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wickedwitchofwindenburg's review
adventurous
emotional
hopeful
inspiring
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
4.0
I love a strong female MC, and even better when we get to see her take her strength back.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Violence
Moderate: Domestic abuse
Minor: Rape
larastunkel's review
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
4.0
pardonthisbookaddict's review
4.0
Dance upon the Air is a paranormal romance about woman on the run from her abusive husband after she thinks he is dead. She finds refuge on a small Massachusetts island where she discovers her heritage and falls in love.
ianmcnamara's review
5.0
Started yet another trilogy by this author, did not think I would enjoy this would find it very good. Not going to say any more as don't want to give it away
opheliabedilia's review against another edition
1.0
Zack is the absolute worst. He figures out pretty quickly that Nell was abused, and reacts by continually pushing his way into her space and life even when she asks him to at the very least slow down; he expects her to not be afraid of him simply because he tells her he wouldn't hit a woman, gets annoyed when that alone doesn't make her comfortable with him, proposes super early in their relationship even though she repeatedly says she wants to go slowly and then gets mad when she says no, gets mad at her for the fact she didn't divorce her abusive ex even when told exactly why she couldn't, yells at her even though she reacts with fear and tells her he'll yell if he needs to yell, and tops this lovely sundae off with the cherry of calling her stupid, even knowing that's one of the things her ex used to do. He does eventually do some apologizing, but he never sees any reason to treat Nell with any gentleness, or to give her the time and space she so obviously needs. His reaction to knowing about her past abuse is to be mad at her ex, but not particularly compassionate to her. It's all about what Zack wants, all the time.
Also, this is one of those plots where the main character walks into a small town where she knows no one and is almost immediately just handed everything she needs. She gets a job at the first place she walks into, without even filling out an application. The owner of that place walks her around back and presents her with an adorable little apartment, furnished and tenant-less, just waiting for Nell to move in. Said owner is immediately Nell's new best friend. The handsome love interest walks in the door on her first day on the job. Oh come ON.
A few other things I didn't love: the magic subplot was hokey and predictable. Zach's sister was once best friends with the cafe owner, whose name I forget and who insists on calling Nell "Little Sister", but now Zach's sister hates her, and basically says "screw you" in response to everything Best Friend says, for no particular reason. I don't know why the audiobook version isn't listed here on Goodreads, but I listened to it, and I didn't care for the narration, either.
This was my first Nora Roberts book, and I'm not going to lie, it left me completely baffled as to why she has roughly eleventy million published books. I would think maybe I just picked a stinker, but judging by the rating, I guess maybe this writer who is beloved by so many just isn't for me. Which is fine, I often disagree with the masses. I will probably try one more someday, in case this was just a bad pick for me to start with.
Also, this is one of those plots where the main character walks into a small town where she knows no one and is almost immediately just handed everything she needs. She gets a job at the first place she walks into, without even filling out an application. The owner of that place walks her around back and presents her with an adorable little apartment, furnished and tenant-less, just waiting for Nell to move in. Said owner is immediately Nell's new best friend. The handsome love interest walks in the door on her first day on the job. Oh come ON.
A few other things I didn't love: the magic subplot was hokey and predictable. Zach's sister was once best friends with the cafe owner, whose name I forget and who insists on calling Nell "Little Sister", but now Zach's sister hates her, and basically says "screw you" in response to everything Best Friend says, for no particular reason. I don't know why the audiobook version isn't listed here on Goodreads, but I listened to it, and I didn't care for the narration, either.
This was my first Nora Roberts book, and I'm not going to lie, it left me completely baffled as to why she has roughly eleventy million published books. I would think maybe I just picked a stinker, but judging by the rating, I guess maybe this writer who is beloved by so many just isn't for me. Which is fine, I often disagree with the masses. I will probably try one more someday, in case this was just a bad pick for me to start with.
mmorevna's review against another edition
emotional
inspiring
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.75
sarful's review against another edition
3.0
3.5
Classic Nora Roberts and if you like her, you’ll love this. Young woman, strong man to fall in love with, small town charm and a little bit of magic. It was well written, but for me, just so-so overall.
It’s about a newly independent young, beautiful woman who’s escaping from her abusive husband and in search of a home. That home is the bucolic little town of Three Sisters Island in Massachusetts. She finds her stride at the local bookshop as a chef and a man in the town sheriff. Only, there’s a nebulous curse on the island, something only briefly talked of from historic lore, and also in the real background of Nell’s abusive husband looming out there.
Nell is a part of a trio of witches. Good witches obviously. And a trio each with their own book, I’m assuming each book breaks each of the three curses the island is in. Even though the book doesn’t really talk about it beyond mentions here and there.
Nell’s ex was a stereotype, effective but stereotypical for sure. Zack was pushy as all get out. I don’t know why Ms. Roberts writes her men like that often, they demand in a pushy way to be a part of her women’s lives. They always demand to be right too. I mean Zack is warm and great half the time, but the other half he’s so pushy. Is that how small town men are?
The jokes and banter tended to be on the antiquated side and a bit eye roll inducing. Sorry but, Leave to Beaver jokes out of a 29 year old mouth? Too dated to be believable to me, way too dated. I know, that’s rude to point out, so why make the characters young then? Also, this world was too cute, too vanilla, too white, too small town and too perfect for me. She just happens to have a catering background and the town just happens to need a caterer. So convenient. Not my cup of tea ultimately. I think I grew out of Nora Roberts. Oh well. She’s still a legend in this genre.
Classic Nora Roberts and if you like her, you’ll love this. Young woman, strong man to fall in love with, small town charm and a little bit of magic. It was well written, but for me, just so-so overall.
It’s about a newly independent young, beautiful woman who’s escaping from her abusive husband and in search of a home. That home is the bucolic little town of Three Sisters Island in Massachusetts. She finds her stride at the local bookshop as a chef and a man in the town sheriff. Only, there’s a nebulous curse on the island, something only briefly talked of from historic lore, and also in the real background of Nell’s abusive husband looming out there.
Nell is a part of a trio of witches. Good witches obviously. And a trio each with their own book, I’m assuming each book breaks each of the three curses the island is in. Even though the book doesn’t really talk about it beyond mentions here and there.
Nell’s ex was a stereotype, effective but stereotypical for sure. Zack was pushy as all get out. I don’t know why Ms. Roberts writes her men like that often, they demand in a pushy way to be a part of her women’s lives. They always demand to be right too. I mean Zack is warm and great half the time, but the other half he’s so pushy. Is that how small town men are?
The jokes and banter tended to be on the antiquated side and a bit eye roll inducing. Sorry but, Leave to Beaver jokes out of a 29 year old mouth? Too dated to be believable to me, way too dated. I know, that’s rude to point out, so why make the characters young then? Also, this world was too cute, too vanilla, too white, too small town and too perfect for me. She just happens to have a catering background and the town just happens to need a caterer. So convenient. Not my cup of tea ultimately. I think I grew out of Nora Roberts. Oh well. She’s still a legend in this genre.
pageofpentacles's review against another edition
3.0
A fast-paced read that goes like just about any romance novel, especially the ones written by Mrs Roberts. That's not to say it's unlikeable, just not something I'd typically pick up. Although it is a perfect novel you read over the weekend, with a slight dash of fantasy and magic to keep the reader intrigued.
ambrosia_books's review
5.0
This book gave me a weird kind of inspiration. It made me rethink a lot of things in my life and what I wanted. How I wanted to be a strong for myself, how I want I should own a bookstore/cafe/art gallery like I've always wanted, and how I want to find a sense of belonging somewhere in this world.
Every time I read this trilogy, Nora Roberts amazes me on how she can make a character so real and teach you lesson behind their story. I've read this book 3 times already, and i'm trying to determine if I want to read it again. Love and Magic have always been my slice of pie and I recommend this book to anyone. Hopefully, I'll come back and give a proper review of this book, one that it deserves.
Every time I read this trilogy, Nora Roberts amazes me on how she can make a character so real and teach you lesson behind their story. I've read this book 3 times already, and i'm trying to determine if I want to read it again. Love and Magic have always been my slice of pie and I recommend this book to anyone. Hopefully, I'll come back and give a proper review of this book, one that it deserves.