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Buckingham #1
One Enchanted Evening
The Sunday Times bestseller!
' Downton with dance, perfect!' Santa Montefiore
Prepare to be swept off your feet by the romantic and irresistible debut novel from Anton Du Beke
London, 1936.
Inside the spectacular Grand Ballroom of the exclusive Buckingham Hotel the rich and powerful, politicians, film stars, even royalty, rub shoulders with Raymond de Guise and his troupe of talented dancers from all around the world, who must enchant them, captivate them, and sweep away their cares. Accustomed to waltzing with the highest of society, Raymond knows a secret from his past could threaten all he holds dear.
Nancy Nettleton, new chambermaid at the Buckingham, finds hotel life a struggle after leaving her small hometown. She dreams of joining the dancers on the ballroom floor as she watches, unseen, from behind plush curtains and hidden doorways. She soon discovers everyone at the Buckingham - guests and staff alike - has something to hide . . .
The storm clouds of war are gathering, and beneath the glitz and glamour of the ballroom lurks an irresistible world of scandal and secrets.
Let's dance . . .
' Downton with dance, perfect!' Santa Montefiore
Prepare to be swept off your feet by the romantic and irresistible debut novel from Anton Du Beke
London, 1936.
Inside the spectacular Grand Ballroom of the exclusive Buckingham Hotel the rich and powerful, politicians, film stars, even royalty, rub shoulders with Raymond de Guise and his troupe of talented dancers from all around the world, who must enchant them, captivate them, and sweep away their cares. Accustomed to waltzing with the highest of society, Raymond knows a secret from his past could threaten all he holds dear.
Nancy Nettleton, new chambermaid at the Buckingham, finds hotel life a struggle after leaving her small hometown. She dreams of joining the dancers on the ballroom floor as she watches, unseen, from behind plush curtains and hidden doorways. She soon discovers everyone at the Buckingham - guests and staff alike - has something to hide . . .
The storm clouds of war are gathering, and beneath the glitz and glamour of the ballroom lurks an irresistible world of scandal and secrets.
Let's dance . . .
450 pages, Kindle Edition
Published October 4, 2018
724 people are currently reading
1117 people want to read
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 288 reviews
October 27, 2020
Anton Du Beke is better known for his fantastic dancing prowess in "Strictly Come Dancing" and for being a well respected television personality. "One Enchanted Evening" is his first debut novel featuring glitz, glamour, scandal and secrets set in 1936 in a fabulous London hotel focusing on its magnificent and opulent ballroom.
The descriptions of the Buckingham Hotel and it's ballroom were just exquisite and I truly felt I was a guest there myself enjoying the ostentatious surroundings.
Anton really cares about his characters, introducing them in such a way that you will instantly love them or understand and appreciate why they are the way they are. I loved young Billy Brogan and I couldn't help but equate the debonair Raymond de Guise with Anton himself, charming and handsome!
Who would have thought there would be so much fierce competition and rivalry between London's top hotels and the amount of secrets and scandals that they tried to keep hidden was quite eye opening. The fight scene in The Midnight Rooms was exceedingly authentic and I felt as if I was there in the alcoves watching it all develop into a brawl with the beat of the band in the background. I also sensed elements of the movie "Dirty Dancing" at times with the risqué Latin dances hidden away in clubs for the more adventurous dancers to enjoy and partake.
As the secrets start to unravel, each character is worried how it will impact on them, once they are exposed and it was interesting to see just how varied everyone's hidden secret was, each totally different to the other.
Elegantly written in a beautiful era of the 1930's - which is obviously a favourite period of Anton's - his passion for dancing, the people he's met along the way and the places he has visited has inspired him to write an incredibly entertaining book where page after page the story unfolds into an intriguing and uplifting story.
A lighthearted but fully heartwarming tale completely different to what I would normally read (Anton couldn't be further from my gruesome serial killing authors you could get) but I'm so pleased to have read it and enjoyed every second of it.
Whether you're a fan of historical fiction or a fan of Anton himself for his beautiful dancing etc then you'll love this book - give it a twirl and take a waltz down memory lane - you shouldn't be disappointed!
I do hope Anton writes more like this - I even think this book would make a wonderful television series along the lines of "Downtown Abbey" but filled with beautiful dancing and glitzy characters - he now has an additional talent of writing and as a debut novel this one really does deserve a "10 from Len"!
5 stars
The descriptions of the Buckingham Hotel and it's ballroom were just exquisite and I truly felt I was a guest there myself enjoying the ostentatious surroundings.
Anton really cares about his characters, introducing them in such a way that you will instantly love them or understand and appreciate why they are the way they are. I loved young Billy Brogan and I couldn't help but equate the debonair Raymond de Guise with Anton himself, charming and handsome!
Who would have thought there would be so much fierce competition and rivalry between London's top hotels and the amount of secrets and scandals that they tried to keep hidden was quite eye opening. The fight scene in The Midnight Rooms was exceedingly authentic and I felt as if I was there in the alcoves watching it all develop into a brawl with the beat of the band in the background. I also sensed elements of the movie "Dirty Dancing" at times with the risqué Latin dances hidden away in clubs for the more adventurous dancers to enjoy and partake.
As the secrets start to unravel, each character is worried how it will impact on them, once they are exposed and it was interesting to see just how varied everyone's hidden secret was, each totally different to the other.
Elegantly written in a beautiful era of the 1930's - which is obviously a favourite period of Anton's - his passion for dancing, the people he's met along the way and the places he has visited has inspired him to write an incredibly entertaining book where page after page the story unfolds into an intriguing and uplifting story.
A lighthearted but fully heartwarming tale completely different to what I would normally read (Anton couldn't be further from my gruesome serial killing authors you could get) but I'm so pleased to have read it and enjoyed every second of it.
Whether you're a fan of historical fiction or a fan of Anton himself for his beautiful dancing etc then you'll love this book - give it a twirl and take a waltz down memory lane - you shouldn't be disappointed!
I do hope Anton writes more like this - I even think this book would make a wonderful television series along the lines of "Downtown Abbey" but filled with beautiful dancing and glitzy characters - he now has an additional talent of writing and as a debut novel this one really does deserve a "10 from Len"!
5 stars
August 3, 2025
*Ballroom & Backstage Drama*
This is the first book in a seven-part series called ‘The Buckingham Hotel’. It’s also Anton Du Beke’s debut novel. I know him best from the ‘Strictly Come Dancing’ show where professional dancers teach celebrities to dance. He’s now on the judging panel.
This was a delightful read. The characters were fully formed, and the story is set in 1936, during the threat of war.
The main character is Raymond de Guise. He had an amazing mentor, but he’s Jewish and grew up with little. While he used to join his siblings in fighting, his dream was always to dance. His father loved to dance, and Raymond wanted to follow in his footsteps.
To reinvent himself, Raymond changed his name from Ray Cohen to Raymond de Guise. His mentor saw something in him and taught him everything he knew. Now, Raymond is in the Buckingham Hotel, a grand establishment where he mixes with politicians, film stars, and royalty.
We also meet Nancy Nettleton, a new chambermaid who comes from nothing. She did most of the heavy lifting growing up because her father was dependent on drugs. The Buckingham is far removed from her hometown, but she’s saving to get a better life for herself and her brother. She has dreams of becoming a dancer.
As the story progresses, we see what happens behind the scenes and how a past life catches up with Raymond. We witness greed, jealousy, manipulation, and more. Secrets are divulged by the most powerful politicians and the height of society, with eager ears ready to report back to someone spying in the background.
This is the first book in a seven-part series called ‘The Buckingham Hotel’. It’s also Anton Du Beke’s debut novel. I know him best from the ‘Strictly Come Dancing’ show where professional dancers teach celebrities to dance. He’s now on the judging panel.
This was a delightful read. The characters were fully formed, and the story is set in 1936, during the threat of war.
The main character is Raymond de Guise. He had an amazing mentor, but he’s Jewish and grew up with little. While he used to join his siblings in fighting, his dream was always to dance. His father loved to dance, and Raymond wanted to follow in his footsteps.
To reinvent himself, Raymond changed his name from Ray Cohen to Raymond de Guise. His mentor saw something in him and taught him everything he knew. Now, Raymond is in the Buckingham Hotel, a grand establishment where he mixes with politicians, film stars, and royalty.
We also meet Nancy Nettleton, a new chambermaid who comes from nothing. She did most of the heavy lifting growing up because her father was dependent on drugs. The Buckingham is far removed from her hometown, but she’s saving to get a better life for herself and her brother. She has dreams of becoming a dancer.
As the story progresses, we see what happens behind the scenes and how a past life catches up with Raymond. We witness greed, jealousy, manipulation, and more. Secrets are divulged by the most powerful politicians and the height of society, with eager ears ready to report back to someone spying in the background.
March 8, 2019
*https://mrsbbookreviews.wordpress.com
3.5 stars
‘It is the age of splendour. It is an age of magnificence. For some, it is an age of elegance and grace – and here in the Buckingham’s Grand Ballroom, crown princesses and sirens of the silver screen have come to toast the New Year.’
With such an opulent cover, depicting a romantic couple dancing by the streetlight with a city backdrop, complete with the tagline, Let’s dance… One Enchanted Evening will draw in historical fiction fans, romance lovers and dance enthusiasts alike. Penned by debut novelist Anton Du Beke, who is a household name in the UK, but little known here in Australia, this novel puts on the ritz as secrets and scandals are revealed against the backdrop of music, dancing and glamorous hotel life.
The Buckingham Hotel in London is the epicentre of the action that takes place in One Enchanted Evening. The Grand Ballroom is the place where royalty, politicians, celebrities and the rich all congregate. For Raymond de Guise, the lead dancer of the Buckingham Hotel, it is his job, along with his group of dancers to entertain, dazzle and charm the visitors of the hotel. But Raymond holds a big secret about his background and identity, which is becoming increasingly hard to withhold due to the current political climate. When Nancy Nettleton enters the doors of the Buckingham Hotel as a new chambermaid, she struggles to adjust to her new working city life. Nancy longs for a turn on the dance floor and to be serenaded by the debonair Raymond de Guise. As Nancy slowly comes to embrace her new life at the Buckingham, complete with a few hiccups, she discovers just how many secrets the staff and guests have. Against a backdrop of political and world unrest, due to the rumblings of impending war, One Enchanted Evening exposes a hotel full of hidden stories.
I suspect readers in the UK who are much more familiar with dance personality Anton Du Beke, who is the author of One Enchanted Evening, may select this novel to read based on their interest in this dancer’s first foray into fiction. For me, I had no prior knowledge of Anton Du Beke, residing in Australia, where Strictly Come Dancing, the television show that made Anton Du Beke a household name, does not air (on free to air television anyway). I do admit to being a little curious as to how a dancer would approach his first novel, on the whole I enjoyed a number of aspects of One Enchanted Evening.
I adored the setting of this novel. I immediately pictured 1930s London and the graceful hotel that is the centre stage for this novel. Anton Du Beke does an excellent job of recreating his time period and setting. His interest in this period in time, as well the research he has infused into his novel is to be commended.
Another area where Anton Du Beke excels, and perhaps this is to be expected with his background as a professional dancer, are the novel’s dance sequences. The author shines a light on the typical dance practices and formalities of the 1930s. When Raymond, the main character dances you can feel the energy and precision of his moves described in vivid detail by Du Beke.
‘Raymond looked into Grusinskaya’s eyes, and something in them started to thaw as the couple moved effortlessly into a quickstep, making their way in a succession of light hops and skips across the ballroom floor.’
What I also found enlightening was the mention of the new risqué dance styles that were beginning to make their entrance on the ballrooms of London.
Du Beke also highlights the political minefield of the era in which this novel is set. There are plenty of name drops in the novel, both British and international royalty are mentioned. These were my favourite parts. I liked how Du Beke covered the time of King Edward and his eventual abdication, the unrest felt at the time, and the new incoming King.
‘For seven long minutes, as long as the prince spoke, the great engine of the Buckingham Hotel came to a standstill. Time was out of joint.’
Linked to aspect of the novel is a thread that focuses on the rise of Hitler and the Nazi war machine, which is making its presence known on British soil.
Raymond Du Guise is a wonderfully imagined character. He oozes style, grace and he is a complete gentleman. There is plenty of mystery surrounding him and I enjoyed the way Anton du Beke worked this aspect into his storyline. Raymond has a colourful past and this clearly catches up with him as the book progresses. It works to end his gold star status at the Buckingham, but with help and allies, there is clearly plenty of fight left in Raymond.
Alongside Raymond’s story is that of country girl Nancy who comes to work at the Buckingham as a chambermaid. Nancy is a young woman with aspirations and she has stars in her eyes the moment she spies Raymond. There is a nice love story that follows Nancy and Raymond which I found entertaining. A great ensemble cast adds to the colourful world of the grand ballroom of the Buckingham Hotel.
On the whole I enjoyed One Enchanted Evening, I felt like I left my worries and cares aside for the time I was immersed in this novel. It did lag a little in places, the timing wasn’t quite right and I didn’t feel the love story completely, but I was willing to overlook this for the sparkling world Anton du Beke recreated. With hotels jostling for superior status, the underground life of dancers and staff of this opulent establishment, the glamour as well as hardships of 1930s Britain was laid out well.
Pop your dancing shoes on, take the hand of author Anton Du Beke for a time, be serenaded by his characters and entertained by his story. One Enchanted Evening is a novel for historical fiction fans and those who take a fancy to the dance world.
*I wish to thank Allen & Unwin for providing me with a free copy of this book for review purposes.
3.5 stars
‘It is the age of splendour. It is an age of magnificence. For some, it is an age of elegance and grace – and here in the Buckingham’s Grand Ballroom, crown princesses and sirens of the silver screen have come to toast the New Year.’
With such an opulent cover, depicting a romantic couple dancing by the streetlight with a city backdrop, complete with the tagline, Let’s dance… One Enchanted Evening will draw in historical fiction fans, romance lovers and dance enthusiasts alike. Penned by debut novelist Anton Du Beke, who is a household name in the UK, but little known here in Australia, this novel puts on the ritz as secrets and scandals are revealed against the backdrop of music, dancing and glamorous hotel life.
The Buckingham Hotel in London is the epicentre of the action that takes place in One Enchanted Evening. The Grand Ballroom is the place where royalty, politicians, celebrities and the rich all congregate. For Raymond de Guise, the lead dancer of the Buckingham Hotel, it is his job, along with his group of dancers to entertain, dazzle and charm the visitors of the hotel. But Raymond holds a big secret about his background and identity, which is becoming increasingly hard to withhold due to the current political climate. When Nancy Nettleton enters the doors of the Buckingham Hotel as a new chambermaid, she struggles to adjust to her new working city life. Nancy longs for a turn on the dance floor and to be serenaded by the debonair Raymond de Guise. As Nancy slowly comes to embrace her new life at the Buckingham, complete with a few hiccups, she discovers just how many secrets the staff and guests have. Against a backdrop of political and world unrest, due to the rumblings of impending war, One Enchanted Evening exposes a hotel full of hidden stories.
I suspect readers in the UK who are much more familiar with dance personality Anton Du Beke, who is the author of One Enchanted Evening, may select this novel to read based on their interest in this dancer’s first foray into fiction. For me, I had no prior knowledge of Anton Du Beke, residing in Australia, where Strictly Come Dancing, the television show that made Anton Du Beke a household name, does not air (on free to air television anyway). I do admit to being a little curious as to how a dancer would approach his first novel, on the whole I enjoyed a number of aspects of One Enchanted Evening.
I adored the setting of this novel. I immediately pictured 1930s London and the graceful hotel that is the centre stage for this novel. Anton Du Beke does an excellent job of recreating his time period and setting. His interest in this period in time, as well the research he has infused into his novel is to be commended.
Another area where Anton Du Beke excels, and perhaps this is to be expected with his background as a professional dancer, are the novel’s dance sequences. The author shines a light on the typical dance practices and formalities of the 1930s. When Raymond, the main character dances you can feel the energy and precision of his moves described in vivid detail by Du Beke.
‘Raymond looked into Grusinskaya’s eyes, and something in them started to thaw as the couple moved effortlessly into a quickstep, making their way in a succession of light hops and skips across the ballroom floor.’
What I also found enlightening was the mention of the new risqué dance styles that were beginning to make their entrance on the ballrooms of London.
Du Beke also highlights the political minefield of the era in which this novel is set. There are plenty of name drops in the novel, both British and international royalty are mentioned. These were my favourite parts. I liked how Du Beke covered the time of King Edward and his eventual abdication, the unrest felt at the time, and the new incoming King.
‘For seven long minutes, as long as the prince spoke, the great engine of the Buckingham Hotel came to a standstill. Time was out of joint.’
Linked to aspect of the novel is a thread that focuses on the rise of Hitler and the Nazi war machine, which is making its presence known on British soil.
Raymond Du Guise is a wonderfully imagined character. He oozes style, grace and he is a complete gentleman. There is plenty of mystery surrounding him and I enjoyed the way Anton du Beke worked this aspect into his storyline. Raymond has a colourful past and this clearly catches up with him as the book progresses. It works to end his gold star status at the Buckingham, but with help and allies, there is clearly plenty of fight left in Raymond.
Alongside Raymond’s story is that of country girl Nancy who comes to work at the Buckingham as a chambermaid. Nancy is a young woman with aspirations and she has stars in her eyes the moment she spies Raymond. There is a nice love story that follows Nancy and Raymond which I found entertaining. A great ensemble cast adds to the colourful world of the grand ballroom of the Buckingham Hotel.
On the whole I enjoyed One Enchanted Evening, I felt like I left my worries and cares aside for the time I was immersed in this novel. It did lag a little in places, the timing wasn’t quite right and I didn’t feel the love story completely, but I was willing to overlook this for the sparkling world Anton du Beke recreated. With hotels jostling for superior status, the underground life of dancers and staff of this opulent establishment, the glamour as well as hardships of 1930s Britain was laid out well.
Pop your dancing shoes on, take the hand of author Anton Du Beke for a time, be serenaded by his characters and entertained by his story. One Enchanted Evening is a novel for historical fiction fans and those who take a fancy to the dance world.
*I wish to thank Allen & Unwin for providing me with a free copy of this book for review purposes.
January 22, 2023
How I loved being swept into the arms of the Buckingham Hotel and all that went on there, it’s staff, guest’s, rooms, secrets and scandals…..magical every bit of it AND a good few interlinked stories to boot with a whole host of characters to get to know
I was never much a fan of ‘historical fiction or TV’ thinking anything before the 1970’s was ‘boring’…Downton and subsequent programmes changed that and now I love it, if you had riches the 30’s and 40’s were wonderful times, if you didn’t you made do and sadly if you were hunted it was the shockingly worst of times, to read about it is insightful, to have experienced it would have been either magnificent or brutal……thanks to these writers I now do experience it
This book kept me going through 6 days of a nightmare at home ( building flooding probz! ) and I could only read at certain times but it was more than a comfort to know The Buckingham was there waiting for a half hour here and there, I am 100% reading the next 4 in the series
Pure reading escapism when needed it most
10/10
5 Stars
I was never much a fan of ‘historical fiction or TV’ thinking anything before the 1970’s was ‘boring’…Downton and subsequent programmes changed that and now I love it, if you had riches the 30’s and 40’s were wonderful times, if you didn’t you made do and sadly if you were hunted it was the shockingly worst of times, to read about it is insightful, to have experienced it would have been either magnificent or brutal……thanks to these writers I now do experience it
This book kept me going through 6 days of a nightmare at home ( building flooding probz! ) and I could only read at certain times but it was more than a comfort to know The Buckingham was there waiting for a half hour here and there, I am 100% reading the next 4 in the series
Pure reading escapism when needed it most
10/10
5 Stars
dnf
January 11, 2019DNF @ 31%
Oh, Anton. I wanted to like your book, I really did. I knew it was going to be a lightweight bit of chick lit and, yes, that's not my favourite genre, but every now and then a bit of fluffy escapism is required to refresh yourself after more intense reads.
My problem with this was there was such a lot of waffle and not very much actual content. How many descriptions of the hotel and its ballroom do we need? It's fancy, we get it. How many times do we need to hear that Nancy Nettleton (it seems a requirement to use her full name at all times, see also: Billy Brogan) doesn't fit in there, that she dreams of dancing if only her gammy leg would hold out long enough? You told me so only a couple of pages before, why am I reading it again?
A couple of chapters in and nothing had really hooked me in but I gamely powered on as I like the author so much. However at over 30% and staring down the barrel of another 6 hours estimated reading time, I've decided to bail out here.
Maybe in the hands of a more experienced author the story would have had more potential, but this book really shows that Anton is a newbie. Probably he was so charmingly affable in the meetings that no one had the heart to tell him that his labour of love is a turkey. I'm content to watch him on the next series of Strictly.
Oh, Anton. I wanted to like your book, I really did. I knew it was going to be a lightweight bit of chick lit and, yes, that's not my favourite genre, but every now and then a bit of fluffy escapism is required to refresh yourself after more intense reads.
My problem with this was there was such a lot of waffle and not very much actual content. How many descriptions of the hotel and its ballroom do we need? It's fancy, we get it. How many times do we need to hear that Nancy Nettleton (it seems a requirement to use her full name at all times, see also: Billy Brogan) doesn't fit in there, that she dreams of dancing if only her gammy leg would hold out long enough? You told me so only a couple of pages before, why am I reading it again?
A couple of chapters in and nothing had really hooked me in but I gamely powered on as I like the author so much. However at over 30% and staring down the barrel of another 6 hours estimated reading time, I've decided to bail out here.
Maybe in the hands of a more experienced author the story would have had more potential, but this book really shows that Anton is a newbie. Probably he was so charmingly affable in the meetings that no one had the heart to tell him that his labour of love is a turkey. I'm content to watch him on the next series of Strictly.
October 21, 2018
I really wanted to like this book. I love Anton and it looked like it could be a nice wee escapist period drama. I couldn't really concentrate on the plot though because I was too distracted by Anton's obvious love of alliterative names and his need to keep repeating the character's full name over and over and over. Billy Brogan was referred to as Billy Brogan at least three times on the same page and he'd already been in it for several chapters. The same with Nancy Nettleton who often seemed to refer to herself by her full name when she was talking to herself. There's no need to refer to a character over and over and over by their full name. A few times is ok but after that I know who they are. I don't need reminded several times in a page. Especially not when they've already been in it for several chapters!
July 7, 2019
I picked this one to read purely as a fan of Strictly. I wasn't sure whether it would be a book by someone who genuinely wants to be an author or a ghostwritten celebrity fluff piece like many seem to do these days. I'm still not 100% decided. They say write what you know and you can see that has been done - there are some delightfully descriptive scenes of dances and costuming and everything glitzy but I couldn't quite get to grips with the story. For me it was a bit weighty, too much description and not enough action. I have to admit though, it's not my favourite time setting and as much as I like historical dramas this isn't far back enough in history for my own personal tastes so when reading this era I really need the author to nail the story.
I think overall it's not a bad debut but I was left feeling a bit flat.
I think overall it's not a bad debut but I was left feeling a bit flat.
November 4, 2018
Dreadful!
I like Anton on Strictly and I'm sure a lot of people will buy this book because he seems like a nice guy. Don't! I got a quarter of the way though it and have given up. Badly written and I'm sure, published purely on the back of Anton's popularity. I can't believe how bad it is.
I like Anton on Strictly and I'm sure a lot of people will buy this book because he seems like a nice guy. Don't! I got a quarter of the way though it and have given up. Badly written and I'm sure, published purely on the back of Anton's popularity. I can't believe how bad it is.
September 8, 2018
This is a delightful book written by Strictly Come Dancing stalwart Anton du Beke and, without the benefit of a synopsis, I have to admit this is why I chose it in the first place. In the author's notes Mr du Beke says he chose London in the mid 1930s purposely to evoke a bygone age with a variety of people, from the world over and all walks of life. It was an inspired idea because the story oozes charm, romance and intrigue. There are characters to cheer for and to dislike as well as some who leave you guessing up until the end.
For a first novel this flows beautifully and it should come as no surprise that the action centres around the dance and dancers of a top London hotel's ballroom. It also looks at the secrets which all the main characters hold close and how they deal with the good and bad things life throws their way in a time which was itself in the first turmoil of great change and tragedy.
I was able to read an advanced copy of this book thanks to Netgalley and loved how much pleasure it gave me. It comes as no surprise that someone as talented and personable as Mr du Beke would have other areas in which he excels. I hope he will venture into print again; I would happily read more but because I recognise him as a writer as well as a dancer.
For a first novel this flows beautifully and it should come as no surprise that the action centres around the dance and dancers of a top London hotel's ballroom. It also looks at the secrets which all the main characters hold close and how they deal with the good and bad things life throws their way in a time which was itself in the first turmoil of great change and tragedy.
I was able to read an advanced copy of this book thanks to Netgalley and loved how much pleasure it gave me. It comes as no surprise that someone as talented and personable as Mr du Beke would have other areas in which he excels. I hope he will venture into print again; I would happily read more but because I recognise him as a writer as well as a dancer.
December 1, 2018
I was really looking forward to reading this novel as I like Anton du Beke and Strictly Come Dancing. Felt rather disappointed as it didn't appear to be well written and lots of needless repetition of full names of characters on the same page. Nearly gave up a few times but persevered to the end. Certainly not a favourite of mine.
October 3, 2018
Atmospheric depiction of a bygone era with romance and substance in a time of uncertainty. Captivating and well-written.
Although historical romance is not my usual genre of choice I could not resist One Enchanted Evening, the debut novel of Anton du Beke, and my gamble paid off as I was utterly captivated and thoroughly entertained by this sweeping romance with far more substance that I had envisioned from a time when the ballroom of the central to the social lives of the great and good of the British establishment. Contrary to my expectations the novel had depth with a hotbed of sordid secrets amongst a cast of vivid characters waiting to be exposed and the looming threat of war on the horizon. Well-written and highly readable, it is not only an excellent debut effort but a charming depiction of a bygone era and a time when class divisions dictated one’s place in life and reputation was everything.
August 1936 and the Buckingham Hotel is experiencing a resurgence of fortunes with the majority share ownership of wealthy Lord Edgerton three years previously coinciding with the opening of the Grand Ballroom, the advent of dancers and the magic of the twenty-strong Archie Adams Band. The pinnacle and crowning glory is destined to be the Grand Masquerade Ball due to be held on New Year’s Night when His Majesty King Edward will be gracing the ballroom with his presence and film stars, government ministers and landed gentry will be entertained by a troupe of exceptional ballroom dancers. But behind the palatial facade towering seven storey above Berkeley Square, London and housing two-hundred bedrooms and twenty-six suites are a small army of staff from dancers to pages and chambermaids, each with their own stories, pasts and secrets.. As they attempt to protect their secrets from disclosure and witness indiscretions by guests in a world where information is currency, 1936 is a year destined to bring irrevocable change for them all. First amongst these is thirty-year-old debonair principal male dancer, Raymond de Guise and his elegant partner, Hélėne Marchmont who eschewed Hollywood for a ballroom career. For both these magnificent stars stepping outside of the Buckingham Hotel brings risks and the threat of exposing secrets with the potential to ruin their career. Overseeing the hotel is an eagerly attentive hotel director in Maynard Charles, with an impertinent twenty-four-year-old new Lancastrian chambermaid, Nancy Nettleton, toiling to the point of exhaustion and an enterprising seventeen-year-old page in Lambeth lad, Billy Brogan, who is privy to everything that goes on behind the scenes...
As the lives of staff intertwine with the lives of guests alike a wealthy dowager brings mixed memories of his childhood home for Raymond with the power to shatter his carefully crafted image in the Grand Ballroom and the spoilt and spiteful stepdaughter of Lord Edgerton, eighteen-year-old Vivienne, plots to usurp Hélėne after her advances towards Raymond are spurned. Exiled from the home that her mother and stepfather occupy, Miss Edgerton is a permanent guest at the Buckingham but as she dabbles in hedonistic pleasures and causes mayhem for those at her service she takes umbrage at kindly Nancy and holds Billy to ransom with the livelihood of his brood of siblings dependent on his continued employment.. As Nancy comes to recognise, her entrance to the Buckingham Hotel brings a new set of rules entirely that are divided by money and class and it is no understatement when she observes that “the Buckingham Hotel just shows England up for what it really is”, effectively being a microcosm of society at the time. But as she catches the eye of Raymond de Guise and dreams of dancing, whether her gammy leg and slippery head concierge and utter snake, Mr Simenon, holds her back is another matter... And is there more to the chemistry between Raymond on the dance floor with radiant Hélène or is there truth in the rumours of her clandestine love affair after hours and outside of the splendour of the Buckingham? And just what is Maynard Charles so keen to keep hidden behind the doors of the Park Suite? Frequented by a clientele of politicians, establishment dignitaries and influential magnates, the conversation of the guests has the power to change the political landscape for the worse.. unless the overworked staff can undermine their efforts, expose their scheming and remain loyal to their country.
Some secrets are more readily apparent than others but a brisk pace keeps the dramas unfolding with characters to love and loathe in equal measure. They are all grounded in reality and I could empathise with all their turmoils and angst, albeit from a very different era. As the ugly face of fascism looms du Beke succeeds in conveying the implications for a cast of realistic, flawed and well-fleshed out characters. As we are drawn deeper into their lives the plot encompasses not just a romance, but dilemmas and challenges for them all and evinces the camaraderie behind the family of staff at the Buckingham Hotel. With characters to boo, hiss and champion, One Enchanted Evening captures the magnificence and the unseemly underbelly of a society in the years building up to World War II.
As the abdication of the king takes the lustre off the Masquerade Ball and the passions and history of the staff spoils threatens to besmirch the reputation of the Buckingham Hotel this absorbing story builds to a sensational climax with the New Year’s Day celebrations. Can the staff pull together and overcome their personal woes to deliver a night of splendour? One Enchanted Evening is a marvellously compelling read and a homage to a bygone age full of colourful characters with a richly drawn hotel and ballroom to visualise. Step into a world of glitz, glamour and dancing alongside the hard-working and committed people who keep the Buckingham Hotel functioning. I would welcome a sequel catching up with the lives of the characters in the years after 1936 and if Anton du Beke goes on to pen more novels then I will certainly keep an eye out for them. An unexpected delight and an assured debut!
With thanks to Readers First who provided me with a free copy of this novel in exchange for my honest and unbiased opinion.
Although historical romance is not my usual genre of choice I could not resist One Enchanted Evening, the debut novel of Anton du Beke, and my gamble paid off as I was utterly captivated and thoroughly entertained by this sweeping romance with far more substance that I had envisioned from a time when the ballroom of the central to the social lives of the great and good of the British establishment. Contrary to my expectations the novel had depth with a hotbed of sordid secrets amongst a cast of vivid characters waiting to be exposed and the looming threat of war on the horizon. Well-written and highly readable, it is not only an excellent debut effort but a charming depiction of a bygone era and a time when class divisions dictated one’s place in life and reputation was everything.
August 1936 and the Buckingham Hotel is experiencing a resurgence of fortunes with the majority share ownership of wealthy Lord Edgerton three years previously coinciding with the opening of the Grand Ballroom, the advent of dancers and the magic of the twenty-strong Archie Adams Band. The pinnacle and crowning glory is destined to be the Grand Masquerade Ball due to be held on New Year’s Night when His Majesty King Edward will be gracing the ballroom with his presence and film stars, government ministers and landed gentry will be entertained by a troupe of exceptional ballroom dancers. But behind the palatial facade towering seven storey above Berkeley Square, London and housing two-hundred bedrooms and twenty-six suites are a small army of staff from dancers to pages and chambermaids, each with their own stories, pasts and secrets.. As they attempt to protect their secrets from disclosure and witness indiscretions by guests in a world where information is currency, 1936 is a year destined to bring irrevocable change for them all. First amongst these is thirty-year-old debonair principal male dancer, Raymond de Guise and his elegant partner, Hélėne Marchmont who eschewed Hollywood for a ballroom career. For both these magnificent stars stepping outside of the Buckingham Hotel brings risks and the threat of exposing secrets with the potential to ruin their career. Overseeing the hotel is an eagerly attentive hotel director in Maynard Charles, with an impertinent twenty-four-year-old new Lancastrian chambermaid, Nancy Nettleton, toiling to the point of exhaustion and an enterprising seventeen-year-old page in Lambeth lad, Billy Brogan, who is privy to everything that goes on behind the scenes...
As the lives of staff intertwine with the lives of guests alike a wealthy dowager brings mixed memories of his childhood home for Raymond with the power to shatter his carefully crafted image in the Grand Ballroom and the spoilt and spiteful stepdaughter of Lord Edgerton, eighteen-year-old Vivienne, plots to usurp Hélėne after her advances towards Raymond are spurned. Exiled from the home that her mother and stepfather occupy, Miss Edgerton is a permanent guest at the Buckingham but as she dabbles in hedonistic pleasures and causes mayhem for those at her service she takes umbrage at kindly Nancy and holds Billy to ransom with the livelihood of his brood of siblings dependent on his continued employment.. As Nancy comes to recognise, her entrance to the Buckingham Hotel brings a new set of rules entirely that are divided by money and class and it is no understatement when she observes that “the Buckingham Hotel just shows England up for what it really is”, effectively being a microcosm of society at the time. But as she catches the eye of Raymond de Guise and dreams of dancing, whether her gammy leg and slippery head concierge and utter snake, Mr Simenon, holds her back is another matter... And is there more to the chemistry between Raymond on the dance floor with radiant Hélène or is there truth in the rumours of her clandestine love affair after hours and outside of the splendour of the Buckingham? And just what is Maynard Charles so keen to keep hidden behind the doors of the Park Suite? Frequented by a clientele of politicians, establishment dignitaries and influential magnates, the conversation of the guests has the power to change the political landscape for the worse.. unless the overworked staff can undermine their efforts, expose their scheming and remain loyal to their country.
Some secrets are more readily apparent than others but a brisk pace keeps the dramas unfolding with characters to love and loathe in equal measure. They are all grounded in reality and I could empathise with all their turmoils and angst, albeit from a very different era. As the ugly face of fascism looms du Beke succeeds in conveying the implications for a cast of realistic, flawed and well-fleshed out characters. As we are drawn deeper into their lives the plot encompasses not just a romance, but dilemmas and challenges for them all and evinces the camaraderie behind the family of staff at the Buckingham Hotel. With characters to boo, hiss and champion, One Enchanted Evening captures the magnificence and the unseemly underbelly of a society in the years building up to World War II.
As the abdication of the king takes the lustre off the Masquerade Ball and the passions and history of the staff spoils threatens to besmirch the reputation of the Buckingham Hotel this absorbing story builds to a sensational climax with the New Year’s Day celebrations. Can the staff pull together and overcome their personal woes to deliver a night of splendour? One Enchanted Evening is a marvellously compelling read and a homage to a bygone age full of colourful characters with a richly drawn hotel and ballroom to visualise. Step into a world of glitz, glamour and dancing alongside the hard-working and committed people who keep the Buckingham Hotel functioning. I would welcome a sequel catching up with the lives of the characters in the years after 1936 and if Anton du Beke goes on to pen more novels then I will certainly keep an eye out for them. An unexpected delight and an assured debut!
With thanks to Readers First who provided me with a free copy of this novel in exchange for my honest and unbiased opinion.
January 16, 2022
Well I was not expecting that! I loved this book the only reason I put it down was to sleep! I never in a million years would have picked this book up as I’m not a huge fan of the author but it came to me through a surprise subscription and I’m so glad I decided to read it! Set in an era I adore with all the glitz and glamour as well as little dark little secrets of the characters that make them human. I really recommend this to anyone who likes 1930s drama settings.
April 7, 2024
Easy read if that's what you are looking for. Dances along quite nicely.
November 4, 2023
An Audible listen. Nice easy story to listen to. The story continues and I will listen to the next one. Recommended.
April 19, 2023
I loved this. Excited to learn there are three more books in the series.
September 21, 2018
One enchanted evening focuses on some of the people in the Buckingham hotel; their troubles and their successes. It is a classic romantic story that takes you away for a couple of hours as you read it, escaping the real world in the pages of this story.
It is a magical book, you really do get swept away in the story of Nancy, Raymond, Helen, Billy, Manyard and Miss Edgerton. The variety of characters is well done, with Raymond being my absolute favourite as he is well rounded and there are times where he does show his flaws and he is not the “perfect man” making him more human. I also felt that Miss Edgerton was a wonderfully well done character, with me feeling sympathy and anger in equal measure throughout. Nancy was a bit too “cutsie” for me and was probably not as strong as the rest of the cast, but enjoyable none the less.
The plot moved along well for the most part, there were a few times where it dragged slightly, especially at the beginning, but then there is an event (no spoilers) and the entire story just shoots forward at a fantastic pace that is maintained throughout. I loved that the romance element was not obvious from the get go and slowly developed into what it became. I also appreciated the fact that the book ended where it did with their relationship. The revelation about Helene was also interesting, and the fact that it was hinted at early in the book meant that I had an “of course” moment.
I also just want to say that the book is stunning. The dust jacket is simplistic and yet elegant, I am in love with everything about it. The colours work well, with the font really standing out from the cover. It is a really romantic cover, with just people dancing by the light of the street lamp. I don’t know why, but all these factors together are wonderful. But it doesn’t stop there, first two pages are a wonderful art deco style with vivid blues and golds that really fit with the period that this book is set in.
All in all, a great debut with wonderful characters and storyline. However, I would say that the pacing needs some work as it can sometimes drag. I would still definitely recommend it. Many thanks to Readers First and the publisher for sending me a copy of this book in exchange for a fair and unbiased review.
It is a magical book, you really do get swept away in the story of Nancy, Raymond, Helen, Billy, Manyard and Miss Edgerton. The variety of characters is well done, with Raymond being my absolute favourite as he is well rounded and there are times where he does show his flaws and he is not the “perfect man” making him more human. I also felt that Miss Edgerton was a wonderfully well done character, with me feeling sympathy and anger in equal measure throughout. Nancy was a bit too “cutsie” for me and was probably not as strong as the rest of the cast, but enjoyable none the less.
The plot moved along well for the most part, there were a few times where it dragged slightly, especially at the beginning, but then there is an event (no spoilers) and the entire story just shoots forward at a fantastic pace that is maintained throughout. I loved that the romance element was not obvious from the get go and slowly developed into what it became. I also appreciated the fact that the book ended where it did with their relationship. The revelation about Helene was also interesting, and the fact that it was hinted at early in the book meant that I had an “of course” moment.
I also just want to say that the book is stunning. The dust jacket is simplistic and yet elegant, I am in love with everything about it. The colours work well, with the font really standing out from the cover. It is a really romantic cover, with just people dancing by the light of the street lamp. I don’t know why, but all these factors together are wonderful. But it doesn’t stop there, first two pages are a wonderful art deco style with vivid blues and golds that really fit with the period that this book is set in.
All in all, a great debut with wonderful characters and storyline. However, I would say that the pacing needs some work as it can sometimes drag. I would still definitely recommend it. Many thanks to Readers First and the publisher for sending me a copy of this book in exchange for a fair and unbiased review.
December 2, 2018
If you like Strictly and historical romance you will love this.
September 15, 2018
I wasn't expecting to love this book. But because I love dancing and Anton De Beke I wanted to give it a read. I am so glad I did. I was transported back to Mayfair in the 1930s and the glamour and glitz of a ballroom in grand hotel in Berkeley Square.
The story is woven with the elegance and grace of the time combined with world events that were happening at the time; the abdication of the King, the rise of Hitler in Germany, the brutality of those following Oswald Moseley's Fascist Black shirts in the UK and the civil war in Spain.
It tells of the great divide between those who have it all and the people who have very little and therefore to earn the pittance they have, they have to pander to the whims of the rich and pampered.
It is an easy read and a lovely story.
The story is woven with the elegance and grace of the time combined with world events that were happening at the time; the abdication of the King, the rise of Hitler in Germany, the brutality of those following Oswald Moseley's Fascist Black shirts in the UK and the civil war in Spain.
It tells of the great divide between those who have it all and the people who have very little and therefore to earn the pittance they have, they have to pander to the whims of the rich and pampered.
It is an easy read and a lovely story.
September 23, 2018
I loved the idea of this book since I love both dance and historical fiction so I thought it would be interesting to read and the cover attracted me since it's so gorgeous! I did enjoy the book and it really transports you to the ballroom and enchants you with this wonderful air of magic that you get while reading this. However, I personally felt that the book could be a little bit slow at times and some chapters dragged on however I'm very much a mood reader so it could have just been my feelings at the time. Overall, it was an enjoyable read and I liked the storyline and the essence of it but I felt I would have liked it more if it was a little bit shorter. I'd still recommend giving it a go though!
September 5, 2018
Mr Du Beke’s effortless charm and suave oozes through this book and you can just hear his dulcet tones as you read through this book. It is a lovely romantic read that will take you back in time to when you would be whacked off your feet, twirled around the dance floor and feel like a million dollars when you went to the dances with your new beau. This is a really charming book that I throughly enjoyed. Now I simply cannot wait for strictly to be back on our screens and to see Mr Du Beke do what he does best and whisks his dancer through their paces on the dance floor. I loved it.
February 6, 2020
I wanted to like this, but actually I thought it was awful. The writing style is laboured, so many characters with alliterative names (Nancy Nettleton, Billy Brogan) and always referred to by both names. So many long winded descriptions. So little plot. Actually maybe that's related - the repetition and the the full naming is to help hit the word count. It's melodramatic, cliched and just flat out irritating. Like Anton on Strictly (mostly anyway!) - don't like his writing!
****Copy from NetGalley in return for an honest review****
****Copy from NetGalley in return for an honest review****
Want to read
August 29, 2018This is not my normal kind of read so I may live to regret this but what Strictly fan doesn't love Anton Du Beke and since Amazon describe this as perfect for fans of Downton Abby I'm curious.
What I really want to know is whether Anton actually wrote it though or was a ghost writer involved?
What I really want to know is whether Anton actually wrote it though or was a ghost writer involved?
October 27, 2021
Found this book really slow, boring and hard to get into to begin with but really enjoyed it in the end. Nearly sent the next 2 in the series back to Amazon for a refund on my kindle but glad I kept them and am now looking forward to reading them.
January 13, 2023
Loved this book. I can't wait to read the others in the series
July 12, 2020
Well what a beauty this was! I've always been a fan of Anton du Beke on Strictly over the years, and heard him talking about his venture into becoming a novelist on Heart Breakfast with Amanda Holden at the back end of last year. I can't say if I hadn't received this in a subscription box from A Box of Stories that I would have ever picked this up off a shelf whilst shopping. It just wouldn't occur to me that a celebrity dancer would be such a damn good writer!
I'm so pleased I got this in my box. I had heard good reviews from others, but didn't expect to enjoy it as much as I did. It's very much a Downton Abbey vibe but in a glamorous London hotel setting at an interesting time in British history. The characters, whilst recognisable, all have unique aspects to their personalities/backgrounds that just make this novel so vivid a read and set it apart for me from falling into stereotypical story telling. Anton gives enough attention to detail and weaves the lives of these characters so smoothly that you can't help but be swept away and not notice the time passing as you read. And it's not a soppy love story with lots of ballroom dance lingo as some may expect, it's a very well thought through plot of scandal, intrigue, the pitfalls of being a human being and daring to live your dreams.
A resounding 5/5 stars.
I'm so pleased I got this in my box. I had heard good reviews from others, but didn't expect to enjoy it as much as I did. It's very much a Downton Abbey vibe but in a glamorous London hotel setting at an interesting time in British history. The characters, whilst recognisable, all have unique aspects to their personalities/backgrounds that just make this novel so vivid a read and set it apart for me from falling into stereotypical story telling. Anton gives enough attention to detail and weaves the lives of these characters so smoothly that you can't help but be swept away and not notice the time passing as you read. And it's not a soppy love story with lots of ballroom dance lingo as some may expect, it's a very well thought through plot of scandal, intrigue, the pitfalls of being a human being and daring to live your dreams.
A resounding 5/5 stars.
January 9, 2021
I have only read until the end of the second chapter of this book as this was the extract provided by Reader's First.
Sometimes debut books by celebrities can leave you wishing they stuck to their celebrity role so I opened the first look sample of this book somewhat warily. I really didn't need to have worried. I'm impressed by how the writing flows, it seems to take the leading role in a dance through the story. There are dancers involved, too, an opulent ballroom, celebrities from this historic era and some great characters already.
Mr Simenon definitely seems like someone to be avoided . . . Raymond de Guise obviously has secrets which have kept him estranged from his family, now I want to know why and where has his brother been? Mrs Moffat seems lovely and sounds like she'll be a good friend to Nancy - but even she has admitted that no one is perfect so I wonder what secrets she's hiding? There's a lot to come in this story and I can't wait to continue reading it and, figuratively joining in the elaborate dances and charades at the Buckingham Hotel alongside the staff and guests as Nancy settles into her new job there.
Sometimes debut books by celebrities can leave you wishing they stuck to their celebrity role so I opened the first look sample of this book somewhat warily. I really didn't need to have worried. I'm impressed by how the writing flows, it seems to take the leading role in a dance through the story. There are dancers involved, too, an opulent ballroom, celebrities from this historic era and some great characters already.
Mr Simenon definitely seems like someone to be avoided . . . Raymond de Guise obviously has secrets which have kept him estranged from his family, now I want to know why and where has his brother been? Mrs Moffat seems lovely and sounds like she'll be a good friend to Nancy - but even she has admitted that no one is perfect so I wonder what secrets she's hiding? There's a lot to come in this story and I can't wait to continue reading it and, figuratively joining in the elaborate dances and charades at the Buckingham Hotel alongside the staff and guests as Nancy settles into her new job there.
February 8, 2019
Oh dear. I was interested to read this one, and the basic plot looked okay. In fact, it started off fairly decently and I was prepared to be surprised. But then, sadly, it soon deteriorated into a morass of melodrama (some very laughable) and cliche, and outstayed its welcome by at least a third. Editors: if you absolutely MUST publish poorly-written celebrity novels, then at least be prepared to cut, cut and cut again - for all our sakes!
However, there are one or two great lines, and the two main characters could have been so good - but it needed a far better writer to bring this book to life. Anton - you're a fabulous dancer and we all love you. But, please, walk away from the typewriter!...
However, there are one or two great lines, and the two main characters could have been so good - but it needed a far better writer to bring this book to life. Anton - you're a fabulous dancer and we all love you. But, please, walk away from the typewriter!...
November 2, 2020
This story was good, I found it a little slow to start with, and I nearly gave up after reading about 20%, glad I persevered, it's a good read, entertaining with some great characters, but a little obvious in some places. As it was getting nearer the end of the story, it could have kept going, the story line was engaging, interesting and it seemed to me a little rushed which is a shame as I enjoyed this book overall. This story needed more detail and a quicker pace at the beginning, and it shouldn't have ended as it did unless there will be another book to continue the story into WWII?
March 9, 2022
I love books set in hotels and I love to read about the period of history between the world wars so I was keen to read this book. Although I liked the characters, and particularly the way there were some original situations (for example, there was an illegitimate child as there often is in books set at this time, but this was different as there was a race element to it), I did feel it was a bit long winded at times and I wouldn't say it was gripping.
However, I appreciate that this was the author's first book and I will try his second soon.
However, I appreciate that this was the author's first book and I will try his second soon.
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