2024 the best books of 2023 review

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(as of Dec 22, 2024 11:37:09 UTC - Details)

"Abé is an exquisite storyteller." —Fiona Davis, New York Times bestselling author of The Magnolia Palace

The New York Times bestselling author of The Second Mrs. Astor returns with a spellbinding new book perfect for fans of HBO’s The Gilded Age and readers of Marie Benedict, Karen Harper, and Allison Pataki. This sweeping novel of historical fiction is inspired by the true rags-to-riches story of Arabella Huntington—a woman whose great beauty was surpassed only by her exceptional business acumen, grit, and artistic eye, and who defied the constraints of her era to become the wealthiest self-made woman in America.

1867, Richmond, Virginia: Though she wears the same low-cut purple gown that is the uniform of all the girls who work at Worsham’s gambling parlor, Arabella stands apart. It’s not merely her statuesque beauty and practiced charm. Even at seventeen, Arabella possesses an unyielding grit, and a resolve to escape her background of struggle and poverty.

Collis Huntington, railroad baron and self-made multimillionaire, is drawn to Arabella from their first meeting. Collis is married and thirty years her senior, yet they are well-matched in temperament, and flirtation rapidly escalates into an affair. With Collis’s help, Arabella eventually moves to New York, posing as a genteel, well-to-do Southern widow. Using Collis’s seed money and her own shrewd investing instincts, she begins to amass a fortune.

Their relationship is an open secret, and no one is surprised when Collis marries Arabella after his wife’s death. But “The Four Hundred”—the elite circle that includes the Astors and Vanderbilts—have their rules. Arabella must earn her place in Society—not just through her vast wealth, but with taste, style, and impeccable behavior. There are some who suspect the scandalous truth, and will blackmail her for it. And then there is another threat—an unexpected, impossible romance that will test her ambition, her loyalties, and her heart . . .

An American Beauty brings to vivid life the glitter and drama of a captivating chapter in history—and a remarkable woman who lived by her own rules.

“This story of one woman’s ascent offers a fascinating look at the choices she made to become a Gilded Age titan.”— Kirkus Reviews

From the Publisher

Publisher ‏ : ‎ Kensington (April 25, 2023)
Language ‏ : ‎ English
Paperback ‏ : ‎ 384 pages
ISBN-10 ‏ : ‎ 1496739426
ISBN-13 ‏ : ‎ 978-1496739421
Item Weight ‏ : ‎ 2.31 pounds
Dimensions ‏ : ‎ 5.49 x 0.97 x 8.22 inches
Reviewer: Reader
Rating: 5.0 out of 5 stars
Title: Such a good book!
Review: I loved this book so much I could barely put it down and read it in 5 days. It is very well written and drew me into the world of the characters in an engaging way. It is also exceptionally well written.

Reviewer: Amazon Customeri
Rating: 4.0 out of 5 stars
Title: Historical Fiction
Review: Opening chapter is captivating. No waiting for interest to arrive. I have visited the beautiful estate and gardens of the Huntington Library and gardens in Pasadena , California but never knew anything of the mistress and how this luxury property came to be. It's an easy read and a pleasure to pick up in the middle of the night, time and time again. My book club enjoyed this book, not the book of the year but a good and solid read. No complaints

Reviewer: KWyly
Rating: 5.0 out of 5 stars
Title: Historical fiction at its finest!
Review: I can only start this review one way. Wow! What a story!The author begins near the end of 1902, with Lucy, a sales clerk, from The Town Topics Publishing Co. arriving to see Mrs Huntington. Lucy’s employer is trying to gouge the widow of Collis P. Huntington to pay the hefty price of $10,000 for a copy of its newest publication “Fads and Fancies of Representative Americans at the Beginning of the Twentieth Century: being a Portrayal of their Tastes, Diversions, and Achievements.” From there, the author sends the reader back to 1867 and into the life of Arabella D. Yarrington - a beautiful 17 year old- who is working as a champagne girl at one of the many illegal drinking and gambling houses that Johnny Worsham owns in Richmond. Arabella’s father has died and left behind his wife and five children on the verge of starvation. Arabella’s job makes the difference between their eating or starving.Arabella is not only beautiful, she is smart. She is determined. She is a planner. And she wants her family out of poverty. When she meets Collis P. Huntington, she believes she has found her way out. But only if she consistently plays her part.This well researched novel takes the reader through all the feels. Emotionally hard at times, Arabella (Belle) moves forward in her planned out life to rescue not only her mother and siblings but herself. When she needs to reinvent herself, she does just that.The story, set in The Gilded Age, takes the reader to glorious places and the opulent buildings and homes that were popular during that time. During this period of her life, Belle, with thoughtfulness and grace, faces rejection from a very judgmental society. She is judged. She is shunned. But, she perseveres in creating the life she wants for her family.This beautifully written, well researched novel is historical fiction at its best as the author tells the story of the real Arabella Yarrington and how she fought, planned, changed, and honed her skills to become the richest woman in the country.I loved this book. The author’s beautifully written descriptions make the Gilded Age, and all its excess, come alive for the reader. Not only a solid five star read for me but a new author discovered! Well done, Shana Abe.

Reviewer: Elana Lindenbaum
Rating: 5.0 out of 5 stars
Title: Well written
Review: Excellent book

Reviewer: MKNC
Rating: 4.0 out of 5 stars
Title: Interesting historical fiction I enjoyed
Review: Belle is fascinating and the story was well written with historical accurate facts so much so that I looked it up on the Internet several times to see pictures of the buildings and the people. Next week we will be reviewing it at my book club.

Reviewer: Amazon Customer
Rating: 3.0 out of 5 stars
Title: Who knew?
Review: Growing up in Pasadena our first field trips were to the Huntington Library, Henry and Arabella’s home. I have spent so much time in the gardens and never had any insight into Arabella’s story. I so enjoyed learning more but only wish the book didn’t end where I thought it really should have continued.

Reviewer: Miss Prim
Rating: 5.0 out of 5 stars
Title: Wonderful!
Review: This book is the kind of book that takes you away to another time. It holds you in its spell from the first page until the last. I thoroughly enjoyed it.. If you like historical fiction with a strong female lead, this book is for you. Splendid!u

Reviewer: Kindle Customer
Rating: 5.0 out of 5 stars
Title: Exquisite
Review: Top caliber writing. (And I am very discerning!) Perfect tension between inner and outer lives. Prose abounds with shades of color, but never overreaching. Pacing, points of view, all natural and intriguing. Well done!

Reviewer: NSL
Rating: 5.0 out of 5 stars
Title:
Review: Loved this book and really didn’t want it to end.

Reviewer: Encio
Rating: 4.0 out of 5 stars
Title:
Review: It began slow as the characters were introduced. A bit of a "wader" story at this point. Then midway through it sped up finishing well.

Reviewer: Jujubes
Rating: 5.0 out of 5 stars
Title:
Review: Really enjoyed the storyline, characters and style of writing! Two thumbs up!

Reviewer: Amazon Customer
Rating: 5.0 out of 5 stars
Title:
Review: A page turner

Reviewer: lana
Rating: 4.0 out of 5 stars
Title:
Review: I loved this book so much that I’ll be reading her other one immediately! With fascinating characters, this historical fiction captures the age and keeps the reader engrossed from beginning to end.