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One Dancing Flame
Sama, a single mother and reluctant heir to a vast tobacco empire, struggles to find her place. Haunted by guilt and the destructive legacy of her family's business, she dances on the edge of morality, seeking solace in each graceful twirl.
As she strives to raise her troubled son with the values she holds dear, the weight of her past threatens to engulf them both.
Navigating the treacherous waters of an industry she cannot control, Sama must confront her fears. Will she find the courage to dance through the flames of her turbulent legacy and forge a new path, or will the storm of her past consume her and the lives of those she loves?
Discover a tale of redemption, resilience, and the fight for a brighter future.
As she strives to raise her troubled son with the values she holds dear, the weight of her past threatens to engulf them both.
Navigating the treacherous waters of an industry she cannot control, Sama must confront her fears. Will she find the courage to dance through the flames of her turbulent legacy and forge a new path, or will the storm of her past consume her and the lives of those she loves?
Discover a tale of redemption, resilience, and the fight for a brighter future.
310 pages, ebook
Published August 28, 2025
1 person is currently reading
23 people want to read
About the author
Sara Badawieh
4 books93 followersSara Badawieh is a practicing architect and a mother. She loves to read a variety of genres and to work out her fingers on her keyboard.
Music, cake, and coffee are her best friends.
Sara lived in Montreal, Dubai, and in Amman. She holds a Bachelor's degree in Architecture from McGill University and a Masters degree in Sustainable Architecture from BUID.
She is married to the most wonderful man in the world and has two sons.
In her free time, she loves to bake and jump around with her kids.
Music, cake, and coffee are her best friends.
Sara lived in Montreal, Dubai, and in Amman. She holds a Bachelor's degree in Architecture from McGill University and a Masters degree in Sustainable Architecture from BUID.
She is married to the most wonderful man in the world and has two sons.
In her free time, she loves to bake and jump around with her kids.
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Displaying 1 - 13 of 13 reviews
December 13, 2025
"Little does he know, a mother always chooses her child above everything else."
Nice read.
However, I wasn’t able to sympathise with the characters, and this might be my fault, as I found it hard to relate to any of them except on rare occasions.
Thus, the book didn't touch anywhere deep within me...
I like the messages this novel aims to convey. I also love how it ends, and how love isn’t used as a cover for all the bad things going on. It's a nice reminder that we should learn how to accept our mistakes, and love ourselves before asking others to.
"We grow up, but somethings in us remain the same."
Nice read.
However, I wasn’t able to sympathise with the characters, and this might be my fault, as I found it hard to relate to any of them except on rare occasions.
Thus, the book didn't touch anywhere deep within me...
I like the messages this novel aims to convey. I also love how it ends, and how love isn’t used as a cover for all the bad things going on. It's a nice reminder that we should learn how to accept our mistakes, and love ourselves before asking others to.
"We grow up, but somethings in us remain the same."
November 20, 2025
This book was amazing just like every book Sara writes she always gets to amuse me with her book ideas, plot twists and the books' endings...I just love her books and can't wait to read more of them
December 13, 2025
Reviewing a book by Sara Badawieh is a bit of a challenge for me, as I know the author personally and have had the honor of reading and reviewing all her past books. I even feel like I’ve had a front-row window seat to her journey as a Jordanian novelist. So not liking this book would have been incredibly awkward.
To add to the potential awkwardness, the editor is also a friend of mine, so in this case I’m not some obscure reader adding my personal opinions. I know the people behind the work.
Fortunately, I liked Sara Badawieh’s latest book, One Dancing Flame. Otherwise, this would have been very difficult. Phew.
Now let’s dive into this review.
Let’s Talk Plot
The plot revolves around Sama, a single mother and marginalized heir to a vast tobacco empire in Jordan. Upon returning to the country after years of exile, a single mom and divorcée, she struggles to find her place.
Haunted by guilt, the destructive health-hazard-tainted legacy of her family’s business, and years of past scores to settle, she leans into her passion as a dance instructor, seeking solace in teaching her clients the tango.
She is a single mom raising her troubled son with the values she holds dear. Yet she also deals with a brother who holds her responsible for the unfortunate accident that led to the death of his wife and unborn child. That accident occurred when his wife tried to stop Sama from running away with her lover, the neighbor’s son.
As a result, her brother married her off to a man she never loved, now her ex-husband. She also has a younger brother battling terminal lung cancer.
So, within this heavy past and a present forged with judgment, Sama is forced to confront her fears. She is faced with a choice: either find the courage to confront her inner demons and forge a new path, or allow her past to burn her alive.
I won’t tell you how this all ends. Read the book to find out.
What Worked Well
I really loved how layered this plot is. It’s a full package of love, shame, greed, ambition, Gen Z drama, and revenge, all meshed into one tantalizing story.
There’s enough here to keep me intrigued. The characters are mostly deep and believable.
What Was Not Ideal for Me
Now let me nitpick a bit, because you know I always must.
The plot had the potential to be flawless, but the one thing that fell short for me was that in some places the author went into too many descriptive details that didn’t add much to the story.
For example, in many scenes the narrative is interrupted by elaborate descriptions of exactly what each character is wearing. If this had been toned down in a few places, the reading experience would have been smoother.
Don’t get me wrong, description is great when it serves the plot, but when the story pauses so we can learn about a crisp white tablecloth in a restaurant, it interrupts the flow.
I also felt that Bahar’s character (her older brother) was a bit overdone. No one is that vile all the time. That said, his past pain was beautifully portrayed and did add depth to his character, but it would have been nice to see more of his softer side.
I have a similar comment about Adam, Sama’s past love. He switches from good to horrible in an almost unbelievable way. Call me gullible, but I can’t help wondering how someone can turn from loving Sama to hating her so quickly. In real life, we don’t easily hate people who once meant something to us. Or maybe that’s my hopeful side talking.
Finally, I felt the last plot twist was a bit abrupt. The illegitimate sister could have been introduced earlier.
The Verdict
Putting my nitpicking aside, I really enjoyed reading this book. I can say with confidence that it’s the best work the author has released so far.
If you want to read a book that makes you laugh, cry, and occasionally want to slap some of its characters, this is a good choice. It’s a fun read.
I liked it.
To add to the potential awkwardness, the editor is also a friend of mine, so in this case I’m not some obscure reader adding my personal opinions. I know the people behind the work.
Fortunately, I liked Sara Badawieh’s latest book, One Dancing Flame. Otherwise, this would have been very difficult. Phew.
Now let’s dive into this review.
Let’s Talk Plot
The plot revolves around Sama, a single mother and marginalized heir to a vast tobacco empire in Jordan. Upon returning to the country after years of exile, a single mom and divorcée, she struggles to find her place.
Haunted by guilt, the destructive health-hazard-tainted legacy of her family’s business, and years of past scores to settle, she leans into her passion as a dance instructor, seeking solace in teaching her clients the tango.
She is a single mom raising her troubled son with the values she holds dear. Yet she also deals with a brother who holds her responsible for the unfortunate accident that led to the death of his wife and unborn child. That accident occurred when his wife tried to stop Sama from running away with her lover, the neighbor’s son.
As a result, her brother married her off to a man she never loved, now her ex-husband. She also has a younger brother battling terminal lung cancer.
So, within this heavy past and a present forged with judgment, Sama is forced to confront her fears. She is faced with a choice: either find the courage to confront her inner demons and forge a new path, or allow her past to burn her alive.
I won’t tell you how this all ends. Read the book to find out.
What Worked Well
I really loved how layered this plot is. It’s a full package of love, shame, greed, ambition, Gen Z drama, and revenge, all meshed into one tantalizing story.
There’s enough here to keep me intrigued. The characters are mostly deep and believable.
What Was Not Ideal for Me
Now let me nitpick a bit, because you know I always must.
The plot had the potential to be flawless, but the one thing that fell short for me was that in some places the author went into too many descriptive details that didn’t add much to the story.
For example, in many scenes the narrative is interrupted by elaborate descriptions of exactly what each character is wearing. If this had been toned down in a few places, the reading experience would have been smoother.
Don’t get me wrong, description is great when it serves the plot, but when the story pauses so we can learn about a crisp white tablecloth in a restaurant, it interrupts the flow.
I also felt that Bahar’s character (her older brother) was a bit overdone. No one is that vile all the time. That said, his past pain was beautifully portrayed and did add depth to his character, but it would have been nice to see more of his softer side.
I have a similar comment about Adam, Sama’s past love. He switches from good to horrible in an almost unbelievable way. Call me gullible, but I can’t help wondering how someone can turn from loving Sama to hating her so quickly. In real life, we don’t easily hate people who once meant something to us. Or maybe that’s my hopeful side talking.
Finally, I felt the last plot twist was a bit abrupt. The illegitimate sister could have been introduced earlier.
The Verdict
Putting my nitpicking aside, I really enjoyed reading this book. I can say with confidence that it’s the best work the author has released so far.
If you want to read a book that makes you laugh, cry, and occasionally want to slap some of its characters, this is a good choice. It’s a fun read.
I liked it.
October 21, 2025
The thing I liked the most about this story is how morally gray the characters are, for example is presented as a villain but his character makes sense given what happened to him right off the bat, many plot points that may paint him in a negative light are actually a testament to how much restraint he has. The complexity of other characters was also interesting, even as they blurt out certain messed up sentences or pull sketchy moves you can sense how much pain they went through, a few lines and actions by Adam come to mind, although I'm not 100% sure if everything he said should be taken at face value towards the end. I rarely felt like any character was irredeemable, well except for the last part but I'd rather not open that wormy can here.
What I disliked was that some secondary characters seemed to exist only to serve the main character, it was a bit too convenient for someone like to show up when he did and have this much weight in grand decisions, it was somewhat of a CEO ex machina.
Many scenes were gripping like the scene, the character development was rewarding unlike the build up to a corporate showdown, that didn't pay off but I don't think it's that big of a deal because the book isn't pretending to be Succession. A few scenes like the opening act and the one right after were not paced properly in my opinion.
I have to be clear and say that I'm probably not the intended audience for this book, I don't usually read this genre but if I did then I would imagine that I'll give it 4 stars out of 5, in any case books are way more than these metrics.
Oh and much respect for Sama's fight against smoking! both on a personal and collective level. I write this as I cough and acknowledge how hard it is to kick off this cancerous habit, which brings me to the title of the book and how it is interwoven in many layers of the story, very creative!
What I disliked was that some secondary characters seemed to exist only to serve the main character, it was a bit too convenient for someone like to show up when he did and have this much weight in grand decisions, it was somewhat of a CEO ex machina.
Many scenes were gripping like the scene, the character development was rewarding unlike the build up to a corporate showdown, that didn't pay off but I don't think it's that big of a deal because the book isn't pretending to be Succession. A few scenes like the opening act and the one right after were not paced properly in my opinion.
I have to be clear and say that I'm probably not the intended audience for this book, I don't usually read this genre but if I did then I would imagine that I'll give it 4 stars out of 5, in any case books are way more than these metrics.
Oh and much respect for Sama's fight against smoking! both on a personal and collective level. I write this as I cough and acknowledge how hard it is to kick off this cancerous habit, which brings me to the title of the book and how it is interwoven in many layers of the story, very creative!
October 24, 2025
In One Dancing Flame, Sara Badawieh delivers a darker “than her usual” and more emotionally charged story of legacy, guilt, and redemption.
Sama, a single mother and heir to a vast tobacco empire, must confront her controlling brother Bahar, whose trauma is deeply intertwined with her own, and her ex-lover Adam, now her rival within the same empire where Bahar and Adam are in constant battle as well. Having lost another brother to cancer and struggling with a son who shows her little respect, Sama finds herself surrounded by emotional turmoil and betrayal on every side.
Caught in the fire fueled by the men in her life, Sama battles her inner demons while striving to build a better future for herself and her son. Her passion for tango becomes both an escape and a powerful metaphor a graceful dance through the flames of her past.
Sara Badawieh skillfully portrays the weight of inheritance and a woman’s fight to redefine herself in a society governed by power and expectation. I especially appreciated the morally grey characters, each shaped by personal trauma, and the modern Arabic setting, which felt both bold and refreshing.
Some events and resolutions felt a bit rushed, and certain characters like Maher were less convincing. The writing began beautifully rich and descriptive but became simpler as the story progressed. Still the novel remains a powerful and engaging exploration of strength, resilience, and self-reclamation.
Sara Badawieh makes us proud by challenging the mainstream and giving us something truly distinctive. I’ll be eagerly waiting for the second part.
Sama, a single mother and heir to a vast tobacco empire, must confront her controlling brother Bahar, whose trauma is deeply intertwined with her own, and her ex-lover Adam, now her rival within the same empire where Bahar and Adam are in constant battle as well. Having lost another brother to cancer and struggling with a son who shows her little respect, Sama finds herself surrounded by emotional turmoil and betrayal on every side.
Caught in the fire fueled by the men in her life, Sama battles her inner demons while striving to build a better future for herself and her son. Her passion for tango becomes both an escape and a powerful metaphor a graceful dance through the flames of her past.
Sara Badawieh skillfully portrays the weight of inheritance and a woman’s fight to redefine herself in a society governed by power and expectation. I especially appreciated the morally grey characters, each shaped by personal trauma, and the modern Arabic setting, which felt both bold and refreshing.
Some events and resolutions felt a bit rushed, and certain characters like Maher were less convincing. The writing began beautifully rich and descriptive but became simpler as the story progressed. Still the novel remains a powerful and engaging exploration of strength, resilience, and self-reclamation.
Sara Badawieh makes us proud by challenging the mainstream and giving us something truly distinctive. I’ll be eagerly waiting for the second part.
November 10, 2025
I just finished reading this novel, and my feelings are all mixed up — happy because I loved it, and sad because it’s over.
My opinion will always be biased when it comes to Sarah’s novels, because I truly love them — from the stories she chooses, to the unforgettable characters, to her smart and enjoyable writing style that makes you laugh, cry, get angry, and even talk to the book out loud in public!
This was her latest novel, and we’ve been waiting for it for so long. She had teased us, saying it would be different from her previous works, so I started reading with high expectations, waiting to see that change.
The first few chapters carried her familiar writing style — the one we all love and enjoy — but then the pace slowed down a bit, and the events stretched out, which reminded me of other authors’ styles.
Then, in the last few chapters, everything turned upside down! The surprises were absolutely shocking — things I could’ve never guessed would happen. The excitement was insane, and I realized that all those calm chapters were just the silence before the storm.
Sarah amazed me. I’m so proud and genuinely happy to have read something this beautiful — she’s a true artist.
I won’t say more, because you really have to read the book yourself to feel it and enjoy it. Words aren’t enough.
Thank you, Sarah — you’ve created something brilliant in every sense of the word.
And of course, we’re already waiting impatiently for part two!
My opinion will always be biased when it comes to Sarah’s novels, because I truly love them — from the stories she chooses, to the unforgettable characters, to her smart and enjoyable writing style that makes you laugh, cry, get angry, and even talk to the book out loud in public!
This was her latest novel, and we’ve been waiting for it for so long. She had teased us, saying it would be different from her previous works, so I started reading with high expectations, waiting to see that change.
The first few chapters carried her familiar writing style — the one we all love and enjoy — but then the pace slowed down a bit, and the events stretched out, which reminded me of other authors’ styles.
Then, in the last few chapters, everything turned upside down! The surprises were absolutely shocking — things I could’ve never guessed would happen. The excitement was insane, and I realized that all those calm chapters were just the silence before the storm.
Sarah amazed me. I’m so proud and genuinely happy to have read something this beautiful — she’s a true artist.
I won’t say more, because you really have to read the book yourself to feel it and enjoy it. Words aren’t enough.
Thank you, Sarah — you’ve created something brilliant in every sense of the word.
And of course, we’re already waiting impatiently for part two!
November 4, 2025
After reading the author’s Jasmine Tea this year and being so impressed with the progress and growth in her writing, I was really excited to dive into this long-awaited novel.
The start of the book felt pretty typical. I can instantly recognize Sarah's style of writing the moment my eyes hit the page—even if her name isn't on the cover. The initial pages pulled me in, eager to uncover the story. I have to admit, though, I wasn't as enthusiastic as I was while reading Jasmine Tea. I even noticed some similarities in how a few of the characters’ traits were drawn. However, the events started to take a completely different turn in the final quarter of the book.
I really loved the development of the character Same. And I was incredibly impressed with how the author portrayed the character Bahar
I think there’s definitely another part coming. Personally, though, I think I'll be satisfied with just this installment.
The start of the book felt pretty typical. I can instantly recognize Sarah's style of writing the moment my eyes hit the page—even if her name isn't on the cover. The initial pages pulled me in, eager to uncover the story. I have to admit, though, I wasn't as enthusiastic as I was while reading Jasmine Tea. I even noticed some similarities in how a few of the characters’ traits were drawn. However, the events started to take a completely different turn in the final quarter of the book.
I really loved the development of the character Same. And I was incredibly impressed with how the author portrayed the character Bahar
I think there’s definitely another part coming. Personally, though, I think I'll be satisfied with just this installment.
October 5, 2025
One Dancing Flame is truly the book that got me out of my reading slump. It was the biggest page turner that I’ve ever encountered. The writing was so descriptive to the point where I felt like I was truly living with the characters, and I resonated with many of them in specific aspects of their personalities.
The flow of events was very consistent, and every time I felt like I was safe from another plot twist, something else happens that blows my mind.
It will definitely be my favorite 2025 read.
The flow of events was very consistent, and every time I felt like I was safe from another plot twist, something else happens that blows my mind.
It will definitely be my favorite 2025 read.
October 10, 2025
I like the title and how it carries multiple meanings that tie into the storyline. This book speaks out against smoking, which is something I truly appreciated. Like any book, there are parts of the story that didn’t fully resonate with me on a moral level. Still, it’s an easy, fast-paced read. This is the writer’s fourth novel. I’ve read her previous releases. She has clearly worked hard on herself, and that growth is evident in her writing.
October 16, 2025
A perfectly crafted book that reflects real world experiences and opens up on such important discussions regarding health, social justice , corporate culture, cultural taboos and family dynamics.
A great character development with overwhelming emotional plot twists that keep readers engaged while maintaining a sensible plot line.
I had fun reading this amazing book and i can’t wait to read more books by Sarah Badawiah
A great character development with overwhelming emotional plot twists that keep readers engaged while maintaining a sensible plot line.
I had fun reading this amazing book and i can’t wait to read more books by Sarah Badawiah
October 20, 2025
I finished this book in 2 to 3 days, it’s one of my favorite reads of 2025. It has a great plot and character dynamics.
November 16, 2025
Do you know that feeling when you start a novel and simply can’t put it down until you finish it?
When your heart races, and you think you’ve figured it all out onlyto realize, in the end, that you knew nothing at all?
That’s exactly what happened to me with this incredible story!
The novel follows Sama, a professional tango dancer and a single mom who stayed with her son Yousef after her husband Jamal abandoned her while she was pregnant to chase his dreams.
Years later, she returns from Canada to Amman, Jordan, to rebuild the life she left behind 18 years ago when she walked away from her family, her country, and the love of her life, Adam.
Now, Sama must face her brother Bahar, who once forced her into marriage and now runs their late father’s company.
It’s a powerful story full of struggles, sacrifices, and challenges faced by a single mother raising her teenage son in a society that constantly undermines women and questions their strength.
I can’t share more without spoiling the plot, but I highly recommend this book!
Its English is clear, emotional, and beautifully written, making it an easy and enjoyable read.
It’s not my first time reading Sara’s work, and once again, she amazed me with her growth, her storytelling, and the depth of her characters.♥️
Rating: 5/5 ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️
When your heart races, and you think you’ve figured it all out onlyto realize, in the end, that you knew nothing at all?
That’s exactly what happened to me with this incredible story!
The novel follows Sama, a professional tango dancer and a single mom who stayed with her son Yousef after her husband Jamal abandoned her while she was pregnant to chase his dreams.
Years later, she returns from Canada to Amman, Jordan, to rebuild the life she left behind 18 years ago when she walked away from her family, her country, and the love of her life, Adam.
Now, Sama must face her brother Bahar, who once forced her into marriage and now runs their late father’s company.
It’s a powerful story full of struggles, sacrifices, and challenges faced by a single mother raising her teenage son in a society that constantly undermines women and questions their strength.
I can’t share more without spoiling the plot, but I highly recommend this book!
Its English is clear, emotional, and beautifully written, making it an easy and enjoyable read.
It’s not my first time reading Sara’s work, and once again, she amazed me with her growth, her storytelling, and the depth of her characters.♥️
Rating: 5/5 ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️
November 10, 2025
I hate men. From the bottom of my heart.
I hate them all.
I hate them all.
Displaying 1 - 13 of 13 reviews