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marbooks88's review
4.0
A story of two independent women and rivals that created beauty brands and were fundamental in changing the way women thought about beauty products at a time when it was unusual for women to work outside the home. This story looks at the lives and rivalry of Helena Rubenstein and Elizabeth Arden and explores how they created international companies and competed against each other. Fascinating look behind the beauty brands that are familiar names..
Thanks to NetGalley and the publisher for providing an ARC for my honest review
Thanks to NetGalley and the publisher for providing an ARC for my honest review
hannahjsimpson's review
2.0
A Beautiful Rival left me somewhat disappointed. While it could have been fascinating look at two powerful business women who built empires in a time where most women didn't have that opportunity, this book was simply superficial. But I suppose that's fitting for a book about two women with competing beauty lines.
Everything was spelled out in this book. So much more telling than showing. No mystery, nothing compelled me to keep turning pages, and everything in the plot seemed rather obvious. A swing and a miss in historical fiction for me.
Everything was spelled out in this book. So much more telling than showing. No mystery, nothing compelled me to keep turning pages, and everything in the plot seemed rather obvious. A swing and a miss in historical fiction for me.
cathylpowell's review
5.0
I’m a big fan of Gill Paul’s novels and was fascinated to read one focusing on the rivalry between Elizabeth Arden and Helena Rubenstein.
The chapters switch between each woman as their businesses grow and they go through various personal and business challenges. I was definitely hooked early on.
The chapters switch between each woman as their businesses grow and they go through various personal and business challenges. I was definitely hooked early on.
sheltzer's review
informative
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? No
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.0
kristensreadingnook's review
5.0
Thank you Bibliolifestyle and William Morrow for the #gifted copy.
I have never been into fashion or makeup so I wasn’t sure if I would really care about the rivalry between Elizabeth Arden and Helena Rubinstein (to be honest, I didn’t even know who Helena Rubinstein was). But from the beginning I was immersed in the story and I was curious to see what was going on in each of their lives. Neither woman was one I would have been friends with and I did not agree with their disdain for one another, but the story was so interesting and exactly the type of historical fiction I like - learning about people and a time I am unfamiliar with from a unique perspective.
Rating:
⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️.5
Read if you like:
Historical fiction
Women in business
Rivalry stories
I have never been into fashion or makeup so I wasn’t sure if I would really care about the rivalry between Elizabeth Arden and Helena Rubinstein (to be honest, I didn’t even know who Helena Rubinstein was). But from the beginning I was immersed in the story and I was curious to see what was going on in each of their lives. Neither woman was one I would have been friends with and I did not agree with their disdain for one another, but the story was so interesting and exactly the type of historical fiction I like - learning about people and a time I am unfamiliar with from a unique perspective.
Rating:
⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️.5
Read if you like:
Historical fiction
Women in business
Rivalry stories
shaesampson's review
informative
reflective
tense
slow-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.0
abookwormwithwine's review
adventurous
emotional
informative
reflective
sad
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
5.0
I don't know what I have been doing with my life that I am just now reading a historical fiction novel by Gill Paul! A Beautiful Rival: A Novel of Helena Rubinstein and Elizabeth Arden sucked me in immediately, and I was instantly drawn into this story of two very different but also eerily alike women who knew exactly what meant to work hard for what you have. I knew absolutely nothing about Rubinstein OR Arden heading into this book, and I feel like I learned so much about both of them. Even with the liberties Paul took with the storyline, so much of it was based on real-life that it still all felt very real. Paul's writing is fantastic and so engrossing that I literally started the audiobook and listened to it all the way to the end in one sitting.
This isn't a movie that I know of, but it should be and if this got optioned, I would definitely watch it in any capacity be it film or TV. Some parts broke my heart and left me with tears in my eyes, while others made my mouth drop open with the lengths these women would go to while they were competing with each other. If you are going to read A Beautiful Rival, I would recommend the audiobook if you enjoy them because it is done so well. Even though the viewpoints alternate between both Rubinstein and Arden, there is only one narrator, and somehow Lisa Flanagan managed to make herself sound like two people! It is seriously impressive, and she did a fantastic job. If you have ever wondered about either of these women or the empires they built, I highly recommend picking up this insightful and compelling novel and getting lost in the drama.
I received a complimentary copy of this book. Opinions expressed in this review are completely my own.
This isn't a movie that I know of, but it should be and if this got optioned, I would definitely watch it in any capacity be it film or TV. Some parts broke my heart and left me with tears in my eyes, while others made my mouth drop open with the lengths these women would go to while they were competing with each other. If you are going to read A Beautiful Rival, I would recommend the audiobook if you enjoy them because it is done so well. Even though the viewpoints alternate between both Rubinstein and Arden, there is only one narrator, and somehow Lisa Flanagan managed to make herself sound like two people! It is seriously impressive, and she did a fantastic job. If you have ever wondered about either of these women or the empires they built, I highly recommend picking up this insightful and compelling novel and getting lost in the drama.
I received a complimentary copy of this book. Opinions expressed in this review are completely my own.
bookworm91's review
emotional
informative
reflective
sad
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.25
danadoesbooks's review against another edition
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
Thank you, BiblioLifestyle and William Morrow for the gifted copy of A Beautiful Rival! All opinions in this review are my own.
Right from the start, the rivalry between Elizabeth Arden and Helena Rubinstein can be described as toxic. Arden is threatened by Rubinstein bringing her business to the United States and will stop at nothing to deter her rival. Rubinstein then counters with schemes of her own to get her own footing in the American market. As the story progresses, the hardships that both women face unfold and it is admirable that two women were able to open successful international businesses during this time. They both must face the societal pressures of marriage and the role of women. Overall, the author wrote an engrossing novel about two women who have so much in common but are determined to be set so far apart.
Right from the start, the rivalry between Elizabeth Arden and Helena Rubinstein can be described as toxic. Arden is threatened by Rubinstein bringing her business to the United States and will stop at nothing to deter her rival. Rubinstein then counters with schemes of her own to get her own footing in the American market. As the story progresses, the hardships that both women face unfold and it is admirable that two women were able to open successful international businesses during this time. They both must face the societal pressures of marriage and the role of women. Overall, the author wrote an engrossing novel about two women who have so much in common but are determined to be set so far apart.