This book is about Estee Lauder and I know nothing about her so I was excited to read this book. It is told through her friend Gloria's eyes. I am assuming a fictional friend since I found nothing online about Gloria or her father. I wish the author's note would have mentioned this though. This book starts in the 80s with someone wanting to write a book about Estee Lauder and they come to Gloria to get the dirt. Then it flashes back to when Estee was trying to sell cold creams at beauty parlors. Estee Lauder rose from nothing. I enjoyed the parts about Estee but I was not a fan of Gloria. Gloria's father is sent to prison at the beginning of the novel and she changes her name and needs a fresh start. She of course does not want anyone to know who her father is. Estee is apparently not all she seems to be as well. They get along but fight like sisters. So Gloria works at Saks Fifth Avenue and Estee wants her products to be in Saks but it puts Gloria in an awful spot. When I was almost finished I realized why we had so much of Gloria's life and how the story all fit together so overall I did enjoy it. I have read one other Renee Rosen book but I own several so I need to get to reading those.

-"It's just such a shame. Every woman can be beautiful. They just need someone like me to show them how."

-I wanted to point out that Estee liked talking about Estee. Next to talking about cosmetics, her favorite subject was herself.

-"You're set on being miserable-and that's your choice, but I can't live that way."

-"It doesn't matter what's inside if it doesn't look professional on the outside."

-Money truly was the root of all evil. Sooner or later, it got to everyone.

-"Because you have a real problem with being happy, Gloria. It's just that simple. You sabotage yourself at every turn. There's something inside you that wants to be miserable."

-"So you think I should tell the truth? Now, even after all this time? I mean, it could ruin my career.
"Sounds to me like your guilt is already doing that for you as it is."

While parts of this book are fictional and some parts true this is truly an inspirational and very intriguing story!!!!!!!!!!!! I love this story and didn't want it to end.

First off, this cover needs a moment all it's own! STUNNING!

I feel like everyone knows the name Estee Lauder. And what a fun story of her life as told through a fictional best friend, Gloria.

We meet Gloria, who grew up wealthy and privileged. However, her father was just convicted in a ponzi scheme and is headed to prison. Her mom and siblings support him, but she cannot. She has changed her last name and is basically on her own in the world, trying to find a job, a place to work. She winds up working as a shampoo girl in a salon.

Then we meet Estee Lauder. At this point Estee is performing beauty treatments and selling face products at the same salon. She basically supports her husband and son. Estee is determined and driven and has confidence that she will make it big. Ultimately to sell her products in a store like Saks Fifth Avenue. Estee dreams big!

We get Estee's story as Gloria sees it. They become close, fiercely so. They are almost like sisters in the way they fight and make up. We also get Gloria's story along the way. And while her strength isn't immediately evident like Estee's, we see it. Two women finding their way in a man's world.

There were also some good side characters in this book. Waller, Edward, Joe, Soda Pop - all men who crossed their paths and in some way changed their lives.

If you love a good historical fiction based in reality, this is for you. I enjoyed this book so much!

Many thanks to NetGalley and Berkley Publishing an ARC in exchange for my honest review and allowing me to be a part of this Berkley Buddy Read!

I grew up with a mother who adored Estée Lauder cosmetics, so I knew I would enjoy this historical fiction novel about Estée! She was a firecracker of a woman who knew the value of her products and didn’t accept anything less. Rosen does a great job at describing Estée’s desire for success, and I was rooting for her every time she forced a cream or lipstick on an unsuspecting woman!

The way Rosen set up the novel is clever, using a fictional best friend to tell Estée’s story. I loved Gloria’s story as a young woman running from who she is and discovering her true self as she made her way in 1930s/1940s New York City. I could just see Gloria and Estée walking down Fifth Avenue and into the imposing doors of Saks, heads held high in their immaculate outfits and stand-out lipstick.

I highly recommend this book for historical fiction fans who love stories of how women broke through the glass ceiling to carve a place in the business world. And it’s perfect for anyone who loves New York City and its history.

A fine book, but I found myself remembering why Rosen’s work didn’t connect with me the first time around. She loves to orient her books around bland fictional protagonists observing these titans of fashion and beauty history, and that is also the case here.

Wonderful story with characters you immediately identify with and root for! Loosely based on Estée Lauder with scenic backdrops and wonderful characters development.

Fifth Avenue Glamour Girl is a historical fiction book that gives a fascinating look into the life of Estée Lauder and the history of the cosmetic industry. Renee Rosen tells Estée’s story through the eyes of her friend Gloria, who is remaking herself after her father’s crimes during the Depression caused her family to lose their wealth and status. I enjoyed how Gloria and Estée each worked to better their lives; they were both strong women overcoming the obstacles life threw at them. Renee Rosen put extensive research into the book, and it was fun learning about things that seem commonplace now, like samples from the makeup counter. If you enjoy historical fiction with strong women protagonists, you should give this book a try!
Thanks to Netgalley and Thoughts From a Page Podcast for the advanced copy!

I adored this. The writing sucked me in from the first page, transporting me to old Manhattan during the 40s. I loved the relationship between Gloria and Estee. I loved this so much. I loved learning more about Estee Lauder and the way her brand came to be. This was a great read!

I have to admit, I am not that great with my own personal skin care regimen and reading this fictional account of how Este Lauder started her empire reminded me that I should be better.

In this novel we meet Gloria Downing in 1938 and follow her and her friendship with Este Lauder through the years. Both women keep secrets about their origins and are trying to be independently successful in a man’s world. I loved how Rosen captured the strong sense of place of New York City in the 1930s/40s and beyond.

Fifth Avenue Glamour Girl is about the beginnings of the Estée Lauder empire. It centers around Estee and a fictional friend Gloria. The story revolves around the determination needed and the extremely hard work it was to break into the beauty business. It was fun to read about the innovative ways she tried to sell her products, along with how she tangled with her competitors. Meanwhile, her friend Gloria has challenges of her own. It’s a great reflection of the era, which we can see connections with today. Lastly, it’s a story about a strong woman creating a successful business.

This book was a wonderful read that allowed me to learn more about the beauty industry and well known name in that industry. There is good mystery and suspense that keeps the reader wanting to find out how Estee’s products make it into Sak’s Fifth Avenue.

Gloria is a character that the reader can relate to and cheer on at the same time. NYC was as much as a character as Gloria and Estee. I appreciated the author’s perspective on how two driven woman could forge their way in a male dominated society.

3.5 Stars

Well, the cover of this book is fabulous...that's for sure! I'm certain that's what initially drew me in. Plus the scheme of a historical fiction perspective of a famous person in the skin care, makeup and perfume industry was attractive to me. I knew next to nothing about Estee Lauder and probably never have even used her products, but was interested in learning more. I did like this book, but think it was hampered a bit by Estee's story being filtered through the character of her friend Gloria Downing. I didn't particularly like this character for her bad decision making and moral code. I liked the character of Estee much more for her relentless work ethic and belief in her products, and sheer guts to make things happen. I would have preferred a first person narration directly from Estee's point of view.

Thank you to Berkley Publishing Group for providing an advance reader copy via NetGalley.

Flew through this fascinating book that explores Estee Lauder's drive to bring her cosmetics to market. I enjoyed the themes of friendship, honesty and showing (or not showing) your true self. I found the insights into how Lauder pioneered cosmetic marketing techniques riveting.

I received my first ever electronic advanced reader copy via Thoughts From a Page Patreaon group. Thank you to Cindy Burnett, Berkley Pub and NetGalley.

Looking forward to reading backlist Renee Rosen titles.

4.25 stars. Fifth Avenue Glamour Girl is a historical fiction novel about the beginnings of the Estée Lauder empire! And so much more.

The story is told from the character, Gloria, who begins a brand new life after a family scandal. Gloria meets Estée Lauder at a hair salon in NYC in 1938 and the two become friends. The story follows these two as Gloria changes her name and tries to support herself in a tough economic environment after the crash, and Estee is making creams in her kitchen with the dream of becoming a major cosmetics brand…if only she can catch a break!

Renee Rosen has crafted a fascinating story and after I was finished, I went into an internet deep dive about all things Estée Lauder. The author did so much research and this fictional story is so well done. Estée Lauder had so much drive and perseverance, and was supported by her dedicated and devoted husband Joe (who Estee married twice!). She certainly had some qualities that many would view as pushy and undesirable. This is a story about friendship in NYC, love, secrets (soooo many secrets!), and life over the decades in the cosmetics industry. Highly recommend!

The cover is stunning, and would be a beautiful addition to any bookshelf.

Thank you to Berkley, Netgalley, and Cindy from Thoughts From a Page for arranging the advance reader copy. The author discussion was fabulous and I look forward to any novels Renee Rosen writes in the future.

Each Christmas of my childhood a distinctive pink box of Estee Lauder’s “Beautiful” perfume could always be found waiting for my mom under the tree. In my mind Estee Lauder was the pinnacle of luxury beauty products.

FIFTH AVENUE GLAMOUR GIRL is based on the true story of Estee Lauder and her journey to becoming a household name. Estee’s moxie and blind ambition that catapulted her to the top of the beauty industry came at a cost. The blind ambition of chasing her dreams made it difficult for her to manage her personal relationships and made for an entertaining read. She was certainly an innovative trailblazer for her time!

As with her previous novels, Park Avenue Summer and The Social Graces, Renee Rosen captures the history of New York City so well. I had the opportunity to participate in an author chat with Renee through the Thoughts From A Page Patreon early reads program and learning about her research process as well as the next book she is working on was so much fun!

RATING: 4/5
PUB DATE: April 25, 2023

Many thanks to Berkley and the Thoughts From A Page Podcast Patreon Early Reads for an advanced electronic ARC and author chat.

"No one ever became a success without taking chances… One must be able to recognize the moment and seize it without delay. " Estée Lauder

3.5 stars for this new historical fiction novel by a beloved author of the genre. This tale of Estée Lauder, rising star of the cosmetics industry in the late 1930s / early 1940s is told through the voice of her friend Gloria Downing. A chance encounter (one of many) starts the two women on a path of friendship, ambition and preservation in the midst of the misogyny of the time. Both have secrets which become heavy burdens, potentially sabotaging their happiness, their successes and their relationship with each other.

The character of Saks Fifth Avenue itself provided a wonderful and descriptive view into the New York City department store world and I felt like I was back walking the streets of Midtown and the Upper East Side. Ms. Rosen shines the light on Estée in a way in which I admired her tenacity but was annoyed by her selfishness, and I found her to be a rather unlikeable character which surprised me. Overall this was a fun read and I would recommend it for fans of Fiona Davis’s books.

Thanks to Berkley Books, Net Galley and Thoughts From a Page Podcast Early Reads Program for the advanced copy in exchange for my honest review.

This is my first Renee Rosen novel, and I absolutely LOVED IT. From page one, I was immersed in Estee Lauder's history and that of her friend Gloria. Rosen's clearly done her research, and her writing is filled with wit and emotion. I laughed, I cried, and I closed the book completely satisfied.

My thanks to Net Galley and Berkley Books for an advanced copy of this e-book. Pub Date 4/25/23.

I often, intentionally, skip reading the synopsis of a book to go into the book a bit blind. I am so very glad I did that with this book! I was surprised to see this book about Estee Lauder was told her through her fictional best friend Gloria Downing. I wasn't sure how I would like this format, but ending up loving it! Author Renee Rosen has said, "By bringing in the fictional element, I can explore new themes and new twists while still delivering the facts about a well-known figure." Rosen certainly delivered on this, showing us the inside look at Estee Lauder's early years starting her face cream business that became a multi-million dollar cosmetics company, still going strong today.

The story begins in 1938 New York City as we see the many ramifications of the Stock Market Crash and the Great Depression. A woman starting a business in this time, in a "man's world" was just unheard of. Being a very determined woman, she meets Gloria in a beauty shop trying to change her look to escape her family name and former life. So many secrets they kept trying to find a way out of such a difficult time. The stories of these two women who became best friends and built their careers inspired me and kept me turning the pages.

As I always say, do NOT miss the Author's Note and Renee Rosen's Behind the Scenes Conversation. It always enhances a book.

At the height of the Great Depression, Gloria Downing's father is jailed for having swindled thousands of people out of their life savings. Broke, homeless and basically unemployable, Gloria takes a job as a shampoo girl at a beauty salon, where she meets an enterprising young woman named Estee Lauder. Estee has created a new cosmetics line and will stop at nothing to become famous and get her products into the finest department stores. Both Gloria and Estee are hiding secrets - when their secrets start to catch up with them, will they be able to out run their pasts?
Very enjoyable historical fiction about two women (one real, one fictional) who are forced to reinvent themselves at a difficult time in American history. I love novels about the fashion and beauty industries, so this book called my name! Fans of books about strong and interesting women will fall right into Rosen's novel about one of the icons of the cosmetics industry. Will particularly appeal to readers of Fiona Davis, Marie Benedict, and Jeanne Mackin (The Last Collection).
Many thanks to NetGalley and the publisher for providing an eARC for review.

I really wanted to love this book but I felt like it was a little flat. I wanted more from the story than what was written and the past parts felt like the dragged on a bit.