Can the secrets of one woman's past change another woman's future? Cate is a gifted young artist who survives in New York by producing remarkable c...
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Jul 12, 2011
Julia
rated it: 
I thought this book would be a sunnier beach read than it turned out to be. At first, I had a hard time caring about the characters, who are all wealthy, extremely self-absorbed, and kind of prone to obsessive behavior. It's kind of like Sex In The City but since the characters are mostly grieving over some kind of loss or betrayal, it has a much darker quality to it.
The story moves back and forth between modern London and 1930's London. The Modern London part features a widowed m More...
The story moves back and forth between modern London and 1930's London. The Modern London part features a widowed m More...
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May 22, 2011
Sarah
rated it: 
Kathleen Tessaro is highly underrated in the literature genre; especially in the sub-genre arena for chick-lit/women's fiction. All of her novels have a depth most authors fail to capture, with unforgettable plots that are emotionally impacting. The Debutante is Tessaro's latest novel.
Jack is a handsome, though humble antique cataloguing expert sent to the empty Endsleigh House, an estate at its liveliest throughout the 1920s-1930s -- and the home of the famous debutante Blythe sisters More...
Jack is a handsome, though humble antique cataloguing expert sent to the empty Endsleigh House, an estate at its liveliest throughout the 1920s-1930s -- and the home of the famous debutante Blythe sisters More...
Feb 06, 2011
Kate
rated it:
I picked this book up as a lunchtime read, and after one sitting, decided I was going to return it. And yet, after it sat on the end of my desk, I kept wondering about the historical situation set up in the book, so I ended up finishing it anyway.
The story is made of two narratives, one in modern London following Cate, a disillusioned young artist running from a bad situation in New York, and the other done via correspondence of a daring debutante in the early 20th century. The stories More...
The story is made of two narratives, one in modern London following Cate, a disillusioned young artist running from a bad situation in New York, and the other done via correspondence of a daring debutante in the early 20th century. The stories More...
Nov 11, 2010
Nely
rated it:
I truly love stories that have alternating sub-stories taking place within them. And The Debutante is the perfect example of that. With Cate's tale taking place in the present and Baby's story taking place in the past - I loved how both interwove and came together. When Cate is asked by her aunt to assist Jack in cataloguing the contents of Endsleigh House for an upcoming auction - she didn't expect to find a box full of treasures and a mystery that was just too irresistible to pass.
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Nov 03, 2010
Avril
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The Debutante
by Kathleen Tessaro
The Blythe sisters are Irish beauties launched into London society by their widower mother in the 1930's. Irene marries a politician and moves to a beautiful, rural manor home called Endsleigh. Diana aka Baby Blythe becomes notorious for her "romantic liasions", her drug use and her unexplained disappearance. Several decades later, Jack and Cate are sent to appraise the contents of Endsleigh for auction. Cate's on the run from a rich More...
by Kathleen Tessaro
The Blythe sisters are Irish beauties launched into London society by their widower mother in the 1930's. Irene marries a politician and moves to a beautiful, rural manor home called Endsleigh. Diana aka Baby Blythe becomes notorious for her "romantic liasions", her drug use and her unexplained disappearance. Several decades later, Jack and Cate are sent to appraise the contents of Endsleigh for auction. Cate's on the run from a rich More...
Nov 02, 2010
Rachel
rated it:
To read more reviews check out Reading Rendezvous at: www.missomnimedia.com/tag/reading-rendez...
They say a name is everything especially in a country surrounded by rank and position. The Debutante by Kathleen Tessaro details the live of Cate who recently returned to London from New York in attempts to escape her past. While her mother is on hiatus in Spain, Cate begins working for her Aunt Rachel at an auction house. In an attempt to revive her niece, Rachel sends Cate to Devon More...
They say a name is everything especially in a country surrounded by rank and position. The Debutante by Kathleen Tessaro details the live of Cate who recently returned to London from New York in attempts to escape her past. While her mother is on hiatus in Spain, Cate begins working for her Aunt Rachel at an auction house. In an attempt to revive her niece, Rachel sends Cate to Devon More...
Oct 07, 2010
Lydia
rated it:
This book was delicious. It had a bitter bite here or there (due to my somewhat prudish nature when it comes to certain words) but overall.. such a delicious story.
This is the recipe for a delicious story.
One part modern romance.
One part mysterious débutante.
One part old, sad home.
One part insanity.
Mix all those up together, put a beautiful pink cover on the book and you have the makings of a fun, interesting, sad, heart-warming, intriguing story. More...
This is the recipe for a delicious story.
One part modern romance.
One part mysterious débutante.
One part old, sad home.
One part insanity.
Mix all those up together, put a beautiful pink cover on the book and you have the makings of a fun, interesting, sad, heart-warming, intriguing story. More...
May 28, 2011
Karen
rated it:
Quite disappointed with this book. It was more of a character study, and very lacking in an actual plot. I guess this could be classified as contemporary literature. I couldn't see where it was going, and kept reading to find out. It seemed to go nowhere, though I suppose it was interesting. It involved 2 separate story lines, one set in modern times, and one historical. I felt in the end, that the historical part was used more as a padding to make this into book length. If it was intended for a
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May 17, 2011
CB
rated it:
I'm a huge fan of the author's earlier books - I still think Elegance is one of the best women's fiction novels around - so my expectations were high. So take the following with a grain of disappointed salt.
While the author has always had a somewhat remote voice, holding the characters an arm's length away from the reader, in The Debutante the characters are several hundred miles away. They never truly become three-dimensional on page, and Tessaro makes the fatal mistake of telling More...
While the author has always had a somewhat remote voice, holding the characters an arm's length away from the reader, in The Debutante the characters are several hundred miles away. They never truly become three-dimensional on page, and Tessaro makes the fatal mistake of telling More...
Nov 09, 2010
Staci
rated it:
Why I wanted to read this book: I've never heard of this author but after reading the premise of the story I thought it would make for an interesting read. I was intrigued with the idea of finding a box with various items in it and then setting out to explore the story behind them.
What worked for me:
* Of course, if you've read my blog long enough you'll know that I fall in love easily with all things England. So of course, I fell in love with London and the gra More...
Sep 22, 2011
Amanda
rated it:
I can’t figure out why this book was rated so poorly. I thoroughly enjoyed it and was captivated throughout. I noticed that some reviewers alluded to the fact that there was a hint of darkness about this novel. Aside from the mysterious that surrounds the shoe box and the Blythe sisters, perhaps the slightly darkened atmosphere is precisely what I enjoyed most. I should add that I’m not usually a huge fan of chick-lit as oftentimes I feel that it lacks substance. The Debutante should be cla
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May 15, 2011
Calvin
rated it:
I'm evidently not part of the recognised demographic for contemporary women's fiction, but I did pick up Kathleen Tessaro's fourth novel, The Debutante.
What I found was an intriguing novel combining a historical romance with a study of the complexities of modern relationships; the former taking the shape of a mystery prosecuted by the protagonists in the latter. The present-day events take place against a backdrop of a series of letters written by the eponymous deb which both feed off, More...
What I found was an intriguing novel combining a historical romance with a study of the complexities of modern relationships; the former taking the shape of a mystery prosecuted by the protagonists in the latter. The present-day events take place against a backdrop of a series of letters written by the eponymous deb which both feed off, More...
Feb 03, 2011
Marie
rated it:
In The Debutante, Cate is sent by her aunt Rachel to Endsleigh, a crumbling old mansion in England. She is to work with Jack cataloguing and evaluating the contents. She doesn't know much about this work, but she needs a break from her life. Once in the mansion, she discovers an old shoe box hidden at the back of a bookshelf. It contains a pair of silk dancing shoes along with other miscellaneous items. She's soon caught up in the mystery of Baby Blythe, the most famous debutante of her ti
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Jul 13, 2011
Susan
rated it: 
This book drew me in and I read it cover to cover with little break and less sleep. Part romance, part character study, part mystery - I *had* to see how it would come out in the end.
Set in modern London (U.K.)and environs it is a story of a young woman finding herself as she unravels the truth about a woman from the glamorous 1920's.
Great for summer reading by the lake or pool.
Side note: If you read the book -- I have to know if anyone can figure out about *t More...
Set in modern London (U.K.)and environs it is a story of a young woman finding herself as she unravels the truth about a woman from the glamorous 1920's.
Great for summer reading by the lake or pool.
Side note: If you read the book -- I have to know if anyone can figure out about *t More...
Nov 06, 2010
*MystGrrl*
rated it: 
Cate (aka Katie) is trying to run away from New York and her past. When her aunt Rachel offers her a job as an assistant to help auction catalog a deceased estate's assets at Endsleigh, a Manor in the English countryside, she jumps the chance to getaway; but when Cate lock picks a forgotten gilded room that had been hidden for over a generation and stumbles upon a shoebox filled with secrets, she becomes obsessed with the Blythe sisters and in particular popular socialite Diana "Baby"
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Jun 17, 2011
Alee
rated it:
This story is about a young woman who joined her aunt's firm to help the valuation of the property of a famous woman in England. Everyone's previous life seems to have sad pasts and interactions and how they have survived and proceeded make up the bulk of the story. The flash backs in this book are mostly in letters and through the artifacts left.
I enjoyed the mystery aspect of this book - Like a typical mystery, it starts with someone who has died but the initial death is not the de More...
I enjoyed the mystery aspect of this book - Like a typical mystery, it starts with someone who has died but the initial death is not the de More...
Nov 26, 2010
Katie
rated it:
The Debutante was such a delicious novel, that I went right back to the 'brary and got the rest of Kathleen Tessaro's novels!
A juicy byline runs between 2010, the main narration, and 1920, given to us through letters. We discover a wealthy lifestyle covering-up many secrets.
The best lesson learned is being true to yourself.
P.S. I found it interesting that the main character was named Katie...aka Kathleen??? More...
A juicy byline runs between 2010, the main narration, and 1920, given to us through letters. We discover a wealthy lifestyle covering-up many secrets.
The best lesson learned is being true to yourself.
P.S. I found it interesting that the main character was named Katie...aka Kathleen??? More...
Aug 01, 2011
The idea for this novel was very good, but Tessaro just didn't develop it enough. The characters weren't deep enough, the 'old letters' in between the chapters didn't quite read well either. I felt the ending was very poor and didn't develop the mystery of where 'Baby' Blythe' had disappeared to.
The most interesting part of the book, was the author's note at the end about her research for the novel, and the Queen Mother's cousins lives which she has based the 'Baby Blythe' character on to some More...
The most interesting part of the book, was the author's note at the end about her research for the novel, and the Queen Mother's cousins lives which she has based the 'Baby Blythe' character on to some More...
Dec 25, 2010
Sarah
rated it:
Review originally posted here.
I really like historical fiction, especially the type that mixes contemporary and historical, something like what Kate Morton (House at Riverton, The Forgotten Garden) writes. I think I was hoping The Debutante would be similar. To a point, with the plot, it was similar. But I didn’t connect to the writer, the characters, or the plot as much as I do with a Kate Morton book.
Cate, an artist, goes to London from New York in an attempt to escape from More...
I really like historical fiction, especially the type that mixes contemporary and historical, something like what Kate Morton (House at Riverton, The Forgotten Garden) writes. I think I was hoping The Debutante would be similar. To a point, with the plot, it was similar. But I didn’t connect to the writer, the characters, or the plot as much as I do with a Kate Morton book.
Cate, an artist, goes to London from New York in an attempt to escape from More...
Oct 05, 2010
Jennifer
rated it:
Actually 4.5 stars.
A brief bit from my book review blog Rundpinne. "Tessaro exquisitely weaves together the modern day lives of Jack and Cate, two people trying to come to terms with their lives alternating back to the lives of debutantes Irene and Diana Blythe through letters, the first one dated 1926." Read the full review here.
A brief bit from my book review blog Rundpinne. "Tessaro exquisitely weaves together the modern day lives of Jack and Cate, two people trying to come to terms with their lives alternating back to the lives of debutantes Irene and Diana Blythe through letters, the first one dated 1926." Read the full review here.
Nov 07, 2011
Leslie
rated it:
Tessaro's writing is pedestrian at times, but her plotting keeps you turning pages, and her conceit of entwining a historical plot in letters and a present-day narrative works well. Entertaining - the author's note at the end is as good as anything that came before with a look at how the novel came to be.
Cate Albion and Jack have been thrown together by their boss - and her aunt - Rachel to value an estate for auction. At Endersleigh, Cate discovers a locked room - once inside, she f More...
Cate Albion and Jack have been thrown together by their boss - and her aunt - Rachel to value an estate for auction. At Endersleigh, Cate discovers a locked room - once inside, she f More...
Nov 13, 2011
Jane
rated it:
I really enjoyed the mystery in this book and loved the idea of the shoebox with a variety of things in it but one or two things jarred. There were two uses of the worst swear word which I felt were unnecessary and just didn't fit with the whole style of the book. There was also a big unanswered question at the end of it so it just didn't warrant five stars. I would look out for this author again.
Apr 26, 2011
Christi
rated it:
I liked this book. I liked how the storyline from the 1930s and 1940s was told through Diana's letters to her sister Irene.
The balance of mystery, history, family dynamics and romantic interests was great. The book moved along quickly. Not to give away any spoilers, but I did like how the ending unfolded.
I especially liked the author's notes at the end of the book explaining how she developed this concept and what research she did. That is always really interesting to m
The balance of mystery, history, family dynamics and romantic interests was great. The book moved along quickly. Not to give away any spoilers, but I did like how the ending unfolded.
I especially liked the author's notes at the end of the book explaining how she developed this concept and what research she did. That is always really interesting to m
Oct 31, 2010
Jane
rated it: 
Albeit the author's best intent, and despite the being a fan of the author's earlier works, this book was disappointing. Her experiment with a mystery with an unbelievable romantic angle that seems more like an unnecessary garnish added as an afterthought made the resolution of both the mystery and protagonist's relationship unsatisfying.
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Mar 04, 2011
Alexandra
rated it:
I liked this book. It was beautifully written, although I wish the story would have delved deeper inside the character's lives. Also, I wish there had been a bigger connection to the past, and that the mystery of the Blythe Sisters would have been brought out more. Overall, a good read.
Mar 16, 2011
Diane
rated it:
Got it to read on the airplane. It's a quick and fun read. It incorporates a historical mystery into a modern day story. I had to go back and read a few parts. It seems like some stuff was skipped in the historical part that would've tied things better together at the end.
Nov 20, 2011
Sampled autumn 2011. I really liked Elegance, but the sample left me rather underwhelmed, so I decided to give this one a miss. Further, apparently the story moves back and forth in time and I have a hard time with that if I am not truly invested in the story.
Apr 20, 2011
Shari
rated it:
When Cate is asked by her aunt to assist Jack in arranging the contents of Endsleigh House for an upcoming auction - she didn't expect to find a box full of treasures and a mystery that was just too irresistible to pass. An easy and delightful beach read!
Apr 09, 2011
Barbara
rated it:
This book and a few chances to become a really good book but it never achieved the potential.
I never had any connection with any of the characters and the end of the book....it just ended. It didn't give me any closure. Very disappointed.
I never had any connection with any of the characters and the end of the book....it just ended. It didn't give me any closure. Very disappointed.
Jun 15, 2011
Brianna
rated it:
Intriguting, but sadly disappointing and predicatble. Again, a book where the author shows and does not tell, as stereotypical characters follow an unusal plot. Good beach read, but I'm not a huge mystery fan.
