Envy (Luxe Series #3)

Omigosh ok this is for people who already read the book

ok i love this book! it is the best and most well written book i have ever read. Im so excited about Elizabeth's baby. But she had to marry Snowden. I wonder how old he is. Eww. And she has to pretend to have his baby. Ugh. Im so sad that Teddy went to war. Teddy is amazing. Im also sad that Henry went to war. By the way its the Spanish American War going on. i love the letter he wrote to Diana. Awww. OK so lina or carolina is so annoying. She doesnt deserve Longhorn's money. Shes just selfish. Dont fall for it Leland. (What kind of name is Leland or Snowden?!) Penelope just go ruin everyone's life will you!? Oh BOO HOO henry's leaving you. Well you deserve it! Youre evil... Her main purpose in life is to ruin other people's lives, right? I am very very excited that Diana is going to pretend to be a male and go to war. How's it going to look when a Holland disappears AGAIN? Well this book is amazing. Respond to this statement because Im DYING to talk to someone about it. My friend's taking to long to read it. :D ha. Well Splendor is coming out in October according to my sources. I hope they are wrong and it comes out earlier. PLEASE READ THIS!!!

3 out of 5 people found this review helpful.

The most Thrilling book I've read in months...

though, I guess that doesn't really say much since I haven't read much of anything these past few months. Anyway, I absolutely loved this book, and this series is just outstanding! I DEFIANTLY recommend reading it if you haven't yet. I love Diana, she reminds me so much of me, although I'm not so outgoing. She really adds a lot of components to the story that, if it were to be without her, it would be without those captivating elements that make this book so compelling. She's mysterious, she's outrageous, daring, and something always happens when she's around, and it's not something that irritates you, like with Lina or Penelope. I think Lina is just the worst, and I can't wait until everyone finds out that she was just a mere maid before her pathetic social climb began. No one cares if she loved Will and she does not deserve the new guy that the author put into the mix and I was so pissed off after what was read in the will. I don't mind Penelope as much, which surprises me. I'm starting to feel sorry for her with all her desperation. I'm happy with how the book ended, although I wish it weren't so heartbreaking, but it's a great lead into the next addition, which I can't wait for. This book has progressed into such an adventure from the first book. While I was reading it, I was sort of reminded of Atonement. Henry even writes in a letter how he must atone for all the wrongs he has done. I haven't read Atonement, it was too difficult, but I saw the movie and it was spectacular. I really hope that Diana and Henry can be together, and I'll probably find myself wracked in tears if that doesn't happen by the end of Splendor. I'm also really happy for Elizabeth. At least she has something more to remind her of Will than just memories. [W

2 out of 2 people found this review helpful.

Reviewed by Sarah Bean the Green Bean Teen Queen for TeensReadToo.com

It's 1900 in New York, and scandal and gossip are never far behind.

Elizabeth Holland is back and everyone is awaiting her re-entrance into society. But things are not as they seem in No. 17 Gramercy Park. Elizabeth and her sister, Diana, are both grieving the loss of their loved ones. When the sisters are invited along on a trip to Florida by the newly married Schoonmakers, they decide this is the perfect escape.

Penelope Schoonmaker isn't pleased to invite the woman her husband is in love with along on her trip, but she knows she must keep her enemies close if she's ever going to get what she wants.

Carolina Broad is climbing high in society, but her place is not secure and her newfound fame and fortune could disappear any moment.

I've been addicted to the LUXE series since it began, and ENVY continues to add more gossip and scandal to the story. I thought the twists and turns in ENVY moved the story along quicker than the previous two stories. I loved that the author moved a lot of the action to Florida - it added new scenery and lots of fun situations. There were many times I told myself "just one more chapter" because I needed to know what would happen next.

Each chapter tells a part of the story from a different character and I found myself enjoying each storyline this time around. Yes, I still wanted to yell at Penelope, would get annoyed at Carolina's social climbing, and tell Diana not to make so many assumptions, but I think that's part of the fun of the series.

Anna Godbersen does such a great job at getting the readers involved in the characters that you can't help but cheer them on, or even root against them. I also thought there were some characters this time around who got stronger and started to stand up for themselves, so I'm eager to see where they end up.

I will be first in line to get my hands on a copy of SPLENDOR, the next book in the LUXE series, when it's released.

2 out of 2 people found this review helpful.

A Delicious Third

After the homecoming of Elizabeth Holland, which is filled with scandalous secrets society would die to know, the elite are joyous. One of society's most celebrated daughters has returned back into the backstabbing world of Manhattan 1899. Though, the older Holland, is far from happy, the death of her husband/lover, a weight she shall wear upon her dainty shoulders forever. Society is also celebrating the most celebrated couple ever, Henry and the now Penelope Schoonmaker. However the two newly weds can barely stand one another, particularly for Henry's strong attraction and true feelings for the younger Holland sister. Diana, in the meanwhile, is angered with Henry for marrying Penelope, however much he begs to explain. Either way she too can not prevent her growing love for the handsome, notorios Henry Schoonmaker. Carolina Broad is living lavishly amongst gorgeus gowns and fancy parties, but these utterly extravagant luxuries is soon to be stripped right from her beautiful, once dirt ragged fingers. The exhausted celebrated daughters and sons head down to Florida, but the arrival of Grayson Hayes, Penelope's older, ambitious brother can only mean more scandal. He has his eyes set on one of society's pretty girls...and its more than just a favor Penelope asks of her brother...

1 out of 1 people found this review helpful.

Angieville: ENVY

Third Luxe book and my favorite cover to date. Could just be that it's Diana on the cover and she's my favorite character...but I really like the dress. Actually, this is my favorite book of the three as well. And I really wasn't sure it would be. What with Henry and Penelope being...shudder. But this one seemed the most real. People grew up and, in a couple of notable cases, grew spines. Whether or not it will all be too little too late remains to be seen. The fourth (and final) Luxe book, SPLENDOR, is due out in October and will hopefully settle a few things satisfactorily.

ENVY begins just a couple of months after the disastrous conclusion to RUMORS. Elizabeth is inexplicably back on the scene, but not really there. Diana is floating through a fog of numb and trying to rise above the crushing blows that keep coming her way. Ditto for Henry. Lina is capitalizing on all her success and makes a surprisingly apt romantic choice. And Penelope is Penelope. You just want someone to stash her in a broom closet for Two Seconds so everyone else can take a deep breath and perhaps hatch a plan to put her in her place once and for all. And amid all this, everyone manages to sweep off on a trip to Palm Beach where much of the book takes place.

I liked the change of scenery in this one. Putting everyone together in a Florida beach hotel for several days on end forced them all to interact despite the myriad tensions criss crossing between them. It also provided several quiet moments in which several characters reflected on how they ended up in the nasty mess they're in. It was nice to see some talk of doing the right thing at the cost of short-term (even long-term) happiness. Though I do hope happiness is in the cards for the most deserving (read: Teddy, Elizabeth, Diana, Henry). I liked this one best because it seemed the most natural. Every single character, at one point or another, was able to see beyond themselves for a moment to the people around them. I hope they remember what the view was like. This continues to be a diverting series and I look forward to its conclusion.

1 out of 1 people found this review helpful.

YOU MUST READ THIS FOLLOW-UP BOOK TO #2 OF THE LUXE SERIES !!!!!

Just as GREAT as the first two !!!!!! Problems are still working themselves out. I read the entire series in two to three days. Hard to put it down.

Keeps getting better

Officially my favorite out of the luxe series so far. The drama just keeps getting better and the plot in this one is more thought out. Amazing. This book is for readers who continues to love the high class society.

AMAZING!!!!!!

This book is very good but also sad and upsetting at times somtimes i just think she got tired of writing and the characters do things that makes you wonder if you really know them at all but the front cover dress is my favorite out of the entire luxe series

Better than book 2! (From The Tealeaf Review)

I was really left on a low note at the end of Rumors. When we last saw the 'Fabulous Five', absolutely no one was happy, and there was no glimmer of hope. I about had a fit of rage after the end of Rumors, and I am thrilled to say I got to at least let out a sigh of relief at the end of Envy. There is, finally, after so much heartache and depression, the tiniest flame of hope. As always, Ms. Godbersen knows how to write an intriguing, confusing, wonderful prologue. I don't want to be, but I start reading, and I'm just swept right back up into the lives of Diana, Henry, Elizabeth, Penelope, and Lina. And the clothes - oh! The clothes! There's probably a few spots of drool on my book from dreaming about all those lovely dresses.That being said, these books still annoy the crap out of me. Can I just say how much I want to wring everyone's necks in this series?There's a lot of misunderstandings and lack of communication, but if you can sift through all of that, there's a glimmer of hope at the end. Better than it's predecessor, Rumors, but still frustrating, and not as good as Luxe. We'll see where Splendor takes us, and if the series can recover from being so darn depressing.

amazing

this book was great! the ending was very well thought out

Enough for the fans.

I am a soap-opera aficionada (and proud of it), which is probably the reason I read these books, I must say I found the plot of Envy predictable. While I was shocked as hell with Rumors, I was anticipating everything in this one. That's no fun.

You know, I knew I wasn't not going to like this book much when I found myself liking Teddy more than I did Henry around the middle of the book. All in all, I don't think fans of the series would be disappointed, I know that I am not. And I do plan on reading Splendor.

Spoilers ****

I knew Snowden would marry Diana or Elizabeth at some point. There is really no other purpose to his character other than to be the savior of the Holland family. Why is he so kind you ask? I have no idea, the author never elaborates on that, he is just nice I guess.

Again, I found myself groaning with every Carolina Broad chapter. I loathe her, even more than Penny. Penny has finesse to her schemes, Carolina just gets lucky. I would have liked her more if she realized and was thankful for her good fortune but of course she can't even do that. I really hoped she wouldn't inherit Longhorn's money, but of course she did, otherwise there would be no place for her in the fourth book. Don't get me wrong, had she had actually been nice to Longhorn I could have accepted, but seriously she did not deserve the kindness.

Henry, oh Henry, I found it so hard to like you in this one. You make a mistake after a mistake. Sleeping with your wife? Seriously? Oh well, I liked your ending so I forgive you now.

Di. Why did I have to see you like this? Why? Grayson? Oh no. Hell no! But I am so looking forward to your story now, so you too are forgiven.

Elizabeth. Why didn't you snag Teddy sooner? Why? Kudos to you for being the bravest and being all for true love and what's right etc at the most appropriate timing in a novel.

0 out of 1 people found this review helpful.

Anna Godbersen's amazing series never seems to disapoint me.

I Loved it. A fantastic red I am currently reading the last book and I always say Im gonna read 3 or 4 chapters but then I end up reading 10 and still hesitate to put it down its just an amazing read. If you haven't read the series you need to and if you have read the first 2 books you just have to read this one its even better than the first 2. A must read!!!!!!

Fun but frivolous

While I enjoyed reading this highly plot driven series, the events that occured were incongruous with the time period. Gobbersen has obviously done her homework; her descriptions of sumptuous dresses, stifling tea parties, and old New York are resonating and striking. However, her characters, and their behaviors and actions, seemed completely outside the realm of possibility for people during this time. While literature thrives on characters breaking free of the bonds of their society, the eventual reconciliation with society is inevitable. However, Gobberson's characters are unable to do this because they are so far outside of the world they live in. Excellent tension between expectation and reality, highly entertaining, but unsatisfying as a historical fiction novel.

0 out of 1 people found this review helpful.

Wonderful Read

This book was so good! The the perfect mix of rigid social classes and romance. Excellent. I would not recommend this book for a child under 13, though. Some content may push the border of modesty and appropriateness.

Envy

As intriguing as the two previous Luxe novels,The novel centers mostly on Elizabeth,Diana,Penelope,Henry,Carolina,Teddy,Grayson and Leland vacationing on Palm Beaches in Florida,Elizabeth still reeling from Will's death,Diana heart broken over Henry's marriage to Penelope,Carolina crushing on Leland,Penelope scheming to get Henry and embarrass Diana.At the end of the book,Carolina's fate seemed to take a nose-dive but i was surprised when it took a turn for the better,Elizabeth happy for the first time in the whole of Envy,The end surprised and shocked me,i totally gotta read Splendor.

0 out of 1 people found this review helpful.

Could be better!!

It is my opinion that this author does not believe in a happy ending to anything. I just don't understand. I thought this was supposed to be a teen romance??? Well I'm sorry to say its really not what I expected. Yes the characters grew and became more themselves in this book and I will say it was vastly more interesting than the last two but come on.. I don't think I'm going to like the last book from what everyone has reviewed on it. And I might not even read it for a while. I just don't know how this can be a good series about romance even for teens, when no-one is happy! It's just so sad! Poor Henry and Diana! And Elizabeth. I feel so utterly sorry for everyone. But Penny got what she deserved in this one. And hopefully it stays that way in Splendor, I will have to wait and see bc I'm reading something w/ a happy ending now thank you!

Follow-up to previous 2 novels pulls in unexpected directions...disappoints.

The drama created by Ana Godbersen in the Luxe series is what keeps you from puting the books down, yet in this, the third installment, the way her unforgettable characters handle their trials seems like it could go in several directions, and never goes in the direction the reader wants. Surprises at the turn of every page are fizzled by conclusions that leave the reader feeling somewhat cheated. Hopefully things are continued in the final novel so that they bring closure and some optimism for the further lives of the characters the reader has grown to love like friends of their own.

Addicting!

I agree with those who say that this is the best so far in the series. I couldn't put this one down. I felt so sorry for Elizabeth, but good was so glad to see the author took it in the direction she did as far as her character goes. I'm also hoping things work out some how for Diana and Henry. I've enjoyed watching their characters grow and change. While I still think Penelope is a witch, I was beginning to feel sorry for her towards the end of the book. I'm not sure how I feel about that. I can't wait for the final book!

This is book had a lot of surprises!

This was better than the second but not as good as the first one. There were surprises so that made it interesting.

A Disappointing Read

Although the first book, Luxe, was a fun read, this book was not. It seemed to be about dumb people doing dumb things!