Book Review of
The Last Dance of the Debutante
The Last Dance of the Debutante was published in 2022.
1958 will be the last year debutantes are to be presented at court. Thousands of mothers and hopeful daughters flood the palace with letters seeking the year’s most coveted invitation, so that their daughters can curtsy to the young Queen Elizabeth and officially come out into society.
Aspiring university student Lily Nichols agrees to become a debutante and do the Season for her mother. It is a glittering and grueling string of countless balls and cocktail parties. In doing so, she befriends the cool and aloof Leana Hartford, whose apparent perfection hides a darker side, and the ambitious Katherine Norman, who dreams of a career once she helps her parents find their place among the elite. The glorious effervescence of the Season evaporates, though, once Lily learns a devastating secret that threatens to destroy her entire family.
Lynn's Review
I picked up The Last Dance of the Debutante by Julia Kelly when I made a stop at Barnes and Noble while my husband was at a doctor’s appointment. I dropped him off and headed to the bookstore down the street.
I read The Last Garden In England by Julia Kelly earlier this year and enjoyed it. I did not know that she had a new book out, but when I saw it in the new release section at Barnes and Noble I knew that I had to get it.
I loved this book! The reason that I loved it was that I learned so much. This book took me to 1950s England and the world of debutantes. I have read a lot of WWII fiction set in England, but I have not read a lot of other historical fiction set in England. I don’t think I have read anything about the debutante world.
The Last Dance of the Debutante is about one of the last seasons of the debutantes. The world was changing. Women wanted to go to college and they wanted careers. They didn’t want to rush into marriage and family. The War had changed things and the world of the debutantes didn’t make as much sense anymore.
Since this is historical fiction, this story also includes love, mystery, a family secret, and more.
About Julia Kelly
Julia Kelly is a best selling author who lives in London. She writes historical fiction and historical mysteries.
If you love historical fiction, especially stories that are a little different, this is a good one. Julia Kelly has become one of my auto-buy authors.