Better than the Luxe series
Before anything else I need to say that while I read Godbersen's Luxe series, I was not a fan. I enjoyed it, but it simply wasn't a favorite of mine. Historical fiction is, however, a favorite of mine, so I had to check out this series too. I liked it. A lot more than I anticipated and a lot more than Godbersen's previous series.
The setting of the end of the 1920s decade allows, I suppose for a faster pacing. We follow Cordelia and Letty accustomed themselves to New York after leaving Union, Ohio and we get to know Astrid and her boyfriend Charlie.
Cordelia, for the most part I did not like Cordelia. I did like that she would sacrifice anything to get what she wanted. Throughout the book we see her get rid of John, sacrifice Letty's trust in her and Charlie's trust in her. Darius Grey even commends her on this character trait. Of course by the end of the book we see how this backfires. I was sad about how it happened, but Cordelia truly had it coming. How could she possibly chose Thom before the family she had wanted all her life? How? Also I think she is the only reason I'm giving this book four instead of five stars, but at the very, very end she was okay.
Letty is so naïve. She is talented and she can sing and hopes to make it and becomes a star. I think her innocence is endearing, but her crying sometimes is a bit too much. For being the most naïve and fragile of the three girls she certain has it the toughest throughout the book. Through her we learn more of the night life in the 1929s, after parting ways with Cordelia, she's the one that gets employed as a cigarette girl, struggles to make it as a singer only to have it blow up in her face.
Astrid, I must confess she is my favorite. Her character is probably shallow in many ways and she won't be the poster girl for feminism any time soon but for being a socialite I think her character traits are quite accurate. Astrid is the poor rich girl, yet she's a true friend once she decided to be. Her whole earring confusion with Charlie had me laughing so hard. Astrid and Charlie, I liked this couple, while Charlie is not always likeable I think Astrid is his soft spot. I do hope the next book in the series brings good things for this couple.
I'd recc'd this book for the Luxe series lovers, and those who enjoyed Vixen by Jillian Larkin. While the books are set on the same era and follow three different girls the similarities end there. Bright Young Things is an enjoyable YA historical novel, the pacing is just right and the characters are lovable just enough. Godbersen is great at painting the picture of the era around her characters and the pacing is great because she switched the focus on the three girls effortlessly. I do wish John would come back into Cordelia's life in the next book, but that's just me being a romantic.
3 out of 4 people found this review helpful.
Was this review helpful? Yes NoThank you for your feedback.
Report this reviewThank you, this review has been flagged.