Helen Rubinstein and Elizabeth Arden are household names. Known for their beauty products, they were famous rivals. Each woman wanted to be the best, and they were often at odds. Both ladies came from impoverished backgrounds. They rose to prominence through hard work, touch decisions, and a thirst for perfection. Being so similar, one would think they would be friends, but that was not the case. There was a great deal of animosity between them. In Beautiful Rival by Gill Paul this strong dislike for each other is evident. Always trying to outdo each other may very well have been what made them both successful. A very insightful look into two very successful businesswomen. Enjoyable read

Advanced Book Review! Thank you @netgalley and @avonbooksuk for sending me this book for review consideration. All opinions are my own.
I loved this book. I had read Renée Rosen’s Fifth Avenue Glamour Girl, about Estée Lauder, earlier this year, which included a little but about the rivalry between Elizabeth Arden and Helena Rubinstein. When I saw A Beautiful Rival was about these two beauty industry titans, I knew I wanted to learn more.
Elizabeth Arden and Helena Rubinstein were “two self-made businesswomen who became bitter rivals in the early twentieth century.” I love how Gill Paul tells their stories through their rivalry with each other, spanning decades, and examines how their lives differed and paralleled. When I read historical fiction, I always wonder which details are true and I am so appreciative that Gill Paul not only includes an author’s note, but even more factual details on her website.
I identified with both women in that Elizabeth Arden was Canadian and Helena Rubinstein was Jewish. In fact, Gill Paul states that she knew antisemtism needed to be a theme of this book because not only was Helena Rubinstein breaking barriers as woman in business, but as a Jewish women specifically.
I found it interesting how often both women travelled. Travel was not easy at that time and it took days. They must have been gone for long periods of time, making it more difficult to have a family, as we saw in Helena’s relationship with her sons and the fact that Elizabeth never had children. Elizabeth actually seemed quite childish herself.
I also loved seeing how the author imagined they would have reacted to other actual people, such as Eleanor Roosevelt. And I loved Helena and her husband sending cables back and forth, just like today’s texting.

After reading Fifth Avenue Glamour Girl by Renee Rosen about Estee Lauder, I was excited to get this ARC about Elizabeth Arden and Helena Rubinstein. The chapters go back and forth between the two of them. They both started their makeup/skincare companies in the early 1900s. Neither of them seemed to want to meet the other. There were just always rivals and competitors which I found fascinating. They would spy on the other. They would steal employees from each other. They copied products from each other. They gathered so much information about each other but never actually met. They were so similar that I do believe they could have been friends, maybe. They were both driven women and made bad husband choices. Their work was their love so everything else had to come second. During WWII they both claimed the other was a follower of Hitler, meanwhile they both had sisters arrested by the Nazis. Just crazy stuff! They both lied about their age, I mean I guess you have to in a skincare company. They were both fascinating people to read about. Who knew skincare was so cutthroat? I will definitely check out more Historical Fiction by this author.

-Business came first, and if he hadn't realized that yet, he soon would. (Elizabeth)

-No matter how much money she made, no matter how successful her company, she couldn't shed this feeling that she was not good enough. (Elizabeth)

-"It is remarkable what a woman can achieve with just a little ambition." (Elizabeth)

-Helena felt a touch of sympathy. Maybe it was impossible for successful women to have happy marriages. Always the men felt threatened. Always they sought younger women to bolster their fragile masculinity. (Helena)

-Her favorite mantra was "There is no such thing as an ugly woman, only a lazy one." The message was: put in the effort and you too can still be beautiful. (Helena)

-Jews were one of the most persecuted of races yet they caused the least harm. (Helena)

-War made old enmities seem insignificant. (Helena)

A Beautiful Rival by Gill Paul is a great read of two self made millionaires namely Helena Rubenstein and Elizabeth Arden. Both women, who started with nothing, started making cosmetics and never stopped – there was a bitter rivalry between the two. Neither came from fluent backgrounds. Was an interesting story of how cosmetics were made, the hardship of a woman going into business and making it was not a common thing. They worked hard for their company and worked hard against each other but I believe deep down they respected each other. Ms Paul’s other books are also well worth the read for they are just as good as A Beautiful Rival. Try another one and you will find out for yourself. Thank you NetGalley for the opportunity to read this wonderful story.

This book was excellent. I thought I knew what to expect going in but I didn't know I would get the story that I actually got. Each chapter made me feel something different for Helene and Elizabeth. This is what a book should be. One moment my loyalties and affections went to Helene, then the next for Elizabeth. This book was very well written and opened my eyes to the beginning of the skin care business. I highly recommend this book

I have read quite a few of Gill Paul's historical fiction books and loved them all this one included.

This is about two powerful women
Elizabeth Ardem and Helena Rubinstein both competing in the make-up industry over many years following world War I.
I want to thank Netgalley and Avon books UK for this advanced copy in exchange for my honest review.

3.5 stars rounded up. Thank you NetGalley for this ARC.

This was a fast, fun, almost unbelievable (ok it IS historical fiction) story of the rivalry between Elizabeth Arden and Helena Rubinstein, cosmetic queens of the 1930s who created the beauty industry. The chapters alternate points of view. Arden is painted as quite a shrew; Rubinstejn fares a little better but not much. Both women claw their way to the top using almost any means necessary - poaching employees, planting spies and spinning stories for the press. Neither has a great track record with romance and home life but they both manage to land on their feet.

I enjoyed the well-researched details. At times the back and forth got a little tedious but I couldn’t put it down.

A must read from Gill Paul!
Gill Paul does it again with the fascinating story of the rivalry between Helena Rubinstein and Elizabeth Arden in the early 20th century. Although I was well aware of both these names in the beauty industry I never realised the extent of the rivalry and corporate infighting that occurred between the two women. Gill Paul paints a marvelous picture of their lives, bringing them to life the way only she can. You almost feel that you are there in the room with the characters and know them personally. I always have to look up secondary characters and art works mentioned in Gill Paul's texts to fill out my knowledge of the period and events even more fully. Although the amount of research required for each book means there is quite a gap between them I am looking forward to the next one already. Recommended wholeheartedly.
Thank you to NetGalley and the publisher for the opportunity to read an advance copy. All opinions are my own.

Gill Paul's "A Beautiful Rival" is a captivating and well-crafted tale that delves into the competitive relationship between two remarkable women, Elizabeth Arden and Helena Rubinstein. The story instantly grabbed my attention and held it throughout. As a fan of Gill Paul's writing, I was not disappointed; her storytelling prowess shines yet again.

Set against the backdrop of war-torn 1915 New York, the novel introduces us to the fascinating lives of these two iconic figures. Elizabeth Arden's rise to fame and Helena Rubinstein's revolutionary spirit create a battle of beauty that goes beyond skin deep. The narrative explores their determination, even if it comes at a personal cost, showcasing the lengths they go to succeed, from espionage to duplicating products.

Through Gill Paul's engaging prose, I gained insights into the lives and motivations of these women who never backed down. The rivalry between them is richly portrayed, and as they ascend higher, the risks they take become greater. With broken marriages, personal tragedies, and a rapidly changing world, their journey is as inspiring as it is enthralling.

For those who appreciate stories of unwavering women, "A Beautiful Rival" is a must-read. Gill Paul brilliantly unveils the hidden history of Elizabeth Arden and Helena Rubinstein, painting a vivid portrait of their fierce rivalry that spanned decades. Just like the author's previous work, this novel stands as a testament to her remarkable storytelling ability.

This is a definite 5 rating from me! This was a very well-written story based on the competitive relationship between Elizabeth Arden and Helena Rubinstein.!
I enjoyed this story. It grabbed my attention right from the beginning. Gill Paul is one of my favorite authors, and this one did not disappoint. I learned a lot about both of these strong women, and why they were both so successful. Highly recommend to all who like stories about women who never give up.
Thank you to Net Galley and Avon Books, UK for the chance to read and review this book. All opinions are my own.

Wow this is some book! Brilliant - I truly loved it. Gill Paul has produced an excellent historical novel based on the two Queens of Cosmetics, Elizabeth Arden and Helena Rubinstein. The characters, storyline and portrayal of the era paint a realistic picture of the life, loves and climb to fame of these two ladies with vastly different backgrounds. The writing is concise and engaging, making it a page-turner. A sad tale nonetheless but it displays the ethos of the determination to succeed at all costs. I look forward to reading other works by the talented Gill Paul.

My thanks to NetGalley and HarperCollins the publishers for the opportunity to read this advance copy.

In 1915 New York, beauty entrepreneur Elizabeth Arden is threatened by the arrival from Europe of Helena Rubenstein. The two women's paths rarely cross, but their rivalry intensifies over the years, with some dramatic results. Will they ever reach a rapprochement? This was a wonderfully reimagined tale of two strong, creative and successful women, and the challenges they had to overcome to succeed - Elizabeth was a dirt-poor farmer's daughter while Helena was disowned by her Polish-Jewish father for falling in love with a gentile.
Their story evokes the world of the USA for several decades, taking in WWI, the Great Depression, and WWII, describing magnificently the ups and downs of rich and poor alike.
The two women at the centre are both great characters - not always likeable, as they have learned to be ruthless and demanding in a world still run by the patriarchy, but very empathetic in their different ways.
Author Gill Paul breathes life into Elizabeth and Helena who are so much more than the beauty brands they established. They're flesh and blood women, who live, love and sometimes loathe, but are never, ever boring.
Beautifully researched and even more beautifully written, this story about two rival beauty Queens is another super historical read from this talented author.

Another fabulous book by Gill Paul. I really enjoyed learning about these two strong and powerful women of the beauty industry, names that we've all heard of but not always the history behind them. Cleverly written and engaging to read.

This book follows the relationship of two women, Helena Rubinstein and Elizabeth Arden, starting in 1915. They are both very powerful and influential women in the makeup industry, ahead of their time really, and therefore have a lot in common, but are essentially rivals. We get an inside look at how they came to be in their careers and positions, but also their personal lives which do not really reflect their career successes. We get to go on a journey with these women as they strive to hone their professional and personal lives to their desires, as well as tag along for the rivalry which knows no bounds: stealing, copying, spying, and etc. I really enjoyed reading about the cattiness, but also exploring their lives in a more intimate way.

Thank you to NetGalley and HarperCollins Publishers for giving me an ARC of this book in exchange for an honest review.

What I knew most about Helena Rubinstein was that her name was always attached to the PBS children’s programs I, and then my own children, used to watch. That’s all. I didn’t know who she was, or what she had done. Elizabeth Arden I’d heard of as a brand, but knew nothing about the woman herself. I learned a lot reading this.

I was drawn into the story immediately and didn’t want to stop reading.

Excellent historical fiction, and very, very readable. This is definitely one to add to your TBR list.




Thank you to Avon Books UK and NetGalley for the DRC!

A Beautiful Rival is the fascinating story of Elizabeth Arden and Helena Rubinstein who were successful business women in the beauty industry starting in 1915.

Both women had their own story of what made them so successful and driven to succeed in their chosen field.

Elizabeth and Helena both struggled in their personal lives . Both had troubled marriages and both of them their upbringing contributed to their personal relations.

Their rivalry was well noted and crafty if not nasty at times and it certainly made for fascinating reading .

Gill Paul always tells a riveting story in her books and A Beautiful Rival is no exception.

I wont soon forget Elizabeth Arden and Helena Rubinstein and their journey to success and power.

Thanks to NetGalley and Avon Books UK, Avon for a compelling and intriguing read.

Yet another hit by this author, and glad to be back in safe hands and the glamour of the 20s. Helena's story had the edge for me, but overall an engaging read.

Thank you to @netgalley and @AvonBooks for this ARC. 1912 - Elizabeth Arden and Helena Rubinstein are quickly becoming rivals in the beauty and anti-aging market. Both entrepreneurs that came from humble backgrounds and will do anything to be the best. They competed on number of new salons opened. They competed with the most number of products on the market and they competed for honest staff. Though in the end, they were multi-millionaires due to their business and ingenuity. I love reading books based on real people. #ABeautifulRival #GillPaul #AvonBooks #Aug2023

What an amazing story about two strong, powerful women. I was thoroughly entranced from the beginning to the end and was thrilled that the story was dense and just seemed to keep going. These were two women who were either going to be the best of friends or bitter enemies. The history of how they developed their businesses, stole ideas, spied on each other and managed through WW2 was so entertaining and it was difficult to put the book down. I felt like I was living with them, having a front row view to their lives and businesses. The flow of the book, with alternating chapters between Elizabeth and Helena was smooth and easy to read. I did like the way the story ended though and the author’s note which tidied things up beautifully.

If you’re interested in historical fiction, Gill Paul is a safe bet. In this novel Paul writes about Elizabeth Arden and Helena Rubenstein. You’re dragged into a world of competition, rivalry and passion. I loved reading about the two ladies, and liked that we followed them over a longer period of time, until they both died. We got to know them during two wars, and there was a lot of interesting facts interspersed through the plot. I love how naturally the story flowed, alternating between Helena and Elisabeth’s perspective. It was well-written and thoroughly researched. Even if the ladies lived long ago, I felt like I was with them in the here and now.

If you look for an entertaining read about two fascinating women who were important figures in the beauty industry this will be to your liking.

Thanks to netgalley and Avon books UK for the arc in exchange for my honest review.