Wow! This book is SO GOOD! Every time I picked up "Fifth Avenue Glamour Girl", I was whisked back in time, and went on such an emotional journey with this story.

Renée Rosen is such an incredible author! Her writing is detailed, descriptive, visceral, and vivid. I can only imagine the amount of research Ms. Rosen must have done, as she seamlessly weaves history and fiction, and this book is simply impossible to put down.

This book is told from the perspective of Estée Lauder's friend, Gloria Downing. Showing how the two become friends, delving into the struggles in their own lives and together, their differences and similarities, and so much more, this book truly has so much in it. I learned a lot about Estée Lauder, and what she had to work through in order to pursue her dreams. I look forward to doing more research on my own as well.

If you enjoy historical fiction, I highly recommend this book! I so look forward to reading what Ms. Rosen writes next!

Thank you so much to NetGalley and Berkley Publishing Group for the ARC of this novel, and to Berkley Publishing Group for having me as part of the blog tour for this book! All opinions expressed in this review are my own.

Walked into department store lately? Many of the things happening in the cosmetic department are a result of Estee Lauder and her relentless drive. Our narrator is Gloria Swanson. Her first encounter with Estee Lauder in a salon in a NYC beauty parlor is the beginning of an unlikely friendship. The two are very different and they both have secrets, but the support that they provide to each other is priceless. My favorite part of this book has to do with a friend of Gloria's who does art with dried banana peels. You may be picturing fruit flies and a sickly smell of overripe fruit, but that does not seem to be the case. It is a real thing!

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

You know that saying don't judge a book by its cover? Well, I for one have never agreed with that saying and probably never will in my lifetime.

It was the cover art that drew me in. Realizing that this book was written by an author I had read in the past just sweetened my desire to get my hands on a copy of Fifth Avenue Glamour Girl. Finding out that Renee Rosen would be at my local Barnes & Noble in May to discuss this fantastic story well as you can see, I received a copy of the book, and I can't wait to share my thoughts with you

There are so many things that I love about this book. I adored that this book while fictional centered around Estee Lauder and her life. Estee's determination, her self-awareness, her drive and her ambition were detailed with precision. I found Estee to be an inspiration, her determination was astounding, and her thought process was intriguing. Reading Estee's fight to become who she is now to the public was exhausting, but in such a great way. The author had me reassessing myself, my dreams, goals and the strength of my determination to reach them.

Gloria was a fantastic character in the book as well. While dealing with a life change that was completely unexpected this character bled emotion.

There were many times I fought with my inner conflict if at the time I was team Estee or team Gloria.

It would be horrible if I didn't mention the love of Estee's life. He played such a pivotal role in her personal story and the complete storyline. Honestly, I wish I had a chance to meet with these three main characters in real life. That's how well this story is written.

Each character written in this book is so incredibly well defined it is mind blowing. Each character is going through something that the author details perfectly. Watching each character evolve is written so beautifully. I was interested in every character’s storyline and was thrilled when eventually all character’s story endings were woven into the storyline with heartbreak, beauty and grace.

One thing I truly adored is I literally felt transported back in the time in which this story is set. It's elegance, its suffering, it's nostalgia. This added such an incredible dimension to the entire reading experience.

While some may think this is a story about makeup and the women who created a well-known brand, they would be 100 incorrect. Fifth Avenue Glamour Girl is about the determination of one woman and her dream, the breakdown of a family, the guilt that goes along with it and realizing what's important and what not in life and the undying love and loss of one's soulmate. It's also the story of friendship, business and the daily ups and downs of life that every person deals with.

I am so excited to attend the event next week to hear the author's thoughts on this book. I thought it was fantastic!

I am a huge fan of historical fiction, especially those set during WWII. This book has some overlap of the WWII era but it's more of a small side topic, not at all the major focus. That totally worked here. You probably couldn't have lived during that period without some kind of impact.

The focus of this book is Estee Lauder, her rise in the late 1930s and 1940s, as seen from her friend Gloria's perspective. It was an amazing, interesting, and fascinating story. I loved hearing about the humble beginnings of this iconic brand. I loved the magic of NYC during this time period and allure of the beloved Saks Fifth Avenue.

The talk of make up, fashion, department stores, buyers, etc. was so fascinating. The writing was superb and transported me back to that era.

I thought this book would be more of a focus on Estee Lauder, but I'm actually glad that it focuses more on Gloria. I found Estee to be a very unlikeable character, but I do think the characteristics of her character were important for the story. I couldn't put this down once I started, and I loved how it all came together at the end.

I received an advance copy. All thoughts are my own.

This is the story of two women who meet in a beauty salon in the late 1930’s. One of them is very ambitious, and the other not so much. Estée Lauder is the ambitious woman who believes that her facial creams can help woman achieve a look of beauty. Her belief in her products are what motivates her.
Gloria, who also worked in the salon, grew up getting almost everything she wanted. Unfortunately, she has become ashamed of her upbringing due to a crime her father has committed and has been sent to jail for.
Estee decides to let Gloria know that she looks lazy while performing her duties and that is how their friendship begins.
Both ladies become very close friends during this period in history when we were at war. They help each other get through the difficult times. Unfortunately, they have hidden secrets from each other.
As they progress through their lives, the lessons they each learn from hiding things cause them emotional harm, however this also propels them toward working through their issues.
I enjoyed the characters in this story. The author explains what parts were fiction and what parts were made up just for the story in the epilogue. I kept wanting to read on to find out how each of these women turn out in the end. I enjoyed a surprise(to me) at the end of the story. I also felt a very strong sense of place of what it was like to live in NYC during that time period.
I would definitely recommend this book to anyone who enjoys stories of friendship, family drama and love.

This historical novel takes on the rise of Estée Lauder into the beauty icon that her brand has become today. The story covers her many relationships and marriage to her long time live Joe and is based on fact but is also fictionalized to create and interest story. Contrasting her tale with the story of a young woman on her own for the first time while also dealing with the betrayal from her father and family was smart. Each had to have strength and fortitude to strike out on their own and create these lives during a time when jobs were scarce and women were not treated as equals. It was a really interesting read!

I think for me that even though the story and historical time frame was interesting neither of these characters were particularly likable. Estée was single minded and although married, divorced, and then married again to her husband Joe carried on with other men and ultimately her brand and building her business superseded her family life. Joe was so likable that it was hard to see him get walked all over by this strong-willed woman. Gloria had a LOT of daddy issues and viewed all men with distrust, and herself with weakness. Despite overcoming her upbringing she built a career, which was admirable, yet I still couldn’t connect with her character. I wished that Gloria was a little more likable to balance out Estée’s strong-willed personality. Although I totally understood where each of their characters were coming from it just would have made the story slightly easier to read.

If you like historical novels that mix fact and fiction this might be a novel you would be interested in reading. It does give a very interesting take on how women worked to keep the country moving during WWI, and the friendship between Gloria and Estée was both strong and giving. Fifth Avenue Glamour Girl is a solid novel with two interesting views of this time in history. ❤️❤️❤️❤️

I received a copy of this book through NetGalley and the publisher for an honest review and it was honest!

3.5 Stars

Fifth Avenue Glamour Girl is a fictionalized account of the Estée Lauder story as seen through Gloria’s perspective.

It’s 1938 and Gloria Downing is reinventing her life after a family scandal when she crosses paths with Estée (Lauder). Idealistic, visionary, ambitious, and determined, Estee is selling face cream out of beauty parlors. Through helping Estée, Gloria begins to discover her own talents, and her success leads to opening doors for Estée. Not without its angst, this is a story of ambition, friendship, and ultimate success.

I anticipated a fictionalized biography of Estée Lauder, and I was a bit surprised to realize that this is Gloria’s story and through her, we gain a third-person, limited perspective of Estée. When we meet them, both characters are young, ambitious, and determined. A fierce competitor, Estée is determined to become a household name like Elizabeth Arden, Helena Rubinstein, and Revlon. Gloria is the least confident of the two but has her own unique abilities. They become acquainted as Estée is selling face cream in the salon where Gloria is a shampoo girl. Although I admire their spunk and determination and enjoyed hearing about Estée’s “beginning,” I found it difficult to feel emotionally connected to either character.

Significant themes in the story involve friendship and women supporting women. Realistically, their friendship had its ups and downs. At times, the angst of their relationship was discouraging (albeit realistic) in its repetitive on-again, off-again nature. Even though Gloria and Estée had their conflicts, they ultimately had each other’s back in the best and worst of times. Overall, this is an “against-the-odds” story of self-made women.

If you enjoy historical fiction set in New York City during the 30s and 40s and are interested in skincare and beauty products, you might enjoy a glimpse into the life of Estée Lauder and her fictional cohort. Readers who love strong female characters will want to add this to their TBRs.

Thanks #NetGalley @BerkleyPub #BerkelyWritesStrongWomen #BerkleyBuddyReads for a complimentary e ARC of #FifthAvenueGlamourGirl upon my request. All opinions are my own.

I really liked it! I am not a huge historical fiction fan, when I seen this book I knew I had to give it a try because ESTE LAUDER. This is a fictional story of how Este became to be such a prestigious household name. Set amongst the depression coupled by women not being equally represented in work spaces.
The authors writing was higher brow and weaved in a beautiful setting of NYC and Florida. You could feel the determination and persistent nature of Este pushing through any barrier to get her skin care products into stores.
It is told through the POV of Gloria, Este’s best friend and coworker. I felt torn between the POV chosen for this novel. I liked to see her own story line develop but she felt like a side character who was telling the story that struck me as odd and impersonal. My only hiccup with this one is that it was rather slow. I kept waiting for a major plot point or climax that never came. Although, I’m not sure that was how the book was supposed to land anyways.
Very glamorous, makes me want to spurge on more Este products! Is this on your TBR!?

An excellent read and an eye-opening (for me) look at the beginning of Estee Lauder's illustrious rise to stardom with her handmade face creams and makeup. Her friendship with Gloria Downings leads both women to the difficulties of being a woman in a man's world and their ultimate survival together. Recommended.

This book was fun. What is not to like about a strong, determined female character?! I loved the insight into the time period, the relationships built and the inspiring characters. During a time when women were considered anything but powerful, this shares the story of quite the opposite.

1938 New York City - Gloria Downing is trying to reinvent herself after a family scandal. In walks Estee Lauder, not only does she become a friend, but she is a strong determined woman that Gloria can look up to. These two powerful women use their strengths to take the world by storm. Will they gain the respect that they believe they deserve?

Thank you Netgalley for my advanced reader copy.

4.25stars-FIFTH AVENUE GLAMOUR GIRL by Renee Rosen is an adult, fictionalized historical tale about the rise of cosmetics giant Estée Lauder told through the eyes of Gloria Downing.

Told from first person perspective (Gloria) following two separate timelines (1938-1946) and (1984) FIFTH AVENUE GLAMOUR GIRL follows down on her luck Gloria Downing as she struggles in the wake of losing everything after a scandal that destroyed her family, sending her father to jail. Working as a shampoo girl in a local Manhattan salon in 1938, Gloria would meet struggling cosmetics entrepreneur Estée Lauder, as Estee ventured into a world dominated by men. With the ongoing depression, and an economy about to be devastated by war, Gloria found herself jobless, on the outside looking in until landing a job at Saks Fifth Avenue. As Gloria’s star began to rise from counter girl to buyer, Estee would push the boundaries of friendship, desperate for a chance to promote her beauty line at Saks Fifth Avenue.

Neither Gloria Downing nor Estée Lauder were who they represented themselves to be. Having had to reimagine the face they presented to the world, Gloria would disown the father who brought down the family with a financial scandal, and Estee chose to put business before family and love. Gloria will have loved and lost twice before finding her own happily ever after, and only one man would ever hold Estee’s heart but Estee was always looking for something more and exciting. Estee and Gloria’s often embattled relationship would result in a lifelong friendship between two people whose secrets and lies were but one scandal away from total implosion.

FIFTH AVENUE GLAMOUR GIRL is a fictionalized account of Estée Lauder’s foray into, and her rise in the world of perfumes and cosmetics. Some of the information is based in fact while much of the story is a fantasy brought to life from the mind of Renee Rosen.The premise is entertaining, engaging and interesting; the characters are larger than life yet real and vulnerable.



THE READING CAFE: http://www.thereadingcafe.com/fifth-avenue-glamour-girl-by-renee-rosen-a-review/


GOODREADS: https://www.goodreads.com/review/show/5496905257


AMAZON COM: https://www.amazon.com/review/RFH78V01PM869/ref=cm_cr_srp_d_rdp_perm?ie=UTF8


BOOKBUB: https://www.bookbub.com/reviews/2310444270

I absolutely loved this historical fiction. I could not put it down. This is the kind of story that I love that had me going back and researching while I was reading to see what was actually real.
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This book tells the story of Estée Lauder and her rise to fame from simply selling cream out of a beauty parlor to becoming an industry game changer. I find her story absolutely fascinating. I love a behind the scenes story and this was incredibly interesting. This worked perfectly as a fictional tale as she used Gloria’s story to weave in expertly with Estee’s story telling not just a story of a rise to fame but a story of sisterhood, forgiveness, and risking it all to rise above.
.

Huge thank you to @berkleypub and @prhaudio for an advanced copy in exchange for an honest review.

Summary: In 1938 New York City, a young woman by the name of Estée Lauder is selling her homemade face products out of a local beauty shop, determined to become the next Elizabeth Arden. When she crosses paths with fellow shopgirl Gloria Downing, the two women forge a friendship that will change both of their lives.

Thoughts: Wow! This is the most bingeable historical fiction novel I have ever read! Renee Rosen does a masterful job brining Estée Lauder to life and showcasing the extent of her sheer willpower to succeed in the midst of a changing social and political landscape. Spanning several decades, and told from the perspective of Estée’s friend Gloria, a former socialite who’s fallen from grace, we follow both women as they struggle to build relationships, careers and lives they can be proud of.

I listened to this stunning novel on audio (while doing many loads of laundry) and cannot sing Hillary Huber’s praises enough. Her tone, and the emotion she conveys in any given scene, are what really brought this one to life. She is quickly becoming one of my favorite narrators.

Read if you like:
•biographies
•stories about friendships
•character driven stories
•dual timelines

Thank you {partners} Berkley Publishing and PRH Audio for the advanced copies in exchange for my honest review.

I was really hoping for more Estée Lauder inside these pages? At the very least a story that felt iconic?? Alas I was just bored and the MC wasn’t captivating enough nor was the existence of EL in the story enough, so I didn’t find it worth my time to finish.

Thank you for the advance reader copy via NetGalley. All thoughts are my own.

Fifth Avenue Glamour Girl will be a good summer read if you want a glitzy historical fiction novel with makeup and fashion. the story of Estee Lauder and her dedication and determination was very interesting. I did not know about her background prior to reading the novel. I think I'll enjoy one of the nonfiction takes about her a little more than this one, but it's a good story and heavier on the fiction than history.

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

“Every woman can be beautiful. They just need someone like me to show them how.”

And this, ladies and gentlemen, is how you go from a being women who whips up creams in her kitchen and sells them at local beauty parlors to selling your products in Saks Fifth Avenue and Neiman Marcus.

I give you Mrs. Estée Lauder. Told from the viewpoint of Estee’s bff Gloria, this book was a fascinating look into life around the time of WWII from a woman/entrepreneur’s perspective. Estee was filled with grit and determination in a time when women were still patted on the head and sent into the kitchen to make a sandwich.

These two women are flawed and fierce, but oh so loyal. Both are dealing with lies and betrayal within their families and they find an affinity in each other. I flew through this book because I loved their bickering, I loved Estee’s passion, and I just couldn’t wait to see how the woman who changed the way cosmetics and facial creams were sold managed to get as far as she did.

Spoiler: Estée Lauder started the free gift with purchase marketing tool, which I have benefited from countless times over the years. So thanks, girl!

I voluntarily read and reviewed an advanced copy of this book. All thoughts and opinions are my own. Thank you to Netgalley, Berkley Publishing, and the author for the ARC.

👗 About the Book:
It’s 1938 and Estée Lauder is a young woman in NYC selling face cream and dreaming of success in the beauty industry. Gloria is ready for a total life makeover after a family scandal when she crosses paths with Estée. When Gloria lands a job at Saks Fifth Avenue, it starts opening doors for Estée. But soon both women find that ambition comes at a price.

👗 My Thoughts:
My mom has worn Estée Lauder perfume since I was little. I had no idea Estée was a real person, and I was fascinated! This book had characters that were flawed, real, and had me cheering them on. I loved that this book was so unique in its historical focus, and taught me new things. If you’re a lover of historical fiction, glamour, or strong female characters, then add this one to your tbr!

**3.5⭐️ rounded up to 4**

I have mixed feelings about this book because I really like Rosen’s writing, but the story flowed oddly. It read almost like a journal vs. a novel. And the pacing was off too – part 3 moved much more quickly than 1 & 2.
 
But I loved her writing in relation to the time period and setting + all the timely anecdotes and lingo (1930s/40s NYC). And it was fun to read about the early fashion and beauty industry, it’s not something I often come across in fiction.
 
As for the characters? I liked FMC, Gloria, but still found it odd that this fictional person was the MC and not the real-life beauty mogul who the story was supposed to be based around (Estée Lauder!!) And what I did learn about Estée as a person, I didn’t really love. But despite not really liking her character in this book, I still had to admire her. Reading about how she launched her business (even if it was in a roundabout way) was entertaining.
 
So, although this one wasn’t a complete homerun for me, I still enjoyed it. I’d definitely read more by Rosen because I love the way she writes, and it seems like her other novels have similar themes.

Renée Rosen captures cosmetic industry icon Estée Lauder with panache in this compelling, well-researched histfic tale.

“It’s just such a shame. Every woman can be beautiful. They just need someone like me to show them how.”

WHAT I LOVED
Renée's elegant prose and the way she gives us Estée with flaws and all as she climbs the ladder of success in 20th Century America.

“From the time I was a little girl I’ve known that I was supposed to be famous. And wealthy. It’s in my blood. I’m Estée Lauder,” she proclaimed. “I can’t settle for mediocrity. I can’t be average.”

WHAT I WISHED
That Estée would have been the main focus, not introduced through a friendship with the fictional Gloria, whose own story I found diverting.

“See?” Estée said as she stood up straight. “I always say, there are no homely women, just lazy ones.”

RECOMMENDED ...
for histfic fans who love inspiring stories about gutsy women who triumph despite the odds.

"Estée’s friends Pat and William F. Buckley are throwing a big splashy bash for the release of her book at Mortimer’s on 75th and Lexington. The guest list is long and impressive; everyone from Jackie O to Debbie Reynolds, even Wallis Simpson has RSVP’d."