A Beautiful Rival: A Novel Of Helena Rubinstein And Elizabeth Arden

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In this stunning new novel, bestselling author Gill Paul reveals the unknown history of cosmetic titans Elizabeth Arden and Helena Rubinstein and their infamous rivalry that spanned not only decades, but also broken marriages, personal tragedies, and a world that was changing dramatically for womenperfect for fans of Fiona Davis, Marie Benedict, and Beatriz Williams.

Who would have guessed that the business of making women beautiful was so cutthroat

They could have been allies: two self-made millionaires who invented a global industry, in an era when wife and mother were supposed to be the highest goals for their sex. Elizabeth Arden and Helena Rubinstein each founded empires built on grit and determination...and yet they became locked in a feud spanning three continents, two world wars, and the Great Depression.

Brought up in poverty, Canadian-born Elizabeth Arden changed popular opinion, persuading women from all walks of life to buy skincare products that promised them youth and beauty. Helena Rubenstein left her native Poland, and launched her company with scientific claims about her miracle creams made with anti-ageing herbs.

And when it came to business, nothing was off-limits: poaching each others employees, copying each others products, planting spies, hiring ex-husbands, and one-upping each other every chance they had.This was a rivalry from which there was no surrender! And through it all were two women, bold, brazen, and determined to succeedno matter the personal cost.

In this sweeping novel from the bestselling author of Jackie and Maria and The Manhattan Girls, two larger-than life fashion icons come alive with all their passion, bitterness, and ambition as they each try to live the American dream.

Reviews

"I devoured this novel about two astounding self-made multimillionaires. It's a meticulously researched tale of rivalry, revenge, passion, prejudice and unimaginable wealth. Their intertwined rags-to-mega-riches stories are so extraordinary they read like compulsive fiction, but these women really lived." -- Maggie Brookes, author of The Prisoner's Wife and Acts of Love and War

"Paul strikes a balance between the cynicism of the Lost Generation and the characters' sincere desires to find happiness and stability. Witty, emotional, and intelligent." -- Booklist on The Manhattan Girls

"Historical fiction enthusiasts will extol Paul's riveting Sex in the City-esque novel, which includes speakeasies, bootleggers, gangsters, bathtub gin, and an impressive who's who of the rich, the famous, and the infamous of Roaring-Twenties New York City." -- Library Journal on The Manhattan Girls

"In The Manhattan Girls, Gill Paul brings Dorothy Parker and her eclectic circle of friends roaring into life in a dazzling and daring novel... Oozing with passion and wit...this is a story for those who enjoy their novels with a side order of gin, jazz and sass. An absolute treat!" -- Hazel Gaynor, New York Times bestselling author of When We Were Young & Brave

"If ever we needed escapism, it is now, and The Manhattan Girls does that perfectly, whisking you instantly away to the glittering world of 1920s New York... The story slips seamlessly between fact and fiction, evoking their world so wonderfully... A sparkling read, in so many ways!" -- Liz Trenow, New York Times bestselling author of Searching for My Daughter

"The Manhattan Girls completely stole me away to The Algonquin, and the sparkling company of Dottie Parker and her girlfriends as they navigate life--and sex--in the city. Paul slips inside her characters brilliantly, blending fact and fiction so seamlessly... A total treat, full of friendship and heart, I loved it." -- Eve Chase, bestselling author of The Birdcage and The Daughters of Foxcote Manor

"I loved this funny and moving novel about the bonds of friendship. Putting words into the mouth of the world's wittiest woman is no mean feat, but I think Dorothy Parker would approve! The Manhattan Girls evokes all the glamour and excitement of New York in the Roaring Twenties, and at the same time highlights the private pain women faced as they struggled to be respected as equals in society." -- Fiona Valpy, bestselling author of The Storyteller of Casablanca

Author Bio

Gill Paul is a full-time writer of both fiction and non-fiction. She is the author of Titanic Love Stories, a non-fiction book about honeymoon couples on the Titanic. Her debut, Women and children First, a fictional story set on board the Titanic was published earlier this year. Gill lives in London