Book Review: Rouge

Publisher: St. Martin's Press

Release Date: June 25, 2019

Genre: Adult Historical Fiction

Like Swans of Fifth Avenue and Truman Capote’s Answered Prayers, Richard Kirshenbaum's Rouge gives readers a rare front row seat into the world of high society and business through the rivalry of two beauty industry icons (think Helena Rubenstein and Elizabeth Arden), by the master marketer and chronicler of the over-moneyed.

Rouge is a sexy, glamorous journey into the rivalry of the pioneers of powder, mascara and rouge.

This fast-paced novel examines the lives, loves, and sacrifices of the visionaries who invented the modern cosmetics industry: Josiah Herzenstein, born in a Polish Jewish Shtlel, the entrepreneur who transforms herself into a global style icon and the richest woman in the world, Josephine Herz; Constance Gardiner, her rival, the ultimate society woman who invents the door-to-door business and its female workforce but whose deepest secret threatens everything; CeeCee Lopez, the bi-racial beauty and founder of the first African American woman’s hair relaxer business, who overcomes prejudice and heartbreak to become her community’s first female millionaire. The cast of characters is rounded out by Mickey Heron, a dashing, sexy ladies' man whose cosmetics business is founded in a Hollywood brothel. All are bound in a struggle to be number one, doing anything to get there…including murder.

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My Review ♥️

I had eagerly anticipated the release of Rouge. The premise is intriguing and I had high hopes of reading about strong, powerful, competitive women breaking barriers in an era where women were shrugged off and not thought to have the competence to run a company. What I got was a novel full of superficiality, backstabbing, spitefulness, and gender and sexuality issues that made me incredibly uncomfortable. I hoped for more character depth and something that I couldn't quite put my finger on, but some part of this story fell flat for me and left me disappointed.

I could tell that this novel was well researched and the subject is still fascinating but sadly I am in the minority and did not care for this novel at all.

My Rating: ★★

About the Author

Richard Kirshenbaum is an accomplished entrepreneur and author. Kirshenbaum is CEO of NSG/SWAT, a high-profile boutique branding agency. He has lectured at Harvard Business School, appeared on 20/20, was named to Crain’s New York Business’s “40 under Forty” list, and was inducted into the Advertising Hall of Fame. He is the author of Under the Radar, Closing the Deal, Madboy,and Isn’t That Rich? He lives in New York City with his wife and three children.

*I have reviewed a complimentary copy of this book which I received from the St. Martin's Press through NetGalley. All opinions are completely honest, and my own.