The Last Debutantes: A Novel

Written by Georgie Blalock

Narrated by Ann Marie Gideon

Fans of The Kennedy Debutante and Next Year in Havana will love Georgie Blalock’s new novel of a world on the cusp of change...set on the eve of World War II in the glittering world of English society and one of the last debutante seasons. 

They danced the night away, knowing their world was about to change forever. They were the debutantes of 1939, laughing on the outside, but knowing tragedy— and a war—was just around the corner.

When Valerie de Vere Cole, the niece of Prime Minister Neville Chamberlain, makes her deep curtsey to the King and Queen of England, she knows she’s part of a world about to end. The daughter of a debt-ridden father and a neglectful mother, Valerie sees firsthand that war is imminent.

Nevertheless, Valerie reinvents herself as a carefree and glittering young society woman, befriending other debutantes from England’s aristocracy as well as the vivacious Eunice Kennedy, daughter of the U.S. Ambassador. Despite her social success, the world’s troubles and Valerie’s fear of loss and loneliness prove impossible to ignore.

How will she navigate her new life when everything in her past has taught her that happiness and stability are as fragile as peace in our time? For the moment she will forget her cares in too much champagne and waltzes. Because very soon, Valerie knows that she must find the inner strength to stand strong and carry on through the challenges of life and love and war.

• Language: English
• Publisher: HarperAudio
• Release date: Aug 24, 2021
• ISBN: 9780063009318

Georgie Blalock

Georgie Blalock is a history lover and movie buff who loves combining her different passions through historical fiction, and a healthy dose of period piece films. When not writing, she can be found prowling the nonfiction history section of the library or the British film listings on Netflix or in the dojo training for her next black belt rank. Her novels include The Other Windsor Girl, The Last Debutantes, and An Indiscreet Princess.

Reviews for The Last Debutantes

[Briar Brathwaite · Rating: 3 out of 5 stars]

Pleasant read if you enjoy period dramas but I feels a little opened ended ( without being the type of story that would warrant a sequel) perfectly enjoyable but nothing to write home about

[briandrewz · Rating: 4 out of 5 stars]

This is definitely Downton Abbey-esque as one reviewer has put it. You really feel as if you are there. The descriptions of the activities and events feel so real. I enjoyed the positive spin on Chamberlain's time as Prime Minister. This author definitely did her homework when it came to researching the lives of debutantes of the time. However, I did have a complaint. The wife of Prince George, Duke of Kent, is consistently referred to as Princess Maria in the book. She was Princess Marina. I would've let it go had it been a one time mistake. But it was mentioned several times.A good escapist read.

[wagner5sarah35 · Rating: 4 out of 5 stars]

For all the WWII-era historical fiction I've read, this novel is the first (that I can remember, at least) to offer a positive take on Neville Chamberlain. Set in the months leading up to the second world war, The Last Debutantes is centered around Valerie de Vere Cole, niece of the British Prime Minister, who is experiencing the famed "Season," in which youthful members of the elite dance, flirt, drink tea, make friends, acquire enemies, and sometimes even fall in love. Valerie has baggage from her past - she's essentially a poor cousin raised in France - but she's hopeful she can find some friends and discover a path for her own future. The impending war, of course, hangs over this story, but it's not the focus. Overall, I liked this novel, I appreciated the characters, and the story was enjoyable and satisfying.

[seeword · Rating: 3 out of 5 stars]

One of those gossipy historical novels about a very small segment of society. Fun to read. This one highlights the really rather boring life of British debutantes during "the season" when they are introduced to polite (!?) society. Set during the months leading up to the entry of the UK into World War 2 it gives an interesting look into No. 10 Downing Street as the central character is Valerie de Vere Cole niece of Prime Minister Neville Chamberlain.Not a lot of depth here, but maybe there can't be when you are dealing with a bunch of self-centered young people trying to avoid thinking about the future. Not a challenging read but a nice diversion on a summer day.I received an advance review copy through Goodreads First Reads progam

[cats57_1 · Rating: 3 out of 5 stars]

Apparently, I am one of the very few that did not like certain aspects of or appreciate this novel as much as I should have. I have been on a historical fiction/non-fiction kick now for some time, and I was thrilled to be chosen to read this book. This novel blended all of my likes into one-or, so I thought. It was interesting to learn what it was like to 'come out' during the few months left before England became embroiled in WWII. But what I found to be tedious was the beating of the dead horse, Valerie de Vere Cole, the niece of Prime Minister Neville's (yes, she really was his niece) past life. And what some of the women ( at least one of her friends included) treated her when the truth came out. Some repetition is understandable to give you a slow build-up. However, in this book the repetition was distracting and seemed to be just page filler.To the worst extent possible, this novel showed just how privileged these people were and how they didn't appreciate it; they just took it all for granted and whined, whined, whined.This was not a horrible book and maybe someday I will re-read it. It just wasn't my cup of tea!*ARC supplied by the publisher, the author, and NetGalley.