ReaderMarija's Reviews

Envy marks another lackluster installment to The Luxe series. Like its predecessors the story’s long, predictable and ultimately boring. The only real purpose it served was to allow me to lose some of the respect I had for the very few characters I did like in the previous novels.

Elizabeth: I don’t know where to begin with her. For how many years had she been engaged in her affair with Will? Two or three? And yet she’s surprised to find herself with child?! How could she not realize what was wrong with her? Then she has her chance with Teddy and blows it. She could have encouraged him and have been honest. But no. Like the scene in Rumors, when she’s confronted at the station with Will, she runs away, “killing” her chances for happiness.

Henry, Penelope, Grayson, and Diana: What a sorry group of people. Henry’s a sorry excuse of a man. Couldn’t help but laugh at his letter to Diana. But, you know, he does have a point…walking away from a situation that you no longer have control of, can actually be a good solution. But the question remains, “Will he be able to stick with his decision?” Given his meek past, I have a nagging suspicion that he won’t.

Didn’t really see the point of introducing Grayson. His presence is mostly a waste of space and pages, which might actually be the point, as that description actually fits his character. I wonder if he’ll appear in the final installment?

In regards to Penelope, many books call for a good villain, but she doesn’t even come near to that categorization. The book follows her various failed attempts to keep her man. Her vanity gets in the way of success. The one thing she could do to keep her husband—i.e. get pregnant—she doesn’t even want to consider, because she’s afraid of destroying her figure. Pregnancy would clash with the next season’s new fashions.

And Diana… I don’t know, but I felt that she seemed more mature in the previous books. Her naiveté comes to the fore here. Her choices are reckless and childish. I thought she was better than that. I still feel that she’ll be better off without Henry.

Lena, Leland, and Tristan: I’m rather surprised at her good fortunes. But she’s silly! Whatever possessed her to grab Tristan to celebrate her success? If she was lonely, she could’ve grabbed her sister and bought a new house for them to live together, rather than have her continue working as a maid at the Holland residence. Reintroducing Tristan into her life and having him once again become immersed in her affairs will only lead to her downfall.

So glad there’s only one more addition to this train wreck of a series.