The Luxe - Anna Godbersen

At the Emerald City Writer's Conference I attended a panel discussion on YA (Young Adult - think "Twilight" and "Gossip Girl") novels. It had been mentioned several times over the weekend that YA was becoming a big genre and since I love historicals I wanted to know how I could possibly write to that market. To my surprise, the panel, all published YA authors, mentioned that YA historical is becoming huge. One of the series mentioned was "The Luxe" series touted as "Gossip Girl in late 19th Century New York"

I got The Luxe from the library and read it in 2 days (so that you'll be impressed with me it's 433 pages). The novel begins with the funeral of Miss Elizabeth Holland - the oldest of the two Holland daughters - one of the premier families of New York Society in 1899. The story then goes to the weeks before her death and you learn that her family is actually in dire straights - as the oldest girl at 18 it's up to her to marry well and save the family. The man she's to marry is not the one she's in love with. Will, the family's stable-hand, is her true love. Henry, who she's to marry, is the love of her best friend, Penelope. Elizabeth's sister, Diana, a dreamer of 16 thinks Harry is really in love with her and the girls' maid, Lina, is in love with Will. Was all of this the reason why Elizabeth might have thrown herself in the river? Ah, see if you want to know you'll either have to read or wait for my review of the next book "Rumors"

Usually, this isn't my kind of thing but I found I couldn't stop reading. I will admit if this had been written in contemporary times I'd hardly be interested, but the fact that someone had written a series taking place at the turn of the century in New York caught my curiosity. Plus it's a story of forbidden love not only for Elizabeth and Will but for the other characters as well. This kids are very young and yet are being counted on at this age to carry on the families they represent. It's a lot of pressure that they are hardly equipped to deal with.

I have to say the ending didn't really surprise me but I do want to see what happens next - I requested the next book from the library and I'm hoping to be just as intrigued. I have to say that this book has given me a few ideas for YA historicals of my own and inspiration is always a good thing.