Status
Available
Call number
Call number
F God
Series
Genres
Collection
Publication
HarperCollins (2010), Edition: Reprint, 416 pages
Description
In 1900 New York City, fashionable debutante Diana Holland and married soldier Henry Schoonmaker flaunt the rules of society to be with one another.
Original publication date
2009-10-27
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User reviews
LibraryThing member iwriteinbooks
I haven’t read too many books in series and those I have, generally disappoint when everything is all said and done. I’d like to send a big “thank you” to Anna Godberson for not falling into the trap of a luke warm ending. Her fourth and final book in the Luxe series threatened to fit into
That said, there is much to be commended, ambiguously. Godberson managed to change the tone of her story in relation to the time and place with ease. What started as the nineteenth century in the first book transitioned to the new century with the easy and energy of the incoming decade. As the story took root for the final act, our fair characters were flung to the literal four corners of the world, in all places, maintaining their past energy while ramping up the drama for their new whereabouts. Although it is briefly discussed, the old cliche of class and war is looked into both in the upper class finding privilege even in the barracks and in the wealthy struggling to find a deeper meaning in “it all” by throwing themselves headlong into battle.
Characters I had heretofore written off came back with a vengeance (and a backbone) for the final hour. I was incredibly pleased with the way Elizabeth, the prized centerpiece of a fading era, developed through the series, especially in the final volume. She teetered on the edge of superfluity and boredom for a good deal of the story but truly came into a three dimensional person in Splendor. Diana, the younger, rougher, albeit more interesting sister of the aforementioned belle of the ball, only became more flamboyantly fun and engaging. She held her own until the last drop, never losing her insecurities but always maintaining the life and love she added to the story. As for the men involved, they were always slightly less dimensional than their female counterparts but did mange to squeak in a little bit of heart and depth around the edges.
I found the final book the most enjoyable, which, as I said, rarely happens. The entire series was a little lighter than my usual fare but it proved entertaining and alluring enough to keep me engaged to the last moment.
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the expected but found every way around it possible. Like many books reviewed as second, third, or fourth in a line of a story, it’s incredibly hard, as a reader, to explain enough about the story without giving all of the prior details away.That said, there is much to be commended, ambiguously. Godberson managed to change the tone of her story in relation to the time and place with ease. What started as the nineteenth century in the first book transitioned to the new century with the easy and energy of the incoming decade. As the story took root for the final act, our fair characters were flung to the literal four corners of the world, in all places, maintaining their past energy while ramping up the drama for their new whereabouts. Although it is briefly discussed, the old cliche of class and war is looked into both in the upper class finding privilege even in the barracks and in the wealthy struggling to find a deeper meaning in “it all” by throwing themselves headlong into battle.
Characters I had heretofore written off came back with a vengeance (and a backbone) for the final hour. I was incredibly pleased with the way Elizabeth, the prized centerpiece of a fading era, developed through the series, especially in the final volume. She teetered on the edge of superfluity and boredom for a good deal of the story but truly came into a three dimensional person in Splendor. Diana, the younger, rougher, albeit more interesting sister of the aforementioned belle of the ball, only became more flamboyantly fun and engaging. She held her own until the last drop, never losing her insecurities but always maintaining the life and love she added to the story. As for the men involved, they were always slightly less dimensional than their female counterparts but did mange to squeak in a little bit of heart and depth around the edges.
I found the final book the most enjoyable, which, as I said, rarely happens. The entire series was a little lighter than my usual fare but it proved entertaining and alluring enough to keep me engaged to the last moment.
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LibraryThing member fyrefly98
Summary: As Splendor opens, all of the characters are adjusting to the changes that life had thrust upon them by the end of Envy. Henry has enlisted as a soldier in order to prove himself a man, not realizing that there are some battles in that war that can only be fought at home. Diana has slipped
Review: Pure literary candy, plain and simple. I feel like I got tired of the antics of the teenaged socialite set of the Luxe novels about a book and a half ago, and yet something about them keeps me reading. I don't know whether I was interested to see how Godbersen was going to wrap things up, in need of a little escapism into a world of high society and fancy dress balls and scandalous behavior, or just looking for a book that didn't require too much higher cognitive functioning on my part. Probably all three.
It's been a while since I've read The Luxe, so I can't say for sure, but I have the impression that Godbersen's language has gotten more and more overblown with each subsequent book. The abundance of frothy description of every dress and piece of furnishing has been there since the beginning, but the narrative seems to have become more self-important and serious. At least the "lichen-colored eyes" and "bee-stung lips" only made one or two appearances this time around, although it drove me a little crazy that the characters tended to be thinking about *themselves* in that way.
I wasn't aware of this when I started out, but Splendor is the last book in the Luxe series, and Godbersen does a good job of wrapping up threads that she's been juggling since the beginning. Either she planned out her characters' fates well in advance, or she made it seem as though she did, and to maneuver everyone into an ending that is satisfactory without seeming overly contrived is no mean feat. I also want to applaud her for not taking the easy way out with some of her plotting choices - the directions she took made things much more interesting and less predictable, which I appreciated. Overall, I'm left content - not bowled over, and not clammoring to start re-reading from the beginning, but content. In truth, I don't ask for much more than fluffy, easy-to-read entertainment out of books like these, and on that scale, I got what I came for. 3.5 out of 5 stars.
Recommendation: Splendor doesn't stand on its own, but it is a satisfying conclusion to the series. I'd recommend the Luxe books in general to anyone whose taste in guilty-pleasure escapist fluff tends towards silks and scandalous secrets.
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the shackles of high society to follow her heart towards the man she loves. Elizabeth is still grieving for Will, but is adjusting to the thought of her life as a society wife and young mother. Carolina is now a legitimate heiress, but money on its own does not guarantee acceptance into the glittering world she covets. And Penelope, having obtained the title of Mrs. Henry Schoonmaker through deception and manipulation, has now set her sights on an even higher tier of the social ladder. Review: Pure literary candy, plain and simple. I feel like I got tired of the antics of the teenaged socialite set of the Luxe novels about a book and a half ago, and yet something about them keeps me reading. I don't know whether I was interested to see how Godbersen was going to wrap things up, in need of a little escapism into a world of high society and fancy dress balls and scandalous behavior, or just looking for a book that didn't require too much higher cognitive functioning on my part. Probably all three.
It's been a while since I've read The Luxe, so I can't say for sure, but I have the impression that Godbersen's language has gotten more and more overblown with each subsequent book. The abundance of frothy description of every dress and piece of furnishing has been there since the beginning, but the narrative seems to have become more self-important and serious. At least the "lichen-colored eyes" and "bee-stung lips" only made one or two appearances this time around, although it drove me a little crazy that the characters tended to be thinking about *themselves* in that way.
I wasn't aware of this when I started out, but Splendor is the last book in the Luxe series, and Godbersen does a good job of wrapping up threads that she's been juggling since the beginning. Either she planned out her characters' fates well in advance, or she made it seem as though she did, and to maneuver everyone into an ending that is satisfactory without seeming overly contrived is no mean feat. I also want to applaud her for not taking the easy way out with some of her plotting choices - the directions she took made things much more interesting and less predictable, which I appreciated. Overall, I'm left content - not bowled over, and not clammoring to start re-reading from the beginning, but content. In truth, I don't ask for much more than fluffy, easy-to-read entertainment out of books like these, and on that scale, I got what I came for. 3.5 out of 5 stars.
Recommendation: Splendor doesn't stand on its own, but it is a satisfying conclusion to the series. I'd recommend the Luxe books in general to anyone whose taste in guilty-pleasure escapist fluff tends towards silks and scandalous secrets.
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LibraryThing member rebecca191
Spoiler warning - I don’t give away the ending of this book in my review, but there are many spoilers for the previous three books in the series. So if you haven’t read them yet and don’t want what happens in them to be spoiled for you, I suggest not reading this review at this time!
It is
However, as always, their lives are soon further complicated by more secrets, schemes, and lies. Elizabeth begins to suspect that her husband is not being entirely honest with her, and may in fact be up to something unsavory. Diana and Henry reunite and long to build a life together, but the far-reaching influence of his wealthy and powerful father complicates matters. Penelope, furious with Henry, begins to look for attention and love elsewhere. And Lina finds herself at risk of losing everything she has gained if her dishonesty about her past is uncovered.
The final book in The Luxe series, Splendor does a good job of concluding the series and resolving most of the plotlines while still leaving some future events to the imagination of the readers. I suspect readers will be divided in opinion over the ending - personally I liked the conclusions for most of the characters, but I wish there had been a little more resolution for others. Whether you end up loving or hating the choices Anna Godbersen ended up making for her characters, ultimately I think she mostly wrote the ending the way it should be. It’s certainly not the ending I imagined or hoped for when I first started reading the series, but it fits considering the events that have taken place since the first book. Readers who read and enjoyed the previous three books in the series and want to know what happens to the characters will definitely want to read this book to judge the conclusion for themselves.
It is
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summer 1900, a few month after the events of Envy, the third book in The Luxe series. Elizabeth is adjusting to her life after a marriage of convenience to Snowden Cairns, her late father’s business associate, and awaiting the birth of her child by Will Keller, her first love who was tragically killed shortly after their secret marriage, a marriage she must keep secret from the rest of New York society. Diana has left New York to search for Henry, who has gone to war, leaving behind his scheming wife Penelope. And Lina is enjoying her newfound wealth and being a part of the wealthy elite she always longed to join.However, as always, their lives are soon further complicated by more secrets, schemes, and lies. Elizabeth begins to suspect that her husband is not being entirely honest with her, and may in fact be up to something unsavory. Diana and Henry reunite and long to build a life together, but the far-reaching influence of his wealthy and powerful father complicates matters. Penelope, furious with Henry, begins to look for attention and love elsewhere. And Lina finds herself at risk of losing everything she has gained if her dishonesty about her past is uncovered.
The final book in The Luxe series, Splendor does a good job of concluding the series and resolving most of the plotlines while still leaving some future events to the imagination of the readers. I suspect readers will be divided in opinion over the ending - personally I liked the conclusions for most of the characters, but I wish there had been a little more resolution for others. Whether you end up loving or hating the choices Anna Godbersen ended up making for her characters, ultimately I think she mostly wrote the ending the way it should be. It’s certainly not the ending I imagined or hoped for when I first started reading the series, but it fits considering the events that have taken place since the first book. Readers who read and enjoyed the previous three books in the series and want to know what happens to the characters will definitely want to read this book to judge the conclusion for themselves.
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LibraryThing member SandSing7
At the beginning of Splendor, I admit that I thought Ms. Godberson had lost her touch. If ever a book proved to me that setting is important to good literature, this would be it - New York socialites in Cuba? It didn't work for me. However, I for one adored the ending. Elizabeth needed to be with
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Teddy, Carolina discovered what really matters and was consequently really happy, Henry and Penelope got what they deserved - eachother, and Diana found herself and the world. Finally a book for teens that has some female characters with a backbone! Show Less
LibraryThing member lawral
These books have never really been heavy on the historical details, and neither is this one. If you worried after Envy that Godbersen would let her pretties be set aside so the boys could go off to war (honestly, I'm still unclear as to which war they went off to), breathe a little easier. Henry
There were a lot of ends to tie up in order for Splendor to be the final book in the series. Some storylines had miles to go before they could make it to the last page. Godbersen took all the room she needed to tell Diana and Henry's stories, they are everyone's favorites after all, but that left little room for other storylines that also needed endings. Penelope and Carolina seemed to get a fair share of the page space, but their stories weren't as fleshed out as they had been in previous books. Elizabeth's story was downright anemic. She had one or two big scenes where important things happen, but the story was slim on the build-up and then managed to wrap up so very nicely a page later. After all she's been through, maybe Godbersen felt that Elizabeth deserved to be calm for most of Splendor and then have a happy ending dropped in her lap. Lord knows hers was the only traditionally happy ending provided.
I could have lived with all of the focus being on Diana and Henry (who couldn't) at the expense of Carolina and Penelope and even Elizabeth. I do wish that the stories overlapped more. Yes, Diana visits her pregnant sister. Yes, Penelope and Carolina attend a couple of the same parties. Of course Penelope's husband is still snubbing her in favor of Diana. Their stories aren't really connected by much else. There's a whole lot less gossip, plotting and backstabbing going on than in the other books. But what I really missed in this book were some of the minor characters that were so multidimensional and so alive in previous books. Aunt Edith only got one really good appearance, Buck is practically a prop, and the elder Mr. Schoonmaker hardly even gets to yell at anybody! He does get to change the course of EVERYTHING though, so he shouldn't be too upset. And Mrs. Holland? Who's she?
But even with all of this, I still loved Splendor. It wasn't until after I was done reading (a whole 4 hours after purchase) that I felt a bit let down in places. What Godbersen gives us is really good and really enthralling. I just wish she'd given us more. Le sigh. I'm so sad it's over!
About the ending (spoiler-free)
I wasn't going to talk about the ending, but after reading reviews on amazon, goodreads and librarything, I feel like I have to. I really liked the ending. This series does not end with the good people all happy and in love and the bad people publicly paying for their sins. How would you figure out who falls into which category anyway (except for Elizabeth and Penelope who embody good and evil so distinctively)? Disney did not write this, and I'm glad Anna Godbersen did not compromise her characters to make it seem like he did.
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lives the good life in the army just as does anywhere else he goes, and Teddy, who really does see combat, is back in the States by the time we see him. Both of the guys, and a few others, have important roles, starring you might say in the case of Henry, but this book is still about fancy rich girls in pretty dresses and their intrigues.There were a lot of ends to tie up in order for Splendor to be the final book in the series. Some storylines had miles to go before they could make it to the last page. Godbersen took all the room she needed to tell Diana and Henry's stories, they are everyone's favorites after all, but that left little room for other storylines that also needed endings. Penelope and Carolina seemed to get a fair share of the page space, but their stories weren't as fleshed out as they had been in previous books. Elizabeth's story was downright anemic. She had one or two big scenes where important things happen, but the story was slim on the build-up and then managed to wrap up so very nicely a page later. After all she's been through, maybe Godbersen felt that Elizabeth deserved to be calm for most of Splendor and then have a happy ending dropped in her lap. Lord knows hers was the only traditionally happy ending provided.
I could have lived with all of the focus being on Diana and Henry (who couldn't) at the expense of Carolina and Penelope and even Elizabeth. I do wish that the stories overlapped more. Yes, Diana visits her pregnant sister. Yes, Penelope and Carolina attend a couple of the same parties. Of course Penelope's husband is still snubbing her in favor of Diana. Their stories aren't really connected by much else. There's a whole lot less gossip, plotting and backstabbing going on than in the other books. But what I really missed in this book were some of the minor characters that were so multidimensional and so alive in previous books. Aunt Edith only got one really good appearance, Buck is practically a prop, and the elder Mr. Schoonmaker hardly even gets to yell at anybody! He does get to change the course of EVERYTHING though, so he shouldn't be too upset. And Mrs. Holland? Who's she?
But even with all of this, I still loved Splendor. It wasn't until after I was done reading (a whole 4 hours after purchase) that I felt a bit let down in places. What Godbersen gives us is really good and really enthralling. I just wish she'd given us more. Le sigh. I'm so sad it's over!
About the ending (spoiler-free)
I wasn't going to talk about the ending, but after reading reviews on amazon, goodreads and librarything, I feel like I have to. I really liked the ending. This series does not end with the good people all happy and in love and the bad people publicly paying for their sins. How would you figure out who falls into which category anyway (except for Elizabeth and Penelope who embody good and evil so distinctively)? Disney did not write this, and I'm glad Anna Godbersen did not compromise her characters to make it seem like he did.
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LibraryThing member BookAddictDiary
Anna Godberson's Luxe series comes to an end with Splendor, the fourth installment. After coping with their escalating personal issues, Godberson's group of turn-of-the-century New York socialites forges ahead into a new world where old secrets return, new alliances are formed and the gilded age
Penelope Schoonmaker (nee Hayes) throws herself into the social web of New York and while trying to live down the scandals of her husband Henry's military adventure, starts scandals of her own. She catches the eye of the Prince of Bavaria and realizes that she could reach higher places in life.
Meanwhile, Penelope's reluctant husband, Henry, finds that his career as a U.S. soldier doesn't turn out as he hoped. His father quickly forces him to return to New York, where Henry is faced with making decisions about his future with Penelope...or Diana. Diana, after finding Henry, returns to New York and desperately looks for a way to be with him while her sister Elizabeth faces an unexpected truth about her second husband.
Everything that fans have come to expect from The Luxe series is here -young socialites fighting for reputation, power and happiness while living in splendor. While this novel started out in a good place due to the amazing ending of Envy, it just couldn't stay on the same level as the rest of the series -mostly due to the ending. Near the end it felt like the writer started throwing certain things in (out of nowhere) to keep the expected ending that she had been building up to for so long from happening.
I was really excited to see how this series would end, but the ending was just a huge let down. Part of me even hoped that there would be another book in the series to give The Luxe the "right" ending. Sadly, I won't be getting my wish. Don't get me wrong, Splendor isn't a bad book -Godberson just ruined it on the ending.
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starts to lose its glitter.Penelope Schoonmaker (nee Hayes) throws herself into the social web of New York and while trying to live down the scandals of her husband Henry's military adventure, starts scandals of her own. She catches the eye of the Prince of Bavaria and realizes that she could reach higher places in life.
Meanwhile, Penelope's reluctant husband, Henry, finds that his career as a U.S. soldier doesn't turn out as he hoped. His father quickly forces him to return to New York, where Henry is faced with making decisions about his future with Penelope...or Diana. Diana, after finding Henry, returns to New York and desperately looks for a way to be with him while her sister Elizabeth faces an unexpected truth about her second husband.
Everything that fans have come to expect from The Luxe series is here -young socialites fighting for reputation, power and happiness while living in splendor. While this novel started out in a good place due to the amazing ending of Envy, it just couldn't stay on the same level as the rest of the series -mostly due to the ending. Near the end it felt like the writer started throwing certain things in (out of nowhere) to keep the expected ending that she had been building up to for so long from happening.
I was really excited to see how this series would end, but the ending was just a huge let down. Part of me even hoped that there would be another book in the series to give The Luxe the "right" ending. Sadly, I won't be getting my wish. Don't get me wrong, Splendor isn't a bad book -Godberson just ruined it on the ending.
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LibraryThing member Awesomeness1
This entire series has always been just okay for me. Each book was interesting enough to have me buy the next one, but not enough to rave about them. What originally got me drawn into the series was the gorgeous covers and guilty-pleasure premise. Unfortunatley, I found the first book
This book was probably my favorite. It was not completely shallow, and all the characters seemed to have grown up a little. This was a nice conclusion. While not fairy-tale perfect, it retained a hopeful and semi-ambiguous ending. Some of the characters got what they wanted, and some of them didn't. The last chapter was particularly memorable, and I liked the whole "change" concept.
I'm not telling you to go run out and buy this series, but I certainly won't discourage it.
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disappointing, and while the rest of the series did improve slightly, I still don't love them. This book was probably my favorite. It was not completely shallow, and all the characters seemed to have grown up a little. This was a nice conclusion. While not fairy-tale perfect, it retained a hopeful and semi-ambiguous ending. Some of the characters got what they wanted, and some of them didn't. The last chapter was particularly memorable, and I liked the whole "change" concept.
I'm not telling you to go run out and buy this series, but I certainly won't discourage it.
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LibraryThing member abbylibrarian
This fourth (and final?) book in the Luxe series finds all our favorite society girls (and boys) up to their old tricks. It's over-written and a little too long, but it's still a scrumptious diversion. Recommended for fans of the series. Consider the Luxe books for Twilight fans - their romantic
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(and dramatic) escapades are similarly escapist. Show Less
LibraryThing member cablesclasses
I loved the whole series, especially this one! But I was personally disappointed with the ending--it is feasible but I wanted and wished for another ending. Love to tell you more, but you'll just have to read it to find out.
LibraryThing member AnneWeaver
Plot is getting very tired. Many of the characters are unpleasant, but they do not get what they deserve.
LibraryThing member alyson
Not a fabulous ending, but somewhat satisfying for fans of the earlier books.
LibraryThing member meeps1031
Easy read but a fantastic story. More of Gossip Girl 100 years ago, Penelope and Henry are now married. Elizabeth is too although her husband is not as nice as he seems. Lots of drama, Carolina finds love. The ending was not what the readers were hoping for but it was still good.
LibraryThing member Ozma333
A novel in which, as its predecessors, New York is a primary character. The history and lush descriptions are captivating, transforming the room around you into the hazy afternoons of Havana and the crisp, cool evenings of Manhattan. A novel of beauty, with thrilling highs and devastating lows. The
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best of the series by far with resolutions so clear, concise, and yet unpredictable that readers are kept in suspension throughout. It was with a resounding sense of finality that I read the last words, bringing a closure to a fine series that is so rare - in the best way possible, I am satisfied. I'm not sorry to see it end because I know, there could be no better ending than this. Wonderfully worth the time. Show Less
LibraryThing member mjmbecky
This is a fun series and one that I found myself falling into pretty easily. Having always loved Edith Wharton's The Age of Innocence, this felt reminiscent of that era and style. Godbersen's writing style and descriptions are delicious and keep the story moving, not to mention the list of
In some ways it becomes obvious what direction the story is heading in, but there is still a chance that it might take a different turn. In this case, it did take a slight turn at the end that had me floundering. Okay, I'll be honest. I was a little angry. The final decision that some of the characters' make is understandable, as they come to realize what will make them happy, but I can't say that after four books that I was quite as happy. I'm still not really sure how I'm feeling about it all, but can say I liked the series as a whole.
Overall, I really enjoyed the entire Luxe series and would recommend them to readers of YA or historical fiction. In the past I've mentioned that I lack imagination for things such as Science Fiction, so I'm thinking that where my imagination lacks with Sci Fi, it makes up for in historical pieces such as in this series. There is a lot of implied beauty, crazy drama, and masked emotion to behold. For high drama and plot twists, this series fits the bill.
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characters that you readily care about and want to continue following. In some ways it becomes obvious what direction the story is heading in, but there is still a chance that it might take a different turn. In this case, it did take a slight turn at the end that had me floundering. Okay, I'll be honest. I was a little angry. The final decision that some of the characters' make is understandable, as they come to realize what will make them happy, but I can't say that after four books that I was quite as happy. I'm still not really sure how I'm feeling about it all, but can say I liked the series as a whole.
Overall, I really enjoyed the entire Luxe series and would recommend them to readers of YA or historical fiction. In the past I've mentioned that I lack imagination for things such as Science Fiction, so I'm thinking that where my imagination lacks with Sci Fi, it makes up for in historical pieces such as in this series. There is a lot of implied beauty, crazy drama, and masked emotion to behold. For high drama and plot twists, this series fits the bill.
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LibraryThing member callmecayce
The Luxe series is basically Gossip Girl for the 1900s. And while Gossip Girl has never appealed to me, this series, somehow, did. I'm neither a fan of frivolous teen girly fiction nor historical fiction, and yet I truly enjoyed this series. Splendor, the fourth and probably final novel, was by far
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and away the best of the series. Much to my surprise, while things were neatly sorted at the end -- the manner in which they were fixed was not at all what I expected. I had fun reading this book, much more than some of the earlier ones. I look forward to reading Godbersen's new series and find I'll probably change my opinions on what kind of books I do enjoy. This light reading is sometimes just the thing. Show Less
LibraryThing member MaQu0315
There were still a lot of loose ends and a couple questions, and the ending was fairly disappointing. However it was still a great book.
LibraryThing member BooksOverTv
I really enjoyed "Splendor". I don't know why some didn't like the ending. I think it was befitting of the overall circumstances of each person. The only book in the Luxe series I believe is lacking is "Rumors". It was rather slow up until the end.
LibraryThing member mommablogsalot
Splendor appears to be the last book in the Luxe series and it’s no less addictive than the previous three books. I really enjoyed this series and I’m sad to see it end but I think Godbersen did a really great job tying things up in a way that seemed realistic but also unexpected.
LibraryThing member scote23
I really enjoyed this series, which combines aspects of historical fiction with the trashiness of the Gossip Girl type novels. I will agree with many others and say that I was disappointed with the ending. I think I understand why the author wrote it that way, but I was hoping that Diana and Henry
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would end up happily together in the end. Show Less
LibraryThing member katie1802
This was a truly wonderful end to the series, I loved it! I think the ending for each characters story was logical and well thought out, and as sad as I am, I think everything ended the way it was supposed to be. Also, I am so proud of Henry, he stepped up and became a man by the end. However, it
And finally, I found myself far more engrossed with Elizabeth's story than I was with the previous books and think she got the ending she truly deserved.
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saddens me to think that he has been aged horribly beyond his 21 years with everything that has happened.And finally, I found myself far more engrossed with Elizabeth's story than I was with the previous books and think she got the ending she truly deserved.
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LibraryThing member Rosa.Mill
This was a great ending the Luxe series. There are some great twists and pretty much everyone gets their just desserts (although I can't help but wish the Henry Schoonmaker had gotten Diana and that his "wife" had been a little bit worse for the wear).
LibraryThing member Rosa.Mill
This was a great ending the Luxe series. There are some great twists and pretty much everyone gets their just desserts (although I can't help but wish the Henry Schoonmaker had gotten Diana and that his "wife" had been a little bit worse for the wear).
LibraryThing member Rosa.Mill
This was a great ending the Luxe series. There are some great twists and pretty much everyone gets their just desserts (although I can't help but wish the Henry Schoonmaker had gotten Diana and that his "wife" had been a little bit worse for the wear).
LibraryThing member Rosa.Mill
This was a great ending the Luxe series. There are some great twists and pretty much everyone gets their just desserts (although I can't help but wish the Henry Schoonmaker had gotten Diana and that his "wife" had been a little bit worse for the wear).
LibraryThing member Salsabrarian
I'm sorry this is the end of the series because they've all made for riveting in-flight reading! In "Splendor," the main characters are more or less committed (happily or unhappily) to their spouses or affairs so there seems to be less of a backstabbing edge this time around. But the various plot
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twists keep the story interesting, and while no one gets the happy endings that Luxe fans might expect, there is satisfaction in seeing the rarefied social guard phasing out for a more progressive era. Go, Carolina and Diana! Show Less
Pages
416