Book Review: ‘A Beautiful Rival: A Novel Of Elizabeth Arden And Helena Rubenstein’ By Gill Paul

I love historical fiction novels, I learn something new most times I read them. This one had me hooked from the very beginning, as I didn’t know much about either woman. And what a storied rivalry it was. Elizabeth Arden was considered the queen of American cosmetics. Helena Rubenstein was the queen in Europe and Australia. She has decided to come to America, and Elizabeth throws the first show, she stops her from getting a prime Fifth Avenue location. From then on it’s war between the two. They keep doing things to each other, stealing personal, putting in a spy, leaking things to the press. This goes on for two world wars, their marriages, divorces, and new romances. It’s quite the story, and author Gill Paul has done an excellent job in researching and writing this. Fans of this genre will love this.

You can pick up A Beautiful Rival in stores on Tuesday, September 5th from William Morrow Paperbacks.