5 - "If you've got it, flaunt it!" Stars!
I really enjoyed this novel, it’s kind of a cross between one of my favorite films Stepping Out in that it’s set around a small town dance school, run by the inimitable Miss Mimi D’Angelo, and the TV Show Strictly Come Dancing, in that it includes a whole host of different characters all bought together by their love of Miss Mimi, Dance and the friendships that it forges.
Told from Philippa Hayes point of view, having returned to her hometown of Elmhurst in Kent, divorced and publicly humiliated by her Musician ex-husband, she spends her first few months in town trying to disappear into the cracks in the pavement. But after a little pushing from her sister she decides to take a tap class in the hopes of getting herself out a little.
"This was supposed to be my fresh start."
As you would expect with a small village, there are a huge amount of characters that are a part of this story, and I really liked that they all had their own attributes, personalities, and involvement with St. Christopher’s Hall and trying to save Miss Mimi’s dance school, it really rounded out the story well as a whole.
"Once you’re in, you’re in for life."
Of course there is the love interest in Tom Boyd, single father, and someone with his own set of challenges that he is dealing with. Through the course of the story you learn more about Flip and Tom’s friendship as children, and in a quick flashback to May 1996, you are given the reasonings into Philippa’s decision to quit dancing and Tom’s involvement in that, although he isn’t aware of that fact until later on in the book.
Embracing your curves is all well and good until somebody is embracing them.
I think the main thing that I really enjoyed about The Summer We Danced is the gradual rebuilding of Philippa’s confidence and awareness of self-worth as she got back into the rhythm of living her life, the more she takes on and the more involved she gets with everything was like reading of another layer of doubt and insecurity that she was clinging to slipping away. Let’s face it as women we all struggle with body confidence, and feelings of insecurity and the author put a really positive spin on it and what can happen when you push yourself to step outside of your comfort zone, and stick up your finger to the rut you were previously in, that you have pulled yourself out of.
This is the first book I have read by this Fiona Harper, it certainly won’t be the last, as I absolutely loved reading every second of it, perfectly enjoyable light and entertaining reading.
ARC generously provided via Netgalley, and it was my absolute pleasure to provide the above honest review.
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Top reviews from the United States
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- Reviewed in the United States on April 7, 2016
Top reviews from other countries
- Carola DReviewed in the United Kingdom on June 15, 2016
An easy and enjoyable read
- Book wormReviewed in the United Kingdom on November 28, 2018
Just what the world needs 💟
