The Luxe (Luxe, #1)

by Anna Godbersen

[ladygrey]

I knew this book was historical fiction Gossip Girl before I read it. I've known for years. And I never liked Gossip Girl so I wasn't interested. But I was told it was a quick read (true) and that my primary concerns were unfounded (also true). So I gave it a try.

And I would have liked it better, I think, if it weren't for two things.
1. I knew how it was going to end on page 91. The very beginning was a little confusing and then it jumped time and I was better anchored in the story and then *Boom* - I knew how it was going to end up. Not all the details of how it would get there but what all those details would lead to and obvious "mysteries" are boring.

2. I didn't love any of the characters. In fact, I actively disliked Lina. I almost liked Diana and Elizabeth but I didn't love Will or like Henry much until the end and... I didn't dislike any of them enough to stop reading (though almost once or twice) but I never liked any of them enough to have to know what happens next either.

I think because it was written in third person close with a lot of setting (so much setting! I don't love New York so all the Fifth Avenue this and Broadway that and carriages and historically accurate descriptions of foot traffic and Gramercy Park and... I don't care) and internal monologue (with so many false assumptions) I never cared for the characters that much or rooted for them. And if I'd liked the characters more, knowing that was going to happen wouldn't have been much of a detraction.

All that being said, I probably could be persuaded to read the next book if I didn't have a dozen other books on my tbr list. Some of the characters were just starting to get interesting.