Historical: "The Luxe"

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Godbersen, Anna. The Luxe. New York: Harper Collins, 2007.

One longs for love, one longs for luxury, two long for Henry Schoonmaker, who will his truelove be?

Elizabeth, Penelope, Diana, and Lina swirl through mists of love and intrigue in 1899 New York. Wrapped in miles of antique shell pink satin, but with a modern heart, Elizabeth Holland is torn by the twin motivations of conscience and craving. As for her "best friend" Penelope, jealously fuels her every move. And poor Lina's feeling a little put out. Well, who wouldn't be a little put out when your childhood friend starts treating you like her maid? Which you are. And finally there's Diana...

"Diana was about to slip away quickly when she looked at Henry and decided that she wasn't done with him. She grabbed his hand and pulled him into the parlor on the east side of the house...When they were on the other side of the oak door, she reluctantly let go of his hand. She looked up at the great canvases above, with their dark, roiling seas. They seemed to Diana like an approximation of her own feelings at the moment."

This sumptuous novel of luxury and extravagance will bring to life the social scene of turn of the century New York exposing the naked hearts of four of it's most captivating residents.

YALSA Popular Paperbacks for Young Adults: Fame and Fortune (2009)