Antonina Beaulieu, called Nina, travels to the city of Loisail to stay with her wealthy cousin Gaetan Beaulieu and his wife Valérie, who leads her through her first Grand Season with an iron hand. Nina is a country girl from a wealthy family but lacks the sophistication Valérie insists upon, and her erratic telekinetic powers only make Valérie angrier. When Nina meets the celebrated entertainer, Hector Auvray, she finds a kindred spirit who shares the same odd talent. Hector courts her as a ploy to get close to Valérie, whom he still loves despite her breaking their engagement years ago.

This world of parties, balls, calling cards and formal manners reminded me of Edith Wharton’s novels, even more so when the cracks in polite society begin to show. Ms. Moreno-Garcia surrounds her characters with lavish surroundings, furnishings, clothes, and jewelry. She shows readers the minefield of Belle Epoque manners, where a walk in the park at the wrong hour can set tongues wagging for days. Valérie is a queen of society; a tastemaker envied by her peers, but her displays of wealth mask her inner world, just as Nina’s unsophisticated manners hide a great intelligence and a kind heart. This technique beautifully underscores the characters, the milieu, and the plot.

Then, there is the question of telekinesis. This one drop of the fantastic kept me guessing how it fit into the story as a whole, and I wondered if it was simply a bit of clever characterization. It’s introduced as something out-of-the-ordinary and certainly unusual, but not worthy of fear or derision. Unless, of course, you’re a woman. Hector has made a fine living as a showman, and while he doesn’t have a noble name, his wealth and fame buy him a place in Loisail society. Nina was born into wealth, but her talent is likened to childish temper tantrums and has earned her a bad reputation and reprimands. Hector agrees to tutor her to teach her to control it, and the flush of Nina’s first crush begins.

The romantic entanglements of the main characters revolve around social class and wealth—or the lack of it. There are moments where Nina realizes her experience is nothing like the starry-eyed novels she’s read, and I found those delightful. Fairy-tale romance is fiction, and in Loisail, brides are traded like commodities to maintain their family’s position or to save the pride of fine families driven into poverty. That tension between arranged marriages and true love is one of the driving forces that bring the novel to a satisfying conclusion.

My main complaint about the book is purely subjective. For the first half of the novel, the setting and the drama of manners was interesting, but moved slowly and was easy to put down after a chapter or two. However, the second part is more exciting, with new conflicts, conspiracies, and danger on the horizon. That was the spark I needed to forge a connection to the characters and take sides in the conflict. The slow escalation of tension and consequences was well worth the wait.

When you think of a sci-fi or fantasy book you tend to think of quick paced action and obvious differences or powers in the world you're reading about. What Silvia Moreno Garcia gives you instead is a beautifully constructed realm that blends and bends reality so closely with telekinetic powers that you'd hardly notice if they were there or not. You come into her story feeling as though you've missed a previous book, but that serves you later on. The Beautiful Ones has a lot of subtext, a lot of the story is unsaid, but you pick up on things as you read. The romance aspect of this novel is entertaining though. At one point it feels like a quadrangle instead of your typical triangle, or perhaps a circle? The imagery is beautifully described, and the characters feel real and well developed; at times even causing the reader to feel sympathy for the devil. And while each even happens in a long succession from the one before it, each serves the purpose of the story. I'd love to see another book or two in this world, the slow boil method really works here.

I think this was another case of “It’s not you, it’s me.” This book was beautifully written, the characters were well-developed and complex, and the plot was totally cohesive. But, I still didn’t love this as much as I wanted to. Don’t get me wrong, I liked it a lot. It just didn’t grab like I’d hoped.

One of the reasons for this is probably the romance. I knew going into this book that there was going to be a lot of romance. And I was in the mood for a nice little romance, so that was totally fine with me (I’m not often in the mood for romances, so I wanted to wait until I was ready). But I also thought there was going to be more magic to balance out the romance. There was a little bit of magic, and what was there was really cool. But magic had a very small part in this book. So between the reeealllyyy heavy romance, and the severe lack of magic, I was left feeling a little disappointed.

Also, the characters. I’ll admit, I really liked Nina a lot. She was by far, one of my favorites. But the rest? Eh, not so much. Hector grew on me and I ended up liking him by the end. Everyone else just kind of drove me crazy. Especially Valérie, who was just too much for my taste. But, I will say that everyone seemed to stay true to their development and I enjoyed learning the back stories for each character. Like I said, the development of the characters was so well done. I just didn’t care for the end result in some cases.

All that being said, I did like this book. The world created was so much fun and fascinating. I loved the mixture of magic and a sort of Victorian-England-inspired world. Anyone who’s a fan of those sweeping BBC romance shows (think Poldark, or Downton Abbey) could probably appreciate this book quite a bit. I might have had some issues with parts of it, but I’m still really glad I picked this book up.

DNF at 23%. Perhaps another time, another state of mind will prove better for this unusual book. I loved the description, loved the alternative setting, but the mores of a slower, tedious time simply grated. I don't want to read a book where I want to shake every single one of the characters; give me someone to like. I had high hopes because of the telekinesis aspect, and the fact that the cover looked similar to the Paper Magician series.

I have been listlessly staring at my bookshelves (and random piles of books around the house, who am I kidding) for months now, hoping for one of those books. I was looking for a book that would necessitate a break from reading, just so I could take the time to collect myself and my emotions afterward. I wanted a story and characters that I could really delve into, snuggling into their perspectives and thoughts and dreams.

The Beautiful Ones, written by Silvia Moreno-Garcia, was that book. Moreno-Garcia masterfully spun this story, giving each character their own unique voice and building a world that I could not look away from. Is the world mostly involved with the interactions of high-class society, and the small details that define that world? Absolutely. The minimal focus on long-winded descriptions and subtle world building allowed the characters and their interpersonal interactions with one another to shine and gave them the prominence they deserved.

Oh, how I loved this book. I delighted with Nina as she explored her new world of the Grand Season, happily making friends with Hector and testing the limits of what Valerie would allow her to do. I wallowed with Hector in his distractions, not even very bothered by the decade-long love affair that had stretched on a little longer than might be believable for this skeptic’s mind. And, of course, Valerie–I thoroughly enjoyed the changing nuance of her emotions, both spiteful and fraught with more pleasant memories, as she revealed more and more of herself over the course of the novel.

This novel was extremely character driven and Moreno-Garcia did a fabulous job of giving each character their own voice, their own desires and motivations, wants and needs. I was invested in each one, in seeing how they’d fall apart and put themselves back together–or not, or put someone else back together, or fall apart again. Their choices shaped the consequences that they had to face and answered the question of who will save them, over and over again.

(Of course, the dramatic tension was only helped by the fact that I started this book immediately before getting corrective eye surgery, and was forced not to read for a whole week in between. Talk about torture!)

But please, if you enjoy a foray into a sumptuous, decadent world with an utterly captivating love story, please read this book. I fell in love, and hope you do, too.

The Beautiful Ones, written by Silvia Moreno-Garcia will be published on October 24th, 2017 by Thomas Dunne Books. Many thanks to NetGalley for providing me with an advanced copy.

Thanks to Netgalley and the publisher, St. Martin's, for providing me with a copy of this book in exchange for an honest review.

I've heard great things about Silvia Moreno-Garcia, certain great things about her book Certain Dark Things (see what I did there???). I haven't had a chance yet to read it, though I did buy it earlier this year to read, but when I saw this on Netgalley, I had to give it a shot. Telekinesis talked about as if it's relatively normal in this world? Sounds fun to me.

Well, here's the deal... if you're going into this expecting more of an urban fantasy or paranormal romance, you're in for a surprise. The telekinesis aspect, while it plays an important role in the development and relationship between two of the three main characters, is really a tiny part of the story. This book is mostly historical romance, a genre that I typically don't pick up except on rare occasion. So the telekinesis almost felt like it was there to trick me into reading something I normally wouldn't.

...and I'm glad it did. I ended up loving the book! Three compelling main characters, all broken in their own ways. Two of them fight to find something more, and one of them is one of the most despicable and cold and heartless characters I've seen on the page -- but she made for a great villain. Nina, though, stole my heart. She reminded me a lot of myself, and that made for an excellent read as I saw her grow and develop.

There were a few times the pacing felt a little off, and I would have liked a little more of the powers, but those are minor complaints about a really compelling read. I'm glad I took a chance on this. I can't wait now for Certain Dark Things, because if she does for vampires what she did for historical romance with a tinge of the supernatural, then I'm in for a treat.

Terrifyingly handsome and distressingly beautiful are two phrases that best describe this magical romance. The Beautiful Ones follows Nina and Hector, two telekinetics who are drawn to each other during the Belle Epoque. Nina's cousin, Valerie, however, has a lot of stake in their relationship and will stop at nothing to keep the lovers apart.

The prose in this work really whisks the reader away into a gorgeous reimagining of French high society. There was enough attention to detail around the outfits and rituals that really grounded the reader in the setting. It truly brought the characters to life.

Valerie was such a great villain, to the point that I almost wanted her to succeed. Her plot arc was so carefully crafted. It was easy to see her point of view while at the same understanding Nina and Hector. These interactions masterfully give a sense of the rules of the world but also drive the story forward with excellent pace.

I had one minor gripe with the world-building and that was an implication that more people had the talent. It seemed commonplace enough that Hector and Nina weren't persecuted for it, but greater detail there would have rounded out the world more.

The Beautiful Ones is an enchanting read with gorgeous characters in a wonderful setting that will keep you engaged until the very end.

https://lynns-books.com/2017/10/19/the-beautiful-ones-by-silvia-moreno-garcia/
The first book I read by Silvia Moreno-Garcia was Certain Dark Things, which I loved. It was dark and full of vampire myth, a gritty urban fantasy that I couldn’t put down and a world and cast of characters that I would gladly return to. The Beautiful Ones is a completely different read – which, basically should be obvious to anybody really given the blurb and the cover – I knew it was going to be unlike my first read by this author so that wasn’t a surprise at all, however, if you’re picking this one up thinking it’s going to maybe have a dangerous edge then I can tell you now that isn’t the case.

If I was going to try and give you a very quick idea of what this one is like I would compare it to one of the classics, the first one that springs to mind being Pride and Prejudice – because there certainly is an element of la-di-da society and etiquette is paramount. But, if I was going to be really honest I’d more liken this to Wuthering Heights – except in the style of Jane Austen and with paranormal elements thrown in for good measure. I did enjoy this but I really think that you have to pick it up with the right expectations. Basically, this is a period romance, carried out in polite society where the paranormal elements are really only an aside to the story rather than a key element. I enjoyed it, I thought the characters were very well drawn and it seems to highlight for me that in Moreno-Garcia we have an author who isn’t prepared to be defined by one style and is more than happy to give her writing abilities a good workout.

I won’t really elaborate too much on the plot. Nina Beaulieu is about to enter her first Season with the help of her beautiful but rather cold sister in law Valerie. Nina is a little unrefined in some respects – or she’s the Country mouse to Valerie’s polished City mouse. She’s also a little bit unusual in that she has telekinetic powers and has in the past had a few mishaps due to her lack of control that have fed the gossip mill. I liked Nina, she wasn’t afraid to be different, in fact she didn’t see anything wrong in her abilities and found all the gossip and whisperings, not to mention the ‘dos’ and ‘don’ts’ a little bit stifling. She didn’t try to hide her abilities, in fact she wholeheartedly tried to discover more about how to improve her ability, and she’s very blunt – well, in terms of the society that she moves in at least.

Nina actively seeks out the company of Hector Auvray. Hector is a performer, risen from very poor beginnings his abilities have led to immeasurable wealth and fame and although he isn’t one of the upper class he is grudgingly permitted to socialise with them. It doesn’t hurt that he’s fairly easy on the eye. Pretty soon Hector begins to court Nina and she in turn begins to fall a little bit in love never realising that Hector has ulterior motives.

Valerie, Nina’s sister in law, put me in mind, in some respects, to Lady Blakeney from the Scarlet Pimpernell – she’s very polished, beautiful and a socialite that everyone mimics but, scratch the surface and she has a hidden past. Unlike Lady Blakeney, Valerie’s beautiful facade hides a rather bitter and twisted soul. Scheming and machinations are second nature to her and she has no qualms about using Nina to further her own ambitions.

This isn’t a fast paced novel, there isn’t a good deal of mystery involved, it definitely falls into the land of romance and on top of that we end up with a love triangle! And yet, in spite of that I found myself enjoying this more than I expected. I was always keen to pick it back up and it has this lovely sense of build up. You can see that everything’s going to go horribly wrong and you just want people to take a minute to calm down and think things through – but, I guess that wouldn’t help the story along now would it.

Ultimately I had a good time with this book. It’s probably unfair to compare it to my previous read by this author but nobody every said life was fair and, no, this one doesn’t top Certain Dark things for me personally. However, it’s entertaining, fun and the writing is solid. If you like paranormal, period romances (not, I hasten to add a bodice ripper) with well developed characters then I would definitely recommend this. It’s a bit of a no brainer for me as I’ve always liked the classics and this one just has that edge of difference that intrigued me enough to want to give it a shot.

I received a copy of this through Netgalley, courtesy of the publisher, for which my thanks. The above is my own opinion

The Beautiful Ones was a unique story with well-developed and genuine characters. Each one layered in realistic human emotion and flaws. The problem was, their flaws outnumbered their strengths and I ended up disliking every last one of them. There were not two, but three main characters in this tale.

Hector, a man whose adult life has been completely consumed by the heartbreak his first love.

Antonina, a young and naive girl who is entirely too trusting and oblivious to the true nature of the people around her.

Valérie, a vicious and bitter woman whose stunning outer beauty does not match the festering ugliness of her heart.

The story is set in the city of Loisail, in what appears to be the late 1800s during the Grand Season. This was the marriage mart of the time where the Beautiful Ones (translation: the snooty, old money crowd) mingled and frowned upon basically everything. We are introduced to Hector, a wealthy man who came from nothing and earned every dime of his fortune using his gift of telekinesis. Known worldwide for his amazing tricks, he's proven himself to be a success. Except in matters of the heart. When his love and trust was cruelly betrayed years ago, it kindled a fire inside of him that never cooled. After a chance meeting with Nina, he sees an opportunity to make use of this sweet and unsophisticated girl. A deception that was doomed from the start to blow up in his face, which it did, and magnificently.

Nina had a lot of quirky qualities that I enjoyed. She was socially awkward, full of joy and energy, showed an utter disregard for etiquette and social niceties, and had a love of beetles that was quite cute. I tried to like her, and at times, she really was charming. But the fact that I knew she was being duped so cruelly from page one didn't do my impression of her any favors. She conveyed herself as a blushing, giggling girl that couldn't see past her infatuation or her eternal optimism.

Valérie was a despicable human being. In the beginning, you can almost sympathize with her in a way. Knowing how she gave up her youthful hopes of romance, and her own happiness for that of her family, you can't help but feel pity. But her selfish nature isn't helped by her husband's coddling and amiable moods. If anything, it feeds into her bitterness and rage.

As the book wore on, she grew progressively more selfish, vindictive, and every bit of empathy she had gained from me evaporated in the wind. She started to teeter on the edge of sanity, and at this point all I wanted was for her to be squashed like one of the pretty insects that Nina so lovingly collected. She was VILE.

The Beautiful Ones was what I would classify as a historical romance with hints of fantasy (due to the telekinesis element). This was a very small fraction of the book, and I must admit I was hoping that it would be heavier on the fantasy. I enjoyed seeing Nina and Hector's abilities come out, but it was not integral to the overall plot. The characters were well written, but were lost inside the slow moving pace, and not entirely likable for me personally. It took me quite a while to warm up to Hector at all, as he so carelessly played with Nina's tender trust for so long. Eventually, he did experience growth, and there was some groveling involved, but did I love him? No, he never made it to that point.

Silvia Moreno-Garcia's writing was beautifully done, and her style was one that I could see myself enjoying with a future story. I'd recommend this book to readers who enjoy a slow burn historical romance.

*Told in Third-Person Omniscient POV*

Genuinely enjoyed this little book! Would recommend for any fan of ya to pick it up!

This is a tough book to review because the summary and the beginning of the book imply that the book is something that it isn't. I almost gave up on the book a third of the way through or so as it turned into what it actually is. I did end up enjoying it by the end, but the second half of the first part careens towards disaster with everyone but the villain ending up unhappy, it can be tough to forge forward. The main characters are likeable, but they can be summed up fairly easily in one sentence blurbs, and I feel like Nina didn't really grow that much beyond accepting that life isn't like novels. It isn't sure if it wants to hit the notes of a genre work or try to play something original, and ends up a muddled, if eventually enjoyable, work.

After reading and loving Certain Dark Things, I had no doubt I would read whatever Moreno-Garcia published next. That turned out to be The Beautiful Ones. Just from the synopsis I could tell it would be incredibly different from the vampire underground world created in Certain Dark Things, but I have to confess, I was hoping to still find a bit of that darkness in The Beautiful Ones. Well, I can’t say I found this to be dark like that, and will advise you that you can not read this book looking for world or tone similarities to Certain Dark Things. Moreno-Garcia did create great characters in both, that is the main similarities end.

As opposed to most of the books I read, the romance aspect was the strongest plot point in this book. You can also find character growth, and a lesson to embrace who you are, etc. But ultimately, this book was about relationships and romance. I am not stating that as a negative, honestly, sometimes its nice to read a book like that. But I like to know ahead of time so I can save it for when the mood strikes, so keep that in mind if you only read and enjoy romance centered books sporadically.

The magic in this book consists of telekinetic powers that are rare within the world. Nina, one of our POVs as well as the one I would consider the central character, is cursed with these telekinetic powers. Untrained, she can not control them, and they manifest at times of stress. She has earned a negative reputation in town as a result, and is pretty much considered “damaged goods“, since her ability is considered a liability and undesirable for a woman.

Hector, another of our POVs, also has telekinetic powers. Lucky for him, as a man, he can use his powers in a way that is not frowned upon by society. He is successful travelling performer, using his powers to create breathtaking spectacles. He may not have quite the same social standing as nobility, but he does earn enough money to rival them and garner a level of respect. He may not be one of them, but he is welcome among them.

When Hector takes an interest in courting Nina, his motivations are not entirely honest. The book is not a fast paced thriller, but a slow burn that explores relationships and trust, as well as acceptance for who you are. I enjoyed reading about Nina and watch her learn to not be ashamed of the magic that is just a part of her. If you are in the mood for a character and relationship driven book with a bit of romance and heartbreak, then this is worth checking out.

This is not going to be a book for everyone but give it a try if you like historical romance and a touch of the paranormal in your love stories. It's hard to characterize because it's set in somewhat of an alternate universe in France (sort of) among the aristocracy, some of whom have telekinetic powers. Hector, a performer, has been away from the city but arrives back just as Antonina is being groomed for her debut but not for her powers. There are echoes of the Brontes and Austen and some more contemporary authors as well but this is unique. It's quite character drive (aka it can be slow in spots) but the people, especially Antonina are engaging and it was so different that I kept reading to see how it would turn out. Thanks to Netgalley for the ARC. I don't know which genre this best fits with- it's characterized as sci-fi-fi but it's not really that at all. It's a worthy diversionary read.

Set in an imagined world inspired by La Belle Epoque, this is a beautiful slow burning story of a love scorned and a love found. Not so much a fantasy, this story of beauty and manners could be set in early 20th century Europe with the aristocrats creating a beautiful world of balls and wealth and scorning those who have made money but are not from the landed families. There is a slight magical element to the story with the two main characters possessing telekinetic ability, which is acceptable to the society as an entertainment by showmen, but not acceptable when displayed by a woman.

The story opens with Nina, a young, naïve girl from the country embarking on her first Grand Season. She has been sent to stay with her cousin Valerie who is to teach her manners and elegance and help her capture a desirable husband from a wealthy aristocratic family. Nina is very much her own person and has trouble adapting to the strictures and expectations put on her by Valerie. As a young girl Nina was allowed to grow up running free in the countryside collecting her beloved beetles and butterflies. Her telekinetic ability is an embarrassment to her family, especially since she has little control over when she is upset or angry. Nina is delighted to meet Hector Auvray, a famed and wealthy telekineticist, at a ball and then later when he comes to call on Valerie, she asks for help in learning to control her own ability. Not knowing that Hector shares a past history with Valerie, Nina is delighted when Hector becomes a frequent visitor.

This novel struck me as a cross between a Jane Austen period drama and a Marcel Proust novel where the author has created a world where manners and elegance are all important and the prose is lovingly descriptive in detailing not only the appearance of the men and women but the parks and countryside. The characters are well drawn with Nina and Hector both evolving through the novel. Nina loses none of her charm as she navigates this grown up world of elegance, remaining true to herself, except for one period where she succumbs to the pressure of her family and friends and allows a handsome young man to turn her head. Hector is somewhat obsessed with the idea of Valerie as she was when they were young that he fails to see her true nature for a frustratingly long time. Valerie is so well depicted as the evil, scheming witch who tries to manipulate young, naïve Nina and does not deserve her lovely husband Gaetan who adores all his family and smothers her with love and riches. I would recommend this for those who enjoy historical romances (albeit in an imagined world) with a smattering of fantasy.

The Beautiful Ones by Silvia Moreno-Garcia is about a simple country girl, Nina Beaulieu, who has been sent to live with her cousins in the city of Loisail in hopes of finding a husband. Unfortunately, the man she wants, Hector, has been enamored with her cousin's wife, Valerie, for over a decade. An interesting love triangle unfolds after Hector begins to court Nina in an attempt to get Valerie back.

Throughout this novel I found myself rooting for Nina to capture Hector's attention. Valerie was so unworthy of his love. I also found the glimpses of the Victorian expectations of proper etiquette for women intriguing. Although I adore reading about fancy parties in Victorian mansions and vacations out in old country manors, novels like The Beautiful Ones serve as reminders as to how far women have actually come in regards to equality. It must have been miserable to live in a time period where grown women had very little authority over their own lives and choices.

Overall, I recommend this book to fans of romance. Currently it is categorized as romance, science fiction, and fantasy. However, there are few characteristics of the last two genres mentioned within The Beautiful Ones.

Publish date- October 24, 2017 by St. Martin's Press

Last year around Halloween, I read Silvia Moreno-Garcia’s CERTAIN DARK THINGS. I really enjoyed that book and as soon as I saw she had another book coming out I had to grab it. THE BEAUTIFUL ONES is a completely different type of tale then the previous book but the writing style was just as gripping. This authors knows how to make a character come to life.

Antonina (Nina) has always been a strange girl. People at home call her the witch of her home town due to her telekinetic powers that are out of control. Nina relishes the chance to spend her first Grand Season with her cousins in the beautiful city of Loisail. Loisail is dominated by customs and formalities of which Nina is ignorant so her cousin (by marriage) Valérie, takes her under her wing and tries to tame the girl. When Valérie’s ex lover (Hector) shows up and starts to court Nina, Valérie’s jealousy comes out. When Hector reveals his true intentions Valérie sets out to ruin things for the two would be lovers.

This story starts out pretty slow. Nina is living in Loisail and trying to learn etiquette from her retched cousin Valérie. Nina is young and naive and tries her best to fit in to formal society. When she learns that Hector is famous for his telekinetic powers on stage Nina is smitten by him and tries to learn how to control her powers as he does.

Despite the slow start, I really enjoyed this story. Maybe the first half was slower paced. Also, you may want to throttle a few characters in this story by this point as well, but then it picks up and becomes this grand romance. The paranormal telekinetic abilities made this historical romance something I could just stomach at first, but then I fell so hard for the story.

The characters are perfectly played. Valérie is the ultimate villain with her status in society and her power over her husband, Nina’s uncle (the head man of Nina’s family). She is perfectly horrible to Nina and her husband and sets out to ruin a man denied love early in life. She is also quite miserable and desperate to control something, so I sympathized with her and hated her all the same. Nina is so demur at first but as her life experience expands, so does her boldness in dealing with others. I don’t even know what to say about Hector. I hated and loved him. He was very deceptive and completely transparent. He was such a tortured soul and he deserved exactly what he got. We get all three POVs in this story.

I really enjoyed all the descriptive settings in this book. The author was able to describe the scenes without overloading me with silly details. I really felt as if I was right there. I have to admit I wish I could go back into the world this author has created. Since I have finished this book I am honestly missing Nina so much. I know that sounds silly, but I wish I could have spend more time reading her story. I would highly recommend this to those who love well written paranormal historical romance.

The Beautiful Ones, contrary to its description, is a slowly-developing romance whose paranormal element mostly is irrelevant to the story. Hector and Nina both are telekinetic talents, but their talent really only is a device to separate them from the Beautiful Ones of society and to give them common ground. An unseemly fascination with science or some other pursuit deemed not in vogue easily might have substituted to make them outsiders with a common interest.

The romance itself is a very slow and tepid burn, with Hector obsessed with Valerie, his old flame, for much of the book. While Nina is drawn from the start to Hector, it takes him a good deal of time and some bad missteps before he realizes he returns her regard.

If a story moves slowly, it really must have fascinating characters and an engrossing personal story arc to make it a gripping read. Unfortunately, for the first half of the book, I disliked or was indifferent to the main characters. Although I came to like Nina and Hector later in the story, they never became truly interesting to me.

While a reader who enjoys leisurely romances in a setting reminiscent of early 1900’s European society might find the book diverting, it was not for me.

Loved this book, the characters, setting and prose were perfect, would love to read more!

In true Belle Époque fashion, The Beautiful Ones is the tale of a darling country girl from a wealthy family who moves into the city of Losail for her first Grand Season. In this brave new world, Nina Beaulieu must navigate the lion's den of the bourgeoisie all the while trying to master her telekinetic abilities while under the scrutiny of the wealthy elite. Surrounded by deceitful vipers, Nina must tread carefully as she searches for a suitable husband. Placing her trust in the wrong people, Nina suffers treachery and heartbreak at the hands of her family and friends, and must overcome her own troubles in order to find happiness.
As I mentioned earlier, I didn't think I was going to enjoy this book, and definitely not as much as I did. Silvia's enchanting characters, enticing imagery, and exceptional prose enraptures the reader in a unique story with a familiar feel. A delightful balance of heartbreak and happiness, of romance and repugnance, of devotion and deceit, The Beautiful Ones was an afternoon well-spent, and is worth a read when it's published later this month.