The Ballroom on Magnolia Street

by Sharon Owens

On the heels of her captivating debut, The Tea House on Mulberry Street, comes Sharon Owens's new novel of passion, romance, and regret-and the winding paths to falling in love.

Johnny "Hollywood" Hogan owns the ballroom on Magnolia Street, where sisters Kate and Shirley Winters, along with other regulars, go every Saturday night-to escape the realities of Belfast life, and to seek fun and romance.

Free-spirited Shirley has a mad crush on a boy named Declan Greenwood, while thoroughly modern Kate likes plenty of variety in her wardrobe (and her love life) and is determined to get married before her younger sister. She'll take anyone who'll have her, even if it has to be that greasy-though not entirely unattractive-mechanic who has been hanging around lately. The crowd at Hogan's is always lively, but that doesn't mean all problems have been left at the door. Johnny's grandparents are afraid that he'll retire and shut the ballroom down. Johnny yearns for Marion, his old love (and Declan's mother), while Marion starts to worry that her long-held secret will finally be revealed.

But it doesn't take long for all of the ballroom's patrons to discover that, even without velvet-lined balconies and crystal chandeliers, the magic of the twinkling lights and soft music will help them find just what they're looking for-whether it be family, friendship, or even true love.

Genres: Fiction, Chick Lit, Romance, Ireland, Audiobook, Contemporary, Irish Literature

Paperback

First published January 1, 2003

About the author

Here are some questions I get asked a lot:

DID YOU ALWAYS WANT TO BE A WRITER?

No, it never crossed my mind, though I have always loved books.

WHAT BOOKS DID YOU LOVE AS A CHILD?

THE BORROWERS
THE BORROWERS AFIELD
THE BORROWERS AFLOAT
THE BORROWERS ALOFT
THE BORROWERS AVENGED, all by Mary Norton
THE SECRET GARDEN by Frances Hodgson Burnett
THE LION, THE WITCH AND THE WARDROBE by CS Lewis

WHAT BOOKS DO YOU LOVE NOW?

THE MAIDEN DINOSAUR
TEA AT FOUR O'CLOCK, both by Janet McNeill
LADY CHATTERLY'S LOVER by DH Lawrence
THE LONELY PASSION OF JUDITH HEARNE
THE FEAST OF LUPERCAL
AN ANSWER FROM LIMBO
THE LUCK OF GINGER COFFEY, all by Brian Moore
READING IN THE DARK by Seamus Deane
THE COUNTRY GIRLS TRILOGY by Edna O'Brien
BEATRICE by Noelle Harrison
THE RAGGY BOY TRILOGY by Patrick Galvin
THE FALLING ANGELS by John Walsh
MAN OR MANGO? by Lucy Ellmann
THE BLUE TANGO by Eoin McNamee

HOW DO YOU RELAX?

I love gardening. This is my garden in Belfast. We managed to squeeze about 25 trees into a very small space. It’s getting quite cramped now the trees are maturing but it feels like a little secret garden to sit in so we love it. I don't think I could ever move house as I love my garden far too much and also this was our first home together and the only house our daughter has ever known!
WHAT KIND OF FOOD DO YOU LIKE?

I'm a veggie who doesn't like courgettes or aubergines! So eating out is usually quite an adventure. I love salads, pizza, fries, most vegetables especially butternut squash, most cheeses, Indian curries, pretzels and most types of bread, all kinds of fruit and ice-cream. My favourite snack is tea and toast with real butter. I do a mean roast chicken for my daughter Alice, and she loves my bread and onion stuffing made on the frying pan with a little butter and
DO YOU WATCH MUCH TV?

Too much! My favourites are:

MURDER SHE WROTE
POIROT
MIDSOMER MURDERS
MISS MARPLE
MONK
KATH & KIM
FATHER TED
BLACK BOOKS
THE IT CROWD
8 OUT OF 10 CATS
THE FRIDAY NIGHT PROJECT
CORONATION STREET
SEINFELD
CURB YOUR ENTHUSIASM
ARE YOU INTERESTED IN FASHION?

Well, I would have said no until recently when it was pointed out to me that I love fashion very much: but only certain trends, and I never change my mind about what I like. So, for the last 25 years I have worn (only black) Victorian-style blouses, long waisted overcoats, pointy-toed ankle boots, DM shoes and sandals, palazzo pants and silver costume jewellery. I have long, straight hair and my favourite perfume is the POISON range by Dior, or anything by CHANEL. I have one designer piece: a LULU GUINNESS handbag that dermot

DO YOU BELIEVE IN LOVE AT FIRST SIGHT?

Yes. It happened to me. My husband Dermot is a wonderful man; strong and supportive yet gentle and thoughtful too. I wouldn't have a career without his encouragement, and I don't think I'd be nearly as happy or well-grounded either. He's my best friend.
The funny thing is, when I first met him, he was really skinny with long black hair and he wore a dog collar and an overcoat from the second World War. Twenty-three years on, he's gained some muscles, shaved his head, and now resembles a Hollywood hit-man. Both looks work for
HOW WOULD YOU LIKE TO BE REMEMBERED?

Hopefully with affection by my husband, daughter and close friends.

MY FAVOURITES...

BANDS:
Joy Division
New Order
Bauhaus
Jesus & Mary Chain
Siouxsie & the Banshees
Smiths
Morrissey
Cure
Cocteau Twins
Iggy Pop
Undertones
Papa Roach
XTC
Sex Pistols
Clash
Interpol
Muse
Rammstein
Futureheads
Kooks
KT Tunstall

Best Live Band: Smiths
FILMS...

WILD AT HEART
TRAPPED IN PARADISE
RAISING ARIZONA
AMELIE
EDWARD SCISSORHANDS
SWEENEY TODD

Reviews

[Rainy Rose · Rating 4 out of 5]

This book makes me crave a lot of food because the way the author described every delicacies were so vivid it makes my mouth water! The story was kind of a "roller coaster" for me, but I like how the book ends. It gave me so much satisfaction after that.

[Michelle · Rating 4 out of 5]

**Spoiler Alert -- I tried to write a review without giving away too much, but it was too confusing.

I don't know who were my favorite characters in this book, Eddy and Marion (whose marriage not only survived, but flourished against the odds) or Declan and Shirley (who were so mature and loving for such young people) or James and Eileen (who were so wise, funny, and dependable). They were all so nice and steady and good. I loved how Declan dealt with the surprise Johnny Hogan gave him!! He didn't really care to find out that Johnny was his biological father because Eddy had been such a good father all his life and given him such a good role model. So mature and filled with gratitude toward his dad. I think the private scenes could've been given with much less detail, but I'm glad that Kate (Shirley's older, wilder sister) was able to work her life out so well and settle down so nicely with her husband Kevin.

[Susan Schimmel · Rating 5 out of 5]

Just like the other Sharon Owens’ books I have read, The Ballroom on Magnolia Street feels like curling up in a comfortable arm chair!

[Amanda · Rating 2 out of 5]

This book had potential for some great storylines. Instead they were mostly half told which made them boring.

[Polly · Rating 4 out of 5]

This sat on my Audible shelf for a long time before I got to listen to it. Had a hard time getting past the first few pages, as the author jumped us around from character to character with no rhyme nor reason. There was too much focus on Johnny, who's my least favorite in the book. Not to worry though, he's not the bulk of the story (although he never quite goes away). Really enjoyed the characters, and I think you will too.

[Anita · Rating 3 out of 5]

Irish soap opera with wacky self absorbed characters, some of whom redeemed themselves by the end of the story and others who did not. Story centered around a ballroom in Belfast owned by one Hollywood Hogan, two sisters and others who frequented the ballroom and portrayed lots of relationship melodrama.

[Lauren of Ngaio · Rating 4 out of 5]

My first Sharon Owens novel. I read it in a day - I was on holiday - and enjoyed the escapism of reading about a small group of people, whose lives are entwined via the Ballroom on Magnolia St.
From Hollywood Hogan, a bit of a dandy, who owns the Ballroom, to the sisters who love to dress up and go dancing & seeking a reputable boyfriend. Oh and the bumbling extortionists - not really cut out for crime but they do their best. There is a relatable character for everyone.
There are some good laughs in this book, and if you want to transport yourself to (fictional)1980's Belfast then this is worth a read. Pure escapism!

[Helen · Rating 3 out of 5]

Johnny Hogan is a romantic and a dreamer. He opens a Ballroom on Magnolia Street and invites the city of Belfast to come in, meet the man of your dreams, the lady who will take your breath away, and dance all night through. The book shares the stories of all those all in the same town and who in some way or another are entwined within the lives of Johnny and the Ballroom crowd.
The story is of sister rivalry, of courtship, or shattered dreams, and traumatic moments.
The love story between Deklin and Shirley warms the heart. Kate is a harder one to stomach but just as real.

[Cindy · Rating 4 out of 5]

Whenever I need something lighthearted and fun, I pick up a Sharon Owens book. The Tea House on Mulberry Street was my favorite. With this one I could have done without some of the intimate descriptions, but otherwise it was a very entertaining story. I love the bumbling villains. :)

[Melissa Lee · Rating 4 out of 5]

This book made me laugh several times and for that I gave it 4 stars.

[Sarah H · Rating 2 out of 5]

It didn’t grab my attention and I didn’t finish it.

[Linda · Rating 3 out of 5]

3.5

[Jessica Pater · Rating 2 out of 5]

A strange story about a bunch of mostly unlikeable characters.

[Angela Good]

I enjoyed the entire book until page 310ish. Everything went downhill fast. Total bummer of an ending.

[Jennie Winters · Rating 1 out of 5]

I agree with other posts that this story dragged. I could not get through it.

[Shonda Grimes · Rating 5 out of 5]

Maeve Binchy fans will love this!

[Beth Ellis · Rating 3 out of 5]

Good characters, a bit long winded.

[Sue Risner · Rating 3 out of 5]

While this was a pleasant read, I found myself getting increasingly frustrated with the characters.

[Els · Rating 3 out of 5]

Maybe 2.5?
Did not enjoy as much as Ballroom

[Shannon · Rating 5 out of 5]

I found this book to be a fun, sweet, sometimes maddening and overall delightful read. The characters are very human with lots of flaws and I found myself shaking my head and laughing throughout.

[Essie]

Did not finish! Too much happening to too many characters, right from the start I was confused.....!

[Tracey Inglis · Rating 3 out of 5]

An easy good read

[Rachel]

It took me so long to get through the first three chapters, I can’t remember if there was anything inappropriate or if I was just bored.

[AnnMarie · Rating 3 out of 5]

Was a old book, held my attention long enough to read.
Lots of secrets and different ideas of the characters in book.

[Elizabeth Meadows · Rating 3 out of 5]

I liked this one better than Tea House on Mulberry Street, but not as well as Tavern on Maple Street.

[Kimberly Walsh · Rating 4 out of 5]

Very cute story. I really enjoyed the characters. It was funny at times and I think that wouldn't have come off as well if I weren't listening to it on audible.

[Cindy Su · Rating 3 out of 5]

Good.

[Elena · Rating 4 out of 5]

The Ballroom on Magnolia Street is an enjoyable read, full of glamorous and vivid descriptions. It really draws you into the characters’ world, making them feel familiar and relatable. Though flawed, the characters have many admirable qualities.

[Ma Chall · Rating 3 out of 5]

Felt a bit of a silly read. I wanted to finish it so I could read something else. Quick light train read one this one.

[Kimberly Westrope · Rating 3 out of 5]

I loved the characters in this story, especially the two sisters and the ways they goaded and supported each other. Actually, all of the main relationships were really sweet. I really liked the way the characters interacted. Another good story from Sharon Owens.