The Luxe book review

I am in love with this book The Luxe, which is actually the first in a series of 4 novels. I have to admit, they're geared towards young adults, but I think that's because the characters are that age. I loved it, and didn't feel that it was written in a juvenile way.

I was browsing through the books that my library will be getting so I could get on the list to read them. (I put them on hold, and pick them up when they come in. I used to buy books, but I never read them again...so the library is the smarter way to go for me.) I stumbled upon the 4th in the series, and liked the way the storyline sounded, but I have to read things in order, so I just finished the first. I'm pretty far down on the waiting list for the 4th, and I've just started the 2nd, so I should be able to get that and the 3rd read before it's my turn for the 4th. The tagline of the series is this -

Pretty girls in pretty dresses, partying until dawn.

Irresistible boys with mischevious smiles and dangerous intentions.

White lies, dark secrets, and scandalous hookups.

This is Manhattan in 1899.

Yes, 1899. I am not usually a fan of historical fiction, but have really found this book enjoyable. And let me clarify, their "dangerous intentions" and "scandalous hookups" are as defined in their times, not ours. It's all about the socialites of the time, and all the formality and rules they were expected to follow, and of course, how they strayed from those rules and hoped not to get caught. It's about who's engaged to whom, but actually in love with someone else. It's about best friends who are really not. But it's all set in the city in 1899. I didn't expect to like it as much as I did, and I started the 2nd book in the series the day after I finished the first one.

Would I recommend it? Absolutely! Even if you aren't normally a historical fiction reader, I'd suggest this book. It's so interesting to read about the expectations of then as compared to now, and see how the characters handled those expectations in their lives. I'm definitely attached, and can't wait to finish the series!