megb2084's review against another edition
2.0
I had to force myself to finish this book. It wasn't as good as the first.
kricketa's review against another edition
4.0
the second installment in anna godbersen's "bright young things" series. more delightful drama involving flappers, bootleggers, and dancing through the night in beaded gowns.
onegirlreads's review against another edition
3.0
A little slow, this series didn't grab me like the Luxe did... but it's more a personal opinion that bad writing. I still think the author has a great way of detailing her characters and bringing drama to the story... but it's not one of my favorite eras in history, so it's more just me not clicking with it...
rebeccabooks's review against another edition
5.0
See full review here: http://rebecca-books.blogspot.co.uk/2012/04/beautiful-days-anna-godbersen-2.html
So after having a slight disappointment after Bright Young Things and starting this over a year after reading the previous book, I was a little unsure whether I would enjoy it as much as I wanted to - I mean, I could only briefly remember what happened in BYT and with Anna Godbersen still having to live up to The Luxe series in my mind, the outcome was a bit shady.
However, I was pleasantly surprised. This, I felt, was MUCH better than it's predecessor and I got more into the narrative and finding out more about the time and the character's themselves.
Sometimes when other historical fiction writers write these period novels, you only have a favour for the time and you read along with an understanding of what life at this time was like. However, whenever I read Anna Godbersen's books, I am literally taken to the era and it is like the reader is this invisible friend of Letty, Cordelia and Astrid's walking along side them experiencing what they are. I know a lot of about the 1920's America because I was examined on that decade of Prohibition, speak-easies and entertainment for my History GCSE last year. Equally, I picked this book up now as I'm studying The Great Gatsby in English Literature at the moment for my exam next month - so I have some knowledge of the time - who doesn't, with movies like Bugsy Malone? Now only did I understand and enjoy reading of the time period I know about, but I got to experience with the characters - therefore, I know why everyone goes to Gatsby's parties in a sense!
Considering this, I have a feeling some people would feel the characters are annoying or too frivolous, but knowing the time, this is exactly right and suits the decade the book is set in. If you want some more frivolous, I direct you to Daisy in The Great Gatsby...
In the last book, I didn't like Letty at all, but fell in love with the characters of Cordelia and Astrid. Letty, this time, was much better and felt sorry for her for the majority of the book, especially in the middle. There is a moment when she is with Grady (oh yes, he's back...) where I was deeply cringing for her - I must admit, some of the events in the book I wanted to jump in and shout at them 'Just tell them!' - but you know, I couldn't. Nonetheless, I did enjoy reading of all the characters.
Actually, to be honest, I felt sorry for all the girls at points.
Charlie is back also and in charge of the family bootlegging business now his father is dead. I have read a lot of reviews where people really disliked him and to be honest, he doesn't get any better. There are moments where I disliked him but latterly, he is much more likeable because of events - although still forceful and demanding.
There are a small cast of new characters as well as recurring minor ones - all of which were delightful additions to read about alongside the three main girls.
The best thing about this book is the writing which Godbersen I think altered slightly to suit the era after The Luxe. It is very visual and lyrical in parts that helps capture the society and attitude of the time, transporting you to that period of time. This is a book I had no problems with.
Overall, this is an amazing next chapter from the last book and the strongest so far. It is rich in suspense, romance, glamour, tension and moments where I just wanted to jump in and join the parties. Letty, Cordelia and Astrid have all formed into characters which I love to read about and although, the majority of the time, you are merely following their lives - it makes it an interesting and sparkling read. I would read BYT before starting this one, but if you have read BYT, although can't remember some of the plot, don't worry because this book gives a brief summary of what happened in places near the beginning. I had no problem remembering what had happened previously.
This is a delightful book which I thoroughly enjoyed and am SO looking forward to reading the next book in the series.
Verdict: If you weren't a fan of BYT, still try this one, it's MUCH better.
I give it a 5 out of 5
So after having a slight disappointment after Bright Young Things and starting this over a year after reading the previous book, I was a little unsure whether I would enjoy it as much as I wanted to - I mean, I could only briefly remember what happened in BYT and with Anna Godbersen still having to live up to The Luxe series in my mind, the outcome was a bit shady.
However, I was pleasantly surprised. This, I felt, was MUCH better than it's predecessor and I got more into the narrative and finding out more about the time and the character's themselves.
Sometimes when other historical fiction writers write these period novels, you only have a favour for the time and you read along with an understanding of what life at this time was like. However, whenever I read Anna Godbersen's books, I am literally taken to the era and it is like the reader is this invisible friend of Letty, Cordelia and Astrid's walking along side them experiencing what they are. I know a lot of about the 1920's America because I was examined on that decade of Prohibition, speak-easies and entertainment for my History GCSE last year. Equally, I picked this book up now as I'm studying The Great Gatsby in English Literature at the moment for my exam next month - so I have some knowledge of the time - who doesn't, with movies like Bugsy Malone? Now only did I understand and enjoy reading of the time period I know about, but I got to experience with the characters - therefore, I know why everyone goes to Gatsby's parties in a sense!
Considering this, I have a feeling some people would feel the characters are annoying or too frivolous, but knowing the time, this is exactly right and suits the decade the book is set in. If you want some more frivolous, I direct you to Daisy in The Great Gatsby...
In the last book, I didn't like Letty at all, but fell in love with the characters of Cordelia and Astrid. Letty, this time, was much better and felt sorry for her for the majority of the book, especially in the middle. There is a moment when she is with Grady (oh yes, he's back...) where I was deeply cringing for her - I must admit, some of the events in the book I wanted to jump in and shout at them 'Just tell them!' - but you know, I couldn't. Nonetheless, I did enjoy reading of all the characters.
Actually, to be honest, I felt sorry for all the girls at points.
Charlie is back also and in charge of the family bootlegging business now his father is dead. I have read a lot of reviews where people really disliked him and to be honest, he doesn't get any better. There are moments where I disliked him but latterly, he is much more likeable because of events - although still forceful and demanding.
There are a small cast of new characters as well as recurring minor ones - all of which were delightful additions to read about alongside the three main girls.
The best thing about this book is the writing which Godbersen I think altered slightly to suit the era after The Luxe. It is very visual and lyrical in parts that helps capture the society and attitude of the time, transporting you to that period of time. This is a book I had no problems with.
Overall, this is an amazing next chapter from the last book and the strongest so far. It is rich in suspense, romance, glamour, tension and moments where I just wanted to jump in and join the parties. Letty, Cordelia and Astrid have all formed into characters which I love to read about and although, the majority of the time, you are merely following their lives - it makes it an interesting and sparkling read. I would read BYT before starting this one, but if you have read BYT, although can't remember some of the plot, don't worry because this book gives a brief summary of what happened in places near the beginning. I had no problem remembering what had happened previously.
This is a delightful book which I thoroughly enjoyed and am SO looking forward to reading the next book in the series.
Verdict: If you weren't a fan of BYT, still try this one, it's MUCH better.
I give it a 5 out of 5
quicksilvermoon's review against another edition
3.0
Frothy, light, and consistent with the spirit and tone of its prequel
jenbsbooks's review against another edition
3.0
A solid follow up to the first book. Nothing fantastic, but fluffy fun. An easy read ... or listen, as I went with the audio-edition this go round. Sometimes that can be difficult after reading on my own, as I've got "voices" in my head already, but I was fine with this narrator. Very young voice, of course that matched all three girls whose stories are being told. I'll likely finish up the trilogy, although I'm not chomping at the bit to do so. When I get around to it ...
zinokato's review against another edition
3.0
3.5
I wanted to love this more than I did.
Although I did like the way the romances developed and it ended in a good place, I think I just wanted a bit more, it didn't thrill me.
It wasn't as good as [b:Bright Young Things|7719248|Bright Young Things (Bright Young Things, #1)|Anna Godbersen|http://d.gr-assets.com/books/1339953783s/7719248.jpg|10463204] and definitely not as good as The Luxe series but I'd love to see how it all ends so I'll be reading the next one.
I wanted to love this more than I did.
Although I did like the way the romances developed and it ended in a good place, I think I just wanted a bit more, it didn't thrill me.
It wasn't as good as [b:Bright Young Things|7719248|Bright Young Things (Bright Young Things, #1)|Anna Godbersen|http://d.gr-assets.com/books/1339953783s/7719248.jpg|10463204] and definitely not as good as The Luxe series but I'd love to see how it all ends so I'll be reading the next one.
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!
stephieb78's review against another edition
4.0
The second book in the Bright Young Things series is a breath of fresh air! Typically I read YA / Urban Fantasy work (Cassandra Clare, Chloe Neill, etc.) but I read the first book in this series and had to immediately pick up the second book. What I love most about this book is that it is such an escape from the darker books I usually read, as well as reality. There is a completely different vibe when you aren't worried about vampires eating your favorite character(s). I adore these characters, these young women who are all strong in their own ways. I can relate to Letty well and long to be more carefree like Astrid and able to control my emotions like Cordelia. Read the book... you will want to sneak into a speakeasy, wear beaded gowns and dance the Charleston, no matter your age (if you don't know what the Charleston is, YouTube it!)!
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