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stephk23's review against another edition
1.0
This second book in the Luxe series really is a drag. I went from just not caring about any of the characters to actively disliking most of them and complete apathy towards the rest. Diana is the only exception, and even she is a flat, uninteresting, and spoiled.
Unfortunately, having gone this far, I will finish the series, but I would advise against picking this one up.
Unfortunately, having gone this far, I will finish the series, but I would advise against picking this one up.
ajmarrs's review against another edition
1.0
Couldn't finish it...probably because it's meant for pre-teens.
ckausch's review against another edition
4.0
Rumors is the sequel to The Luxe, and picks up where that book left off. Gossip about the death of Elizabeth is all over NYC society and the papers, and her family and friends are trying to pick up the pieces and move on. Her sister Diana has to decide what she will do - marry someone her mother approves, or follow her heart? How will the sisters's rival Penelope use her involvement in Elizabeth's disappearance to her advantage? And what about all these attractive young men involved in the lives of these girls?
Like The Luxe, this is another fast-read YA novel. The historical aspects about clothese and manners and NYC add to the deliciousness that is the soapy antics of the characters. This in't a book I'd bother buying, but it's a fun read if you can borrow it from the library.
Like The Luxe, this is another fast-read YA novel. The historical aspects about clothese and manners and NYC add to the deliciousness that is the soapy antics of the characters. This in't a book I'd bother buying, but it's a fun read if you can borrow it from the library.
_camk_'s review against another edition
4.0
Ah, my guilty pleasure returns with a good as the first one, sequel with twists and turns and romance and humor. They are generally just fun reads!
emilyisreading2024's review against another edition
4.0
I continue to enjoy this series, although I didn't like this book quite as much as the first. I would prefer less emphasis on Lina. Also, there seem to be some pretty wild coincidences upon which the author relies to move the plot along. Still, it kept my attention and I look forward to reading the next one.
luisasm's review against another edition
3.0
Just like the first. This is reality TV in book form, addicting yet awful. Diana and Elizabeth are the only sympathetic ones. Good writing however that plays its audience like a fiddle.
kpeet's review against another edition
3.0
I reread Rumors to prepare myself for Envy and Splendor, which have been sitting on my TBR shelf for quite a while. Now that I've finished it again, I have to say I'm not sure I ever quite finished it the first time around, because I don't remember any of the details from the second half of the book. So I suppose it's good I read it!
All the same characters are there, which is unfortunate (in my case), because that includes Will and Lina. For Will, I don't necessarily mind him being with Elizabeth and everything, I just don't like HIM. I don't think they're really meant to be together and I wonder if Elizabeth "would've" (I say that because obviously she's fictional) gotten over him if they had been stopped and she remained in NY without him. So suffice to say I'm satisfied with the ending.
Lina bothers me because she's just a pathetic social climber. It's one thing to work hard to become one of them, but she's just a con artist, a pretender, who happened to get lucky and try to con a very nice, lonely old man who now takes care of her. She's forgotten where she started and become petty and nasty like all the rest of them.
And of course there's still everyone else I loved, even Penelope a.k.a. basically Satan. There's all the gossip and scandal and secrets I loved about The Luxe. This is an enjoyable series for me, though not particularly thought-provoking.
The Luxe series (a.k.a. this series) has never really pretended to be something more complex than it is. It is foremost a "guilty pleasure" type of read. Some say it's like Gossip Girl set at the dawn of the 20th century, and I completely agree. But I think Rumors introduces some plots that will ultimately payoff as proof of how good just a "guilty pleasure" can be. I really look forward to Envy.
All the same characters are there, which is unfortunate (in my case), because that includes Will and Lina. For Will, I don't necessarily mind him being with Elizabeth and everything, I just don't like HIM. I don't think they're really meant to be together and I wonder if Elizabeth "would've" (I say that because obviously she's fictional) gotten over him if they had been stopped and she remained in NY without him. So suffice to say I'm satisfied with the ending.
Lina bothers me because she's just a pathetic social climber. It's one thing to work hard to become one of them, but she's just a con artist, a pretender, who happened to get lucky and try to con a very nice, lonely old man who now takes care of her. She's forgotten where she started and become petty and nasty like all the rest of them.
And of course there's still everyone else I loved, even Penelope a.k.a. basically Satan. There's all the gossip and scandal and secrets I loved about The Luxe. This is an enjoyable series for me, though not particularly thought-provoking.
The Luxe series (a.k.a. this series) has never really pretended to be something more complex than it is. It is foremost a "guilty pleasure" type of read. Some say it's like Gossip Girl set at the dawn of the 20th century, and I completely agree. But I think Rumors introduces some plots that will ultimately payoff as proof of how good just a "guilty pleasure" can be. I really look forward to Envy.
marryannas's review against another edition
3.0
[RANT]
What the hell, Godbersen?! Why did you make the main protagonist of the first book so much pointless during three fourths of this one??
What the fudge is wrong with you?
[/RANT]
Two years ago, I remember reading Luxe, the first book in the series. I also remember that I enjoyed the book. But I don’t think, in any way, shape or form, that I liked this one as much as Luxe.
Don’t get me wrong, Rumors it’s not a bad book. In fact, it’s very well written, but lacked in story. I was expecting the continuation of the life of Elizabeth after she ran to California looking for the man she loved. But, instead, I got two arrogant and selfish bastards named Penelope and Lina doing the best thing they know – moan.
The book is set two months after Elizabeth’s “death” and we can see that nobody gives a damn. Not even Diana! Oh well, okay, she knows what really happened with her sister, but she was so insipid and malefic that I thought the personalities of the characters were changed. Diana wasn’t exactly some kind of angel, but I remember her being different.
The development of the story wasn’t better. During some chapters, we read something cute about Will and Lizzie and then – guess what’s the major plot point – money. Does everyone is New York City care about paper? They look so materialistic.
And don’t get me started about that ending. WHAT A TWIST!, I should say, but why was it so poorly executed? The characters felt almost no passion, and even Elizabeth – my lovely Lizzie - is guilty.
In conclusion, Rumors is beautifully written, but I was expecting much more.
What the hell, Godbersen?! Why did you make the main protagonist of the first book so much pointless during three fourths of this one??
What the fudge is wrong with you?
[/RANT]
Two years ago, I remember reading Luxe, the first book in the series. I also remember that I enjoyed the book. But I don’t think, in any way, shape or form, that I liked this one as much as Luxe.
Don’t get me wrong, Rumors it’s not a bad book. In fact, it’s very well written, but lacked in story. I was expecting the continuation of the life of Elizabeth after she ran to California looking for the man she loved. But, instead, I got two arrogant and selfish bastards named Penelope and Lina doing the best thing they know – moan.
The book is set two months after Elizabeth’s “death” and we can see that nobody gives a damn. Not even Diana! Oh well, okay, she knows what really happened with her sister, but she was so insipid and malefic that I thought the personalities of the characters were changed. Diana wasn’t exactly some kind of angel, but I remember her being different.
The development of the story wasn’t better. During some chapters, we read something cute about Will and Lizzie and then – guess what’s the major plot point – money. Does everyone is New York City care about paper? They look so materialistic.
And don’t get me started about that ending. WHAT A TWIST!, I should say, but why was it so poorly executed? The characters felt almost no passion, and even Elizabeth – my lovely Lizzie - is guilty.
In conclusion, Rumors is beautifully written, but I was expecting much more.
kristid's review against another edition
3.0
The mysterious death of Elizabeth Holland still hangs onto the hearts of those whom she was close too. Her fiancé remembers the look she gave him the last time their eyes met and it continues to haunt him. Only Diana Holland and Penelope Hayes know the truth behind Elizabeth’s death. That she didn’t in fact perish, but fled New York to follow her one true love, Will Keller.
Penelope has her heart set on claiming everything that Elizabeth left behind, including her fiancé, Henry Schoonmaker. Henry, however, is even more aware of his feelings for the younger Holland sister, Diana.
Lina Broud, the Holland’s former maid, continues to rise into society as she had often dreamed. Box seats at the Opera and lavish parties are now her reality. She also continues to be a cause of trouble for the Holland sisters, with the help of Penelope Hayes.
When Elizabeth receives word that her mother is ill and that the family is in financial disarray, she knows that she must return to New York. Even if it means revealing the scandalous nature of her true disappearance. Elizabeth, never could have imagined what events would unfold next.
Rumors was an entertaining and captivating sequel to The Luxe. If possible it may be even better than its predecessor! Godbersen continues to impress me with her writing and flair for the dramatic. Although I initially started reading this book for its historical fiction aspect, I can’t help but become engrossed in all the components of the story! Diana continues her reign as my favorite character. I find myself admiring her strength and compassion. Penelope, unfortunately continues to be her evil, conniving self and I only hope that she gets what she deserves in the end. I have come to know and care for these characters and I was very surprised and shocked by the ending! I have to say I was a little disappointed at first and thought that certain aspects were unnecessary, but not every book can have a happy ending. I have faith in Godbersen’s creative mind and I can’t wait to see what she has devised for us next. I will eagerly be waiting for the release of Envy.
Penelope has her heart set on claiming everything that Elizabeth left behind, including her fiancé, Henry Schoonmaker. Henry, however, is even more aware of his feelings for the younger Holland sister, Diana.
Lina Broud, the Holland’s former maid, continues to rise into society as she had often dreamed. Box seats at the Opera and lavish parties are now her reality. She also continues to be a cause of trouble for the Holland sisters, with the help of Penelope Hayes.
When Elizabeth receives word that her mother is ill and that the family is in financial disarray, she knows that she must return to New York. Even if it means revealing the scandalous nature of her true disappearance. Elizabeth, never could have imagined what events would unfold next.
Rumors was an entertaining and captivating sequel to The Luxe. If possible it may be even better than its predecessor! Godbersen continues to impress me with her writing and flair for the dramatic. Although I initially started reading this book for its historical fiction aspect, I can’t help but become engrossed in all the components of the story! Diana continues her reign as my favorite character. I find myself admiring her strength and compassion. Penelope, unfortunately continues to be her evil, conniving self and I only hope that she gets what she deserves in the end. I have come to know and care for these characters and I was very surprised and shocked by the ending! I have to say I was a little disappointed at first and thought that certain aspects were unnecessary, but not every book can have a happy ending. I have faith in Godbersen’s creative mind and I can’t wait to see what she has devised for us next. I will eagerly be waiting for the release of Envy.
carrieliza's review against another edition
3.0
This was a bit more interesting than the last. Still a lot of silly plot "twists" that are...not entirely believable/enjoyable.