Splendor

Author: Anna Godbersen

New beginnings. Shocking revelations. Unexpected endings.

As spring turns into summer, Elizabeth relishes her new role as a young wife, while her sister, Diana, searches for adventure abroad. But when a surprising clue about their father's death comes to light, the Holland girls wonder at what cost a life of splendor comes.

Carolina Broad, society's newest darling, fans a flame from her past, oblivious to how it might burn her future. Penelope Schoonmaker is finally Manhattan royalty- but when a real prince visits the city, she covets a title that comes with a crown. Her husband, Henry, bravely went to war, only to discover that his father's rule extends well beyond New Yorks' shores and that fighting for love may prove a losing battle.

In the dramatic conclusion to the bestselling Luxe series, New York's most dazzling socialites chase dreams, cling to promises, and tempt fate. As society watches what will become of the city's oldest families and newest fortunes, one question remains: Will its stars fade away or will they shine ever brighter?

Just to put it out there: I demand another sequel!!! 

However, sadly, it's not to be. But, then again, I'm sure anyone reading this is tired of all my reviews on the series. But I just loved them so much! 

Again, I loved everything that I loved in all the other ones, like the characters, the openers, transitions, etc., so I won't talk about them again. If you want to read about those, you can see the reviews for The Luxe, Rumors,  or Envy.

I have to respect Anna Godbersen for all the twists she puts in her books. This was definitely the most intense book in the series, especially everything with Elizabeth. And, while I wasn't personally a fan for a few of the characters' endings (mostly because I love happy endings), I have to admit they were still wonderful! She always surprises you with everything, because nowadays we're so used to the happy ending, instead of the realistic one. But Godbersen definitely goes the realistic route. In my opinion, that's really a mark of a good author, when they're confident enough about their books that they don't feel the need to do what's happy or popular. So, kudos on that!

Also, I love how Godbersen doesn't feel the need to tell us every little thing or every piece of dialog. For example, the beginning of this novel is several months after the end of the last one, and plenty had happened in that time. She really knew what was necessary to the story and didn't waste time having to go over everything, especially the things we already know. So many authors make me so mad, because when someone asks for an explanation that we have already read, they actually make the them explain the whole thing over again! I mean, we already read it, why do we need to read it again? But there is thankfully none of that in these books, which is wonderful.

The only downfall in this book was actually some of the dialog. I thought it got a bit cheesy and overdramatic at times, which hadn't happened in the other ones. It lost some of the realism that I do love so much. But overall, it wasn't too big of a deal and I got over it. 

As you can most probably tell, I loved it. It was intense and unexpected throughout the whole thing. So, READ IT! The whole series, actually, because you won't understand what's happening if you start in the last book. But anyways, again, short review, but the series stays so consistent, that most of the things I like stay the same, so I don't want to constantly repeat everything. Next, I'm going to read a biography about-who else?- Marie Antoinette. It's called Marie Antoinette: The Last Queen of France by Evelyne Lever and I actually found it IN Barnes and Noble. They rarely have Marie Antoinette book IN the store, so I felt very happy and I'm excited to read it! So, I'll probably do a review on it, if I have anything to say... But if not, then I won't, but I'll post something else! 

So, thanks for reading!

Love,

Kristi