The Circle Dance

by Jen Silver

Jamie Steele has moved to another town trying to forget the heartbreak of losing her lover. She now has a low paying job as an IT technician, lives in a rented room, and is mostly failing at the forgetting part. Ivana Spencer is introduced to Jamie over dinner at her friends’ house. She can see herself falling for Jamie, but Jamie hasn’t got over her ex, Sasha, and perhaps never will. Sasha Fairfield, finds her thoughts taken up with her ex-lover of six years and thinks she wants Jamie back. But given the acrimonious nature of their breakup will Jamie want to even talk to her? After all, Jamie lost her home, her job, her car…and most importantly, the cat…all at the same time. Follow this captivating romance as love dances through the lives of these women to its surprising conclusion.

219 pages, Kindle Edition

First published March 14, 2016

About the author

Jen lives near Hebden Bridge in West Yorkshire with her long-term partner whom she married in December 2014. She has always enjoyed reading an eclectic range of genres including sci-fi, fantasy, historical fiction and lesbian fiction. As well as reading and writing, other activities include golf, archery, and taking part in archaeological digs. Jen's debut novel, Starting Over, was published by Affinity in October 2014.

Reviews

[C · Rating 4 out of 5]

I really liked this book and am glad I took the chance and read it. I'm not much for "older" romances (as in 40+ years old...sorry that's just my preference) but the characters are written very well that you almost forget their age. The book really revolves around 3 and half couples and each have their own hang ups and though not everything is solved in the end, enough is addressed thay using your own imagination or even a sequel (hint, hint, nudge, nudge to the author) we can almost figure it out.

My favortie storyline was of Taylor, the younger daughter of Laurel and the Doc. Though not a driving force in the book, her story starts becoming important toward the middle/end and I would really love to know the next step in her adventure.

Overall, read it. it's pretty lighthearted and an easy read with a good amount of drama, a good amount of romance, and a fairly happy ending :)

[Loek Krancher · Rating 5 out of 5]

Don't miss this one!

Dealing with the pain, hurt by the betrayal, Jamie struggles to get her life back but loving again it's not what she opted for. Getting over and moving on is not an easy thing to do. But with a little help from her friends, Jamie's future does look promising. Yet there is an ex that could ruin everything. This is a sweet romance but not too sweet because there is enough drama, just like real life. The characters are realistic, the relationships have depth and complexity, the story keeps moving and there are several twists. It has all the ingredients for a great romance and it keeps you turning the pages. I didn't even notice that I was already at the last page. It was sensitive, heartwarming. I would say, don't miss this one.

[Ameliah Faith · Rating 4 out of 5]

You'll Like It
Jamie has had quite the Year. She lost her job and her girlfriend Sasha abandoned her for another woman taking everything including the cat. She is finally getting her life back on track. She's got a place to live, a job she likes and her best friend has set her up with a delightful woman. Things are definitely looking up... Until Sasha turns up wanting to rekindle things. Jamie has a lot to think about but at least she got her cat back.

I truly enjoyed this book and read it cover to cover in a day. The book is technically sound and has a great flow and is wonderfully written. While the book is about Jamie, there is a secondary story line involving Sasha and Phoebe, the other woman, and a third revolving around Jamie's best friend Maddie, her wife Laurel and their kids. All of these stories are intertwined throughout the chapters.

Jamie goes through an awful lot in this story. I like how she finally gets a grip and moves on with her life after licking her wounds for months. She starts to rebuild bigger and better. When Sasha reappears she doesn't loose the her inner strength and fire. Even with all the changes going on around her she makes time for Maddie's daughter cope with her teen age angst. Jamie and Van are about perfect. Totally lovable. Both have doubts and fears that are so realistic and are easy to relate to. I loved that Jamie is older and Van doesn't have a “perfect” body. I could go on and on but I have a date with another of Ms Silver's books.

[Velvet Lounger · Rating 4 out of 5]

‘Circle Dance’ is Jen Silver's first stand-alone novel after completing her Starling Hill Trilogy. Once again set in the hills of West Yorkshire and infused with wit and realism, it is a classic British romance.

Each of Ms Silver's characters are familiar, realistic, lightly but well drawn and all of them are on a journey. Jamie seems unable to move on from the heartache of her partner cheating and deserting her. Van doesn’t really believe she can find a reliable girlfriend. Maddie and Lauren negotiate a long-term marriage while battling teenage rebellion. Tay struggles with coming out and resisting peer pressure. Sasha may find that the grass isn’t always greener and Phoebe needs to learn that using people rarely works out in the long term.

This is a ‘domestic drama’ - an observation of human relations, from the hysterical over re-action of a frightened mother to the tears of a woman re-united with her beloved cat. Ms Silver shows us her characters flaws and foibles, watches them react to everyday situations, and allows some to grow and develop, while others struggle to learn life’s lessons.

Very much in the tradition of British lesfic romances ‘Circle Dance’ is a gentle story of real women’s lives. Well done, enjoyable reading and another winner from Jen Silver.

[Candace · Rating 4 out of 5]

I read this one in a day. Interesting characters and plotting that kept me involved. Plus the protagonist's were middle-aged women. A good read.

[Mirtha Siblesz · Rating 5 out of 5]

Very good book!

I very much enjoyed this story! There were three intertwined stories and each one was complexed and very well developed. I enjoyed Jaime's character and her ability to pick herself up and start her life and start all over again. At the end I wondered if there was a foot left open for a sequel? Just a thought.

[susan · Rating 5 out of 5]

Great

I love the storyline and characters. The character Jamie seemed so real. It was a smooth reading. I really recommend this book.

[Lynn Lawler · Rating 5 out of 5]

See my review at https://lynnlawler.wordpress.com/2017...

http://lynnlawler.blogspot.com/2017/0...