In Kelly's (The Whispers of War) historical novel, 1958 London society is abuzz with the new season of debutantes. This will be the last year debutantes are presented at court, and everyone's desperate for this last chance to be presented to England's young new queen, Elizabeth II--everyone except Lily Nichols, who has no desire to make contacts or forge friendships among the season's elite and titled families. But Lily's widowed mother and overbearing grandmother make it clear that she must attend the season's events, followed by her coming out to be presented to Queen Elizabeth. Lily's grandmother makes it impossible to say no by holding the threat of financial insecurity above the family's head. Lily makes a sincere attempt to endure the season and to satisfy her grandmother, even as she begins to realize that the meaning of "family" changes with the seasons. Marisa Calin narrates this audiobook with clarity, perfect inflection, and subtle, clear distinctions between characters. VERDICT Fans of Taylor Jenkins Reed, Madeline Martin, and Fiona Davis will feel at home in Kelly's thoroughly researched novel of postwar England.--Laura Brosie

London 1958 is the last year that young debutantes will be presented at court. Lily Nicholls is of age and her mother and grandmama are determined for her to have a successful coming out. Lily dreams of going to university and studying literature, whereas her family wants her settled as a housewife with social status. Dutifully attending the parties and luncheons, Lily makes fast friends with other young women, some more genuine than others. With new friendships and a budding romance, Lily becomes bolder and begins to stand up to her mother and grandmama, even unearthing some dark family secrets. Kelly's (The Last Garden in England, 2021) descriptions of the glamorous, though long nights, are captivating. The pressure these young women feel to impress and make the right match is exhausting, and Kelly evokes compassion for her characters. The story is full of allure, society scandals, and the determination for these young women to eschew the dying traditions of the time.

Kelly's captivating latest (after The Whispers of War) follows a young woman making her debut in 1958 London, the last year debutantes were presented before the monarch. Lily Nichols, 18, is a talented dressmaker who loves to read and longs for a future other than that of a housewife. Her cold mother, Josephine, who's harboring some family secrets, relies on Lily's wealthy, controlling grandmother for financial support. Both regard Lily's societal obligations, with all its rules and gossip, very seriously. Lily becomes fast friends with the well-connected Leana Hartford, which improves her social capital, though Leana's mean streak and bossy nature quickly exhausts Lily, who finds common ground with down-to-earth Katherine Norman, the daughter of a newspaper magnate who's maligned for coming from new money. Katherine encourages Lily to follow her dreams of going to university and pursuing poor-but-wonderful Ian Bingham. The engrossing narrative dishes out the right amount of tension while moving the plot forward at a satisfying pace. The final act concerns Josephine's unveiled secrets, which feel superfluous, but Kelly's descriptions of the emotionally exhausting business of doing and wearing the right thing elicit empathy for characters whose circumstances depend on finding a husband. Kelly succeeds at bringing a bygone world to life. (Dec.)