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Circus Bim Bom: A Cold War Adventure
1990. The Soviet Empire is unraveling. A circus has just arrived in America.
When the first privately owned Soviet circus arrived in America in 1990, as the Soviet Empire unraveled, its elite performers hoped to build cultural bridges through spectacular shows. Instead, this prestigious troupe faced a perilous journey through Cold War America.
Circus director Yuri had to navigate treacherous waters where American mobsters, Soviet agents, and political forces circled like predators. As high-stakes conspiracies threatened to tear the circus family apart, they confronted an impossible choice: the authoritarian chains of home or the uncertain promise of freedom.
Forbidden romances blossomed between Soviet performers and Americans who saw past the ideological divide. Young aerialist Anton dreamed of becoming a clown against his father’s — he denied his feelings for his childhood friend, Katyana, who transform from a shy girl to a elite performer before his eyes, and he discovered he had feelings he could no longer deny, and a rival for her affections in the star trick-rider.
A bold Soviet aerialist and a mobbed-up American who ignored their language barrier and built their romance through a carousel waltz, a motorcycle ride, drunken mechanical bull rider, a bar fight and chocolate. Four romantic arcs weave through this Cold War adventure — from opposites-attract heat to slow-burn vulnerability, from a young love triangle of denied feelings to forbidden desires so dangerous that exposure could mean exile. These aren’t subplots — they’re the emotional engines driving the Cold War adventure.
Can human connection transcend ideology? Can storytelling bridge the divides that separate us?
As the Ringmaster reminds us, “The best Soviet stories are like vodka—they burn with suffering, intoxicate with conflict, keep you stewing in reflection, and leave you yearning for your heart’s desire.”
Based on true events the author learned in 1991, when the circus’s American road manager became a client at his Atlanta entertainment law firm.
For readers who love: Historical fiction, romantic adventure, and Cold War intrigue. Features 45+ embedded YouTube links to period music and historical footage—an immersive multimedia reading experience that brings Cold War America and the crumbling USSR to life.
When the first privately owned Soviet circus arrived in America in 1990, as the Soviet Empire unraveled, its elite performers hoped to build cultural bridges through spectacular shows. Instead, this prestigious troupe faced a perilous journey through Cold War America.
Circus director Yuri had to navigate treacherous waters where American mobsters, Soviet agents, and political forces circled like predators. As high-stakes conspiracies threatened to tear the circus family apart, they confronted an impossible choice: the authoritarian chains of home or the uncertain promise of freedom.
Forbidden romances blossomed between Soviet performers and Americans who saw past the ideological divide. Young aerialist Anton dreamed of becoming a clown against his father’s — he denied his feelings for his childhood friend, Katyana, who transform from a shy girl to a elite performer before his eyes, and he discovered he had feelings he could no longer deny, and a rival for her affections in the star trick-rider.
A bold Soviet aerialist and a mobbed-up American who ignored their language barrier and built their romance through a carousel waltz, a motorcycle ride, drunken mechanical bull rider, a bar fight and chocolate. Four romantic arcs weave through this Cold War adventure — from opposites-attract heat to slow-burn vulnerability, from a young love triangle of denied feelings to forbidden desires so dangerous that exposure could mean exile. These aren’t subplots — they’re the emotional engines driving the Cold War adventure.
Can human connection transcend ideology? Can storytelling bridge the divides that separate us?
As the Ringmaster reminds us, “The best Soviet stories are like vodka—they burn with suffering, intoxicate with conflict, keep you stewing in reflection, and leave you yearning for your heart’s desire.”
Based on true events the author learned in 1991, when the circus’s American road manager became a client at his Atlanta entertainment law firm.
For readers who love: Historical fiction, romantic adventure, and Cold War intrigue. Features 45+ embedded YouTube links to period music and historical footage—an immersive multimedia reading experience that brings Cold War America and the crumbling USSR to life.
478 pages, Kindle Edition
Published March 1, 2026
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March 6, 2026
Five Stars: Send Help (And Possibly a Ringmaster)
Circus Bim Bom reads like the result of a spectacularly bad idea that no one stopped in time. Someone said, “Let’s take a Soviet circus to America,” someone else said, “What could possibly go wrong?”, and this book exists to answer that question in exhaustive, hilarious detail.
From the outset, it’s clear that organisation is more of a vague suggestion than a plan. The cast lurches from one situation to the next with the confidence of people who absolutely believe things will work out, despite all available evidence to the contrary. When the circus lands in America, reality dials itself up to eleven: bigger roads, louder people, stranger customs, and a general sense that nothing is behaving as expected — including the circus itself. There’s no plan B — just making it up as you go.
The comedy comes from watching well-meaning performers repeatedly collide with a world that makes no effort to meet them halfway. Cultural misunderstandings pile up, dignity is abandoned without ceremony, and every attempt to regain control somehow makes things worse. It’s glorious chaos, and the book leans into it with glee.
Hovering at the edges of all this fun are the ever-present watchers, reminding everyone that while the circus may look freewheeling, it’s still on a very tight leash. The tension they bring only makes the ridiculous moments funnier, like telling jokes while someone stares at you very seriously from the corner of the room.
And then there are the QR codes. Scanning them feels like opening a trapdoor beneath the story — suddenly you’re listening to the exact music that’s fuelling the madness, and the scenes tip from funny into outright absurd. It’s an unexpectedly clever touch that turns reading into a slightly interactive experience, as if the book itself is nudging you and saying, “Go on, lean into it.”
Presiding over everything is the Ringmaster, cheerfully narrating events as though chaos is part of the programme (which, to be fair, it probably is). His commentary reinforces the sense that failure is never an option, only improvisation, and that forward momentum matters more than control.
Ridiculous and unapologetically over the top, Circus Bim Bom is a five-star spectacle that proves sometimes the best stories come from letting the circus run loose and seeing what survives.
Final note:
If you finish the book and feel like the curtain hasn’t fully fallen, you’re not imagining it. The Circus Bim Bom website is very much part of the act. It feels like wandering back into the tent after the audience has gone home — colourful, curious, and full of odd little surprises. Think of it as the encore you didn’t know you wanted. I LOVED the character Gallery - honestly, never seen a book presented in this way before! And you can even join the Bim Bom Bookclub - it just keeps getting better!
Did I mention I loved this book?!!!
*I received a copy of this book from Yarde Book Promotions for review consideration.
Circus Bim Bom reads like the result of a spectacularly bad idea that no one stopped in time. Someone said, “Let’s take a Soviet circus to America,” someone else said, “What could possibly go wrong?”, and this book exists to answer that question in exhaustive, hilarious detail.
From the outset, it’s clear that organisation is more of a vague suggestion than a plan. The cast lurches from one situation to the next with the confidence of people who absolutely believe things will work out, despite all available evidence to the contrary. When the circus lands in America, reality dials itself up to eleven: bigger roads, louder people, stranger customs, and a general sense that nothing is behaving as expected — including the circus itself. There’s no plan B — just making it up as you go.
The comedy comes from watching well-meaning performers repeatedly collide with a world that makes no effort to meet them halfway. Cultural misunderstandings pile up, dignity is abandoned without ceremony, and every attempt to regain control somehow makes things worse. It’s glorious chaos, and the book leans into it with glee.
Hovering at the edges of all this fun are the ever-present watchers, reminding everyone that while the circus may look freewheeling, it’s still on a very tight leash. The tension they bring only makes the ridiculous moments funnier, like telling jokes while someone stares at you very seriously from the corner of the room.
And then there are the QR codes. Scanning them feels like opening a trapdoor beneath the story — suddenly you’re listening to the exact music that’s fuelling the madness, and the scenes tip from funny into outright absurd. It’s an unexpectedly clever touch that turns reading into a slightly interactive experience, as if the book itself is nudging you and saying, “Go on, lean into it.”
Presiding over everything is the Ringmaster, cheerfully narrating events as though chaos is part of the programme (which, to be fair, it probably is). His commentary reinforces the sense that failure is never an option, only improvisation, and that forward momentum matters more than control.
Ridiculous and unapologetically over the top, Circus Bim Bom is a five-star spectacle that proves sometimes the best stories come from letting the circus run loose and seeing what survives.
Final note:
If you finish the book and feel like the curtain hasn’t fully fallen, you’re not imagining it. The Circus Bim Bom website is very much part of the act. It feels like wandering back into the tent after the audience has gone home — colourful, curious, and full of odd little surprises. Think of it as the encore you didn’t know you wanted. I LOVED the character Gallery - honestly, never seen a book presented in this way before! And you can even join the Bim Bom Bookclub - it just keeps getting better!
Did I mention I loved this book?!!!
*I received a copy of this book from Yarde Book Promotions for review consideration.
Review of advance copy
Book Review
✰✰✰✰✰
What begins like a fish-out-of-water tale about a Soviet circus landing in America quickly turns into something far stranger and more layered. Rather than a tidy historical drama, the story throws you into culture shock, ego clashes, political tension and raw personal longing all at once. There’s a constant sense that everyone is improvising, on stage and off, and that instability gives the book its pulse.
The performers arrive carrying more than props and costumes. They bring fear of surveillance, pride in their craft, hunger for freedom and a lifetime of habits that suddenly don’t fit their surroundings. Relationships form in uneasy steps, shaped as much by suspicion as attraction. When trust does appear, it feels fragile, almost illicit, as if it might be taken away at any moment.
America is not presented as a simple promised land. It dazzles, confuses and corrupts in equal measure. Fast food, neon lights and open expression collide with homesickness, ideological baggage and the watchful presence of those who would rather the past stayed intact. The book thrives on that friction between temptation and control.
The circus acts themselves aren’t just spectacle; they read like coded messages. Traditional dances, death-defying stunts and animal performances carry the weight of heritage and the pressure of expectation. Each show feels like a negotiation between who these artists were trained to be and who they might become in a different world.
This is firmly adult fiction. Desire is explicit, power dynamics are uncomfortable, and the consequences of reckless choices are sometimes brutal. The novel deliberately crosses lines to show how liberation and exploitation can sit uncomfortably close together. It’s provocative by design, and that edge is impossible to ignore.
What makes the book stand apart is how it blurs reality and invention. It draws energy from real historical moments and recognisable figures, yet twists them through satire and imagination. I’m also not entirely sure what to make of the constant musical references and the scannable links to songs scattered through the story. At first they felt slightly distracting, but they also create a peculiar sense of atmosphere, as if the pages come with their own mixtape from another era.
By the final chapters, nothing is neatly tied up. Instead, the story deliberately pauses at a moment of upheaval, leaving relationships unresolved and futures uncertain. It feels like stepping out of the tent while the orchestra is still warming up, clearly setting the stage for whatever comes next. Unusual, confrontational and oddly playful, it’s a novel that refuses to behave like anything else on the shelf and leaves plenty of space for the second book to take the chaos even further.
*I received a copy of this book from Yarde Book Promotions for review consideration.
✰✰✰✰✰
What begins like a fish-out-of-water tale about a Soviet circus landing in America quickly turns into something far stranger and more layered. Rather than a tidy historical drama, the story throws you into culture shock, ego clashes, political tension and raw personal longing all at once. There’s a constant sense that everyone is improvising, on stage and off, and that instability gives the book its pulse.
The performers arrive carrying more than props and costumes. They bring fear of surveillance, pride in their craft, hunger for freedom and a lifetime of habits that suddenly don’t fit their surroundings. Relationships form in uneasy steps, shaped as much by suspicion as attraction. When trust does appear, it feels fragile, almost illicit, as if it might be taken away at any moment.
America is not presented as a simple promised land. It dazzles, confuses and corrupts in equal measure. Fast food, neon lights and open expression collide with homesickness, ideological baggage and the watchful presence of those who would rather the past stayed intact. The book thrives on that friction between temptation and control.
The circus acts themselves aren’t just spectacle; they read like coded messages. Traditional dances, death-defying stunts and animal performances carry the weight of heritage and the pressure of expectation. Each show feels like a negotiation between who these artists were trained to be and who they might become in a different world.
This is firmly adult fiction. Desire is explicit, power dynamics are uncomfortable, and the consequences of reckless choices are sometimes brutal. The novel deliberately crosses lines to show how liberation and exploitation can sit uncomfortably close together. It’s provocative by design, and that edge is impossible to ignore.
What makes the book stand apart is how it blurs reality and invention. It draws energy from real historical moments and recognisable figures, yet twists them through satire and imagination. I’m also not entirely sure what to make of the constant musical references and the scannable links to songs scattered through the story. At first they felt slightly distracting, but they also create a peculiar sense of atmosphere, as if the pages come with their own mixtape from another era.
By the final chapters, nothing is neatly tied up. Instead, the story deliberately pauses at a moment of upheaval, leaving relationships unresolved and futures uncertain. It feels like stepping out of the tent while the orchestra is still warming up, clearly setting the stage for whatever comes next. Unusual, confrontational and oddly playful, it’s a novel that refuses to behave like anything else on the shelf and leaves plenty of space for the second book to take the chaos even further.
*I received a copy of this book from Yarde Book Promotions for review consideration.
Review of advance copy received from Author
This book completely took me by surprise. I went in expecting a quirky historical drama about a Soviet circus touring America at the end of the Cold War, and what I got was something far stranger, bolder and more alive. It reads like a travelling spectacle in its own right, constantly shifting tone between comedy, tension, political satire and very raw, very human emotion.
Following the performers as they arrive in the United States is fascinating. Their first encounters with American culture – from Times Square chaos to their baffling first taste of fast food – are funny, awkward and oddly touching. At the same time, there’s a constant undercurrent of danger and control hanging over them, with watchers, minders and hidden agendas reminding you that these aren’t simply free artists on tour.
The cast is huge but memorable. Some characters are warm and idealistic, others manipulative or frightening, and many sit somewhere in between. Relationships form quickly under pressure, and not all of them are safe or sensible. The clash between repression and temptation runs right through the story, and when characters push against their boundaries the consequences can be explosive.
What makes the book even more intriguing is how close it feels to real history. It’s inspired by events from 1990, and at times it genuinely reads like a wild, half-forgotten episode from the end of the Cold War. At the same time, the author is clear that this isn’t a factual retelling. The characters and situations are fictionalised, exaggerated and often satirical, even when they’re loosely inspired by real people. That blend of reality and invention gives the story a strange, compelling edge where you’re never quite sure what might be drawn from truth and what is pure imaginative flourish.
It’s also one of the most unusual books I’ve read in terms of format. Music is woven directly into the story, and there are QR codes scattered throughout that you can scan on your phone to hear the actual songs being referenced. Instead of just reading about a dance or a performance, you can put the music on and experience it alongside the characters. It makes parts of the book feel almost interactive, like stepping through the curtain and into the circus ring yourself.
Some moments are joyful and liberating, others uncomfortable and confrontational. The ending in particular is messy, dramatic and unresolved, but that feels intentional. Rather than tying everything up neatly, the book leaves you suspended in mid-air, like an acrobat between swings, knowing the next act is still to come.
It’s chaotic, provocative and completely unlike a conventional historical novel. I didn’t always know where it was going, but I was never bored, and long after finishing I still feel as if the music is playing somewhere in the background and the circus lights haven’t quite gone out.
*I received a copy of this book from Yarde Book Promotions for review consideration.
Following the performers as they arrive in the United States is fascinating. Their first encounters with American culture – from Times Square chaos to their baffling first taste of fast food – are funny, awkward and oddly touching. At the same time, there’s a constant undercurrent of danger and control hanging over them, with watchers, minders and hidden agendas reminding you that these aren’t simply free artists on tour.
The cast is huge but memorable. Some characters are warm and idealistic, others manipulative or frightening, and many sit somewhere in between. Relationships form quickly under pressure, and not all of them are safe or sensible. The clash between repression and temptation runs right through the story, and when characters push against their boundaries the consequences can be explosive.
What makes the book even more intriguing is how close it feels to real history. It’s inspired by events from 1990, and at times it genuinely reads like a wild, half-forgotten episode from the end of the Cold War. At the same time, the author is clear that this isn’t a factual retelling. The characters and situations are fictionalised, exaggerated and often satirical, even when they’re loosely inspired by real people. That blend of reality and invention gives the story a strange, compelling edge where you’re never quite sure what might be drawn from truth and what is pure imaginative flourish.
It’s also one of the most unusual books I’ve read in terms of format. Music is woven directly into the story, and there are QR codes scattered throughout that you can scan on your phone to hear the actual songs being referenced. Instead of just reading about a dance or a performance, you can put the music on and experience it alongside the characters. It makes parts of the book feel almost interactive, like stepping through the curtain and into the circus ring yourself.
Some moments are joyful and liberating, others uncomfortable and confrontational. The ending in particular is messy, dramatic and unresolved, but that feels intentional. Rather than tying everything up neatly, the book leaves you suspended in mid-air, like an acrobat between swings, knowing the next act is still to come.
It’s chaotic, provocative and completely unlike a conventional historical novel. I didn’t always know where it was going, but I was never bored, and long after finishing I still feel as if the music is playing somewhere in the background and the circus lights haven’t quite gone out.
*I received a copy of this book from Yarde Book Promotions for review consideration.
Review of advance copy
⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️ High Wire, No Safety Net
I’m still reeling from the final act of this extraordinary circus saga. From the first pages, the book seizes you like a ringmaster’s command and never releases its grip. There’s no gentle introduction to this world; you’re flung straight into the collision between Soviet control and American excess, between spectacle and surveillance, between longing and fear. Every chapter feels like stepping onto a high wire without a net.
The pacing has the urgency of a live performance. Scenes surge forward with momentum, leaping from glittering arena acts to tense backroom confrontations and culture-shock road trips across America. I kept telling myself I’d pause after the next scene, only to be swept straight into the next set piece. Like a great circus routine, it’s meticulously choreographed yet feels dangerously spontaneous.
What truly anchors the story is its cast of performers trying to find themselves beyond their roles. Yuri carries the crushing weight of responsibility; Anton wrestles with identity and expectation; Raisa burns with a restless hunger for freedom. Their emotional journeys are messy, risky, and often reckless, but always achingly human. No one is purely heroic or villainous; everyone is balancing desire against consequence.
The atmosphere crackles with tension. Beneath the glitter and brass bands lies a constant sense of threat: the watchful eyes of the state, the volatility of new “allies”, the knowledge that one wrong step could end careers or lives. Moments of humour and wonder burst through — clowns tumbling from suitcases, bears on motorbikes, aerialists defying gravity — only to be followed by jolting reminders of how fragile this fragile freedom is.
What makes the experience uniquely electric is how the story spills off the page. References to songs, dances and performances are paired with scannable links that let you hear the very music the characters are moving to. Instead of merely imagining a dance craze or a circus march, you can watch it, listen to it, feel its rhythm. It turns reading into participation, as if you’re seated in the audience while the band strikes up.
By the closing scenes, I felt breathless and slightly shaken. The story refuses tidy resolution; it ends mid-leap, leaving you suspended in that charged silence before the next act begins. It’s bold, provocative, and fiercely alive, a novel that doesn’t simply tell a story but performs it.
An unforgettable, genre-defying experience. I closed the book knowing the show wasn’t over — and desperate for the curtain to rise again.
*I received a copy of this book from Yarde Book Promotions for review consideration.
I’m still reeling from the final act of this extraordinary circus saga. From the first pages, the book seizes you like a ringmaster’s command and never releases its grip. There’s no gentle introduction to this world; you’re flung straight into the collision between Soviet control and American excess, between spectacle and surveillance, between longing and fear. Every chapter feels like stepping onto a high wire without a net.
The pacing has the urgency of a live performance. Scenes surge forward with momentum, leaping from glittering arena acts to tense backroom confrontations and culture-shock road trips across America. I kept telling myself I’d pause after the next scene, only to be swept straight into the next set piece. Like a great circus routine, it’s meticulously choreographed yet feels dangerously spontaneous.
What truly anchors the story is its cast of performers trying to find themselves beyond their roles. Yuri carries the crushing weight of responsibility; Anton wrestles with identity and expectation; Raisa burns with a restless hunger for freedom. Their emotional journeys are messy, risky, and often reckless, but always achingly human. No one is purely heroic or villainous; everyone is balancing desire against consequence.
The atmosphere crackles with tension. Beneath the glitter and brass bands lies a constant sense of threat: the watchful eyes of the state, the volatility of new “allies”, the knowledge that one wrong step could end careers or lives. Moments of humour and wonder burst through — clowns tumbling from suitcases, bears on motorbikes, aerialists defying gravity — only to be followed by jolting reminders of how fragile this fragile freedom is.
What makes the experience uniquely electric is how the story spills off the page. References to songs, dances and performances are paired with scannable links that let you hear the very music the characters are moving to. Instead of merely imagining a dance craze or a circus march, you can watch it, listen to it, feel its rhythm. It turns reading into participation, as if you’re seated in the audience while the band strikes up.
By the closing scenes, I felt breathless and slightly shaken. The story refuses tidy resolution; it ends mid-leap, leaving you suspended in that charged silence before the next act begins. It’s bold, provocative, and fiercely alive, a novel that doesn’t simply tell a story but performs it.
An unforgettable, genre-defying experience. I closed the book knowing the show wasn’t over — and desperate for the curtain to rise again.
*I received a copy of this book from Yarde Book Promotions for review consideration.
March 5, 2026
This book doesn’t ease you in or explain itself politely. It performs. Loudly, strangely, and often uncomfortably. From the start, it feels less like reading a novel and more like being ushered behind the scenes of something volatile, where spectacle and damage exist side by side and no one quite knows how it’s going to end.
What makes it so distinctive is the way it refuses to stay in one shape. History, satire, memoir-like reflection and theatrical commentary all collide, with the Ringmaster stepping in and out of the action as both guide and provocateur. At times it feels intimate, at others deliberately confrontational, constantly reminding you that you’re watching a performance — and that performances demand a price. The phrase “the show must go on” hangs over everything, shifting from bravado to threat as the story unfolds.
One of the most affecting elements is the treatment of the circus animals. Their presence is never background decoration. They are confined, delayed, mishandled by bureaucracy, and left vulnerable by decisions made far above their heads. The discomfort this creates is intentional and effective. What’s striking is the balance: the trainers are neither heroes nor villains, but trapped figures themselves, caring deeply while being complicit in a system they can’t control. That tension gives the story a moral weight that lingers long after the scenes have passed.
The book is also unlike anything I’ve read in how it integrates music. Songs aren’t just referenced for atmosphere — they’re woven into the emotional fabric of the story, and the QR codes scattered throughout invite you to step out of the page and into the soundscape that shaped the characters’ inner lives. I wasn’t entirely sure what to make of this at first, but I ended up liking how it blurred the line between reader and witness, making certain moments feel oddly personal.
Tonally, the novel swings between humour, unease, tenderness and outright shock, often within the same chapter. It doesn’t ask to be liked, and it certainly doesn’t offer tidy resolutions. Instead, it leaves you suspended, aware that what you’ve seen can’t be undone and that consequences are still unfolding offstage.
By the final pages, it’s clear this is only the opening act. Inspired by real events but unapologetically fictionalised and satirical, the book closes with unresolved tensions and unanswered questions, daring the reader to follow the circus further. Strange, bold, and deliberately unsettling, it left me thinking about it long after I’d finished — and curious, if slightly wary, about where the next book will take us.
I received a copy of this book from Yarde Book Promotions for review consideration.
What makes it so distinctive is the way it refuses to stay in one shape. History, satire, memoir-like reflection and theatrical commentary all collide, with the Ringmaster stepping in and out of the action as both guide and provocateur. At times it feels intimate, at others deliberately confrontational, constantly reminding you that you’re watching a performance — and that performances demand a price. The phrase “the show must go on” hangs over everything, shifting from bravado to threat as the story unfolds.
One of the most affecting elements is the treatment of the circus animals. Their presence is never background decoration. They are confined, delayed, mishandled by bureaucracy, and left vulnerable by decisions made far above their heads. The discomfort this creates is intentional and effective. What’s striking is the balance: the trainers are neither heroes nor villains, but trapped figures themselves, caring deeply while being complicit in a system they can’t control. That tension gives the story a moral weight that lingers long after the scenes have passed.
The book is also unlike anything I’ve read in how it integrates music. Songs aren’t just referenced for atmosphere — they’re woven into the emotional fabric of the story, and the QR codes scattered throughout invite you to step out of the page and into the soundscape that shaped the characters’ inner lives. I wasn’t entirely sure what to make of this at first, but I ended up liking how it blurred the line between reader and witness, making certain moments feel oddly personal.
Tonally, the novel swings between humour, unease, tenderness and outright shock, often within the same chapter. It doesn’t ask to be liked, and it certainly doesn’t offer tidy resolutions. Instead, it leaves you suspended, aware that what you’ve seen can’t be undone and that consequences are still unfolding offstage.
By the final pages, it’s clear this is only the opening act. Inspired by real events but unapologetically fictionalised and satirical, the book closes with unresolved tensions and unanswered questions, daring the reader to follow the circus further. Strange, bold, and deliberately unsettling, it left me thinking about it long after I’d finished — and curious, if slightly wary, about where the next book will take us.
I received a copy of this book from Yarde Book Promotions for review consideration.
March 3, 2026
My Review
Circus Bim Bom: A Cold War Adventure
📚📚📚📚📚 - I could not put this book down. I Highly Recommend it.
I went into this book thinking I was getting a quirky Cold War circus story, perhaps with some historical flavour and a dash of adventure. What I didn’t expect was how deeply human, strange and emotionally messy it would become.
On the surface, it’s about a Soviet circus touring America at the tail end of the Cold War, but what truly drew me in was the constant tug of war between control and freedom. The performance scenes are so vividly written I could almost feel the heat of the spotlights and hear the blare of the brass band, yet the moments that affected me most happened offstage, in dim corridors and cramped rooms where the characters wrestle with who they are allowed to be.
The Ringmaster’s voice completely won me over. He slips between past and present, sometimes narrating events, sometimes reflecting on them, almost as if he’s standing beside me sharing confidences. It could easily have felt like a gimmick, but instead it made the whole story feel oddly intimate, as though I’d been granted access not just to the show, but to the private thoughts and fears of the performers.
One of the most unusual and delightful aspects is how the book reaches beyond the page. Throughout the story there are references to specific songs and dances, along with QR codes you can scan to actually watch or listen to what the characters are experiencing. Instead of just reading about a 1960s dance craze or a piece of circus music, I could pull out my phone and see it for myself. It turns the novel into something halfway between a book and a living scrapbook, making the cultural clash between Soviet restraint and American pop culture feel immediate and tangible.
What lingered with me most is the book’s refusal to offer easy comfort. The closing scenes are chaotic, sensual and unsettling. A moment of private liberation and joy is shattered the instant authority storms in. Reading it, I felt both the exhilaration of that forbidden freedom and the sharp sting of the consequences that follow.
When I reached the final page, nothing was neatly wrapped up. Instead, I was left suspended between acts, slightly shaken, deeply curious, and keen to know what happens next. It feels less like an ending than a breath held before the next leap.
Dramatic, provocative and unlike anything else I’ve read, this is a story that doesn’t just ask to be read but to be experienced. It stayed with me long after I’d put it down, music still echoing faintly in my head.
I received a copy of this book from Yarde Book Promotions for review consideration.
Circus Bim Bom: A Cold War Adventure
📚📚📚📚📚 - I could not put this book down. I Highly Recommend it.
I went into this book thinking I was getting a quirky Cold War circus story, perhaps with some historical flavour and a dash of adventure. What I didn’t expect was how deeply human, strange and emotionally messy it would become.
On the surface, it’s about a Soviet circus touring America at the tail end of the Cold War, but what truly drew me in was the constant tug of war between control and freedom. The performance scenes are so vividly written I could almost feel the heat of the spotlights and hear the blare of the brass band, yet the moments that affected me most happened offstage, in dim corridors and cramped rooms where the characters wrestle with who they are allowed to be.
The Ringmaster’s voice completely won me over. He slips between past and present, sometimes narrating events, sometimes reflecting on them, almost as if he’s standing beside me sharing confidences. It could easily have felt like a gimmick, but instead it made the whole story feel oddly intimate, as though I’d been granted access not just to the show, but to the private thoughts and fears of the performers.
One of the most unusual and delightful aspects is how the book reaches beyond the page. Throughout the story there are references to specific songs and dances, along with QR codes you can scan to actually watch or listen to what the characters are experiencing. Instead of just reading about a 1960s dance craze or a piece of circus music, I could pull out my phone and see it for myself. It turns the novel into something halfway between a book and a living scrapbook, making the cultural clash between Soviet restraint and American pop culture feel immediate and tangible.
What lingered with me most is the book’s refusal to offer easy comfort. The closing scenes are chaotic, sensual and unsettling. A moment of private liberation and joy is shattered the instant authority storms in. Reading it, I felt both the exhilaration of that forbidden freedom and the sharp sting of the consequences that follow.
When I reached the final page, nothing was neatly wrapped up. Instead, I was left suspended between acts, slightly shaken, deeply curious, and keen to know what happens next. It feels less like an ending than a breath held before the next leap.
Dramatic, provocative and unlike anything else I’ve read, this is a story that doesn’t just ask to be read but to be experienced. It stayed with me long after I’d put it down, music still echoing faintly in my head.
I received a copy of this book from Yarde Book Promotions for review consideration.
March 6, 2026
From the first pages it’s clear this isn’t a typical circus story or a straightforward historical drama. It throws you into 1990 at a moment when the world itself is wobbling, and follows a travelling Soviet circus as it collides head-on with America, capitalism, politics and temptation. The result is chaotic, funny, uncomfortable and strangely moving all at once.
What makes the book stand out is its voice. The Ringmaster steps in and out of the narrative, commenting, interrupting, confessing and occasionally scolding, so you never quite know where the line between storyteller and story lies. At times it feels like you’re watching events from the wings with him; at others you’re dragged right into the spotlight. It’s theatrical, self-aware and genuinely unlike anything I have ever read.
The characters are messy and complicated. They’re artists, dreamers and survivors caught between systems that all want something from them. Moments of wonder in the ring sit right beside fear backstage: immigration scares, political pressure, criminal investors, missing animals, empty seats. Through it all runs the stubborn belief that whatever happens, the show must go on.
I wasn’t sure at first what to expect from the musical references and the QR codes scattered through the story, but I ended up really liking that feature. Being able to scan and instantly hear the songs that inspired certain scenes made parts of the book feel almost cinematic, like stepping briefly out of the page and into the soundtrack of the moment.
The tone shifts boldly from satire to tenderness to outright shock, especially in the final chapters, where private desires and public consequences collide with brutal force. Nothing is neatly resolved. Instead, the ending hangs in the air like a performer at the top of the big top, leaving you suspended and slightly breathless.
Inspired by real events but openly fictionalised for satire, it reads like a distorted mirror held up to history. You finish with the sense that you’ve witnessed the beginning of something volatile rather than the end of something complete, and there is unmistakable room left for the second book to catch you when you fall.
What makes the book stand out is its voice. The Ringmaster steps in and out of the narrative, commenting, interrupting, confessing and occasionally scolding, so you never quite know where the line between storyteller and story lies. At times it feels like you’re watching events from the wings with him; at others you’re dragged right into the spotlight. It’s theatrical, self-aware and genuinely unlike anything I have ever read.
The characters are messy and complicated. They’re artists, dreamers and survivors caught between systems that all want something from them. Moments of wonder in the ring sit right beside fear backstage: immigration scares, political pressure, criminal investors, missing animals, empty seats. Through it all runs the stubborn belief that whatever happens, the show must go on.
I wasn’t sure at first what to expect from the musical references and the QR codes scattered through the story, but I ended up really liking that feature. Being able to scan and instantly hear the songs that inspired certain scenes made parts of the book feel almost cinematic, like stepping briefly out of the page and into the soundtrack of the moment.
The tone shifts boldly from satire to tenderness to outright shock, especially in the final chapters, where private desires and public consequences collide with brutal force. Nothing is neatly resolved. Instead, the ending hangs in the air like a performer at the top of the big top, leaving you suspended and slightly breathless.
Inspired by real events but openly fictionalised for satire, it reads like a distorted mirror held up to history. You finish with the sense that you’ve witnessed the beginning of something volatile rather than the end of something complete, and there is unmistakable room left for the second book to catch you when you fall.
May 2, 2026
A delightful spectacle!
Circus Bim Bom is a new historical fiction novel by Cliff Lovette, and while regaling readers with a wonderfully worthy story, it does its darnedest to recreate the magical spectacle of a circus come to town, with all the sights and sounds ushered in through the marvel of QR codes and a well-developed website hosting the extras. Snippets of history dazzle alongside a sparklingly entertaining fictional plot, peopled by engaging and sympathetic main characters. Together, this story will not only grab your attention but also your emotions and your heart.
In an effort to promote the post-Cold War sentiments of peace and goodwill, Moscow sends the newly formed Circus Bim Bom to the U.S. for a two-year tour. With most of its members never having set foot outside the former Soviet Union, their introduction to the privileges and excesses of American life is eye-opening and fraught with temptation and opportunity, despite the buffering effect of state-supplied chaperones and the watchful presence of the KGB. The huge undertaking, guided by a raft of unlikely and ill-prepared local producers and sponsors, faces unexpected, and at times amusing, obstacles as the show must go on!While the tale runs a bit long with backstory, it is full of interesting background information that absolutely sets the stage for what is to come, and I still found the pages to fly past. The book ends with unanswered questions, ready for answers in the upcoming sequel, but readers can attain some immediate satisfaction by following the provided QR codes to the website for additional material.
I recommend CIRCUS BIM BOM to readers of historical fiction who are looking for something fresh, new, and innovative.I voluntarily reviewed this after receiving an Advance Review Copy through RABT Book Tours and PR.
March 3, 2026
This felt less like reading a novel and more like being handed a backstage pass to something unpredictable and slightly dangerous. One minute you’re watching glittering performances under the lights, the next you’re standing in a dim corridor listening to secrets you’re not sure you were meant to hear. That constant shift between public spectacle and private chaos gives the book a unique, slightly dizzying energy.
What really struck me is how often the story refuses to pause, even when everything is going wrong. Arguments, fear, desire, politics, exhaustion – none of it is allowed to stop the performance. The message is clear and oddly moving: whatever is breaking behind the curtain, the show must go on. That stubborn insistence on continuing creates both tension and a strange kind of hope.
The book is also unusual in the way it pulls in other media. Musical references and scannable links dotted through the story invite you to actually listen to the songs the characters are dancing to or remembering. Sometimes I wasn’t quite sure what to make of those moments, but they made the experience feel interactive and alive, as if the story was bleeding into the real world.
It’s messy, bold, theatrical and hard to categorise. More than a neat plot, it offers an experience: part circus, part political satire, part intimate character drama. By the end it doesn’t tie everything up, but instead leaves you hanging in that charged silence between acts, clearly making space for the next book.
Unsettling, inventive and surprisingly heartfelt, this is a five-star read for anyone willing to step into the ring and let the spotlight find them.
I received a copy of this book from Yarde Book Promotions. I was under no obligation to leave a review.
What really struck me is how often the story refuses to pause, even when everything is going wrong. Arguments, fear, desire, politics, exhaustion – none of it is allowed to stop the performance. The message is clear and oddly moving: whatever is breaking behind the curtain, the show must go on. That stubborn insistence on continuing creates both tension and a strange kind of hope.
The book is also unusual in the way it pulls in other media. Musical references and scannable links dotted through the story invite you to actually listen to the songs the characters are dancing to or remembering. Sometimes I wasn’t quite sure what to make of those moments, but they made the experience feel interactive and alive, as if the story was bleeding into the real world.
It’s messy, bold, theatrical and hard to categorise. More than a neat plot, it offers an experience: part circus, part political satire, part intimate character drama. By the end it doesn’t tie everything up, but instead leaves you hanging in that charged silence between acts, clearly making space for the next book.
Unsettling, inventive and surprisingly heartfelt, this is a five-star read for anyone willing to step into the ring and let the spotlight find them.
I received a copy of this book from Yarde Book Promotions. I was under no obligation to leave a review.
March 2, 2026
The opening of this book made me laugh out loud in a very unladylike fashion, and that set the tone for everything that followed. It quickly becomes clear that this isn’t going to be a polite or predictable story. Instead, it throws you into a whirlwind of absurd moments, sharp humour and larger-than-life personalities before you’ve even had a chance to catch your breath.
Beneath the comedy, though, there’s real bite. The jokes sit alongside tension, culture clashes and the constant feeling that something could go spectacularly wrong at any moment. One page has you grinning at the sheer ridiculousness of a situation, the next has you bracing for the fallout behind the scenes of the travelling circus.
What makes it work is that the humour never feels separate from the story. The laughter draws you in, then the drama keeps you there. Characters stumble, boast, flirt and fight their way through a foreign landscape that is both thrilling and unforgiving, and the result is chaotic in the most entertaining way.
By the time the curtain falls on the first act, the comedy has given way to something darker and far more complicated, but that early burst of laughter still echoes underneath it all. It’s a book that begins with a cackle and ends with your nerves humming, already curious to see what madness the next instalment will unleash.
* I received a copy of this book for review consideration by Yarde Book .
Beneath the comedy, though, there’s real bite. The jokes sit alongside tension, culture clashes and the constant feeling that something could go spectacularly wrong at any moment. One page has you grinning at the sheer ridiculousness of a situation, the next has you bracing for the fallout behind the scenes of the travelling circus.
What makes it work is that the humour never feels separate from the story. The laughter draws you in, then the drama keeps you there. Characters stumble, boast, flirt and fight their way through a foreign landscape that is both thrilling and unforgiving, and the result is chaotic in the most entertaining way.
By the time the curtain falls on the first act, the comedy has given way to something darker and far more complicated, but that early burst of laughter still echoes underneath it all. It’s a book that begins with a cackle and ends with your nerves humming, already curious to see what madness the next instalment will unleash.
* I received a copy of this book for review consideration by Yarde Book .
March 8, 2026
Cliff Lovette has written historical fiction unlike any I have read before and it kept me turning the pages late into the night. The story takes place in 1990, when a Russian circus arrives in the United States. For the performers it was a first taste of American culture. With a quick tour of New York City on their arrival, they experience the curious activities in Times Square and a quick rest stop for fast food. Their reactions were priceless. There is a constant tension as they are controlled by their minders and are under the watchful eyes of the KGB. It is the characters that make this story so good. Yuri, the circus director, knows that their tour must be a success or there will be consequences when they return home. Anton wants to be a clown, an ambition forbidden by his father. And Katyana, his childhood friend, blossoms in the ring. There are mobsters, historical figures and a ringmaster who provides commentary and introduces the events throughout the story. There are also QR codes for accompanying music. With historic events, including Reagan’s speech calling for the fall of the Berlin Wall, humor, conspiracies, forbidden romances and Cold War tensions, this is a story that is not to be missed. I would like to thank NetGalley and Books Go Social for providing this book.
Review of advance copy
A Five Star Read
I thoroughly enjoyed this opening act of the Circus Bim Bom story — a striking blend of Cold War tension, cultural collision and big-top spectacle that held my attention from start to finish. A Soviet circus arriving in America might sound whimsical, but the book quickly reveals deeper stakes as performers chase freedom, love and identity under the glare of the spotlight.
The characters feel real and vulnerable, their bonds forged through shared danger and ambition. Moments of awe in the ring sit alongside unease backstage, where politics and personal desires threaten to upend everything.
What makes the book truly unusual is its interactive touches: scattered links and scannable codes let you hear the very music that fuels the dances and acts, turning the story into something you can almost see and hear, not just read.
*A compelling mix of history, drama and circus magic
*Believable characters caught between duty and desire
*A vivid, atmospheric journey across two very different worlds
*Innovative musical links that bring the performance to life
*I received a copy of this book from Yarde Book Promotions. I was under no obligation to leave a review.
I thoroughly enjoyed this opening act of the Circus Bim Bom story — a striking blend of Cold War tension, cultural collision and big-top spectacle that held my attention from start to finish. A Soviet circus arriving in America might sound whimsical, but the book quickly reveals deeper stakes as performers chase freedom, love and identity under the glare of the spotlight.
The characters feel real and vulnerable, their bonds forged through shared danger and ambition. Moments of awe in the ring sit alongside unease backstage, where politics and personal desires threaten to upend everything.
What makes the book truly unusual is its interactive touches: scattered links and scannable codes let you hear the very music that fuels the dances and acts, turning the story into something you can almost see and hear, not just read.
*A compelling mix of history, drama and circus magic
*Believable characters caught between duty and desire
*A vivid, atmospheric journey across two very different worlds
*Innovative musical links that bring the performance to life
*I received a copy of this book from Yarde Book Promotions. I was under no obligation to leave a review.
March 4, 2026
Circus Bim Bom by Cliff Lovette is such a conundrum. The man, there is no doubt, is a story teller. A good one. It was an interesting story. In fact, several. The author has a tendency to go down rabbit holes. Even he admits it. A good editor could have brought this under control by separating it, possibly into several books. It was a long book. He has a lot to say. Most of it interesting. A little of it true. Entertaining to say the least, except I am more of linear thinker, so it was hard for me.
At its core it is about a group of performers from Russia who are touring the United States during the time of the Cold War when Gorbachev was experimenting with glasnost. Circuses in Russia are different than in the United States. In Russia they are far more formalized and treated the same as the ballet and the theatre. There is an educational system just for them, specialized, even by position. The story is full of characters, but thankfully a list provided. It can be hard to read a book full of foreign names. Actually, I enjoyed it, but I do question how much commercial success this book will find in its present form..
I was invited to read Circus Bim Bom by Books Go Social. All thoughts and opinions are mine. #Netgalley #BooksGoSocial #CliffLovette #CircusBimBom
At its core it is about a group of performers from Russia who are touring the United States during the time of the Cold War when Gorbachev was experimenting with glasnost. Circuses in Russia are different than in the United States. In Russia they are far more formalized and treated the same as the ballet and the theatre. There is an educational system just for them, specialized, even by position. The story is full of characters, but thankfully a list provided. It can be hard to read a book full of foreign names. Actually, I enjoyed it, but I do question how much commercial success this book will find in its present form..
I was invited to read Circus Bim Bom by Books Go Social. All thoughts and opinions are mine. #Netgalley #BooksGoSocial #CliffLovette #CircusBimBom
April 9, 2026
This really was something that will stick with me. It’s a story that embraces chaos and complexity, leaving a lasting impression long after the final page.
A historical novel that blends Cold War tension with the vibrant, chaotic world of a traveling Soviet circus arriving in America in 1990.
Throughout the story the author showed the exploration of identity, freedom, ambition, and the pressure of living under constant watch during a shifting moment in history. The troupe is never fully free, watched by minders, which creates a steady tension.
Yuri carries the burden of leadership, knowing failure could have serious consequences, while Anton’s personal journey stands out overall to me. His desire to break away from expectations and follow his own path adds emotional depth and makes him easy to root for.
Cliff Lovette’s storytelling was often unpredictable, which was a great addition. It made you want to keep flipping the pages in anticipation on where things could possibly go, often leaving you in awe.
And I can't forget the addition of the QR codes that are throughout the book. It adds an extra layer of immersion, allowing readers to step further into the story with the different elements.
A historical novel that blends Cold War tension with the vibrant, chaotic world of a traveling Soviet circus arriving in America in 1990.
Throughout the story the author showed the exploration of identity, freedom, ambition, and the pressure of living under constant watch during a shifting moment in history. The troupe is never fully free, watched by minders, which creates a steady tension.
Yuri carries the burden of leadership, knowing failure could have serious consequences, while Anton’s personal journey stands out overall to me. His desire to break away from expectations and follow his own path adds emotional depth and makes him easy to root for.
Cliff Lovette’s storytelling was often unpredictable, which was a great addition. It made you want to keep flipping the pages in anticipation on where things could possibly go, often leaving you in awe.
And I can't forget the addition of the QR codes that are throughout the book. It adds an extra layer of immersion, allowing readers to step further into the story with the different elements.
March 30, 2026
I found this to be a striking and imaginative take on historical fiction, set during the final days of the Cold War as a Soviet circus tours the United States.
The premise alone is compelling, but what makes the book stand out is how it blends political tension, personal ambition, and the spectacle of circus life highlighting the characters and people at the heart of the story above all.
The characters drive the story. Around them, relationships form quickly and often under strain. I really enjoyed following each character while seeing their interactions together. They face a strong contrast between the freedom they glimpse and the reality they live in.
One thing that was so different was that the author creates a way for the story to become interactive, pulling readers in through the use of the extra links and QR codes that compliment what is happening in the story. It adds a sensory layer that I truly enjoyed.
It's dynamic with so many historical elements that will appeal to historical lovers while also appealing to those who enjoy deeper thought provoking reads. I was left with much more than I expected going into it.
The premise alone is compelling, but what makes the book stand out is how it blends political tension, personal ambition, and the spectacle of circus life highlighting the characters and people at the heart of the story above all.
The characters drive the story. Around them, relationships form quickly and often under strain. I really enjoyed following each character while seeing their interactions together. They face a strong contrast between the freedom they glimpse and the reality they live in.
One thing that was so different was that the author creates a way for the story to become interactive, pulling readers in through the use of the extra links and QR codes that compliment what is happening in the story. It adds a sensory layer that I truly enjoyed.
It's dynamic with so many historical elements that will appeal to historical lovers while also appealing to those who enjoy deeper thought provoking reads. I was left with much more than I expected going into it.
April 20, 2026
This is such an interesting layout for a book. If you're someone who wants to be challenged by what you read, I think this is a really great dive into so many aspects of history, The Cold War, the circus, and honestly so much more than I could name here.
Cliff Lovette did an amazing job of endearing each of these characters to readers in their own way as they are each dealing with their own unique subplot and issues.
It's such a wonderful blend of genres and subgenres. There is a lot going on and so many things going on all at once. You will be completely invested and captivated.
The most interesting thing is that this author goes all out with his writing. Everything about this book is super extra involved. He has QR codes laced throughout to give extra tidbits. These help you get immersed even further into the writing and story if you choose to follow them with sound bites that lend to the overall story and what is happening. A sense of you being there with the extras thrown in.
Cliff Lovette did an amazing job of endearing each of these characters to readers in their own way as they are each dealing with their own unique subplot and issues.
It's such a wonderful blend of genres and subgenres. There is a lot going on and so many things going on all at once. You will be completely invested and captivated.
The most interesting thing is that this author goes all out with his writing. Everything about this book is super extra involved. He has QR codes laced throughout to give extra tidbits. These help you get immersed even further into the writing and story if you choose to follow them with sound bites that lend to the overall story and what is happening. A sense of you being there with the extras thrown in.
Review of advance copy
If you like extras and having a more interactive experience while reading this is a good book for you. The author has added lots of links though out the book to songs and speeches that are tied in to what is going on in the story. I wasn’t able to get a lot of them to work however since I’m a Kindle reader and also for myself I felt like it was too much and didn’t add anything for my own experience.
As far as the story goes it was interesting reading about some people that I learned about it school but it never grasp me and sunk its teeth into me. The Cold War era is interesting and the Soviet Union/American tension definitely added an extra level of unease. There is an insane amount of characters and perspectives and for me it was a lot to keep up with who was who and to keep up with what was happening between the present and the past.
As far as the story goes it was interesting reading about some people that I learned about it school but it never grasp me and sunk its teeth into me. The Cold War era is interesting and the Soviet Union/American tension definitely added an extra level of unease. There is an insane amount of characters and perspectives and for me it was a lot to keep up with who was who and to keep up with what was happening between the present and the past.
March 1, 2026
The novel follows a Soviet circus during the time of perestroika and glasnost, who come to America on tour. Their shady financiers abandon the circus troupe in a small town in Georgia while wondering about their fate. A local church congregation and a delicatessen help feed the circus performers, who are cut off from their animals, equipment and belongings. The troupe is caught in-between the Russian government and Washington with no side helping their plight.
The main characters were unforgettable, Anton ,Katyana, Josef, Uri, The Stallion, with romance within and without the troupe buds. The historical backdrop of the 1980s and 1990 take us back to a time before cell phones and the internet.
While there was a big build up to what was to come later in the novel, the author left use with an erotic scene and the possibility of a sequel.
The main characters were unforgettable, Anton ,Katyana, Josef, Uri, The Stallion, with romance within and without the troupe buds. The historical backdrop of the 1980s and 1990 take us back to a time before cell phones and the internet.
While there was a big build up to what was to come later in the novel, the author left use with an erotic scene and the possibility of a sequel.
April 21, 2026
Espionage was a buzz word when I grew up at the end of WWII. McCarthyism led us to look under every rock and assume a conspiracy everywhere. Our parents had us thinking an enemy might be anywhere. Yet, who would ever think the enemy might be right in front of us? A funny clown or a soaring high-wire expert right in the big top.
There is so much more to this novel than I was expecting. It is also set in a much later era than I expected. It wasn’t hidden right under the noses of some of the people in the book; it was right under my own nose in the 1990’s. It isn’t just the setting of the story that makes it so readable though. It is a story of love, one of fear, and one of manipulation. The circus performers are puppets; sent out in the open to find what is hidden below. Add this to the extensive research added and you have a wonderful read.
There is so much more to this novel than I was expecting. It is also set in a much later era than I expected. It wasn’t hidden right under the noses of some of the people in the book; it was right under my own nose in the 1990’s. It isn’t just the setting of the story that makes it so readable though. It is a story of love, one of fear, and one of manipulation. The circus performers are puppets; sent out in the open to find what is hidden below. Add this to the extensive research added and you have a wonderful read.
March 24, 2026
This was a strange and thoughtful story. It's got many themes that the author really manages to balance well. Imagination is at the forefront, but so is history. I was surprised by the authors ability to balance the two seamlessly along with the other subgenres. You have some romance, some action, and so much more.
From the start, the setting creates a sense that something deeper is happening beneath the surface.
The circus itself stands out as a character. Its performers and atmosphere give the story a charm that sets itself apart.
The detailed writing allows the reader notice small details. The pacing is steady and the tone stays reflective. The story focuses more on discovery and feeling than on fast action.
From the start, the setting creates a sense that something deeper is happening beneath the surface.
The circus itself stands out as a character. Its performers and atmosphere give the story a charm that sets itself apart.
The detailed writing allows the reader notice small details. The pacing is steady and the tone stays reflective. The story focuses more on discovery and feeling than on fast action.
Review of advance copy received from Publisher
I received a free copy of, Circus Bim Bom, by Cliff Lovette, from the publisher and Netgalley in exchange for an honest review. This is a rather long story, just under 500 pages, about a Soviet circus, coming to Americas in the 1990's. Most chapters have a qr code to get more information on things they talked about in the chapter re: commercials, songs, and speeches. This was an interesting read.
Review of advance copy received from Netgalley
Growing up during this time period, the story resonated with me. I found it well-paced, with well-developed characters and believable motivations, with an interesting plot, woven amidst the historical happenings of the era. The ending left much to be desired as there was no resolution to the story.
Thank you to NetGalley and BooksGoSocial who provided me with a copy of this book. I am voluntarily leaving an honest review.
Thank you to NetGalley and BooksGoSocial who provided me with a copy of this book. I am voluntarily leaving an honest review.
March 13, 2026
A bit of a change to most of the current book. A historical novel blended with humor, suspense and left me with a feeling that I has learnt something whilst enjoying the read. I see that this book is part one of a two part adventure so I am looking forward to the next one. Recommended for all especially the slightly jaded reader.
March 18, 2026
The author immerses you in this crazy adventure of a Soviet circus coming to tour America. Well worth reading
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