The Last Debutantes: A Novel

by Georgie Blalock

Overview

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.

Product Details

ISBN-13:	9780063009301
Publisher:	HarperCollins
Publication date:	02/27/2024
Sold by:	Barnes & Noble
Format:	eBook
Pages:	370
Sales rank:	155,247
File size:	3 MB

About the Author

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.

Editorial Reviews

"As the world teeters on the precipice of war, a glittering group of debutantes try to hold onto life as they know it, even as they know everything is about to change. A perfect Downton Abbey-esque story to get swept away in!"  — Stephanie Marie Thornton, USA Today bestselling author of And They Called It Camelot

“An exciting and compelling view inside the glamorous lives of debutantes coming out in the 1930’s before WWII... Georgie Blalock brings to life not only the glitz of the aristocracy but the sometimes ugly gossip behind the scenes in this fascinating tale of family, friendship, betrayal, and survival.” — Eliza Knight, USA Today bestselling author of The Mayfair Bookshop

"A fascinating portrayal of London high society overshadowed by the threat of World War II, Georgie Blalock’s The Last Debutantes follows Valerie de Vere Cole, niece of Neville Chamberlain, as she navigates the perilous waters of the London season...Atmospheric, moving and compelling, The Last Debutantes is a must read!" — Christine Wells, author of Sisters of the Resistance

“Storm clouds hover over high society on the brink of war, tarnishing the glamour of The Season in this wonderfully told story of love, war, and friendship.” — Bryn Turnbull, author of The Woman Before Wallace

“Rich with historical detail, The Last Debutantes is an immersive read about the final season of house parties and champagne fountains before the war... A must for fans of Downton Abbey and The Crown!”   — Kerri Maher, author of The Girl in White Gloves

"The Last Debutantes by Georgie Blalock gives us a glimpse into a social season that will be unlike all of the others that came before it...A story about friendship and finding yourself in a world that is about to change irrevocably, The Last Debutantes will appeal to historical fiction lovers." — Brenda Janowitz, author of The Grace Kelly Dress

"...Blalock explores a creative interpretation of Margaret’s familiar, unhappy story..." — Washington Post

“In The Other Windsor Girl, Georgie Blalock immerses the reader in the delightfully intimate and scandalous royal circle of Princess Margaret and her set. Beautifully written, compulsively readable, and brimming with delicious drama, Blalock’s novel illuminates the private side of the British royal family.” — Chanel Cleeton, New York Times bestselling author of Next Year in Havana

“A fascinating portrayal of Princess Margaret and the many scandals that surround her...Full of glamour, intrigue, and with delicious glimpses of the wider royal family, The Other Windsor Girl is a delight. Perfect for fans of The Crown.” — Hazel Gaynor, New York Times bestselling author of The Lighthouse Keeper’s Daughter

“The Other Windsor Girl is a compelling novel about the late Princess Margaret...Fans of The Crown will lap this up!” — Gill Paul, bestselling author of The Secret Wife

From the Publisher

"The Last Debutantes by Georgie Blalock gives us a glimpse into a social season that will be unlike all of the others that came before it...A story about friendship and finding yourself in a world that is about to change irrevocably, The Last Debutantes will appeal to historical fiction lovers."

Brenda Janowitz

"A fascinating portrayal of London high society overshadowed by the threat of World War II, Georgie Blalock’s The Last Debutantes follows Valerie de Vere Cole, niece of Neville Chamberlain, as she navigates the perilous waters of the London season...Atmospheric, moving and compelling, The Last Debutantes is a must read!"

Christine Wells

In The Other Windsor Girl, Georgie Blalock immerses the reader in the delightfully intimate and scandalous royal circle of Princess Margaret and her set. Beautifully written, compulsively readable, and brimming with delicious drama, Blalock’s novel illuminates the private side of the British royal family.

Chanel Cleeton

Rich with historical detail, The Last Debutantes is an immersive read about the final season of house parties and champagne fountains before the war... A must for fans of Downton Abbey and The Crown!”  

Kerri Maher

"As the world teeters on the precipice of war, a glittering group of debutantes try to hold onto life as they know it, even as they know everything is about to change. A perfect Downton Abbey-esque story to get swept away in!" 

Stephanie Marie Thornton

"...Blalock explores a creative interpretation of Margaret’s familiar, unhappy story..."

Washington Post

The Other Windsor Girl is a compelling novel about the late Princess Margaret...Fans of The Crown will lap this up!

Gill Paul

An exciting and compelling view inside the glamorous lives of debutantes coming out in the 1930’s before WWII... Georgie Blalock brings to life not only the glitz of the aristocracy but the sometimes ugly gossip behind the scenes in this fascinating tale of family, friendship, betrayal, and survival.

Eliza Knight

A fascinating portrayal of Princess Margaret and the many scandals that surround her...Full of glamour, intrigue, and with delicious glimpses of the wider royal family, The Other Windsor Girl is a delight. Perfect for fans of The Crown.

Hazel Gaynor

Storm clouds hover over high society on the brink of war, tarnishing the glamour of The Season in this wonderfully told story of love, war, and friendship.

Bryn Turnbull

"...Blalock explores a creative interpretation of Margaret’s familiar, unhappy story..."

Washington Post

A well-written novel… a portrait of a remarkable, if fictional, friendship.

Historical Novel Society

The Other Windsor Girl is a unique look at the outrageously mercurial Princess Margret and her inner circle, as seen through the eyes of her lady-in-waiting, the Honorable Vera Strathmore...Fans of The Crown and all things royal will devour this richly researched novel.

Renée Rosen