The Luxe

by Anna Godbersen

2007

The Luxe is a hugely popular series right now. I can understand its appeal. Gorgeous wealthy women who have recently come out to society are choosing their fates, and are struggling with the mores of the past, and the decadence of the present. I appreciate Godbersen's attention to detail. As someone who studies Germanics, it was interesting to note the casual allusion to a Rheinlander, a member of a German immigrant community. Rheinlanders are known to have settled in New York. The story kept me involved, but it was rather predictable because the hook she used allowed me guess most of the story early in the novel. Her novels remind me of a teenage version of Victoria Holt's historical romances. They are definitely romances which usually are created to formula, but stop just short of lurid sex scenes, and blatant nudity. I also appreciate the use of narration, and change in perspective form each young lady, or gentleman. It allows to create more than one main character, and see more than one perspective. This will obviously work well with sequels (as there are three more which I have on reserve at the library). The books will relate well to young women who are romantics at heart wanting more than reality sometimes offers.