Bright Young Things
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Anna Godbersen
Publisher: Harper
Letty Larkspur and Cordelia Grey escaped their small Midwestern town for New York's glittering metropolis. All Letty wants is to see her name in lights, but she quickly discovers Manhattan is filled with pretty girls who will do anything to be a star....
Cordelia is searching for the father she's never known, a man as infamous for his wild parties as he is for his shadowy schemes. Overnight, she enters a world more thrilling and glamorous than she ever could have imagined — and more dangerous. It's a life anyone would kill for...and someone will.
The only person Cordelia can trust is Astrid Donal, a flapper who seems to have it all: money, looks, and the love of Cordelia's brother, Charlie. But Astrid's perfect veneer hides a score of family secrets.
Across the vast lawns of Long Island, in the illicit speakeasies of Manhattan, and on the blindingly lit stages of Broadway, the three girls' fortunes will rise and fall — together and apart.
Set
in the summer of 1929 in the last hedonistic months of the 1920’s Bright Young
Things is a cool glass of lemonade on a hot day: sharp, tangy with a hint of
sweetness and refreshing after too many overly sweet drinks. Following the
career, loves and family dramas of three eighteen year olds in New York, the
most glamorous of cities, Bright Young Things is deliciously easy to read and a
real treat. I’m just sorry it took me so long to pick it up!
Letty,
the small town girl who wants to be a star is terribly naive and innocent but
you can’t help feeling for her. Cordelia is more street smart, and lands on her
feet when she finds her long-last father, a bootlegger who immediately welcomes
her into his life. And finally, Astrid, a high society girl who has never had
any roots or security, but she helps Cordelia in her new life. The story of
each girl is fairly independent, but intertwines through their experiences.
Each of them discover that despite the facade, New York life is not always the
party it appears and there is dark underbelly which each of them touches in one
way.
I
haven’t read a lot of books set in the roaring twenties America, but I do
remember studying that time period in history at school – especially the lead
up to that day in October when the Wall Street Crash occurred. For me this
meant that the whole summer and the events feel like a last hurrah before
reality returns in the autumn. My one disappointment is what a short space of
time this book follows – only a week or two and yet so much happens, it feels
like it should have taken place over a couple of months at least! This is fun
and fabulous. I will definitely be looking out for the sequel, Beautiful Days – when I’m allowed to buy
books again! J
A
perfect summer’s day reading. Recommended for fans of Mary Hooper and Melissa
De La Cruz. 8 out of 10
Seems really nice - I like Roaring Twenties books!
ReplyDeleteI can't even remember when I read a book set in that time period...must have been really long ago
ReplyDeleteI've been looking forward to your review of this Mel, as I've been deliberating whether I want to try this one or not. From what you've written, it sounds perfect for my summer holidays!
ReplyDeleteHm... you are making me lean toward getting this one. I'll have to check and see if it's still on sale. I wasn't sure. I can see wanting it to span longer than 2 weeks though.
ReplyDeleteI can't think of a single book I've read that takes place in this time period! It definitely sounds like something I would like, though. Great review! :)
ReplyDeleteRandi @ Cardigans, Coffee and Bookmarks
I loved her Luxe series so I expect nothing less from this plus I love Melissa DLC too!
ReplyDelete