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The Last Debutante
A captivating family drama about sisters and long-held secrets spanning from the 1930s to the present day, perfect for fans of Downton Abbey. 1936, Chalfont Hall, Dorset. As the dressmaker puts the last pins in her dress, thirteen-year-old Kit is wondering why she has to go through the charade of seeing her sister Lily presented at Court. With her waves of auburn hair and her piercing green eyes, Kit knows that her sister's place on the social scene is guaranteed regardless of her dress, and as the door to a life of parties and eligible young men opens for Lily, Kit must make do with tiptoeing around the gallery of Chalfont, eavesdropping on the conversations of the grown-ups. But the arrival of a German visitor one evening soon sets in motion a chain of events that none of the family could have anticipated. Years later, the aftershock of events will be felt by a new generation . . .
336 pages, Kindle Edition
First published July 28, 2016
14 people are currently reading
373 people want to read
About the author
Lesley Lokko
26 books316 followersLESLEY spent seven years training as an architect but always dreamed of writing a novel. Eight novels (and counting) later, and aside from building her own home in Ghana, she hasn’t looked back. She splits her time between Johannesburg, Accra and London, (although now she’s dreaming of a flat in Edinburgh) and counts the BA lounges at Heathrow amongst her favourite places in the world.
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 37 reviews
February 1, 2021
Thats of obvious mistakes throughout, story was often very slow then unrealistically quick. Lots of padding out had the scope to be alot better with more content
September 22, 2025
Okay, so hear me out.
The first few chapters? I was not into this book at all. I was struggling. I was like.. Maybe I should just DNF?
Then suddenly the book had me glued and I couldn't put it down and I loved it. Some of the future chapters I wasn't as interested in (I much preferred the past), but hey. I'm not going to love every second of every book I read.
I did feel like the pacing struggled. I don't like slow, and when it was slow... It was slow.
I also feel like the sister was an absolute jerk. But then, Kit and Libby also were polar opposites and there didn't seem to be any hope that they'd get along. So sad... And our poor lead... Her life... Life sucks.
So, solid book. I'd like to read more by Lesley.
Three out of five stars.
The first few chapters? I was not into this book at all. I was struggling. I was like.. Maybe I should just DNF?
Then suddenly the book had me glued and I couldn't put it down and I loved it. Some of the future chapters I wasn't as interested in (I much preferred the past), but hey. I'm not going to love every second of every book I read.
I did feel like the pacing struggled. I don't like slow, and when it was slow... It was slow.
I also feel like the sister was an absolute jerk. But then, Kit and Libby also were polar opposites and there didn't seem to be any hope that they'd get along. So sad... And our poor lead... Her life... Life sucks.
So, solid book. I'd like to read more by Lesley.
Three out of five stars.
July 17, 2018
Anxious that it might be a Mills and Boon, I plunged headlong and was pleasantly surprised right from the start that it was far from an M and B. Don't judge this book by its cover. The story line was fascinating, and I really liked that it was chronological, instead of the new fangled backwards and forwards or parallel story lines. I really couldn't put it down, despite the small font, or so it appeared to me. A really Good Read, I loved it and thoroughly recommend it. I've never read a book by this author, but will definitely look out for others.
August 1, 2017
Meh. A few obvious mistakes. Story was either really slow or too fast. All issues between Kit and Libby would have been solved if Kit had trusted Libby and just talked to her and saved years of misery.
August 18, 2017
I would like to start this review by thanking Orion Books and Goodreads for giving me the opportunity to read The Last Debutante. I would also like to state that however much I gush through this review it is my honest opinion that I am sharing. And yes I am going to gush because I thoroughly enjoyed the story.
The Last Debutante was a joy to read. It was beautifully written, full of vivid descriptions which made me feel like I was at Kit's side for her entire journey. The story takes place over a period of decades and had plenty of twists and turns which meant I genuinely had no idea what would happen next. The characters central to the story were fully rounded and individual. The only criticism I can muster was the introduction of Libby, I had to check the character list at the front of the book to ensure she was the person I had assumed she was.
This is the type of book you pick up when you are not planning on having an early night, there will be plenty of, 'I'll just read one more chapter' when really you should be asleep an hour ago, but that I guess is the measure of a good book. I would happily recommend this to other readers and will now be checking to see whether Lesley Lokko has written any further books.
The Last Debutante was a joy to read. It was beautifully written, full of vivid descriptions which made me feel like I was at Kit's side for her entire journey. The story takes place over a period of decades and had plenty of twists and turns which meant I genuinely had no idea what would happen next. The characters central to the story were fully rounded and individual. The only criticism I can muster was the introduction of Libby, I had to check the character list at the front of the book to ensure she was the person I had assumed she was.
This is the type of book you pick up when you are not planning on having an early night, there will be plenty of, 'I'll just read one more chapter' when really you should be asleep an hour ago, but that I guess is the measure of a good book. I would happily recommend this to other readers and will now be checking to see whether Lesley Lokko has written any further books.
March 25, 2017
Aged fifteen, with Germany and England teetering on the edge of war, Kit is sent to Germany to bring back her sister, Lily, who married a German. Her experiences there will influence her choice of lifestyle to move from a wealthy aristocrat to being ‘useful.” This story evolves around Kit but also features the lives of her older sister and her daughter. Kit’s emotional love affair, resulting in her daughter Libby, is both gripping and touching. Later, her daughter struggles to discover the real person hidden inside her mother but this is only revealed after Libby's own emotionally-charged love affair with history repeating itself. Refreshingly different and a great read.
October 15, 2022
I really enjoyed the idea of this book but with the three time zones, each one felt like it could have been a book on its own with more in each timeframe. Just as I felt I was getting into the character it would end and the next character came through with their story. Kit had a difficult childhood then became a secret agent in World war II then her daughters story unfolded with links to the past.
May 30, 2017
This book would normally be something that I would put down after a while because it was a slow build to the beginning of the story. The action really takes off after the activities in Germany. It was really well done so much so it feels like a work of art. I really enjoyed how it was put together and how the generations interacted. However if I had one criticism it is that there are so many questions that remain unanswered for example what happened to the baby boy, and what happened to Lilly and did it become fully known what happened to Kit in Germany. I would also like a bit more info on Faust as he just disappeared from the story and also some more info about sub characters and they are there one minute and gone the next. However this missing information may be what makes it so interesting. Loved it and would recommend it to anyone to read.
October 15, 2017
In theory this book had good plot ideas, but I found it really slow and disjointed. There were characters, like Libby's sister, who were mentioned but never filled out, and I didn't see any point in mentioning them. Any potentially interesting or exciting event was mentioned for 1 sentence to 1 page and then never elaborated on at all. Instead of going through various chunks in the characters' lives, I think this book could have been better focussing on one or two points.
November 6, 2020
I thoroughly enjoyed this story. It spans several decades, generations and introduces cultures the reader may not be familiar with. Although there are skipped timeslots of Kit’s life it adds to the mystery of her character.
The story begins as England is on the verge of war with Germany. We get an insight into Kit’s childhood and the personalities of her family, particularly her sister, Lily. Kit’s life is far from smooth going especially as she has to contend with the attitudes of the day following a traumatic experience.
It takes us through her young adult working life during the war and then her marriage, relationship with her daughter and her espionage work on the side.
The plot is intriguing, and I liked the way the author links the opening sections with the end of the book and the way kit tells her daughter about her life.
The attitudes, background vistas and fashions of each decade don’t stand dormant. As the story moves forward Lokko’s descriptions move forward, accurately reflecting the time.
I enjoyed the characters who drew a variety of emotions from me – sympathy, anger, love – the full gamut.
There are some explicit sex scenes.
This is the first book I have read by this author but I will certainly be keeping a lookout for more.
The story begins as England is on the verge of war with Germany. We get an insight into Kit’s childhood and the personalities of her family, particularly her sister, Lily. Kit’s life is far from smooth going especially as she has to contend with the attitudes of the day following a traumatic experience.
It takes us through her young adult working life during the war and then her marriage, relationship with her daughter and her espionage work on the side.
The plot is intriguing, and I liked the way the author links the opening sections with the end of the book and the way kit tells her daughter about her life.
The attitudes, background vistas and fashions of each decade don’t stand dormant. As the story moves forward Lokko’s descriptions move forward, accurately reflecting the time.
I enjoyed the characters who drew a variety of emotions from me – sympathy, anger, love – the full gamut.
There are some explicit sex scenes.
This is the first book I have read by this author but I will certainly be keeping a lookout for more.
May 5, 2025
2.5⭐️
Sono una grande fan di Lesley Lokko e ho letto molti dei suoi romanzi, ma questo purtroppo non mi ha convinta. Le premesse c’erano tutte (personaggi interessanti, ambientazioni affascinanti e un intreccio potenzialmente ricco), ma il risultato finale mi è sembrato vago e poco incisivo.
Probabilmente il problema principale è l’arco temporale molto ampio, che ha reso difficile dare il giusto spazio e approfondimento ai vari eventi. Alcuni spunti erano davvero promettenti (il lavoro di Kit, ad esempio, mi incuriosiva molto, soprattutto l’inizio, il suo addestramento), ma sono rimasti in superficie, lasciando una sensazione di incompletezza. Kit stessa è un personaggio senz’altro interessante, ma tratteggiato in modo troppo sfuggente: non si riesce davvero a capirla o empatizzare con lei.
La sensazione che ho avuto è che la Lokko abbia messo troppa carne sul fuoco, senza riuscire a sviluppare tutto in modo soddisfacente. Strano, perchè lei di solito è maestra nel gestire questi tipi di sviluppi. Diciamo che in questo caso ci sarebbero voluti almeno altri due libri per rendere davvero giustizia a tutti gli elementi della trama! Sarebbe stata una bella trilogia, divisa nei vari periodi 😁
Non è stata una lettura spiacevole, ma mi ha lasciato perplessa.
Sono una grande fan di Lesley Lokko e ho letto molti dei suoi romanzi, ma questo purtroppo non mi ha convinta. Le premesse c’erano tutte (personaggi interessanti, ambientazioni affascinanti e un intreccio potenzialmente ricco), ma il risultato finale mi è sembrato vago e poco incisivo.
Probabilmente il problema principale è l’arco temporale molto ampio, che ha reso difficile dare il giusto spazio e approfondimento ai vari eventi. Alcuni spunti erano davvero promettenti (il lavoro di Kit, ad esempio, mi incuriosiva molto, soprattutto l’inizio, il suo addestramento), ma sono rimasti in superficie, lasciando una sensazione di incompletezza. Kit stessa è un personaggio senz’altro interessante, ma tratteggiato in modo troppo sfuggente: non si riesce davvero a capirla o empatizzare con lei.
La sensazione che ho avuto è che la Lokko abbia messo troppa carne sul fuoco, senza riuscire a sviluppare tutto in modo soddisfacente. Strano, perchè lei di solito è maestra nel gestire questi tipi di sviluppi. Diciamo che in questo caso ci sarebbero voluti almeno altri due libri per rendere davvero giustizia a tutti gli elementi della trama! Sarebbe stata una bella trilogia, divisa nei vari periodi 😁
Non è stata una lettura spiacevole, ma mi ha lasciato perplessa.
March 29, 2018
Devo dire che il primo quarto di libro mi è sembrato noioso, immaginavo quindi (visto anche alcune recensioni qui) che sarebbe stato un flop e che lo avrei probabilmente mollato di lì a poco senza finirlo.
Invece poi BAM! Diventa appassionante da morire, ben scritto, coinvolgente e con personaggi nemmeno troppo stereotipati! La Lokko è imbattibile, sono una fan dal mitico 'Sundowners' (capolavoro del genere), negli anni si è un po' persa rispetto agli esordi (gli ultimi romanzi non mi avevano convinta più di tanto), qui si reinventa il (suo) genere, mixando gli elementi dei primi romanzi (glamour, località esotiche, colpi di scena stile soap opera) con quelli degli ultimi, che presentano storie più 'mature' e meno ad effetto.
Nonostante speri che torni agli esordi proponendo storie di puro escapism, esagerate e modaiole, devo dire che questo romanzo è davvero riuscito a commuovermi e a toccare molte corde. Imperdibile, vai così Lesley sfornane almeno uno all'anno che non ti mollo!
PS: meriterebbe secondo me il successo di Lucinda Riley, i cui romanzi sono a mio avviso meno belli e brillanti di questi!
Invece poi BAM! Diventa appassionante da morire, ben scritto, coinvolgente e con personaggi nemmeno troppo stereotipati! La Lokko è imbattibile, sono una fan dal mitico 'Sundowners' (capolavoro del genere), negli anni si è un po' persa rispetto agli esordi (gli ultimi romanzi non mi avevano convinta più di tanto), qui si reinventa il (suo) genere, mixando gli elementi dei primi romanzi (glamour, località esotiche, colpi di scena stile soap opera) con quelli degli ultimi, che presentano storie più 'mature' e meno ad effetto.
Nonostante speri che torni agli esordi proponendo storie di puro escapism, esagerate e modaiole, devo dire che questo romanzo è davvero riuscito a commuovermi e a toccare molte corde. Imperdibile, vai così Lesley sfornane almeno uno all'anno che non ti mollo!
PS: meriterebbe secondo me il successo di Lucinda Riley, i cui romanzi sono a mio avviso meno belli e brillanti di questi!
March 29, 2018
The start of this book promises a lot and I was enthralled from the beginning however I feel the author has missed a trick here. So many questions unanswered. Why would you send a shy 15 year girl to bring back a sister that was married anyway. It just wasn’t going to happen. It was Germany at the start of war! Kit had a terrible experience but went on to have a position in M16 probably as a sex spy. Really! Libby was obviously born out of love but wasn’t shown love. Interesting book to discuss at a book group. I would read another by the author just to see if this was a rushed book.
January 4, 2022
Non avevo mai letto niente di Lesley Lokko e devo dire che è una buona scrittrice, raffinata, elegante, forse leggermente prolissa a volte.
Il romanzo è ben scritto, piacevole, ruota tutto intorno a Kit, donna forte, con tanti segreti che verranno rivelati solo nel finale. La punta di polemica sul razzismo e luoghi comuni un po’ mortifica il racconto, ma non lede la trama.
Non è un capolavoro ma si legge.
Il romanzo è ben scritto, piacevole, ruota tutto intorno a Kit, donna forte, con tanti segreti che verranno rivelati solo nel finale. La punta di polemica sul razzismo e luoghi comuni un po’ mortifica il racconto, ma non lede la trama.
Non è un capolavoro ma si legge.
January 25, 2023
Nie mogłam doczekać się, aż skończę czytać, autentycznie co chwilę sprawdzałam ile stron zostało do końca. Kilka razy udało się autorce wywołać we mnie jakieś emocje związane z działaniami bohaterów, ale cała reszta wzbudzała we mnie zirytowanie. Dużo przeskoków czasowych o kilka miesięcy, czy lat i poucinanych wątków. Tytuł mylący. Całkowicie czego innego spodziewałam się sięgając po tą książkę i starsznie się zawiodłam.
August 24, 2017
The comment on the book cover 'She was never going to play by their rules' caught my attention. The novel is told in ten sections. While told in chronological order, there are vast periods of time between some of the parts. The story is mainly told from the viewpoint of Kit and her daughter Libby. An interesting commentary on the role of women in society. An endearing story.
March 26, 2018
I really enjoyed this - it was a bit slow to get started but then the story developed and was great reading.
I loved the characters. The book mainly focuses on Kit and her eldest daughter Libby, and their strained relationship due to the many secrets kept over the years, but the minor relationships were also very interesting reading and added depth to the plot.
A very good read.
I loved the characters. The book mainly focuses on Kit and her eldest daughter Libby, and their strained relationship due to the many secrets kept over the years, but the minor relationships were also very interesting reading and added depth to the plot.
A very good read.
January 17, 2019
I loved the book but felt the blurb didn't do it justice. I felt the author missed an opportunity with storyline to drag it out into a series of books digging deeper into kit's experiences rather than focusing on bringing the plot back to present day and the relationship struggles between mother and daughter.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
February 3, 2017
Vatious plaved
A lovely book travelling the world with all the interesting lives.A modern day history of life after the end of presentation at court. A delight to read .Well written with excellent description of the various countries involved with the family
A lovely book travelling the world with all the interesting lives.A modern day history of life after the end of presentation at court. A delight to read .Well written with excellent description of the various countries involved with the family
August 4, 2017
I liked the characters a lot, but I personally didn't feel the storyline was very succinct or flowed well. It was a bit choppy and missing bits of information I would've liked to know. It was nice to be taken back in time and feel immersed in that era though.
December 9, 2017
Anni che non leggevo un libro così brutto, grossa delusione. Soprattutto dopo aver letto “il mondo ai miei piedi” anni fa mi aspettavo qualcosa di molto meglio. Personaggi a casaccio, salti continui, spezzoni di storie mal connesse.
February 1, 2021
Really disappointed in this book couldnt finish it. It is full of historical inaccuracies even simple place names are mis spelled. I fail to see what the title has to do with the very weak storyline of the book.
April 11, 2023
I really enjoyed reading rhis book which was set over a few decades around WWII. The descriptions of Kit during this time and the fact that this had remained a secret for such a long time kept me intrigued to the end.
June 23, 2023
I do judge a book by its cover however I still am not sure the title fits the book. The main character endured many hardships and because of them, became a very bitter, cold but intelligent person, unable to let her loved ones into her life. Lots of twists and turns kept me interested.
June 20, 2017
Un romanzo complicato, ricco di spunti di riflessione e piacevole da leggere, ma con i suoi continui salti temporali finisce per lasciare storylines a metà e personaggi solo abbozzati.
October 11, 2017
Very enjoyable
February 13, 2018
Excellent characters. Some situations a bit over the top and some unnecessary explicit sex scenes. But overall a fascinating read.
May 4, 2018
I loved loved LOVED Sundowners, but this isn't even close to being in it's league. I forced myself to finish it but only enjoyed max 10%, if that. Not worth it!
August 31, 2018
A sweet surprise. Good plot and well crafted.
January 15, 2019
Not her best... read Saffron Skies Instead
Displaying 1 - 30 of 37 reviews