INGENUE by Jillian Larkin Book Review
Series: Flappers, #2
Publication Date: August 9th 2011 by Delacorte Books for Young Readers
Rating: 
– Exceeds Expectations | 
Book Summary: Power . . . love . . . scandal . . .
There’s never enough to go around.In the city that never sleeps, Lorraine Dyer is wide awake. Ever since she exposed Clara Knowles for the tramp she was—and lost her closest confidante in the process—Lorraine has spent every second scheming to make her selfish, lovesick ex–best friend pay for what she did. No one crosses Lorraine. Not even Gloria.
True love conquers everything—or so Gloria Carmody crazily believed. She and Jerome Johnson can barely scrape together cash for their rent, let alone have a moment to whisper sweet nothings in the dark. And if they thought escaping Chicago meant they’d get away with murder . . . they were dead wrong.
Clara was sure that once handsome, charming Marcus Eastman discovered her shameful secret, he’d drop her like a bad habit. Instead, he swept her off her feet and whisked her away to New York. Being with Marcus is a breath of fresh air—and a chance for Clara to leave her wild flapper ways firmly in the past. Except the dazzling parties and bright lights won’t stop whispering her name. . . .
INGENUE is the second novel in the sexy, dangerous, and ridiculously romantic Flappers series set in the Roaring Twenties . . . where revenge is a dish best served cold.
Ingenue by Jillian Larkin Book Review Overview:
- Much to my surprise, I ended up enjoying Ingenue even more than I enjoyed the first book
- More intense drama and romance made Ingenue by Jillian Larkin a page-turner!
- Ingenue lacked a sense of place – but overall it was still an enjoyable read
Lately, I’ve been a sucker for books set in the Flapper era. So when I was craving a historical read, I knew I just had to pick up Ingenue by Jillian Larkin and continue with the Flappers series. Much to my surprise, I ended up enjoying the sequel even more than I enjoyed the first book, Vixen.
Ingenue is told in alternating perspectives between four main characters: Gloria, Clara, Lorraine and Vera. Each story line continues from the previous book, Vixen. What I enjoyed about Ingenue is the fact that each girl has an interesting story. None of their chapters ever felt like filler, so I never felt like skimming over someone’s chapter to find out what happened next in someone else’s story. I loved the way that their stories overlapped at some point.
To be honest, part of the appeal of Ingenue by Jillian Larkin is all the intense drama between the characters. I just can’t get enough. The drama escalates in Ingenue and I found myself immensely liking the book even more than the first book – which rarely happens. Ingenue is a page-turner and I couldn’t put the book down. The romance is also just as exciting in Ingenue. Gloria and Jerome continue to be a power couple in Ingenue even if things are not going smoothly as planned.
I think that what Ingenue by Jillian Larkin really lacked is a sense of place. I didn’t find the setting of Ingenue all that much different from Vixen, the first book of the series – even if the setting changes. The characters of the story travel from Chicago to New York City, but I don’t really notice the difference. New York City was such a vibrant place to live in at the time, and I failed to be able to put myself on the streets of Prohibition New York City.
But overall, Ingenue by Jillian Larkin was a perfect mix of drama and history. I can’t wait to get my hands on the next book, Diva.
Oh this series looks awesome. I’ve been dying to read some more historical and I think this one looks perfect. It’s set in the 1920s, right?
And YAY for romance. <3 That's always desirable.
Great review!
Yup, this one is set in the 20’s during Prohibition Era.
Thanks for stopping by! Hope you enjoy this series.