Rumors

Author: Anna Godbersen

I literally finished this book about ten minutes ago and I'm STILL shocked!! Rumors was incredible and just as good as the first novel in the series: The Luxe. It's so insane! Just for reference, if you haven't read the first book, but plan to, I recommend NOT reading this review because there will be spoilers from The Luxe, but I'll try not to give away anything important for the second book! Don't you just hate when people do that?

So, this book centers on Elizabeth Holland, Diana Holland, Penelope Hayes, Lina Broud (aka Carolina Broad), and Henry Schoonmaker. As you'll know from the first book (if you read it!), Elizabeth had faked her death to escape from marrying Henry, because she was in love with her stableboy, Will Keller. She also knew that her little sister, Diana, was in love with Henry, and he with her. So, Elizabeth was finally reunited with Will in California, while New York's society is still in mourning for her death, except for those who knew that Elizabeth was actually still alive: Diana and Penelope. Henry is initially extremely upset because he believed that Elizabeth had killed herself to escape him, but when he finds out the truth from Penelope, who was trying to get Henry for herself, he finally realizes that he and Diana could be together. From there, a series of betrayals, gossip, secret deals, and even blackmail take place. Put that together with the extremely unexpected ending, and you have a great plot! I couldn't put the book down! I literally spent my last night of spring break reading! 

Now, usually, I'm not a big fan of those books that switch between different characters' points of view, because very few people can effectively make a graceful transition between them. However, Anna Godbersen does a very good job! I like how each character has their own chapter, instead of everything switching mid-chapter. I thought it made it a lot less confusing than other books like this. 

Once again, I loved the little chapter openers! I thought they helped the transitions a lot, because they made the switch between chapters less abrupt and smoother. They also gave you a clue about what was going to happen in each chapter, even if they were a bit ironic a lot of the time. But most of all, I think that they make you feel more involved in the story and like you're there. 

I loved the fact that it was set in the late 1800s and that the story lead right up to December 31st. I thought it was a good place to end the story and I think will make the next book seem like a new beginning for everything. 

And really, I think that's all I want to talk about right now. Sorry if the review is too short! But, overall I LOVED it. I highly recommend them to everyone! I actually went out to the bookstore last night to get the next book in the series, Envy, so that I could just continue on with the story. And now I'm extremely glad that I did, because I just HAVE to know what happens next! So, that's what I'm going to start reading as soon as I press the lovely Publish button. I'll get the review up soon!

Thanks for reading!

Love,

Kristi