William Keller is Elizabeth's secret lover who works for the Holland family as their coachman and valet. He loves her and wants her to come away with him to California. Elizabeth isn't sure about leaving her life and running away. He is also very handsome with dark hair, blue eyes, and a crooked nose. I don't watch Gossip Girls, so I can't speak to any similarities there - what I was reminded of, though, was Edith Wharton's The Buccaneers. Admittedly, I have read very few books set in 19th century Manhattan, so Wharton's book was the only one I could think of, mostly because it's about four girls from "new money" making their way in the world amongst the British upper class. I highly recommend it, or the TV mini-series based on it. Penelope was who I initially hated the most, but that was because she was written was such a purposeful intent for us the hate her. She knew what she wanted, and was prepared to do whatever she must to get it. She was resourceful, cunning and ambitious. A true slitherin queen. Upon reflection, she may the character I hated the least. Elizabeth Holland and her best friend Penelope Hayes rule Manhattan's social scene. But when Elizabeth learns her family's status is far from secure, suddenly everyone is a threat to a golden future. Elizabeth is forced into an engagement to Henry Shoonmaker, a man she barely knows, with a terrible reputation as a ladies man, who happens to be the person Penelope is in love with.

Ich bedanke mich bei Netgalley und dem LYX digital Verlag für das kostenlose Rezensionsexemplar des Buches. Ich gebe hier meine unabhängige und unbezahlte Meinung zu dem Buch ab. Elizabeth wird geradezu als Vorbild für die jungen Damen angesehen und ist eigentlich auch die vornehme, luxuriöse Dame, wäre da nicht ihre geheime Liebe für den Kutscher. Ihre Lage und ihr lieber Charakter machen sie noch zur sympathischsten und ehrlichsten Figur in diesem Roman. Ihre Schwester Diana hingegen ist eine Rebellin, die den Gedanken an Armut aufregend findet und gern hübsche Männer küsst. Sie sieht sich selbst als modern, aber ich sah in ihr eher einen aufmüpfigen Teenager, der sich nach Aufregung sehnt und dabei Chaos stiftet. This intrigue was what initially gripped me. Who killed her? But I soon found out the story was less focused on the mystery and more on the drama and who will kiss who.The day after the ball, he proposes to Elizabeth and is accepted (even though her heart belongs to the young coachman, Will, whom her maid, Lina, also loves), because Henry's family has money and the Holland family now has none - which no one know about except them. You have to keep up appearances, after all. This is the day he also meets Elizabeth's younger sister, Diana, and there's something about her that captivates him like no other girl ever has. It's a tangled mess and it's about to get a whole lot messier as Penelope schemes to break up the engagement. The book begins at the funeral of Elizabeth Holland. Diana and Elizabeth were known as daughters of New York City’s elite tradition. Elizabeth died just before she was to marry into one of the city’s richest families, reinforcing the sisters’ position. Elizabeth’s fiancé, Henry Schoonmaker, who harbors a secret crush on Diana, notes that the circumstances of Mr. Holland’s disappearance are suspicious. It's September 1899 and the Manhattan season is starting off with a bang. Elizabeth Holland, the darling of the high society set, has returned from her year in Paris in time for the first ball of the season, held at her best friend Penelope Hayes' newly finished and incredibly vulgar mansion. Penelope is all about showing herself to the best advantage, and has her sights set on young rake Henry Schoonmaker - but his father has other ideas. Intending to run for mayor the following year, he wants his only son to shape up and marry a good girl from a good family: Elizabeth.

To complicate matters Elizabeth's headstrong little sister Diana also falls head over heels in love with Henry, who develops feelings for her as well. Meanwhile Elizabeth is secretly in love with her childhood friend Will, her family's coachman... but so is Elizabeth's maid Lina who will do anything to win Will's love. Her instinct was to do some violence to the white-and-gold upholstery that decorated the room, but she had not so lost her head as to want to ruin good brocade. Not yet." The girls of her class were slaves to rules, going about life—if you could call it that—like bloodless mannequins."

The Luxe is the first book in the New York Times bestselling Luxe series by Anna Godbersen. In a world of luxury and deception, where appearance matters above everything and breaking the social code means running the risk of being ostracized forever, five teenagers lead dangerously scandalous lives. This thrilling trip to the age of innocence is anything but innocent.

The Luxe Bali has a state-of-the-art home theatre room with a high end three-metre projector screen, KEF surround sound speakers and seating by cosy leather recliners to enjoy a comfortable and exciting cinema-like experience. GymWhen Elizabeth learns that her family’s welfare is in jeopardy she agrees to wed Henry Schoonmaker, a well-known playboy and heartbreaker, even though she loves another. Henry himself agrees to marry Elizabeth only so he will not be disinherited of his father’s fortune. At the night of her engagement announcement, her "best friend" Penelope Hayes reveals that she, herself is in love with Henry. This is the start of Penelope’s jealousy and betrayal to take down her biggest and only rival. Not to mention, Diana, who finds herself smitten with the elusive Henry, as well. Henry of course finds himself falling in love, finally, but not with his betrothed. Elizabeth struggles with her own happiness and the welfare of her family. When reputations are at stake and secrets become a currency, friends turn on friends and no one is safe. There is a number of public transportation close to The Luxe that residents can make use of. The closest MRT stations are Dhoby Ghaut MRT, Bencoolen MRT, Rochor MRT and Fort Canning MRT. The closest bus stops are located at Dhoby Ghaut Station, School of the Arts, Peace Centre, Sunshine Plaza and Concorde Hotel Singapore. For those with vehicles, the shopping district located at Orchard Road can be easily accessed via Penang Road, Fort Canning Road and Exeter Road in 5 to 10 minutes.