Much better than the first in the series, 'The Luxe'. Characters were a lot more dynamic, yet realistic, and I actually found myself wanting to know what was going to happen. I think they also did a better job reseraching the rules of society for this one, which were often insightful at times.It is a pretty sad story however but teen girls will probably gobble this one up. I'm actually interested to read the next one -- Envy. When's it coming out? ( )

I haven’t reviewed many books contained in series on the blog and find it incredibly hard. It’s almost like reviewing the middle of a book, right where the juicy part is but still trying to maintain a veil of secrecy.

Nowhere is this more difficult to accomplish than in the second installment of Anna Godberson’s four part Luxe set, Rumors. Staged in turn of the century Manhattan and essentially the wilderness of California, the second book finds our party of revelers and mourners garter deep in more trouble than they can manage.

There is nothing like good scandal to keep readers guessing which is why it is incredibly difficult to lay it on the line for review dissection.

The stage set by The Luxe was a gaudy one but also one that hinted toward a lust for the other side of the tracks. When we meet them again, both Holland girls find themselves in over their heads in love and in life. Their passions can’t be contained within the walls of the society in which they were born and raised and this, inevitably, leads to trouble.

The usual suspects return, starring debutante extraordinaire, Penny, reluctant millionaire heir, Henry; social climbing but clueless ex-maid, Lina, handsome and wholesome oil-hopeful Will and of course, that lovable entity, the gossip column.

I enjoyed the sequel as a welcome diversion from real life drama. I won’t get into the specifics of the small things that irked me because it involves listing unforgivable spoilers. Let’s just say several people show up dead, alive and, more dramatically, married. But, well, that’s just Manhattan in 1899. ( )

Reviewed by The Story Siren for TeensReadToo.com

The mysterious death of Elizabeth Holland still hangs onto the hearts of those whom she was close to. Her fiancé remembers the look she gave him the last time their eyes met and it continues to haunt him. Only Diana Holland and Penelope Hayes know the truth behind Elizabeth's death. That she didn't in fact perish, but fled New York to follow her one true love, Will Keller.

Penelope has her heart set on claiming everything that Elizabeth left behind, including her fiancé, Henry Schoonmaker. Henry, however, is even more aware of his feelings for the younger Holland sister, Diana.

Lina Broud, the Holland's former maid, continues to rise into society as she had often dreamed. Box seats at the Opera and lavish parties are now her reality. She also continues to be a cause of trouble for the Holland sisters, with the help of Penelope Hayes.

When Elizabeth receives word that her mother is ill and that the family is in financial disarray, she knows that she must return to New York. Even if it means revealing the scandalous nature of her true disappearance. Elizabeth never could have imagined what events would unfold next.

RUMORS was an entertaining and captivating sequel to THE LUXE. If possible, it may be even better than its predecessor! Godbersen continues to impress me with her writing and flair for the dramatic. Although I initially started reading this book for its historical fiction aspect, I couldn't help but become engrossed in all components of the story!

Diana continues her reign as my favorite character. I admire her strength and compassion. Penelope, unfortunately, continues to be her evil, conniving self, and I only hope that she gets what she deserves in the end. I have come to know and care for these characters and I was very surprised and shocked by the ending! I have to say I was a little disappointed at first and thought that certain aspects were unnecessary, but not every book can have a happy ending.

I have faith in Godbersen's creative mind and I can't wait to see what she has devised next. I will eagerly be waiting for the release of ENVY. ( )

This book picks up right where The Luxe left off, continuing to follow the stories of the Holland girls and their acquaintances in New York society. Elizabeth, whom everyone believes to be dead, is living with her beloved Will in California, but is confronted with a hard choice when she learns of her mother’s illness. Diana is even more besotted with Henry Schoonmaker, who returns the sentiment, but there are still many obstacles separating them. Penelope Hayes continues to scheme, manipulating everyone in her path with the sole purpose of ensnaring Henry’s attention. And Lina Broud, formerly Elizabeth’s disgruntled maid, is having her first taste of life as a lady, and quickly realizes she will do anything to consolidate her new social position. As events rush toward a scandalous conclusion, it’s impossible to predict who will come out on top, because nothing is quite as it seems.

Rumors is a fast, addictive read that paints a vivid picture of real flesh-and-blood teenagers in Old New York. About halfway through the book, it’s easy to see exactly what’s going to happen, but it’s still fascinating to watch the plot unfold. I was happy to see some character development in this installment, especially with Lina. I would have liked to see more of Henry, though – he was such an interesting character in the first book, but he didn’t get enough time “onstage” in this installment, in my opinion. The ending definitely makes me want to continue with the next book – it was very dramatic, like a TV season finale, and I really want to know what happens next! Luckily the third book is already out, but I think there’s at least one more coming. Definitely a good series if you like light historical fiction with tons of drama.

Original review at The Little Bookworm

The second installment of the Luxe novels finds New York society still mourning the loss of Elizabeth Holland, its former jewel. But rumors abound that Elizabeth is still alive as her body was never recovered from the river. Her younger sister, Diana is still fervently in love with Elizabeth's one-time fiance despite the fact that society would never allow them to marry. Henry returns her feelings but has no idea how to be with Diana without flying in the face of everyone. And Penelope Hayes has set her sights on marrying Henry and is willing to destroy anyone in her way. Who will survive the heiress' plots or is the bigger question who won't survive?
*possible spoilers

Rumors was even better than The Luxe. At the end I was wishing for the next book. I NEED to know what happens next, NEED, I say. Anyway, the story moved along quickly and there was very little rehash of the first plot and it was subtly done when there was, which is nice in a sequel. I hate being bashed over the head with a summary of the first book in a series. (Remember Babysitter's Club & Sweet Valley anything where the summary of characters was almost verbatim book to book. I hate that.) I'm really liking Diana and Henry and poor Elizabeth. Their characters are developing nicely and I feel so bad for all of them. The ending was surprising and shocking. I really didn't see it coming, but I have a feeling that the next book, Envy, is going to be so great. I have a feeling that Elizabeth is going to be a force to be reckon with now that she is back. This series is so much better than Gossip Girl, the series it is most compared with and that it exceeds in most ways. ( )