Envy
53. Anna Godbersen, Envy
Warning: MAJOR SPOILERS for previous Luxe novels.
Drama continues to unfold among the rich and beautiful in turn-of-the-century New York. Elizabeth Keller is mourning the death of her beloved Will and trying to readjust to society life. Her younger sister Diana still pines for Henry Schoonmaker, who has just married the scheming Penelope Hayes. Henry feels trapped by his marriage and can’t stop thinking about Diana. Carolina Broad, formerly Elizabeth’s maid, continues to pose as a society lady while struggling to finance her extravagant lifestyle. The secrets and passions of all these characters collide when they go on vacation together in Palm Beach.
Envy is the third Luxe book, and the series is still going strong. It combines all the brain candy of teen drama with the period trappings of the Gilded Age. As such, it’s a guilty pleasure with a slightly sophisticated twist. I can’t help getting sucked into the various plots and counterplots, and I’m especially invested in Henry and Diana’s story. If you already like the series, you should definitely read this book; if the premise sounds interesting, start with The Luxe. I will certainly be reading Splendor, the fourth and final book in this series.