Kathleen Tessaro is a great author, but not many people I know talk about her. Her writing has depth, and she does a better job than most in that regard.
In The Debutante, a handsome but humble antiques cataloguing guy named Jack is assigned to the Endsleigh House, an estate that now stands empty. During the 1920s and 30s, Endsleigh House was a happening, lively place, as it was home to famous debutantes known as the Blythe sisters.
Jack brings an artist named Cate with him to Endsleigh. Cate is beautiful and very mysterious, and moved from New York to England to escape a traumatic past.
Cate becomes intrigued by the history of the Blythe sisters, given the younger Blythe sister mysteriously disappeared and was never heard from again. Her interest is further piqued when she finds a secretive, locked room at Endsleigh. She then stumbles upon a hidden shoebox that contains an old photograph, a Tiffany bracelet, a badge, and a beautiful pair of dancing shoes. Cate embarks on a mission to uncover new information about the disappearance of Baby Blythe, and manages to learn more about herself in the process.
Every chapter in The Debutante is preceded by an intimate letter written by Baby Blythe to her older sister, and sometimes, her lover. As the novel progresses, the mystery behind Baby Blythe’s disappearance is slowly unveiled. Meanwhile, we get to relish in the sweet chemistry between Jack and Cate as they make discoveries not only about Endsleigh, but themselves. Each has their own tumultuous past.
The author really has a knack for bringing characters to life and making them incredibly relatable. The Debutante as is very moving, touching, and emotional. Jack and Cate’s relationship is mature, intense, and deep, and not at all ridiculous, shallow, or melodramatic. It’s very beautiful. If I had to use one adjective that describes how I felt after reading The Debutante, I would say it made me feel wholesome.
I really like Tessaro’s writing style. Her prose is so exquisite, and her vocabulary range is impressive. Everything is described so perfectly.
I’ve also reviewed The Perfume Collector (2013) for this website, and featured Kathleen Tessaro in this post called The Best-Ever Chick Lit Authors.
Other books by Kathleen Tessaro include:
- Elegance (2003)
- Innocence (2005)
- Rare Objects (2016)
What did you think about The Debutante?
Last Updated on February 19, 2026 by Sarah Ann
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