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Debutantes #1
Debutantes
It’s 1923 and London is a whirl of jazz, dancing and parties. Violet, Daisy, Poppy and Rose Derrington are desperate to be part of it, but stuck in an enormous crumbling house in the country, with no money and no fashionable dresses, the excitement seems a lifetime away.
Luckily the girls each have a plan for escaping their humdrum country life: Rose wants to be a novelist, Poppy a jazz musician and Daisy a famous film director. Violet, however, has only one ambition: to become the perfect Debutante, so that she can go to London and catch the eye of Prince George, the most eligible bachelor in the country.
But a house as big and old as Beech Grove Manor hides many secrets, and Daisy is about to uncover one so huge it could ruin all their plans—ruin everything—forever.
Luckily the girls each have a plan for escaping their humdrum country life: Rose wants to be a novelist, Poppy a jazz musician and Daisy a famous film director. Violet, however, has only one ambition: to become the perfect Debutante, so that she can go to London and catch the eye of Prince George, the most eligible bachelor in the country.
But a house as big and old as Beech Grove Manor hides many secrets, and Daisy is about to uncover one so huge it could ruin all their plans—ruin everything—forever.
320 pages, Kindle Edition
First published August 1, 2012
11 people are currently reading
2420 people want to read
About the author
Cora Harrison
91 books218 followersCora Harrison worked as a headteacher before she decided to write her first novel. She has since published twenty-six children's novels. My Lady Judge was her first book in a Celtic historical crime series for adults that introduces Mara, Brehon of the Burren. Cora lives on a farm near the Burren in the west of Ireland.
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 105 reviews
March 28, 2015
The summary and title for this are rather misleading. The story revolves around 4 sisters, all named after flowers. The oldest is Violet at 18, Daisy and Poppy are twins at 16, and Rose is the youngest at 12. Each sister has a different hair colour; black, red, blonde, and brown, which is rather ridiculous and extremely unlikely. The MC is Daisy, 16, blonde, and an aspiring film director. Her and her sisters all have a hobby that keeps them extremely occupied. Daisy is constantly filming something and making short films out of clips that she took of her family and staff; Poppy is a musician and part of a jazz band along with their chauffeur so she is always practicing; Rose, at 12, is an aspiring writer and is constantly making up fake newspaper headings and speaking in a ridiculously formal tone that is very unrealistic for her age; and Violet is obsessed with the rich and famous, always day dreaming about parties and dresses. The majority of the book consists of this sort of thing. Not much story at all. Mostly descriptions of the process of developing film, and descriptions of many, many dresses and outfits.
Eventually a handsome young man shows up, and I thought yay, about time. Of course he notices Violet first because she is by far the prettiest of the sisters, but like a complete snob, she treats him condescendingly because he is the youngest son and has no inheritance. Violet intends to marry money, because she is a romantic. Yes, the book actually said that. She wants to be a princess, not a poor man's wife, because she is a romantic. I had a hard time swallowing that one. I have no idea if this book was supposed to be satirical and just went about it so poorly that I didnt even notice, or the author is really cynical, or this just happens to be the worst group of characters I have ever seen.
I thought after Violet's cold welcome, Justin would start to notice Daisy instead, who is friendly and thinks he is very handsome. But he continues to obsess over Violet with absolutely no cause to think she returned his interest. It was the most awkward relationship I have ever seen. I hated Violet so much. She was horrid! But all her sisters loved her and thought she was so lovely and she deserved all their attention and they did what ever she wanted them to. Sometimes when Violet was being particularly bitchy, I expected Daisy to say something, that she should check her attitude, or something. But instead Daisy would think about something nice she should do for Violet to lift her spirits. OMG that girl needed to be pushed out a window! Even though she did the right thing in the end, that just made it more frustrating. After her obsessing about marrying rich for most of her life, did it not occur to her sooner that it would not make her happy? And after everything she put poor Justin through? Everything she put her sisters through in order to have the perfect debut? It was all for naught.
Eventually the sisters are invited to London by Violet's godmother, and there are many more parties and dinners and excuses to describe dresses and for Daisy to make more films. And it all revolved around Violet with Daisy just looking on from the sidelines. There was a bit of a side story about a mysterious aunt that revolved around Daisy, but it was completely predictable and didnt save us much from the sea of dresses (and this is 1923 so they arent even pretty dresses, just flapper dresses).
This book was a complete bore with horrible, hateful and illogical characters, no story, the worst romance I have ever seen, and really bad punctuation. Whoever edited this book didnt know how to properly use quotation marks. Editing errors dont actually hinder my reading. I read a lot of indie and I am used to errors and I can accept that some indie authors cant afford an editor. But this is not indie, and I read a hard copy I got from my library. I expect better from that.
Eventually a handsome young man shows up, and I thought yay, about time. Of course he notices Violet first because she is by far the prettiest of the sisters, but like a complete snob, she treats him condescendingly because he is the youngest son and has no inheritance. Violet intends to marry money, because she is a romantic. Yes, the book actually said that. She wants to be a princess, not a poor man's wife, because she is a romantic. I had a hard time swallowing that one. I have no idea if this book was supposed to be satirical and just went about it so poorly that I didnt even notice, or the author is really cynical, or this just happens to be the worst group of characters I have ever seen.
I thought after Violet's cold welcome, Justin would start to notice Daisy instead, who is friendly and thinks he is very handsome. But he continues to obsess over Violet with absolutely no cause to think she returned his interest. It was the most awkward relationship I have ever seen. I hated Violet so much. She was horrid! But all her sisters loved her and thought she was so lovely and she deserved all their attention and they did what ever she wanted them to. Sometimes when Violet was being particularly bitchy, I expected Daisy to say something, that she should check her attitude, or something. But instead Daisy would think about something nice she should do for Violet to lift her spirits. OMG that girl needed to be pushed out a window! Even though she did the right thing in the end, that just made it more frustrating. After her obsessing about marrying rich for most of her life, did it not occur to her sooner that it would not make her happy? And after everything she put poor Justin through? Everything she put her sisters through in order to have the perfect debut? It was all for naught.
Eventually the sisters are invited to London by Violet's godmother, and there are many more parties and dinners and excuses to describe dresses and for Daisy to make more films. And it all revolved around Violet with Daisy just looking on from the sidelines. There was a bit of a side story about a mysterious aunt that revolved around Daisy, but it was completely predictable and didnt save us much from the sea of dresses (and this is 1923 so they arent even pretty dresses, just flapper dresses).
This book was a complete bore with horrible, hateful and illogical characters, no story, the worst romance I have ever seen, and really bad punctuation. Whoever edited this book didnt know how to properly use quotation marks. Editing errors dont actually hinder my reading. I read a lot of indie and I am used to errors and I can accept that some indie authors cant afford an editor. But this is not indie, and I read a hard copy I got from my library. I expect better from that.
March 3, 2023
Started off slow but it picked up very quick. It's like another Jane Austen book but much more accessible for today's generation.
Looking forward to reading the sequel!
Looking forward to reading the sequel!
July 31, 2012
Debutantes is going to be quite a challenging book for me to review. This is another book where I was quite honestly blinded by the beauty of the cover - just look at it, isn't it gorgeous? I did of course read the blurb and whilst I don't read all that much historical fiction, what I have read I have enjoyed, so I was excited to give this one a go.
I will admit that I wasn't immediately taken with this book when I started with it. It's a bit of a slow burner and rather than having much action or twists and turns at the beginning, we're introduced to the Derrington sisters (Violet, Daisy, Poppy and Rose), their family and friends. I really liked getting to know the sisters, they were all different and equally intriguing. I thought that it was great that each sister was following their own, independent path. I especially loved reading about Daisy and her passion for movie making! I enjoyed watching the sister's interactions together and I am curious to see how their relationships will develop during this series. I took a real fondness to each of the girls and appreciated their differences.
I also enjoyed learning about the housemaids, though at some points the amount of characters did feel a little overwhelming. It wasn't confusing as such, but because of the amount of characters, it was difficult for them all to be given real depth. Whilst I did enjoy the relationships that were developing in the book - both the familial love as well as the romance, I found some of the relationships to be a little too quickly progressed. The romance certainly wasn't instant love and it did seem 'right' and natural, but I would've liked to see some more depth. Of course, there is lots of room for exploration of this in the upcoming books.
This isn't a particularly deep book, though it does have some family issues interwoven into it to satisfy those who do like some real issues incorporated into their books. The story wasn't very unpredictable, though there was a little mystery, but I thought it was good to have a slightly grittier subplot against the actual debutante ball. This book isn't one that I was shocked at, there were no huge twists and turns, but rather it was consistently enjoyable throughout. It was relaxed and moved at a nice pace. Personally, I do like my twists and turns in novels, but I wasn't disappointed when I found that this one wasn't very eventful. This is definitely a book to simply get immersed in and to relax with.
Although this wasn't a perfect book for me, it was a pleasant enough read and I think that it will appeal to most people who are fans of historical fiction and fans of Downton Abbey as well as young adults who simply want an easy read. I am certainly still intrigued enough and found the 1920's atmosphere and setting absorbing enough to want to read more. It will be exciting to see what happens next!
I will admit that I wasn't immediately taken with this book when I started with it. It's a bit of a slow burner and rather than having much action or twists and turns at the beginning, we're introduced to the Derrington sisters (Violet, Daisy, Poppy and Rose), their family and friends. I really liked getting to know the sisters, they were all different and equally intriguing. I thought that it was great that each sister was following their own, independent path. I especially loved reading about Daisy and her passion for movie making! I enjoyed watching the sister's interactions together and I am curious to see how their relationships will develop during this series. I took a real fondness to each of the girls and appreciated their differences.
I also enjoyed learning about the housemaids, though at some points the amount of characters did feel a little overwhelming. It wasn't confusing as such, but because of the amount of characters, it was difficult for them all to be given real depth. Whilst I did enjoy the relationships that were developing in the book - both the familial love as well as the romance, I found some of the relationships to be a little too quickly progressed. The romance certainly wasn't instant love and it did seem 'right' and natural, but I would've liked to see some more depth. Of course, there is lots of room for exploration of this in the upcoming books.
This isn't a particularly deep book, though it does have some family issues interwoven into it to satisfy those who do like some real issues incorporated into their books. The story wasn't very unpredictable, though there was a little mystery, but I thought it was good to have a slightly grittier subplot against the actual debutante ball. This book isn't one that I was shocked at, there were no huge twists and turns, but rather it was consistently enjoyable throughout. It was relaxed and moved at a nice pace. Personally, I do like my twists and turns in novels, but I wasn't disappointed when I found that this one wasn't very eventful. This is definitely a book to simply get immersed in and to relax with.
Although this wasn't a perfect book for me, it was a pleasant enough read and I think that it will appeal to most people who are fans of historical fiction and fans of Downton Abbey as well as young adults who simply want an easy read. I am certainly still intrigued enough and found the 1920's atmosphere and setting absorbing enough to want to read more. It will be exciting to see what happens next!
September 30, 2015
5 Words: debutantes, poor, family, friends, secrets.
Fluff, but it just didn't do it for me.
A lot of aspects were really annoying, like how they were so poor they couldn't have a fire in winter but all had pocket money. It was frustrating to read and didn't make sense.
Violet reminded me a bit of Rose in I Capture the Castle, but despite this I intensely disliked her. She was just such a cow. In fact, I don't think I liked a single one of the characters. Not even Daisy, who was probably the most likeable of the lot.
I did like the little bit of mystery that was added in, but it was ultimately too predictable to redeem the shortcomings of the rest of the story.
Fluff, but it just didn't do it for me.
A lot of aspects were really annoying, like how they were so poor they couldn't have a fire in winter but all had pocket money. It was frustrating to read and didn't make sense.
Violet reminded me a bit of Rose in I Capture the Castle, but despite this I intensely disliked her. She was just such a cow. In fact, I don't think I liked a single one of the characters. Not even Daisy, who was probably the most likeable of the lot.
I did like the little bit of mystery that was added in, but it was ultimately too predictable to redeem the shortcomings of the rest of the story.
September 28, 2012
I really wanted to love this book. I mean, who wouldn't with such a gorgeous cover? I just.. Couldn't get into the book at all. The life-changing surprise wasn't actually much of a surprise, and it could easily be guessed about 1/4 of the way through the book, and I didn't particularly like any of the sisters. I didn't DISLIKE them exactly, but I wouldn't have cared much if something happened to one of them. Basically, the thing that annoyed me most was Violet. Violet is incredibly focused on marrying money so she and her sisters can have a better life, but it becomes apparent fairly early in the book that she's really only concerned about herself. She treats her sisters horribly half the time, even though they're doing nothing but helping her get what she wants. I just never got into the book. I'm not saying it was awful, it just wasn't the book for me.
September 6, 2012
The blurb and cover of this book made it look much better than it was, especially due to the tagline: "The season of parties, romance and secrets is about to begin..." First of all, we are only told that the parties were attended by Violet, although are given very little detail about what happened at them. There is literally NO romance throughout the novel, and there's one secret, which I guessed right at the beginning, before Elaine was even introduced. Also, the blurb says that "Daisy is about to uncover a secret so huge it could ruin all their plans - ruin everything - forever." Um, not true.
This book was very slow-moving, and wasn't a page-turner at all. There were several typing errors throughout, and the plot was predictable, and, to be honest, boring. I think that the intended audience are younger than myself, due to much of the language used, which may be the reason as to why I disliked it so much. The 1920s is without a doubt my favourite time period to read about, and this book was extremely disappointing to me. It could have been so much better.
To say that Daisy was the main character, she didn't have much of a personality. She consistently thought about the other girls, which didn't give her character a chance to shine. Her sisters came across as very shallow and inconsiderate, and I found it hard to relate to, well, anyone.
I'm actually proud of myself for finishing this novel.
This book was very slow-moving, and wasn't a page-turner at all. There were several typing errors throughout, and the plot was predictable, and, to be honest, boring. I think that the intended audience are younger than myself, due to much of the language used, which may be the reason as to why I disliked it so much. The 1920s is without a doubt my favourite time period to read about, and this book was extremely disappointing to me. It could have been so much better.
To say that Daisy was the main character, she didn't have much of a personality. She consistently thought about the other girls, which didn't give her character a chance to shine. Her sisters came across as very shallow and inconsiderate, and I found it hard to relate to, well, anyone.
I'm actually proud of myself for finishing this novel.
August 12, 2012
Debutantes is a fun, light and enjoyable read. Set in 1920’s England, the Derrington sisters each have different personalities, and they do not blend together – they all are individual characters, with different aspirations. The first book focuses mainly on Daisy, who is interesting and hopes to become a film director. Violet, one of her sisters, hoped to be a debutante and come out for a season in London. Poppy loved jazz and had a band with locals in their town. Rose wanted to be a newspaper editor. They all had dreams of escaping their unglamorous country life, and the individual dreams were perfect for their characters. The setting teaches a lot about England, and especially London, in the 1920’s, and it was clear that the author had researched the era really well. I definitely learnt a bit with this read!
The mystery part of the story was slightly predictable, but still entertaining to read. This book is not life changing, but perfect for somebody looking for a gentle summer read! Oh, one more thing… The cover is absolutely stunning!
The mystery part of the story was slightly predictable, but still entertaining to read. This book is not life changing, but perfect for somebody looking for a gentle summer read! Oh, one more thing… The cover is absolutely stunning!
June 24, 2024
I thought this would be a pride and prejudice esque vibe. This was more of a wannabe Bridgerton book, where the beginning took such a long time to begin. And once we got into the feel of things you’re 200 pages in and have only a 100 left of the actual story. The plot twist was very predictable and the eldest daughter was the most annoying and moany character. The main character, Daisy, was very likeable, but she was very cowardly when it came to her sister. I kept thinking she’ll bite back and put her sister in place, but instead she would be at her beck and call, doing everything so her sister could have the best possible debutante season.
In addition to the boring beginning and middle, there were so many grammatical and punctuation errors. It’s like there was no editor of the book?
Overall very disappointed and probably won’t be reading the second book.
In addition to the boring beginning and middle, there were so many grammatical and punctuation errors. It’s like there was no editor of the book?
Overall very disappointed and probably won’t be reading the second book.
November 19, 2012
By Cora Harrison. Grade B+
Debutantes was my first encounter with the genre of historical fiction, and I am glad that I read it. Had it not been for this review copy I got, I would probably not be planning to try as many books as I can in this genre in the near future.
It’s 1923 and London is a whirl of jazz, dancing and parties. Violet, Daisy, Poppy and Rose Derrington are desperate to be part of it, but stuck in an enormous crumbling house in the country, with no money and no fashionable dresses, the excitement seems a lifetime away.
Luckily the girls each have a plan for escaping their humdrum country life: Rose wants to be a novelist, Poppy a jazz musician and Daisy a famous film director. Violet, however, has only one ambition: to become the perfect Debutante, so that she can go to London and catch the eye of Prince George, the most eligible bachelor in the country.
But a house as big and old as Beech Grove Manor hides many secrets, and Daisy is about to uncover one so huge it could ruin all their plans—ruin everything—forever.
Debutantes reminded me of Jane Austen’s Pride and Prejudice, and quite inevitably so. With the sisters loving each other so unconditionally and the struggle for the eldest to get married in the era of nineteen twenties, it was quite natural. Moreover, the author herself has been influenced by the literary legend, seeing how her two other books are titled I was Jane Austen’s Best Friend, and Jane Austen Stole My Boyfriend.
The Derrington family, formerly very rich, has lost everything with time. Now all they own is an abnormally large house called the Beech Grove Manor which houses four Derrington girls, their father – the Earl – and their Great Aunt Lizzie.
The issue that the book focuses on in the beginning is one related to Violet – the most beautiful Derrington girl – and the struggles and planning to make her a Debutante in the Season in London, on her eighteenth birthday. Like most girls of that time, Violet wants to make a debut at the season, meet a rich peer from the realm, fall in love, and then marry him. Violet is sure that if she gets successful with this, she would surely find her younger sisters the best of husbands, and above all, make them the Debutantes too.
–
Cora Harrison has tried her best to meet the levels of her ideal, apparently. And she has been successful at it to a large extent. The best thing I liked about the book was the scene setting and descriptions. She has done the appropriate research, and gives the era an authentic feel. I couldn’t find any scene in the book which seemed unbelievable. You clearly get the picture of the 1920’s before your eyes while you leaf through the book. From the protagonist to the most irrelevant secondary character, all of them are fantastically well-developed. You live the book with them. Daisy, the narrator of the story, steals the show and is my favourite character in the book. The effect of teenage in the girls is commendably portrayed. It is nice to know that the horrors of puberty a hundred years ago were nearly the same as they are now.
After reading this one, I’d say hats off to Cora Harrison for penning down this one. Writing historical fiction like her is not at all everybody’s cup of tea. My only problem was that the plot was very, very slow. Also, there are certain sentences, not many though, that are abnormally long. But of course, you can neglect the latter when you have such a great story to read.
To sum up, I would say that absolutely loved this book. Debutantes is tailor made for any lover of YA, historical fiction, mystery and/or classics. A perfect blend of genres, Debutantes, is definitely recommended for the ones who want to have a little bit of everything.
Originally reviewed at: http://vaultofbooks.com/
Debutantes was my first encounter with the genre of historical fiction, and I am glad that I read it. Had it not been for this review copy I got, I would probably not be planning to try as many books as I can in this genre in the near future.
It’s 1923 and London is a whirl of jazz, dancing and parties. Violet, Daisy, Poppy and Rose Derrington are desperate to be part of it, but stuck in an enormous crumbling house in the country, with no money and no fashionable dresses, the excitement seems a lifetime away.
Luckily the girls each have a plan for escaping their humdrum country life: Rose wants to be a novelist, Poppy a jazz musician and Daisy a famous film director. Violet, however, has only one ambition: to become the perfect Debutante, so that she can go to London and catch the eye of Prince George, the most eligible bachelor in the country.
But a house as big and old as Beech Grove Manor hides many secrets, and Daisy is about to uncover one so huge it could ruin all their plans—ruin everything—forever.
Debutantes reminded me of Jane Austen’s Pride and Prejudice, and quite inevitably so. With the sisters loving each other so unconditionally and the struggle for the eldest to get married in the era of nineteen twenties, it was quite natural. Moreover, the author herself has been influenced by the literary legend, seeing how her two other books are titled I was Jane Austen’s Best Friend, and Jane Austen Stole My Boyfriend.
The Derrington family, formerly very rich, has lost everything with time. Now all they own is an abnormally large house called the Beech Grove Manor which houses four Derrington girls, their father – the Earl – and their Great Aunt Lizzie.
The issue that the book focuses on in the beginning is one related to Violet – the most beautiful Derrington girl – and the struggles and planning to make her a Debutante in the Season in London, on her eighteenth birthday. Like most girls of that time, Violet wants to make a debut at the season, meet a rich peer from the realm, fall in love, and then marry him. Violet is sure that if she gets successful with this, she would surely find her younger sisters the best of husbands, and above all, make them the Debutantes too.
–
Cora Harrison has tried her best to meet the levels of her ideal, apparently. And she has been successful at it to a large extent. The best thing I liked about the book was the scene setting and descriptions. She has done the appropriate research, and gives the era an authentic feel. I couldn’t find any scene in the book which seemed unbelievable. You clearly get the picture of the 1920’s before your eyes while you leaf through the book. From the protagonist to the most irrelevant secondary character, all of them are fantastically well-developed. You live the book with them. Daisy, the narrator of the story, steals the show and is my favourite character in the book. The effect of teenage in the girls is commendably portrayed. It is nice to know that the horrors of puberty a hundred years ago were nearly the same as they are now.
After reading this one, I’d say hats off to Cora Harrison for penning down this one. Writing historical fiction like her is not at all everybody’s cup of tea. My only problem was that the plot was very, very slow. Also, there are certain sentences, not many though, that are abnormally long. But of course, you can neglect the latter when you have such a great story to read.
To sum up, I would say that absolutely loved this book. Debutantes is tailor made for any lover of YA, historical fiction, mystery and/or classics. A perfect blend of genres, Debutantes, is definitely recommended for the ones who want to have a little bit of everything.
Originally reviewed at: http://vaultofbooks.com/
November 22, 2012
By Cora Harrison. Grade B+
Debutantes was my first encounter with the genre of historical fiction, and I am glad that I read it. Had it not been for this review copy I got, I would probably not be planning to try as many books as I can in this genre in the near future.
It’s 1923 and London is a whirl of jazz, dancing and parties. Violet, Daisy, Poppy and Rose Derrington are desperate to be part of it, but stuck in an enormous crumbling house in the country, with no money and no fashionable dresses, the excitement seems a lifetime away.
Luckily the girls each have a plan for escaping their humdrum country life: Rose wants to be a novelist, Poppy a jazz musician and Daisy a famous film director. Violet, however, has only one ambition: to become the perfect Debutante, so that she can go to London and catch the eye of Prince George, the most eligible bachelor in the country.
But a house as big and old as Beech Grove Manor hides many secrets, and Daisy is about to uncover one so huge it could ruin all their plans—ruin everything—forever.
Debutantes reminded me of Jane Austen’s Pride and Prejudice, and quite inevitably so. With the sisters loving each other so unconditionally and the struggle for the eldest to get married in the era of nineteen twenties, it was quite natural. Moreover, the author herself has been influenced by the literary legend, seeing how her two other books are titled I was Jane Austen’s Best Friend, and Jane Austen Stole My Boyfriend.
The Derrington family, formerly very rich, has lost everything with time. Now all they own is an abnormally large house called the Beech Grove Manor which houses four Derrington girls, their father – the Earl – and their Great Aunt Lizzie.
The issue that the book focuses on in the beginning is one related to Violet – the most beautiful Derrington girl – and the struggles and planning to make her a Debutante in the Season in London, on her eighteenth birthday. Like most girls of that time, Violet wants to make a debut at the season, meet a rich peer from the realm, fall in love, and then marry him. Violet is sure that if she gets successful with this, she would surely find her younger sisters the best of husbands, and above all, make them the Debutantes too.
–
Cora Harrison has tried her best to meet the levels of her ideal, apparently. And she has been successful at it to a large extent. The best thing I liked about the book was the scene setting and descriptions. She has done the appropriate research, and gives the era an authentic feel. I couldn’t find any scene in the book which seemed unbelievable. You clearly get the picture of the 1920’s before your eyes while you leaf through the book. From the protagonist to the most irrelevant secondary character, all of them are fantastically well-developed. You live the book with them. Daisy, the narrator of the story, steals the show and is my favourite character in the book. The effect of teenage in the girls is commendably portrayed. It is nice to know that the horrors of puberty a hundred years ago were nearly the same as they are now.
After reading this one, I’d say hats off to Cora Harrison for penning down this one. Writing historical fiction like her is not at all everybody’s cup of tea. My only problem was that the plot was very, very slow. Also, there are certain sentences, not many though, that are abnormally long. But of course, you can neglect the latter when you have such a great story to read.
To sum up, I would say that absolutely loved this book. Debutantes is tailor made for any lover of YA, historical fiction, mystery and/or classics. A perfect blend of genres, Debutantes, is definitely recommended for the ones who want to have a little bit of everything.
Originally reviewed at http://vaultofbooks.com/
Debutantes was my first encounter with the genre of historical fiction, and I am glad that I read it. Had it not been for this review copy I got, I would probably not be planning to try as many books as I can in this genre in the near future.
It’s 1923 and London is a whirl of jazz, dancing and parties. Violet, Daisy, Poppy and Rose Derrington are desperate to be part of it, but stuck in an enormous crumbling house in the country, with no money and no fashionable dresses, the excitement seems a lifetime away.
Luckily the girls each have a plan for escaping their humdrum country life: Rose wants to be a novelist, Poppy a jazz musician and Daisy a famous film director. Violet, however, has only one ambition: to become the perfect Debutante, so that she can go to London and catch the eye of Prince George, the most eligible bachelor in the country.
But a house as big and old as Beech Grove Manor hides many secrets, and Daisy is about to uncover one so huge it could ruin all their plans—ruin everything—forever.
Debutantes reminded me of Jane Austen’s Pride and Prejudice, and quite inevitably so. With the sisters loving each other so unconditionally and the struggle for the eldest to get married in the era of nineteen twenties, it was quite natural. Moreover, the author herself has been influenced by the literary legend, seeing how her two other books are titled I was Jane Austen’s Best Friend, and Jane Austen Stole My Boyfriend.
The Derrington family, formerly very rich, has lost everything with time. Now all they own is an abnormally large house called the Beech Grove Manor which houses four Derrington girls, their father – the Earl – and their Great Aunt Lizzie.
The issue that the book focuses on in the beginning is one related to Violet – the most beautiful Derrington girl – and the struggles and planning to make her a Debutante in the Season in London, on her eighteenth birthday. Like most girls of that time, Violet wants to make a debut at the season, meet a rich peer from the realm, fall in love, and then marry him. Violet is sure that if she gets successful with this, she would surely find her younger sisters the best of husbands, and above all, make them the Debutantes too.
–
Cora Harrison has tried her best to meet the levels of her ideal, apparently. And she has been successful at it to a large extent. The best thing I liked about the book was the scene setting and descriptions. She has done the appropriate research, and gives the era an authentic feel. I couldn’t find any scene in the book which seemed unbelievable. You clearly get the picture of the 1920’s before your eyes while you leaf through the book. From the protagonist to the most irrelevant secondary character, all of them are fantastically well-developed. You live the book with them. Daisy, the narrator of the story, steals the show and is my favourite character in the book. The effect of teenage in the girls is commendably portrayed. It is nice to know that the horrors of puberty a hundred years ago were nearly the same as they are now.
After reading this one, I’d say hats off to Cora Harrison for penning down this one. Writing historical fiction like her is not at all everybody’s cup of tea. My only problem was that the plot was very, very slow. Also, there are certain sentences, not many though, that are abnormally long. But of course, you can neglect the latter when you have such a great story to read.
To sum up, I would say that absolutely loved this book. Debutantes is tailor made for any lover of YA, historical fiction, mystery and/or classics. A perfect blend of genres, Debutantes, is definitely recommended for the ones who want to have a little bit of everything.
Originally reviewed at http://vaultofbooks.com/
November 4, 2013
I really enjoyed Debutantes and found it to be a fun, light hearted read that transports the reader back to the glamorous age of the 1920’s. Full of vivid descriptions it shares the magical sheen of new technologies, risky fashions and scandalous love affairs unique to the time period. It is a must read for any fans of YA historical fiction!
Although the book is about all four of the Derrington girls, this story mostly focuses on the younger twin Daisy. A future film director to be – she is never far from her trusted camera and unlike her sisters, she cares little for the thought of marriage and fancy dances. However when the girls are offered the chance to go to London Daisy is excited by the prospect of the big city – even if she is only there to support her eldest sister Violet in finding a husband. But when Daisy uncovers a mysterious love letter dated from sixteen years ago, she opens the box to a world of best-forgotten family secrets that could change the lives of the Derrington girls forever…
I really enjoyed this book. Placed in a beautiful setting the descriptions were vivid and detailed and I felt completely immersed in the era of the 1920’s. The drastic changes in fashion and technology were very interesting to read – as were the reactions and difference in opinions between the younger and older generations.
The plot, however, I thought was a little predictable and I guessed most of the twists straight away – yet the story was still fun and held my attention throughout. Both well paced and expressively written, I think Cora Harrison has done a fantastic job in capturing the feel and vibes of the 1920’s.
Also I liked how each character was unique, with the sisters all having distinct personalities and individual dreams. For instance, Violet secretly aspires to be an actress yet as the eldest of the four sisters, she sees it as her duty to marry well and provide for her family. The youngest sister Rose is quite melodramatic and romanticizes everything to put into her stories (she wants to be a writer) and Poppy, Daisy’s twin sister wants nothing more than to own a jazz club and play music all day.
The secondary characters such as Daisy’s Godfather and Justin also contributed greatly to the book. Their scenes were often humorous, witty and in the game of ‘murder in the dark’ just downright fun!
So overall, a thoroughly enjoyable read that I would recommend to younger teens and anyone who enjoyed books by Anna Godbersen such Bright Young Things or the Luxe series. Sassy, vibrant and scandalous, Debutantes brings together all the life and energy of the 1920’s. 3 ½ stars!
Although the book is about all four of the Derrington girls, this story mostly focuses on the younger twin Daisy. A future film director to be – she is never far from her trusted camera and unlike her sisters, she cares little for the thought of marriage and fancy dances. However when the girls are offered the chance to go to London Daisy is excited by the prospect of the big city – even if she is only there to support her eldest sister Violet in finding a husband. But when Daisy uncovers a mysterious love letter dated from sixteen years ago, she opens the box to a world of best-forgotten family secrets that could change the lives of the Derrington girls forever…
I really enjoyed this book. Placed in a beautiful setting the descriptions were vivid and detailed and I felt completely immersed in the era of the 1920’s. The drastic changes in fashion and technology were very interesting to read – as were the reactions and difference in opinions between the younger and older generations.
The plot, however, I thought was a little predictable and I guessed most of the twists straight away – yet the story was still fun and held my attention throughout. Both well paced and expressively written, I think Cora Harrison has done a fantastic job in capturing the feel and vibes of the 1920’s.
Also I liked how each character was unique, with the sisters all having distinct personalities and individual dreams. For instance, Violet secretly aspires to be an actress yet as the eldest of the four sisters, she sees it as her duty to marry well and provide for her family. The youngest sister Rose is quite melodramatic and romanticizes everything to put into her stories (she wants to be a writer) and Poppy, Daisy’s twin sister wants nothing more than to own a jazz club and play music all day.
The secondary characters such as Daisy’s Godfather and Justin also contributed greatly to the book. Their scenes were often humorous, witty and in the game of ‘murder in the dark’ just downright fun!
So overall, a thoroughly enjoyable read that I would recommend to younger teens and anyone who enjoyed books by Anna Godbersen such Bright Young Things or the Luxe series. Sassy, vibrant and scandalous, Debutantes brings together all the life and energy of the 1920’s. 3 ½ stars!
August 31, 2012
Originally reviewed at: http://www.booksbiscuitsandtea.co.uk/...
What caught my attention when I first heard about Debutantes was the fact that it’s supposed to be ‘the perfect read for Downton Abbey fans’. As a huge fan of this show I just knew I had to read this – and it blew me away.
At the risk of sounding terribly gushy, there was nothing I didn’t like about this book. The story centres around the four Derrington sisters who, a few chapters in, I became really fond of. I love the fact that they all have their own dreams, their own ambitions and they are all so different from each other. Violet is the beautiful, the energetic one; Rose is the youngest of them all and she’s the smart one, Poppy is a bit reserved, the one who doesn’t care for expensive dresses or meeting someone famous or rich. And there’s Daisy, who’s been living in the shadows of her sisters all her life and who’s always there to help them. I loved Poppy and Daisy’s relationship. They reminded me of Elizabeth Bennet from Jane Austen’s Pride and Prejudice – they are the ones (but especially Poppy) who would rather spend time with their friends and have a good time than spend their days looking for someone rich and marry for money.
I found the writing style incredibly engaging – I was transported into the 20th century minutes after picking up the book. I was so absorbed by the story that I totally lost track of time and stopped thinking of where I was while I was reading it. I could literally see Beech Grove Manor, its long staircases, the paintings on the walls, the girls’ dresses, the burning logs in the fireplace – it’s brilliant. And not only is it really atmospheric, it’s a gripping story as well. There’s a great number of mysterious elements in the story and lots of twist and turns, especially towards the end.
The story has a rather Austen-like feel to it so if you enjoyed any of Jane Austen’s books – or, in fact, if you like Downton Abbey – you’re guaranteed to love this one too. What’s different between her books and Harrison’s work, however, is the fact that it’s a lot more accessible for younger readers. And even though I’m not its target audience, I still fell in love with it. It’s my very first Cora Harrison book but it won’t be the last, that’s for sure. Brilliant writing, likeable characters, many twists and turns and a great ending – what’s not to love? I can’t recommend this enough!
What caught my attention when I first heard about Debutantes was the fact that it’s supposed to be ‘the perfect read for Downton Abbey fans’. As a huge fan of this show I just knew I had to read this – and it blew me away.
At the risk of sounding terribly gushy, there was nothing I didn’t like about this book. The story centres around the four Derrington sisters who, a few chapters in, I became really fond of. I love the fact that they all have their own dreams, their own ambitions and they are all so different from each other. Violet is the beautiful, the energetic one; Rose is the youngest of them all and she’s the smart one, Poppy is a bit reserved, the one who doesn’t care for expensive dresses or meeting someone famous or rich. And there’s Daisy, who’s been living in the shadows of her sisters all her life and who’s always there to help them. I loved Poppy and Daisy’s relationship. They reminded me of Elizabeth Bennet from Jane Austen’s Pride and Prejudice – they are the ones (but especially Poppy) who would rather spend time with their friends and have a good time than spend their days looking for someone rich and marry for money.
I found the writing style incredibly engaging – I was transported into the 20th century minutes after picking up the book. I was so absorbed by the story that I totally lost track of time and stopped thinking of where I was while I was reading it. I could literally see Beech Grove Manor, its long staircases, the paintings on the walls, the girls’ dresses, the burning logs in the fireplace – it’s brilliant. And not only is it really atmospheric, it’s a gripping story as well. There’s a great number of mysterious elements in the story and lots of twist and turns, especially towards the end.
The story has a rather Austen-like feel to it so if you enjoyed any of Jane Austen’s books – or, in fact, if you like Downton Abbey – you’re guaranteed to love this one too. What’s different between her books and Harrison’s work, however, is the fact that it’s a lot more accessible for younger readers. And even though I’m not its target audience, I still fell in love with it. It’s my very first Cora Harrison book but it won’t be the last, that’s for sure. Brilliant writing, likeable characters, many twists and turns and a great ending – what’s not to love? I can’t recommend this enough!
April 12, 2016
An unsolicited Advanced Reader Copy was provided by the publisher for review. Quotes have been pulled from an ARC and may be subject to change.
The Derrington sisters Violet, Daisy, Rose, and Poppy all live in London all longing to be part of the rich lifestyle they used to live in. A lot of their wealth has been depleted due to their father's business decisions. Their only hope is for the eldest sister Violet to marry, and to debut her place in society as a dutiful wife to a wealthy man. The plot given to us is none other than Violet wanting to marry a rich man and her sisters trying to help her along the way.
I loved the gorgeous details about the girls dressing up. It was wonderful to picture London in the roaring '20's. So full of life, and fashion. It also must be so hard living in that age. To rely on marrying a man with wealth just so you can provide a better life for you and your family. It must have put a lot of pressure on the eldest sibling. Women were finally getting jobs. Working on their own and becoming independent. This was clearly evident in the main character's viewpoint, Daisy Derrington.
I liked how their wasn't a big romance and that it was more of a book about the very day lives of the sisters. All their personalities so different and yet you can't help but love each one. I figured the mother's love for flowers is why they are all aptly named AFTER a flower which I found adorable and sweet. As for the characters, I can't blame Violet for being whiny of angry all the time. Her love for Justin is clearly expressed in return and I felt such pity for them both. Daisy is absolutely my favourite and I love how she has such a passion for film. The theme of family and sisterhood is deeply evident throughout the book, and most certainly at the end. I can't help but admire Daisy's decision and actually felt myself smiling at the ending.
I've always had trouble with historical fiction, but this one was an enjoyable and light hearted read. Fans of the "Little Women" will certainly gobble this one. Also, you'd be blind as to not notice how gorgeous that cover is.
The Derrington sisters Violet, Daisy, Rose, and Poppy all live in London all longing to be part of the rich lifestyle they used to live in. A lot of their wealth has been depleted due to their father's business decisions. Their only hope is for the eldest sister Violet to marry, and to debut her place in society as a dutiful wife to a wealthy man. The plot given to us is none other than Violet wanting to marry a rich man and her sisters trying to help her along the way.
I loved the gorgeous details about the girls dressing up. It was wonderful to picture London in the roaring '20's. So full of life, and fashion. It also must be so hard living in that age. To rely on marrying a man with wealth just so you can provide a better life for you and your family. It must have put a lot of pressure on the eldest sibling. Women were finally getting jobs. Working on their own and becoming independent. This was clearly evident in the main character's viewpoint, Daisy Derrington.
I liked how their wasn't a big romance and that it was more of a book about the very day lives of the sisters. All their personalities so different and yet you can't help but love each one. I figured the mother's love for flowers is why they are all aptly named AFTER a flower which I found adorable and sweet. As for the characters, I can't blame Violet for being whiny of angry all the time. Her love for Justin is clearly expressed in return and I felt such pity for them both. Daisy is absolutely my favourite and I love how she has such a passion for film. The theme of family and sisterhood is deeply evident throughout the book, and most certainly at the end. I can't help but admire Daisy's decision and actually felt myself smiling at the ending.
I've always had trouble with historical fiction, but this one was an enjoyable and light hearted read. Fans of the "Little Women" will certainly gobble this one. Also, you'd be blind as to not notice how gorgeous that cover is.
February 24, 2013
Review by Beth
Sweet and sugary, Debutantes is a novel which is filled with girly excitement and enjoyment. Told mainly from the point of view of Daisy, the budding film director, we’re led through a journey of 1920s England and the lives of the four Derrington sisters. Each sister has her own dreams and aspirations and is fearless and enjoyable in her own way. As the first of a series it’s clear to see how Harrison is setting up her readers to experience things from the point of view of each sister and how young readers will find themselves with a favourite by the end of it all. My favourite is hard to choose but it’s between Daisy herself and Rose, the budding author and youngest of the girls.
A quick and easy read, Debutantes is filled with glamorous parties but also a touch of intrigue as a mystery letter is found and the girls are desperate to know who it’s about. We find out the secret at the end of the novel and I’ve got to say I hadn’t seen it coming at all and it’s a fantastic twist which leaves me wanting more from the series.
It’s impossible to talk about this novel without commenting upon the beautiful cover art and Harrison’s use of language to portray some beautiful scenes. As the oldest sister, Violet, works away on her sewing machine designing and updating some beautiful dresses for the sisters the language is used to vividly that I could imagine them all lined up in their fashionable finery.
I love this period of history and found the girls’ story both compelling and enchanting. A must-read for young readers and better than other novels about this period due to the character being given their own personalities and strengths, rather than all aiming to be the next big thing and find a husband.
Sweet and sugary, Debutantes is a novel which is filled with girly excitement and enjoyment. Told mainly from the point of view of Daisy, the budding film director, we’re led through a journey of 1920s England and the lives of the four Derrington sisters. Each sister has her own dreams and aspirations and is fearless and enjoyable in her own way. As the first of a series it’s clear to see how Harrison is setting up her readers to experience things from the point of view of each sister and how young readers will find themselves with a favourite by the end of it all. My favourite is hard to choose but it’s between Daisy herself and Rose, the budding author and youngest of the girls.
A quick and easy read, Debutantes is filled with glamorous parties but also a touch of intrigue as a mystery letter is found and the girls are desperate to know who it’s about. We find out the secret at the end of the novel and I’ve got to say I hadn’t seen it coming at all and it’s a fantastic twist which leaves me wanting more from the series.
It’s impossible to talk about this novel without commenting upon the beautiful cover art and Harrison’s use of language to portray some beautiful scenes. As the oldest sister, Violet, works away on her sewing machine designing and updating some beautiful dresses for the sisters the language is used to vividly that I could imagine them all lined up in their fashionable finery.
I love this period of history and found the girls’ story both compelling and enchanting. A must-read for young readers and better than other novels about this period due to the character being given their own personalities and strengths, rather than all aiming to be the next big thing and find a husband.
May 19, 2013
Due to copy and paste, formatting has been lost.
I'm a big fan of historical YA as a genre. That being said, I wasn't a big fan of this book. It was heartbreakingly slow-- to the point that nothing really happened. I may like historical, but I like a little mystery or intrigue. This didn't deliver on that front.
There was a mystery, but I found it trivial. The hints weren't very well done, because I figured out the mystery long before it was time. I'm not a huge fan of that, but in a world where everything has happened before, I feel like it's a given. I don't have to like it, but I understand it.
I don't, however, understand writing in the third person. It took me a long time to figure out what was bothering me about the writing, but when I did it was like I noticed it everywhere. Suddenly it just hit me like a ton of bricks. We have a main character, but the story is never told from her point of view. While it's interesting, it mostly served to confuse me.
Just like the characters. I was confused by the characters, who remained flat until the end of the book, when I realized that it's not necessarily that they're flat, it's mostly that they're dull.
All in all, Debutantes just wasn't for me. I found the characters to be dull and the story boring. I wish that I had liked this more.
October 25, 2012
Such a beautiful cover; such a waste of time! I was not planning on buying a book that day, but I loved how pretty the cover was, and the story seemed interesting. Instead of the interesting story however, all I got was predictable plot, extremely bad writing, and zero connection. This story is told in such a dispassionate way that not only could I never like the characters, most of them left a bad taste in my mouth as well. I couldn't even keep up with which sister was which; they're all named after flowers, but none of them seem to follow the flower they are named for. I'm actually tempted with this book to just donate it to an op shop, because I don't want to add it to my collection. I don't want to walk past the shelf it is in and shudder with remembrance; this coming from someone who owns over 4000 books and keeps almost everyone I receive or buy whether I hate it or not. Don't buy this one! I beg you, it has none of the charm of 'The Luxe' series, and the terrible uncaring writing style will haunt your mind long afterwards. Beware!
April 8, 2017
Debutantes is a really interesting read which I enjoyed.
The story revolves around 4 sisters who come from a formerly wealthy family who have fallen on hard times but trying to keep up appearances within a society bound by strict class divisions. I loved getting to know the girls and their different personalities and views on the world.
The one thing I really enjoyed about this book was the insight it gave you into the historical setting. You get a real feeling for the glitz and glamour of the 1920s from the scenes in London at the society parties but you also got to see more of the austerity of the post war era when you see the way the family has had to make cut backs when they've fallen on hardtimes.
The storyline itself kept me engaged throughout depsite the fact that I saw the main storyline twist a mile off (and I don't usually see those) but even so I enjoyed the ride.
All in all a nice read which I enjoyed!
The story revolves around 4 sisters who come from a formerly wealthy family who have fallen on hard times but trying to keep up appearances within a society bound by strict class divisions. I loved getting to know the girls and their different personalities and views on the world.
The one thing I really enjoyed about this book was the insight it gave you into the historical setting. You get a real feeling for the glitz and glamour of the 1920s from the scenes in London at the society parties but you also got to see more of the austerity of the post war era when you see the way the family has had to make cut backs when they've fallen on hardtimes.
The storyline itself kept me engaged throughout depsite the fact that I saw the main storyline twist a mile off (and I don't usually see those) but even so I enjoyed the ride.
All in all a nice read which I enjoyed!
July 15, 2015
I bought this book from one of the books on offer. Basically I got it for a very got price.
The setting of the novel is beautiful I generally love that time the novel was set in. Everything about royalty as well as the clothing and girly-ness of everything.
So let's get to the point ! The back of the book cover saying there was a secret and such ...
I expected more mystery in the story.
How Daisy easily found out who her mother is and such. I expected more of a difficulty and guessing it's someone else and dragging them into it until they figure it out.
The other thing ! Elaine showing up so easily and quickly talking with Daisy ...how no complications at all happend, the secret not being much of a huge secret.
So yes I was slightly disappointed.
The setting of the novel is beautiful I generally love that time the novel was set in. Everything about royalty as well as the clothing and girly-ness of everything.
So let's get to the point ! The back of the book cover saying there was a secret and such ...
I expected more mystery in the story.
How Daisy easily found out who her mother is and such. I expected more of a difficulty and guessing it's someone else and dragging them into it until they figure it out.
The other thing ! Elaine showing up so easily and quickly talking with Daisy ...how no complications at all happend, the secret not being much of a huge secret.
So yes I was slightly disappointed.
Want to read
August 5, 2012oh WOW the cover is so lovely!
August 12, 2021
This is probably the worst book I've read this year and I sincerely regret spending money on it.
I sent a dear friend of mine some snippets of this book, and she replied that the book reads like a first draft, and that is an incredibly apt description. There a lot of ideas and threads that start in this book, but they are all strewn so haphazardly throughout that at times I was having some difficulty following what was actually happening. The editing leaves quite a lot to be desired on top of this, and there were a number of grammatical errors that left me laughing.
As the blurb describes the sisters more than the actual plot, I'll summarise it-
The Derrington sisters, despite being the daughter of an earl, live in what they describe as near-poverty because they only have a small handful of servants and live in an old house in Kent. Eldest sister, Violet, is due to have her debutante season and they are all worried about it because she doesn't have a nice hair cut or up-to-date clothes to wear. Luckily for her, her wealthy godmother invites Violet (and her sisters, of course) to London for a season.
At the same time, the sisters find a mysterious letter about a child being born out of wedlock some sixteen years ago. They guess it must be their maid, Maud, who was an orphan. They also find a porcelain doll that looks exactly like Daisy (and is also named Daisy), as well as clues about an unknown aunt, Elaine, who fled to India some sixteen years ago. Oh, and there's only photos of baby Poppy and not her twin, Daisy. And what do you know, Daisy was an incredibly tiny infant, who looked six weeks to Poppy's three months, and Daisy has such unusual colouring and looks nothing like her father, and, and, and-
The plot, despite being so full of promise, is hampered by such boring characters and convoluted side stories. All sisters are portrayed as being mildly wacky, but they're inherently dull. There's a would-be romance between Violet and Justin, some relative of a neighbour, and I thought it would lead into a Jo/Laurie/Amy Little Women-esque love triangle, but it never does. Youngest sister, Rose, is annoying in her constant blathering of headlines and stories. Poppy is meant to be a jazz musician, but that seems mostly to be an excuse to get her away from Daisy's plodding storyline.
Although Daisy is the main character, everything seems to happen around her. The main focus is on Violet's season and Daisy literally watches from the side lines. I thought the great reveal of Elaine and Daisy meeting would carry more weight, as did I thought their tenuous bonds, but there's absolutely nothing. Maybe Daisy would hate her more, maybe Elaine would be portrayed in a more negative light, but there's nothing. There's not even a cautionary tale for Violet about what could happen if she fell in with a different crowd, as Elaine was her age when she had Violet.
What a waste of money.
I sent a dear friend of mine some snippets of this book, and she replied that the book reads like a first draft, and that is an incredibly apt description. There a lot of ideas and threads that start in this book, but they are all strewn so haphazardly throughout that at times I was having some difficulty following what was actually happening. The editing leaves quite a lot to be desired on top of this, and there were a number of grammatical errors that left me laughing.
As the blurb describes the sisters more than the actual plot, I'll summarise it-
The Derrington sisters, despite being the daughter of an earl, live in what they describe as near-poverty because they only have a small handful of servants and live in an old house in Kent. Eldest sister, Violet, is due to have her debutante season and they are all worried about it because she doesn't have a nice hair cut or up-to-date clothes to wear. Luckily for her, her wealthy godmother invites Violet (and her sisters, of course) to London for a season.
At the same time, the sisters find a mysterious letter about a child being born out of wedlock some sixteen years ago. They guess it must be their maid, Maud, who was an orphan. They also find a porcelain doll that looks exactly like Daisy (and is also named Daisy), as well as clues about an unknown aunt, Elaine, who fled to India some sixteen years ago. Oh, and there's only photos of baby Poppy and not her twin, Daisy. And what do you know, Daisy was an incredibly tiny infant, who looked six weeks to Poppy's three months, and Daisy has such unusual colouring and looks nothing like her father, and, and, and-
The plot, despite being so full of promise, is hampered by such boring characters and convoluted side stories. All sisters are portrayed as being mildly wacky, but they're inherently dull. There's a would-be romance between Violet and Justin, some relative of a neighbour, and I thought it would lead into a Jo/Laurie/Amy Little Women-esque love triangle, but it never does. Youngest sister, Rose, is annoying in her constant blathering of headlines and stories. Poppy is meant to be a jazz musician, but that seems mostly to be an excuse to get her away from Daisy's plodding storyline.
Although Daisy is the main character, everything seems to happen around her. The main focus is on Violet's season and Daisy literally watches from the side lines. I thought the great reveal of Elaine and Daisy meeting would carry more weight, as did I thought their tenuous bonds, but there's absolutely nothing. Maybe Daisy would hate her more, maybe Elaine would be portrayed in a more negative light, but there's nothing. There's not even a cautionary tale for Violet about what could happen if she fell in with a different crowd, as Elaine was her age when she had Violet.
What a waste of money.
August 3, 2012
Originally posted here: http://rebecca-books.blogspot.co.uk/2...
I discovered Cora Harrison a couple of years ago when I picked up I was Jane Austen's Best Friend (review) after choosing it as 'the other book' in one of the classic Waterstone's 3 for 2 and found myself pleasantly surprised by the depth of knowledge on Jane Austen, the subtle parodies and hints of Austen's own novels and just the lovely simplistic writing that made it perfect for a summer read on holiday.
I also bought the sequel, Jane Austen Stole My Boyfriend (huge cringe at the title) which I am yet to read.
I had no idea that Cora Harrison, one of my favourite historical fiction writers, was releasing a new book until I saw this pop up on one of the blogs that I follow in their In My Mailbox etc.
Knowing this, I was so surprised to wander into my library, glance at the 'Teen' section and see this one a stand facing me. I picked this up without a hesitation to say the least.
Synopsis: The date is 1923 and London is the centre of jazz, parties, fashion and dance. Not that sisters Violet, Daisy, Poppy and Rose Derrington know as they find themselves stuck in crumbling house in the country in hand-me-down dresses without any heritage or money - they are desperate to be apart of this sparkling world for different reasons to pursue their dreams: Daisy wants to be a film director, Poppy aspires to be a jazz musician, Rose an author while their eldest sister, Violet, dreams of being a Debutante and be presented at Buckingham Palace and meet the bachelor Prince George...
However, Daisy finds many of the hidden secrets of their estate which could ruin their future plans or everything together.
Review: The thing that gripped me from when I first heard about this novel is the fact it's set in the 1920's but not the conventional 1920's America - oh no - London, England. I get the sense from reading various books set in the 1920's and nearly ALWAYS in America, that people tend to forget that the jazz, sparkle and glitz associated with the 1920's didn't only happen in America. So America had speakeasies, Prohibition, gang culture. London was the fashion capital. It had the young men of the Royal Family. The BBC. Dancing. Technology. And Debutantes.
For those that are unfamiliar what a Debutante actually is, simply, a Debutante is a young lady normally from an aristocratic family that 'comes out' once they turn 18 in the hope of finding a husband. We have to remember the 'teenager' wasn't invented until the 1950's so once you turned 18, that's it - you're an adult. A debutante would host a coming-out ball where they would invite lots of other single aristocratic young people and then also be presented to the King and Queen at Buckingham Palace by a relative/friend who was previously a debutante themselves. Simply, it was the chance to have a social life for a few months before going back to your country estate in Kent.
So why am I not getting my gear on soon for my own coming out ball (not that I'm a Lady or anything)? Well, the notion of the debutante was abolished in the 1950's when our current Queen came to the throne.
Anyway. The book.
As I said, I liked the original setting of 1920's London - a place which many people know not that much about. There is a clear sense that Harrison has done her homework in regards to researching the atmosphere, etiquette and fashions of the day for a new debutante. Not only do you read about the world of being a debutante or indeed just living in the 1920's but also you experience the atmosphere of the time. This seemed like a true portrayal of the time. The elegance of the cover also transpires to the narrative.
I think the characters are what make this book. The four sisters that the plot is centred around are so different to one another which makes sure as a reader, there is at least one you could connect with. For me, it was Daisy. The four girls represent certain aspects of the time in my opinion - the jazz culture, the film industry of Hollywood, the rise in journalism from the creation of the BBC and then, the traditional aspects that stayed back of the society such as Violet's ambition to be the perfect debutante.
I begun this novel expecting a third person narrative looking at all the four sisters, perhaps in alternative chapters, or at least centred and narrated by Violet suggested from the title of the book. However, I was surprised to find the third person narrative focussed on Daisy. I liked this aspect in a way as this wasn't bias as it would be from the point of view of Violet and also, you get to learn more of the film industry from Daisy's knowledge of films and Hollywood. It made it really interesting to see how they made these films and how they critiqued them!
My problem with the narrative was it was quite confusing at times. All the sisters are of course 'she' so at times it was confusing to see which 'she' the 'she' was referring to especially if one of the other sisters had been speaking. It made it seem like they were doing the action when really it was Daisy. My other problem was the emphasis on Daisy. Because of this, the sisters are times were swept aside to focus on Daisy or Violet. The times Rose made an appearance, she was charming and brought humour to the book. Violet was portrayed as selfish and stuck-up to make you instantly love Daisy. Violet is an interesting, mixed emotions character and I felt that could have been played on more. I also felt Poppy's romance and problems would have been played on more too.
The vivid descriptions that run through continually make this a pleasure to read and I could imagine the scenes perfectly in my head, especially Justin - their friend. The dresses, the rooms and the actions are presented in a way to make them incredibly clear. I can easily see this made into a movie.
It's fair to say that the mystery of Elaine also tops this novel. There are clever hints and messages run through the book, some of which the reader would notice, others not. The ending I did predict but the surprises leading up to it I did not. This is a book that will both surprise you and give you a chance at being your own Sherlock Holmes.
Overall, it's clear that I enjoyed this novel because of it's sparkling, remarkable detail of the Derrington sisters world of 1920's London, a setting not used much in historical fiction. The characters are all so unique and different to one another and give you a sense of a large family group such as theirs (I'm an only child so I wouldn't know). The mystery, secrets and deception that underlay this novel has been executed superbly that leave you with at least some surprises at the ending. This is a novel for any fans of Downton Abbey - Violet seemed awfully like Mary at times and Justin as Matthew. This also seemed to me as a younger version of The Luxe series by Anna Godbersen.
This is supposed to be a series but the ending last lines give an air of finality to me so it will be interesting to see what the next novel's plot with centre around.
Fans of Downton Abbey or The Luxe, get this. This is the perfect summer read.
I give it a 4 out of 5
I discovered Cora Harrison a couple of years ago when I picked up I was Jane Austen's Best Friend (review) after choosing it as 'the other book' in one of the classic Waterstone's 3 for 2 and found myself pleasantly surprised by the depth of knowledge on Jane Austen, the subtle parodies and hints of Austen's own novels and just the lovely simplistic writing that made it perfect for a summer read on holiday.
I also bought the sequel, Jane Austen Stole My Boyfriend (huge cringe at the title) which I am yet to read.
I had no idea that Cora Harrison, one of my favourite historical fiction writers, was releasing a new book until I saw this pop up on one of the blogs that I follow in their In My Mailbox etc.
Knowing this, I was so surprised to wander into my library, glance at the 'Teen' section and see this one a stand facing me. I picked this up without a hesitation to say the least.
Synopsis: The date is 1923 and London is the centre of jazz, parties, fashion and dance. Not that sisters Violet, Daisy, Poppy and Rose Derrington know as they find themselves stuck in crumbling house in the country in hand-me-down dresses without any heritage or money - they are desperate to be apart of this sparkling world for different reasons to pursue their dreams: Daisy wants to be a film director, Poppy aspires to be a jazz musician, Rose an author while their eldest sister, Violet, dreams of being a Debutante and be presented at Buckingham Palace and meet the bachelor Prince George...
However, Daisy finds many of the hidden secrets of their estate which could ruin their future plans or everything together.
Review: The thing that gripped me from when I first heard about this novel is the fact it's set in the 1920's but not the conventional 1920's America - oh no - London, England. I get the sense from reading various books set in the 1920's and nearly ALWAYS in America, that people tend to forget that the jazz, sparkle and glitz associated with the 1920's didn't only happen in America. So America had speakeasies, Prohibition, gang culture. London was the fashion capital. It had the young men of the Royal Family. The BBC. Dancing. Technology. And Debutantes.
For those that are unfamiliar what a Debutante actually is, simply, a Debutante is a young lady normally from an aristocratic family that 'comes out' once they turn 18 in the hope of finding a husband. We have to remember the 'teenager' wasn't invented until the 1950's so once you turned 18, that's it - you're an adult. A debutante would host a coming-out ball where they would invite lots of other single aristocratic young people and then also be presented to the King and Queen at Buckingham Palace by a relative/friend who was previously a debutante themselves. Simply, it was the chance to have a social life for a few months before going back to your country estate in Kent.
So why am I not getting my gear on soon for my own coming out ball (not that I'm a Lady or anything)? Well, the notion of the debutante was abolished in the 1950's when our current Queen came to the throne.
Anyway. The book.
As I said, I liked the original setting of 1920's London - a place which many people know not that much about. There is a clear sense that Harrison has done her homework in regards to researching the atmosphere, etiquette and fashions of the day for a new debutante. Not only do you read about the world of being a debutante or indeed just living in the 1920's but also you experience the atmosphere of the time. This seemed like a true portrayal of the time. The elegance of the cover also transpires to the narrative.
I think the characters are what make this book. The four sisters that the plot is centred around are so different to one another which makes sure as a reader, there is at least one you could connect with. For me, it was Daisy. The four girls represent certain aspects of the time in my opinion - the jazz culture, the film industry of Hollywood, the rise in journalism from the creation of the BBC and then, the traditional aspects that stayed back of the society such as Violet's ambition to be the perfect debutante.
I begun this novel expecting a third person narrative looking at all the four sisters, perhaps in alternative chapters, or at least centred and narrated by Violet suggested from the title of the book. However, I was surprised to find the third person narrative focussed on Daisy. I liked this aspect in a way as this wasn't bias as it would be from the point of view of Violet and also, you get to learn more of the film industry from Daisy's knowledge of films and Hollywood. It made it really interesting to see how they made these films and how they critiqued them!
My problem with the narrative was it was quite confusing at times. All the sisters are of course 'she' so at times it was confusing to see which 'she' the 'she' was referring to especially if one of the other sisters had been speaking. It made it seem like they were doing the action when really it was Daisy. My other problem was the emphasis on Daisy. Because of this, the sisters are times were swept aside to focus on Daisy or Violet. The times Rose made an appearance, she was charming and brought humour to the book. Violet was portrayed as selfish and stuck-up to make you instantly love Daisy. Violet is an interesting, mixed emotions character and I felt that could have been played on more. I also felt Poppy's romance and problems would have been played on more too.
The vivid descriptions that run through continually make this a pleasure to read and I could imagine the scenes perfectly in my head, especially Justin - their friend. The dresses, the rooms and the actions are presented in a way to make them incredibly clear. I can easily see this made into a movie.
It's fair to say that the mystery of Elaine also tops this novel. There are clever hints and messages run through the book, some of which the reader would notice, others not. The ending I did predict but the surprises leading up to it I did not. This is a book that will both surprise you and give you a chance at being your own Sherlock Holmes.
Overall, it's clear that I enjoyed this novel because of it's sparkling, remarkable detail of the Derrington sisters world of 1920's London, a setting not used much in historical fiction. The characters are all so unique and different to one another and give you a sense of a large family group such as theirs (I'm an only child so I wouldn't know). The mystery, secrets and deception that underlay this novel has been executed superbly that leave you with at least some surprises at the ending. This is a novel for any fans of Downton Abbey - Violet seemed awfully like Mary at times and Justin as Matthew. This also seemed to me as a younger version of The Luxe series by Anna Godbersen.
This is supposed to be a series but the ending last lines give an air of finality to me so it will be interesting to see what the next novel's plot with centre around.
Fans of Downton Abbey or The Luxe, get this. This is the perfect summer read.
I give it a 4 out of 5
November 6, 2017
While the cover may be beautiful and the blurb compelling, this book didn't quite resonate with me. I read it as a fourteen-year-old, as I have an affinity for beautiful dresses and suspense (as the blurb hinted towards) but it didn't entertain me as much as I wanted to.
The plot was quite bland, in my opinion, so it was a long read for me. That being said, at fourteen years old, not many people were into historical fiction- I wasn't an exception. It is quite a light read and it would most likely be easy to enjoy if you are into the genre.
However, the characters were different and it was great to see them unfold throughout the story. It was interesting to see the varying personalities interact and bloom in their circumstances. It reminded me much of Pride and Prejudice- but it is probably because of the large number of sisters wanting to live lavishly.
Overall, I would recommend it to people who are into light, historical fiction but if you are looking for something deeper and darker, this boo isn't the way to go.
The plot was quite bland, in my opinion, so it was a long read for me. That being said, at fourteen years old, not many people were into historical fiction- I wasn't an exception. It is quite a light read and it would most likely be easy to enjoy if you are into the genre.
However, the characters were different and it was great to see them unfold throughout the story. It was interesting to see the varying personalities interact and bloom in their circumstances. It reminded me much of Pride and Prejudice- but it is probably because of the large number of sisters wanting to live lavishly.
Overall, I would recommend it to people who are into light, historical fiction but if you are looking for something deeper and darker, this boo isn't the way to go.
March 4, 2021
This book is perfect for fans of Downton Abbey.
Pros:
- I felt very immersed in the time period. Loved the vibes of Beech Grove Manor
- I like the relationships between the sisters
- Learned more about how films were made back in the 1920s
Cons:
- The romance was lacking and what was included was quite innocent. This would be great for younger readers, but I'm in my mid-twenties and just wanted more
- I guessed the twisted pretty early on and spent most of the novel just waiting for the mystery to resolve
- the clothes are hair the girls were wearing were constantly mentioned. I love fashion but it was a little excessive when every outfit was mentioned in detail. Could have done with less detail
Overall I thought it was a cute book. I think 12-15-year-olds would enjoy this novel more than I would. I thought it was cute. The ending wrapped up things nicely that I don't feel like I have to read the sequel.
Pros:
- I felt very immersed in the time period. Loved the vibes of Beech Grove Manor
- I like the relationships between the sisters
- Learned more about how films were made back in the 1920s
Cons:
- The romance was lacking and what was included was quite innocent. This would be great for younger readers, but I'm in my mid-twenties and just wanted more
- I guessed the twisted pretty early on and spent most of the novel just waiting for the mystery to resolve
- the clothes are hair the girls were wearing were constantly mentioned. I love fashion but it was a little excessive when every outfit was mentioned in detail. Could have done with less detail
Overall I thought it was a cute book. I think 12-15-year-olds would enjoy this novel more than I would. I thought it was cute. The ending wrapped up things nicely that I don't feel like I have to read the sequel.
June 14, 2018
I loved all the characters APART from Violet. I just found her a unpredictable character she could be nice , but she could also be nasty. However I found the other girls likeable and easy to relate to.
Nothing really seemed to happen to happen until the very end but i quite liked it as I needed a bit of a break from action-packed books.
Nothing really seemed to happen to happen until the very end but i quite liked it as I needed a bit of a break from action-packed books.
August 8, 2018
Not much of a mystery.
I really like YA and I really like time pieces, so I wanted to like this, but really couldn’t. The descriptions of the clothes and houses and parties gave a good feel, but the “mystery” wasn’t much of a mystery at all and it was easily figured out about a quarter way through the book.
I really like YA and I really like time pieces, so I wanted to like this, but really couldn’t. The descriptions of the clothes and houses and parties gave a good feel, but the “mystery” wasn’t much of a mystery at all and it was easily figured out about a quarter way through the book.
July 29, 2021
This was a cute romantic story to get lost into. However, the only character I felt attached to was Justin. He was adorable with that wit of his. As for Daisy's true parentage, it was obvious from the moment the doll was discovered. So, it didn't give the air of suspense the author intended for it.
Overall, not a bad read, just not a memorable one.
Overall, not a bad read, just not a memorable one.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
September 4, 2019
This was exceptionally bland and needed a ton of editing. The "romance" between . And not much of anything even happened? Over the course of the book I don't feel i Know these characters any better than before I read it.
May 4, 2021
Such a fun and cute book about 4 sisters making their way in the world during the 1920s in London. Daisy is the main character and focuses on her. I wish it was written with all the sister’s POV but still a delightful and fun read! Really enjoyed it!
May 29, 2018
5 stars because this book will take you to somewhere else
April 1, 2021
Not for me, didn’t like the style or story - not a lot happened
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