The Luxe

A very good historical fiction novel, The Luxe by Anna Godberson starts the suspense right at the beginning, a great hook to get you reading, and it ends with a series of surprising twists.

Set in 1899, the book follows a wide array of upper- class aristocrats during the high season of teas, balls, and parties with their families and those similar. However, the flirtatious fun of finding her match is interrupted for the well-mannered and somewhat stiff Elizabeth Holland, due to a family crisis after the death of her father. Soon she is being pressured by her mother to marry the richest of the available bachelors, Henry Schoonmaker, going against the wishes of her best friend, Penelope, the wishes of Henry, and of herself. Elizabeth is now in a tragic situation, wanting to disappear with a mysterious and unacceptable lover that only her angered maid knows of, while also wanting to help her family, including her eclectic younger sister, Diana.

This book and the rest of the trilogy, Rumors and Envy, both also written by Godberson, comes recommended to those who enjoy historical fiction. Also, this book is much like A Great and Terrible Beauty by Libba Bray, another historical fiction about groups of girls going against the high standards of living set for them.