The Reluctant Debutante

Cotillion Ball Saga #1

by Becky Lower

Voted #1 Surprising Good Books by Goodreads readers
Voted #27 Romantic ebook Must Reads by Goodreads readers

In 1855 New York, Ginger Fitzpatrick has absolutely no interest in taking part in the newest rage in America-the Cotillion Ball. Instead, Ginger would rather be rallying for women's rights-at least until she meets her brother's best friend from St. Louis, a dark mysterious man named Joseph Lafontaine, who ignites her passion and makes her question if love and marriage is such a ridiculous notion after all.

What she and the rest of New York's high society don't realize is that Joseph is half Ojibwa Indian, and therefore, totally unsuitable for marriage to a fine, cultured young lady.



"Sensuality Level: Sensual"

Genres: Historical Romance, Romance, Historical, Fiction, Historical Fiction

250 pages, Paperback

First published July 1, 2012

About the author

Amazon best-selling author Becky Lower has traveled the United States in search of great settings for her novels. She loves to write about two people finding each other and falling in love amid the backdrop of a great setting, be it in America on a covered wagon headed west or in Regency England. Her Cotillion Ball Series features the nine children from an upscale New York family prior to and during the Civil War. Her first Regency, A Regency Yuletide, received the Crowned Heart and has been nominated for the prestigious RONE award from InD’Tale Magazine.

A regular contributor to USA Today’s Happy Ever After section, her books have been featured in the column on ten separate occasions. Becky loves to hear from her readers at beckylowerauthor@gmail.com. Visit her website at www.beckylowerauthor.com and sign up for advance notice of her new releases on: https://www.bookbub.com/authors/becky...

Reviews

[Sharon Lee · Rating 5 out of 5]

Becky Lower is a talented and gifted writer who has taken bits and pieces of American history and created a lovely and adventurous tale filled with love, suspense, and romance that makes this reader fill as if I am present in "The Reluctant Debutante". The heroine, Ginger, is strong-willed and determined to be her own person. Yet, in order to attain her one true dream of leaving NYC and heading west to St. Louis, Missouri, she abides by her parents' wishes by attending the Cotillion Ball. From page one to the very end, Ms. Lower has created a romance that made this reader fall in love with the hero. The author has given us excitement and a page-turner at its best. There is no doubt that Ms. Lower's Cotillion Ball Series will become a best seller, and I look forward to reading every book that has her name imprinted on it.

Sharon Lee Fernberg

[Micah Persell · Rating 4 out of 5]

This is a must-read for any history buff. From the opening chapter, I knew I held something special in my hands. The heroine--strong, independent Ginger Fitzpatrick--is Bloomer-deep in developing women's rights. The hero, Joseph Lafontaine, is half French-Canadian, half Ojibwa Indian. The moment they meet, the sparks fly. This alone would be enough to get me hooked (when was the last time you read a well-written Western/Native American romance?), but then author Becky Lower took it even further by incorporating real-life historical events. The climax of the book--Missouri, November 1, 1855--was stunning. Couldn't put it down. Will definitely pick up the next book in the series when it releases to see what trouble the twins get into!

[Amanda Shalaby · Rating 5 out of 5]

Becky Lower’s The Reluctant Debutante is a well-researched, richly drawn portrait of 1855 America that intertwines a number of historical events and persons with a very romantic and sensual tale. Vastly entertaining, with a fabulous tie-in to the famous Gasconade Bridge train disaster, Lower skillfully constructs a story full of challenges, betrayals, love and enduring friendships that has a way of pulling you into her character’s lives and wanting more. All in all, The Reluctant Debutante is a portal to another time that held my attention from beginning to end!

[A.E. Jones · Rating 4 out of 5]

Becky Lower's debut novel, The Reluctant Debutante, is a wonderful addition to American Historical Romance. With a market flooded with English Historicals (and don't get me wrong, I love them) it is refreshing to delve into American history in a unique way.

The heroine, Ginger Fitzpatrick, lives up to her flavorful name. She is a woman not willing to continue living in the same way as the women before her. She meets and works with Amelia Bloomer to help advance women's rights. In an ironic twist, Ginger is invited to participate in the Cotillion which is being introduced in New York's high society in 1855. While she plans to remain single and work in her Father's bank, she reluctantly agrees to help her family fit into society and attend the Cotillion.

Joseph Lafointaine travels to New York from St Louis with Ginger's brother, Basil, to sell horses. Joseph is a successful business man out west, but he harbors a secret - he is half Ojibiwa Indian. When confronted with New York's high society, Basil convinces him to hide his heritage.

Needless to say, when a strong-minded woman who doesn't believe she needs a man in her life meets a mysterious man with a secret how can the sparks not fly? And the best part of all? This book is chock full of historical references including a railway disaster that plays a pivotal part in the book.

I can't wait to read the next installment in her Cotillion series!

[Miranda Liasson · Rating 5 out of 5]

This book--Lower's debut--takes you from high society of 1850's New York City to St. Louis and the burgeoning West. Feisty red-haired Ginger Fitzpatrick, the oldest of nine siblings, prefers to be friends with Elizabeth Blackwell and Amelia Bloomer than empty-headed debutantes, and would rather work in her father's bank than attend the Cotillion Ball. Joseph Lafontaine, her brother's friend, is half-French Canadian, half Ojibwa Indian. He is upstanding, brave, and understands that his Indian blood prevents him from ever having Ginger. This story encompasses duty to family, the difficulties of sibling relationships, and the changing roles of women, all interwoven in the grip of a love that cannot be denied. Lower grabs you by the ankles and holds onto you tightly until you reach the page-turning climax based on the real Gasconade Bridge Disaster of 1855. This story will have you laughing, crying and begging to know what happens to Ginger and the rest of her eight brothers and sisters. Stay tuned for more from this talented new author!

[Rena Koontz · Rating 5 out of 5]

The first time Ginger meets Joseph, the reader knows they belong together. But Author Becky Lower doesn't make it that easy.
The Reluctant Debutante takes a walk back to the 1800s, when women showed their breasts, not their brains, and introduces us to Ginger Fitzpatrick, a champion of women's rights. We also meet Joseph Lafontaine, a French-Canadian hunk who makes cooking over an open fire sound like foreplay.
Ms. Lower incorporates rich descriptions with colorful situations and takes us down a precarious road through New York and St. Louis before bringing these two together, only to have them thrust into the famous Gasconade Bridge train disaster.
Once you turn the page to that chapter, there is no putting the book down.
Ms. Lower's debut novel is well written and leaves the reader eager for the next installment in the Cotillion series.

[Alyssa Greatbanks · Rating 5 out of 5]

I am totally at a loss of what to say about how much I LOVED this book. Normally I'm not super into books/movies set in this time period, but I thought I would give it a shot because the summary sounded interesting, and I am quite glad that I did!

The characters were all wonderfully written, VERY "fleshed-out". I loooved Ginger's personality. It is just so amazing for someone in this time period and social setting. I could very much relate with her.

Overall I thought it was extremely well written, it didn't seem overly cliche or "mushy". I really enjoyed reading about the various events in this book, and I will DEFINITELY be reading more books by this author (and in this series).

I recieved this book through the GoodReads First Reads Giveaway. This has not affected my review in any way.

[Sheri Ferguson Edmondson · Rating 4 out of 5]

I enjoyed this book more than I expected to. At first, I thought it seemed a bit "sweet" for my tastes, but as I read further, I found myself becoming quite attached to both the hero and heroine. I'm impressed that the author chose to confront racism against Native Americans. You don't usually find heavier issues addressed in romance novels, and this was a refreshing change of pace.
Also, the historical information regarding the Gasconade Bridge collapse really added to the novel and provided an excellent backdrop to show Ginger's hard work and fortitude.
I highly recommend this book. The steamy bits are at the very end, finally rewarding us after all of the sexual tension throughout the story.

[Shelly · Rating 5 out of 5]

LOVED IT, IT WAS AMAZING. WON THIS BOOK ON GR GIVEAWAYS..

[Rachel T · Rating 5 out of 5]

Combined review of the first three books of this series featured at THE READING CAFE

http://thereadingcafe.com/the-cotillion-ball-series-by-becky-lower-combined-reviews/#comment-17704

4.5 for this book!

REVIEW:

The Cotillion Ball series begins by introducing us to the Fitzpatrick family. Dad, Mom and many young and older siblings that are named after herbs and spices. In this book, our focus is on Ginger Fitzpatrick. Ginger is a bit of a rebel in her own way. She is all about woman’s rights and is quite vocal in her way of thinking. The last thing Ginger wants or has time for is her coming out season. While Ginger gets her way in most aspects from daddy dearest, she is put in her place and told that she will parade around in fancy dresses, have her dance card filled and flirt in non scandalous manners to land her a husband.

Basil, who is Ginger’s oldest brother, comes home with his BFF Joseph to assist and accompany Ginger during her seasons activities. What he doesn’t count on happening .. Joseph and Ginger falling in love. Basil doesn’t reveal something to his family when he introduces Joesph, and that would be that Joseph is half Ojibwa Indian, and French Canadian (WOOT CANADA ..LOL)! Well being Canadian isn’t the problem, but his blood and culture being half Ojibwa Indian is scandalous in New York high society. The Fitzpatrick family decide to just keep it to themselves and carry on as if he is completely acceptable without revealing his race.

Ginger is completely smitten with Joseph (and vice versa), but Joseph knows his race will cause issue so he tries everything he can keep his distance. Ginger, thinks it’s ridiculous that his race is even a factor and tries to pursue him. He is soon to be found in a compromising position with Ginger, and Basil being the over protective big bro flies off the handle. Hearts are broken!

It takes a pretty big catastrophe in this book to shake this family into accepting that life as they know it is changing fast. Feuding between the north and the south is starting to heat up, woman are rallying for rights and the abolitionist movement has commenced.

Ginger is very likeable and is a strong woman who knows what she wants. She is not afraid of consequences, polite society or of what other people think. My kind of girl! LOL Joseph makes a great hero as he is always trying to do the right thing, and while he loves Ginger, he respects her family enough to step back. Well .. until push comes to shove …… WINK!

COPY GIVEN via TRC via Becky Lower

[Tami · Rating 4 out of 5]

The Reluctant Debutante by Becky Lower – overall: 4/5; tension: 3.5/5; flames: 2/5

This is Becky Lower’s break out story set in 1855 New York and takes us on a journey to the newly found Hampton’s and blazing iron trail to St. Louis. The story is stocked full of interesting characters and situations that have a promise of more stories to come. This is one summer read you won’t want to put down until you hit the end. A great beach read.

Ginger Fitzpatrick is a spitfire in more ways than one and is coerced into a New York season by her mom. Ginger wants to forward women’s rights through her work at her father’s bank and by helping to take up the temperance cause that some of her friends are involved in. During her story she meets the first female physician, Elizabeth Blackwell, and the ever clever activist, Amelia Bloomer. Her adventures not only teach her how to trust herself and her choices, but she finds true love and companionship along the way.

Ms. Lower makes you feel like you are walking the streets of New York and St. Louis and riding the Pacific Railroad toward the West. Her characters pop off the page and are each special and memorable. At times there are a couple of slow spots, but that’s a sign that we’re gearing up for something exciting. With this being her first novel, I’m excited to see what will come from her in the future.

Just a taste:
Ginger‘s blush rose from her toes to her cheeks, which became inflamed with color. She stared up at him again and gasped. “You threatened me on our fateful day in the livery, saying you would like to strip me of my bloomers and have your way with me. Did you ravage me?” She squeaked out the question.
“You were unconscious, and ill. I would not take advantage of you under such circumstances.”
“Damn,” she whispered. She pummeled her hands on the covers. Then she smiled up at him. “But I‘m awake and well now.”

Favorite Quote:
Let no one say again we were not meant to meet each other.

[Katherine Bone · Rating 4 out of 5]

The Reluctant Debutante, set in 1855, encompasses a time when expansion led eager souls westward. (Love the first meet in this book!) Ginger Fitzpatrick, determined to get to St. Louis to improve her father's banking business, pacifies her parents by first agreeing to take part in the social season. Joseph Lafontaine has come from St. Louis to New York to sell horses. Every inch the son of a French/Canadian, his arrival takes debutantes in the social whirl by storm, to include Ginger. But Joseph has a secret that could very well spell disaster for Ginger, her family, and those willing debutantes. Can Ginger and Joseph find love when prejudice and social stigmas rear their ugly heads? Will Ginger survive the dangerous perils that await in St. Louis? Ginger and Joseph triumph but not before trials test their spirits and the depth of their love.

[Suze · Rating 4 out of 5]

I won this book from the author in the TRR anniv party.
This book is right up my street - historical with humour, I do like a feisty heroine too, dealing with issues, merging fact and fiction (I do like to find out facts!) and a happy ending (though if I had to say anything, I thought Ginger went a bit too soppy at the end).
Overall, a great read and the start of a series, so I'll be following to see which historical events are covered in future.

[Lily M Knight · Rating 5 out of 5]

I had never been interested in historical romance until I picked up one of Becky's books. Her easy way of telling stories had me hooked. I love the way Ginger sees the world and wants to change it. Her sweet romance is one I'll never forget.

[Carolyn · Rating 3 out of 5]

3.5

[Deborah Cordes · Rating 5 out of 5]

A magnificent read! I guarantee you'll love journeying to 1855 New York to meet the beautiful and fiercely bright Ginger, the reluctant debutante who would rather wear bloomers and protest for women's rights than dance and flirt at the Cotillion Ball. Becky Lower writes with a wonderful voice and she has a masterful grasp of the history of the era. As a historian, I fully appreciate her marvelous research skills and how deftly she weaves both rich and subtle details into her story. This novel goes far beyond the boundaries of a traditional romance, yet it will appeal to fans of romance novels and historical fiction alike. The love that grows between Ginger and her half French, half Native American hero, Joseph, is beautifully rendered. He is Ginger's equal in character and bravery, yet he is an "Indian" and therefore a target of the abject prejudice so prevalent at the time. While their romantic fate rests on his acceptance by Ginger's family - and by society in general - their own spirited and courageous decisions ultimately allow them to confront intolerance and bigotry in surprising ways, and to find their haven.

Kudos to Ms. Lower for creating a novel I won't soon forget!

[Peggy Bird · Rating 4 out of 5]

Not that I don't enjoy a good story about dukes and earls but it was so refreshing to read an historical romance set in the United States instead of England. This first book in Becky Lower's Cotillion Ball series takes place in New York just before the Civil War. The heroine, Ginger Fitzpatrick, has been pressured into making her debut in the new cotillion, putting herself on the marriage market. Ginger is more interested in working in her father's bank and in the efforts of Amelia Bloomer to further women's rights. Just before the cotillion, her brother comes to town from St. Louis with his friend, Joseph Lafontaine, who is half French-Canadian and half Indian. The romance that develops between the two is scandalous because of his heritage. Her desire to run part of the family banking business is equally frowned upon. How they work out their relationship forms the spine of the story but the wonderful secondary characters and the fascinating historical details from a time of great change in the country put meat on the bones. I'm delighted that there will be more in this series. I know I'll want to read them all.

[Janet C-B · Rating 4 out of 5]

This is a historical fiction / romance story set in New York City and St. Louis, MO in the 1850's. The protagonist, Ginger, is a very strong-willed young woman who is more interested in campaigning for Women's Rights than following traditional social norms for her time. Ginger, meets up with her brother's friend from St. Louis, MO in NYC. She is quite attracted to this young man, who is not considered an appropriate suitor because of his mixed Canadian and Native American heritage. Ginger takes a train trip with her dad and brother to St. Louis, MO, which is considered the American frontier in the 1850's. The story unfolds and reaches it's conclusion in St. Louis. I liked this book more than I expected. It is a well written story, with good character development, and clear descriptions of the times, both in NYC and on the American frontier. There is explicit sex, as is common with romance novels, but the sex scenes do not dominate the book. I am pretty sure I purchased this as a bargain-book when I was looking for something light. I rate the book 4stars and will look at other books by Becky Lower.

[Kjirstin · Rating 4 out of 5]

Fun little story. Lots of anachronism, but I didn't really hold it against the story, which was meant to be lighthearted anyway. I did find the setting of 1855 to be an odd choice; the story felt like it belonged in the Gilded Age (younger sons of English nobility showed up among other characters dotting the New York social set's life).

I think the only thing that slightly irritated me about the book was the strident feminism (of a 21st century stripe) of the main character; if it had only been treated a little more like "rebellion" it would have worked a little better for the setting.

All in all, a fun, lightweight book and precisely what I was looking for when I picked it up. I am pleased.

[InD'tale Magazine · Rating 3 out of 5]

2.5/5.0

Ms. Lower's novel has everything one would need for an epic historical romance - love, secrets, society and tragedy, all set against a well-researched backdrop of the Gasconade Bridge Train Disaster.

Read full review in the 2012 September issue of InD’tale Magazine.

[Tammy Walton Grant · Rating 3 out of 5]

Reviewed for www.indtale.com, September issue, 2.5 stars

[Suzi Love · Rating 4 out of 5]

Great insight into the history of New York and St.Louis and the expansion of the railway there.

[Anna · Rating 2 out of 5]

Too many convenient coincidences.

[R · Rating 5 out of 5]

Great historical romance

I very much enjoyed this book, - devoured it in one sitting. I'm looking forward to reading the second book in the series.

[Lucy Oliver · Rating 5 out of 5]

What a surprise this book was! I was expecting a simple historical romance and found an gem of a book, superbly researched with a real sense of history. The heroine, Ginger, is a campaigner for woman's rights (I loved the history of the bloomers), who falls for the half Native American, Joseph. Both the main characters were interesting and empathetic with their own goals to achieve. It was fascinating to read a different time period, which contained real historical references. Definitely recommend for those looking for a slightly different read.

[C.D. Hersh · Rating 4 out of 5]

Ginger Fitzpatrick is a modern woman. After all it is 1855 and she should not have to bend to the rules of society and a woman’s place in it. She wants nothing more than to continue working in her father’s bank and skip the plans her mother has for her for the coming season. Ultimately she surrenders because of the threat of her younger sisters being social outcasts because of her actions. Had she known how the season would turn out she might not have fought so much.

Joseph Lafontaine has come to New York at the invitation of his good friend Basil Fitzpatrick. Joseph has come to sell his horses and hopefully to make some New York contacts as an outlet for the family horse business back in St. Louis. The problem is that he has a secret that must be kept if he is to be successful in New York.

The story unfolds across the social season and ultimately leads to St. Louis. There are many twists and turns that Ginger experiences on the road to her HEA.

[Ellen Parker · Rating 4 out of 5]

Culture conflict.
Ginger Fitzpatrick, darling daughter of a New York banker, is unable to avoid entering society at the Cotillion ball. The only bit of hope she sees at the end of a long, boring summer is the promise from her father. If she completes the season scandal free, he will send her to St. Louis to join her brother in their newly established bank.
When Joseph Lafontaine accompanies his good friend from St. Louis to New York to sell horses and meet his family he expects trouble. But he doesn’t expect it in the form of his friend’s charming sister, a lady he promised sight unseen to leave to the society gentlemen.
Ms. Lower adds a dash of women’s rights, 1855 version, plus an ill-advised horse race to the contrast between eastern and western culture. This is the first of a series and a delightful invitation into the Fitzpatrick clan.

[R.C. Matthews · Rating 3 out of 5]

This story held a lot of promise. I loved how the author developed a strong-willed heroine who embraced the temperance movement and an equally strong hero who embraced his half-Indian heritage. It made a lot of sense to me that such a woman would snub her nose at society and be with the man she loved. I would have liked to see more interaction between the H/h before they were declaring their love to each other. And the middle part of the book, while interesting because of the rich history with the railroad incident, dragged a bit for me because there was chapter after chapter of no interaction between H/h. There were nuggets of brilliant writing in this book but also sections where it seemed to tell rather than show. But overall I enjoyed reading the story and kept turning the pages.

[Cary Morgan · Rating 4 out of 5]

At first glance, The Reluctant Debutante is a bright, colorful dance through the upper crust society of pre-Civil War New York. However, Becky Lower also shows us a world beyond the crinolines and lace, a world of racism, and the repression and the ‘socially acceptable’ marketing of young women. Despite these darker subjects, the cheerful determination of the heroine, Ginger, to overcome them and make her own way in the world brings a smile at every turn. Very much a woman of her own era, her bold push toward modernity will have her readers cheering her at every turn, most especially in her pursuit of, and passion for the very delectable Joseph. Well done!

[Darkwinde · Rating 5 out of 5]

Here's my review: I intended on reading only the first book in the series and then reading something else before coming back for book two. Instead, I read through all three that I had in three days. Then I found myself searching Amazon for the rest of the series before I even wrote my review. Apparently, I liked them a lot. Now back to Amazon.