This is the fourth book I read by Silvia Moreno-Garcia and the only common element was her excellent storytelling as each of them was of a different genre (thriller, fantasy, horror, comedy of manners).
The Beautiful Ones is a not as exciting as Mexican Gothic but it's an excellent story.
I'm a huge fan of Georgette Heyer and I think that this story could have been written by her (this is a compliment).
The book is set in fictional European city during the Belle Epoque. The names are French-like so it could be Paris. There's an elite of people that reminded me of Heyer's Ton and the social rules reminded me of some Regency romances: the Season, the husband hunt, the behaviour of a young lady.
Nina is a strong willed, clever young woman who has to face this world and try not to be crashed by the social ostracism and people trying to tame her. This is her story but it's also the story of her coming of age and becoming a woman who decides about her destiny.
Valerie is the other main female characters. She accepted to be crashed, to marry for money, to become a social icon. I don't like her but I cannot help feeling sorry for her.
There's a light fantasy elements and there's plenty of world building and character development. The author excels at both.
As this is a comedy of manners there's humour, witty banters and some situations that made me laugh.
I loved this story and found it compelling and entertaining.
Another excellent book by Silvia Moreno-Garcia, I strongly recommend it.
Many thanks to Jo Fletcher and Netgalley for this ARC, all opinions are mine