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Flappers #2
Ingenue
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.
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.
368 pages, Hardcover
First published August 9, 2011
67 people are currently reading
2719 people want to read
About the author
Jillian Larkin
6 books346 followersJillian Larkin’s fascination with flappers and the 1920s began during her childhood, which included frequent home screenings of the classic Julie Andrews/Carol Channing film Thoroughly Modern Millie. She lives in New York
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 295 reviews
March 2, 2018
Gloria Carmody had to leave Chicago in a hurry after killing a mobster. She hoped to find a new start in New York City with Jerome Johnson. But a white woman loving a black man is just as hard in New York as it was in Chicago. Love aside, living in New York is much harder without the Carmody money supporting her.
Vera Johnson knows Gloria and her brother Jerome left Chicago for good reason. But when trouble threatens to follow them to New York will Vera be able to warn them both before it's too late?
Lorraine Dyer is reader for a fresh start of her own in New York. One short summer is all that stands between her and a clean slate at Barnard. But before she can forget about her less than glamorous departure from Chicago society, Lorraine needs to mete out some justice. Gloria was supposed to be her best friend. Instead she abandoned Lorraine and let her be humiliated. In public. It's only fair that Lorraine help give Gloria what she has coming to her.
Following her boyfriend Marcus Eastman to New York seemed like the perfect idea. Clara Knowles was sure it would help cement her new life leaving her flapper days far behind. But when a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity draws her back to glittering world of booze and flappers, Clara isn't sure she can walk away again.
A new city. A new life. Everyone is trying to get away from their past. But sometimes life won't let you forget a thing in Ingenue (2011) by Jillian Larkin.
Ingenue is the second book in The Flappers series which started last year with Vixen. (The series will conclude in 2012 with Diva.)
Much like the blase parties Clara observes upon her return to New York City, the latest installment in this series has lost some of its luster.
While the plot moved logically here building on the events of the first book, the characters did not. A lot of their behaviors felt contrived, especially Clara who went abruptly from reading a lot to fervently wanting to a writer. And then became kind of selfish about it besides. It was also disappointing to see Lorraine once again being so sorely abused. (She is either a much abused heroine or the most sympathetic villain in the entire world--which one she is will hopefully be determined once and for all in Diva.)
With none of the characters actually seeing each other until the last hundred or so pages of the novel, the alternating chapters following each heroine just feel choppy and disjointed. Combined with the numerous missed connections between Vera and Gloria the book started to feel very forced.
Ingenue is a decent installment and a fine bridge to the conclusion of the trilogy. It just was not, sadly, quite as brilliant as the first book in the series.
Possible Pairings: Strings Attached by Judy Blundell, Flappers and Philosophers by F. Scott Fitzgerald, Ten Cents a Dance by Christine Fletcher, Bright Young Things by Anna Godbersen, The Luxe by Anna Godbersen, The Sheik by Edith Hull, Bowery Girl by Kim Taylor
You can find this review and more on my blog Miss Print
Vera Johnson knows Gloria and her brother Jerome left Chicago for good reason. But when trouble threatens to follow them to New York will Vera be able to warn them both before it's too late?
Lorraine Dyer is reader for a fresh start of her own in New York. One short summer is all that stands between her and a clean slate at Barnard. But before she can forget about her less than glamorous departure from Chicago society, Lorraine needs to mete out some justice. Gloria was supposed to be her best friend. Instead she abandoned Lorraine and let her be humiliated. In public. It's only fair that Lorraine help give Gloria what she has coming to her.
Following her boyfriend Marcus Eastman to New York seemed like the perfect idea. Clara Knowles was sure it would help cement her new life leaving her flapper days far behind. But when a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity draws her back to glittering world of booze and flappers, Clara isn't sure she can walk away again.
A new city. A new life. Everyone is trying to get away from their past. But sometimes life won't let you forget a thing in Ingenue (2011) by Jillian Larkin.
Ingenue is the second book in The Flappers series which started last year with Vixen. (The series will conclude in 2012 with Diva.)
Much like the blase parties Clara observes upon her return to New York City, the latest installment in this series has lost some of its luster.
While the plot moved logically here building on the events of the first book, the characters did not. A lot of their behaviors felt contrived, especially Clara who went abruptly from reading a lot to fervently wanting to a writer. And then became kind of selfish about it besides. It was also disappointing to see Lorraine once again being so sorely abused. (She is either a much abused heroine or the most sympathetic villain in the entire world--which one she is will hopefully be determined once and for all in Diva.)
With none of the characters actually seeing each other until the last hundred or so pages of the novel, the alternating chapters following each heroine just feel choppy and disjointed. Combined with the numerous missed connections between Vera and Gloria the book started to feel very forced.
Ingenue is a decent installment and a fine bridge to the conclusion of the trilogy. It just was not, sadly, quite as brilliant as the first book in the series.
Possible Pairings: Strings Attached by Judy Blundell, Flappers and Philosophers by F. Scott Fitzgerald, Ten Cents a Dance by Christine Fletcher, Bright Young Things by Anna Godbersen, The Luxe by Anna Godbersen, The Sheik by Edith Hull, Bowery Girl by Kim Taylor
You can find this review and more on my blog Miss Print
December 25, 2014
I wasn’t as impressed or excited by this second installment as I was with the first in The Flappers series. The story takes place six months after Vixen ends. The entire plotline was about everyone trying to track down Gloria and Jerome for a past crime involving them. It got to be a bit tedious.
I found it totally unbelievable that all three main female characters, Gloria, Clara, and Lorraine all coincidentally ended up in the same place, New York. I wish the story had stayed centered in Chicago. I didn’t really see the need to move it to a new location. The location didn’t make the story any different and I’m not sure what the point was.
I didn’t find Clara or Gloria very interesting this time around. Lorraine is still as evil as ever and is still my favorite. She’s so jealous that I can’t help but like her. She leaves me wondering what dirty deeds she’ll be up to next. Poor Jerome wasn’t even in the story very much but his younger sister Vera was. She was featured in this book a bit more than the previous one. I like her a bit more this time.
Things came to a head at the end and though I was disappointed with the story, I’m very anxious to read the last in the series, Diva, due out next year.
I found it totally unbelievable that all three main female characters, Gloria, Clara, and Lorraine all coincidentally ended up in the same place, New York. I wish the story had stayed centered in Chicago. I didn’t really see the need to move it to a new location. The location didn’t make the story any different and I’m not sure what the point was.
I didn’t find Clara or Gloria very interesting this time around. Lorraine is still as evil as ever and is still my favorite. She’s so jealous that I can’t help but like her. She leaves me wondering what dirty deeds she’ll be up to next. Poor Jerome wasn’t even in the story very much but his younger sister Vera was. She was featured in this book a bit more than the previous one. I like her a bit more this time.
Things came to a head at the end and though I was disappointed with the story, I’m very anxious to read the last in the series, Diva, due out next year.
July 11, 2013
Flappers, speakeasies, prohibition, gangsters, jazz, an interracial relationship and murder all jump from the pages of "Ingenue". This young adult book transports the reader back to a time when life was exciting and dangerous and where interracial relationships were forbidden.
Glo and Raine give such life to the story. They both came from "good" influential homes, decided to "sow their wild oats" and ended up involved living lives they never dreamed of. Both lives influenced by the mob, they do the best that they can with the cards they have been dealt. True to character, these two give such a realistic look at what the "glamorous" life was really like.
"Ingenue" is the second book in Jillian Larkin's Flapper series, and although it can be read as a stand alone, I would suggest that "Vixen" be read first. There are a few events and people that are mentioned in "Ingenue" that would be lost to the reader coming into the series with this book. These events gave me a satisfaction that wouldn't have happened had I not read the first book.
"Ingenue" is a fantastic continuation of the series. It's sassy, suspenseful, and an excellent representation of the times. Although targeted to young adults, I found myself forgetting the ages of the characters. They seemed older and more mature than the youth of today - making this a good book for both teens and adults alike.
Glo and Raine give such life to the story. They both came from "good" influential homes, decided to "sow their wild oats" and ended up involved living lives they never dreamed of. Both lives influenced by the mob, they do the best that they can with the cards they have been dealt. True to character, these two give such a realistic look at what the "glamorous" life was really like.
"Ingenue" is the second book in Jillian Larkin's Flapper series, and although it can be read as a stand alone, I would suggest that "Vixen" be read first. There are a few events and people that are mentioned in "Ingenue" that would be lost to the reader coming into the series with this book. These events gave me a satisfaction that wouldn't have happened had I not read the first book.
"Ingenue" is a fantastic continuation of the series. It's sassy, suspenseful, and an excellent representation of the times. Although targeted to young adults, I found myself forgetting the ages of the characters. They seemed older and more mature than the youth of today - making this a good book for both teens and adults alike.
July 14, 2011
Jillian Larking takes us back into the second in the installment of her Flappers series with the question, "How much can we take in the name of love?"
All of our characters are back from the last book, Vixen and now their story is getting deeper.
As the stress of Gloria and Jerome are still on the run and their future is not looking too bright as the Mob is still high on their tail as well as a recent foe Lorraine.
Clara begins to find her voice in a juicy magazine while moving farther from the strength of Marcus and Vera soon finds her own part woven into this story more and more.
The details get richer in Ingenue and the stakes are becoming higher. Is love enough when you want to achieve your goals? Who will be sacrificed and saved in Ingenue.
Jillian Larkin has created an epic historical masterpiece with this series that bring us back into the times of loose inhibition and the rise of stardom can becoming in the flash of a skirt and the cut of a hair.
Get ready for more action, adventure, and heartache in Ingenue released this August.
All of our characters are back from the last book, Vixen and now their story is getting deeper.
As the stress of Gloria and Jerome are still on the run and their future is not looking too bright as the Mob is still high on their tail as well as a recent foe Lorraine.
Clara begins to find her voice in a juicy magazine while moving farther from the strength of Marcus and Vera soon finds her own part woven into this story more and more.
The details get richer in Ingenue and the stakes are becoming higher. Is love enough when you want to achieve your goals? Who will be sacrificed and saved in Ingenue.
Jillian Larkin has created an epic historical masterpiece with this series that bring us back into the times of loose inhibition and the rise of stardom can becoming in the flash of a skirt and the cut of a hair.
Get ready for more action, adventure, and heartache in Ingenue released this August.
August 15, 2011
I was such a lover of her first book, Vixen, and I was so looking forward to this one. But it almost felt like Larkin forgot how to write; and, if not that, she completely forgot who her characters were in the first. She tried passing it off as "characterization," but it felt force and contrived--the things she made these once so believable characters into. Now they're flat, stale, unlikeable. Even her plot remains the same, she just rotates what happened to which characters. After making Lorraine so unlikeable in the first, now it's Clara I hate. And after a juicy, deadly-romantic debut, this turns into an ultra-feminist, I-hate-men platform.
I'm so disappointed. I think because I wanted so much to like it.
Read my full review here: http://by-its-cover.blogspot.com/2011...
I'm so disappointed. I think because I wanted so much to like it.
Read my full review here: http://by-its-cover.blogspot.com/2011...
June 8, 2021
A lot of recap. A lot of navel gazing. A lot of repeition of the sentiment that "but we're so young!we shouldn't have to [recappitty recap]!" although they would have seen plenty of kids their age die in battle and of influenza...
Fairly banal loves, and one-note males chasing after hard-to-like females. So-- a soap opera set in the 20s.
Still better than I expected from a book with a Lauren Kate plug.
Fairly banal loves, and one-note males chasing after hard-to-like females. So-- a soap opera set in the 20s.
Still better than I expected from a book with a Lauren Kate plug.
October 2, 2019
This one isn’t nearly as good as the first one, but it’s still a fun read. I loved reading about Gloria and Jerome trying to make it in New York. I loved Lorraine running a speakeasy. I loved Clara and Marcus. I love the look into 1920s party culture and flapper life. It’s just a lot of fun, and a decent sequel. If you enjoyed the first one (like me), you’ll probably enjoy this one.
September 25, 2012
Vixen has been one of my favorite reads this year, so I was really looking forward to Ingenue. And while it was certainly very good and didn't disappoint per se, there was definitely a bit of a sophomore slump here. First, Ingenue wasn't quite as long, so I felt like the entire story was a bit short; it's the second in a series, a sort of segue, and it definitely feels like that - like it's tying up loose ends from book 1 and introducing new elements for the finale.
That being said, there's just as much drama and dangerous gangsters as before. The romance wasn't quite as good, but there were certainly a lot of boys to swoon for. And that's something that I like about these books - there aren't many heartstopping, earth-shattering, all-encompassing loves that will last "forever." The relationships that the girls have are sometimes fleeting and sometimes petty, but they always seem realistic. Let's face it: not many of us found our "other half" in high school. So while Gloria and Jerome are certainly a couple to watch, neither Lorraine nor Clara have found their happily ever after yet.
Speaking of characters, Lorraine is still my favorite. I find her absolutely hysterical. She's so catty but in an awesome way. She's also self-obsessed; but somehow, she's also endearing. She was always good for a laugh. And I really sympathized with her situation of being in Gloria's shadow and feeling like she was betrayed by her best friend. I could see how she would want to get back at Gloria, even involving gangsters. I totally bought the entire storyline with her.
The gangsters were even better in this book than the first. They're a bigger threat, constantly hovering over everyone. Gloria and Jerome are always looking over their shoulders for Carlito, while Lorraine is plotting with him. I was afraid that with the relocation to New York, there would be a loss of that gangster/mob flair, but Larkin surprised me - she not only maintained the level of suspense; she jacked it up some more! I just wish there could have been more interraction between Carlito and Lorraine; there wasn't much of that until the end, and I always thought that was an interesting dynamic.
Jillian Larkin's Flappers seres can't rival the romanticism of Anna Godbersen's Bright Young Things, and they certainly won't win any literary awards. But they're fun brain candy with lots of historical insight. Larkin also touches upon themes that transcend time periods, like interracional relationships and a woman's balancing her love life with a career. The 1920s were a time when a lot of women were gaining more independence, and these books really reflect that.
I officially want to be a flapper now. I have the bob haircut. All I need is to adopt the cool lingo and start wearing dresses with dropped waists. So hit me with another gin, bartender, and let's hear some smooth jazz!
That being said, there's just as much drama and dangerous gangsters as before. The romance wasn't quite as good, but there were certainly a lot of boys to swoon for. And that's something that I like about these books - there aren't many heartstopping, earth-shattering, all-encompassing loves that will last "forever." The relationships that the girls have are sometimes fleeting and sometimes petty, but they always seem realistic. Let's face it: not many of us found our "other half" in high school. So while Gloria and Jerome are certainly a couple to watch, neither Lorraine nor Clara have found their happily ever after yet.
Speaking of characters, Lorraine is still my favorite. I find her absolutely hysterical. She's so catty but in an awesome way. She's also self-obsessed; but somehow, she's also endearing. She was always good for a laugh. And I really sympathized with her situation of being in Gloria's shadow and feeling like she was betrayed by her best friend. I could see how she would want to get back at Gloria, even involving gangsters. I totally bought the entire storyline with her.
The gangsters were even better in this book than the first. They're a bigger threat, constantly hovering over everyone. Gloria and Jerome are always looking over their shoulders for Carlito, while Lorraine is plotting with him. I was afraid that with the relocation to New York, there would be a loss of that gangster/mob flair, but Larkin surprised me - she not only maintained the level of suspense; she jacked it up some more! I just wish there could have been more interraction between Carlito and Lorraine; there wasn't much of that until the end, and I always thought that was an interesting dynamic.
Jillian Larkin's Flappers seres can't rival the romanticism of Anna Godbersen's Bright Young Things, and they certainly won't win any literary awards. But they're fun brain candy with lots of historical insight. Larkin also touches upon themes that transcend time periods, like interracional relationships and a woman's balancing her love life with a career. The 1920s were a time when a lot of women were gaining more independence, and these books really reflect that.
I officially want to be a flapper now. I have the bob haircut. All I need is to adopt the cool lingo and start wearing dresses with dropped waists. So hit me with another gin, bartender, and let's hear some smooth jazz!
September 17, 2011
The first book in this incredible series titled, The Flapper Series, was Vixen. And with that first incredible noel, readers were introduced to the ‘Roaring 20’s’ and the fun, power, and mystique that the twenties still carry today. The clothes were cool, the music was jazz, the mobsters were many, and the people who had their own little niches had their own little secrets, romances, and futures all planned out in the crazy, entertaining world.
Ingénue is the second installment in The Flapper Series, and it begins only a few months after Vixen left off. Luckily, the author is still at her highest heights. From page one, readers are not left wanting, as the amazing characters are driven full-force back into our literary lives.
The girls are the same. For a brief recap, Lorraine Dyer is the one who exposed Clara Knowles secret “trampy” past, but lost her best friend Gloria when she played that card. Gloria Carmody is in love with Jerome Johnson and has left Claire and her backstabbing behind. And, Clara Knowles is with the man she loves, yet even though she knows its wrong - the flapper life, the dazzling music and smoke-filled rooms - that scene is still something she can’t forget.
Book II begins in New York City. Clara has followed Marcus to New York looking for a fresh start where she was formerly known as a wild flapper. Lorraine is also in the big city and is hired to run a speakeasy owned by Ernesto Macharelli, a man said to be second only to Al Capone. Gloria and Jerome, who are still skulking around, are living in poor circumstances and are very desperate not to be found by their families. Jerome’s younger sister, Vera, discovers that Jerome’s life is still in danger from the vengeful Carlito Macharelli, son of Ernesto, so she and her friend Evan go to the City to find Jerome and Gloria to let them know about the danger.
Clara starts to come into her own by becoming a reporter for a slick magazine; Gloria and Jerome’s story is very sad as issues of race seem to take over their dreams; and, Lorraine is really something else. She is basically a good person but, not a very good friend. She is up to no good and can’t seem to make up her mind between the good guys versus the bad. And, Vera, Jerome’s sister, is an extremely loyal girl and wants so much to find her brother to warn him, but when she finally does find him, things start to go bad for everyone.
Ingénue follows the same path as Vixen. This book is full of action! From Mob dealings, deception, betrayal, to romance and flappers galore, this is so much fun to read that it can’t be put down. The author, once again, does a wonderful job of bringing you back to a sincerely mesmerizing time in history.
This series should definitely be on your list to buy, as these books tell what 1920’s New York was really all about - good gossip and a whole lot of fun.
Ingénue is the second installment in The Flapper Series, and it begins only a few months after Vixen left off. Luckily, the author is still at her highest heights. From page one, readers are not left wanting, as the amazing characters are driven full-force back into our literary lives.
The girls are the same. For a brief recap, Lorraine Dyer is the one who exposed Clara Knowles secret “trampy” past, but lost her best friend Gloria when she played that card. Gloria Carmody is in love with Jerome Johnson and has left Claire and her backstabbing behind. And, Clara Knowles is with the man she loves, yet even though she knows its wrong - the flapper life, the dazzling music and smoke-filled rooms - that scene is still something she can’t forget.
Book II begins in New York City. Clara has followed Marcus to New York looking for a fresh start where she was formerly known as a wild flapper. Lorraine is also in the big city and is hired to run a speakeasy owned by Ernesto Macharelli, a man said to be second only to Al Capone. Gloria and Jerome, who are still skulking around, are living in poor circumstances and are very desperate not to be found by their families. Jerome’s younger sister, Vera, discovers that Jerome’s life is still in danger from the vengeful Carlito Macharelli, son of Ernesto, so she and her friend Evan go to the City to find Jerome and Gloria to let them know about the danger.
Clara starts to come into her own by becoming a reporter for a slick magazine; Gloria and Jerome’s story is very sad as issues of race seem to take over their dreams; and, Lorraine is really something else. She is basically a good person but, not a very good friend. She is up to no good and can’t seem to make up her mind between the good guys versus the bad. And, Vera, Jerome’s sister, is an extremely loyal girl and wants so much to find her brother to warn him, but when she finally does find him, things start to go bad for everyone.
Ingénue follows the same path as Vixen. This book is full of action! From Mob dealings, deception, betrayal, to romance and flappers galore, this is so much fun to read that it can’t be put down. The author, once again, does a wonderful job of bringing you back to a sincerely mesmerizing time in history.
This series should definitely be on your list to buy, as these books tell what 1920’s New York was really all about - good gossip and a whole lot of fun.
November 8, 2011
Ingenue is the follow up to last year’s Vixen (The Flappers). Ingenue picks up shortly after Vixen ended with all of the main characters in New York as they have fled Chicago for different, but related, reasons. The story is shown through each of the female characters point of view. Lorraine, Raine, is still scheming to throw Gloria under the bus and doubting herself the entire way. Gloria is just trying to keep it together with her true love, despite what society thinks about an interracial couple. She and her boyfriend are on the run from the mob while trying to make ends meet. Clara is trying to behave herself, but the parties and mayhem of New York won’t seem to let her get a moments rest. Vera is trying to help her brother and Clara all the while being tempted by a love of her own. The continuation of this Roaring Twenties tale is all about the jazz, the flapper lifestyle, love, and deception.
While I really enjoyed Vixen and it’s great introduction to the lifestyle of a flapper and life in that time period, this one fell short for me. I think it’s partly due to the fact that you are only seeing the seedy underworld portion and not the family life that was presented in the first book. The characters that I loved to hate in the first book were just sad in this book and I didn’t have much to root for in the way of a hero here.
I did enjoy that some of the characters that thought they had the upper hand and were doing the swindling got swindled in the end. A few new characters were introduced and helped the story move forward and those characters were outstanding. The ending is once again left open for a follow-up book as Clara ends up in a not so great position. I’m not sure that I will continue reading on though as I don’t feel anything for these characters. The entire love story that was so prevalent in the first book seemed to fade into the background in this one.
Reviewed by Jessica for Book Sake.
While I really enjoyed Vixen and it’s great introduction to the lifestyle of a flapper and life in that time period, this one fell short for me. I think it’s partly due to the fact that you are only seeing the seedy underworld portion and not the family life that was presented in the first book. The characters that I loved to hate in the first book were just sad in this book and I didn’t have much to root for in the way of a hero here.
I did enjoy that some of the characters that thought they had the upper hand and were doing the swindling got swindled in the end. A few new characters were introduced and helped the story move forward and those characters were outstanding. The ending is once again left open for a follow-up book as Clara ends up in a not so great position. I’m not sure that I will continue reading on though as I don’t feel anything for these characters. The entire love story that was so prevalent in the first book seemed to fade into the background in this one.
Reviewed by Jessica for Book Sake.
July 3, 2011
in·gé·nue
noun/
ingénues, plural
1. An innocent or unsophisticated young woman
2. A part of this type in a play
3. An actress who plays such a part
I'll admit that I wasn't that excited about Vixen, the first book in the Flappers series. I guess that when I read it, I was just a little Roaring Twenties-ed out, between Anna Godberson's Bright Young Things and HBO's Boardwalk Empire, so it didn't seem like much beyond a bunk of bandwagon-y cliches set in the Twenties. But when I had the opportunity to read Ingenue, the sequel to Vixen, I thought I'd give it a try. Since I haven't visited the Twenties in a while, I thought it would be a little more enjoyable and perhaps a little more fresh.
In Ingenue, the stories of the young flappers continue and go to level and unexpected places,most importantly, from Chicago to New York. Gloria continues her illicit relationship with the African-American jazz musician Jerome, while working hard to advance her own jazz career, even though the pair can't seem to get away from the mob. Gloria's former best friend Lorraine spins her own mafia-inspired webs, while Clara attempts to leave her old life behind and newcomer Vera, Jerome's sister, tries to warn him of the danger he's in.
Filled with plenty of unexpected twists, Ingenue is a definite improvement on Vixen in many ways. Not only is Larkin a stronger writer this time around, but the characters and the story really come into their own here and finally take on their own identities. No cliches here folks, only well-crafted and exciting action, complete with backstabbing and great plotting.
And for the first time reading a Flappers novel, I felt like the characters completely flew off the page and became real. I was finally able to connect with them. An excellent period novel, Larkin finally comes into her own.
noun/
ingénues, plural
1. An innocent or unsophisticated young woman
2. A part of this type in a play
3. An actress who plays such a part
I'll admit that I wasn't that excited about Vixen, the first book in the Flappers series. I guess that when I read it, I was just a little Roaring Twenties-ed out, between Anna Godberson's Bright Young Things and HBO's Boardwalk Empire, so it didn't seem like much beyond a bunk of bandwagon-y cliches set in the Twenties. But when I had the opportunity to read Ingenue, the sequel to Vixen, I thought I'd give it a try. Since I haven't visited the Twenties in a while, I thought it would be a little more enjoyable and perhaps a little more fresh.
In Ingenue, the stories of the young flappers continue and go to level and unexpected places,most importantly, from Chicago to New York. Gloria continues her illicit relationship with the African-American jazz musician Jerome, while working hard to advance her own jazz career, even though the pair can't seem to get away from the mob. Gloria's former best friend Lorraine spins her own mafia-inspired webs, while Clara attempts to leave her old life behind and newcomer Vera, Jerome's sister, tries to warn him of the danger he's in.
Filled with plenty of unexpected twists, Ingenue is a definite improvement on Vixen in many ways. Not only is Larkin a stronger writer this time around, but the characters and the story really come into their own here and finally take on their own identities. No cliches here folks, only well-crafted and exciting action, complete with backstabbing and great plotting.
And for the first time reading a Flappers novel, I felt like the characters completely flew off the page and became real. I was finally able to connect with them. An excellent period novel, Larkin finally comes into her own.
February 18, 2019
I really enjoyed this book... I love to read about the 1920s and the flapper days. I think this story is great at talking about a relationship between a black man and a white woman during this time. Though it should probably be a little more scary for them but since this is a YA book I can understand why it is toned down. There is a lot of plot from the jazz scene during this time. I have no idea what the third book will be about but I can't wait for it!
I read the second one because the first one, Vixen, I read for my YA Book Club and enjoyed it so I wanted to continue the series. I know it's not as popular as the Bright Young Things books but it should be. The characters are so fun and I love the whole interracial relationship in the book. I can't imagine going through this in the 1920s. In fact, I think the book might make it a little more light since it is YA then it really would be.
This book changes characters in each paragraph and that makes this book more interesting! Each person's story takes place in a totally different area finally meeting up in the end. And the ride is fabulous! Flappers, speakeasies, prohibition, gangsters, jazz, an interracial relationship and murder all jump from the pages of "Ingenue". This young adult book transports the reader back to a time when life was exciting and dangerous and where interracial relationships were forbidden.
I read the second one because the first one, Vixen, I read for my YA Book Club and enjoyed it so I wanted to continue the series. I know it's not as popular as the Bright Young Things books but it should be. The characters are so fun and I love the whole interracial relationship in the book. I can't imagine going through this in the 1920s. In fact, I think the book might make it a little more light since it is YA then it really would be.
This book changes characters in each paragraph and that makes this book more interesting! Each person's story takes place in a totally different area finally meeting up in the end. And the ride is fabulous! Flappers, speakeasies, prohibition, gangsters, jazz, an interracial relationship and murder all jump from the pages of "Ingenue". This young adult book transports the reader back to a time when life was exciting and dangerous and where interracial relationships were forbidden.
January 23, 2013
I like the setting, the lingo, the characters, (though the addition as Vera as a main narrator is superfluous). Jillian Larkin forgot to include a plot among all this atmosphere. 1920's New York is a fun place to be, but the entire book hinges on people trying to find Gloria who's hiding out after the events of the previous book, Vixen, the more interesting predecessor.
I can't have hated it that much though since I intend to round off the next book in the trilogy, Diva. Hopefully this was boring exposition and set up for a more interesting conclusion.
I do like the tone, and the culture comes through very clearly. It is an interesting juxtaposition, seventeen year old girls were expected to marry and settle down before they had started their adult life, and the restlessness and desire to live it up and be independent comes through in the book.
By the way, I listened to the audio version and the actress is terrible. She does the female protagonists very well. The antagonists sneer and snarl every sentence like cartoon characters, it's almost insufferable.
I can't have hated it that much though since I intend to round off the next book in the trilogy, Diva. Hopefully this was boring exposition and set up for a more interesting conclusion.
I do like the tone, and the culture comes through very clearly. It is an interesting juxtaposition, seventeen year old girls were expected to marry and settle down before they had started their adult life, and the restlessness and desire to live it up and be independent comes through in the book.
By the way, I listened to the audio version and the actress is terrible. She does the female protagonists very well. The antagonists sneer and snarl every sentence like cartoon characters, it's almost insufferable.
January 22, 2015
If i could give it a 3.5 I would, but definitely not a 4
I really like the idea behind the series. However, adding the fourth perspective was a little too much. At least in Vixen, all three girls were somewhat intermixing. In Ingenue, it took way too long for all four paths to collide and it made reading it a little tedious, since you'd have to remember four chapters back every time you got to the next character. It also made the plot feel rushed since four different stories were being crammed into 350 pages and a lot of the "plot twists" seemed pretty obvious.
That being said, I enjoyed it over all. As far as teen books go, this series is pretty original and way better than all those stupid paranormal romance books most girls go crazy for. And I will certainly be looking forward to Diva when it comes out next year.
I really like the idea behind the series. However, adding the fourth perspective was a little too much. At least in Vixen, all three girls were somewhat intermixing. In Ingenue, it took way too long for all four paths to collide and it made reading it a little tedious, since you'd have to remember four chapters back every time you got to the next character. It also made the plot feel rushed since four different stories were being crammed into 350 pages and a lot of the "plot twists" seemed pretty obvious.
That being said, I enjoyed it over all. As far as teen books go, this series is pretty original and way better than all those stupid paranormal romance books most girls go crazy for. And I will certainly be looking forward to Diva when it comes out next year.
June 16, 2015
You can find a full review for The Flappers: Ingenue by Jillian Larkin at A Book Lover's Corner .
Ingenue, the second book in the Flappers series, did not disappoint. There was more involvement of the mob, more flaws to the seemingly perfect relationships, and of course suspense. You will find yourself asking question after question as you try to solve the puzzle. Who ends up with who? Is he who he really says he is? Will love when out in the end? Can I trust you? If you are tired of the current time period, then I will recommend you read Ingenue to escape back to the 1920s where speakeasies, flappers, mobsters, and jazz made every moment exciting.
Ingenue, the second book in the Flappers series, did not disappoint. There was more involvement of the mob, more flaws to the seemingly perfect relationships, and of course suspense. You will find yourself asking question after question as you try to solve the puzzle. Who ends up with who? Is he who he really says he is? Will love when out in the end? Can I trust you? If you are tired of the current time period, then I will recommend you read Ingenue to escape back to the 1920s where speakeasies, flappers, mobsters, and jazz made every moment exciting.
August 2, 2016
Not on par with the first book, but I'm uncertain if that's because the '20s novelty has worn off a bit or if it's because some of the characters are starting to seem a little more cartoonish than previously. Unfortunately, I probably won't get to the third book anytime soon, since my library doesn't have it and I'm not interested in the series enough to buy #3 when I don't own (and probably wouldn't re-read) the others.
December 16, 2014
3.5 stars
May 2, 2012
Check out my review here http://youngadultlitobsession.blogspo...
September 29, 2014
Absolutely ridiculous in the best possible way.
February 9, 2018
Hmm...Again I've read this book before but I don't really remember it like this...maybe I wasn't paying attention. The Flapper story continues to the Big Apple! A lot more exciting developments happen in this book much quicker compared to the first part of the trilogy. Gloria and her 'forbidden' beau Jerome are trying to make ends meet in the big apple but they're having no luck and it's obvious that is taking a toll on their relationship. Gloria's ex-best friend Lorraine is still salty that Gloria hates her and is taking to exact some type of revenge for being shunned by being a manager of a speakeasy in NYC thanks to befriends the Chi-town gangster Carlito and Clara is trying to live the 'good life' with her overly devoted boyfriend and Gloria's friends Marcus Eastman, but the glitz and glam of the New York party scene keeps calling to her. In addition to the usual protagonists another added character, Vera (Jerome's younger sister) and Evan (Jerome's former bandmate and friend) and a few other newcomers are added into the mix.
I mostly enjoyed Vera and Clara's story arch. Even though the author is really pushing for Gloria to seem as if she is the most interesting character, because honestly at this rate the author has already decided that Lorraine is an idiot. A lot of the situations were somewhat cliche, to say the least, and sometimes it felt like conflict for conflict's sake. And again, the author spent a little more time on the fashion description than necessary; we get it, it's the late 1920s/early 1930s, I figured the girls were going to be wearing dropped waist dresses and the like. It is one of my favorite fashion eras, but I feel like I'm being beaten over the head with it.
Nevertheless, it was a much faster-read then the first book and a little more interesting. It does end of a bit of the cliche cliffhanger, but for once I am interested to see how the final book will wrap everything up.
I mostly enjoyed Vera and Clara's story arch. Even though the author is really pushing for Gloria to seem as if she is the most interesting character, because honestly at this rate the author has already decided that Lorraine is an idiot. A lot of the situations were somewhat cliche, to say the least, and sometimes it felt like conflict for conflict's sake. And again, the author spent a little more time on the fashion description than necessary; we get it, it's the late 1920s/early 1930s, I figured the girls were going to be wearing dropped waist dresses and the like. It is one of my favorite fashion eras, but I feel like I'm being beaten over the head with it.
Nevertheless, it was a much faster-read then the first book and a little more interesting. It does end of a bit of the cliche cliffhanger, but for once I am interested to see how the final book will wrap everything up.
June 23, 2023
"A man could never be so vicious...This is one cold. calculating bitch."
Actual Rating: 2.5/5
Ingenue really had so much potential that was wasted and squandered. As is typical of second books in these series, they tend to be slower than the first and last books. However, Larkin's ending of the first book was strong enough to actually propel us straight through this book.
Unfortunately, it fell flat.
Right off the bat, I absolutely cannot stand Lorraine. She is comical in her evil schemes and everything she does is quite literally due to her getting humiliated at a party.
My issue with Gloria is that the reader is often told of how much moxy and strength she has, but she seldom shows it. Going from audition to audition is not the badassery that it's portrayed as. She is definitely a boring character.
Clara was the only character I actually liked. She makes things happen for her and we actually get to see her growth and conflicts and I like that about her.
The plot could have been excellent but about 3/4 of this book were filler and people going from place to place. The book became excellent in the last quarter but it felt rushed and I actually think Larkin could have absolutely expanded the insane, twist filled ending into the main plot of the book. I think there is so much potential that wasn't used and so many avenues that weren't explored properly.
Overall, it wasn't the worst sequel I've read, but it wasn't the best. I hope that the conclusion is far better.
Actual Rating: 2.5/5
Ingenue really had so much potential that was wasted and squandered. As is typical of second books in these series, they tend to be slower than the first and last books. However, Larkin's ending of the first book was strong enough to actually propel us straight through this book.
Unfortunately, it fell flat.
Right off the bat, I absolutely cannot stand Lorraine. She is comical in her evil schemes and everything she does is quite literally due to her getting humiliated at a party.
My issue with Gloria is that the reader is often told of how much moxy and strength she has, but she seldom shows it. Going from audition to audition is not the badassery that it's portrayed as. She is definitely a boring character.
Clara was the only character I actually liked. She makes things happen for her and we actually get to see her growth and conflicts and I like that about her.
The plot could have been excellent but about 3/4 of this book were filler and people going from place to place. The book became excellent in the last quarter but it felt rushed and I actually think Larkin could have absolutely expanded the insane, twist filled ending into the main plot of the book. I think there is so much potential that wasn't used and so many avenues that weren't explored properly.
Overall, it wasn't the worst sequel I've read, but it wasn't the best. I hope that the conclusion is far better.
July 6, 2018
3.5 stars
Now the Roaring 20s world of the Flappers series has moved to New York City, and each character fights their own demons until the satisfying and climactic ending where it all comes together. This book had the same glitz and glam as the one before, and the same "unputdownable" electricity that kept me turning the pages constantly throughout the 2 days it took to finish the novel.
However, there were a few things I definitely did not like about this book. For one, Clara's plotline of being a writer seem to come out of nowhere. She mentions how she always had a book in her hand and had dreamed of this career, but never was anything like that even suggested in the first novel. It just felt inconsistent with her character and made the motivation seem fake (but worked well in the novel's plotline so at least it was an entertaining choice by the author). Secondly, I hate when simple misunderstandings create issues that could easily be avoided if characters just talked it out, because it seems like lazy writing, and that was exactly what happened with Gloria and Jerome, making that part of the novel extremely frustrating. Lastly, NOT EVERY GUY IN NEW YORK IS "STRIKINGLY HANDSOME". Like, goodness gracious, could the author please pick ANY OTHER way to describe men in her novel? They are all starting to look the same in my head, and it makes the story feel even less believable.
And yet I still can't wait to read the next one.
Now the Roaring 20s world of the Flappers series has moved to New York City, and each character fights their own demons until the satisfying and climactic ending where it all comes together. This book had the same glitz and glam as the one before, and the same "unputdownable" electricity that kept me turning the pages constantly throughout the 2 days it took to finish the novel.
However, there were a few things I definitely did not like about this book. For one, Clara's plotline of being a writer seem to come out of nowhere. She mentions how she always had a book in her hand and had dreamed of this career, but never was anything like that even suggested in the first novel. It just felt inconsistent with her character and made the motivation seem fake (but worked well in the novel's plotline so at least it was an entertaining choice by the author). Secondly, I hate when simple misunderstandings create issues that could easily be avoided if characters just talked it out, because it seems like lazy writing, and that was exactly what happened with Gloria and Jerome, making that part of the novel extremely frustrating. Lastly, NOT EVERY GUY IN NEW YORK IS "STRIKINGLY HANDSOME". Like, goodness gracious, could the author please pick ANY OTHER way to describe men in her novel? They are all starting to look the same in my head, and it makes the story feel even less believable.
And yet I still can't wait to read the next one.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
February 5, 2023
I randomly picked up this book at a second-hand bookshop and realised it was part of a three-part series. This is the second installment of the Flapper series and it does not disappoint in the slightest.
It centres around the main characters in the first book who started to adopt the flapper lifestyle but have all moved to New York from Chicago for one reason or another. The main character, Gloria Carmody, a young white girl from an upper-class Chicago family runs away to New York with her first love, Jerome Johnson, a black pianist who she met in a speakeasy in Chicago where they ran into trouble with mobsters.
Although there is some writing which is a bit adolescent and cringeworthy; it is still intriguing and definitely worth a read especially if you are into historical fiction books that are set in the 20s. Love, murder, racial tensions, interracial relationships, corruption, mobsters and on a lighter note high school drama and the glitz and glamour of the 20s all make an appearance in this book.
It centres around the main characters in the first book who started to adopt the flapper lifestyle but have all moved to New York from Chicago for one reason or another. The main character, Gloria Carmody, a young white girl from an upper-class Chicago family runs away to New York with her first love, Jerome Johnson, a black pianist who she met in a speakeasy in Chicago where they ran into trouble with mobsters.
Although there is some writing which is a bit adolescent and cringeworthy; it is still intriguing and definitely worth a read especially if you are into historical fiction books that are set in the 20s. Love, murder, racial tensions, interracial relationships, corruption, mobsters and on a lighter note high school drama and the glitz and glamour of the 20s all make an appearance in this book.
February 8, 2017
For the majority of the book Larkin fell prey to the second book slump. I don't know if it was the change of scenery or just an inability to advance the characters but it felt slow and lacked real action. Additionally, while the change in perspectives aided the first book it felt cumbersome and confusing here. The end was a bit forced and that only added to my discontent with the book. It all came together a little too "nice little bow" for me. The only redemption was the afterword. Not quite a cliffhanger but certainly perplexing and interesting enough to make me wonder what happens in book three.
Honestly, Larkin is not a bad writer and I really enjoy the 1920s so my feeling is I will likely decide this could have been one book instead of three. Time will tell!
Honestly, Larkin is not a bad writer and I really enjoy the 1920s so my feeling is I will likely decide this could have been one book instead of three. Time will tell!
November 25, 2024
I absolutely loved the first book in the series and was hoping and praying I wouldn't be disappointed in the sequel. Absolutely not!!! This 5 star book gripped me from the very first sentence to the very last and I read it in one sitting not wanting to put it down. Still in the Flapper era this book took us from Chicago to New York City. We met up with many of the characters we had been introduced to in Vixen and met many new ones. This book is so brilliantly written with wonderful narrative and great conversations. I cannot wait to read the next book in the series to see how this saga ends. I highly recommend it to those who enjoy murder, mystery, thriller, suspense and romance. This one has it all.
August 3, 2017
Flappers move to New York.
This one is not as much fun as the first book. Life struggles really compete with petty vengeance.
There is some character growth, but not enough to make the struggle interesting to read.
It feels like this book was more focused on getting the girls back into the flapper world, almost forcefully at times.
Gloria deals with the racial struggles of being in a mixed relationship at the time it was still illegal most places. Jerome again gives up too easily on their relationship and everything turns into an uncomfortable mess.
Lorraine is delusional about her situation and intentionally makes trouble for Gloria and Jerome as a way to get revenge. She does not realize how deep she is getting with the mob and how that is going to affect her future. She acts like she will just be able to walk away whenever.
Clara decides to ruin a perfectly good relationship with someone who likes her for herself by "under cover" going back into the world of flappers. Marcus would have even backed up her decisions, if not for the fact that she is caught constantly lying to him.
Don't get me wrong. I liked the book. That being said I don't think I will be buying this one.
Hopefully book 3 gets better and wraps it all up in the end.
This one is not as much fun as the first book. Life struggles really compete with petty vengeance.
There is some character growth, but not enough to make the struggle interesting to read.
It feels like this book was more focused on getting the girls back into the flapper world, almost forcefully at times.
Gloria deals with the racial struggles of being in a mixed relationship at the time it was still illegal most places. Jerome again gives up too easily on their relationship and everything turns into an uncomfortable mess.
Lorraine is delusional about her situation and intentionally makes trouble for Gloria and Jerome as a way to get revenge. She does not realize how deep she is getting with the mob and how that is going to affect her future. She acts like she will just be able to walk away whenever.
Clara decides to ruin a perfectly good relationship with someone who likes her for herself by "under cover" going back into the world of flappers. Marcus would have even backed up her decisions, if not for the fact that she is caught constantly lying to him.
Don't get me wrong. I liked the book. That being said I don't think I will be buying this one.
Hopefully book 3 gets better and wraps it all up in the end.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
August 14, 2018
Oh, heavens. I just. Wow.
I loved the story in the first book. So many turns, and I didn't see many of them coming. Maybe the writing was the same in that book, I just didn't see it. Whatever the reason, this one fell flat. It started out okay,
Also, really? "Cherry-red blood" and "pearl-white snow"? UGH. For so many reasons.
I will not be reading #3 for the exciting conclusion, but I might see if somebody wrote a spoiler out of curiosity.
I loved the story in the first book. So many turns, and I didn't see many of them coming. Maybe the writing was the same in that book, I just didn't see it. Whatever the reason, this one fell flat. It started out okay,
Also, really? "Cherry-red blood" and "pearl-white snow"? UGH. For so many reasons.
I will not be reading #3 for the exciting conclusion, but I might see if somebody wrote a spoiler out of curiosity.
July 30, 2018
I enjoyed this, though not as much as the first book. I enjoyed the added perspective of Vera, and of course I was happy to hear more from Gloria and Clara (no love for Lorraine here.) The drama, especially in the relationship department, did feel more immature and YA than the previous book as well. All in all a fun read delivering some pretty important messages and some fun 1920s scandal, and I'm looking forward to reading book 3. B+.
August 17, 2020
The Roaring 20s setting was less important in this book; flappers really took a backseat even though a speak-easy was one of the main locales. I missed that discussion of the times and found that my favorite part of the book was when the Cotton Club was mentioned & when the emergence of Harlem’s musical community was touched upon.
Imagine I will continue reading the series. The characters are interesting … but this is not a series that I will race to the shelves to get the next installment.
Imagine I will continue reading the series. The characters are interesting … but this is not a series that I will race to the shelves to get the next installment.
June 20, 2022
I really enjoyed this book. I read the first one a while ago (maybe 2-3 years) so I didn't remember the story too much, but the first few chapters were really good at recounting some of the important events. I did take away a star because I found some of the big twists very predictable. Maybe I've read too many books (although you can never read too much in my opinion), but it doesn't take away from the fact that it was a quick, easy and fun read.
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