Book review: Envy: A Luxe Novel by Anna Godbersen

Envy: A Luxe Novel by Anna Godbersen (Published by HarperTeen, January 27, 2009)

Warning: this review contains some spoilers if you haven’t read the first two books in the series.

It’s a new year and a new century in Manhattan, February 1900. However, the lives of its wealthy residents are not as happy and carefree as it would appear, and are filled with tragedy, blackmail, and secrets and lies that must never be revealed.

Elizabeth Holland is still struggling to cope with the loss of her true love, Will Keller, and her mother’s insistence that she keep up the appearance that all is normal by appearing in society. Elizabeth’s sister, Diana, is heartbroken that her own love, Henry Schoonmaker, has married Penelope Hayes instead of her, not knowing that Henry agreed to the marriage to save Diana’s reputation. Meanwhile, Penelope has the husband she always wanted, but she finds it came at a price she didn’t want to pay, as her marriage is painfully unhappy and her husband resents that she prevented him from marrying his true love. Fearing Henry will leave her, she schemes to separate him and Diana forever.

I loved the first book in The Luxe series, but was rather disappointed and frustrated by the second book, Rumors. However, I did feel book three was an improvement over book two, although still not as good as the first book. According to this book, there will only be one more book in the series, and this book does start to move things towards a conclusion. I would recommend this book to readers who read the first two books and want to find out what happens next to the characters.