Beautiful Wild

by Anna Godbersen, Amy McFadden (Read by), Reader tbd 1 (Read by)

Overview

You are invited to set sail on the maiden voyage of the SS Princess of the Pacific in this indulgent historical romance from Anna Godbersen, the New York Times bestselling author of The Luxe series.

High society intrigue and deliciously shocking scandals meet a gripping fight for survival in this sweeping romance, sure to thrill fans of Kiera Cass and Katie McGee.

Vida Hazzard can see her future: aboard the heralded “Millionaire’s Ship of the West,” she’ll charm the young scion Fitzhugh Farrar, resulting in a proposal of marriage.

But Vida didn’t plan on Fitz’s best friend Sal, a rough-around-the-edges boy with a talent for getting under her skin. Nor did she anticipate a hurricane dashing their ship to pieces, along with her dreams.

Stranded on an island with both Fitz and Sal, Vida is torn between the life she’s always planned for, and a future she’s never dared to want. As they desperately plot a course for home, Vida will discover just which boy can capture her wild heart—and where her future truly lies.

Praise for The Luxe series:

“Mystery, romance, jealousy, betrayal, humor, and gorgeous, historically accurate details. I couldn’t put The Luxe down!” —Cecily von Ziegesar, author of the #1 New York Times bestselling Gossip Girl series

 

Product Details

ISBN-13:	9781799944225
Publisher:	HarperCollins Publishers
Publication date:	11/03/2020
Product dimensions:	5.20(w) x 5.70(h) x (d)
Age Range:	12 - 17 Years

About the Author

Anna Godbersen was born in Berkeley, California, and educated at Barnard College. After graduating she worked in the literary department of Esquire magazine, where she also wrote book reviews. Her debut novel was the first installment of the bestselling Luxe series for young adults, which she followed with the Bright Young Things series. The Blonde, published by in May 2014, was her first book for adults. She lives in Brooklyn.

Amy McFadden has narrated more than two hundred titles in many different genres. She is an AudioFile Earphones Award winner and has been a finalist for the prestigious Audie Award for best narration. She has acted on stage throughout Michigan for more than twenty years and in commercials and film for ten years. She is a founding member of Dog Story Theater in Grand Rapids, Michigan.

Editorial Reviews

As adventure and romance unfold away from the repressive social norms of the early 20th century, Vida discovers not just her true love, but for the first time, a true sense of self…A sweeping page-turner.” — Kirkus Reviews

“Lush language manages to convey the mores of a Titanic-tinged world while moving the story at a brisk pace that will keep contemporary readers engaged.” — Publishers Weekly

Praise for The Luxe series: “A big, sumptuous tale of catty girls, dark secrets and windswept romance unfurls in this compulsively readable novel of late–19th century New York City socialites…Readers will clamor for this sharp, smart drama of friends, lovers, lies and betrayal.”
— Kirkus Reviews

“Mystery, romance, jealousy, betrayal, humor, and gorgeous, historically accurate details. I couldn’t put The Luxe down!”
—   Cecily von Ziegesar, author of the #1 New York Times bestselling Gossip Girl series

“Skillfully plotted and full of decadent detail. Godbersen captures the drawing–room sensibilities and society flair of Wharton, Thackeray, and James without burdening readers with their posh literariness or social critique.”
— Bulletin of the Center for Children’s Books

Praise for WHEN WE CAUGHT FIRE: “The action-packed ending leads to an apogee that will appeal to lovers of soap operas. Danielle Steele for the younger set.”   — Kirkus Reviews

“A steamy romance set amid the tragic Chicago fire of 1871 that will intrigue fans of dramatic, swoony historical fiction.” — School Library Journal

From the Publisher

Mystery, romance, jealousy, betrayal, humor, and gorgeous, historically accurate details. I couldn’t put The Luxe down!”

Cecily von Ziegesar

Skillfully plotted and full of decadent detail. Godbersen captures the drawing–room sensibilities and society flair of Wharton, Thackeray, and James without burdening readers with their posh literariness or social critique.”

Bulletin of the Center for Children’s Books

Mystery, romance, jealousy, betrayal, humor, and gorgeous, historically accurate details. I couldn’t put The Luxe down!”

  Cecily von Ziegesar

Skillfully plotted and full of decadent detail. Godbersen captures the drawing–room sensibilities and society flair of Wharton, Thackeray, and James without burdening readers with their posh literariness or social critique.”

Bulletin of the Center for Children's Books

Skillfully plotted and full of decadent detail. Godbersen captures the drawing–room sensibilities and society flair of Wharton, Thackeray, and James without burdening readers with their posh literariness or social critique.”

Bulletin of the Center for Children’s Books

2020-08-12
Romance blooms on a desert island.

Vidalia Hazzard has it all planned out: The teen socialite is determined to win the heart of wealthy adventurer Fitzhugh Farrar aboard the Princess of the Pacific as it sails across the seas from San Francisco to Australia. Vida’s plan doesn’t account for Fitzhugh’s friend Sal getting under her skin, nor for the luxury liner to disastrously sink, leaving Vida, Sal, Fitzhugh, and several other survivors stranded on a small desert island. As adventure and romance unfold away from the repressive social norms of the early 20th century, Vida discovers not just her true love, but for the first time, a true sense of self. The narrative travels in bodice-ripper trappings but smartly sidesteps the saucier elements of the genre in favor of an internal investigation of Vida. Sal and Fitzhugh are less defined, but the book knows it isn’t about them but rather what they represent. Readers (particularly those susceptible to romance and adventure) will be turning pages well into the night. The only problem is that shortly before the novel’s end many will have figured out how this is all going to shake out, and the narrative doesn’t do anything to surprise. Before this point there are a few well-plotted twists and turns, making the last chunk feel a bit like a story gliding on autopilot. The cast is White.

A sweeping page-turner. (Romance. 12-16)

Kirkus Reviews