Balancing on Air

by Kate Fenton

Rose Shawe has a morning programme on BBC Radio Ridings. She also has a great job, a delightful house, a teeming diary, a lovely daughter, a clever lover, and a well-concealed past. Once there was a cabaret artist called Rita Bagshawe who Rose used to know. Not a stripper. Just a singer with a few dodgy friends who enhanced her finale by shedding a few garments. Unfortunately she'd once tossed her garter at a blushing Oxford undergraduate called Thomas Wilkes. Unfortunately, because sixteen years on, Tom Wilkes is due to arrive in the Yorkshire town where Rose has so beautifully constructed her life - and so carefully buried her past.

320 pages, Kindle Edition

First published August 30, 2012

Reviews

[April Andruszko · Rating 5 out of 5]

perfect light read. funny with a good cast of characters.

[Margaret · Rating 5 out of 5]

How great was this! Although it was written 25 years ago, Kate Fenton's book is not at all dated. The experiences of the characters, their foibles and failings, shine in this charming and gripping tale of love and let-downs in chilly Yorkshire. Fenton is witty, clever, and very funny. I felt my own life somewhat reflected in her writing - misspent youth, messed up romances, self doubt mixed with crisp confidence, determination ... I loved everything about this book!

[Jessica Ogram · Rating 1 out of 5]

Unfortunately I did not like this book at all. I was confused with the time jumps. The characters weren’t likeable. The plot was confusing and boring. The writing was hard to read (and that’s coming from a Yorkshire lass!). I just struggled with this book.

[Kristina · Rating 4 out of 5]

A scandal and a half! Really pretty trashy, but it keeps you reading. The plot really does twist and turn in a gratifying way.

[Amy · Rating 4 out of 5]

Fenton's sharp and funny as usual. She's a UK author that's hard to find over here. I see myself hitting the secondhand shops to stock up when I'm over there later this month.