Almost two months ago, I received an e-mail asking if I wanted an advanced review copy of the Ex-Debutante by Linda Francis Lee. When I read the description, I was a bit skeptical about whether I would enjoy the book. Also, I had to finish that pesky semester of law school. After verifying that there was no hard deadline for reading and reviewing the book, I thought it would be fun to have an advanced review copy. Little did I know that by the time I got around to reading the book, it would be available for general consumption. I did not even get to put this on my currently reading list at Good Reads.
Imagine my surprise when I finished the book in five days!! I started the book on the plane as I was coming from Seattle to Durham. It turned out to be the perfect read to decompress from finishing my second year of law school. I just wanted to be entertained and not have to think too hard. The book delivered on those fronts, but I was also pleasantly surprised that it was so funny; I laughed out loud a few times. While there is a requisite happy ending, I did get surprised at a few of the plot developments. At one point, I even shed a tear.
I thought the author did a good job of giving insight into Texas society. I found that I could also relate to the tension the main character felt between wanting to be her own person and staying connected to her family roots. While the book is not an all time favorite, I would recommend it to someone who needs to decompress after a stressful experience by laughing and getting an inside look at “high society.”
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