When Venetia’s husband Hawk dies, her son feels she needs care
When Liberty’ mum dies, she leaves her homeless
When Heron’s parents go to France he is sent to boarding school

These three characters become interconnected in this story of caring and change.

Ruth Hogan is always an auto-buy author for me so when I was offered the chance of an ARC I jumped at it. Ruth Hogan hasn't written a book for a few years but this didn't dissapoint and was as charming as I expected.

The characters are all delightful and you immediately warm to all of them. As you love all the characters from the outset, there isn't much room for the readers growth in feelings and you know the book will have a happy ending so is predictable.

However, it's still an adorable, heart warming book. I was a little sad to say goodbye to these characters but am looking forward to Ruth Hogans next book; I hope the wait isn't as long as the last one!

Many thanks to Netgalley and the publisher for a advanced copy in exchange for an honest review.

Another wonderful, uplifting and utterly lovely book by Ruth Hogan. Her books have become real favourites of mine. I love her characters, plot and the way she writes so beautifully about relationships and people of all generations and backgrounds. Just so so good. Please Ruth don't ever stop writing.

Venetia is recently widowed and now determined to embrace life.
When the old Phoenix ballroom comes up for sale Venetia decides to buy it and turn it back to its glory days. This ballroom is where she first danced with her husband so it has lots of memories.
A nice if not predictable read.

The Phoenix Ballroom is a heartwarming and feel-good novel. The themes of friendship, forgiveness, acceptance resonate well with readers. What i loved most in this book are the lessons of hope, finding one's purpose and rediscovering one's self.

I give this book 4,5 stars and recommend it to anyone who loves a light, cozy, and inspiring read!

As I expected (because it's a Ruth Hogan book) I loved this book. The story is a perfect mix of humour, warmth and wisdom, and the characters are the usual lovable Ruth Hogan mix. My only criticism is the unlikely storyline about the Will, but in spite of this I am already recommending this book to all my friends.

After the death of her husband Venetia realises that her life has been on hold for fifty years - she loved her husband and had a comfortable life but there was little spark. Her son is about to move abroad so engages a 'granny nanny' for her but this is the impetus for Venetia to start living her own life. With the help of her new friends and a dog, she determines to bring to life the old ballroom in which she lives her teenage years. Along the way Venetia, her family and her new friends also work through their problems and start to move forward.
There are certain types of books that I would normally avoid like the plague but having stumbled across Ruth Hogan's first novel and subsequently read all the others I know that I am in safe hands. It is the genuine feel-good book, people living their (slightly sanitised) lives and confronting their issues but written with love and gentleness. I race through these novels and end with a smile - just a lovely read.

Ode to jolly, oh so eccentric oldies, alway sprightly and dapper with heaps of silly first names like Venetia, Heron, Hawk, Starlight and lots of double-barrel names. All the houses are either splendid or derelict and
“Outside, the sky was forget-me-not blue, and the sun cast everything in a soft, golden light(…)”
All a bit too saccharine and jolly hockysticks for my taste, but for a bit of formulaic escapism you could do worse.

I was sent an advance proof copy of The Phoenix Ballroom by Ruth Hogan to read and review by NetGalley. This was a really engaging, heartfelt novel with lots of lovely characters to fall in love with! Yes, it was an idyllic and romantic view of life, and yes, it was rather predictable in places, but this really didn’t spoil my enjoyment of the book. I loved the way it was written and I loved the feeling that it gave me. A marvellous piece of urban escapism – if there is such a thing! Worth every one of my five stars!

When widowed, Venetia needs to find something to fill her time, however, her son believes she needs a 'nanny-granny' to live with her, her grandson doesn't want to go to boarding school but wants to stay with her and she just wants to live! Enter The Phoenix Ballroom, an old dance hall now being used as a spiritualist church. As unlikely friendships are made, so are life-changing decisions. This should be on everyone's to be read pile, for those days when you want a heartwarming, comforting read, full of likeable characters and happy endings. I for one will certainly be exploring Ruth Hogan's other novels.

Once again Ruth Hogan has produced a book that is a very satisfying read. There is no mystery or intrigue, just well rounded interesting characters that glide through the pages leaving the reader completely satiated.
A lovely book and I can’t wait for the next!

The Phoenix Ballroom is Ruth Hogan’s fifth novel and I loved her previous books so had high hopes for this one too. I’m pleased to say that the author did not disappoint and that this book is just as wonderful. I love the elegant cover and the little details on it which relate to the story.

This book is exactly the kind of story I like to read. It’s full of wonderful characters of all ages and from all backgrounds. Newly widowed Venetia has had a happy enough marriage even if it wasn’t perhaps the passionate relationship she might have hoped for. Evangeline runs a local church and drop in centre in the building which once was the home of a ballroom where Venetia taught ballroom dancing and met her late husband Hawk. The building is up for sale and she is worried about what will happen to the people who rely on the welcome and kindness they find there. Liberty has recently lost her mother (and her job) and is shocked to find that she hasn’t been left anything in the will, or at least not yet. With no home or job she takes on the position of ‘granny nanny’ to Venetia who most definitely does not need looking after despite what her son Heron thinks.

You maybe have noticed that there is a bird theme going on here. A family of ornithologists, there are some wonderful bird names such as Venetia’s sisters-in-law Nightingale and Swan, and her grandson Kite. Crow is also a significant character but you’ll need to read the book yourself to find out who that is. Kite in particular is a great character. He is such a wise little boy and was the source of some amusing moments.

What I particularly enjoyed about this book was seeing people benefitting from second chances. It really was such a strong theme along with that of community. It was wonderful seeing the changes that came about as the main characters got to know more about each other. Several of the older characters regret missed opportunities in their lives and decide not to waste any more time. Venetia in particular just seemed to have a knack for bringing out the best in people and knowing what to say to encourage them. It was heart-warming to read about so many of the characters realising that they didn’t need to be defined by their pasts, no matter what had happened, and that there was always an opportunity for a fresh start.

The Phoenix Ballroom is a real hug of a book, perhaps I could call it comfort reading? It’s a wonderful combination of secrets, new beginnings and hope. Another superb read from Ruth Hogan and one of my favourite books of the year.

Another great read from Ruth Hogen.When Venitia is widowed her only son decides she needs someone to look after her after he and his wife go to France but its the last thing she needs as she's more than capable of being on her own but when she employs Liberty they instantly become friends. There are lots of secrets that Venetia discovers and many of her own that she has never spoken about and Liberty also has issues of her own bit with the help of her sister in law Swan and her grandson Kite she eventually makes the life for herself that she has always dreamed of and Liberty also finds happiness of her own.I really enjoyed this story and highly recommend it

Thank you NetGalley and Atlantic Books for this eCopy to review

I loved the Phoenix Ballroom, it was an inspiring feel good story. We follow recently widowed Venetia, who feels she can now live the life she wants not the one her husband expects of her. We learn about some upsetting incidents in Venetia's past, and how they influenced her life choices at the time. But as the novel shows it is never too late to follow your dreams. I loved all the characters and how they gained their own self-confidence through interacting with Venetia, especially her grandson, Kite and her 'granny nanny,' Liberty.

A fantastic new book from Ruth Hogan

Despite her sons insistence that she needs help, recently widowed 77-year-old Venetia is not quite ready to put her feet up. She relents to having someone move in with her, but is not happy with her sons choices, yet when she meets Liberty, she decides straightaway that she will fit perfectly. Add in a rescue German Shepherd called Colin Firth and her lovely grandson Kite, this is a brilliant cast of characters to follow through this lovely story.

I seem to have found myself in a bit of a groove of excellent books about older people who are living their absolute best lives despite their age, and I am not mad at it! This was another great one to add to that list.

I’m always fond of novels with old characters doing things and finding enjoyment in life. Add to these some quirky and sweet characters and the found family trope, and I have the perfect feel-good read to help me balance and improve my moods.

The Phoenix Ballroom couldn’t fit better this description! We get to know Venetia, a 74 year-old and recently widowed who decides to live her life as the fullest, Liberty, a 45 year-old who is still figuring out her life, Kite, the most wonderful grandson ever, and several other endearing characters that warmed my heart.

This was my first experience reading Ruth Hogan but I will certainly read more from her.

<i>I would like to thank Atlantic Books | Corvus and NetGalley for the opportunity to read this eARC in exchange for an honest an honest review.</i>

Seventy-four year old Venetia Hamilton Hargreaves has just lost her husband, they had been married for fifty years.
Venetia has plans, she intends to start her life anew, a new chapter of her life.
Liberty Bell has also just had a bereavement and lost her mother. She needs to start life afresh too.
The crossing of paths of these two women will change their lives as they’ve known it, with the help of an extra bunch of family and friends.

What a lovely book to read, I so very much enjoyed it, and was sad to get to the end.
A mixture of characters from all walks of life.
A couple of sensitive issues necessary to the storyline, but they were handled well.
An interesting book that I thoroughly enjoyed reading.

Many thanks to NetGalley and Publisher for an advanced e-book copy. Opinions about the book are entirely my own.

Liberty has recently lost her mother and has now had a huge shock at the reading of her will.
Venetia is newly widowed after a very long marriage to Hawk and is now fending off the oversolicitous behaviour of her son Heron (there are yet more family members with the names of birds to come) who insist that she has what amounts to a Granny nanny to look after her.
In town there is a long neglected ballroom up for sale and expected to be redeveloped into exclusive housing, unless perhaps someone can save it and turn it back into a going concern.
Wealthy Venetia becomes involved in the fate of the ballroom, a place with which she has a history, and the local community who use other areas of the building. Can it be saved and where will Liberty fit in to all of this?
The Phoenix Ballroom has a host of likable characters, deft humour and warmth. Unfortunately large parts of the story are skated over and the many characters thinly developed. By the end I felt that the pace had become breakneck and everything wrapped up rather swiftly and neatly.
There could be plenty more to write about the Phoenix Ballroom and the stories of some of the characters could be explored more fully. I would read another if it became a series, as this was an enjoyable light summer read.
Thank you to NetGalley and the publisher for the opportunity to read an advance copy.

A nice easy read that explored some important topics that I didn't expect. The protagonist is a youthful seventy-something, but this novel is by no means just for that generation of readers. It tells the story of a recent widow, discovering her new found freedom by purchasing the ballroom she once taught in, enriching her circle of friends with some unlikely characters in the process. The only part of the story that I felt was lacking was the mourning of lost loved ones, the absence of grief was discernable. Another aspect that didn't sit quite right with me was the storyline around Liberty's inheritance, which came across as a bit far fetched. Still a great read, 4/5 stars from me.

Venetia' s Husband has died and her son, Heron, has railroaded her over the funeral arrangements in his slightly deluded thinking that she is elderly and therefore not able to do these things.
After the funeral he announces that he is going to hire a companion/assistant to look after her. Thankfully she is able to have some input and hires Liberty. Liberty has recently lost her own Mother and discovered that her mother left nothing to her and therefore lost her home. She had left her job because of poor choices so accepts the job.
When Heron relocates to France with his wife, leaving their son, Kite, in boarding school, Venetia starts to take charge of her own life. In the following months both hers and Liberty's lives have major changes when Venetia purchases the ballroom that she used to teach dancing in, where she met her Husband.
An uplifting story and a delight to read.