I was interested in this book from the word "go" and found Gill Paul to be able to create an enthralling story without much fluff. Both women seemed equally petty and bitter toward one another, and I loved how they attempted to one-up each other.

Fascinating look at the rivalry between Elizabeth Arden and Helena Rubenstein: both are savvy businesswomen with innovative ideas to push their products to the top of the market. Gill Paul does an excellent job highlighting their professional lives but also giving a glimpse into the messy private lives that were caused by their success. While I didn’t connect with either character, I found their stories to be compelling enough to keep reading. Skin care is not really a topic I’m interested in but the women were captivating in their own right.

DIDN'T REALLY THRILL OR EXCITE ME

Actual rating: 2.5 ⭐

I don't know what it is. I have previously been a great fan of Paul and her writing. But lately it is as if something just isn't connecting for me.

What I Disliked

Telling: One thing that definitely made this book less connected for me was the telling as opposed to showing. The story felt very much like "and then this happened and then this happened" in stead of actually showing us those things. It made it hard to get into the story.

Internal dialogue: Usually I don't mind internal dialogue. It can really help you get into the mindset of a character. But when you have pretty much nothing more than internal dialogue, it just becomes tiresome and drawn out. It lacked some dialogue, some interactions and some actual action of some kind.

Characters: Both Elizabeth and Helena felt like mere surface characters. I wanted something more, something to explain their actions, their motivations and their personalities. It made it hard to like both of them, when I just fundamentally couldn't understand them.

Fascinating historical fiction about the competitiveness of Helena Rubinstein and Elizabeth Arden, giants of the cosmetics industry. While they were in competition with each other, the similarities between these two strong women are detailed well. Recommended reding.

💄 BOOK REVIEW 💄

#ABeautifulRival by @gill.paul1

⏩synopsis

This one started off strongly, grabbing my attention and easily keeping it. I was absorbed in the lives of Elizabeth and Helena, the rivalry but also their home lives unfolding between the two world wars.

I found the characters to be well rounded, researched, interesting and realistic; the storyline fascinating, informative and different. The alternating chapters between narrators Elizabeth and Helena at first kept the pace but it did wain towards end and you were definitely ready for the end to arrive.

Saying that, overall it didn’t affect my overall enjoyment of the book it was just perhaps 50-100 pages too long but still a really good read, would definitely recommend and want to read more books by this author.

With thanks to the author #GillPaul, @netgalley and @avonbooksuk for allowing us to read this one early (sorry it’s a little late!)

OUT NOW

-EMILY

@the_book_girls_1

Another good historical character book by Gill Paul.
I didn't know anything about Elizabeth Arden and Helena Rubenstein apart from they had make up lines in shops.
I have to say that it wasn't a happy book as the pair in question were rivals and hated each other. In fact I think it was the rivalry that made them so successful as they battled to beat each other. The sad part is, if they had got together they could have ruled the world in the cosmetic business.
The women in the book were strong characters who didn't suffer fools and the men came across as weak and just background actors for the women in charge.
It was surprising to find out that even before the war the women treated going from America to London and Paris like a hop skip and a jump away on a ship.
I enjoyed the part just before the war where Wallis Simpson is mentioned and in whose company they were partying.
I couldn't say which woman I preferred as they were both unlikeable, but they did change make up and skin care for women due to careful research and development. I loved the ending and the afterword by the author was very interesting.
Everytime I read one of Gill Paul's books I end up being lost down the rabbit hole which is Google looking for more information about the historical characters she has written about. Gill's research is amazing and must take so much time before she even starts writing the book. Another winner ?

Thanks to Netgalley and the publisher for an ARC in exchange for my honest review.

I thoroughly enjoyed this historical fiction novel based on the real-life rivalry between cosmetics founders Elizabeth Arden and Helena Rubenstein. Gill Paul has a knack for creating believable dialogue and storylines in her novels, and this one is no different. She developed each character’s motivation and personality in a way that showed them as individuals, even though outwardly to the public they may have seemed similar. Both women used their rivalry as the catalyst to improve and expand their businesses. It is always impressive to read about strong women entrepreneurs, especially in a time when women were not seen as business leaders, and while they both seemed so smart about business, neither seemed as intelligent about love or personal relationships.

While events and dialogue were imagined or dramatized, everything seems plausible and makes for an intriguing read.

Gill Paul is becoming a favorite author of mine, and I recommend this book if you are interested in strong women entrepreneurs and historical fiction.

Embarking on a Gill Paul read is always a treat and this time around she gives her readers a wonderfully famous rivalry from history. Most women over a certain age (*cough *splutter) have heard of Elizabeth Arden and Helena Rubinstein. Gill details a wonderful fact/fiction tale of these two highly intelligent women from around 1915-1965 and how they were bitter rivals in their quest for supremacy in the beauty business.

‘Helena rubbed her hands in glee. Nothing cheered her so much as hearing that her rival’s business was in trouble. When she arrived in America in 1915, it had been her goal to beat Elizabeth Arden and, for now at least, she was in the lead.’

I knew little about the inception of the beauty industry and nothing about the lives of the women behind these iconic products so it was such an interesting revelation with Gill including so much detailed research. Elizabeth Arden comes across as a rather cold person always desperate to reach the upper echelons. Helena comes across as the more personable and astute businesswoman. This is a story of their life journeys and the crazy lengths they would go to in competing against one another.

“I see Madame Rubinstein wormed her way in,” she said, with an arched eyebrow. “You two should talk,” Edna said. “You have a lot in common.” “I doubt it somehow,” Elizabeth said. “She doesn’t look my type at all.”

What is most enlightening is the time period - two world wars and a Great Depression - along with the role of women in business. It is eye opening. There is also so much to be learnt about the introduction of the cosmetics industry and how it withstood the test of time with both their names and products continuing to be viewed with respect.

“Ah, but we came first,” Helena said. “We invented an industry that didn’t exist before. They should all be thanking us.”

If books about women pioneering in a man’s world and becoming a business success appeals to you, then A Beautiful Rival is sure to please. If stories about the introduction of cosmetics and the beauty industry tweaks your curiosity, look no further. Gill has undertaken an extensive amount of research about two women whose personal backgrounds could not have foresaw the great success they would achieve. Told from alternating chapters of both Elizabeth and Helena’s perspectives this is a highly interesting and entertaining read.








This review is based on a complimentary copy from the publisher in exchange for an honest review. Opinions expressed in this review are completely my own. The quoted material may have changed in the final release.

Another very interesting book by Gill. I love how she brings these historical figures to life and tells their stories in a beautiful way-even if the story itself is not one of much beauty.

This was a really interesting story. I wasn't aware of the history between the two and it made a good book.

Cosmetic rivals Elizabeth Arden and Helena Rubinstein are the main characters in this book, What really struck me was their unhappiness, both spend their lives trying to outdo each other and it's sad. There are some interesting parts of the book, how similiar their lives are but they so strongly disliked each other and spend a whole lot of time one-upping the other. And how Elizabeth got her famous Red Door.

Thank you to NetGalley, the author and publisher for a digital, temporary ARC in return for my review.

A very interesting read. Despite being in the beauty trade both of these ladies had .very ugly traits.
Their rivalry was second to none but both of their names are still growing strong.
Their lives were very similar; both ladies had hidden truths, unlucky in love yet shared a strong work ethos.
I enjoyed this book from start to finish and I used the Internet for further information.

Gill Paul takes us into the glamorous yet at times ruthless world of the beauty industry in her new book, A Beautiful Rival. This is a novel of Elizabeth Arden and Helena Rubinstein, two powerhouses who took the cosmetics industry by storm in the early 1920’s and whose products are still sold to this day. The title is a brilliant play on words and its significance increases the further the book progresses as the intensity of the rivalry between the pair grows stronger as the years pass by. A fascinating, detailed and in-depth insight is provided as both women are determined to succeed and rise to the top in their chosen profession.

Both women came from nothing and hid many secrets as to their backgrounds with plenty of lies along the way but their sheer ambition, creativity, drive and competitive streaks see the two women battle out for decades. I love how Gill Paul always takes world famous people from history and weaves wonderful stories told through a mixture of fact and fiction. On several occasions I found myself pausing reading to check out little details about Elizabeth or Helena to see what was true or not and basically to discover more about them. I thoroughly enjoyed this book and I love how Gill can take people that we may have heard of but not know much about and bring their stories to life between the pages of her excellent books.

Each chapter alternates between Elizabeth and Helena and they never meet except on one or two occasions and I think this only added to the tension that existed between them and the sense of rivalry was able to increase in this manner too. The two stories run concurrently but it never felt like I was reading two separate stories within one book as the changing between perspectives flowed so well and just felt effortless. Initially, I was waiting for that point when the two would come face to face and I did hope that this would happen regularly but as Gill says in her authors notes she had no evidence as to whether the women actually met. I swayed back and forth many times as to which character I preferred but in the end I think Helena won out as I think she had a slightly more softer side to her and a lot of her ruthlessness was because of the actions of Elizabeth.

The book opens in 1915 and takes us up to the war years and beyond. Elizabeth is the founder and sole owner of America’s most successful beauty brand but there is a new person on the block, Helena. Elizabeth feels threatened by her growing success. She had hauled herself up from poverty and wishes no one to muscle in on her success. There is always a lingering fear within her that no matter how much money she makes or how well her products and beauty salons do that it could all be snatched away from her. It’s this fear that is her driving force and she has a tough outer exterior especially when it comes to her business dealings. I found her to be brusque, relentless and harsh in her quest to be the best. She always wanted to be one step ahead of Helena and I suppose in any industry this is the case when you are selling and promoting the same product but she just seemed to always go that extra mile. Underhand dealings were not uncommon.

I loved all the little details about sending spies into each other’s camps and trying to produce treatments, lotions and makeup that would change a woman’s life. Elizabeth was known for bouncing those who didn’t meet her exacting standards when it came to business and she kept strict rules and regulations as no way was she going to let Helena outstrip her in the race to be America and indeed the worlds number one. I found it absolutely fascinating to see how both companies started from the ground up especially as now we know how successful they became. The research undertaken by the author was impeccable and I could tell she enjoyed learning so much about two phenomenal women who were pioneers of their generation. For all Elizabeth’s bravado she was desperately lonely. She didn’t come across as the maternal type at all but the story does detail the two marriages she goes through but in the later half of the book I think her love of horses took over and they gave her what she had been missing in her life.

I think Helena was my favourite character. She was originally from Poland and was Jewish and although she didn’t come from abject poverty like Elizabeth. The details of how she came to the beauty industry and her studies were really interesting and I think the incident with her father really spurred her on to make the best of herself. Unlike Elizabeth, Helena married and had two children but she wasn’t a very conventional mother and nor would I say was her marriage to Edward either. Helena was born competitive and she was well able to play Elizabeth at her game and I think she enjoyed this as the rivalry inspired her to keep going when times were tough and it added a slightly playful element to her business dealings. At times, it did feel as if she was running in second place to the Arden company but she always seemed to pull the cat out of the bag and jump ahead of her.

Both women played back and forth with each other always wanting to be the one who has the most beauty salons or the newest innovations when it came to beauty care. The insights into her private life added extra drama to the overall plot and I felt this really came to the fore during World War Two. Her Jewish heritage became more apparent and what happened her family members at this time was an important element to include in the story. I don’t think either woman truly realised what similarities they had in their personal lives and perhaps if they did they would have been a little bit more lenient with each other when it came to business tactics but these comparisons became ever more evident the further I delved into the story.

A Beautiful Rival has an exceptional sense of time and place. I felt like I was there with both women as they navigated the changing tides of the beauty industry. So many changes in society were detailed right from the roaring twenties to the horrific years of World War Two. The world changed and the two women did the same with their products to meet the new demands of their customers. There is lots of betrayal, scandal, bitterness, antagonism and jealousy between the covers of this page and that’s what makes it a brilliant and interesting read. As soon as I finished I was wondering who Gill Paul will turn her attentions to next. I can’t wait to find out.

Superb writing from this author, a very eye catching cover, this book will go far, 5 stars. Blindingly excellent ... This book should come with a disclaimer as once you start reading you aren’t going to want to walk away.

The cover for Gil Paul’s A BEAUTIFUL RIVAL: A Novel of Helena Rubenstein and Elizabeth Arden is STUNNING! I first heard of Elizabeth Arden in 1970. I was a twenty-year-old living in Indianapolis and the news came out that Eli Lilly Pharmaceutical Co. bought Elizabeth Arden Cosmetics. Lilly’s no longer owns it. In addition, having absolutely loved The Manhattan Girls, I knew I wanted to read Paul’s newest book. I was not disappointed! I find it amazing to find that these two women could succeed in a world where men ran companies. I did find the first forty percent of the book seemed to read more like a biography than historical fiction. Both were really married to their companies rather than their husbands. Gil Paul presents their stories in alternating chapters. I think this will make a good choice for my book club. My thanks to Avon Books UK and NetGalley for an ARC of this book. The opinions in this review are my own.

This book cemented my thoughts that any book by Gill Paul is an excellent one.

Loved how the rivalry between Elizabeth Arden and Helena Rubinstein was portrayed. Had me hooked.

Two very familiar names – and with a few memories, as I vividly remember my mother’s devotion to Elizabeth Arden’s legendary eight hour cream. Helena Rubinstein? Yes, I remember seeing her products on mum’s dressing table too. But I knew absolutely nothing about the lives of the women behind those iconic products – in fact, to my shame, I’ll even admit I didn’t even know they were real people, or about the fierce competition between them. But, as she always does so wonderfully, Gill Paul has taken the known facts about their lives (her research is as meticulous as ever), added a dash of her extraordinary imagination, and woven a wonderful story – breathing life into her characters, transporting the reader into their fascinating world.

We join their stories in 1915, as they both seek to open salons in prime locations on Manhattan’s Fifth Avenue, the fierce competition between them immediately clear. Elizabeth Arden came from a life of poverty with a farming family in Canada, moving to Manhattan and clawing her way in the world of beauty before opening her first Red Door salon in 1910. Overseas expansion followed, made considerably more challenging by the war in Europe – followed by the opening of her day spa in Maine and her involvement in the world of horse racing. Helena Rubinstein came from a humble background too, a Polish Jew from a large family, banished by her father over her romantic involvement with a gentile, first establishing her beauty credentials in Australia – based on her “scientific” approach, and her use of secret herbs from the Carpathians – then expanding into Europe and the US in direct competition with her powerful rival.

The insights into their business worlds make entirely compelling reading – the insights into product development, the marketing and packaging decisions, the practical and financial impacts of a world in turmoil, the dirty tricks, the espionage and poaching of key staff (even a former husband). But their personal lives are every bit as fascinating.

Elizabeth cuts a sometimes sad and solitary figure, a little cold and self-contained, sometimes remarkably naive in her personal life decisions when so astute in the business world, but always – perhaps because of her humble beginnings – desperately trying to increase her foothold in society. Helena is a wife and largely absent mother, her own acceptance in society hampered by rampant anti-semitism, but gaining a reputation as a particularly astute art collector. And as we share their lives and separate journeys, there’s the constant competition between them for their share of the lucrative cosmetics market – bitter rivals, often ruthless – alongside the challenges of continuing to build their separate empires through two world wars and the Great Depression.

Their stories are told in alternating chapters – a structure that, in less skilled hands, could easily have become repetitive, but that worked extremely well to emphasise the tos and fros of their separate lives and fortunes. And as we follow their lives – their triumphs and setbacks, their fears and uncertainties, their private moments – it also, and really effectively, draws out their many similarities and the common ground between them. It’s not really known whether they hated each other to the extent the story explores – but that’s what makes this a novel rather than a perhaps drier historical record.

The story-telling is quite superb, and both women really are wonderfully drawn – both formidable women but surprisingly sympathetic, their different passions and life experiences so well explored, and all with the most perfect emotional touch. And the book’s sense of both time and place is remarkable – this is a totally immersive read, making you feel entirely part of their lives.

I loved every moment – a wonderful blend of history and fiction, emotionally engaging, an engrossing story beautifully told. Just perfect, a five star read in every possible way, and I’d recommend it really highly.

Helena Rubenstein was a Parisian woman whose Jewish background often deterred her being accepted by some people. However, she was a strong force and was very successful with her beauty salons in many cities around the world catering to women and the facial creams she sells. Helena married Edward who was mostly mired in the literary world and she gave birth to two sons. Her busy life left much of the raising of her sons to Edward in Paris while she lived in New York.

Elizabeth Arden was an American woman who also had salons in the U.S. selling her face creams to women all over. She resented Helena coming to New York to invade what she considered to be her territory. She married a soldier who went to war and was gone for three years.

Both Elizabeth and Helena were always working to find ways to one-up the other. It was a competition that was at times quite ruthless with spying on one another and other catty things.

We see the real woman that each of them is with their insecurities, personal pains, and deteriorating marriages. World War II affects both women personally and business-wise. There is a lot of animosity between them and they both suffer failed marriages and business setbacks. However, both women are strong and I admired them both. A really good book with even a touch of humor here and there. Enjoy!

Copy provided by NetGalley in exchange for a fair and honest review.

3.5 stars

I enjoy historical fiction, especially when it does not cover the war and Gill Paul is a reliable writer in that essence.

I was attracted by the story about 2 rivals in the beauty business, which I found original. I learned Elisabeth Arden was Canadian! Although I read the novel within 48 hours, I was not emotionally involved with the story. The feuds and shenanigans were repetitive and the 2 tycoons prooved to be ruthless. It was difficult to engage and empathize for any of them because they showed no vulnerabilities. I am not certain they ever found love.

However, they certainly were fierce competitors and savvy business women as they both built an empire.

Thank you to Netgalley and the publisher for granting me a complimentary e-arc in exchange for my honest review.

I was swept away after the first chapter. I knew nothing about either Elizabeth Arden or Helen Rubinstein except they were egregious competitors in the game of beauty.
More alike,than different, both created empires out of a concept and dream sold to millions of women around the world. I loved how each dealt with their feckless first husbands and I marveled how Arden could have been so adroitly duped by her second husband.
It’s rife with rivalry, rage, and rouge. I loved how Paul,has been sharing tidbits about each woman on her social media channels.
Beauty is not foe the weak and both women were powerhouses of powder, lipstick, and looking one’s best.

I wasn’t aware of the rivalry between these two women so I was looking forward to reading this, especially as I’ve read other Gill Paul books and enjoyed them. This however I found disappointing, it read more like a dry biography than a novel and it somewhat failed to hold my interest although I did finish it.