There are a few authors who I always go back to when I want a guaranteed feel good read, and Ruth Hogan is right there at the top! This latest novel is no exception, and I finished it with a big cheesy, tearful smile on my face.

This is a gorgeous story about a colourful cast of characters of different ages and backgrounds who all come together by chance and turn each other’s lives around. Found family is one of my favourite tropes, and this definitely felt like that - it’s a story full of community and kindness, which I can never resist!

That’s not to say it’s all rainbow sprinkles - there’s still heartache, loss, trauma and tough times, but you always know with Ruth that you’re in safe hands and the story will end on a high note, with a few tears of joy likely streaming down your face. That was certainly the case here, and I missed Venetia and the gang the minute I turned the final page! If you love Clare Pooley and Freya Sampson, you will adore this book.

The Phoenix Ballroom by Ruth Hogan and narrated by Joan Walker is a heartwarming tale that follows Venetia, newly widowed, in her later years, as she tries to navigate an unknown world, a world without her beloved and with a whole array of brilliant supporting characters, the goodies and baddies alike!

I really enjoyed listening to this audiobook, the narrator was on point and the whole experience had a wonderful vibe

This is my first book from Joan Walker and I will be looking out for more, wonderful!
Thank you to Netgalley, W.F. Howes Ltd, the author Ruth Hogan and narrator Joan Walker for this incredible ALC. My review is left voluntarily and all opinions are my own

This was a predictable, light hearted read with Hogan's famous compassion and empathy. Some things didn't quite ring true for me like the bird names of the family which felt forced and a bit cringe. Or, of course, Miss Liberty Bell, drum roll please. Venetia's husband, Hawk, has died and as she begins to pick up the pieces of her life at 74 and wonders what to next. We learn of all sorts of secrets, deception and trauma throughout their married life. Was Hawk really the man who she thought he was? A lot happens in this novel, the Phoenix Ballroom where they met is under threat of closure as to is the Spiritualist Church that forms part of the building. A predictable read that tried for surprises but, they were quite obvious.
Themes: adultery, assault, PTSD, trauma death, grief, funeral, affair, homosexuality

I really enjoyed this audio book, it is crammed full of wonderful characters, Venetia, liberty, Swan and kite to name but a few.

I loved how Venetia at seventy four and recently widowed didn’t stop living herself but threw herself into a new adventure one which brought not only herself joy but others as well.

Liberty who has been hired by Venetias son to look after his mother, has her own problems having been left out of her mothers will and having her long term relationship with her married colleague come to an abrupt end.

Swan is Venetias sister in law is an eccentric character., she provided me with lots of giggles and kite her young grandson shares so much love and fun throughout the book , he was a joy to read about.

Ballrooms were part of everyone’s social life in the past and having The Phoenix Ballroom as the setting of this book was inspired. I loved hearing how Venetia met her husband and how their relationship shaped her life.

I applaud the author for writing such a beautiful book it was well narrated and left me feeling happy to have been to The Phonenix Ballroom with such genuine , highly relatable characters .

Recently widowed Venetia Hamilton Hargreaves decides that she isn't going to spend the remainder of her time grieving, she's going to surprise her family and do something different, like rescue a dilapidated building.

Ruth Hogan is a new author for me. After listening to The Phoenix Ballroom I will certainly be seeking out her earlier books as this delightful story is gentle and uplifting. On my first day of listening, I was completely engrossed and halfway through before I knew it.

Venetia was a devoted wife to her recently deceased husband, Hawk (bird names are a family tradition). Despite his recent death, Venetia doesn't feel that her life should also cease, her husband has left her a wealthy widow and at a sprightly seventy-four (the same age as Cher, apparently), she wants to use some of that wealth and do something exciting. Unfortunately, her son, Heron, doesn't see things the same way and insists on hiring a "granny nanny" to take care of her.

Liberty Bell is the "granny nanny" concerned. Liberty is also grieving, her mother passed away recently and left nothing to her only child. Still reeling from the end of a long-term relationship with a married man, Liberty has found herself alone and homeless so the job offers her a home and a little bit of security.

Along with the main characters we are introduced to a host of supporting ones; Evangeline, the leader of a church at the dilapidated building, Crow, a mysterious figure who hides out in the building, Swan, Hawk's eccentric sister, Colin Firth, the dog Venetia rescues, and Kite, Venetia's grandson. These supporting characters add mystery and humour to the story. The narrator, Joan Walker, does a fantastic job at giving each of them a distinct voice, which really adds to the atmosphere.

Brief glimpses of the past reveal how Venetia met her husband, revealing secrets that have shaped her life. They also show why she is now so determined to do something different.

With support from family and the community that uses the rundown building, Venetia is able to fulfill her wish, along with helping a few others along the way. and manages to rekindle the dreams she had as a young woman.

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.

This was a wonderful audiobook and one of my favourites this year. It was a joy to listen to and made me laugh out loud on numerous occasions.
There were so many wonderful characters throughout this story. I loved Venetia, her grandson Kite and Colin Firth the rescue dog! It still makes me laugh remembering some of the descriptions of what Colin Firth the dog got up to!
The narration by Joan Walker was superb, bringing all the characters to life brilliantly, enhancing my listening experience.
This was my first book by Ruth Hogan, but definitely not my last, as I’ve now added Madame Burova (her previous book) to my Audible library.
Highly recommended if you enjoy feel good stories with an older main character.

I absolutely adored this wonderful book!

When Hawk, 74 year old Venetia’s husband of 50 year dies, her son Heron decides that she needs a “Granny Nanny”, a thought that fills her with utter horror!

Liberty, having recently lost her mother and found herself homeless, takes the position as Venetia’s personal assistant and companion.

They are soon joined by a huge German Shepherd called Colin Firth and Venetia’s young grandson, Kite.

As Venetia starts to navigate life as a widow, she soon realises that, in many ways, this is where her life begins. The story of Venetia’s life is both happy and tragically heartbreaking, for her and her late husband and a chance meeting with her old friend Evangeline leads them to recapture their youth in the old Phoenix Ballroom and reevaluate what they want from life.

Ruth Hogan’s writing is exquisite and the cast of quirky characters are a delight. Kite in particular made me laugh constantly as, in his innocence, he would tell it like it is, that is, when he wasn’t busy hunting for dead fly biscuits - I honestly thought it was just me that called them that!

I loved the small details too, like how the men in the family were all named after birds.

A brilliant read, highly recommended.

5 ⭐️ Thanks to Netgalley, Ruth Hogan and the publisher for an ARC in return for an honest review.

This was an unexpected read listen for me. Super enjoyable. I planned on listening to a couple of chapters but then got hooked and by the nights end I was half way through. I’d describe it as feel good and pleasant, would make a good book club read. Narrator was a great match for the story and the cover perfectly conveyed the content. Will listen to more from the author

This is a lovely, gentle story about second chances.
When Venetia’s husband dies, she has a chance to examine her life; who she’s become and what she wants to do with her remaining years. She’s part of a large and colourful family and has always taken a back seat. Her new-found freedom gives her a chance to spread her wings, and in doing so, she makes a number of chance encounters that influence her choices and future direction.
Liberty has also suffered a recent loss, and is hurt and disappointed to learn that her mother has left her nothing in her will, other than a mysterious set of conditions to be met, known only to her solicitor, who’s instructed not to disclose them. Liberty is also searching for something, and a new job opportunity might just help her find it.
Swan, Venetia’s eccentric sister-in-law, and Kite, her young grandson, steal the show in this novel, which is nicely paced and beautifully written.
Five stars from me, with thanks to NetGalley and W.F.Howes Ltd for a chance to listen to the audiobook ARC.

Following the death of her husband, Venetia wants to live the rest of her life in full and embarks on caring for her grandson and reviving the ballroom she danced in as a young woman. He had great happiness in this ballroom and wants to revive it to its former glory.

Beautifully written and well narrated (I listened to the audiobook). Loved all the characters in this book as we learn about the events in their lives that have shaped them. What secrets from the past will be uncovered and will the future be bright. Read and enjoy.

Having read The Keeper of Lost Things some time ago I was delighted to be approved for this audiobook on NetGalley. I was not at all disappointed. Ruth Hogan writes silent heroes so beautifully. This was a joyful uplifting read/listen. A gentle reminder that the world is full of good people and sometimes you can be lucky enough to find yourself surrounded by them.

Newly widowed Venetia at 74 (younger than Cher) has been left in a vast home with a vast bank balance and a wonder what she does now after 50 years of marriage and motherhood. Her son Heron is heading to France along with her grandson Kite, and has decided a granny nanny is what she needs. Enter Liberty Bell, who has recently lost her mother and any hope of inheritance, as there’s a clause in her mothers will, Liberty’s mother has left her nothing in the way of money, instead she’s left her a photo album and instructions to meet regularly with her solicitor who over time will decide if she is ready to receive the secret part of her will, Liberty must fend for herself, and this sees her become Venetia’s assistant, a perfect pairing!

When a chance meeting in the park while walking Colin Firth (German Shepherd dog whom Venetia has rescued from a drug gang) introduces her to a worried Evangeline, fretting over the sale of the building where she runs her spiritual church and a drop in for the lost and lonely, takes Venetia back in time to when the same building was once a ballroom from where she taught dance lessons and had big aspirations. It’s time for Venetia to find herself again. What ensues is a heartwarming journey overflowing with wonderful characters and a mission to restore the ballroom to its original glory and save the church along the way.

The characters in this book were so well written, each of them endearing in their own way, each champions in their own way. Swan and Kite were my favourites.

The narration by Joan Walker was perfect (I usually listen at 1.75 and slowed to 1.5 to find the perfect fit)

All the stars 🌟
#Jorecommends

Huge thanks to W.F Howes LTD via NetGalley for the opportunity to listen to this audiobook in return for an honest review.

I haven’t read anything by Ruth Hogan, but I thought the cover was striking and intriguing and the blurb sounded unusual. It’s a real gem, a total delight. I’ve listened to the book in two sittings, absolutely mesmerised, firstly by the quality of writing and then by the vast array if characters. The narration throughout is superb, with distinct ‘voice’ for each of the characters.

It sounds a rather implausible plot and to be fair, this is very much character driven as a mash up of people are drawn together across class, age, social and ethnic divide. And it’s seamless. At first, I thought the names were rather silly, but within minutes, I’d settled in to who was who and how the family dynamics were working. Venetia, recently widowed, realises at 74 how much she’s given up for her late husband. She views to live the rest of her life for herself, on her own terms, She meets Liberty, whose mother has died, and Liberty, in mid life is also looking for a new start. Then there’s the local drop in centre and an old ballroom, dilapidated and up for sale. It’s an unlikely scenario for a novel, but Ruth Hogan’s skill brings it all together. Each character is looking for something and she has a keen ear for dialogue and social observation. There’s a lot of humour and reflection and this is truly an ‘Everyman’ ( actually Everywoman as I suspect many female readers will fully relate to some of the characters).

It’s an easy read, but there’s much food for thought and it takes great skill to make something so memorable out of relatively little. I’ll be after more by Ruth Hogan.