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The Ballroom Class
When three couples join a new ballroom class, they're all looking for some magic in their lives. Lauren and Chris are getting married, and Lauren's dreaming of a fairytale wedding with a first dance to make Cinderella proud. Not wanting to be shown up on the dancefloor, her parents Bridget and Frank have come along too. They normally never put a foot wrong, but Bridget's got a secret that could trip them up unexpectedly. Meanwhile Katie and Ross are looking for a quick-fix solution to their failing marriage even though neither is quite sure who's leading who anymore. As friendships form over the foxtrot, the rumba rocks relationships, and the tango leads to true love, all the students in the Ballroom Class are about to face the music and dance...
440 pages, Paperback
First published October 16, 2008
68 people are currently reading
762 people want to read
About the author
Lucy Dillon
20 books971 followersLucy Dillon was born in Cumbria, worked for a while in publishing in London, and now lives in the Wye Valley with her husband and their Border terrier. She has written eight novels set in the fictional Midlands town of Longhampton, which looks a bit like Hereford, although the inhabitants tend to sound rather more Northern than that.
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 129 reviews
October 4, 2016
3,5*
This is an ordinary story about the daily life of 3 couples, but the writing is so engaging it makes you want to sit quietly and comfortably on the couch as if you were watching a British romantic comedy on the telly. The author has such a knack for detail and I love her subtle sense of humor. I actually laughed out loud at the scene where Lauren teaches her mother how to sell stuff on eBay while there was a distinct acrid smell of something burning wafting through the house.
I also loved the dancing theme and how these characters were introduced individually, till their stories eventually converge and they connect through the ballroom class.
Katie & Ross were my favorite couple and my main interest in the book from the very beginning. Their couples therapy sessions were so good I didn’t know whether to laugh or be dead serious. And their make up dance scene at the end ooh la la!
But as much as I have enjoyed this, I have to say that it dragged for too long, and the ending was rushed.
This is an ordinary story about the daily life of 3 couples, but the writing is so engaging it makes you want to sit quietly and comfortably on the couch as if you were watching a British romantic comedy on the telly. The author has such a knack for detail and I love her subtle sense of humor. I actually laughed out loud at the scene where Lauren teaches her mother how to sell stuff on eBay while there was a distinct acrid smell of something burning wafting through the house.
I also loved the dancing theme and how these characters were introduced individually, till their stories eventually converge and they connect through the ballroom class.
Katie & Ross were my favorite couple and my main interest in the book from the very beginning. Their couples therapy sessions were so good I didn’t know whether to laugh or be dead serious. And their make up dance scene at the end ooh la la!
But as much as I have enjoyed this, I have to say that it dragged for too long, and the ending was rushed.
March 10, 2014
I don't know what it was but I just couldn't get into this book:/. I couldn't keep up with the three different couples. I liked the happy ending between Katie and Ross. I didn't really like much of this book. I didn't like how it dragged on a bit.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
May 7, 2025
En mysig läsning, dock klyschig vilket inte är helt min stil men blev ändå glad av att läsa den.
July 17, 2021
Think I was just looking for something a little meatier than this. A little slow to get going.
March 13, 2021
Efter att jag hade läst min första Lucy Dillon så gjorde jag ett massinköp av alla andra som dittills hade blivit utgivna. Detta var 2016. Nästan exakt fem år senare så är det äntligen dags för nästa. Tango för vilsna själar är hennes debut, men den gavs ut som fjärde bok i Sverige, tror jag. Om jag får välja så föredrar jag att läsa böcker i den ordning författaren har skrivit dem, för förhoppningsvis utvecklas de och då kan det bli lite fel när man liksom hoppar tillbaka i utvecklingen. Lite som det faktiskt blev här.
Precis som förra boken jag läste så utspelar sig denna i den fiktiva byn Longhampton. Det verkar vara en väldigt mysig liten stad, mer kanske och om jag hade kunnat så skulle jag gärna ha besökt den. Det blir inte speciellt mycket miljöbeskrivningar, vilket ju passar mig bra, utan här handlar det mer om det inre landskapet.
Slutet på Tango för vilsna själar är väldigt förutsägbart och tillrättalagt, men det lyckas ändå beröra mig. Och lyckliga slut är bland det bästa som finns, när det är det jag förväntar mig. Nu hoppas jag bara att det inte ska dröja ytterligare fem år innan jag läser nästa Lucy Dillon.
OBS! Detta är en kraftigt förkortad text. Hela finns på min blogg
Precis som förra boken jag läste så utspelar sig denna i den fiktiva byn Longhampton. Det verkar vara en väldigt mysig liten stad, mer kanske och om jag hade kunnat så skulle jag gärna ha besökt den. Det blir inte speciellt mycket miljöbeskrivningar, vilket ju passar mig bra, utan här handlar det mer om det inre landskapet.
Slutet på Tango för vilsna själar är väldigt förutsägbart och tillrättalagt, men det lyckas ändå beröra mig. Och lyckliga slut är bland det bästa som finns, när det är det jag förväntar mig. Nu hoppas jag bara att det inte ska dröja ytterligare fem år innan jag läser nästa Lucy Dillon.
OBS! Detta är en kraftigt förkortad text. Hela finns på min blogg
March 9, 2020
I do love this book of dance and dreams and small worlds and how dance changes people. This is one of my go-to light reads when I’m feeling down ans need to remember things that are good and true. Each time I read this I find something new. Particularly given re-reading Athol Fugard’s ‘Master Harold’, I become more conscious of the power of music, dance, connection and what lifts us from the mundane. Would I have enjoyed it as much if I hadn’t ever danced? I think it’s hard to understand the transformative nature of that moment of being one with your partner and the music if you don’t have a frame of reference. But if you do, you are transported to that moment in your life. And you smile.
June 24, 2018
Very enjoyable read - perfect for a afternoon sunbathing at home with a drink
Or two!
Or two!
April 26, 2011
Non è facile scrivere di ballo, lo so per esperienza. Si rischia di essere o troppo tecnici – ammesso che se ne abbia una conoscenza ad un livello non superficiale – diventando noiosi anche per i pochi adepti, o di essere troppo banali, liquidando con le tre o quattro parole convenzionali ciò che non può essere descritto.
Perché le emozioni e le sensazioni che ogni cellula del nostro corpo ed ogni atomo del nostro cervello provano mentre si danza, mentre utilizziamo muscoli che non sapevamo neanche di avere, non si possono esprimere con le parole. L’unico modo per esprimerle è il movimento.
Questo romanzo, pur gradevole, cade spesso in entrambi i tranelli succitati.
Si comprende che chi lo ha scritto non è assolutamente digiuno di ballo, ma ci sono dei dettagli tecnici che non quadrano – mai sentito che si guida con lo sguardo: nelle danze standard (qui tradotto “da sala”) si guida con le mani (attenzione, non le braccia), ma soprattutto con la parte destra del corpo, dal ginocchio fino al seno, con particolare importanza del bacino (il centro); nei latino americani sono le mani ed i polsi del cavaliere a dare l’input alla dama.
Mi sarebbe piaciuto leggere il libro in lingua originale perché, dato che i termini tecnici sono in Inglese, forse a volte non sarebbe stato necessario tradurli, e spesso ho cercato di comprendere se le parole erano state tradotte correttamente.
Su alcune recensioni ho letto che il romanzo sembra maschilista. Probabilmente chi le ha scritte non ha mai provato a ballare in coppia con qualcun altro, perché purtroppo sotto alcuni punti di vista è il ballo ad essere maschilista, o, per lo meno ad apparire tale, perché ci sono dei ruoli da rispettare: l’uomo guida, la donna segue, e vi posso assicurare che viene anche piuttosto naturale; ma la donna ha anche altri ruoli che l’uomo a sua volta deve rispettare: è la donna che deve eseguire le figure più difficili, deve fare risaltare la bellezza e la bravura della coppia, e questo non le è possibile se il cavaliere non collabora o se, per mania di protagonismo vuole essere lui la figura di spicco; se questi ruoli non vengono rispettati non c’è armonia nella coppia ed invece quando si balla si deve essere collaborativi e sincronizzati al massimo per apparire un tutt’uno.
Però questo romanzo, pur con tutte le sue pecche (e non parlo solo dei dettagli tecnici del ballo, ma anche di alcuni particolari narrativi poco convincenti, per non parlare del fatto che chi ha due piedi sinistri ci metterà molto più di tre mesi per imparare anche pochi passi di foxtrot), esprime una verità fondamentale: il ballo (di coppia, intendo) è un catalizzatore: fa scoprire emozioni che non avevamo mai provato, o, se le provavamo, le amplifica; ci concede un livello di complicità e di intimità che non si riescono a raggiungere facilmente; fa sentire chi lo pratica perennemente protagonista, come Lauren che non ha più bisogno del suo giorno speciale (il giorno delle nozze) per sentirsi speciale. Con il ballo si è sempre protagonisti. Immaginate di infilarvi un abito da gara, di truccarvi, di pettinarvi e vedrete che cosa intendo: è come se il giorno del vostro matrimonio si potesse ripetere all’infinito.
Naturalmente ci sono anche gli aspetti negativi, che questo libro non fa vedere: le coppie che ballano litigano. Questo fa parte sempre dell’effetto catalizzatore del ballo: spesso, dopo una dura e stressante giornata di lavoro, riversiamo sul nostro partner tutta la tensione e lo accusiamo di errori che magari siamo noi a commettere. Ma è uno sfogo salutare (si spera!), che ci consente di liberarci della tensione accumulata nell’arco di tutta la giornata.
Per finire una citazione dal libro, quella che Teresa (grazie, amica mia!), mia compagna di scuola di ballo mi lesse, spingendomi ad acquistare e a leggere questo libro:
Era quello il problema del ballo, pensò riscuotendosi per tornare al presente. Ti dava una via d’uscita alla vita di tutti i giorni, ma colonizzava ogni centimetro della tua esistenza, finché non restava che un minuscolo spazio per tutto il resto.
Proprio come disse una delle mie insegnanti durante un allenamento collettivo:
“Per voi che ballate ad un certo livello, la vita non sarà mai più la stessa: potete abbandonare il ballo, ma una volta che il ballo è entrato nelle vostre vite, siete diventati delle persone diverse.”
Speriamo migliori, Luana!
Perché le emozioni e le sensazioni che ogni cellula del nostro corpo ed ogni atomo del nostro cervello provano mentre si danza, mentre utilizziamo muscoli che non sapevamo neanche di avere, non si possono esprimere con le parole. L’unico modo per esprimerle è il movimento.
Questo romanzo, pur gradevole, cade spesso in entrambi i tranelli succitati.
Si comprende che chi lo ha scritto non è assolutamente digiuno di ballo, ma ci sono dei dettagli tecnici che non quadrano – mai sentito che si guida con lo sguardo: nelle danze standard (qui tradotto “da sala”) si guida con le mani (attenzione, non le braccia), ma soprattutto con la parte destra del corpo, dal ginocchio fino al seno, con particolare importanza del bacino (il centro); nei latino americani sono le mani ed i polsi del cavaliere a dare l’input alla dama.
Mi sarebbe piaciuto leggere il libro in lingua originale perché, dato che i termini tecnici sono in Inglese, forse a volte non sarebbe stato necessario tradurli, e spesso ho cercato di comprendere se le parole erano state tradotte correttamente.
Su alcune recensioni ho letto che il romanzo sembra maschilista. Probabilmente chi le ha scritte non ha mai provato a ballare in coppia con qualcun altro, perché purtroppo sotto alcuni punti di vista è il ballo ad essere maschilista, o, per lo meno ad apparire tale, perché ci sono dei ruoli da rispettare: l’uomo guida, la donna segue, e vi posso assicurare che viene anche piuttosto naturale; ma la donna ha anche altri ruoli che l’uomo a sua volta deve rispettare: è la donna che deve eseguire le figure più difficili, deve fare risaltare la bellezza e la bravura della coppia, e questo non le è possibile se il cavaliere non collabora o se, per mania di protagonismo vuole essere lui la figura di spicco; se questi ruoli non vengono rispettati non c’è armonia nella coppia ed invece quando si balla si deve essere collaborativi e sincronizzati al massimo per apparire un tutt’uno.
Però questo romanzo, pur con tutte le sue pecche (e non parlo solo dei dettagli tecnici del ballo, ma anche di alcuni particolari narrativi poco convincenti, per non parlare del fatto che chi ha due piedi sinistri ci metterà molto più di tre mesi per imparare anche pochi passi di foxtrot), esprime una verità fondamentale: il ballo (di coppia, intendo) è un catalizzatore: fa scoprire emozioni che non avevamo mai provato, o, se le provavamo, le amplifica; ci concede un livello di complicità e di intimità che non si riescono a raggiungere facilmente; fa sentire chi lo pratica perennemente protagonista, come Lauren che non ha più bisogno del suo giorno speciale (il giorno delle nozze) per sentirsi speciale. Con il ballo si è sempre protagonisti. Immaginate di infilarvi un abito da gara, di truccarvi, di pettinarvi e vedrete che cosa intendo: è come se il giorno del vostro matrimonio si potesse ripetere all’infinito.
Naturalmente ci sono anche gli aspetti negativi, che questo libro non fa vedere: le coppie che ballano litigano. Questo fa parte sempre dell’effetto catalizzatore del ballo: spesso, dopo una dura e stressante giornata di lavoro, riversiamo sul nostro partner tutta la tensione e lo accusiamo di errori che magari siamo noi a commettere. Ma è uno sfogo salutare (si spera!), che ci consente di liberarci della tensione accumulata nell’arco di tutta la giornata.
Per finire una citazione dal libro, quella che Teresa (grazie, amica mia!), mia compagna di scuola di ballo mi lesse, spingendomi ad acquistare e a leggere questo libro:
Era quello il problema del ballo, pensò riscuotendosi per tornare al presente. Ti dava una via d’uscita alla vita di tutti i giorni, ma colonizzava ogni centimetro della tua esistenza, finché non restava che un minuscolo spazio per tutto il resto.
Proprio come disse una delle mie insegnanti durante un allenamento collettivo:
“Per voi che ballate ad un certo livello, la vita non sarà mai più la stessa: potete abbandonare il ballo, ma una volta che il ballo è entrato nelle vostre vite, siete diventati delle persone diverse.”
Speriamo migliori, Luana!
December 5, 2009
Angelica loves to dance, so when she returns home to Longhampton, she decides she will teach a ballroom dancing class at the local dance hall. As a former World Class dancer, Angelica is sure she can turn the town’s residents into the next Fred Astaire and Ginger Rogers. But are her class up for the challenge? And are all they all dancing to the same tune, or entirely different ones?
Lauren and Chris, engaged to be married, are finding preparing for their wedding harder than they thought. Lauren wants a fairytale, but Chris just wants it over with. Lauren’s parents Bridget and Frank are very happily married and proud of their daughter, but Bridget is hiding a secret which is eating her up inside. Finally, Katie and Ross have marital woes, Katie resents going out to work while Ross gets all day with their two children, Hannah and Joe. Can the music bring all the couples closer together and heal the rifts, or is it too late for them all?
As a fan of dancing shows such as Strictly Come Dancing, the recommendation on the front and inside few pages from Arlene Phillips, judge of Strictly, pleased me and made me think that this would definitely be one for those of us who love to watch dancing shows. I found Dillon has written a book here with a great insight into the world of dance, although perhaps not as much as would be suggested by the title and cover of the book. I would have liked to have a lot more about Angelica’s life as a dancer, and the short parts where the book flashes back to this time are too few and far between for me!
The dancing which occurs in the book is good, but isn’t anything overly special. She does use a bit of technical language, but for those of us who don’t understand it, don’t worry as it is explained. Because of the characters, most of the dancing is very simple and you almost learn the dances along with them which I think made it a fun read. It did make me want to jump up off my seat and do a little box-step for myself a few times, but I managed to restrain myself! The great description of the dance nights held at the hall, the costumes and music did bring it all to life in a wonderful way, and I so much wanted to be there with them.
Dillon’s characters are all well-written, and you can see feel compassion for all of them, despite their individual circumstances. I found myself caring for all of them, and wanting them to all work it out and be happy! I particularly felt for Katie who was struggling as a working mum, and I can only imagine how hard it was for her to leave her children. The relationship between her and Ross was so well written, you do feel like a fly on the wall in their home, which shows how good Dillon’s writing is! The other characters were just as enjoyable, with Lauren and Chris’ mad wedding plans coming to life and Bridget’s inner turmoil affecting all parts of her life. Of course, I can’t not mention Angelica, the dance teacher, and her story is an intriguing one! Her story gets revealed as the book goes on, and this little mystery is enough to keep you reading up until the end! Brilliantly done by Dillon.
This is a novel that really gets to grips with human relationships, their ups and downs, but of course love that will get you through anything, as long as that love is there. As well as the woes, there are plenty of laughs courtesy of Lauren and mother-in-law Irene’s elaborate wedding plans, and these two never failed to make me smile! The dancing element really served to bring all of the characters together in one place, and to develop the individual storylines, and I loved the dancing scenes. They were so well written, you could clearly visualise that big old Glitterball on the hall ceiling, and the swishy dresses they wore for the classes! A really wonderful piece of escapist reading, a definite much for not just fans of dance, but also for those who love a fantastic read! For a debut novel, this is superb.
Lauren and Chris, engaged to be married, are finding preparing for their wedding harder than they thought. Lauren wants a fairytale, but Chris just wants it over with. Lauren’s parents Bridget and Frank are very happily married and proud of their daughter, but Bridget is hiding a secret which is eating her up inside. Finally, Katie and Ross have marital woes, Katie resents going out to work while Ross gets all day with their two children, Hannah and Joe. Can the music bring all the couples closer together and heal the rifts, or is it too late for them all?
As a fan of dancing shows such as Strictly Come Dancing, the recommendation on the front and inside few pages from Arlene Phillips, judge of Strictly, pleased me and made me think that this would definitely be one for those of us who love to watch dancing shows. I found Dillon has written a book here with a great insight into the world of dance, although perhaps not as much as would be suggested by the title and cover of the book. I would have liked to have a lot more about Angelica’s life as a dancer, and the short parts where the book flashes back to this time are too few and far between for me!
The dancing which occurs in the book is good, but isn’t anything overly special. She does use a bit of technical language, but for those of us who don’t understand it, don’t worry as it is explained. Because of the characters, most of the dancing is very simple and you almost learn the dances along with them which I think made it a fun read. It did make me want to jump up off my seat and do a little box-step for myself a few times, but I managed to restrain myself! The great description of the dance nights held at the hall, the costumes and music did bring it all to life in a wonderful way, and I so much wanted to be there with them.
Dillon’s characters are all well-written, and you can see feel compassion for all of them, despite their individual circumstances. I found myself caring for all of them, and wanting them to all work it out and be happy! I particularly felt for Katie who was struggling as a working mum, and I can only imagine how hard it was for her to leave her children. The relationship between her and Ross was so well written, you do feel like a fly on the wall in their home, which shows how good Dillon’s writing is! The other characters were just as enjoyable, with Lauren and Chris’ mad wedding plans coming to life and Bridget’s inner turmoil affecting all parts of her life. Of course, I can’t not mention Angelica, the dance teacher, and her story is an intriguing one! Her story gets revealed as the book goes on, and this little mystery is enough to keep you reading up until the end! Brilliantly done by Dillon.
This is a novel that really gets to grips with human relationships, their ups and downs, but of course love that will get you through anything, as long as that love is there. As well as the woes, there are plenty of laughs courtesy of Lauren and mother-in-law Irene’s elaborate wedding plans, and these two never failed to make me smile! The dancing element really served to bring all of the characters together in one place, and to develop the individual storylines, and I loved the dancing scenes. They were so well written, you could clearly visualise that big old Glitterball on the hall ceiling, and the swishy dresses they wore for the classes! A really wonderful piece of escapist reading, a definite much for not just fans of dance, but also for those who love a fantastic read! For a debut novel, this is superb.
January 6, 2020
'I know you're not a girlie girl,'...'but you have to think of the dancefloor as a stage, where you play a role for the evening. Imagine yourself as Scarlett O'Hara on the floor, or Liz Taylor. Let yourself go! Be someone else!' - Angelica Andrews
This is definite chick lit. It is designed so that on some level a reader can recognise themselves or a woman close to them within the pages. Either the dance teacher with a past Angelica, working mother Katie, young excited soon to be married Lauren, secret-keeping Bridget or possibly stay at home mother Jo. There are some real issues in play, adulthood, marriage, gender roles, self-perception, young pregnancy, adoption. All are dealt with in a classy manner and with no disrespect to those who are or have living or lived the events. Though it is a book it is a book that plays on gender roles and stereotypes. Katie and Ross have theirs. Lauren has openly said gaming is a blokes thing. Even is 2008 I'm pretty sure we were aware that wasn't the case.
Alright so this review is about one character, in particular, Katie, because she is the reason I had so many problems with The Ballroom Class, the reason the book is rated so low. Katie is a woman in a man's world. She comes off as a heartless, selfish cow with no empathy. 2008 was well before the current wave of feminist and I have no doubt have would struggle to with work-life balance but she doesn't come across as trying. Admittedly I am from a female dominated industry that is ahead of the ball on the allowance for families. She does have a couple of redemptive scenes, her conversation with Chris is brilliant, it's honest and a bit endearing. A tip if you start finding this and are finding Katie intolerable stop reading. Katie and Ross' story is the core of The Ballroom Class almost exclusively from Katie's perspective. I personally wanted to slap her most of the time. She was only just readable. Yes I am aware of the stereotypes in play, her position but her way of dealing with it is not pleasant to read.
This was a reread. I read The Ballroom Class for the first time in 2008 or 2009. It's a reread I regret a bit, to be honest. I think the reason I had such fond memories of The Ballroom Class is largely due to a single scene. The Tango Argentino scene. I have a serious love of tangos, put a tango in a film and I'm there. Also film rec, if you're reading this and haven't seen Take the Lead go watch it some of the best use of dance and one of the better three-way tangos I've ever seen.
The plot is enjoyable. I just don't like Katie and because so much time is spent with her it makes the book hard to really like. I loved the ending though. It feels realistic, romantic but still realistic. It pulls everything together and left me satisfied. If the blurb appeals to you try it but it might be a better library or discount bin book.
'the first thing I want you to do,'... 'is put everything you think you know about tango right out of your head. The rose between the teeth, the silly head-flicking — that's not what this is about. That's just tea-room nonsense, really, no sex, please, we're English. Tango Argentino is the real thing — think about gauchos and prostitutes, and hot steamy rooms.' - Angelica Andrews
A representative gif:
July 13, 2014
Had read several of Lucy Dilons books and have really enjoyed them . This one I just couldn't get into or connect with . It's set around 3 couples taking ballroom dancing lessons. I think it was the characters that were lacking in this none did I feel sympathetic towards or really want to know more about . Overall disappointing
August 17, 2019
Just couldn't get into this. Reading shouldnt be a chore.
I went back and managed to get an audiobook to get me through to the end. But really wasn't my fave Lucy Dillon book, too slow, boring and didn't like the characters.
I went back and managed to get an audiobook to get me through to the end. But really wasn't my fave Lucy Dillon book, too slow, boring and didn't like the characters.
April 30, 2019
Tänkte att jag skulle prova på en Lucy Dillon och självklart börja med debutboken. Vet inte om det var det bästa valet, tyvärr.
Boken är väl skriven så bara här får den en trea.
Och lite kul med en danskurs då jag själv gärna tar ett danssteg och svänger på rumpan framför mannen.
Men sedan blev allting bara så långt och jag erkänner att jag inte ens i slutet visste vilken man som hette vad. Chris, Greg och Ross, ja, ni hör ju...och de var egentligen alla som en appendix till sina kvinnor.
Egentligen var det inte så mycket att klaga på, det är en feelgood och man vet redan innan (om man läst baksidestexten) att det ska handla om dans. Men det händer inget mer än att det beklagas över förhållandena med dessa män då de trampar sina kvinnor på tårna.
Boken är väl skriven så bara här får den en trea.
Och lite kul med en danskurs då jag själv gärna tar ett danssteg och svänger på rumpan framför mannen.
Men sedan blev allting bara så långt och jag erkänner att jag inte ens i slutet visste vilken man som hette vad. Chris, Greg och Ross, ja, ni hör ju...och de var egentligen alla som en appendix till sina kvinnor.
Egentligen var det inte så mycket att klaga på, det är en feelgood och man vet redan innan (om man läst baksidestexten) att det ska handla om dans. Men det händer inget mer än att det beklagas över förhållandena med dessa män då de trampar sina kvinnor på tårna.
October 14, 2020
There is a lot to like about Dillon’s book but it felt at least 100 pages too long.
October 7, 2015
En härlig bok som tar mig med in i dansens värld. Jag älskar att dansa, genom boken återupplever jag många härliga stunder på dansgolvet. Först tänkte jag att en bok som handlar om danslektioner inte kan vara intressant, men jag gav den en chans och det är jag tacksam för, eftersom boken är charmig och underhållande, precis som alla andra böcker av Lucy Dillon.
Proffsdansaren Angelica återvänder till Longhampton för att städa ur sin mammas hus. Hon bestämmer sig för att starta en danskurs på orten. Det blir en blandad skara kursdeltagare, Katie och Ross som försöker rädda sitt äktenskap, Lauren och Chris som tränar inför brudvalsen. Laurens föräldrar och många andra härliga personer, som Lucy levandegör i boken.
Ibland blir jag irriterad på Lauren som drömmer om sagobröllop och inte inser hur mycket allt kostar, eftersom föräldrarna betalar bröllopet, något som gör hennes mamma, Bridget, förtvivlad när hon ser alla räkningar ramla in...
En härlig bok att krypa upp i soffhörnet med och bara må bra.
Proffsdansaren Angelica återvänder till Longhampton för att städa ur sin mammas hus. Hon bestämmer sig för att starta en danskurs på orten. Det blir en blandad skara kursdeltagare, Katie och Ross som försöker rädda sitt äktenskap, Lauren och Chris som tränar inför brudvalsen. Laurens föräldrar och många andra härliga personer, som Lucy levandegör i boken.
Ibland blir jag irriterad på Lauren som drömmer om sagobröllop och inte inser hur mycket allt kostar, eftersom föräldrarna betalar bröllopet, något som gör hennes mamma, Bridget, förtvivlad när hon ser alla räkningar ramla in...
En härlig bok att krypa upp i soffhörnet med och bara må bra.
October 29, 2012
I really enjoyed this book. It made me want to get my dance shoes on! Katie and Ross, Lauren and Chris and Bridget and Frank are 3 of the couples who sign up for the class in the local memorial hall. They all have their problems, but they get together on a Thursday night to try and learn to dance. Angelica Andrews an ex-champion dancer is their teacher and she can see more than you think! She has her own past and ghosts that need to be laid to rest, and it all comes together in one really enjoyable, heartwarming story!
April 27, 2014
Una storia che nasce dall'intreccio di tante storie su una pista da ballo, dove generazioni diverse si incontrano e trovano un terreno comune nella danza.
Un'insegnante d'eccezione che sa leggere nei cuori delle persone è l'elemento catalizzatore della storia insieme alla danza che diventa un modo per conoscersi per superare i propri limiti, per scoprire se stessi e cambiare in meglio la propria vita.
Un'insegnante d'eccezione che sa leggere nei cuori delle persone è l'elemento catalizzatore della storia insieme alla danza che diventa un modo per conoscersi per superare i propri limiti, per scoprire se stessi e cambiare in meglio la propria vita.
September 29, 2012
this book took me ages to read which is unusual for me, the story just didn't grip me.
January 18, 2015
Tango för vilsna själar
March 10, 2018
Chiclit fix after a few heavier history books. Enjoyable nonsense.
July 20, 2019
En fd proffsdansare kommer tillbaka till sin barndomsstad och startar dansskola. Man följer framför allt henne plus två av paren som går där. Hon går runt och minns saker (framför allt en f.d. partner som i slutscenen kommer tillbaka) och får veta att hon är adopterad (och hennes bioföräldrar går kursen - detta dock helt odramatiskt).
Par 1 är där eftersom deras parterapeut sagt åt dem att göra nåt nytt tillsammans. Kvinnan har tröttnat på mannen eftersom han bara går hemma och är ful och tar hand om barnen men inte städar. Hon jobbar på stadsbyggnadskontoret och har en dum chef, men bestämmer sig för att rädda den tjusiga danshallen som byggdes under (eller om det var efter) kriget. Hon är dålig på att dansa eftersom hon bara vill föra hela tiden. När dansläraren kommer på att hon och hennes man ska dansa argentinsk tango blir de kära i varann igen eftersom de tycker att den andra är snygg igen (till detta hör även att de börjat klä upp sig + kvinnan är äntligen Kvinnlig). Kvinnans bästis har blivit mannens bästis eftersom hon också är hemma med barn, men det paret separerar under boken.
Par 2 är unga och tjejen vill ha ett sagobröllop och fattar inte att det är för dyrt. Hennes föräldrar går också kursen och man följer främst hennes mamma som satt sig i massa skuld för att betala bröllopet m.m. I slutet bestämmer sig det unga paret för att vänta med bröllopet.
Helt ok, men lite besvikelse bara för att det var Lucy Dillon.
Par 1 är där eftersom deras parterapeut sagt åt dem att göra nåt nytt tillsammans. Kvinnan har tröttnat på mannen eftersom han bara går hemma och är ful och tar hand om barnen men inte städar. Hon jobbar på stadsbyggnadskontoret och har en dum chef, men bestämmer sig för att rädda den tjusiga danshallen som byggdes under (eller om det var efter) kriget. Hon är dålig på att dansa eftersom hon bara vill föra hela tiden. När dansläraren kommer på att hon och hennes man ska dansa argentinsk tango blir de kära i varann igen eftersom de tycker att den andra är snygg igen (till detta hör även att de börjat klä upp sig + kvinnan är äntligen Kvinnlig). Kvinnans bästis har blivit mannens bästis eftersom hon också är hemma med barn, men det paret separerar under boken.
Par 2 är unga och tjejen vill ha ett sagobröllop och fattar inte att det är för dyrt. Hennes föräldrar går också kursen och man följer främst hennes mamma som satt sig i massa skuld för att betala bröllopet m.m. I slutet bestämmer sig det unga paret för att vänta med bröllopet.
Helt ok, men lite besvikelse bara för att det var Lucy Dillon.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
May 2, 2021
This book here is one of the main reasons I love Lucy Dillon!!
She is so great with character building (I think that is the name for it?)
I started out being quuuuite nasty in my mind about Katie :O What a bish :p Well... that is until I kind of realised while making coffee that I had the same kind of mindtalk about my husband rofl but nvm that now, I really thought she was horrible to pin it all on poor Ross, even though, I did have issues with him never doing anything around the house even though he was at home with their two little ones.
I ended up changing my mind totally. As the story unfolds and we actually get to know the characters, I found myself starting to really like Katie AND Ross :D
Not to forget the others though. I have been quite stern, worried, happy, sad and pretty much everything inbetween <3 Actually ended up waking very early this morning, not being able to go back to sleep, thinking how things would unfold for them all sooo I might have got up, made myself a cupper and finished it lol
Well done Lucy Dillon <3
She is so great with character building (I think that is the name for it?)
I started out being quuuuite nasty in my mind about Katie :O What a bish :p Well... that is until I kind of realised while making coffee that I had the same kind of mindtalk about my husband rofl but nvm that now, I really thought she was horrible to pin it all on poor Ross, even though, I did have issues with him never doing anything around the house even though he was at home with their two little ones.
I ended up changing my mind totally. As the story unfolds and we actually get to know the characters, I found myself starting to really like Katie AND Ross :D
Not to forget the others though. I have been quite stern, worried, happy, sad and pretty much everything inbetween <3 Actually ended up waking very early this morning, not being able to go back to sleep, thinking how things would unfold for them all sooo I might have got up, made myself a cupper and finished it lol
Well done Lucy Dillon <3
May 20, 2018
I do love how Lucy Dillon is able to create her characters into wonderful real time people, with realistic problems. I found this book hard to get into first time around, as I couldnt have a care for dancing. I loved some couples more than others naturally.
I really hated the ending.. obviously Katie and Ross did okay in the end. But Peggy and Baxter had to keep their secret and watch from the sidelines. Jo obviously got a way from her controlling husband and Angelica got her hunk back but Lauren and Chris not get married and Irene, disappeared off the planet. Lauren, I liked but I also found her really selfish and brattish. I guess I wanted more from this book ending and I was a little sad there was no pupper in this one.
I can totally recommend Jilly Bond audiobooks for Lucy Dillon. She is fab!
I really hated the ending.. obviously Katie and Ross did okay in the end. But Peggy and Baxter had to keep their secret and watch from the sidelines. Jo obviously got a way from her controlling husband and Angelica got her hunk back but Lauren and Chris not get married and Irene, disappeared off the planet. Lauren, I liked but I also found her really selfish and brattish. I guess I wanted more from this book ending and I was a little sad there was no pupper in this one.
I can totally recommend Jilly Bond audiobooks for Lucy Dillon. She is fab!
March 20, 2022
A bit of frothy reading, which addresses a few serious issues but not in as good a way as Marion Keyes does.
Unlike a lot of reviewers, I tended to sympathise more with Katie than Ross, maybe because I also worked full time while my husband did a lot of the childcare along with childminders etc. The part about coming home to find things hadn’t been done rang true with me, certainly.
Chris’s mum annoyed me, with the way she was trying to relive her past through her son’s wedding, as did the way Lauren clung on to her childhood dreams for her ‘special day’ too. A shorter book wouldn’t have come amiss either, but that’s true of all the author’s books.
And why were Trina and Chloe in the book? What did they add to it?
Unlike a lot of reviewers, I tended to sympathise more with Katie than Ross, maybe because I also worked full time while my husband did a lot of the childcare along with childminders etc. The part about coming home to find things hadn’t been done rang true with me, certainly.
Chris’s mum annoyed me, with the way she was trying to relive her past through her son’s wedding, as did the way Lauren clung on to her childhood dreams for her ‘special day’ too. A shorter book wouldn’t have come amiss either, but that’s true of all the author’s books.
And why were Trina and Chloe in the book? What did they add to it?
May 16, 2017
Yes it did take me a while to get involved in the characters but, having discovered it was her first book, I reevaluated my impressions. I feel that the early part of the book was too focused on Lauren's wedding, whilst it was important to understand the extent of her obsession with her "big day" I felt that the point was over-worked, but as a first novel I happily forgive this.
I had already read three other books set in Longhampton (which can be read in any order) and enjoyed them greatly, had I read this one first I may not have completed "The Ballroom Class" and consequently missed out on her other stories.
I had already read three other books set in Longhampton (which can be read in any order) and enjoyed them greatly, had I read this one first I may not have completed "The Ballroom Class" and consequently missed out on her other stories.
June 1, 2017
Ho iniziato a leggere questo libro perchè c'entra con il mondo del ballo da sala , di cui faccio parte da quasi 10 anni, e devo ammettere che mi sta piacendo molto (per ora sono quasi a metà), ma le sensazioni descritte quando le varie coppie fanno le lezioni di ballo sono molto vere, (le ho provate anche io). Inoltre chi ha scritto il libro è una vera intenditrice, perchè inserisce nomi di figure di ballo che esistono realmente. Vedremo come prosegue la storia...
Alla fine ho scoperto che chi ha scritto questo libro è una vera ballerina! Peccato però perchè la storia poteva essere un po' più lunga e approfondita. Comunque questo romanzo si lascia leggere proprio bene.
Alla fine ho scoperto che chi ha scritto questo libro è una vera ballerina! Peccato però perchè la storia poteva essere un po' più lunga e approfondita. Comunque questo romanzo si lascia leggere proprio bene.
July 20, 2020
En helt fantastiskt bok av Lucy Dillon! Har läst alla hennes andra böcker före denna, trots att detta var hennes första, men den här slår dem alla. Vi får följa flera separata historier, som sedan vävs samman snyggt och bra. Som gift småbarnsmor blir jag också väldigt engagerad i det gifta paret som tappar bort varandra i relationen. Jag älskar hur dansen är det som får personerna att hitta tillbaka till sig själv, och till varandra. Dillon beskriver dans så passionerat och intimt och jag blir själv sugen på att lära mig dansa. En klar 5:a och denna åker direkt in på listan över mina absoluta favoriter.
January 16, 2023
Angela has become Angelica because her feet refused to stop dancing. Having been a sensation in the ballroom dancing circuit, Angelica is back home, clearing out the house after her mother's death. Confronting her past is not easy, but teaching a few ballroom dancing classes in the hall that marked her first sessions sure is. Three couples join her classes, one to become a Cinderalla on her wedding another, another to save her marriage, and the third because dancing is part of their long relationship. But through the language of dance, much is expressed and the couples have to find their way to each other, to trust and to lead.
April 13, 2020
This is a really enjoyable chick lit style book, with the story revolving around the teacher and pupils in a small town dance class. Although there are a lot of stories in this genre, I felt that Lucy Dillon created an engaging scenario which captured life in small town England very well and introduced you to a set of realistic modern characters. From the returning local ‘girl who made good’ as a professional dancer, to the hesitant pupils who come to the classes with differing motivations I thought that the different stories in The Ballroom Class were entertaining and well written.
August 21, 2023
3,5 stjärnor. Ross och Katies äktenskap faller samman, på parterapeutens inrådan testar de en ny hobby - dans. Men går det att väcka en låga som redan har slocknat?
Lauren drömmer om ett sagobröllop med den perfekta bröllopsvalsen och tvingar med sig fästmannen Chris. De två paren börjar ta lektioner hos före detta proffsdansaren Angelica, som magasinerar både ägodelar och känslor.
Boken är inte svår att fastna för, men vissa delar läser man inte så noga. Lite för många olika perspektiv för mitt tycke.
Lauren drömmer om ett sagobröllop med den perfekta bröllopsvalsen och tvingar med sig fästmannen Chris. De två paren börjar ta lektioner hos före detta proffsdansaren Angelica, som magasinerar både ägodelar och känslor.
Boken är inte svår att fastna för, men vissa delar läser man inte så noga. Lite för många olika perspektiv för mitt tycke.
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