The beautiful ones by Silvia Moreno-Garcia is set in a historical context different from ours, where tickets and prom dresses were the order of the day.
The beginning of this book is slow, very slow so I can't get into the story right away.
It's like finding yourself in a Jane Austen novel, but with a dash of fantasy.
The worldbuilding didn't blow me away, I found it unclearly described, confusing.
I don't if we are in France or in a parallel France.
As was the story, mainly focused on the portrayal of the main characters and not the story itself. I would have preferred to read something better structured.
If Moreno-Garcia had balanced the two character/story things, it would have been a different kettle of fish.
I will definitely be reading more by this author, I hear great things about Mexican Gothic and will slowly get around to reading it as well.

Silvia Moreno-Garcia never fails to produce an engrossing narrative. No matter the subject matter she always has such a masterful grasp over the story she wants to tell. The Beautiful Ones is no exception. The dialogue is witty and engaging while the atmosphere is so superbly crafted that you feel like you’re walking the streets of Loisail along with the characters. Her prose is luscious with a touch of intentional melodrama and astute social commentary. It all ends up working together to suck in the reader and make it difficult to put the book down.

I’ll note straight off the bat that this is more of a romance and alternate-world period piece than a fantasy. Though two of the main characters have telekinetic abilities - and both consider it part of their identity – this is still ultimately a character-driven story that focuses more on relationships than the use of their powers. Those who are looking for an urban fantasy with gritty adventures won’t find what they’re looking for here, but there is plenty of Austen-esque charm to be found for those who enjoy a “novel of manners”.

The Beautiful Ones takes place largely in the grand city of Loisail in a world modelled after late 19th-century France. Two out of the three main characters, Hector Auvray and Nina Beaulieu, are new arrivals to the city. It’s immediately apparent that their outlook on life could not be more different. Hector is older and accomplished. Nina is young and naïve. Hector knows exactly how to behave in all the finest circles. Nina is constantly causing social gaffes because of her impulsive nature. Most important of all, Hector is morose and stuck in the past – while Nina looks excitedly to the future.

Hector climbed from very humble beginnings as a telekinetic street performer to a world-famous “talent” who appears on the grandest stages. He has spent the past ten years relentlessly performing on the road and amassing his own wealth. But it’s obvious upon his entrance in Loisail that he cares little for the society of aristocratic “Beautiful Ones” who now accept him. All, that is, except one: Valérie Beaulieu née Veries. Valérie is the sophisticated star of Loisail's upper class society and can start or end a trend at the drop of a pin. She is also his former fiancé that jilted him a decade ago for a far richer man. But he loves her still and he’s determined to meet her once again.

It’s Nina who ends up being Hector’s ticket to meeting Valérie. She is the cousin of Valérie’s husband who has come to stay in the city under their supervision as she navigates her first “Grand Season” and societal debut. The genteel manners expected in Loisail’s social circles bewilder Nina, but she still has hope for romance and is instantly fascinated when she meets Hector. She was already an admirer of his, having telekinetic powers of her own that she often can’t control, but upon their acquaintance she is quickly drawn to his handsome reserve. When he begins to court her Nina is utterly delighted – and completely unaware of his ulterior motives.

Valérie, the third and final main character, knows very well what the aim of Hector's courtship is. Valérie is displeased to see Hector again, but also undeniably intrigued as well. She did love him during their past courtship, but gave up their engagement when the ambition of her aristocratic family saw Valérie’s betrothal to a wealthy man as the only thing that would save their dwindling fortunes. After all this time, Valérie has never ceased resenting being served up to her husband for her family’s sake. Her resentment extends even to Nina whom she feels has an undeservedly easy life free from any expectations from her doting family. Valérie also finds the girl’s guileless nature distasteful, so if the smallest bit of guilt tinges her conscience over Hector’s deceit, it never plagues her for long. She is calculating and cold and simply waiting for the courtship to burn itself out.

The tumultuous events that accompany the collision of these three intriguing characters was impossible to turn away from. This may not be the most unique or imaginative take on this specific kind of plot, but the execution was well done and enjoyable to follow. And it’s just so easy to get invested in the inevitable train wreck.

Nina is easy to sympathize with even when her necessary obliviousness can be painful to read. Hector makes you want to shake him frequently but it’s satisfying watching his guilt overtake him the more and more he grows to truly like Nina. Even Valérie, undoubtedly the most selfish and scheming character of the book, is captivating in all her nuance. She’s never written as a one-dimensional character. The text never justifies her actions and dislike of Nina, but you can understand to an extent why she became as bitter as she is even though it does not absolve her.

The only downside in my personal opinion is that I wasn’t entirely satisfied with the way the story all wraps up. I was hoping for a little more character development for one character and accountability from another for one thing. But I acknowledge that it’s still a solid ending that achieves what the author was aiming for.

That aside, if you’re looking for a beautifully written slowburn story with romance and aspects of a period piece drama then I really do highly recommend this. It scratches all of those itches so very well.

Many thanks to NetGalley and Jo Fletcher Books / Quercus Books for providing the free eARC of this book in exchange for an honest review.

I have mixed feelings about this book. I really enjoyed the beginning, but it just didn't capture my attention from about midway through.

My favourite part of the book was Nina's character - she's an innocent girl from the country and an amateur naturalist - I loved how much she loved nature, even the beetles! But the other characters were just not hits for me, even the love interest was boring and a bit spineless at times. My least favourite character was Valerie (of course), but I wasn't much for Luc either.

This is a very character driven book and it does build up to and end point but I didn't find it particularly satisfying. But Nina's character definitely made the rating higher. Overall I enjoyed some aspects, and did enjoy Nina and Hector's chemistry even if only for the beginning of the book.

I want to preface this review by saying that the marketing of this book is very misleading. The synopsis was giving me Bridgerton meets Carrie and I was here for it. The blurb on Goodreads discusses the fantastical elements of the book at length which makes it sound like magic is a major plot element.... but there is little to no telekinesis in this book. When it does show up, it serves no purpose other than to make the main character's more interesting, and to show up very conveniently during the climax of the novel. If the fantasy element is what's drawing you to this book, I would definitely skip it.

The best thing about this book is the writing. Silvia's writing is beautiful, lyrical and compelled me to keep reading when the plot didn't. The character dynamics are also highly complex and flawed. But here is my major issue with this book. The romantic element of this romance book is terrible. Their 'relationship' starts when Hector decides to court Nina as a means of getting close to her aunt, whom he used to be engaged to. I could potentially enjoy this set up it if they had amazing chemistry and he eventually redeems himself, but that doesn't happen. The romance is unbelievable at best and problematic at worst.

When I learnt that he was using Nina to get to her aunt I was ready for some DRAMA. But here is my second issue. This book is not very interesting. Beneath the guise of telekinesis and the beautiful historical setting, it is simply an unbelievable and problematic romance with some unconvincing twists to create tension. Some of those twists include two separate love triangles, so be warned if you don't like that trope. The only thing pulling me through to the end was the hope that there would be a final twist that might change my mind about this book but it never came.

If you are an avid historical romance reader who loves slow-paced stories, beautiful writing, and complex relationship dynamics between despicable people, you might enjoy this. If you are looking for a historical fantasy romance with a couple you can root for, I would try something else.

Thank you to the publishers and Netgalley for providing me with a digital review in exchange for my honest thoughts.

Can Silvia do no wrong?!

I have loved her last books and this was no different

Again, it draws you in like a good soap opera does and I found myself completely engrossed in the storyline and found it difficult to put down

If you loved Mexican Gothic then you will love this too

I guess I would describe this book as historical fiction with quite a lot of romance and a little bit of the supernatural.  It also kind of reads like a soap opera, which is fine but not really my cup of tea, unfortunately.

I read this author's Mexican Gothic and although I didn't love it that book had some very interesting ideas and I really wanted to give another of the author's books a go as they sound so wonderful in the blurb.  Sadly I have come to the conclusion that this is not an author for me. However, I am giving this new book 4 stars on NetGalley because it would certainly recommend it to fans of romance novels and also young adult readers. 

Thank you NetGalley and Quercus for giving me the opportunity to read this book.

Unfortunately this book wasn't for me. I really don't like the miscommunication trope! The prose is, as always, gorgeous but unfortunately it wasn't enough. The plot is reminiscent of classic historical romances with loads of drama but sadly it wasn't for me.

Thanks to the publisher for the review copy.

First off, this book was a brilliant change of pace from what I've been reading recently. It reminds me a lot of Bridgerton with just an abundance of drama and parties, but also a magical element.

The book is about a girl named Nina who comes to Loisail to join the Grand season of parties and balls in the effort of finding herself a suitor. She becomes entranced with Hector, a performer with telekinesis like her own and while her love for him goes deeper, so does the secrets and betrayals that threaten to end their courtship.

This story is one of identity, innocence, love, and the way the decisions around you shape the person you become.

The characters were incredibly complex, for each you had varying feelings for. They were not equally good or bad and for once a characters naivety and innocence do not lead them to be coddled or for them to somehow always make the right decisions, nor is this character seen as perfect. I like that it's realistic, that particular aspects of a person do not make them the villain or the hero and you don't know who you want to get together until the story unfolds. It helps bring the characters off the page and make them real people.

The telekinesis was subtle there was little focus on it unless it became apparent and little exploration about its origins. I enjoyed this, it worked well with the content of the story and kept the focus on other things while still adding a little bit of magic to the story.

The plot itself was full of secrecy and deception. You find yourself drawn in and rooting for different characters as the book plays out but you also understand decisions made and how each person is. Reputation in this book is everything and scandal is the weapon that everyone seems to be using.

Overall, I enjoyed this, it was lush, fun and just as romantic as I hoped. I need to read more books with drama and love like this one. I would absolutely recommend this book.

I haven't read Silvia Moreno-Garcia's other novels (although I've heard great things about Mexican Gothic) and romance isn't usually my genre of choice, but I was completely enchanted by this classic love story with a twist.

Endearingly youthful Nina Balleiu is thrust into the heart of the glamorous aristocracy of post- industrial France where she struggles to adapt to the rules and games of this Austen-esque society. Here, the power lies with those with wealth and good breeding, known as 'the beautiful ones', and Nina's cousin Valerie is the epitome of it all. But this dazzling world Moreno-Garcia creates has a unique feature, as some individuals have telekinetic abilities and can move objects at will. When Nina meets stoic and reserved Hector Auvory, a performer who shares her telekinetic talent, she believes this is her chance for the fairy tale love story she's read about in books. But the course of true love never did run smooth and Hector is haunted by a past that he just can't leave behind.

This was an achingly genuine and beautiful love story. The characters of Nina and Hector feel so authentic and well realised, their yearning, pain, and passion made tangible by Moreno-Garcia's masterful writing. Her beautifully crafted descriptions and smooth prose curl around you, gently drawing you into the story until you're utterly enthralled.

In the lives of Nina and Valerie we can see both struggling with the choice between conformity and freedom, loyalty and passion, forced to decide if following their hearts is worth the risk of scorn and shame from a society where they are treated as little more than objects and a woman's reputation can shatter with a gust of wind. While Moreno-Garcia does not make any overt social commentary, you can't miss the subtle highlighting of the inequality of the male and female positions in this world.

This novel is predominantly character driven and though it is of a slower pace it certainly does not lack drama. The action and tension is frequently undercut by humour which keeps the novel balanced and, while definitely not light-hearted, stops things becoming morose and dragging.

To summarise, Pride and Prejudice meets Bridgerton meets Les Miserablés in a uniquely magical world not too far from our own; And though the setting and the time period might be somewhat abstract for us, the characters' struggles, desires and love is something we can all relate to.

Whether you're already a fan of Moreno-Garcia or have yet to try her novels, I'd definitely recommend this read!

After Mexican Gothic, I had to read this!!

Antonina is in an uncertain situation, sent to the city of Loisail to stay with her cousin and his wife as she prepares for her first grand season where she will possibly find a husband. But this world isn't for her. Drawn to Hector Auvray, a man who seems to share the same telekinetic abilities as herself, she begins to hone her skills and find solace in his company. But, Hector has a secret and her imminent marriage threatens to ruin everything.

This is a gorgeous written work of art and sweeping historical epic.

This novel is a romance with a fantasy edge with beautiful almost poetic prose. It was a slow burn, but the language is so beautiful you don't really mind.

I will definitely be reading the next thing that Silvia writes! Very much enjoyed.

After reading and loving Mexican Gothic last year I knew I would read anything else written by Silvia Moreno-Garcia, regardless of the genre.

This book lives up to the name. It is beautiful. Beautifully written with a beautiful romance.

The Beautiful Ones tells the story of the beautiful people, the elite of Loisail who live luxurious lives of leisure and thrive off gossip and societal placing. A telekinetic young woman named Nina meets a man named Hector whom she falls for immediately but doesn’t realise is actually in love with someone else and is using her to try get to them.

This is a heartwarming, romantic read which explores the pressures of societal standing and class versus true love and the consequences of foolish actions. Complicated relationships are a major focus here too. The pressures women are forced to bend to in order to live a life others approve of is also examined.

Many of the characters in this novel are selfish, self-absorbed, materialistic and overall quite unappealing but thankfully Silvia writes in such a beautiful way, making all she writes about rather magical and unique. The exceptions were Nina and Hector who are complicated yet authentic. They are not fickle as the other characters are.

This has a rather slow pacing which I did find a bit too slow at times but it picked up towards the end and it wrapped up nicely for me. Overall a really lovely read.

Thank you to Netgalley and the publisher for providing me with a free copy of the book in exchange for an honest review.

The Beautiful Ones is a slow burn high society romance with the added twist of telekinetic powers. Nina Beaulieu finds herself in Loisail at the invitation of her cousin, Gatean, and his beautiful socialite wife Valerie, both intent on finding her a proper suitor in the Grand Season. Hector Auvray is a renowned performer, skilled in telekinesis, who has recently settled in the city following years of travel. A chance encounter brings Hector and Nina together, and under his mentorship Nina finally begins to feel in control of her telekinesis, as she falls for the gentlemanly Hector. However, Hector’s motivation is not what it seems. I found Moreno Garcia’s writing style to be fluid and highly enjoyable. Additionally, the various characters are exceedingly well developed – through their narrative viewpoints their motivations and personalities are clearly well defined.

Although Nina and Hector both possess telekinetic abilities, this fantasy element is a device used in the novel to give the pair some common ground, and certainly not the focus of the plot. The high society environment, where propriety rules all, was very well established and invoked classic romances. Personally, while I did enjoy the book I felt that it was a little bit of a slow burn and the plot was quite predictable, despite the satisfying conclusion.

This book was an utter delight- Silvia Moreno-Garcia writes characters so well that you can’t help but be drawn utterly into their world, and best of all they are as complicated and full of unexpected surprises as the plot, so you never quite know what’s going to happen until the very last page. I devoured this in just three days, which frankly m, taking pandemic brain into account, is a minor miracle. I was totally transported. Thank you!

I had to sit on this review for a little while because I have such mixed emotions. Firstly, the writing in this book was absolutely beautiful. The descriptions, the imagery, the world - beautiful. I first heard about Silvia Moreno-Garcia when Mexican Gothic was released (which I haven’t yet read, but it is high up on my TBR pile!). From what I understand, Silvia’s books are all quite different, but given how much I loved her style of writing, I will definitely be picking up more of her books in future. There was a lot that I liked in The Beautiful Ones and a lot I disliked. The characters illicit strong emotions - there were many characters I absolutely loved and others I loathed. Nina’s character was a favourite of mine but others (Valérie Beaulieu I’m looking at you) I passionately hated. Ultimately, what brought my rating down was that I felt the story was at times quite slow and I felt like I was dragging myself through the pages. I also felt the ending was easily predicted and for me, fell a little flat. I think there will be a lot of people that really love this book but this time for me it felt just short. I will however be really really looking forward to other Silvia Moreno-Garcia books in future!

Review posted on Goodreads and Instagram. Instagram link: https://www.instagram.com/p/CNJPs4Anp7C/

The Beautiful Ones demonstrates how deftly Silvia Moreno-Garcia can dive from one genre to another, a dexterity that's all the more admirable given how astoundingly authentic-feeling and artfully devised her descriptions always are, whether she's dealing with the gilded dramas and decor of the genteel or the dead-eyed gruesomeness of the gothic. Moreno-Garcia here paints primness and propriety in tandem with paranormal tricks and psychic powers, ending up as an engrossing high-society historical romance exploring the entanglements of a heartbroken rags-to-riches psychokinetic performer, a hateful string-pulling sycophant of a socialite, and the honest-minded silk stocking relation she tries to thwart and exploit at every turn. Moving through a convoluted chain of actions and misconducts accommodating class condescension, compelled mingling and match-making, and cruel manipulations and machinations in a manner akin to any Austenlike classic, The Beautiful Ones is charitable with conferring charm, complexity and moxie to its main characters and makes sure they measure up to their moral crises with congenial absolution by the completion of their arcs.

Thank you to Quercus Books/Jo Fletcher Books for kindly passing on this arc! 💫

Nina arrives in Loisail for her first Grand Season, sponsored by her cousin and his wife. She's long had difficulties fitting in, what with her uncontrolled telekinesis powers causing her considerable difficulty. She might have hoped for things to be better in the city but she feels more an outsider than ever and the attempts by her cousin's wife Valerie to mold her into a Beautiful One cause her more misery than ever.

It's at a party that she meets the famous Hector Auvray, an entertainer with powers like hers. She recognizes him from a photograph and immediately forms an attachment, Hector, however, is only there to see Valerie, who abandoned an engagement formed between them ten years ago to marry Nina's cousin. He uses his new connection with Nina in order to get closer to Valerie. Meanwhile, there's Valerie working behind the scenes to manipulate those around her to her satisfaction. With time, some harsh truths emerge, causing pain and sadness for those involved.

I wasn't initially taken with the story, perhaps while I was orienting myself in the universe created. There's an historic European feel to the place with a slight magical element creating the fantasy part. But the magic doesn't seem to be the focus here. It's more about being an outsider and being forced or trying to fit in.

I did eventually get quite involved in the story and enjoyed it thoroughly. What stood out by the end was how the story seemed to be more about Valerie and the woman she became after being forced to marry in order to save her family. One can sympathize with her on that part, but she is shown to have turned into a cruel and hateful monster of a person, well beyond any wrongs done towards her.

Nina is both naive and knowing at the same time. By virtue of her special ability, she matured into a smart young woman and understands the world quite well in a very academic way. But she is quite naive about some of the finer social points, particularly as they relate to men. Her knowledge has been gleaned from the romance novels she has read, which don't seem to provide much useful guidance for her situation.

Meanwhile, Hector has idolized Valerie for such a long time that he fails to acknowledge she is flawed and this leads him to grow old and bitter before his time. His interactions with Nina do bring some pleasure to his life although he doesn't appreciate it for what it is.

As I mentioned above, this was a really good read and I recommend it to anyone with an interest in character-driven stories. I give this a solid four stars.

Thank you to Netgalley and Jo Fletcher books for sharing an advanced copy in exchange for an honest review.

DNF. I really liked the premise but the writing did not work for me at all. It wouldn't be fair to the book if I finished reading and gave it a low rating.

I had so much fun reading this and could not put it down. It’s filled with delicious drama and messy characters that even at their most self-destructive you will love.

Hector is a famous telekinetic who was once engaged to the beautiful and intense Valerie. But when he left to build his fortune as a performer, she was forced to marry a rich man to save her noble but poor family. Ten years later he comes back and, in a bid, to be near Valerie he courts her cousin Nina a telekinetic like him and a romantic young woman on her first Grand Season.
I loved how complicated all the characters were. Hector is a self-destructive romantic who’s been a shell of a man ever since Valerie dumped him. For almost a decade he is solely driven to prove himself to Valerie, building his fortune to fuel his desperate dream to run away with her. His decision to court Nina thinking he could keep it up for a year then easily untangle himself is an objectively terrible one, but my god was it entertaining. What I liked most about this farce of a courtship were the times that Nina managed to charm Hector which was a mean feat since he often forgot she was there as he moons over Valerie.

Nina is another romantic like Hector and has been dreaming of a whirlwind romance like that in the books she reads. She is sent by her family to start her first Grand Season under the guidance of her cousin’s wife Valerie. Nina struggles under Valerie’s harsh critiques as she fails to act like a ‘proper’ lady, more interested in studying beetles and learning to control her telekinesis with Hector. Hector and Nina fit so well together, and I was rooting for them so hard throughout the book.

Now Valerie is the true star of the show. Beautiful, cruel, and deeply possessive Valerie made for an excellent antagonist. She is so well fleshed out in her motivation and personality that while I didn’t want her manipulations to work, I could understand and sympathise. Valerie comes from a family that has little but blue blood to their name and all hope to regain the wealth they once had falls on Valerie's shoulders. An intense summer fling that ends in a secret engagement to a penniless performer will not save her family. So, when a wealthy man proposes to her she is pushed down the aisle, sacrificing herself for her family name. As Hector courts, Nina, Valerie’s possessiveness spins out of control and we get these beautiful lines demonstrating how deep it goes, “As though she were a goddess, he built a temple to her every morning and knelt before her, supplicating. She rewarded him, once in a while, with a smile or a touch of her hand, a kiss on the lips. But even when she gave nothing, he was happy because she was everything.” She wants Hector to be forever alone and devoted to her even though she married someone else, she can’t stand him finding someone else and it’s all so entertainingly twisted.

Valerie is a great depiction of internalized misogyny and you see this in the way she treats Nina. She hates Nina for having the opportunities she was denied due to the circumstance of her family. Her logic is that if she couldn’t marry the man she wanted and was forced to be with someone who while not cruel did not give the passion she wanted and had found with Hector, then why should Nina? She wants to inflict all the cruelties she endured onto Nina and Hector, if she is miserable then they should be too. Valerie is a massive bitch, but she was so much fun to read and I loved her pov sections as she gets more and more vicious.

Overall, this was an amazing vague historical romance with an added touch of magic. The drama of it all will keep you hooked! If you are looking for some good historical romance after binging Bridgton, then I highly recommend The Beautiful Ones which in my opinion is a lot better.

Thanks to Quercus for sending me a free proof in exchange for an honest review.

The Beautiful Ones is intensely character driven. Balancing fantasy and romance, it's a story which asks us if we can make peace with the past. When we're confronted with the ghosts of our past, do they have a hold on us? How can we break their hold? Do you ever have a character that infuriates you so much, but the author writes them so well you understand them? That was me and The Beautiful Ones. If you're a fan of love triangles, yearning, and forgiveness, you have to read this one!

I really enjoyed The Beautiful Ones, it felt like a very decadent period drama but with fluid writing which made it a joy to read. It was unexpectedly more romantic than magical, but this was not unwelcome. There was just enough of a smattering of magic to keep the plot from being too predictable and stale. It was very character driven and quite slow paced but not unenjoyably so.

There were some heartbreaking moments, and plenty of times I wanted to give Henry a piece of my mind! Nina was a delight, it's refreshing to see a female character with a strong sense of self in historical fiction. Even though she falters, you know she'll eventually make the right choice for herself. Viviene was the perfect proverbial bad apple, beautiful on the outside but rotten to the core. The characters were all complex and well thought out, all of them their own worst enemies in one way or another with an arc that kept me invested.

Silvia Moreno-Garcia did an astounding job of bringing the setting to life, it felt like you could step into the book and out into the streets of Loisail. The prose was encapsulating and beautiful.

The Beautiful Ones is the perfect portrayal of the problem with choosing conformity over love, of picking looks and notarity over character and how that will slowly eat away at a person over time. A delightful love story with a magical twist and a captivating historical setting. It is clear that the author has a talent for storytelling across all genres and I'm looking forward to picking up more of her work in future.