Reviews

A Beautiful Rival: A Novel of Helena Rubinstein and Elizabeth Arden by Gill Paul

ragnhild's review against another edition

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adventurous challenging informative slow-paced

4.5

emily_stanford's review against another edition

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funny informative lighthearted reflective fast-paced
  • Plot- or character-driven? A mix
  • Strong character development? Yes
  • Loveable characters? Yes
  • Diverse cast of characters? Yes
  • Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes

4.5

readingvoyage's review against another edition

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informative medium-paced
  • Plot- or character-driven? Character
  • Strong character development? It's complicated
  • Loveable characters? It's complicated
  • Diverse cast of characters? No
  • Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated

3.75

popelc6's review

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lighthearted 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

3.75

martine3's review against another edition

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emotional informative reflective medium-paced
  • Plot- or character-driven? Character
  • Strong character development? Yes
  • Loveable characters? It's complicated
  • Diverse cast of characters? No
  • Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes

3.5

all_books_great_and_small's review

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hopeful informative inspiring

4.0

neenz33's review

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emotional informative tense medium-paced
  • Plot- or character-driven? Character
  • Strong character development? No
  • Loveable characters? Yes
  • Diverse cast of characters? No
  • Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes

4.5

hayleygalpin's review

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slow-paced
  • Plot- or character-driven? Character
  • Loveable characters? It's complicated

4.0

bucolicbookshelf's review

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4.0

What I knew most about Helena Rubinstein was that her name was always attached to the PBS children’s programs I, and then my own children, used to watch. That’s all. I didn’t know who she was, or what she had done. Elizabeth Arden I’d heard of as a brand, but knew nothing about the woman herself. I learned a lot reading this. 

I was drawn into the story immediately and didn’t want to stop reading. 

Excellent historical fiction, and very, very readable. This is definitely one to add to your TBR list. 


I'd never read a book of Gill Paul's before this one; that will certainly be changing. Which title of hers should I read next? 



Thank you to Avon Books UK and NetGalley for the DRC!

suewise's review against another edition

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informative medium-paced
  • Plot- or character-driven? Plot
  • Strong character development? Yes
  • Loveable characters? It's complicated
  • Diverse cast of characters? No
  • Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes

4.0