The Phoenix Ballroom

This is an absolute delight of a book. After all who could resist loving the main character who calls her German shepherd Colin Firth after she’s rescued him from a drug den! Her grandson Kite lights up every page he is on with charm and laughter and all the other characters are warm and so well written. . A truly lovely feel good read. Highly recommended.

4.5

The once glorious Phoenix Ballroom is now sadly neglected and down at heel, though if the light is right its once bright chandeliers cast a vibrant spectrum across the dirty floor.

Seventy four year old Venetia Hamilton Hargreaves attends the funeral of her husband Hawk around whom her world has revolved for the last fifty years, her dreams subsumed to motherhood, home and loyalty. However, despite the views of her son Heron, Venetia has decided it's time for a last tango in Bedford, a reinvention which includes a personal makeover, the employment of Liberty Bell (yes, I know!) as her PA/companion and she even gets a blooming great, soft as, German Shepherd, formerly known as Terminator and renamed Colin Firth. Don’t ask. A chance meeting with Evangeline whilst in the park with Colin, leads Venetia back into her past but also catapults to a different and hopefully brighter future. This is a novel of redemption, of reinvention, of embracing new challenges and the second chance lifeline it offers - a phoenix rising from the ashes.

A new Ruth Hogan leads to some highly appropriate happy dancing in Yorkshire! This is a very entertaining, feel good novel at a time when that’s exactly what’s needed although that’s not to say that some characters haven’t suffered or made sacrifices but they find their way to happier days. This adds layers to the storytelling and some back stories are sad or they shock.

Ruth Hogan is a wonderful writer who really makes me care about her often quirky characters and in her latest creation we meet some who are so colourful they jump off the pages. At the centre is Venetia whose generosity of spirit is easy to see as her household expands exponentially. However, it’s probably her ten year old grandson Kite who steals the show. He’s absolutely delightful and funny as he often tells it how it is and he too has a generous warm spirit. Another show stealer is Colin Firth - a big woof and a hug for him! Hawk’s eccentric sister Swan is also marvellous with her very individual and colourful outfits that make me smile. You watch Liberty grow and grow surrounded by this fabulous cast.

Overall, this is a captivating novel with terrific dialogue that is frequently funny. Although it is predictable in some ways but as it’s the outcome I want, who cares! It’s a reminder that just because characters have reached their 70’s it doesn’t mean they should purchase a bath chair just yet!

With thanks to NetGalley and especially to Atlantic Books, Corvus for the much appreciated arc in return for an honest review.