Review: Rumors

Rumors
by Anna Godbersen
Published by HarperCollins
Publication Date June 3, 2008
Source: Library
Genres: Young Adult
Goodreads

As rumors continue about the untimely demise of Elizabeth Holland, an outwardly stricken Penelope Hayes determines to use any means necessary to claim her friend's pre-eminent place in 1899 Manhattan society and to get and keep the attentions of Elizabeth's former fiance, the wealthy Henry Schoonmaker."

I thought for this review I’d do a rundown on all the characters.

Elizabeth, it appears has been inducted into Sainthood after her untimely death and because of such, keeps creeping back into dark corners.

Diana is looked upon as the poor younger sister to the deceased Elizabeth Holland and has tossed in her lap saving the Holland name.  After her sister’s disappearance, she pursues a secret  love affair with her former fiance Henry Schoonmaker and that really takes center stage for interest in the book.  Think Madonna’s “Like A Virgin”.

Penelope is a conniving bitch and if there is any character development at all it is that she has become more ruthless since her on-again-off-again best friend’s untimely death.

Lina has been dismissed from the Holland home and after her former mistress’s  departure sets her sights on finding Will in California, but first she has to make herself a refined lady.  During her first few rocky days on her own she befriends a con from Lord and Taylors and finds herself a sugar daddy.   She also begins to follow in Penelope’s footsteps.

This is a very engrossing series of books with a huge twist at the end that left me a little sad.  At the moment, there can be no happiness for the Holland girls.  But it always gets darker before the light doesn’t it?  Maybe there’s still hope before all these intertwining stories come crashing down.