I really had no idea that the lifestyles of the rich and well-to-do would be so interesting!

And actually, what's not to like. Themed costume parties. Multi-course dinners. Velvet gowns dripping with diamonds. Butlers and servants to obey your every whim. Any one of us would be delighted to slip into that world for just a moment.

Renee Rosen peels back the curtain to reveal the lives of Alva Vanderbilt and Caroline Astor, two women who are different in some ways but alike in other ways. This novel covers divorce, marital affairs, women's rights (including the right to vote), and other social issues. Interspersed are "society" chapters, where the people narrating are other women of society, and it's done in a really clever way. I loved digging deep into this novel and learning more about real-life characters, both by reading this and by doing research on my own. Renee Rosen is a solid choice if you're wanting historical fiction with intriguing characters and engaging storylines.

Thank you, Netgalley, for my arc.

I really enjoyed this book! The author brought these characters to life and obviously did her research! It was a super quick read which is always a bonus. I loved having "The Society's" POV, that really made things even more interesting. It's crazy to read about how much money was spent without a second thought. I definitely recommend picking up this book!

🫖 Tea and a good book anyone?! 📖

Social Graces
By: @reneerosen_

Hot off the presses yesterday, this fabulous novel gives us a view behind the scenes of New York City’s upper class during the Gilded Age. In a fight to be apart of the inter social circle Alva Vanderbilt works her way to the top even if it means dethroning the current social queen, Caroline Astor. It is a beautifully written and intriguing historical novel! I highly recommend reading American Duchess by: Karen Harper after you read this novel! I was constantly thinking of that book while reading this one.

My book square is Alva Vanderbilt’s calling card. I didn’t know the purpose behind the calling cards until this book and when I looked them up they were so beautiful and boy did they have a purpose behind the small pieces of paper.

Thank you @reneerosen_ , @penguinrandomhouse , and @netgalley for my copy!!

"We have no right to exclude those whom the growth of this great country has brought forward, provided they are not vulgar in speech and appearance..."

So said, Mrs. Astor, the most powerful socialite in New York City, but did she mean it or was she just conceding to the "new money" Vanderbilts as she regrouped to bring them down?!

Forget social media wars. They have nothing on the fight to rule New York society in the riveting historical fiction novel The Social Graces by Renee Rosen.

During this country's Gilded Age, 1876-1908, society's elite ruled in NYC. Old money, like Caroline Astor's, decided who
attended the balls and the influential dinners. These families made their money the old way, they inherited it and joined in marriage to increase it.

Alva tries to change all that when she marries into the newly rich Vanderbilt family. They earned their wealth from the steel and railroad industries and according to Caroline have no class.

As Alva finds ingenious ways to force Caroline to accept her family into society we start to realize what these two women could accomplish if they worked together. At a time when women had no rights society was the one place they could shine.

The author so brilliantly leads us to see that they were more than rich bored housewives. They were mothers, sisters, daughters and often mistreated wives. They were also very smart. I devoured the scenes where Alva makes the men in her life give her what she wants thinking it's their idea. My heart broke for Caroline, who appears as a bigoted villain but is just a lonely, scared aging wife.

This novel has everything from laugh out loud gotcha moments to the start of women' s voting rights and how society women knew how to get it.

I received a free copy of this book from the publisher via #NetGalley for a fair and honest review. All opinions are my own

Let me tell you that The Social Graces by Renee Rosen is an epic tale of the secrets and lives of two very powerful women - Alva Vanderbilt and the Mrs. Astor. The struggle between these two women is intense as Alva Vanderbilt is determined to break into society and be accepted... Mrs. Astor is equally as determined to keep her and her new money out of society.. so thus the games begin.

Along the way, we meet fascinating people from history that keep the reader interested in reading just one more chapter every night until the book is devoured. Fascinating look at the pressure and privilege that come with being "society ".
Thank you to NetGalley and Berkeley for this advance review copy for me to read and enjoy!

#bookstagram #arc #newrelease
#historicalnovel
#BerkleyBuddyReads
#BerkleyWritesStrongWomen

Women of the Gilded Age (1876 to 1908)

In the Gilded Age in New York, society was the province of women and they jealously guarded their prerogatives. They sought to enhance their position using extravagant parties, clothes and jewels. The men were at their mercy. As Caroline Aster, THE Mrs. Aster, thinks when angry with her husband. He will do what I want because he knows I can get him banned from all the best parties, boards, and from his clubs.

The two women at the top of this social pyramid were Caroline Aster and Alva Vanderbilt. Caroline was a member of the old money Knickerbockers. Alva was from the South, married to a new-money Vanderbilt. Caroline was confident in her control of society, but Alva was brash and determined. She wanted to be at the top of the heap also and was willing to do anything to achieve it.

This is a fascinating, in-depth look at two strong women. Because society was the only avenue where women, particularly wealthy women, could achieve, they used their talents as ruthlessly as any man to gain and keep control of their position. In spite of their wealth and prestige, not all was happiness in their families. Extra-marital affairs, rebellious daughters, and the constant fight to maintain position give the book plenty of action. They also show how these women grew and changed over the years.

One novelty of this presentation was the inclusion of the viewpoint of Society as a counterpoint of that of Caroline and Alva. I enjoyed those short excursions. It was almost like the Greek Chorus setting the stage to better understand the era.

I received this book from NetGalley for this review.

The Social Graces transports you back in time to the Gilded Age in NYC and Newport, when “old money” and “new money” were vying for power and recognition in high society. Alva Vanderbilt is determined to insert herself into Caroline Astor’s “old money” world, but “The” Mrs. Astor would never dream of associating with the nouveau riche Vanderbilts. Whatever would society think of her!?

I loved the drama, the rivalry between Mrs. Astor and Mrs. Vanderbilt, and the descriptions of the opulent homes, extravagant gowns, and lavish balls! The book mainly alternates between the POVs of Alva and Caroline, but there are also several chapters written in the format of a society page in a newspaper. Society seemed to come alive as its own character throughout this book, and I thought that was a unique and clever way to showcase its importance amongst the elite in the late 19th century.

Although this is a work of fiction, it is fairly historically accurate. Repeatedly snubbed by society, Alva forged her own way by commissioning a mansion that took up an entire city block, helping to found the Metropolitan Opera House, and throwing the most spectacular party society had ever seen. Yet, it is clear that women had little independence and few rights during that time period, and you can understand why being the crème de la crème of high society was so important to these wealthy women. Through Caroline and Alva’s stories, Renee Rosen provides the reader with a realistic glimpse into the roles of women and the societal and cultural changes taking place amidst the glitz and glamour of the Gilded Age.

If you enjoy historical fiction or women’s fiction, I highly recommend picking up this entertaining, insightful, and fascinating novel!

The Social Graces| Renée Rosen
Berkley Publishing, pub: 20-Apr-2021
Genre: Historical Fiction, Fiction

“An ambitious woman herself, Alva had made society her career because there were no other options.” --The Social Graces

The Social Graces tells the story behind the infamous high-society feud between ‘old money’ Caroline Astor, queen of NY Society vs. the outside-looking-in ‘nouveau riche’ Alva Vanderbilt. Dressed in the finest Paris couture and surrounded by luxury, the reality for these women was all their assets, property, jewelry and even their wardrobes were property of their husbands. The one world they could control was Society.

Initially it is easy to dismiss these women as superfluous and shallow. When Caroline Astor laments to her mother that her daughter has no interest in society and wants to “serve the poor and the needy” her mother scoffs, “What does she know about being poor and needy? It’s time she turned her attention to finding a husband.”

Alva Vanderbilt is repeatedly snubbed by Caroline Astor and never invited to her famous Galas. When she is denied a box at the prestigious Academy of Music, Alva oversees the building of the new and far grander Metropolitan Opera House.

Yet, as we read more about the personal lives of both women including their heartbreaks and tragedies, we learn that life for these women during the Gilded Age also meant living in a gilded cage. By bending those bars, they were able to shape society in a way that made life easier for all women in generations to come.

This well-researched look inside the grand mansions of a bygone New York era is highly entertaining and enlightening. This book would make a wonderful Mother’s Day gift!

Thank you @reneerosen_ @letstalkbookspromo @berkelypublishing and @NetGalley for the eARC of this book. Opinions are my own.

It’s 1876 and women hold very little power, no votes, no rights to land or money. So to determine the pecking order, being ‘Societies’ number one hostess is the pinnacle of achievement. Sitting at the top of the pecking order is Caroline Astor – The Mrs Astor – Queen of ‘Old Money’. Caroline is determined to retain her top spot by keeping out the vulgar ‘New Money’ and staying true to the etiquettes and rules of high society. However, Alva Vanderbilt has other ideas! She’s recently married into one of the richest families in America and she’s tired of being kept out of the upper echelons of societies by the likes of Caroline Astor. And so follows the power struggle between new and old, past and present and two very formidable women.

In the first half of this book, I found it difficult to find a character that I actually liked! This had nothing to do with the writing or style of the book, as the prose was excellent and the story read very well. It was simply that, I didn’t like anyone. Caroline was snobbish and her attitude towards the ‘new money’ seemed arrogant on the extreme. Alva on the other hand was resourceful and determined but her need to climb the social ladder came across as desperate. However, by the second half of the book I’d gotten to know these ladies a little better and I warmed to them whilst still being kept on the edge of my seat to know who would end victorious. This book was a rollercoaster and as well as the human element at the heart of the story, it was amazing to read about the unbridled decadence of a bygone era. I recommend this book to lovers of historical fiction that has one foot in true events.

The Gilded Age comes alive in Renee Rosen’s new novel, The Social Graces. Caroline Astor is the undisputed doyen of New York society who decides who will be invited to the most exclusive balls and events. Alva Erskine Smith has married into the wealthy Vanderbilt family, members of the nouveau riche. Alva is determined to break into Caroline’s world and will stop at nothing to get there.

This is a scintillating plunge into a world of outlandish parties, lavish feasts and all the trappings of the later part of the 18th century. Caroline and Ava come alive under the skillful pen of Rosen; we are given a glimpse into their world, both the good and the outrageous. Despite their rivalry both women have much in common, the wish for happiness for their children and well as the hopes for happiness in their own lives.

Rosen’s skillful writing, clever dialogue and wonderful descriptions bring the world of the Gilded Age and these two intriguing characters to life. I highly recommend this new novel to fans of historical fiction, especially of the Gilded Age, as well as fans of women’s fiction and book clubs.

I saw another reviewer say this book is Gossip Girl: historical fiction edition, and I really couldn't agree more. It's that old money versus new money and the dramatic tussles to keep or find a place in society.
I haven't read, watched, or researched much in the American social scene like I have with the UK. I know, my history nerd is showing up to play again. But this book completely puts me in mind of Downton Abbey, Poldark, or The Selfridges. If you haven't watched these shows, why? It's just so ironic to me that the social hierarchy is so vicious when across the pond, these socialites would have been frowned upon equally.
I loved the concept while internally cringing with how much I would have personally hated being in their shoes. I'll take my drama anytime in fiction, reality is another matter! I am always a fan of multiple POVs and the span of a few decades allowed for a deeper connection to Caroline Astor and Alva Vanderbilt's power-hungry struggles.
Thanks to Berkley and NetGalley for the advanced copy. All thoughts are my own.

4.5 Stars

Thank you, #NetGalley @BerkleyPub #BerkleyBuddyReads #BerkleyWritesStrongWomen for a complimentary eARC of #TheSocialGraces upon my request. All opinions are my own.

Set in the late 1800s, The Social Graces shares the story of the historic and notorious feud/rivalry between Mrs. Caroline Astor and Mrs. Alva Vanderbilt as witnessed by New York Society during The Gilded Age. In this time, when women often found their power in society, simple wealth wasn’t enough. Your status in society depended upon old money or new money. Caroline is from old money and is the reigning Queen of society while Alva is from Mobile, Alabama and married into the wealthy Vanderbilt family. Alva soon discovers that mere wealth isn’t enough to get accepted into the top 400 of New York Society, so she sets out in cunning and devious ways to get accepted and perhaps even dethrone Caroline.

This might be my surprise read of the year….I wasn’t expecting this book to be fascinating! Of course, people behaving badly is always entertaining, right?! In her author notes, Renêe Rosen mentions that the challenge in writing the story was to make these two very wealthy women of privilege interesting….to make the reader care about them. In my opinion, she succeeds in what she sets out to do because in the beginning I didn’t care for either Caroline or Alva or their privileged life and by the end I did! It was also interesting to read about women’s lives (well, rich women’s lives) and their roles in society. We’ve come a loooong way, ladies!

Three Perspectives: We hear this story of rivalry and high society from Caroline Astor and Alva Vanderbilt (both third person), and from SOCIETY (first person). Caroline is a keeper of Society’s rules/traditions and trains her daughters to take over her place. Image is everything. Although she is devoted to her children, she finds it difficult to accept the fashions, ideas, and behaviors of a new generation. She reminds me a bit of Emily Gilmore in Gilmore Girls! Alva has suffered hardships and marries into wealth. She is shocked to discover that she’s not fully accepted into high society and makes elaborate plans to force Caroline into recognizing her. Some of her plans involve her love of architecture, and she actively participates in the design of their mansions (bigger, better, and more ornate than Caroline’s) and a new Opera House (because the committee wouldn’t let her buy a box in the existing one). Probably the most entertaining of their competitive activities are their extravagant balls (all-night parties with several-course, middle-of-the-night dinners that serve breakfast in the morning) and their outrageously expensive gowns (in the millions today) and party favors. A most interesting perspective is from Society. Do you like nonhuman narrators? I really do! The inanimate narrator adds a great deal of thoughtfulness and complexity to the story. Here we are able to step back from the story and look at what’s happening, form opinions and critiques, and reflect on the role Society plays in our own lives. How are you influenced by society? Do you follow social media influencers? Have you tried to break into Instagram cliques? Do you notice a difference in Society’s rules between generations? Between you and your parents or grandparents? Do you let Society influence you in certain ways? I think this discussion topic would be perfect for an IRL book club with multigenerational women!

Themes and discussible topics include acceptance, friendship, society’s “rules,” image, rivalry, competition, when do you have enough, betrayal, grief, and women’s roles and power.

Although it is difficult for me not to judge Caroline and Alva and think about the many wealthy women in that era who DID use their wealth and status to make a difference in the world, I am still fascinated with their lives and the era. I enjoy thinking about how far women have come and appreciate Alva for taking risks that opened doors for the next generation of women. Whereas Caroline embraced her role, Alva always fought for something more (architecture, design, breaking the party rules, asking for a divorce, etc.). I’m enthusiastically recommending this well-written story of women in the Gilded Age for fans of histfic, for readers who have heard of the Astors and Vanderbilts and want to know more, and for book clubs looking for discussable reads.

Content Considerations: death of a young adult child

New money and old money; swells and knickerbockers; bejeweled gowns and enormous hats; the opera on Mondays and all night masquerades; eleven course dinners and calling cards. This is the world of the Gilded Age of New York that Renee Rosen expertly plunges us into with her latest book, The Social Graces.
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It is a wonderful glimpse into the lives and feud between Caroline Astor and Alva Vanderbilt as Caroline tries to stay on top of the social pecking order and Alva is determined to topple that reign.
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At a time when women were not allowed to do anything without their husbands permission, Society was these ladies’ main focus. It was great to read about some of their tiny rebellions and some of the small footholds they made to our freedoms today.
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This was an entertaining book that I read with #BerkleyBuddy Reads #BerkleyWritesStrongWomen. It was a well written, well researched historical fiction novel that I could easily visualize as I read.
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I will say, as fun and extravagant as those balls and that lifestyle appeared to be, I am much happier kissing the husband I chose myself goodbye as I head to work using my college degree and whipping out a credit card in my own name to pay for a simple lunch with money I earned in the company of nonjudgmental friends! Whew! While we have a ways to go, we have come a long way, baby!

I received a gifted galley of THE SOCIAL GRACES by Renée Rosen for an honest review. Thank you to Berkley Publishing Group and Netgalley for the opportunity to read and review!

THE SOCIAL GRACES is set in Manhattan in the late 1800s. In a time dominated by men, women have the social sphere to control with a constant battle to outdo each other, flaunting their wealth and their pedigree. Caroline Astor is the reigning queen of society having learned the role from her mother.

Alva Vanderbilt is new on the social scene, having recently married into the Vanderbilt family, but she is looked down upon by the elite old money crowd. Alva is determined to make her way into society even if it means bending convention or breaking it outright.

This was a really fun read and it made for a great discussion book as well. I wouldn’t say any of the characters were extremely likable and this social sphere is very much removed from life as I know it. Still, it is easy to see echos of the world we live in still where wealth and power and notoriety are things people desperately clamor for.

I did enjoy seeing how the characters changed over time and I did grow to appreciate them more as we got deeper into their stories. While the over the top all night parties were fun to read about, I think the focus on the behind the scenes lives of these women was equally if not more fascinating. Knowing that these were real women from history added a lot to that as well.

This is a fantastic read for the historical fiction fans and I loved getting a glimpse of a very different world from mine!

The author takes us back in time to the Gilded Age in New York in the 19th century. She takes us into the world of the Astors and the Vanderbilts. It’s a time when society matters. “Old money” vs “New Money”. The Astors are “old money”, while the Vanderbilts are “new money”.

Alva Vanderbilt recently married into the wealthy family and desires to mix and mingle with all the high powered people in New York society. She tries everything she can to ingratiate herself into Caroline Astor’s world, but Mrs. Astor isn’t having any of it. She wants nothing to do with any Vanderbilt, especially Alva.

This does not stop Alva from trying. Nothing is more important to her than being on top of society. These two women continually battle for control of New York.

The characters are well-written. Renee Rosen did a great job of capturing their personalities and bringing them back to life on these pages.

The book is rich in history, while mixing in fiction as well. It has it all - betrayal, arranged loveless marriages, women fighting for their rights, and the glitter and glamour of Old New York. It touches all the emotions from happy to tragic. I laughed and cried through it all.

This is the second book I’ve read by this author and I’ve loved both of them. This one might be my favorite. She did a wonderful job of transporting me back to the Gilded Age. I enjoyed every minute of my time spent in this world. I really didn’t want to see this one end.

It's on my list of favorites of 2021.





FTC Disclosure: I voluntarily reviewed a free Advance Reader Copy of this book from NetGalley and the publisher. I was not required to write a positive review. All opinions expressed are my own.

The Social Graces is a fun trip back in time to the "gilded age" of New York and the feud between Mrs. Vanderbilt and Mrs. Astor as they battle for control of "society" among the wealthiest of the elite. Women had such little power so they created it for themselves with their rules. As the times change, will they?

Thank you to Berkley Publishing and Netgalley for the electronic advanced readers copy.

The Social Graces
By Renée Rosen

An informative and interesting story of the rivalry between the Astor's and the Vanderbilt’s women

SUMMARY
Alva Smith of Mobile, Alabama has recently married into the Vanderbilt’s, one of America’s richest families. She is still getting use to their exorbitant tastes, and the fact that despite their wealth the Vanderbilts were looked down upon by the likes of the Astors and other Knickerbocker families. Alva, who came from having nothing, will do whatever it takes to elevate the family’s social standing. But she is thwarted at every move by Caroline Astor, the most powerful hostess in New York. Mrs. Astor refuses to invite the Vanderbilts to her lavish parties; allow them on the board of her Opera House; or even receive Alva at her home. Based on true event, Mrs. Vanderbilt battles to be recognized and accepted by Mrs. Astor for over three decades.

REVIEW
THE SOCIAL GRACES by Renée Rosen is a much appreciated historical fiction novel of the Gilded Age in New York between 1876 to 1908. It’s a time of entitlement, opulence, lavish parties and greed.

Rosen’s writing skillfully transports us into the beautiful homes and parties in both Newport and New York. She brings Alva and Caroline to life through their obsession with society, their reactions to gossip, and their never-ending family dramas of husband infidelities and daughters who refuse to marry the man picked for them.

The story was interesting and extremely well-researched. I appreciated the strength of Rosen’s characters, particularly the determined Alva. The story is told from alternating chapters from not one, not two but three perspectives, Alva’s, Caroline’s and Society’s. The Society chapters seemingly added little value and disrupted the flow of the story

Rosen does a good job infusing fact with fiction to create an entertaining and enlightening story. Clarity for the differentiation between invention and reality is provided in her Author’s Notes, which is a vital component for historical fiction novels about actual people and events.

Rosen lives in Chicago. Her previous novels include Park Avenue Summer is the bestselling author of Park Avenue Summer, Windy City Blues, White Collar Girl, What the Lady Wants and Dollface.

Thanks to Netgalley for an advance reading copy of this book in exchange for an honest review.

Publisher Berkley
Published April 20, 2021
Review www.bluestockingreviews.com

This was an eye-opening look at New York society during the Gilded Age.

The alternating chapters from Mrs. Vanderbilt and Mrs. Astor's POV were fascinating to read as they battled for control of New York society during the Gilded Age. I thought it was a creative touch to give ‘society’ a POV so the reader could get that overarching feel of the time from another POV.

The stories of Alva Vanderbilt and Caroline Astor are so lavish and tragic. The author did a great job setting the scene of the lavish lifestyle both of these women led where money was not object. She also conveyed how tragic their lives were -these women who seemingly had it all.

While the eARC did not have the family trees for both families, I’m glad they will be in the finished book. I did struggle at times to remember who was who in these very large families.

I recommended this book to all readers who enjoy historical fiction.

An intimate look at the feud between Caroline Astor and Alva Vanderbilt. It's the perfect combination of juicy details with a behind the scenes view of background and motivation. There are three voices -- Caroline and Alva in 3rd person as well as a 'Society' 1st person voice that is like the chorus in a Greek play. So fascinating to see how these people connect to other historical figures like Theodore Roosevelt and movements like Women's Rights. I found it to be immensely entertaining as well as insightful. Renee Rosen clearly did her homework. Book group ready with an author interview and discussion questions already a part of the publication.

Thank you to Berkley and NetGalley for a DRC in exchange for an honest review.

I think Renee Rosen's attention to detail in her books in always on point. In The Social Graces, Rosen exceeds expectation. The difference between a good historical fiction novel and a great historical fiction novel is the level of detail. This is a great novel. I think most of this was historically accurate with maybe a few areas that were exaggerated for the reader's enjoyment. I thought that Rosen picked a unique bit of history to write about - New York during The Gilded Age. Excellent! Highly recommend!.