A review by inthelunaseas
Beautiful Days, by Anna Godbersen
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!