Can't get enough of Strictly.
The time of her life!
Following a (totally justified) ugly, public brawl with her love-rat boyfriend, soap star and paparazzi darling Amy Lavender's TV career is over.
Her agent assures her that winning a glitzy dancing TV competition will put Amy back on top. But Amy has two left feet, and her hot dance partner Patrick seems to think that she's behaving like a superficial spoiled brat (also totally justified).
At rock bottom, Amy is now living in a rented room when she encounters her upstairs neighbour, an elegant older lady with a mysterious, tragic air who knows more than a thing or two about the foxtrot.
But it'll take more than a couple of dance lessons to get Amy back on the leaderboard and ready to cha cha cha her way to glitterball glory!
Carina.
I absolutely love this book. Set in London against a Strictly backdrop it is as gorgeous as a perfectly performed American Smooth. This book literally has it all. What started out as a quick peek lasted a lot longer because I was hooked from the first page and couldn't put it down. This is a book about living life to the full, following your dreams and being true to yourself whilst empathising with others.
Just like Amy there is far more to this book than glitter and sparkle. Another story runs throughout the book; Cora's story. Cora now in her nineties lost the man she loved at the end of war. It is the combination of both of these stories set against the Strictly glitter and glamour which gives it depth and makes this book so magical.
On the outside Amy seems to have it all. A buffed boyfriend, celebrating lifestyle and a good part in a soap. Amy has always loved acting but as she finds herself drawn more and more into the celebrity lifestyle she loses contact with her dream of being a serious actress. I really liked Amy she was so easy to emphasise with. Amy has two left feet but when she loses both her boyfriend and her job she accepts a place on Strictly. With no job and nowhere to live she acquires a low rent apartment agreeing to keep an eye on the old lady upstairs. Amy is walking disaster but there is more to Amy than meets the eye. Partnered with the equally buffed Patrick a love triangle of sorts emerges.
This is my first Kerry Bennet but it is so well written with a great plot, easy dialogue and well developed characters that I will be looking for more by this author.
'You messed it up a bit at the beginning,' he said.
'But you got it back and you delivered.
Amy Lavender, I smell something very sweet with you.'
There aren't enough stars for this fun, deeper than expected witty and relaxing read.
Highly recommended.
(A digital review copy gratefully received from the publisher via NetGalley in exchange for an honest review)
Fiona via GoodReads - "This was a really enjoyable, funny read. It features a show based on Strictly Come Dancing which is currently on TV, making it extremely relevant."
Ann via GoodReads - "I liked the way Cora's story was interspersed with Amy.'s and a tear in my eye on more than one occasion! As for the winner of the dance show - you'll have to be patient and read the book!"
No comments:
Post a Comment