Vixen by Jillian Larkin

Vixen by Jillian Larkin
(Flappers Book One)


Released: December 2010
Publisher: Delacorte Book
Pages: 421
Genre: Young Adult - Contemporary - Historical
Source: Star Book Tours


Rating: ♥♥♥♥

Jazz . . . Booze . . . Boys . . . It’s a dangerous combination.


Every girl wants what she can’t have. Seventeen-year-old Gloria Carmody wants the flapper lifestyle—and the bobbed hair, cigarettes, and music-filled nights that go with it. Now that she’s engaged to Sebastian Grey, scion of one of Chicago’s most powerful families, Gloria’s party days are over before they’ve even begun . . . or are they?


Clara Knowles, Gloria’s goody-two-shoes cousin, has arrived to make sure the high-society wedding comes off without a hitch—but Clara isn’t as lily-white as she appears. Seems she has some dirty little secrets of her own that she’ll do anything to keep hidden. . . .


Lorraine Dyer, Gloria’s social-climbing best friend, is tired of living in Gloria’s shadow. When Lorraine’s envy spills over into desperate spite, no one is safe. And someone’s going to be very sorry. . . .

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You may have noticed on my blog that I do not review historical fiction. Well, that's about to change. I have fallen in love with at least an era, and that era would be the 1920's. I found it so interesting to see how much society's views have changed especially in women from then and now. There is definitely no way my fat mouth would have been welcomed to any sort of high society back then.

Jillian Larkin's writing was so wonderful and captured it perfectly. I seriously cannot wait to read more from this time period! The way she weaved in the three lives of Gloria, Clara, and Lorraine seemed like it was practically effortless.

Gloria was the main focus of the book, at least to me. She's the type of girl who you look at and know she has had it all. As you read, you realize that this girl isn't just another pretty face desperate to be some up and coming rich man's trophy wife. When the rebellious side in her decides to make an appearance, everyone, including the reader, needs to watch out. Gloria's character really took me by surprise! Especially when she sets her eyes on a black (gasp!) musician at a speakeasy in Chicago.

Clara, better known as Country Clara was probably my favorite character out of the three girls. She's got a flapper's past that is so sealed shut, it takes about the whole book to find out what this girl did while she was in New York. She uses her time in Chicago to try and reinvent herself. When Gloria's best friend, Marcus, sets his eyes on her, you definitely see a relationship sparking. I really loved the charm Marcus had. You can tell he's a playboy, but he's also got this sensitive side to him. The growth in Clara throughout the book was very realistic!

Then there was Lorraine. Lorraine is that friend who is always wanting more and more in their life. While I understand why she feels the need to be jealous of her best friend, I couldn't really sympathize with her. This girl definitely has some issues. She is one hot mess! Sometimes she did annoy me, but she brought a lot of turbulence to herself and everyone around her which of course made for a good story.

For the most part, the story flowed nicely. As I mentioned before, the lives of all three teenage girls weave together perfectly.  But there were a few snags here and there where I felt the story slowed and got a bit boring. Besides that I really, really did enjoy this book. It's the first book in the series so there was a lot of build-up, but Larkin did answer a bunch of questions I had from the get-go, but still left it so open I am DYING to know what is going to happen next. Let's just say the three of these girls certainly know how to get the gossip mill flowing, and I doubt it will be slowing down anytime soon.

♥amber