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The Steps Between Us : Dangerous secrets dance in ballroom shadows.
Dirty Dancing meets Big Little Lies in this twisty, high-heeled thriller where the stakes are deadly and the cha-cha is to die for.
All Ava Thompson wanted was a little sparkle to break up the monotony of midlife. Maybe a sexy waltz or two. What she didn’t expect when she started dance lessons? A missing husband, a dead dancer, and a tango with danger.
It all starts at DanceFreak Studio, where the mirror ball gleams, the pros are charming, and the secrets come shrouded in sequins. Ava’s paired with Nandi—a handsome Hungarian ballroom instructor 20 years her junior. She’s giddy with learning dance – and basking in Nandi’s attention. Then things get weird.
A shredded photo.
A burner phone.
A bloodied hoodie.
And poof—Jack, Ava’s husband, disappears into thin air.
Suddenly, Ava's not just dancing for fun—she's dancing for answers. And in a ballroom full of secrets, one wrong step could be her last.
All Ava Thompson wanted was a little sparkle to break up the monotony of midlife. Maybe a sexy waltz or two. What she didn’t expect when she started dance lessons? A missing husband, a dead dancer, and a tango with danger.
It all starts at DanceFreak Studio, where the mirror ball gleams, the pros are charming, and the secrets come shrouded in sequins. Ava’s paired with Nandi—a handsome Hungarian ballroom instructor 20 years her junior. She’s giddy with learning dance – and basking in Nandi’s attention. Then things get weird.
A shredded photo.
A burner phone.
A bloodied hoodie.
And poof—Jack, Ava’s husband, disappears into thin air.
Suddenly, Ava's not just dancing for fun—she's dancing for answers. And in a ballroom full of secrets, one wrong step could be her last.
258 pages, Kindle Edition
Published June 2, 2025
7 people are currently reading
3 people want to read
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Displaying 1 - 7 of 7 reviews
July 28, 2025
An interesting look inside the world of ballroom dancing, filled with intrigue and spice. I enjoyed the main character's honesty and vulnerability. Written by a former colleague and I'm super proud of her!
May 18, 2025
The Steps Between Us is a beautifully written and deeply relatable novel that captures the emotional complexities of middle age with humor, honesty, and heart. Lauren Gibbons Paul invites readers into Ava’s world, a woman facing an unexpected crossroads after her children leave home. Through the transformative lens of ballroom dance, Ava embarks on a journey of self-discovery that is as awkward as it is inspiring. With vivid characters, sparkling dialogue, and poignant reflections on identity, aging, and resilience, this novel reminds us that it’s never too late to chase joy or rewrite your story. The Steps Between Us is a heartfelt, empowering read that will stay with you long after the last page!
July 22, 2025
The Steps Between Us is the most honest portrayal of middle-aged reinvention I’ve ever read. I laughed out loud when Ava compared dancing to “vertical sex” — a hilarious yet telling line. The author brings so much warmth and vulnerability to Ava’s character that I found myself rooting for her from page one. Ava’s obsession with sparkly dresses, her deep insecurities around dancing, and her slow-burning crush on her instructor Nandi — it’s all told with nuance and heart. I especially loved the prologue where Ava admits she didn’t understand her own mother’s unraveling. That multi-generational thread hit home. I found this novel uplifting and addictive. Lauren Gibbons Paul writes with humor and gravity in equal measure. I will be gifting this to all my friends over 40.
November 25, 2025
I thoroughly enjoyed this book and am hoping it becomes a series! I knew nothing about the world of ballroom before, and while this book made me think it wasn’t something I could do, it made me know it was something I would like to read about! I feel like there are so many “new to me” avenues it could take. I could see me being friends with Ava and waiting impatiently for new stories from her life.
The author’s voice is so genuine, both self-deprecating and yet confident, witty and vulnerable. I will keep her on my watch list for sure. Hoping there will be another book soon, ballroom themed or not. I think this author has a lot more to offer and I am here for it.
The author’s voice is so genuine, both self-deprecating and yet confident, witty and vulnerable. I will keep her on my watch list for sure. Hoping there will be another book soon, ballroom themed or not. I think this author has a lot more to offer and I am here for it.
July 22, 2025
The ache of empty nesting and the thrill of rediscovery — Ava’s story is the anthem of the post-parenting generation. Her raw honesty is striking, her courage admirable. I cried when she danced. I rooted for her when she stumbled. This book is both mirror and map for so many of us.
July 22, 2025
An ode to the power of risk — Watching Ava walk into that dance studio for the first time made my heart pound. The way she chooses discomfort over safety, week after week—it reminded me how bravery often looks like small steps. Incredible.
August 4, 2025
This book was ok - I had a hard time reading this - considering I knew some of the people in the book the author is a really nice person but I was kind of shocked she would write about such a great place
Displaying 1 - 7 of 7 reviews