Queen B’s Decree: I have never watched Strictly Come Dancing or any equivalent US-based show, but Strictly Ballroom is one of my favorite movies so I can easily get into this new contemporary by Kathryn Freeman. The basic premise is this: Maggie religiously watches Strictly Come Dancing every week with her best friends and daughters ever since her divorce three years ago. One night there is a visitor to intrude upon their watch fest – her best friends’ younger by 10 years brother, Seb.
Seb is back home after his father’s heart attack, and he’s attempting to find his way. He’s been traveling and roaming since leaving high school (or what do they call it in the UK? Secondary school?) trying to find his place in life and what he feels called to do.
Maggie is a physician and essentially a single mother (more on that DB ex-husband later) but loves dancing with a passion, so she doesn’t fight hard when her friends convince her to take ballroom dancing lessons. Seb, feeling an instant attraction to Maggie, volunteers to be her partner, and life goes on from there.
What I loved about Strictly Come Dating was how it dealt with Maggie’s resistance to be in a new relationship, and especially how she felt about the age gap between them. And yet, she can’t deny the connection she has with Seb, even if there are some mishaps along the way.
I was happy to see Maggie finally come to her senses and realize that she has worth, because for so long she let her ex-husband wear down her confidence. I really wish she took that DB to court; he owed so much to his children and I felt like he got off so easily.
Even though it dealt with some deep and harsh issues, I felt like this was a light and quick read that instantly sucked me in. I picked it up, planning to just finish my chapter before bed and then somehow it was after midnight and I’d reached the final page. Kathryn Freeman has a way of keeping your interest!
Book: Strictly Come Dating by Kathryn Freeman
Series: standalone
Genre: Contemporary
Hotness: mild salsa
Plot Devices/Tropes: age gap