What Happens in Rumours - Anna Godbersen?

This is the third post of Anna Godberson Week!



So, on my Stats for the blog, I see a lot of people searching 'what happens in The Luxe' or 'Rumours' or whatever. And as I ramble on how much I love this series and I did a review on Splendor, the last in the series, they get directed to that.

So, I thought I'd ignore the French Speaking essay I have to write at some point and help all those in want of this.

To see the one yesterday on the first novel, The Luxe, click here

***WARNING: THERE ARE SPOILERS FOR THOSE WHO HAVE NOT READ THIS BOOK, IF YOU DON'T WANT TO KNOW WHAT HAPPENS, THEN DON'T PASS THIS POINT, INSTEAD GO HERE***

Starting off from the conclusion in the last novel, Elizabeth is with Will in California, who has just found a possible yield with oil. However, she recieves a letter from Diana stating that the family are running out of money and that her mother's health has decreased since Elizabeth left. She decides to go back to New York and explain the siutation to her mother and aunt and try and help them. Will comes with her.
   Meanwhile, Penelope has decided that she WILL marry Henry, which could potenically ruin Diana and Henry's relationship and plans on marrying in the future. Henry's father decides that for the family's reputation, Henry should marry Penelope, who he approves of. Something Henry objects to.
   However, Lina Broud is running out of the money that Penelope had given her and needs more desperately. She gets help from the Lord & Taylor salesman, Tristan who helps her choose suitable clothes and move up in the ranks of society. Through this, she meets the incredibly rich, Carey Lewis Longhorn who takes her under his wing. They change her name to Carolina Broad and she makes up the story that she is an orphaned wealthy oil heiress. Because of this, she is invited to all the important parties and meets offically Penelope - who is shocked.
As a bribe to become 'friends', Carolina tells her of Diana and Henry's special night in Diana's room earlier in the novel. Penelope uses this to make Henry propose to her in the return that she doesn't ruin Diana's reputation. William Schoonmaker is delighted and the marriage is planned in the upcoming weeks. Because of the business, Henry doesn't have a chance to tell Diana the truth. She is left despressed and angry at both of them.
   At the Holland house, Snowden, a friend of the late Mr Holland, turns up to help with the financial troubles. They decide to wed Elizabeth and Will to avoid scandal and move them back to California. When they are at the train station, Elizabeth is noticed and Will is thought to be kidnapping her. The police shoot Will and he dies tragically in Elizabeth's arms. Elizabeth returns home, heart broken.
At the end of the novel, Penelope and Henry get married finally and Elizabeth promises Diana that they will find out the truth and get Henry back for good.

The Luxe Series: Splendor - Anna Godbersen

THERE MIGHT BE SOME SPOILERS IN THIS ONE ABOUT OTHER ONES IN THE SERIES.


First Sentence: Fifty years ago, every American girl wanted to be a European princess.

For those who have never heard of the Luxe Series, here is what it's about. It is a series of four (The Luxe, Rumours, Envy, Splendor) novels based about four debutante's in 1900 New York and what happens to them and who they fall in love with. That sort of thing. We have Elizabeth Holland (now married to Snowden Cairns). She got on my nerves in Book 2 & 3 but now in this one, I quite like her. Then, there is Diana Holland, Elizabeth's younger sister who is in love with Henry Schoonmaker. He is married to the bitchy, you-love-to-hate character Penelope Hayes. I've loved her the whole way through but she is written differently in this one and is a very minor character compared to her involvment in some of the other novels. Finally, there is Caroline Broad, an ex-servant of the Hollands that has made her fortune through a friend that died at the end of Envy. She is the focus in Splendor. I didn't like her in the other novels but I don't know why but I didn't mind her as much in this one. I think it's because she's settled down and not as much out of place. Diana has always been my favourite character and in this one, she still is and written incredibly well.

In this book, the beginning was...well, confusing and bad but the middle and ending were good as usual and there is a surprising twist of events at the end. Penelope was in it too little. We only caught snippets of her and loads of Caroline and Diana. I liked how Anna Godbersen added sections for Henry as well to make it more different. Elizabeth's sections were good but I think she should have been in it more as well. Overall, it's a good book but I think, and I don't say this that often, it should have been longer and more in depth. It felt a little rushed as points as if Anna Godbersen was trying to rush to the end.
It is a good book but it has much more flaws that the rest of the series ever had in my opinion. It wasn't the ending I was hoping for but it was still good.  Read the rest of the series before this one though.

I give it 4 out of 5

Author's Website: www.theluxebooks.com/