The Last Dance of the Debutante
Lily Nicholls’ mother and grandmother have both been debutantes at the English court – well-connected young women presented to the Queen. It’s the way to make their debut into London society and husband hunt during a seasonal whirl of parties. But it’s 1958, and modern girl Lily has no plans to marry at eighteen. However, Queen Elizabeth II has decided this will be the last year young women are presented to her. So, Lily bows to her family’s wishes and joins the season. On her debut, curtseying to the Queen, Duke of Edinburgh and Princess Margaret, Lily meets Leana Hartford, tipped to be deb of the year. While initially enjoying socialising with beautiful but brittle Leana, Lily reconnects with former schoolfriend Katherine Norman and finds more in common with her and debs who are “Imperfects”. It’s a time for beautiful dresses, love and romance with the debs and their escorts – the sons of earls, soldiers and gentlemen. But lurking beneath the champagne and froth, dark undercurrents are swirling. Why is Lily’s widowed mother so keen to keep her away from the Hartfords, and what happened to Lily’s sister Joanna, sent to the U.S. during World War Two? It’s not until Lily discovers the answers to these family secrets that she becomes a stronger character in the novel.
A charming, well-researched book by American author Kelly, with great insight into British class and society at that time. One for fans of The Crown.
