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Kensington Publishing Corporation

An American Beauty: A Novel of the Gilded Age Inspired by the True Story of Arabella Huntington Who Became the Richest Woman in the Country

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"Abé is an exquisite storyteller." —Fiona Davis, New York Times bestselling author of The Magnolia Palace The New York Times bestselling author of The Second Mrs. Astor returns with a spellbinding new book perfect for fans of HBO’s The Gilded Age and readers of Marie Benedict, Karen Harper, and Allison Pataki. This sweeping novel of historical fiction is inspired by the true rags-to-riches story of Arabella Huntington—a woman whose great beauty was surpassed only by her exceptional business acumen, grit, and artistic eye, and who defied the constraints of her era to become the wealthiest self-made woman in America. 1867, Richmond, Virginia: Though she wears the same low-cut purple gown that is the uniform of all the girls who work at Worsham’s gambling parlor, Arabella stands apart. It’s not merely her statuesque beauty and practiced charm. Even at seventeen, Arabella possesses an unyielding grit, and a resolve to escape her background of struggle and poverty. Collis Huntington, railroad baron and self-made multimillionaire, is drawn to Arabella from their first meeting. Collis is married and thirty years her senior, yet they are well-matched in temperament, and flirtation rapidly escalates into an affair. With Collis’s help, Arabella eventually moves to New York, posing as a genteel, well-to-do Southern widow. Using Collis’s seed money and her own shrewd investing instincts, she begins to amass a fortune. Their relationship is an open secret, and no one is surprised when Collis marries Arabella after his wife’s death. But “The Four Hundred”—the elite circle that includes the Astors and Vanderbilts—have their rules. Arabella must earn her place in Society—not just through her vast wealth, but with taste, style, and impeccable behavior. There are some who suspect the scandalous truth, and will blackmail her for it. And then there is another threat—an unexpected, impossible romance that will test her ambition, her loyalties, and her heart . . . An American Beauty brings to vivid life the glitter and drama of a captivating chapter in history—and a remarkable woman who lived by her own rules. “This story of one woman’s ascent offers a fascinating look at the choices she made to become a Gilded Age titan.”— Kirkus Reviews Read more

Publisher ‏ : ‎ Kensington


Publication date ‏ : ‎ April 25, 2023


Language ‏ : ‎ English


Print length ‏ : ‎ 384 pages


ISBN-10 ‏ : ‎ 1496739426


ISBN-13 ‏ : ‎ 21


Item Weight ‏ : ‎ 13 ounces


Dimensions ‏ : ‎ 5.46 x 0.97 x 8.21 inches


Best Sellers Rank: #484 in Books (See Top 100 in Books) #3 in Biographical & Autofiction #3 in Biographical Historical Fiction #85 in American Literature (Books)


#3 in Biographical & Autofiction:


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Top Amazon Reviews

    • Riveting Biographical Historical Fiction
Format: Kindle
AN AMERICAN BEAUTY by Shana Abe is a riveting biographical historical fiction novel about the most interesting woman of the gilded age that I knew nothing about. Arabella Huntington uses her beauty, determination, and brains to overcome her impoverished beginnings and will ignore the rules of elite New York society and rise to become the wealthiest self-made woman in America. This story begins in 1867 Richmond, Virginia when Arabella Duval Yarrington is only in her teens. Her mother runs a boarding house and is barely able to feed her children in the war devastated Richmond. Arabella is the beauty of the family, and her mother takes her to get work in a gambling parlor and brothel. Arabella is beautiful and talented and knows her family depends on her. Collis Huntington is a railroad baron who attends the establishment Arabella works at and is smitten with Arabella even though he is married. This man will change her and her family’s lives even as Arabella learns and grows into her ambitions, business acumen, and large fortune over her lifetime. This is such a rich story with many individual plot threads woven together over the lifetime of Arabella Huntington that made me feel she could walk right off the page. Arabella and her mother had to be tough and make difficult choices that not everyone would agree with, but they survived and thrived. I kept thinking of the Reba McEntire song “Fancy” as I was reading that part of Arabella’s life. All the characters are fully drawn throughout the book and believable. Even though this is a work of historical fiction many of the major plot points of the story can be verified as well as painting and jewelry collections still available for viewing left by Arabella. This story tells the tale of an amazing woman who triumphed even though she was very much ahead of her time. I highly recommend this captivating biographical historical novel. 4.5 out of 5 Stars (Rounded up) ... show more
Reviewed in the United States on May 26, 2023 by Avonna
    • Poetic in charming sentiments.
Format: Kindle
Loved the style of writing and the storyline kept me entranced throughout. Not being well read on this character I had no idea of the numerous nuances she undertook. I believe that this life shared much about love, desperation, monetary evil and how easily some allow it to be their God. Yet it shared the other side as well, how money, if shared cleverly, can save many in soul & in spirit. Highly recommended. ... show more
Reviewed in the United States on May 2, 2025 by Kindle Customer Dar K
    • 10/10 and would read/buy again
Format: Paperback
Read the whole thing in two weeks. Great gilded age period piece. I loved it and want my family to read it as well. I now have to buy the Second Mrs Astor. If you like HBOs the Gilded Age you will love this
Reviewed in the United States on May 31, 2026 by Amanda H
    • Nyc high society
Format: Paperback
Loved this. If you like the gilded age, you’ll enjoy meeting some of the same characters in this book.
Reviewed in the United States on June 18, 2026 by Grace
    • great story
Format: Kindle
Story of a life built on self determination. Not necessarily admirable but still worth exploring. One could hardly feel open to condemn her but at the same time it has to be noted her rise was at the expense of others.
Reviewed in the United States on November 8, 2025 by William Z. Bates, Jr.
    • Ok
Format: Paperback
It was ok
Reviewed in the United States on April 19, 2026 by Rosalinda G Hernandez
    • Historical fiction at its finest!
Format: Kindle
I can only start this review one way. Wow! What a story! The author begins near the end of 1902, with Lucy, a sales clerk, from The Town Topics Publishing Co. arriving to see Mrs Huntington. Lucy’s employer is trying to gouge the widow of Collis P. Huntington to pay the hefty price of $10,000 for a copy of its newest publication “Fads and Fancies of Representative Americans at the Beginning of the Twentieth Century: being a Portrayal of their Tastes, Diversions, and Achievements.” From there, the author sends the reader back to 1867 and into the life of Arabella D. Yarrington - a beautiful 17 year old- who is working as a champagne girl at one of the many illegal drinking and gambling houses that Johnny Worsham owns in Richmond. Arabella’s father has died and left behind his wife and five children on the verge of starvation. Arabella’s job makes the difference between their eating or starving. Arabella is not only beautiful, she is smart. She is determined. She is a planner. And she wants her family out of poverty. When she meets Collis P. Huntington, she believes she has found her way out. But only if she consistently plays her part. This well researched novel takes the reader through all the feels. Emotionally hard at times, Arabella (Belle) moves forward in her planned out life to rescue not only her mother and siblings but herself. When she needs to reinvent herself, she does just that. The story, set in The Gilded Age, takes the reader to glorious places and the opulent buildings and homes that were popular during that time. During this period of her life, Belle, with thoughtfulness and grace, faces rejection from a very judgmental society. She is judged. She is shunned. But, she perseveres in creating the life she wants for her family. This beautifully written, well researched novel is historical fiction at its best as the author tells the story of the real Arabella Yarrington and how she fought, planned, changed, and honed her skills to become the richest woman in the country. I loved this book. The author’s beautifully written descriptions make the Gilded Age, and all its excess, come alive for the reader. Not only a solid five star read for me but a new author discovered! Well done, Shana Abe. ... show more
Reviewed in the United States on October 28, 2023 by KWyly
    • Interesting and well written
Format: Kindle
I was fascinated by the story of the huntingtons. Since it was based on their true story I found myself looking up many things as I read. It was written in the flowery tones of the gilded age and so immersive. Well written!
Reviewed in the United States on November 28, 2025 by J Stanley

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