The first book, Bright Young Things, introduced the characters and set up some tension for the next book.
Letty, Cordelia, and Astrid all end up, at least for a while, living at Dogwood, Charlie and Cordelia's father's house. We spend much of the book experiencing their attempts to connect with their various male interests. They do go to parties, and go out on the town, and Godbersen's descriptions of their hair and dress is once again, the best part of the book.
Cordelia is opening her own speakeasy. Letty wants to continue to pursue her singing career, and Astrid is trying to figure out if she's going to marry Charlie or not.
I didn't really feel much tension or excitement or suspense in Beautiful Days. There was a bit of a scare for one of our characters, but I never really felt like she was in any real danger -- and I don't thing Godbersen intended the reader to feel that way. I really couldn't stand some stupid decisions that were made. If someone tells you that you should stay home and not go out because you are in danger -- there are people that want to harm you -- would you turn around and get ready for a night on the town? Then, go to a run-down, sleazy bar in a bad part of town instead of going to a place where people know who you are? She behaved like a petulant child.
I also thought the ending of Beautiful Days was really abrupt! I wanted to revel a bit in the relatively happy situations, but everything happened so fast, and then -- bam -- "the end!"
Let me say once again that The Luxe is one of my absolute favorite series EVER. So, I guess it's no surprise that the Bright Young Things series can't live up to it. I actually enjoy Larkin's Vixen, Diva, and Ingenue books about the Roaring 20s better than Bright Young Things.
But, I still plan on picking up The Lucky Ones, the next in the series that will be released November 27.
Published by HarperCollins, 2010
Copy won from Bewitched Bookworms!
358 pages
Rating: 3/5
Back to Annette's Book Spot Homepage Copyright © 2012 Annette's Book Spot. All Rights Reserved
I agree that The Luxe series is better than this one. I didn't love Bright Young Things, but I found this book more engaging. Like you, I'm sure I'll be picking up The Lucky Ones either way. :)
ReplyDeleteI really enjoyed the Luxe series and haven't been thrilled with this series. The characters and plot haven't been able to catch my attention. I really struggled to finish book 1 and even then I thought it was just ok. I just have no desire to finish it.
ReplyDeleteI absolutely loved The Luxe Series too. The drama, scandal and characters kept me reading. I agree that this series was not as good. I have wondered if I would have enjoyed it more though if my expectations were not so high from Anna Godbersen's other books.
ReplyDelete