Worth reading. ( )

Lovely book. Nice characters and interesting situations. Definitely some drama. ( )

Thank you to Goodreads and Gallery Books.

This was not only the second book that I've read by her but also I won on Goodreads a while back.

I enjoyed this book about debutantes in 1958 (the year I was born too). I didn't know much about debs and the balls, parities, and what a deb ensued. I learned a lot too. The rivalry, the pettiness of the girls was humorous at time.

I really thought that the whole book was going to be like this until the second part where it totally changed gears and focused more on Lily (the main character of this book) and her home life and how it changes her life.

P.S. I love the cover too. ( )

Loved the cover and the summary, and ultimately the novel finally came together just before ending, but it took at least two thirds of the book before the action really began. I had read and loved Julia Kelly's "The Last Garden in England" so I was looking forward to this one. And it's skillfully written, well-researched and historically accurate, but be prepared to wade through a lot of scene setting before it becomes compelling.

Lily Nicholls is one of the last debutantes to be presented to the Queen in 1958. She becomes part of the glamorous yet grueling whirl of balls and cocktail parties that is the Season in London. And the goal for all of these young ladies is to make a match. To find a husband who can support her, is acceptable in London society, and is at least tolerable as a partner. After being forced to drop out of school and spending enormous amounts of her Grandmama's money to fulfill her family's goal for her, Lily learns a devastating family secret that threatens to destroy her family and will disqualify her as a deb.

Earlier, while adjusting to the debutante lifestyle, Lily makes friends with two girls who represent her prospective future - shallow and unhappy "Queen Bee" Leana Hartford, and ambitious yet warm and honest Katherine Norman. These friends accompany her throughout the novel and end up motivating her to make decisions that will resonate for the rest of her life.

Vivid descriptions of the evening clothes, the jewels and the music of the period are the perfect backdrop to Lily's growing independence. Once she discovers the family secret, she decides she must find out who she is above all else. In addition to this being a personal story of discovery for Lily, it is also a story of class and a dying social tradition. The "Swinging Sixties" are on the horizon, and with the social change that is about to come are also the first notes of women's developing independence as more and more women enter the workforce.

This novel would provide lots of conversation for a book group discussion accompanied by Champagne, and would also be a great way for high school or college students to learn of the time period just before the twentieth century's women's rights movement. 3.5 stars rounded up to 4. ( )

Queen Elizabeth will no longer allow presentations in court. So 1958 is the last year of the debutante. Lilly has been chosen to be one of the last debutantes. Lilly is just wanting to please her mother and her grandmother. She really wants to stay in school, but being the dutiful young lady, she agrees to all the balls, lunches and other activities required to come out for the season.

Lilly meets quite a few new friends. However, her mother is not happy with her selection of friends. The further the season moves along, the more Lilly realizes something is wrong. And when Lilly discovers the secret…her life is changed forever.

I enjoyed so much about this novel. The characters, the setting, and the mystery just melded so well together. This is the perfect mix of a book! I swear…I felt like I was right in the middle of the season myself. And my heart went out to Lilly on more than one occasion.

Julia Kelly has become one of my favorite authors. I adored The Last Garden In England. And this latest book has moved right up there with it!

if you need a book to take you away to England…THIS IS IT! Grab your copy today!

I received this novel from the publisher for a honest review. ( )