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    Splendor
    Splendor
    Splendor
    Audiobook8 hours

    Splendor

    Written by Anna Godbersen

    Narrated by Nina Siemaszko

    4/5

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    About this audiobook

    Gossip Girl meets the Gilded Age in this delicious and compelling novel, the fourth and final book in the New York Times bestselling series from author Anna Godbersen.

    In the dramatic conclusion to the New York Times bestselling Luxe series, Manhattan’s most dazzling socialites chase dreams, cling to promises, and tempt fate. Only one question remains: Will they fade away or will they shine ever brighter?

    New beginnings. Shocking revelations. Unexpected endings. This is Manhattan, 1899.

    As spring turns into summer, Elizabeth relishes her new role as a young wife, while her sister, Diana, searches for adventure abroad. But when a surprising clue about their father’s death comes to light, the Holland girls wonder at what cost a life of splendor comes.

    Carolina Broad, society’s newest darling fans a flame from her past, oblivious to how it might burn her future. Penelope Schoonmaker is finally Manhattan royalty—but when a real prince visits the city, she covets a title that comes with a crown. Her husband, Henry, bravely went to war, only to discover that his father’s rule extends well beyond New York’s shores and that fighting for love may prove a losing battle.

    “Mystery, romance, jealousy, betrayal, humor, and gorgeous, historically accurate details. I couldn’t put The Luxe down!” —Cecily von Ziegesar, author of the #1 New York Times bestselling Gossip Girl series

    LanguageEnglish
    PublisherHarperCollins
    Release dateOct 27, 2009
    ISBN9780061709623
    Author

    Anna Godbersen

    Anna Godbersen is the author of the New York Times bestselling Luxe series. She was born in Berkeley, California, and educated at Barnard College. She currently lives in Brooklyn.

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    Reviews for Splendor

    4/5

    312 ratings29 reviews

    What did you think?

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    Review must be at least 10 words

    • 4/5
      I waited to do a review till the end of the series. This series was an easy one to get into. I enjoyed the characters and the dive into the "rich" world of that time era. The story lines and the way the intertwined were interesting. Some points I felt I had figured out and then was surprised.

      I felt as though the last book was rushed and she could have and maybe should have added another book to this. The ending of this story was disappointing.
    • 4/5
      I'm sorry this is the end of the series because they've all made for riveting in-flight reading! In "Splendor," the main characters are more or less committed (happily or unhappily) to their spouses or affairs so there seems to be less of a backstabbing edge this time around. But the various plot twists keep the story interesting, and while no one gets the happy endings that Luxe fans might expect, there is satisfaction in seeing the rarefied social guard phasing out for a more progressive era. Go, Carolina and Diana!
    • 3/5
      I really enjoyed "Splendor". I don't know why some didn't like the ending. I think it was befitting of the overall circumstances of each person. The only book in the Luxe series I believe is lacking is "Rumors". It was rather slow up until the end.
    • 5/5
      I loved the whole series, especially this one! But I was personally disappointed with the ending--it is feasible but I wanted and wished for another ending. Love to tell you more, but you'll just have to read it to find out.
    • 4/5
      This was a fantastic series to read and the last book certainly tied some loose ends although I would have liked to see a slightly different ending.
    • 4/5
      I haven’t read too many books in series and those I have, generally disappoint when everything is all said and done. I’d like to send a big “thank you” to Anna Godberson for not falling into the trap of a luke warm ending. Her fourth and final book in the Luxe series threatened to fit into the expected but found every way around it possible. Like many books reviewed as second, third, or fourth in a line of a story, it’s incredibly hard, as a reader, to explain enough about the story without giving all of the prior details away.That said, there is much to be commended, ambiguously. Godberson managed to change the tone of her story in relation to the time and place with ease. What started as the nineteenth century in the first book transitioned to the new century with the easy and energy of the incoming decade. As the story took root for the final act, our fair characters were flung to the literal four corners of the world, in all places, maintaining their past energy while ramping up the drama for their new whereabouts. Although it is briefly discussed, the old cliche of class and war is looked into both in the upper class finding privilege even in the barracks and in the wealthy struggling to find a deeper meaning in “it all” by throwing themselves headlong into battle.Characters I had heretofore written off came back with a vengeance (and a backbone) for the final hour. I was incredibly pleased with the way Elizabeth, the prized centerpiece of a fading era, developed through the series, especially in the final volume. She teetered on the edge of superfluity and boredom for a good deal of the story but truly came into a three dimensional person in Splendor. Diana, the younger, rougher, albeit more interesting sister of the aforementioned belle of the ball, only became more flamboyantly fun and engaging. She held her own until the last drop, never losing her insecurities but always maintaining the life and love she added to the story. As for the men involved, they were always slightly less dimensional than their female counterparts but did mange to squeak in a little bit of heart and depth around the edges.I found the final book the most enjoyable, which, as I said, rarely happens. The entire series was a little lighter than my usual fare but it proved entertaining and alluring enough to keep me engaged to the last moment.
    • 1/5
      I started this series a while ago but didn't get around to actually finishing it until recently. I had about ten chapters left to read and now I wish I didn't finish it.

      In this Gossip Girl-esque story that takes place in the 1900s all boiled down to what choices the characters are going to make to finally be happy. Dianna Holland must choose between society or her wanderlusting heart. Henry Schoonmaker is torn between his love for Dianna and his family name. And so on and so forth.

      Will Elizabeth be content carrying her dead lover's child while trapped in a loveless marriage? Did Penelope finally find a way to reach a higher status in the arms of a Bulgarian Prince? Can Carolina finally put her past life in the past and find happiness wearing the name of one of New York society's oldest names?????

      If I'm being honest the reason this book made me want to rip every page out one by one was the ending. There was no way I was going to be okay with the entire series as a whole after that. The rest of this review will be a terrible brain dump of all I hated about the ending.

      I'll try to organize it in order of character arcs.
      Henry: STUPID STUPID STUPID. So we find Henry stationed in Havana, Cuba basically living the privileged life only with a military uniform. When he reunites Dianna they continue their love affair until his superior officer sends him back home. He spends the entire book trying to find a way out of his agreement with Penelope but when he finally grows a pair and tells his dad off the old man croaks leaving him the Schoonmaker fortune. For some reason it stops him from running away to Paris with Dianna a plan, might I add, that was originally his. *pulls hair out*
      Penelope: okay the bitch got what she deserved lol...and because Henry was so stupid in the end there so did he.
      Dianna: actually I'm ok with where she ended up. Henry had been able to travel the world as a bachelor so why shouldn't she? Plus if he really truly did love her more than anything he would've packed up and followed her around the world.
      Elizabeth: basically once Will died so did any hopes for a proper ending for this Holland sister's arc. Sadly she was involved in a crazy convoluted scheme where her second husband wanted to steal all of the Holland's riches. The fact that she preferred to keep her family's name clean instead of clearing her dead lover's name disgusted me and it pissed me off when she only ran into Teddy's arms just because he was still available and Cairins was a psycho.
      Carolina: there's something about her that I never liked. The entitlement she always felt when she was a maid was really annoying. It sounds pretty bad but there's a difference between entitlement and wistfulness. She may have wished she was as rich as her Holland employers but she was so bitter and it really bugged me how she hated the love Will had for Elizabeth instead of her. Then she wiped him from her mind the minute a hot rich guy fell in love with her. I was slightly satisfied with how Leland left her but frustrated with the fact that she was still a venerated socialite. But hey, at least her sister was no longer being treated like a second class slave.
    • 2/5
      Disappointing ending of disappointing series. Amount of crutches-"coincidences" needed to prop up the plot rivals the same in Mexican soap operas. And I've seen way too many "bee-stung lips", "verdant parks" and "pocket doors" along the way.
      Oh, it obviously not the worst that you can get at bookstores these days, at least the grammar is good and the author keeps track of the plot and never requires the heroes to sit several times without standing in between... So, OK for killing time if you have absolutely nothing to do; but barely.
    • 4/5
      This was a great ending the Luxe series. There are some great twists and pretty much everyone gets their just desserts (although I can't help but wish the Henry Schoonmaker had gotten Diana and that his "wife" had been a little bit worse for the wear).
    • 5/5
      This was a truly wonderful end to the series, I loved it! I think the ending for each characters story was logical and well thought out, and as sad as I am, I think everything ended the way it was supposed to be. Also, I am so proud of Henry, he stepped up and became a man by the end. However, it saddens me to think that he has been aged horribly beyond his 21 years with everything that has happened.

      And finally, I found myself far more engrossed with Elizabeth's story than I was with the previous books and think she got the ending she truly deserved.
    • 3/5
      I really enjoyed "Splendor". I don't know why some didn't like the ending. I think it was befitting of the overall circumstances of each person. The only book in the Luxe series I believe is lacking is "Rumors". It was rather slow up until the end.
    • 3/5
      I really enjoyed this series, which combines aspects of historical fiction with the trashiness of the Gossip Girl type novels. I will agree with many others and say that I was disappointed with the ending. I think I understand why the author wrote it that way, but I was hoping that Diana and Henry would end up happily together in the end.
    • 4/5
      What a disappointing end to this series. I was so looking forward to Henry and Diana finally spending their lives together. Yet, Diana wouldn't be Diana if she didn't go off and live an exciting life. I was happy to see Elizabeth finally get her love in the end. I also liked how Penelope finally got what she deserved.
    • 4/5
      Anna Godberson's Luxe series comes to an end with Splendor, the fourth installment. After coping with their escalating personal issues, Godberson's group of turn-of-the-century New York socialites forges ahead into a new world where old secrets return, new alliances are formed and the gilded age starts to lose its glitter.

      Penelope Schoonmaker (nee Hayes) throws herself into the social web of New York and while trying to live down the scandals of her husband Henry's military adventure, starts scandals of her own. She catches the eye of the Prince of Bavaria and realizes that she could reach higher places in life.

      Meanwhile, Penelope's reluctant husband, Henry, finds that his career as a U.S. soldier doesn't turn out as he hoped. His father quickly forces him to return to New York, where Henry is faced with making decisions about his future with Penelope...or Diana. Diana, after finding Henry, returns to New York and desperately looks for a way to be with him while her sister Elizabeth faces an unexpected truth about her second husband.

      Everything that fans have come to expect from The Luxe series is here -young socialites fighting for reputation, power and happiness while living in splendor. While this novel started out in a good place due to the amazing ending of Envy, it just couldn't stay on the same level as the rest of the series -mostly due to the ending. Near the end it felt like the writer started throwing certain things in (out of nowhere) to keep the expected ending that she had been building up to for so long from happening.

      I was really excited to see how this series would end, but the ending was just a huge let down. Part of me even hoped that there would be another book in the series to give The Luxe the "right" ending. Sadly, I won't be getting my wish. Don't get me wrong, Splendor isn't a bad book -Godberson just ruined it on the ending.
    • 4/5
      There were still a lot of loose ends and a couple questions, and the ending was fairly disappointing. However it was still a great book.
    • 5/5
      Splendor appears to be the last book in the Luxe series and it’s no less addictive than the previous three books. I really enjoyed this series and I’m sad to see it end but I think Godbersen did a really great job tying things up in a way that seemed realistic but also unexpected.
    • 4/5
      The Luxe series is basically Gossip Girl for the 1900s. And while Gossip Girl has never appealed to me, this series, somehow, did. I'm neither a fan of frivolous teen girly fiction nor historical fiction, and yet I truly enjoyed this series. Splendor, the fourth and probably final novel, was by far and away the best of the series. Much to my surprise, while things were neatly sorted at the end -- the manner in which they were fixed was not at all what I expected. I had fun reading this book, much more than some of the earlier ones. I look forward to reading Godbersen's new series and find I'll probably change my opinions on what kind of books I do enjoy. This light reading is sometimes just the thing.
    • 4/5
      This is a fun series and one that I found myself falling into pretty easily. Having always loved Edith Wharton's The Age of Innocence, this felt reminiscent of that era and style. Godbersen's writing style and descriptions are delicious and keep the story moving, not to mention the list of characters that you readily care about and want to continue following.

      In some ways it becomes obvious what direction the story is heading in, but there is still a chance that it might take a different turn. In this case, it did take a slight turn at the end that had me floundering. Okay, I'll be honest. I was a little angry. The final decision that some of the characters' make is understandable, as they come to realize what will make them happy, but I can't say that after four books that I was quite as happy. I'm still not really sure how I'm feeling about it all, but can say I liked the series as a whole.

      Overall, I really enjoyed the entire Luxe series and would recommend them to readers of YA or historical fiction. In the past I've mentioned that I lack imagination for things such as Science Fiction, so I'm thinking that where my imagination lacks with Sci Fi, it makes up for in historical pieces such as in this series. There is a lot of implied beauty, crazy drama, and masked emotion to behold. For high drama and plot twists, this series fits the bill.
    • 5/5
      A novel in which, as its predecessors, New York is a primary character. The history and lush descriptions are captivating, transforming the room around you into the hazy afternoons of Havana and the crisp, cool evenings of Manhattan. A novel of beauty, with thrilling highs and devastating lows. The best of the series by far with resolutions so clear, concise, and yet unpredictable that readers are kept in suspension throughout. It was with a resounding sense of finality that I read the last words, bringing a closure to a fine series that is so rare - in the best way possible, I am satisfied. I'm not sorry to see it end because I know, there could be no better ending than this. Wonderfully worth the time.
    • 4/5
      I haven’t read too many books in series and those I have, generally disappoint when everything is all said and done. I’d like to send a big “thank you” to Anna Godberson for not falling into the trap of a luke warm ending. Her fourth and final book in the Luxe series threatened to fit into the expected but found every way around it possible. Like many books reviewed as second, third, or fourth in a line of a story, it’s incredibly hard, as a reader, to explain enough about the story without giving all of the prior details away.

      That said, there is much to be commended, ambiguously. Godberson managed to change the tone of her story in relation to the time and place with ease. What started as the nineteenth century in the first book transitioned to the new century with the easy and energy of the incoming decade. As the story took root for the final act, our fair characters were flung to the literal four corners of the world, in all places, maintaining their past energy while ramping up the drama for their new whereabouts. Although it is briefly discussed, the old cliche of class and war is looked into both in the upper class finding privilege even in the barracks and in the wealthy struggling to find a deeper meaning in “it all” by throwing themselves headlong into battle.

      Characters I had heretofore written off came back with a vengeance (and a backbone) for the final hour. I was incredibly pleased with the way Elizabeth, the prized centerpiece of a fading era, developed through the series, especially in the final volume. She teetered on the edge of superfluity and boredom for a good deal of the story but truly came into a three dimensional person in Splendor. Diana, the younger, rougher, albeit more interesting sister of the aforementioned belle of the ball, only became more flamboyantly fun and engaging. She held her own until the last drop, never losing her insecurities but always maintaining the life and love she added to the story. As for the men involved, they were always slightly less dimensional than their female counterparts but did mange to squeak in a little bit of heart and depth around the edges.

      I found the final book the most enjoyable, which, as I said, rarely happens. The entire series was a little lighter than my usual fare but it proved entertaining and alluring enough to keep me engaged to the last moment.
    • 4/5
      Spoiler warning - I don’t give away the ending of this book in my review, but there are many spoilers for the previous three books in the series. So if you haven’t read them yet and don’t want what happens in them to be spoiled for you, I suggest not reading this review at this time!

      It is summer 1900, a few month after the events of Envy, the third book in The Luxe series. Elizabeth is adjusting to her life after a marriage of convenience to Snowden Cairns, her late father’s business associate, and awaiting the birth of her child by Will Keller, her first love who was tragically killed shortly after their secret marriage, a marriage she must keep secret from the rest of New York society. Diana has left New York to search for Henry, who has gone to war, leaving behind his scheming wife Penelope. And Lina is enjoying her newfound wealth and being a part of the wealthy elite she always longed to join.

      However, as always, their lives are soon further complicated by more secrets, schemes, and lies. Elizabeth begins to suspect that her husband is not being entirely honest with her, and may in fact be up to something unsavory. Diana and Henry reunite and long to build a life together, but the far-reaching influence of his wealthy and powerful father complicates matters. Penelope, furious with Henry, begins to look for attention and love elsewhere. And Lina finds herself at risk of losing everything she has gained if her dishonesty about her past is uncovered.

      The final book in The Luxe series, Splendor does a good job of concluding the series and resolving most of the plotlines while still leaving some future events to the imagination of the readers. I suspect readers will be divided in opinion over the ending - personally I liked the conclusions for most of the characters, but I wish there had been a little more resolution for others. Whether you end up loving or hating the choices Anna Godbersen ended up making for her characters, ultimately I think she mostly wrote the ending the way it should be. It’s certainly not the ending I imagined or hoped for when I first started reading the series, but it fits considering the events that have taken place since the first book. Readers who read and enjoyed the previous three books in the series and want to know what happens to the characters will definitely want to read this book to judge the conclusion for themselves.
    • 3/5
      Easy read but a fantastic story. More of Gossip Girl 100 years ago, Penelope and Henry are now married. Elizabeth is too although her husband is not as nice as he seems. Lots of drama, Carolina finds love. The ending was not what the readers were hoping for but it was still good.
    • 3/5
      Not a fabulous ending, but somewhat satisfying for fans of the earlier books.
    • 3/5
      Plot is getting very tired. Many of the characters are unpleasant, but they do not get what they deserve.
    • 4/5
      Summary: As Splendor opens, all of the characters are adjusting to the changes that life had thrust upon them by the end of Envy. Henry has enlisted as a soldier in order to prove himself a man, not realizing that there are some battles in that war that can only be fought at home. Diana has slipped the shackles of high society to follow her heart towards the man she loves. Elizabeth is still grieving for Will, but is adjusting to the thought of her life as a society wife and young mother. Carolina is now a legitimate heiress, but money on its own does not guarantee acceptance into the glittering world she covets. And Penelope, having obtained the title of Mrs. Henry Schoonmaker through deception and manipulation, has now set her sights on an even higher tier of the social ladder.

      Review: Pure literary candy, plain and simple. I feel like I got tired of the antics of the teenaged socialite set of the Luxe novels about a book and a half ago, and yet something about them keeps me reading. I don't know whether I was interested to see how Godbersen was going to wrap things up, in need of a little escapism into a world of high society and fancy dress balls and scandalous behavior, or just looking for a book that didn't require too much higher cognitive functioning on my part. Probably all three.

      It's been a while since I've read The Luxe, so I can't say for sure, but I have the impression that Godbersen's language has gotten more and more overblown with each subsequent book. The abundance of frothy description of every dress and piece of furnishing has been there since the beginning, but the narrative seems to have become more self-important and serious. At least the "lichen-colored eyes" and "bee-stung lips" only made one or two appearances this time around, although it drove me a little crazy that the characters tended to be thinking about *themselves* in that way.

      I wasn't aware of this when I started out, but Splendor is the last book in the Luxe series, and Godbersen does a good job of wrapping up threads that she's been juggling since the beginning. Either she planned out her characters' fates well in advance, or she made it seem as though she did, and to maneuver everyone into an ending that is satisfactory without seeming overly contrived is no mean feat. I also want to applaud her for not taking the easy way out with some of her plotting choices - the directions she took made things much more interesting and less predictable, which I appreciated. Overall, I'm left content - not bowled over, and not clammoring to start re-reading from the beginning, but content. In truth, I don't ask for much more than fluffy, easy-to-read entertainment out of books like these, and on that scale, I got what I came for. 3.5 out of 5 stars.

      Recommendation: Splendor doesn't stand on its own, but it is a satisfying conclusion to the series. I'd recommend the Luxe books in general to anyone whose taste in guilty-pleasure escapist fluff tends towards silks and scandalous secrets.
    • 5/5
      I loved the whole series, especially this one! But I was personally disappointed with the ending--it is feasible but I wanted and wished for another ending. Love to tell you more, but you'll just have to read it to find out.
    • 4/5
      This entire series has always been just okay for me. Each book was interesting enough to have me buy the next one, but not enough to rave about them. What originally got me drawn into the series was the gorgeous covers and guilty-pleasure premise. Unfortunatley, I found the first book disappointing, and while the rest of the series did improve slightly, I still don't love them.
      This book was probably my favorite. It was not completely shallow, and all the characters seemed to have grown up a little. This was a nice conclusion. While not fairy-tale perfect, it retained a hopeful and semi-ambiguous ending. Some of the characters got what they wanted, and some of them didn't. The last chapter was particularly memorable, and I liked the whole "change" concept.
      I'm not telling you to go run out and buy this series, but I certainly won't discourage it.
    • 4/5
      This fourth (and final?) book in the Luxe series finds all our favorite society girls (and boys) up to their old tricks. It's over-written and a little too long, but it's still a scrumptious diversion. Recommended for fans of the series. Consider the Luxe books for Twilight fans - their romantic (and dramatic) escapades are similarly escapist.
    • 4/5
      At the beginning of Splendor, I admit that I thought Ms. Godberson had lost her touch. If ever a book proved to me that setting is important to good literature, this would be it - New York socialites in Cuba? It didn't work for me. However, I for one adored the ending. Elizabeth needed to be with Teddy, Carolina discovered what really matters and was consequently really happy, Henry and Penelope got what they deserved - eachother, and Diana found herself and the world. Finally a book for teens that has some female characters with a backbone!