Deluxe (Dutch Edition)

I’ll admit, I went into *Deluxe* expecting another pretty, forgettable Gilded Age romance—but within 20 minutes, Kirsten Fennis’s narration had me hooked. There’s a precision to her performance that elevates the material: she doesn’t just *read* the dialogue, she *wields* it. When Elizabeth delivers a cutting remark to a rival, Fennis’s tone is icy enough to frost a champagne flute; when Diana’s internal monologue rages against her gilded cage, you hear the frustration crackling under her polished veneer. It’s a masterclass in vocal contrast, and it makes the audiobook feel more immersive than the page ever could. That said, the story isn’t without its stumbles. Godbersen’s world-building is rich, but the secondary characters sometimes blur into a sea of titled suitors and scheming matrons—distinguishing them requires more attention than I’d like. And while the pacing is generally tight, there’s a mid-book lull where the political maneuvering starts to feel repetitive. (How many times can a debutante “accidentally” spill wine on a rival before it loses its charm?) Still, the final act delivers a twist that’s worth the wait, and Fennis’s narration ensures even the slower moments hum with tension. If you’re a fan of *The Luxe* series (Godbersen’s English-language counterpart) or crave audiobooks where the narrator *becomes* the characters, this Dutch edition is a standout. Just don’t expect to root for anyone—these girls play to win.