Review: Bright Young Things (Bright Young Things, #1) by Anna Godbersen

Title: Bright Young Things

Author: Anna Godbersen

Series: 1st in Bright Young Things

Pages: 389

Published: Available now from HarperCollins

ISBN: 9780061962660

Source: Personal Copy

Description: The year is 1929. New York is ruled by the Bright Young Things: flappers and socialites seeking thrills and chasing dreams in the anything-goes era of the Roaring Twenties. Letty Larkspur and Cordelia Grey escaped their small Midwestern town for New York's glittering metropolis. All Letty wants is to see her name in lights, but she quickly discovers Manhattan is filled with pretty girls who will do anything to be a star… Cordelia is searching for the father she's never known, a man as infamous for his wild parties as he is for his shadowy schemes. Overnight, she enters a world more thrilling and glamorous than she ever could have imagined—and more dangerous. It's a life anyone would kill for . . . and someone will. The only person Cordelia can trust is Astrid Donal, a flapper who seems to have it all: money, looks, and the love of Cordelia's brother, Charlie. But Astrid's perfect veneer hides a score of family secrets. 

I Give This ...

 

I was super excited for this one.  I really liked The Luxe series, so was hoping this would have the same appeal.  While, there are some similarities with the stories, I felt this one didn't have quite the same draw to it.

Oddly I had a harder time getting to know the characters.  I liked Cordelia in the beginning, although I think that she should have left before and not after the wedding.  But once they reached the NYC, it seemed her whole personality changed.  I was shocked that she could drop Letty just like that.  For a small town girl, she adopted the big city rich girl attitude way to easily.  I don't blame her for falling for the son of the enemy, but her actions after learning who he really was once again showed complete disregard for those around her.  Since the story seems to be told from her point of view the most, I struggled with it.

I enjoyed Letty the most.  While she had big dreams of being a star, she was really naive.  I think Cordelia really took advantage of that.  I admired her determination to not go home though.  She got a job, found roommates, etc.  She was really holding her own.  But, she's way to trusting.  Which is her one downfall and ended up costing her everything.  I'm sure in the big city at that time period, many young women were looking out for themselves.  I'm hoping the series will have a positive outcome for her.

I didn't think we got to know Astrid very well at all.  She seems more like a secondary character that has some time in the spotlight.  I thought she was going to be the spoiled little rich girl, but I gather that she's so much more than that.  She seems like she has some serious baggage and insecurities.  I curious were the story will take her.

Overall, it was a promising start to the series.  There's some interesting events that really help drive the story forward.  I just wasn't as enthralled with it as her previous books.  I also wasn't won over by the romance in the book.  I'm hoping for all aspects to pick up in the following books.  And hopefully the characters will become more well rounded.

Splendor (Luxe, #4) by Anna Godbersen

Title: Splendor
Author: Anna Godbersen
Published: November 2009
Pages: 391
ISBN: 9780061626319
Source: Library

Description: As spring turns into summer, Elizabeth relishes her new role as a young wife, while her sister, Diana, searches for adventure abroad. But when a surprising clue about their father's death comes to light, the Holland girls wonder at what cost a life of splendor comes.
Carolina Broad, society's newest darling, fans a flame from her past, oblivious to how it might burn her future. Penelope Schoonmaker is finally Manhattan royalty—but when a real prince visits the city, she covets a title that comes with a crown. Her husband, Henry, bravely went to war, only to discover that his father's rule extends well beyond New York's shores and that fighting for love may prove a losing battle.
In the dramatic conclusion to the bestselling Luxe series, New York's most dazzling socialites chase dreams, cling to promises, and tempt fate. As society watches what will become of the city's oldest families and newest fortunes, one question remains: Will its stars fade away or will they shine ever brighter?

I Give This Book 4.5 Stars!

I was reluctant to read this book.  Not because I was afraid I wouldn't like it, but because I really didn't want this series to end.  I've loved the parties, the catty girls, the big dresses, and of course all the drama.  This book still had all the drama, but it has evolved.  The drama has become more adult, if that's possible.   I was not expecting the twists that came in the end.   Although not suprising the length that people will go to to come out on top (both for fame and money).  There was enough build up that the story never felt slow.  While, I was shocked at the ending, I didn't feel any of the people acted out of character.  It was a fantastic way to end the series!

Envy (Luxe, #3) by Anna Godbersen

I Give This Book 4 Stars

Description: Two months after Elizabeth Holland's dramatic homecoming, Manhattan eagerly awaits her return to the pinnacle of society. When Elizabeth refuses to rejoin her sister Diana's side, however, those watching New York's favorite family begin to suspect that all is not as it seems behind the stately doors of No. 17 Gramercy Park South.
Farther uptown, Henry and Penelope Schoonmaker are the city's most celebrated couple. But despite the glittering diamond ring on Penelope's finger, the newlyweds share little more than scorn for each other. And while the newspapers call Penelope's social-climbing best friend, Carolina Broad, an heiress, her fortune—and her fame—are anything but secure, especially now that one of society's darlings is slipping tales to the eager press.
In this next thrilling installment of Anna Godbersen's bestselling Luxe series, Manhattan's most envied residents appear to have everything they desire: Wealth. Beauty. Happiness. But sometimes the most practiced smiles hide the most scandalous secrets. . . .

I agree with those who say that this is the best so far in the series.  I couldn't put this one down.  I felt so sorry for Elizabeth, but was so glad to see the author took it in the direction she did as far as her character goes.  I'm also hoping things work out some how for Diana and Henry.  I've enjoyed watching their characters grow and change.   While I still think Penelope is a witch, I was beginning to feel sorry for her towards the end of the book.  I'm not sure how I feel about that.  I can't wait for the final book!

Waiting on Wednesday (2) - Splendor (Luxe #4) by Anna Godbersen

“Waiting On” Wednesday is a weekly event, hosted by Breaking the Spine, that spotlights upcoming releases that we’re eagerly anticipating.

I want:

   

Title: Splendor (Luxe #4)
Author: Anna Godbersen
Release Date: October 27, 2009

Description: It’s a new year, and Manhattan’s favorite socialites are stirring up brand-new drama: Elizabeth uncovers a dangerous secret from her past; Diana has an opportunity to follow her heart—and claim her future, Lina discovers money can buy happiness…for a time, and Penelope finds that life without Henry brings unexpected pleasures. In this dramatic conclusion to the bestselling Luxe series, old ties are broken, fresh bonds are formed, and every decision comes at a cost.

Rumors (Luxe #2) by Anna Godbersen

I Give This Book 4 Stars

Description: After bidding good-bye to New York's brightest star, Elizabeth Holland, rumors continue to fly about her untimely demise.
All eyes are on those closest to the dearly departed: her mischievous sister, Diana, now the family's only hope for redemption; New York's most notorious cad, Henry Schoonmaker, the flame Elizabeth never extinguished; the seductive Penelope Hayes, poised to claim all that her best friend left behind—including Henry; even Elizabeth's scheming former maid, Lina Broud, who discovers that while money matters and breeding counts, gossip is the new currency.
As old friends become rivals, Manhattan's most dazzling socialites find their futures threatened by whispers from the past. In this delicious sequel to The Luxe, nothing is more dangerous than a scandal . . . or more precious than a secret.

I'm still drawn to the covers of these books.  The dresses featured are gorgeous!   I rated this 4 stars but I didn't enjoy it quite as much as the first.  This seems to be common for me.  The second in the series tends to be my least favorite.  Still, there's plenty of gossip, scandal, and surprises in this one.   I hoping Penelope redeems herself at some point in the series because she's currently winning for biggest b****.   I was shocked at the ending.   I have Envy in store for next week.  I've read in a couple places in its the best in the series so far. 

The Luxe by Anna Godbersen

I give this book 4 out of 5 Stars!

Description: A big, sumptuous tale of catty girls, dark secrets and windswept romance unfurls in this compulsively readable novel of late-19th-century New York City socialites. Godbersenweaves a tenuous web of deceit, backstabbing and pretense that follows four teens: Elizabeth Holland, a prim and proper lady of old-money society, is betrothed to one man, though furtively loves another; Henry Schoonmaker, a debauched playboy who must marry Elizabethor be disinherited; Diana Holland, Elizabeth’s younger sister who is in love with her fiancé; and Penelope Hayes, a member of the nouveau richewho will stop at nothing to win Henry’s affections. As Elizabeth and Henry’s wedding approaches, the spectacle unfolds in a wondrously grandiose scene, making for a fun, though not entirely unexpected dénouement. A delicious new twist along the Gossip Girl vein, readers will clamor for this sharp, smart drama of friends, lovers, lies and betrayal.

So, I admit, I'm a sucker for awesome covers.  And who wouldn't pick up a book that involved one of those awesome dresses from back in the day.   The description intrigued me as well.  So it went on my to read list.  When I found it on the shelves at my local small town library, I snatched it up!   I loved it!   But then again, I have found myself completely enthralled with historical fiction.   I can't wait until my library gets the rest in stock for me to read (and yes they ordered the rest since they didn't have them on the shelves!)