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.

I'm a big fan of Strictly Come Dancing and Anton Du Beke is my favourite of the professional dancers, which are my main reasons for reading this book even though it would not normally be the type I would choose. This is a richly described tale of romance and scandal with an almost fairy tale feel, set in London around the beginning of the Second World War. There is lots of dancing (no surprises there) and it is not difficult to imagine some of Anton's dancing colleagues as some of the story's characters.

As I said above, I would not normally have chosen a romance novel but I am not sorry I picked this one. So, it is a little corny perhaps but it is exactly what you would expect from such a good-humoured and likeable author.

Fans of romance, 'Strictly' and Anton will be thrilled by this book with all it's glitz, glamour, romance and dancing, and it is the perfect gift to pop in to Christmas stockings. My mum's included.