I’m delighted today to be joining the blog tour for Lottie’s School of Dance by Annette Hannah, published by Orion Dash on 31st August, and now available both for kindle and in paperback. My thanks to the publishers for my advance reading e-copy (provided via netgalley).
Can you believe this is Annette’s fourth book? I can still remember how much I loved her first, Wedding Bells at the Signal Box Café, when I read it back in June 2020 – romantic comedy at its very best, a gorgeous story, beautifully written, and always guaranteed an appearance on my 2020 Books of the Year list (you’ll find my review here). Her second, The Cosy Little Cupcake Van, was published in March 2021 and might just have been even better – friendship and the loveliest romance, the ups and downs of life, and the perfect message that it’s really people that bring true happiness (my review is here). And then, in December 2021, there was Poppy’s Christmas Wishes – you’ll know I’m always a pushover for a good Christmas read, and this one was an absolute joy (you’ll find my review here). She’s kept us waiting a little for another visit to lovely Bramblewood – but I couldn’t be more delighted to be back…
Lottie Daniels is dancing up the altar in Canada when she realises her whirlwind wedding is a big mistake. Chad isn’t the right person for her at all! And, in that moment, Lottie goes from dancing bride to runaway bride.
Much to her brother’s relief, Lottie decides to return to Bramblewood in the UK. But life has more surprises in store for her. After rescuing both a donkey and a little old lady called Doris – all with the help of a handsome stranger! – Lottie suddenly becomes a big part of Doris’s life.
From broken dreams to second chances, Lottie finally has a chance to rebuild her life. When her friends suggest she takes part in a dance audition she refuses point blank but it soon becomes clear that destiny has other plans.
You are guaranteed to fall head over heels with this sweet and charming romance.
Oh my goodness, there was so much I loved about this book that I don’t know where to start! But perhaps at the very beginning, when I heaved a sigh of relief as – after a moment of sheer unadulterated joy as she dances up the aisle – Lottie realises that there’s no way she can be happy trapped in a marriage with Chad, and flees from her wedding. And there can be nowhere lovelier to run to than Bramblewood, for the support of brother Blake and his cake-making wife (how lovely to see them again!) and some time to think about the future.
Then, on a walk, she comes across a distressed donkey trapped in a ditch and tries to help, only to find she can’t get out either – but along comes a rather gorgeous Italian guy to rescue them from the mud. And that episode brings Denni the donkey’s owner, Doris, into her life too – an elderly lady, living alone, and offering her a place to stay, where the loveliest friendship ensues as she becomes her surrogate grand-daughter and her life takes a few unexpected turns.
Lottie – rather unintentionally, when she was only looking to buy some mirrors – finds herself entering a televised dance competition, bringing her into much closer contact with her handsome rescuer. And the barn she’s staying in – with the addition of a barre and those mirrors – proves the perfect place to start giving some dance lessons. At first, it’s just Doris – but then a few of her friends, then a few more, and she slowly finds herself drawn into the lovely community. And as she heals and begins to make a real difference to the lives of everyone around her, she needs to make some big decisions about where her future lies.
I’ve always loved the Bramblewood setting – it was a special treat to catch glimpses of some of the familiar characters and locations from the earlier books, and I still feel I’d like to live there. And then there are the many relationships, and they’re quite wonderful. The slow-burn romance – with a few ups and downs along the way – was just everything I wanted it to be, but I particularly enjoyed Lottie’s friendship with Doris, the warmth and love and mutual support, the smiles and occasional tears. There are other lovely friendships to be found along the way too – a wonderful collection of well-drawn individuals, across the generations, some with their own stories, who became involved with the dance classes, often bringing laughter and a few moments that brought a happy tear to the eye. And then there’s the dancing – the progress of the competition with its uncertain outcome is just fascinating to follow (and perfect for a Strictly fan like me!), but what really came across was the way Lottie found something that brought her such joy and put her on the path to happiness.
There’s some sadness along the way, but there’s plenty of humour too and this was a book that made me smile from beginning to end – it’s tremendously uplifting, beautifully written, and one of those rather special books that really touched my heart. I loved it, gorgeous in every way, and it’s a book I’d strongly recommend to others.
About the author
Annette Hannah is a Liver Bird who relocated to leafy Hertfordshire in the 80’s and now lives near a river with her husband, two of their three grown up children and a crazy black cocker spaniel. She writes Romantic comedies in settings inspired by the beautiful countryside around her and always with a nod to her hometown.
She worked in Marketing for many years as a qualified Marketeer which she loved as it tapped into her creative side. As an avid reader, she began to review the books she read, became a book blogger and eventually plucked up the courage to fulfil her life long dream of writing a book.
For four years she was a member of the Romantic Novelists’ Association’s new writers’ scheme, during which time she wrote a book a year. After signing a two book deal with Orion Dash in 2020 she graduated to full member of the organisation and is also their Press Officer.
She loves long walks along the river, travelling to far flung places and spending time with her friends and family.
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Great review Anne – and what a truly beautiful cover! Xx