atperez 's review for:

Belle Epoque by Elizabeth Ross

3.0

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Although Maude made a charming enough protagonist, it was her client's daughter Isabelle who would have made the more intriguing person to follow. While both Maude and Isabelle's stories were of making their own way and coming into their own despite their families, Maude was, with some understanding, chasing after the shallow desires of the high class - a husband, money, fine belongings to be owned but not necessarily appreciated- while Isabelle had her sights set on education and bettering herself in a more meaningful way. After some painful lessons at the hands of her friends, Maude does eventually see the error of her ways and it's easy to forgive her, given her past, but I was still somehow disappointed in her story.