Luxe-urious
By Chris Cooper / Spinebreakers Crew
Big dresses, glamorous balls, and enough eligible bachelors to last a lifetime, Anna Godbersen's 'The Luxe' is the most delectable book of the year.
Set in 19th Century Manhatten, the story focusses on New York's social elite, and their efforts to out-do each other with money, fashion, and scandal. You know you have a bitchy novel when you realise that best friends are only pals because they are rivals and simply have to know how to beat them in everything they do.
The opening chapter is a dreary affair, as we experience the funeral of one of the main characters. Even though it is a sad occasion, it is no less glamorous. However, something doesn't seem quite right, and as your mind starts to buzz about the possibilities of what may have occurred, Godbersen suddenly takes you back in time and begins the story from a few months previously.
A clever ploy, and it works perfectly, as your mind is constantly brought back to the funeral, wondering what on earth could be the problem.
However, as much as the adults would like to think that their children are well behaved whilst they pick out suitable men for them to marry, the children have a much different idea: Secret-rendezvous', back-stabbing and bitching all go on underneath their parents' noses.
I thoroughly enjoyed this book, it is definitely one for the girls, however, if you have an open mind, then the guys can easily get immersed into the deliciously scandalous lives that these rich and naïve New Yorkers lead.
I can't wait to get my teeth stuck into the next book 'Rumours', which promises to be as juicy as the last!