5 stars

I was so pleasantly surprised by this book. I was expecting an enjoyable historical fiction about a curious moment in time, the last hurrah of an upper-class ritual. Julia Kelly went deeper than that, however. This is a heavily researched but very literary novel about a young woman’s coming of age at a time of great social change, and having to make choices about the future she wants for herself. There are elements of social critique as well as a greater, and beautifully subtle, commentary on the impact between generations when ways of life are quickly changing. It gave me a similar feeling to reading classic novels like The Great Gatsby. This is a book that will perhaps get overlooked, as historical fiction about the upper classes is not in vogue, but which I think deserves critical as well as fan recognition.

An entertaining and informative look into the lives of England’s upper class in 1958. Upper class English girls were presented to society as debutantes so that they could mix and mingle with others of their station in the hopes of finding a husband. Even though the most significant aspect of being a debutante has always been the presentation to the queen, Queen Elizabeth had decided 1958 is to be the final year for this tradition.

Lilly is one of the young women who had been chosen for presentation to the queen in 1958. Lilly has mixed feelings about being a debutante but feels she has no choice because both her mother and grandmother insist it’s necessary for her to have a happy life. Lilly’s situation is complicated because she has spent her entire life trying to please her mother—a weak, selfish widow whose sole focus is pleasing a mother-in-law who is providing financial assistance.

As the story unfolds and Lilly makes her way through the Season, she’s impacted by real friends, a tragic experience, and devastating family secrets. At the same time, society’s attitude toward women is changing and new possibilities are becoming available. All of this starts to impact how Lilly views the world and her place in it.

I liked the main character Lilly and thought the author did a great job showing her growth and development during a time of societal change. The book was well-written, and i enjoyed it. It was interesting to read about the training and preparation the debutantes underwent; the author did a good job weaving facts and details into the storyline.

I received an ARC for this several weeks ago. Then I was never in the right frame of mind to read it. I dont know why I took so long - this was just really cute and I truly enjoyed it!

This takes place in Britain in the 50's when the last season of Debutants took place. It tells the story of one girl who had her season during this year. There were some great moments of friendship and romance. There were some really fun descriptions of the lunches, and dinners and balls. The author really did her research - I could picture these events taking place.

It was mostly a light read with some real feelings and drama involved. But this book was prefect for just pure escapism. I would read a follow up book with the same characters to see how they fared -I have some questions that I would love to see answered. And i really enjoyed this peek into an entirely different world.

Thank you to the author, the publisher and #netgalley for the ARC which did not impact my review.

THE LAST DANCE OF THE DEBUTANTE by Julia Kelly is a beautifully-written and intriguing story of the last time that debutantes were officially presented to Queen Elizabeth II in 1958. Being presented at court is something that every mother from high society wants for her daughter. It is her chance to find her place amongst the right people and secure an eligible mate. In an effort to appease her grieving mother and domineering grandmother, Lily Nicholls agrees to drop out of school, become a debutante and attend the “Season”. She soon learns that what on the surface appears to be fun and glamorous, is actually a grueling series of luncheons, cocktail parties and balls where the girls will do anything to set themselves apart. For Lily, everything changes when she learns a dark secret that could destroy her future and that of her whole family. Will she hide what she knows for the sake of her family or pursue her own dreams and aspirations? The story is filled with mystery and intrigue and the descriptions of the dresses and parties were so vivid that I felt like I was there. I thoroughly enjoyed this entertaining coming-of-age story and highly recommend it. Thank you to the author, publisher and NetGalley for the chance to read and review an early copy.

I really enjoyed this novel about the 1958 debut or “coming out” before the Queen of Lily Nichols, a young girl whose Grandmama and mother have pressured her to leave school and learn to be a debutante, school being less necessary in their view than finding a suitable husband. via the debutante circuit, as they did. Since 1958 is to be the last official debutante group in Britain, it is considered especially desirable among the well-to-do for their daughters. Lily’s mother, not well-to-do, is widowed, not employed and beholden to Grandmama for basic living expenses including housing, Thus, Lily feels obligated to agree to be a debutante because Grandmama wants it. As the book opens, Lily has been admitted to the debutante group.

The story covers Lily’s debutante training and the various friends she makes through coming out and the subsequent parties, elucidating snobbery against those who are only partly British or less well-off like Lily. Even the fact that she makes her own beautiful gowns rather than uses a dressmaker is something she needs to hide. Lily makes the acquaintance of Leana Hartford, a very wealthy young woman who snubs the less well-off but initially is friendly to Lily. On the other hand, Katherine Norman, daughter of a news magnate, becomes a true friend to Lily though snubbed by Leana as “not of our class.”

Eventually Lily becomes one of the “imperfects,” a group of debutantes including Katherine who offer true friendship though snubbed by Leana as not being of their class. She also meets un-wealthy Ian Bingham, son of the Hartfords’ doctor, who is only able to attend college through the largesse of Mr. Hartford. Lily and Ian slowly develop a romantic connection.

Lily learns by chance that someone is writing threatening letters to her mother demanding money which she deduces is part of why their finances are so strained despite Grandmama’s support. She begins to chip away at the mystery, which eventually touches on her sister Joanna and why she is estranged from the family. The drama in the story escalates from there, as Lily tries to find Joanna and eke out details.

While I enjoyed the portrayal of the debutante life and the debutante and family sniping that accompanied that life, I felt some of Lily’s family drama was a bit over-the-top and faintly unbelievable. Nevertheless, it drew me in as it progressed. I was anxious to read on to see what happened next.

My thanks to #netgalley and the publisher for an ARC of this engrossing book.

Thanks to Gallery Books for an advanced copy of The Last Dance of the Debutante!

Julia Kelly is one of my favorite authors and when I saw her newest book was about the last debutante season I was here for it. I've read and loved a few books about debutantes and was ready for the 1958 socialites.

When it's announced that 1958 will be the final year debutantes will be presented at court thousands of young women and their families hope their daughter will be selected to curtsey to Queen Elizabeth. To appease her mother and grandmother Lily Nichols agrees to do the season and all of the parties and balls, despite wanting to go to university. Lily becomes friends with two very different women -- Leana who might be the Deb of the Year and Lily's mother forbids her from being friends with and "new money" Katherine Norman. Through the parties and social scenes these young women enjoy each other's company and the relentless gossip. When Lily learns of a family secret that might destroy everything she has to think about what matters most to her.

Julia Kelly has such an immersive writing style that you feel like you're in her books. I honestly thought I could have been a debutante and one of Lily's friends. The themes of friendship, finding yourself, loyalty, family and dreams are throughout the book. I also thought the book did a great job of showing the changing climate for women and career aspirations. I couldn't put this book down and I loved it SO much!

Go out and pre-order this one now!

4.5 stars

I received a complimentary Kindle book from NetGalley. The opinions expressed in this review are completely my own. Thank you to Julia Kelly, Gallery Books, and NetGalley for the opportunity to read this book.

This is the first book by Julia Kelly that I have read. I thoroughly enjoyed it so it will NOT be the last book of hers that I read.

This book is about the LAST debutante season where presentations to the Queen happened which was 1958. It was fascinating as this is a world completely foreign to me. However, it was exactly like I expected. Intrigue, nastiness, and pettiness, BUT also true friendship and real friends!!

The character development was great as were the beautiful descriptions of clothing (who doesn't love a thorough description of 50's dresses?), locations, and the overall "deb experience". I love that it was primarily set in London after WWII.

RECOMMEND!!! It was just a lovely, beautiful book that was a fun and easy read!

P.S. Interestingly, the author and I come from similar parts of Los Angeles; although, many years apart. She talked about the Rose Court try-outs in her Author's Note which cracked me up. It is interesting what a small world that we truly live in!

Just 18 and in her last year of school, lily Nichols is given the opportunity to be part of the last group of debutantes to be presented at court in 1958. Lily and her widowed mother live in reduced circumstances but her wealthy grandmother agreed to sponsor her entrance into society. Lily leaves school with regret to enter society and the first half of the book is a frothy whirl of parties and entertainment with the other debs

But the world is changing and Lily is caught between the old world of making an advantageous marriage and the exciting new educational and career opportunities for women. Will she please her grandmother or herself? The second half of the book is darker as lily struggles to discover what she really wants and who her family really is. She learns to question society's values and look beyond the surface to find a person's real value and she finally learns to be true to herself.

THE LAST DANCE OF THE DEBUTANTE
BY JULIA KELLY

I was so looking forward to reading Julia Kelly's beautifully written new historical novel called, "The Last Dance of the Debutante. I had discovered her talent for writing breathtaking prose in her previous novel called, "The Last Garden in England," which is still an all time favorite of mine. In her newest historical novel Julia Kelly captivated me in learning how in and around London in 1958, the stringent and rigid rules the debutante's had to follow in order to take place in this coveted position of coming out or being launched when young women were being presented. The goal was to attain the notice of eligible or well to do young men so these women could find a husband to live well and be provided for. Thankfully not all of these characters are satisfied with finding a rich husband and settling down having children. Some want to explore self development by being independent and either further their education or getting a fulfilling job to experience their goals before settling down.

The fictional character named Lily is an independent and strong role model whose mother and paternal grandmother want Lily to participate in being a debutante in 1958. This includes many social events such as cocktail parties and balls. Lily is not at all superficial and would rather have finished school and gone on to attend either Oxford or Cambridge University. She agrees to be a debutante to please her mother and grandmother somewhat reluctantly.

Just like her former favorite of mine "The Last Garden of England," Julia Kelly describes her storytelling with vivid prose that is sensual and visual as though you can see what she describes that is pleasing and evocative. The beautiful dresses and gowns that these Debutante's have to wear reminded me of the splendid bursts of color of the flowers in her former book. The writing is exquisite.

Lily meets friend's both female and male whom will become to be lasting as well as some she wants to be just temporary. She is more or less taking the role of coming out in society to please her mother and grandmother. I found the endless social events to be somewhat superficial and somewhat tiring as Lily does. Lily does not come from the high society as some of the other young women but she has integrity and intelligence. We all can relate to that time in our lives when we wanted to please our parents but also wanted to strike out on our own. Explore our own passions and interests beyond what our parents expected us to do. The times have changed certainly from 1958, but individuals have always had minds of their own and followed their own exploration into not going along with the crowd.

To find one's own autonomy is a theme that is highlighted in this plot and is also portrayed in the character development of Lily. She meets friend's who are demanding and not very nice and has no problem with speaking her mind and shunning them. One such friend is the rich and spoiled Leana Hartford. Leana is bossy and jealous and Lily's mother does not approve of this friendship for reasons that are secrets.

Lily is a likable character whom grew up with a distant mother named Josephine who some of the other Debutante's nickname her mother as "Old Vic." This is because she has been in mourning of Lily's father Michael who died before Lily was born. She grew up with a distant and reclusive mother who she spent her childhood and now in agreeing to be a Debutante to please her cold mother and grandmother.

Family is very important to me so I found the arc of Lily to be poignant but was surprised how everything transpired with Lily. Somehow she has gained the perseverance to rise above the life altering discoveries she is faced with. I loved her friendship with Katherine because I think having good friend's like their's are essential and one of life's greatest gifts. I think that this historical novel would find great appeal to women who enjoy this genre of historical fiction. The Author is talented and really writes well above average. I enjoyed this and am looking forward to the next novel that Julia Kelly writes.

Publication Date: December 7, 2021

Thank you to Net Galley, Julia Kelly and Gallery Books a division of Simon & Schuster for providing me with my Arc in exchange for a fair and honest review. All opinions are my own.

#TheLastDebutante #JuliaKelly #GalleryBooks #NetGalley

This was an enjoyable read. I didn't know that 1958 was the last year debs were presented to the Court. Not only do we learn about the ins and outs of "doing the season," but it is mostly a story of aspirations, friendships, flawed characters and family secrets.

Julia Kelly has written another fascinating book .Her writing her story development drew me right in.The year is 1958 the last year debutants were presented to the queen.I enjoyed reading about the lives of debs the ceremonies they went through.and the lives of these particular debs.Highly recommend this wonderful story.#netgalley#gallerybooks.

Are you a reader who is into The Crown and also super-engrossing historical novels that will make you forget that you have a to-do list and adult responsibilities? Oh, plus, not required but recommended, a super-nerdy love for fashion in addition to narrative threads that make you go whaaaaaaaaat and zommmmmg? If so, you should pick up Julia Kelly's The Last Dance of the Debutante.

Kelly delivers up another sweeping tale of duty and desire and examines the incalculable ways life can be crystalized and fractured in the same instant. This is not a light, frothy read (though this reader did enjoy the rather glamourous parts and would have enjoyed chapters more of frock talk), but it doesn't torment the reader either. The Last Dance of the Debutante strikes the perfect balance of portraying the outward glamour of The Season and excavating the personal depths of characters you'll think about long after the last page..

I didn’t really know too much about debutantes til I read this book. It sounds like one long party with everyone trying to out do the others. I really liked Lily and Katherine, both strong women determined to follow their own mind and heart. This book had a few unexpected secrets.
I really enjoyed this book, it kept my attention to the end.
Thanks to the publisher and Netgalley for the early copy

Great book that examines the female political structure of a time gone by. Well-written and executed!

Once upon a time….being presented to the queen of England as a debutante was a way of life for the social elite. Then, in 1958…it’s announced that this will be the last year that debutantes will be presented. For Lily Nichols, becoming a debutante was never a choice but rather a familial tradition and obligation. She, herself, has aspirations to go to university but she obliges her mother and grandmother. Knee deep in silk, chiffon, satin and silk…it doesn’t take Lily long to realize that this lifestyle isn’t at all what she wants for herself. So why is her family so insistent that this is the only way for her to secure a future. And then she uncovers a family secret that makes her rethink absolutely everything and question whether she’s willing to sacrifice happiness for duty.

First and foremost…I’m a huge Julia Kelly fan so when this became available on NetGalley, I immediately requested it! It’s a bit of a departure from her WWII era writings but it’s brilliant nonetheless. I absolutely adore the characters of Lily and Katherine. They are so much stronger and braver than they think or even realize. They recognize that the world is changing. They have the choice to make their own way in the world and are willing to go against tradition to do so. This story is engaging, easy to immerse yourself in and would make a great weekend or beach read! I highly recommend this story. Julia also includes so important info in her notes at the end so be sure to read those too!

Thank you so much to NetGalley, Simon & Schuester and Julia Kelly for early access to this coming of age novel about the old days of big dresses, balls and presentations

This book was quite fascinating in its telling. With 1958 being the last year debutantes are presented to the queen, you were taken by the hand inside what it "apparently" was to be in that social climate! My thanks to NetGalley for this ARC in exchange for an honest review.

Very grateful to Netgalley and the publishing house for letting me read this delightful book.
Just coming off a whirlwind of "The Crown" binge-watching, I was delighted to find this book on my reader shelf because it was just what I needed.
What fun to be presented to the Queen, but behind the scenes, what goes into the visitation, Julia Kelly concocted a wonderful peek into the couture, the drama, the friendships between the young women, and the glittering façade that these girls had to present, while hiding dark secrets that could destroy them and the people closest to them.
I loved the details about the clothes, the parties (cocktails, dances - dancing cards still existed in 1958!). I loved the main character, and though she was imperfect (very relatable), she always tried to do what was right. I enjoyed her immensely. And for all you romance fans out there, the romance in this book was understated, but felt just right for the story. You won't be disappointed.
This was just lovely and I really enjoyed it!

The Last Dance of the Debutante by Julia Kelly is a stunning historical fiction novel that takes the reader into the glitz, glamour, and the complicated world of the high society season of 1958. I loved every moment of it!

I have been a HUGE Julia Kelly fan for several years now, so I have been soooooo excited for her new book. And I was not disappointed!!!!

In this book, the reader is taken into the ins and outs, ups and downs of the beautiful (and darker) aspects of the debutantes, their families, society, and the events that encompass “The Season”, particularly the last season where the young ladies were presented to the Royal family.
Here we get to see the pivotal roles of invitations, “friends”, clothing, acquaintances, family statuses, escorts, balls, cocktails,dances, dance cards, coming out parties, and so much more. All in the name of finding an advantageous match, and furthering her family with said match. It is not all glamour as we find out.

Ms. Kelly has clearly done her research, and we can visualize all of the stunning fashions, balls, decorations, locations, and events. At times I could feel as if I was there, hearing the clinking of champagne glasses, laughing in the background, and seeing the bright colors of the gowns swishing to and fro on the dance floors.

I loved the stories involving Lily, Katherine, Ian, and the Imperfects. Lily is such a great character. Well-developed, likable, imperfect, but with a moral compass that keeps me rooting for her throughout. There is mystery, suspense, romance, and growth.

I just really, truly liked everything about this book, including the ending and the wonderful Author’s note afterwards.

I just love Ms. Kelly and I cannot recommend this one enough.

5/5 stars

Thank you NG and Gallery Books for this wonderful arc and in return I am submitting my unbiased and voluntary review and opinion.

I am posting this review to my GR and Bookbub accounts immediately and will post it to my Amazon, Instagram, and B&N accounts upon publication.

Lily Nichols is a delightful, intelligent young lady who lives with her widowed mom in London. Her mother and grandmother decide she is to be presented at court in 1957 in part because no one is to be presented beyond 1958. Much to her chagrin, she drops out of school and goes to Paris to learn proper debutante etiquette. Upon returning she is presented to the queen and meets many debs, the families and their escorts. Kelly does an excellent job of describing what life for a debutante was like during this time. She is able to give life to a wide range of characters who sole job is to give and attend parties for months. She definitely exposes some negatives along with the positive aspects of “The Season”. While Lily is attending all of the social events she is also uncovering a mystery within her family. Though all of the partying sometimes seemed redundant, overall I enjoyed this book a great deal. I thank the publisher and NetGalley for giving me the opportunity to read and review this ARC.

Loved this book! I am not a girly girl so I wasn’t sure if I would but because I loved Julia’s other books I thought I would take a chance. I’m so glad that I did. The Last Dance of the Debutantes focuses on the 1958 debutantes which were the final ones presented to the Queen. The main character is Lily Nicholls, a lovely girl who would rather focus on school than society. But bending to the will of her mother and grandmother, Lily becomes a debutante. The story line is fascinating, filled with glamor, suspense and a hidden mystery which when revealed, leads Lily on a journey to find out who she really is, and who she wants to be. I couldn’t put this book down.