that sister of Elizabeth's, she is truly spirited. Yes, maybe Diana is the Holland sister for him. Maybe he should defy his father's wishes and forget about Elizabeth...and Penelope.

But, Penelope simply will not be forgotten. Henry Schoonmaker belongs to her. It should be her name linked with his in all the society papers. She'll do whatever it takes to get him back.

The twists and turns readers navigate throughout this book are staggering. With so many different perspectives to balance, the story could become difficult to follow, but author Anna Godbersen deftly guides her readers through the tale.

It can be unclear at times where loyalties should lie, with so many scandalous doings underway. However, this only further adds to the big picture of New York's upper crust society and the games its elitist members must play in order to stay on top.

The mystery of Elizabeth Holland's impending death will keep readers riveted, and by the story's end, they will be crying out for a sequel. I join their ranks in hoping this debut novelist will comply. ( )

I'll admit it - I was attracted to this book solely on the cover picture! Normally I stick to the fantasy genre, with occasional forays into historical fiction à la GWTW, Outlander, The Clan of the Cave Bear, etc. While this is historical fiction, it's very much like Gossip Girl. And like Gossip Girl (the tv show), it's a total guilty pleasure! I couldn't put this book down, and I'm devouring the rest of the series already! ( )

The descriptions were so beautiful and I could picture it all in my head. It moved much too slowly and there was nothing in the beginning that really hooked my attention. LOVE the cover, absolutely stunning! AHS/EK

If you like Gossip Girl, then you’ll adore this! The relationships between the characters and a surprising plot. I had no expectations, and it blew me away I went out and purchased my own copy the day after I finished this one! AHS/JN

The Luxe is a very good book. A must read! It takes you back in time very well (I love books like this). The boko ended with a bang and surprised me. I liked that. I would say that some people would think it was boring, but I love history and the era it was set in so I loved it. AHS/LB

There is one in every group. The goody-goody, the go to girl, the one who can do no wrong. In Anna Godberson’s turn of the century Manhattan, that one is Elizabeth Holland. Beautiful, well-mannered,well-heeled, and otherwise perfect, she is the apple of The Apple’s eye and her rivals know it.

Of course, nothing is ever as it seems and when family tragedy leaves the Holland’s in desperate times, Elizabeth is forced to make a decision about her future that sets in motion a complicated network of love triangles that would make Gossip Girl proud.

With its beautifully scandalous backdrop and cotton candy cover, The Luxe gives the impression that it is indeed Gossip Girl one hundred years earlier. Sure there are parallels in the sweet blond society girl; the rough, smart, sexy boy from the wrong side of the class divide; the lower class girl who pines for the same boy; the rough, Type-A brunette who would give Blair Waldorf a serious run for her money. They are all there but with the time difference and the slightly different personalities types, there is enough divide between the two. Of course my favorites were the ones who broke their molds, be it the beat down house help abandoning a life of service for bigger dreams or the society gals and boys trying to shrug off the burdens of fortune.

The story is told from four different alternating view points which is interesting. There are no surprises because we are clued in on every thought before it can sneak up on a third party. While that sounds a bit like it would ruin the suspense, it doesn’t. There is still enough left out to keep the story and reader guessing.

All in all a fun, quick read but not as fluffy as I had originally thought it might be. ( )