martha_joy's review against another edition
adventurous
lighthearted
relaxing
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.0
literarykate616's review against another edition
5.0
I love this series so much but I've been torn about writing a review for it since it's the second in a series. If you haven't read Bright Young Things already then you should probably go find a copy before reading this review. Sometimes it's very hard to avoid spoilers but I'm going to try my best. All you need to know is that Cordelia and Letty are surrounded by the glitz and glamor of Manhattan and are finally starting to find their places in society. Astrid is still very much the drama queen and she and Cordelia's newly discovered brother, Charlie, have their problems. Like with all of her novels, Godbersen has the ability to make the reader feel as if he or she has stepped into the time period. The historical details are rich and the characters come alive and tear at your heartstrings. Ever since finishing Beautiful Days, which concluded with tons of drama and left me with questions, I am willing The Lucky Ones to magically appear at my door. I highly recommend all of Godbersen's books to anyone who loves history and drama in the style of Gossip Girl.
myeverskye's review against another edition
4.0
I seriously love this author. The Luxe series was one of my favorite series & the Bright Young Things series is just as great! I loved this book, other than Letty's nobody likes me attitude which was annoying. Can't wait til the next!
jennp28's review against another edition
4.0
I am a big fan of Godbersen's stuff - she is one of those authors where I know I can buy the next book in the series confident that it will be a solid, enjoyable read and this one's no different. Really brings the 20s to life and you can almost hear the dialogue being said aloud in that style - her dialogue does a good job of being period-appropriate. Looking forward to the series conclusion!
inthelunaseas's review against another edition
3.0
I quite enjoyed [b:The Luxe|1254951|The Luxe (Luxe, #1)|Anna Godbersen|https://d.gr-assets.com/books/1323438343s/1254951.jpg|1243729] series by [a:Anna Godbersen|548551|Anna Godbersen|https://d.gr-assets.com/authors/1208628164p2/548551.jpg], and so when I discovered this new series some years ago, I was keen to read them. Then life got in the way and reading got put on the back burner, and about this time last year, I finally, finally, finally got around to reading the first in this series, [b:Bright Young Things|7719248|Bright Young Things (Bright Young Things, #1)|Anna Godbersen|https://d.gr-assets.com/books/1339953783s/7719248.jpg|10463204]. I honestly can't remember what I thought about it, but seeing as I didn't immediately lunge to this one, I'm guessing it was fairly average.
Which brings me to Beautiful Days. And it's still fairly average. It didn't hook me in like The Luxe did, it doesn't hold as much scandal and intrigue. It's actually fairly cliche, I have to say, which does disappoint me. The Luxe was, too, but there were more social games at play, and it seemed as though Godbersen had done a little research. This is more like she watched Chicago and Cabaret and read The Great Gatsby a bunch of times and looked at stereotypical costume dresses.
That's not to say this book is awful- it holds its merits- but I was swept into the Gossip-y Girl world of The Luxe.
I also would have absolutely loved to have seen a mention of some of the girls from The Luxe world. I keep holding out for it, only to be disappointed. Just a mention of Elizabeth or Lina's grandchildren, maybe Diana being a wealthy woman of her own making, similar to Billie, or grouchy old Penelope. Something! Anything! It would have made such a delight!
Which brings me to Beautiful Days. And it's still fairly average. It didn't hook me in like The Luxe did, it doesn't hold as much scandal and intrigue. It's actually fairly cliche, I have to say, which does disappoint me. The Luxe was, too, but there were more social games at play, and it seemed as though Godbersen had done a little research. This is more like she watched Chicago and Cabaret and read The Great Gatsby a bunch of times and looked at stereotypical costume dresses.
That's not to say this book is awful- it holds its merits- but I was swept into the Gossip-y Girl world of The Luxe.
I also would have absolutely loved to have seen a mention of some of the girls from The Luxe world. I keep holding out for it, only to be disappointed. Just a mention of Elizabeth or Lina's grandchildren, maybe Diana being a wealthy woman of her own making, similar to Billie, or grouchy old Penelope. Something! Anything! It would have made such a delight!
saboyer's review against another edition
4.0
I was lost in this book for a giddy few hours. It's seriously so beautifully written, I sometimes didn't even mind what was being said. Godbersen is a genius at spinning scenes and making characters. The main three never betray themselves and, sure, sometimes that get's annoying--like how Cordelia is so single-minded she forgets her friend, or Letty is melodramatic and weepy and just making a mess of her romantic life, or how Astrid knows better but won't really fight what she feels is inevitable. And even for the dozens of men featured, they never feel flat. The sheer varieties of characters help draw out the scene and the period until we're lost in their world.
But, even for all the languishing beauty, Godbersen made sure the reader felt that sense of foreboding. As summer ends and, as we know, the Depression looms, we're nervous for the characters. They all got a version of their happily-ever-afters in this one but, somehow, it feels like it's just beginning--that everything has to come crumbling down in the wake of some disaster. And so I eagerly, desperately await the next.
And I hope Thom comes back as the good guy. Because I love him.
Read my full review here: http://by-its-cover.blogspot.com/2011/09/verdict-no-13.html
But, even for all the languishing beauty, Godbersen made sure the reader felt that sense of foreboding. As summer ends and, as we know, the Depression looms, we're nervous for the characters. They all got a version of their happily-ever-afters in this one but, somehow, it feels like it's just beginning--that everything has to come crumbling down in the wake of some disaster. And so I eagerly, desperately await the next.
And I hope Thom comes back as the good guy. Because I love him.
Read my full review here: http://by-its-cover.blogspot.com/2011/09/verdict-no-13.html
lknano's review against another edition
adventurous
emotional
sad
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
3.0
elleapple's review against another edition
lighthearted
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.0
chloesumner1317's review against another edition
4.0
I love Anna Godbersen's work, that she's so dedicated to historical fiction. I think well done historical fiction is absolutely the best way to learn about the social environments of different eras, and it's so much more fun than taking notes on a textbook. I also applaud the fact she didn't just repeat the plot of The Luxe series in a different time period, because she could have easily done that (except for the Jillian Larkin decided to do it with The Vixens, so if you are looking for something exactly like The Luxe but in the 1920's, go check those out).
I really admire Cordelia as a person. She has a lot of self-worth and is willing to work hard to honor her father, though she can take a step back and relax as well. I also really like her dynamic with Max, because she's learning a lot about two very different worlds.
Watching Letty rise to stardom is so nerve-wracking, I absolutely want her to succeed. Obviously there's no way to actually judge how talented she is seeing as how you can't really hear books, but I'm sure she's got that unnameable star quality. I feel like hers is the story which has the most ups and downs.
I want to give Astrid a good shake. You're engaged to a BOOTLEGGER, of COURSE you're going to need to be really careful about where you go and with whom! Sometimes the richer characters are the less common sense they have, oy.
I can't wait to see what happens in the next installment, there's lots of happy endings that just happened so everything is about to get shot to hell.
I really admire Cordelia as a person. She has a lot of self-worth and is willing to work hard to honor her father, though she can take a step back and relax as well. I also really like her dynamic with Max, because she's learning a lot about two very different worlds.
Watching Letty rise to stardom is so nerve-wracking, I absolutely want her to succeed. Obviously there's no way to actually judge how talented she is seeing as how you can't really hear books, but I'm sure she's got that unnameable star quality. I feel like hers is the story which has the most ups and downs.
I want to give Astrid a good shake. You're engaged to a BOOTLEGGER, of COURSE you're going to need to be really careful about where you go and with whom! Sometimes the richer characters are the less common sense they have, oy.
I can't wait to see what happens in the next installment, there's lots of happy endings that just happened so everything is about to get shot to hell.
jaymeshaw's review against another edition
3.0
This book moved a little slowly for me, and I continue to like Godberson's other series The Luxe a bit better. I felt like things didn't really happen until almost the very end. I'm hoping to read the conclusion and be satisfied with where everyone ends up.