The Last Debutante: The Secrets of Hadley Green, Book 4

I can admit that I have wanted to read this book since first seeing the blurb in the Julia London newsletter. I hadn't read but one of her other Hadley Green series but the blurb stuck in my mind and wouldn't let go. Learning it was going to be simultaneously released in audio, narrated by one of my favorite narrators EVER--Justine Eyre--sealed the deal.

However, it did not turn out as well as I had anticipated. I had several problems with and I'm not sure if it is because I listened to it and these issues just sounded worse when said out loud or if the book and myself never connected. I didn't like the grandmother. Although I don't condone corporal punishment upon the elderly, I wouldn't have blinked if that woman had gotten slapped. Hard. She came off as shifty and seriously whacked. Like two faces of Eve, medication is never going to fix this, eventually kill people in their sleep, whacked.

The narration really brought out the faults in this story for me. Whether that was due to narrator interpretation or bad writing, I don't know. I personally don't think it was the narrator's fault. Eyre's performance was quite pleasant. I could tell the difference in the males and females, Scottish and English, and the main characters personalities (unfortunately) shown through clearly. Her pacing flowed, the pauses were natural and there were no noticeable inhalation of breaths. She was Morgan Freeman in a Mike Meyers movie, too cool to be contained...

I don't know if I will read another Julia London title after this. I may if the library gets a copy and I can read it. I do know I won't be listening to any more of them if given the opportunity. It is sometimes easier to ignore a story's weaknesses when you read it; like in real life, it's much harder to ignore it when someone else points it out.

Loved this story, it's very well written and the narration is top notch! I had a little trouble at first getting into the story but then it took off and I was hooked. I love the use of the Gaelic language and the narrators ability to say it all correctly. The storyline progresses very well after the small bump in the begining and the narrator is wonderful.

Daria Babcock's entire life is turned completely upside down when she decides to visit her grandmother in Scotland. Everything she knows to be true will be tested and it will take a stubborn Laird to help her straighten things out. The characters are all very well created and attention to detail is superb.

Most definitely worth a credit.

Wouldn't know

No

Extremely ! Terrible narration. The book is a Scottish tale and this
Narrator simply is awful at her Scots accent.

No. Too slow, poor narration, and too much conflict & handwringing in relationship between
Hero/ heroine.

Hope Julia London gets back in form and chooses better narrator
For each story.

The story is alright... The love story is nice, but there is a lot that is hard to swallow. Even after the great reveal near the end of the book, there is a whole lot that feels like an anachronism. I am not sure I could suspend my disbelief THAT much. The story is fun and sweet but there is a whole lot of details that do not correspond to the time period at all. The Parents let their unmarried daughter go trekking off to Scotland to deliver money to her Grandmother? Really? Then the Grandmother is up to something but no one knows what. Okay we can buy that, but she leaves her Grand Daughter alone with a naked Scot whom she had shot but is now nursing back to health? REALLY?!? Then he takes her hostage for money that was stolen/given by a daft man. Okay, I can buy that, but then the girl who is kidnapped tells people she is there in duress and no one believes her... okay and her Grandmother doesn't seem overly concerned by the predicament her Unmarried Grand-Daughter is in?!? Two weeks in the highlanders castle with no chaperone? REALLY??? REALLY???? You judge for yourself. Oh and one last thing... The way the Narrator does most of the book is great, but the way she say's "Mamie" makes me grind my teeth! She is always winey and it gets annoying. Then the Big reveal... well I won't spoil it for you. There is a HEA BUT there is a whole lot left unanswered.

I enjoyed this book both on its own and as a welcome addition to the series. The story is a bit light and predictable in places but this doesn't detract from its overall enjoyment. The heroine has a strong, take charge personality which I appreciate in historical romance and the plot had enough twists, turns and historical interest to keep me engaged to the end.