The Debutante Is Mine

So – little secret – I requested this book the moment I saw it available. Devoured it – and forgot to write my review – and had to read it again. And I think it was better the second time around. Lilah has One Chance to make a splash during her third and final season and procure a proposal, or she’ll be married off to her cousin. She not only wants to make A Splash, she wants to be The Original, upon whom all other debutantes and girls of marriageable age fail to measure up. There’s only one problem: she doesn’t see herself as particularly wondrous, just desperately in need of a proposal. Jack is the son of an Earl, but born on the wrong side of the blanket. He’s decided he’s not interested in marriage or the machinations of society, and has worked hard to make something of his own life apart and aside from his titled father. Until recently, he was ignored by his father, and he’s not particularly interested in his assistance now. But, his friend who is married to Lilah’s best friend has asked him to deliver her some flowers, mostly to help stir interest in the young girl. And when the flowers are delivered, it sets off a chain reaction of events that has Jack wondering if his friend’s theory of ‘matchmaking’ actually works. Delightful and wonderful, Lilah takes the bull by the horns and asks Jack, as just a friend mind, to help turn her into an irresistible catch. He sees little wrong with the prospect, and begins to help her achieve her goals, but he sees that even before all the changes, Lilah is near perfection….. for him. Charming characters with wonderful dialogue and a few stolen kisses added a sweetness to this story that overcame the couple’s own insecurities and difficult moments. Together they are wonderful, and Lilah blossoms under Jack’s attentions, even as she has momentary thoughts that he’s the one, title or no. With moments from other characters from The Duke’s Christmas Wish (a novella prequel of sorts) the story is rich and emotionally available. Lorret is an author you just want to read – her stories leave you satisfied and smiling, with only a few moments of angst along the way. I received an eArc copy of the title from the publisher via Edelweiss for purpose of honest review. I was not compensated for this review: all conclusions are my own responsibility.