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Jun 10, 2014ryner rated this title 4 out of 5 stars
Luxe, the first in a series of four teen novels, offers a glimpse into the opulent lives of New York City's young and wealthy near the turn of the 20th century. The tale is told from varying perspectives, including that of Elizabeth Holland, the demure outwardly perfect daughter of one of New York's most respected families; her younger sister Diana, something of an firecracker though generally content until now to dwell in Elizabeth's shadow; Penelope Hayes, a daughter of a nouveau riche family not above scheming to achieve her lofty ambitions; Henry Schoonmaker, a bachelor from another of the city's oldest and most honored families and considered a prize catch by society ladies; and finally Lina Broud, Elizabeth Holland's personal maid, who on one memorable evening witnesses a compromising event that will alter the lives of all the others. Story aside, learning about the expected behavior of the social elite of the day was both fascinating and horrifying. The very idea that a young woman's only aspirations in life would be to appear attractive and charming enough to snag a wealthy husband is for the most part a foreign concept today. Admittedly, the ambitions of their affluent male peers, who would not themselves perform a day's work during the course of their lives, are hardly more admirable. That said, I couldn't put this book down and look forward to continuing the series.