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Debutante
Four debutants find friendship as they seek love in a time of war in this WWII-era historical romance by the author of the Lorimer Family novels.
England, 1939. Aristocratic families are preparing to present their daughters as debutantes, introducing them to society through a season of elegant parties. Bidding childhood farewell, the debutantes are thrust into a world of dancing, gossip, and young gentlemen, glamorous but fraught with rivalry.
Ronnie, Peggy, Isabelle, and Anne could not be more different; four girls from four different worlds. Yet when their lives converge, they begin to rely on each other in ways they could never have imagined. But as World War II quickly approaches, it soon becomes clear that this season will be unlike any before. The world is changing, and all four young ladies will soon find their lives irrevocably changed along with it.
England, 1939. Aristocratic families are preparing to present their daughters as debutantes, introducing them to society through a season of elegant parties. Bidding childhood farewell, the debutantes are thrust into a world of dancing, gossip, and young gentlemen, glamorous but fraught with rivalry.
Ronnie, Peggy, Isabelle, and Anne could not be more different; four girls from four different worlds. Yet when their lives converge, they begin to rely on each other in ways they could never have imagined. But as World War II quickly approaches, it soon becomes clear that this season will be unlike any before. The world is changing, and all four young ladies will soon find their lives irrevocably changed along with it.
- GenresHistorical Fiction
520 pages, Kindle Edition
First published June 24, 1999
52 people are currently reading
85 people want to read
About the author
Anne Melville
32 books11 followersMargaret Edith Newman Potter (aka Margaret Newman, Anne Betteridge, Margaret Potter, Anne Melville, Margaret Evans)
Margaret Edith Newman was born on 21 June 1926 in Harrow, Middlesex, London, England, UK, the eldest daughter of Marjory Edith (Donald), a former teacher, and Bernard Newman, author of fiction and non-fiction books and considered an authority on spies. She had two sisters, Hilary (Mrs. Richard Hipkin) and Lauriston (Mrs. Malcolm Norris). She was educated at Harrow County School for Girls, from 1937 to 1944; and studied her Major scholar at St Hugh's College, Oxford form 1944 to 1947, she aslo earned her B.A. in 1947 and her M.A. in 1952. On 11 February 1950, she married (Ronald) Jeremy Potter, a publisher and later also published writer of mystery novels. They had a daughter, Jocelyn, and a son, Jonathan.
Before writing, she worked in various jobs, as teacher in Egypt and England, from 1947 to 1950; as editor at King's Messenger children's magazine in London, from 1950 to 1955; and as adviser at Citizen's Advice Bureau in Twickenham, Middlesex, from 1962 to 1970.
On 1959, she published her first mystery novel, Murder to Music as Margaret Newman. Her next novels were published under the pseudonym of Anne Betteridge, a tribute to her father's pseudonym Don Betteridge. Under her married name, Margaret Potter, she published Children's fiction. Under the pseudonym Anne Melville, she signed her historical novels since 1977. As Margaret Evans, she published two historical novels. She continued publishing until her death.
Widow since 15 November 1997, she died less than a year later on 26 August 1998 in Oxford, Oxfordshire.
Margaret Edith Newman was born on 21 June 1926 in Harrow, Middlesex, London, England, UK, the eldest daughter of Marjory Edith (Donald), a former teacher, and Bernard Newman, author of fiction and non-fiction books and considered an authority on spies. She had two sisters, Hilary (Mrs. Richard Hipkin) and Lauriston (Mrs. Malcolm Norris). She was educated at Harrow County School for Girls, from 1937 to 1944; and studied her Major scholar at St Hugh's College, Oxford form 1944 to 1947, she aslo earned her B.A. in 1947 and her M.A. in 1952. On 11 February 1950, she married (Ronald) Jeremy Potter, a publisher and later also published writer of mystery novels. They had a daughter, Jocelyn, and a son, Jonathan.
Before writing, she worked in various jobs, as teacher in Egypt and England, from 1947 to 1950; as editor at King's Messenger children's magazine in London, from 1950 to 1955; and as adviser at Citizen's Advice Bureau in Twickenham, Middlesex, from 1962 to 1970.
On 1959, she published her first mystery novel, Murder to Music as Margaret Newman. Her next novels were published under the pseudonym of Anne Betteridge, a tribute to her father's pseudonym Don Betteridge. Under her married name, Margaret Potter, she published Children's fiction. Under the pseudonym Anne Melville, she signed her historical novels since 1977. As Margaret Evans, she published two historical novels. She continued publishing until her death.
Widow since 15 November 1997, she died less than a year later on 26 August 1998 in Oxford, Oxfordshire.
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Displaying 1 - 15 of 15 reviews
April 23, 2023
3.5 Stars.
Touching and absorbing story of women’s lives in Britain during World War II.
Four young women, making their debut in London society in 1939, have no idea that their lives will soon change beyond all recognition.
Lady Veronica Delacourt, the daughter of a duke, Peggy Armitage, who’s father is a factory owner, Isabelle le Vaillant, with a french father and English mother and Anne Venables, the product of an old gentry family, are brought together by a broken leg and a couple of social climbing mothers.
The author does an excellent job of portraying the narrow and restricted lives of unmarried girls from upper class and ambitious middle class families. Making the best marriage you possibly could and having children was all their mothers wanted for them. Peggy who wants to attend Oxford, is thwarted first by her mother who wants her to move in society and then by the war from realizing her ambitions. Veronica is never even given a choice of future by a mother who can’t imagine any life but the one she’s led. Anne doesn’t care about having a season but is forced into it by her mother, a woman with no interest in or affection for her. Isabelle, who wishes to remain in France with her father, is led into a season of embarrassing husband hunting by her pushy, ambitious mother. The consequences for this blind adherence to tradition are dire for Veronica and damaging to the others.
The only part of the book that I thought ridiculous is the secret the girls decide to keep. There would have been no harm in allowing the two people who most deserved to know in on the secret. The excuse given wouldn’t apply if the truth went no further and I don’t believe it would have. Imagine what will happen when the truth comes out; I doubt those who have been lied to will be happy about it.
Touching and absorbing story of women’s lives in Britain during World War II.
Four young women, making their debut in London society in 1939, have no idea that their lives will soon change beyond all recognition.
Lady Veronica Delacourt, the daughter of a duke, Peggy Armitage, who’s father is a factory owner, Isabelle le Vaillant, with a french father and English mother and Anne Venables, the product of an old gentry family, are brought together by a broken leg and a couple of social climbing mothers.
The author does an excellent job of portraying the narrow and restricted lives of unmarried girls from upper class and ambitious middle class families. Making the best marriage you possibly could and having children was all their mothers wanted for them. Peggy who wants to attend Oxford, is thwarted first by her mother who wants her to move in society and then by the war from realizing her ambitions. Veronica is never even given a choice of future by a mother who can’t imagine any life but the one she’s led. Anne doesn’t care about having a season but is forced into it by her mother, a woman with no interest in or affection for her. Isabelle, who wishes to remain in France with her father, is led into a season of embarrassing husband hunting by her pushy, ambitious mother. The consequences for this blind adherence to tradition are dire for Veronica and damaging to the others.
The only part of the book that I thought ridiculous is the secret the girls decide to keep. There would have been no harm in allowing the two people who most deserved to know in on the secret. The excuse given wouldn’t apply if the truth went no further and I don’t believe it would have. Imagine what will happen when the truth comes out; I doubt those who have been lied to will be happy about it.
March 14, 2018
I received an advanced copy from NetGalley in exchange for an honest review of the book.
From the first few pages I was hooked on this book! What I thought was going to be a light, easy read turned into something much more. You meet the 4 debutantes as they are approaching the 1939 season, each apprehensive about their future and what being a debutante means to them and their family.
Though their world will quickly change at the start of World War II. How can these 4 who became friends despite being different from one another and their only connection being they were all debutantes at the same time face the war and the changes that come?
I loved reading more about the different roles that British women had in WWII -- it was interesting to read about it from a British women perspective because as one of them said in the book, their young adulthood was very different that what they expected, they went from being 18 in 1939 to being 25 in 1945.
I absolutely loved this book !
From the first few pages I was hooked on this book! What I thought was going to be a light, easy read turned into something much more. You meet the 4 debutantes as they are approaching the 1939 season, each apprehensive about their future and what being a debutante means to them and their family.
Though their world will quickly change at the start of World War II. How can these 4 who became friends despite being different from one another and their only connection being they were all debutantes at the same time face the war and the changes that come?
I loved reading more about the different roles that British women had in WWII -- it was interesting to read about it from a British women perspective because as one of them said in the book, their young adulthood was very different that what they expected, they went from being 18 in 1939 to being 25 in 1945.
I absolutely loved this book !
April 14, 2018
"The frivolous ambitions of the debutantes - and their mothers - were amongst the first casualties of war. The war brought times of heartbreak to each of them, but also gave them the opportunity - indeed, the need - to change direction and create new lives for themselves. That was why they gave up instead to be practical and successful women. Yes, it was the war." - quote from the ARC of "Debutante"
The book tells the story of four young debutantes, whose first season takes place in 1939, just before the beginning of World War II. The girls are very different, but what they have in common is that they are not enthusiastic about being a debutante and they would rather do something else.
Lady Veronica, known to her friends as Ronnie doesn’t want to get married, she thinks herself too young and inexperienced (and she is right as the story unfolds). She is impulsive and bubbly, she loves her brother and driving a car. She has no idea what she really wants or needs, which leads to some very tragic mistakes on her part.
Isabelle would prefer to stay in France, which she considers to be her homeland, than go to gloomy England and pretend to be someone she is not. She and her mother don’t speak the same language and have very different ideas about what Isabelle’s future should be. Her mother tries to play her to her advantage and plots intrigues to force a suitable suitor to make an offer of marriage. All this Isabelle finds despicable and unnecessary mean, but it is hard for her to rebel against her own mother and her wishes.
Beautiful Anne doesn’t want to be a debutante because she is shy and prefers quiet solitude to exquisite social gatherings. She is the only one from all four girls that gets a real chance of finding true and everlasting love during the season in 1939. But then the war commences and there seem to be more urgent matters than love. The fear of the German invasion and the defeat make it difficult to make any plans concerning the future.
Peggy Armitage dreams of studying at Oxford and considers being a debutante a waste of time and a ridiculous trifle. But then she truly enjoys the season, finds real friendship and maybe a bit of love. When faced with the beginning of World War II she has to make her own difficult choices and decide if she is ready to realise her dreams.
Don’t let the beginning of the novel fool you. It seems light-hearted and a little silly at the beginning, but when the girls have to face the real world and its problems, the story gains substance and becomes truly engaging. So, it is worth to stick with the characters and see how they develop and make their own choices. During the novel these girls become so much more than silly, emptyheaded debutantes. They become drivers, spies, civil servants, lovers, wives and mothers, who fight for survival and victory.
On a side-note, I am a little disappointed that in the book there was no mention of Poland and of Polish pilots who fought as allies of the Royal Air Force in the Battle of Britain against large-scale attacks by the German Air Force - Luftwaffe. It would be nice for the author to recognise that the biggest number of non-British pilots who fought and died in the Battle of Britain were Polish.
I received " Debutante " from the publisher via NetGalley. I would like to thank the author and the publisher for providing me with the advance reader copy of the book.
The book tells the story of four young debutantes, whose first season takes place in 1939, just before the beginning of World War II. The girls are very different, but what they have in common is that they are not enthusiastic about being a debutante and they would rather do something else.
Lady Veronica, known to her friends as Ronnie doesn’t want to get married, she thinks herself too young and inexperienced (and she is right as the story unfolds). She is impulsive and bubbly, she loves her brother and driving a car. She has no idea what she really wants or needs, which leads to some very tragic mistakes on her part.
Isabelle would prefer to stay in France, which she considers to be her homeland, than go to gloomy England and pretend to be someone she is not. She and her mother don’t speak the same language and have very different ideas about what Isabelle’s future should be. Her mother tries to play her to her advantage and plots intrigues to force a suitable suitor to make an offer of marriage. All this Isabelle finds despicable and unnecessary mean, but it is hard for her to rebel against her own mother and her wishes.
Beautiful Anne doesn’t want to be a debutante because she is shy and prefers quiet solitude to exquisite social gatherings. She is the only one from all four girls that gets a real chance of finding true and everlasting love during the season in 1939. But then the war commences and there seem to be more urgent matters than love. The fear of the German invasion and the defeat make it difficult to make any plans concerning the future.
Peggy Armitage dreams of studying at Oxford and considers being a debutante a waste of time and a ridiculous trifle. But then she truly enjoys the season, finds real friendship and maybe a bit of love. When faced with the beginning of World War II she has to make her own difficult choices and decide if she is ready to realise her dreams.
Don’t let the beginning of the novel fool you. It seems light-hearted and a little silly at the beginning, but when the girls have to face the real world and its problems, the story gains substance and becomes truly engaging. So, it is worth to stick with the characters and see how they develop and make their own choices. During the novel these girls become so much more than silly, emptyheaded debutantes. They become drivers, spies, civil servants, lovers, wives and mothers, who fight for survival and victory.
On a side-note, I am a little disappointed that in the book there was no mention of Poland and of Polish pilots who fought as allies of the Royal Air Force in the Battle of Britain against large-scale attacks by the German Air Force - Luftwaffe. It would be nice for the author to recognise that the biggest number of non-British pilots who fought and died in the Battle of Britain were Polish.
I received " Debutante " from the publisher via NetGalley. I would like to thank the author and the publisher for providing me with the advance reader copy of the book.
April 13, 2018
I was just immediately hooked on this one. The life of debutantes and higher society in the past has always fascinated me and in this book it was portrayed in such a beautiful way.
The book follows three young women: Anne-back from studying in Germany to find herself thrust into the Season without much money to her name, Isabelle-a Frenchwoman at heart who has no interest in England with an overly aggressive mother, Ronnie-a lady looking to land her man, and Peggy-a studious young woman entering the Season to fulfill the wishes of her mother and father.
All of these characters interested me in numerous different ways but it was how each one ended up after the war that most intrigued me. Nothing that I thought would happen, actually happened. And the journeys they went on to get there were surprising but felt so right for each of these women.
I absolutely loved this book. If I had had the time, I would have finished it in a day, and I was hoping it wouldn't end when I was nearing that last chapter. Anne Melville has made a new fan in me.
**Many thanks to Ipso Books and NetGalley for the opportunity to review a free copy of this ebook in exchange for an honest review.
The book follows three young women: Anne-back from studying in Germany to find herself thrust into the Season without much money to her name, Isabelle-a Frenchwoman at heart who has no interest in England with an overly aggressive mother, Ronnie-a lady looking to land her man, and Peggy-a studious young woman entering the Season to fulfill the wishes of her mother and father.
All of these characters interested me in numerous different ways but it was how each one ended up after the war that most intrigued me. Nothing that I thought would happen, actually happened. And the journeys they went on to get there were surprising but felt so right for each of these women.
I absolutely loved this book. If I had had the time, I would have finished it in a day, and I was hoping it wouldn't end when I was nearing that last chapter. Anne Melville has made a new fan in me.
**Many thanks to Ipso Books and NetGalley for the opportunity to review a free copy of this ebook in exchange for an honest review.
March 17, 2020
From the book blurb, I thought Debutante would be a frothy manners novel, with some social backstabbing, romance, and pretty dresses. And this is how the novel starts. Eligible young women from established families (or from rich families with social aspirations) will be presented to the queen to begin their Season of competition fashion, upscale social events and serious husband-hunting.
The season ends with the beginning of World War 2, and the book changes, by degrees, into a story of how these four girls survive the war. The debs take up high-class, voluntary work at first, but as the war gets closer to home, these lighter jobs disappear. The girls' hobbies as debs -- speaking foreign languages, driving a motorcar, etc. -- turn into essential skills in the war efforts. Money and privilege can't protect them from the horrors of war, and although the book started as a social drama, it doesn't hold back.
I particularly liked how the four girls grew over the course of the novel. Their goals and priorities changed quite a lot over the years, but their underlying personalities didn't.
The season ends with the beginning of World War 2, and the book changes, by degrees, into a story of how these four girls survive the war. The debs take up high-class, voluntary work at first, but as the war gets closer to home, these lighter jobs disappear. The girls' hobbies as debs -- speaking foreign languages, driving a motorcar, etc. -- turn into essential skills in the war efforts. Money and privilege can't protect them from the horrors of war, and although the book started as a social drama, it doesn't hold back.
I particularly liked how the four girls grew over the course of the novel. Their goals and priorities changed quite a lot over the years, but their underlying personalities didn't.
March 13, 2018
Wonderful. The first section I couldn't put it down. It actually seemed more like 4 books in one, going through the lives of the different Debs. You could really empathize with the characters. I'm not usually into war books but this one captured my eye and you can definitely see how the experience changed the debutantes from the girls they were to who they became. I was very sad about some of them, but it was realistic and real that it wasn't going to be a "happily ever after" type book.
My only complaint was the final section. As rich as the first one was I noticed myself almost skipping by the end of it to find something that was important. It almost seemed like the author ran out of ideas and then slapped a finish on. I would have liked to have heard more about Anne's acclimatization to parenthood and her mother's frustration at her garden. More about the work Isabelle did and how it made her feel alive (I assume that's why she was doing it), And of course (may have missed it?) who started the fire!
My only complaint was the final section. As rich as the first one was I noticed myself almost skipping by the end of it to find something that was important. It almost seemed like the author ran out of ideas and then slapped a finish on. I would have liked to have heard more about Anne's acclimatization to parenthood and her mother's frustration at her garden. More about the work Isabelle did and how it made her feel alive (I assume that's why she was doing it), And of course (may have missed it?) who started the fire!
June 28, 2018
"Debutante" is a well-written historical novel with complex and well-rounded characters and an interesting and emotional plot.
The four protagonists were all very different from each other and had very different storylines, which I greatly enjoyed. I liked how the author managed to portray the war, its consequences, and the roles women could play in it from four different perspectives. I also liked that the author didn't shy away from showing the more horrific consequences of war and how they impacted the four women.
What kept me from rating the novel even higher was the ending which felt somewhat rushed. I was impressed by the ending of one of the four storylines, but the other three were a little to smooth for my taste. An additional hundred pages would probably have made them feel more earned.
Overall, this is a really emotional book about four women's experiences during WW2 and I would definitely recommend it not only for the great writing but also for the wonderfully complex characters.
The four protagonists were all very different from each other and had very different storylines, which I greatly enjoyed. I liked how the author managed to portray the war, its consequences, and the roles women could play in it from four different perspectives. I also liked that the author didn't shy away from showing the more horrific consequences of war and how they impacted the four women.
What kept me from rating the novel even higher was the ending which felt somewhat rushed. I was impressed by the ending of one of the four storylines, but the other three were a little to smooth for my taste. An additional hundred pages would probably have made them feel more earned.
Overall, this is a really emotional book about four women's experiences during WW2 and I would definitely recommend it not only for the great writing but also for the wonderfully complex characters.
March 3, 2018
A gorgeous book following the unfolding lives of a group of very different debutantes in the last season before the outbreak of WWII. This story follows these strong women as they deal with a society that is changing really fast in the face of war, and as the expectations places on women in the old world collide with the new expectations they have while faced with this new world.
I cried my eyes out at parts of this book - and felt a real empathy and fondness for all the women featured in this book - I really want my teenage daughter to read this as ultimately it is an empowering story of the things women can achieve, as well as a testimony to how important friendship is.
Read this epic story - I guarantee you will love it, and I am hoping we get another instalment featuring the complicated lives of the next generation these strong women are influencing.
I cried my eyes out at parts of this book - and felt a real empathy and fondness for all the women featured in this book - I really want my teenage daughter to read this as ultimately it is an empowering story of the things women can achieve, as well as a testimony to how important friendship is.
Read this epic story - I guarantee you will love it, and I am hoping we get another instalment featuring the complicated lives of the next generation these strong women are influencing.
May 13, 2018
The 1939 Debutante season is coming up and the story follows four girls who come from different backgrounds but coming together for what would be the last season before the war begins. The story follows the feelings of each girl and her mother about attending the season. They are presented at court and then lots of balls to attend. When the season is at the end it becomes 'what now'. Peggy, Isabelle, Ronnie and Anne have become friends during this time. Now the war is upon the country and where will they fit in with the changes it brings to their life. Each life is so different from what you would expect of a debutante. Can the girls stay close with all going on in the world? What was important is no longer what they want or need now. The story takes us to after the end of the war and where they wind up in their lives. Well worth the read.
July 16, 2018
I so wanted to love this book. Maybe I read it at the wrong time. I could only force myself to get through about 35% of the book. I like the story line and the characters. There was just something about this book I could not get in to. I would love to try and come back to this book at some point and try to read it again. But for now, life is too short to force yourself to read books that don't ignite some kind of emotion in you. Maybe later.....
#Debutante #NetGalley
#Debutante #NetGalley
April 10, 2018
I thought this would be a light-hearted read about pre-war debs but no, in the interweaving of their lives, there is some serious stuff about the war years - indeed, some quite factual and informative recording of what was happening 'behind the scenes'. A surprisingly good read.
April 26, 2024
I just loved this book so much, its so well written, so captivating and entertaining while at the same time so inspiring. Every young woman should read it to understand what our grandmothers went through during WW2.
I simply loved it, could not put it down
I simply loved it, could not put it down
June 1, 2018
Debutante takes us through the last Season in London before the start of WWII. Four girls become debs for various reasons - society expectations, to find a rich husband, to make a parent happy. Each girl has their own motivations, hopes and dreams that are impacted but thy social mores of the time. What starts out a a light, fun-filled tale of balls and parties becomes something more serious and war looms. the girls must look to what they really want and how life will never be the same.
An enjoyable read.
Received an advance copy via Netgalley.
An enjoyable read.
Received an advance copy via Netgalley.
September 12, 2019
This book had a lot more going for it than the title says. "Debutante" begins with young ladies starting their "Debutante" year. (Does that even occur anymore?). I do like reading about this social way of years ago...although it certainly sheds no light on my life. Sometimes, it's fun to see how the other half may have lived. HOWEVER, this book goes into much greater depth and you step into the lives of four debutantes and see how their lives changed due to war and how they grew up accordingly. I really enjoyed the book and will probably check out this author for other stories.
May 30, 2018
Stunning and unforgettable read. It's not my usual type of story and that's why I love netgalley I get to read books I wouldn't have picked and there are a lot of good surprises !
Displaying 1 - 15 of 15 reviews