Scan barcode
sslovesbooks_1's review against another edition
3.0
As a fan of historical fiction I knew this would be a read I could immerse myself in.
upbgirl's review against another edition
1.0
It’s Princess Marina, not MARIA.
The second I read that, I knew this book was in trouble. If you are going to write a book that purports to be historical fiction, it would be nice if you got the touchstone players’ names right.
Blalock doesn’t bother. Then she proceeds to slog through a story that takes 3/4s of the way through to start.
I am so mad I wasted my time with this book after I was so excited to read it.
The second I read that, I knew this book was in trouble. If you are going to write a book that purports to be historical fiction, it would be nice if you got the touchstone players’ names right.
Blalock doesn’t bother. Then she proceeds to slog through a story that takes 3/4s of the way through to start.
I am so mad I wasted my time with this book after I was so excited to read it.
swymore2692's review against another edition
4.0
Set in London 1939, right before the start of World War II, The Last Debutantes by Georgie Blalock gives us a glimpse into the life of Valerie de Vere Cole, the niece of Prime Minister Neville Chamberlain. The novel opens with Valerie’s presentation at court, kicking off her debutante season, and follows her as she finds her place in society, both as the Premier’s niece and as the daughter of black sheep Horace de Vere Cole. Unlike prior debutante Seasons, this one is overcast by the threat of war, throwing into question all that the debs and the generations preceding them have taken for granted for so long.
When I started the novel, I found it similar to American Royals, the YA novel by Katharine McGee, which while a fine novel by an author I really like, is not what one expects when cozying into an adult historical fiction novel. I’m saying this only to advise readers who may feel the same way to keep reading. I ended up really enjoying this book. Blalock did a wonderful job blending fact and fiction in a way that was both easily understood and enjoyable to read. She did her research well and gave an accurate portrayal without boring the reader with too many unnecessary facts – a pitfall I have found too common in historical fiction.
My favorite thing about this novel is the main character, Valerie. Despite coming from a questionable background, she strives to not only rise above all the negativity and disdain cast her way by snobbish women with aristocratic airs, but to be worthy of all her aunt and uncle have done for her. During her Season, she grows into a woman of grace and fortitude, while retaining her endearing charm and loving spirit. She is a fun character to root for, and it is easy to grow attached to her and her adorable group of friends, Katherine, Christian, and Dinah. I also enjoyed reading about Valerie’s first foray into the world of romance, as she enjoys the attention of both the kind and gentle Dr. Cranston and the dashing, debonair Lord Elmswood.
Overall, a great read for a long weekend or rainy day.
Thanks to NetGalley for the opportunity to review this novel.
When I started the novel, I found it similar to American Royals, the YA novel by Katharine McGee, which while a fine novel by an author I really like, is not what one expects when cozying into an adult historical fiction novel. I’m saying this only to advise readers who may feel the same way to keep reading. I ended up really enjoying this book. Blalock did a wonderful job blending fact and fiction in a way that was both easily understood and enjoyable to read. She did her research well and gave an accurate portrayal without boring the reader with too many unnecessary facts – a pitfall I have found too common in historical fiction.
My favorite thing about this novel is the main character, Valerie. Despite coming from a questionable background, she strives to not only rise above all the negativity and disdain cast her way by snobbish women with aristocratic airs, but to be worthy of all her aunt and uncle have done for her. During her Season, she grows into a woman of grace and fortitude, while retaining her endearing charm and loving spirit. She is a fun character to root for, and it is easy to grow attached to her and her adorable group of friends, Katherine, Christian, and Dinah. I also enjoyed reading about Valerie’s first foray into the world of romance, as she enjoys the attention of both the kind and gentle Dr. Cranston and the dashing, debonair Lord Elmswood.
Overall, a great read for a long weekend or rainy day.
Thanks to NetGalley for the opportunity to review this novel.
mrosamo's review against another edition
4.0
Such a great read!
If you enjoy Bridgerton you will love this book. Such a perfect way to use historical figures as the basis of a novel. Highly encourage everyone to check it out!
If you enjoy Bridgerton you will love this book. Such a perfect way to use historical figures as the basis of a novel. Highly encourage everyone to check it out!
marbooks88's review against another edition
4.0
The world is on the brink of World War II but the Season for debutantes continues. in London. Valerie de Vere Cole, Neville Chamberlain's niece, is hoping the secrets of her past aren't revealed. Can she trust her new friends or will they not want anything to do with her if her secrets are revealed?
Thanks to the publishers and NetGalley for providing an arc for my honest review
Thanks to the publishers and NetGalley for providing an arc for my honest review
brooke_review's review against another edition
3.0
Georgia Blalock's The Last Debutantes peeks into the debutante season of 1939, right before the start of WWII. With war imminent, the last debutantes' season was shadowed by politics and strife. However, struggle is something Valerie de Vere Cole is all too familiar with. The niece of Prime Minister Neville Chamberlain, she is hiding a scandalous secret - that she did not have the privileged upbringing that many assume she did. As she makes her debut this season alongside Britain's elite, she worries constantly that she will be found out for the fraud she believes herself to be.
The Last Debutantes is a mixed bag. One thing that I loved about it is it shines a light on Valerie, a real person from history on who little is written. Because there is not much known about her aside from being Chamberlain's niece, her upbringing, and a relationship she purportedly had with an unsuitable man, Blalock did have to reimagine much of Valerie's life. However, I quite enjoyed learning about the pomp and circumstance of the debutante season through Valerie's eyes.
That aside, I think it is time for me to admit that Georgia Blalock's books just may not be for me. Don't get me wrong, they are thoroughly researched and are packed with details from history, but after reading two Blalock books back-to-back, I just find myself bored with them, and frankly unable to distinguish one book's characters from the next. Her characters lack that little something extra that really draws you into a book and makes you care about what you are reading. I felt like you could have written any young girl into this story and it would have been the same ... Valerie was that dull and uninspired. I need something more from my biographical and historical novels rather than a string of facts, people, and places. I need them to be utterly engrossing. I did not find that here.
The Last Debutantes is a mixed bag. One thing that I loved about it is it shines a light on Valerie, a real person from history on who little is written. Because there is not much known about her aside from being Chamberlain's niece, her upbringing, and a relationship she purportedly had with an unsuitable man, Blalock did have to reimagine much of Valerie's life. However, I quite enjoyed learning about the pomp and circumstance of the debutante season through Valerie's eyes.
That aside, I think it is time for me to admit that Georgia Blalock's books just may not be for me. Don't get me wrong, they are thoroughly researched and are packed with details from history, but after reading two Blalock books back-to-back, I just find myself bored with them, and frankly unable to distinguish one book's characters from the next. Her characters lack that little something extra that really draws you into a book and makes you care about what you are reading. I felt like you could have written any young girl into this story and it would have been the same ... Valerie was that dull and uninspired. I need something more from my biographical and historical novels rather than a string of facts, people, and places. I need them to be utterly engrossing. I did not find that here.
lorireads2much's review
emotional
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.0
chelseacheyenne's review against another edition
4.0
Georgie Blalock did a fantastic job bringing the world of British Society on the cusp of World War II to life. I loved reading about Neville Chamberlain's niece, Valerie, as she and her friends make their way through the season and hope their country, and therefore many of their friends and family members can avoid war. Not only was the writing beautiful, but the peek into life at 10 Downing Street contrasting with Valerie's own personal struggles (both with the season, and her own past) made this book wonderful.
rmurphy22002's review against another edition
3.0
There was such a tease about the courting subplots that go along with a debutante season but no resolution
amyzig's review against another edition
2.0
Very little plot advancement and character development. I finished, but it was a slog. Points for the cover, title, and theme.