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ratetheromance's review against another edition
3.0
I thought to myself, "Well, surely I'm almost done with this book!" and when I glanced down I was at 63%. Then I gave up.
Now, why would I give more than 1 star to a DNF? Because the characters are well-written and the book is good—it was just way too slow for ME. I could easily see another reader loving this book and liking the slower pacing.
Now, why would I give more than 1 star to a DNF? Because the characters are well-written and the book is good—it was just way too slow for ME. I could easily see another reader loving this book and liking the slower pacing.
tessa_talks_books's review against another edition
4.0
Maggie and her daughters and friends are all big fans of Strictly Come Dancing, a television show where ballroom dancers compete for cash and prizes. Every Saturday night, they all meet up to watch the show together. Seb comes home from Australia and, just for a laugh, joins his sisters Sarah and Alice along with their friend Maggie for the Saturday night ritual. What starts as only a chance to be an obnoxious kid brother turns into a life-altering event for Seb and Maggie.
What I Liked
What I liked the most about Strictly Come Dating is what the story is about – the themes and messages that the story conveys and does it well:
It's a story about finding that person who is not exactly like you, but that compliments you and brings out your best self.
Maggie was married to a man just as structured and societally-conscious as she is. They fell in love with those parts in each other that was most like themselves until the passion turned into a confining, unfulfilling shadow of what it once was, and then it was over. Maggie found herself a single mother of two precious little girls who mean more to her than life itself. Then in walks, Seb, literally into the weekly get together of Strictly Come Dancing fans. He is impulsive, carefree, late to everything, never prepared, and almost 11 years younger than Maggie. Not to mention, he is her best friend's younger brother. Maggie has many reasons not to give him a second glance.
It's an age story just being a number.
Maggie is 37 (close to 38), and Seb is 27. They are at different places in their life. Maggie is a respected doctor, and Seb…well, Seb, is still trying to figure out who he wants to be when he grows up. A relationship between the two of them could never work. What will people say? The only thing is, Seb could care less about all of that. There is a special something about Maggie that transcends beyond age and dignity. Through the course of the story, Maggie learns to accept that age truly is just a number and that if it's okay for men to date someone much younger, it is okay for women to also.
It's about not letting go of your passions.
Dance brings Seb and Maggie together. First through a dance competition television show that Seb loves to mock and Maggie loves to watch. Wishing it was her on the dance floor, her passion leads to actual dance classes and a local dance competition to raise money for a community program for children. Seb makes sure he makes all of Maggie's dance dreams come true, as he can see the spark that it causes in her and wants her to live out her dreams, even if it means he will look silly in the process. That is all part of the fun and charm of the story.
It's about not being afraid to live life to it's fullest.
Ultimately both Maggie and Seb learn to live life to its fullest potential. Their relationship and love help pull Maggie out of her shell while providing a sense of direction for Seb. They each had different lessons to learn, but through their love for one another, they found their path to happiness.
Technically, the story checks all the boxes. The dialogue flows naturally, and the characters are delightfully flawed and endearing. Maggie's daughters, Penny and Tabby, are too adorable for words. At times, Maggie's and Seb's constant misreading of each other becomes tiresome, but all-in-all, Strictly Come Dating was an enjoyable read for me.
To Read or Not to Read
Strictly Come Dating is a cute, light read that is as steamy as a rumba dance and is a beautiful reminder of all that is essential in life.
Thank you to NetGalley and the publisher for providing me with an advanced copy in exchange for an honest review.
What I Liked
What I liked the most about Strictly Come Dating is what the story is about – the themes and messages that the story conveys and does it well:
It's a story about finding that person who is not exactly like you, but that compliments you and brings out your best self.
Maggie was married to a man just as structured and societally-conscious as she is. They fell in love with those parts in each other that was most like themselves until the passion turned into a confining, unfulfilling shadow of what it once was, and then it was over. Maggie found herself a single mother of two precious little girls who mean more to her than life itself. Then in walks, Seb, literally into the weekly get together of Strictly Come Dancing fans. He is impulsive, carefree, late to everything, never prepared, and almost 11 years younger than Maggie. Not to mention, he is her best friend's younger brother. Maggie has many reasons not to give him a second glance.
It's an age story just being a number.
Maggie is 37 (close to 38), and Seb is 27. They are at different places in their life. Maggie is a respected doctor, and Seb…well, Seb, is still trying to figure out who he wants to be when he grows up. A relationship between the two of them could never work. What will people say? The only thing is, Seb could care less about all of that. There is a special something about Maggie that transcends beyond age and dignity. Through the course of the story, Maggie learns to accept that age truly is just a number and that if it's okay for men to date someone much younger, it is okay for women to also.
It's about not letting go of your passions.
Dance brings Seb and Maggie together. First through a dance competition television show that Seb loves to mock and Maggie loves to watch. Wishing it was her on the dance floor, her passion leads to actual dance classes and a local dance competition to raise money for a community program for children. Seb makes sure he makes all of Maggie's dance dreams come true, as he can see the spark that it causes in her and wants her to live out her dreams, even if it means he will look silly in the process. That is all part of the fun and charm of the story.
It's about not being afraid to live life to it's fullest.
Ultimately both Maggie and Seb learn to live life to its fullest potential. Their relationship and love help pull Maggie out of her shell while providing a sense of direction for Seb. They each had different lessons to learn, but through their love for one another, they found their path to happiness.
Technically, the story checks all the boxes. The dialogue flows naturally, and the characters are delightfully flawed and endearing. Maggie's daughters, Penny and Tabby, are too adorable for words. At times, Maggie's and Seb's constant misreading of each other becomes tiresome, but all-in-all, Strictly Come Dating was an enjoyable read for me.
To Read or Not to Read
Strictly Come Dating is a cute, light read that is as steamy as a rumba dance and is a beautiful reminder of all that is essential in life.
Thank you to NetGalley and the publisher for providing me with an advanced copy in exchange for an honest review.
nday's review against another edition
I ended up DNF’ing this one about 25% through. It was just all falling flat for me. Like, it was okay, there was nothing outstanding wrong with it beyond me not very interested in what was happening. I like dancing, so I thought this sounded like a great story, and I’ve enjoyed Kathryn Freeman before. I just couldn’t get into this one, which is a shame. This wasn’t the story for me.
isabellm's review against another edition
4.0
Sweet, sexy romance with a little strictly fun thrown in for good measure. Loved Maggie and could relate to her need to be organised and in control and her wariness following her split with Paul. Adored lovely Seb, who for all his “laid back” nature was wonderfully complex. Maggie and Seb were very good together and had sizzling chemistry both on and off the dance floor. Their individual conflicts and insecurities were illustrated very well and you just rooted for them. Great mix of supporting characters in Tabs and Penelope (loved their relationships with both Maggie and Seb) and Alice and Sarah (sibling dynamics were well done). A well written and enjoyable book and would recommend.
isabellm's review
4.0
Sweet, sexy romance with a little strictly fun thrown in for good measure. Loved Maggie and could relate to her need to be organised and in control and her wariness following her split with Paul. Adored lovely Seb, who for all his “laid back” nature was wonderfully complex. Maggie and Seb were very good together and had sizzling chemistry both on and off the dance floor. Their individual conflicts and insecurities were illustrated very well and you just rooted for them. Great mix of supporting characters in Tabs and Penelope (loved their relationships with both Maggie and Seb) and Alice and Sarah (sibling dynamics were well done). A well written and enjoyable book and would recommend.
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