Oh wow, what a brilliant and interesting contemporary romance story set in both London and Yorkshire. 28 year old Robyn Allen is trying to make it big in London as an actress and dancer while waiting tables at a posh London restaurant. One night after being the waitress of a particular table, she soon ends up getting to know one of the customers there. What starts out as a date soon becomes something more serious and with her career going well Robyn is happy with her life in London. But disaster soon strikes when she has an accident on stage followed by more disasters. Unable to perform and unable to cope with her now shattered future, Robyn decides to go back home to Beddingfield, a small town in Yorkshire, to try and piece back together her broken life. But with her family having their own problems, will Robyn be able to cope when she goes home?

This is a wonderful story which I enjoyed from the very start. The story follows Robyn as she narrates the tale which is split into three parts, beginning in London. I liked Robyn’s character right away, a struggling dancer and actress who is desperately trying to find her big break while also paying her rent and living in a small shared flat in Soho. Robyn was easy to like as a character and I love how her life soon starts to involve a particular and intersting man with a very contrasting life and background to Robyn’s. This first part set in London gives you an interesting back story to Robyn’s character and shows you just why she’s so determined to make it in London as a performer.

When Robyn moves back to Yorkshire to the town of Beddingfield she ends up struggling to deal with the accident that has forced her to stop dancing. On top of that we find out that the family has its own problems; Robyn’s older sister Jess is struggling to bring up her daughter while acting as carer for their mum and a parent to their younger sister Sorrel who is fifteen. The story unfolds at a good pace, every moment of the tale is interesting and I liked finding out more about the different family characters in this second part of the story. Robyn soon finds herself having to take up teaching in a local secondary school, and it isn’t without a lot of problems. As the story moves on though we find out more about new characters and secrets about certain people or circumstances are slowly revealed.

There’s something about Julie Houston’s writing that is so easy and compelling to read. The story really sucks you in and I loved getting to know Robyn, her family, and some of the other characters too. Although the whole story is from Robyn’s point of view, there’s a lot about her family and their struggles and lives too and I love the connection they all have with each other. I also enjoyed some of the other characters like Fabian and Mason and what happens in the story with both of them. Every moment of this book was so enjoyable, I couldn’t put this down. There are so many revelations and twists within the story and although I thought I would guess how things would go, I was pleasantly surprised by how I never did.

As the story builds up towards the ending it stays exciting and there are even bigger twists about some characters and what happens. The final ending is one I did not expect but I’m so glad the book finished in this way as it felt like the perfect ending for me! Throughout the whole book I like how this story, that’s filled with so many dramatic moments, also has some light-hearted and funnier ones too. The book has a very rare uses of the f and s swear words and has mentions of assault and drug use as well as showing some racist attitudes some characters have.

This is a wonderful romance story as well as a wonderful story about family and friendships and I love the connection Robyn and her family have with each other. The setting of Beddingfield, especially of the school St Medes is one I enjoyed and I loved getting to know so many of the characters and their lives. I can’t wait to read more about the Allen sisters in future books, as well as see more of the area of Beddingfield. A Class Act is a wonderful and heart-warming read and one I recommend!

🌟🌟🌟🌟🌟 A Class Act marks the beginning of a fresh series based in Yorkshire, penned by the new-to-me author, Julie Houston.

Robyn's aspiration of gracing the West End stage with her presence takes a turn when she encounters the dashing Fabian, leading to a misstep that shatters her dreams and lands her back in Yorkshire.

The characters really are so relatable, they could be your next-door neighbours! I really needed this book right now - with its’ great sense of community and comedy.

Grab your copy and join the laughter - it's good for you!!!


#boldwoodbloggers #boldbookclub #netgalley#booksofinsta #bookreviewer #lovereading #lovebooks #instabooks #instabookreviewer #bookstagram

Robyn is a courageous and driven character who cares about others and wants to follow her dream. When her dream shatters, she returns home where needed and begins another chapter of her life. The story starts in London and moves to Yorkshire, exploring many contemporary issues through its characters. I like the vibrant characters, the family connections, and the emotional journey the story takes readers on. There are humorous and poignant moments and relatable struggles that immerse you in Robyn's life. I was hooked from the first pages by engaging characters and believable life events, and this was an entertaining first book in a new series.

I received a copy of this book from the publisher.

When the world is so full of doom and gloom, we need more books like this. It was such a joyful book to read, and I enjoyed it from start to finish.

Robyn was a fabulous character. She is feisty, warm-hearted and funny. It has been delightful to become acquainted with her. The author brings her alive on the page and I was rooting for her every step of the way.

Largely set in Yorkshire where the author herself resides, it is easy to detect her love for her county through her words. Indeed, I've been lucky enough to visit a few times and it really is lovely.

Ms. Houston is a brilliant story teller. I would have loved to have settled in a gobbled this up in one sitting had opportunity presented itself. I am so pleased that this is the first in a planned series. I will definitely be at the front of the queue to get my hands on the second one when it is published.

Robyn has worked hard her whole life to get to this point, she feels successful and loves where her future is going. THEN, an injury sidelines her hopes and dreams. This is the back story to Julie Houston's new series featuring Robyn, her family, St Mede's school and the town of Beddingfield.

This first book in the series is a wonderful start to a heartwarming tale of a young woman who remakes her life in the face of adversity and responsibilities for her family. I loved it and by the look of the other reviews it's unanimous, A CLASS ACT is a 5 star winner.

So a heads up, this is book one of a new series by this author & I'm already looking forward to the next. Thank you to Netgalley and publishers for an advanced copy of this book for my opinion in return. As usual with books from this author, she doesn't shy away from difficult topics. This story has a good mix of all emotions and is certainly entertaining. Another great book from Julie Houston.

The book is divided into two halves, with Robyn's life in London and then in Yorkshire. Initially, Robyn lives above a Soho kebab shop, working as a waitress while dreaming of a West End role. Her relationship with barrister Fabian introduces her to a new lifestyle but also exposes her to prejudice. Robyn's strong sense of right and wrong and pride in her heritage contrast with Fabian's moral ambiguities. The story then shifts to Yorkshire, where Robyn returns to help her struggling family, especially her troubled teenage sister Sorrel. She secures Sorrel a school place on the condition she teaches drama and dance. The narrative is filled with surprises, new relationships, and challenges, all set within a warmly depicted family dynamic. The author handles serious issues sensitively, blends humor, and develops romantic elements with unexpected twists. This heartwarming, well-told story makes a promising start to a new series.

A Class Act by Julie Houston

I received an advance review copy for free thanks to Rachel's Random Resources and I am leaving this review voluntarily.

Blurb

Robyn Allen is finally getting closer to her dream of West End stardom. And along with her role dancing in the latest hot musical, she’s being wined and dined by an equally hot man – the wildly successful and well-connected Fabian Carrington. But one slip up and her dreams are shattered, and Robyn has to hobble back to the Yorkshire village of Beddingfield, and the life she hoped she’d escaped.

Moving back into her mum’s house with her recalcitrant teenage sister Sorrel, next door to her older sister Jess who’s fed up with picking up the slack, is not how Robyn pictured her year. But there’s more to come. Sorrel needs a new school, and the school needs a new drama teacher. Despite having vowed never to teach again, Robyn knows she has to support her sister.

So together Sorrel and Robyn vow to take on St Mede’s – home to jokers, tearaways and trouble-makers, but with a hidden heartbeat ready to be inspired. And who knows, the kids might have something to teach Robyn about life too…

My Opinion

When Robyn is forced to return home following an accident she does what she can to help out her family. This was such a lovely book to read, although A Class Act does get off to a slow start, it is worth sticking with. Even though this is the first time Julie Houston has written about these characters I felt an instant connection and found myself hoping that everything worked out for them.

Julie Houston has written a fun book with some great characters.

Rating 4/5

I'm reviewing this via NetGalley, as part of a tour with Rachel's Random Resources.

On first impressions, I found that the protagonist, Robyn, was humorous, and I liked how she articulated herself to the reader. Robyn is an actress and singer who aspires to be successful in the West End, and that was something that went to my heart while I was reading. I've always loved singing, and as a child, I took an interest in drama classes, but I have never had the confidence to pursue a career as a performer. For that reason, I really wanted Robyn to be successful.

Fabian struck me as a charismatic character, and I enjoyed his personality. I also found Sorrel to be quite a lovable character.

As I carried on reading, I appreciated Robyn's humour, but the thing that I enjoyed most was her attitude towards the other characters, how kind and supportive she was.

This was a fun read that sparked joy for me, and maybe it will for you too.

Thank you to NetGalley, Boldwood Books, Rachel's Random Resources, and to the author, for the opportunity to read and review this.

The start of a new series from Julie, and I hope the following books will be as good as this first one. I have been reading Julie's books as fast as they are published and have enjoyed every one.

Very much a book of two halves, with a bit of a gear change in the middle – but it was a structure that really worked, and a story I thoroughly enjoyed. A lot of that was down to Robyn, at first living above a Soho kebab shop, working as a waitress in a high-end restaurant to keep her head above water while pursuing her dream of a lead role in a West End show. She’s extremely likeable, and her passion for her chosen path is something it’s easy to share – along with her successes and her setbacks. Her relationship with highly successful (and rich) barrister Fabian introduces her to a lifestyle entirely outside her experience, but also finds her experiencing prejudice – both race and class based – from people who really should know better. She has a clear sense of right and wrong, and a pride about her heritage that she fiercely defends – and Fabian’s questionable moral choices where his career is concerned make things even more difficult.

And then, the story moves to Yorkshire – with Robyn unexpectedly back in the heart of her family. Her teenage sister Sorrel has rather gone off the rails, facing exclusion from school – her mother is unable to cope with life, her father dips into their lives only now and then (he’s quite impossible – but a character I rather loved!), and her usually capable older sister Jess is at her wits’ end. Robyn takes on the challenge – finding Sorrel a school place at St Mede’s, but only on condition that she joins the beleaguered staff as a teacher of drama and dance. And that’s where I really must stop telling the story – but there are plenty of surprises along the way, the possibility of a new relationship, considerable challenges to be faced up to, the occasional real triumph, all tied up with the daily issues faced by a family I entirely took to my heart.

This is the first in a series, and it really couldn’t have got off to a better start – those family dynamics are just wonderful, filled with warmth, every individual so well drawn, and with a few intriguing storylines to be picked up later and further developed. There are a number of serious issues unflinchingly and sensitively handled, some darker edges to the story, a few moments of particular poignancy – but also plenty of opportunities for the author’s trademark humour, often laugh-out-loud, especially during Robyn’s time at the school. The romantic elements of the story, along with their complications, are particularly well handled – with more than a few unexpected twists and turns. And much as I loved experiencing Robyn’s time in London – the very real depiction of her world, the obstacles to any kind of success – I particularly liked coming home to Yorkshire, and know I’m really going to enjoy my time in Beddingfield.

This was such a well told story, heartwarming and uplifting, with characters I really loved. I’m already looking forward to the next book in the series – and I’d recommend this book really highly.

A great beginning to a new series. Loved this one it was so engaging. The sisters were great together. My thanks to netgalley and the publishers for giving me the opportunity to read this book in return for an opportunity to read this book in return for an honest review.

I immediately took to Robyn and loved her determination to do well in everything that she applied herself to. She had an understandable level of cynicism, and she let that show as she encountered the uber-wealthy Fabian Carrington. Robyn was incredibly proud of her heritage but constantly aware that not all people are as tolerant as they should be. This kept her constantly aware of the reactions of others.
Fabian was the epitome of the ideal leading man. He was wealthy, successful, and drop-dead gorgeous. Most importantly, he seemed to fall for Robyn, hook, line, and sinker. However, he had no control over his family's behaviour, and that was a huge problem for Robyn.
This book gets a second start when the story leaves London and moves to Robyn’s family home in Yorkshire. It soon becomes obvious that Robyn is needed at home and that Yorkshire holds a special place in the author’s heart. Robyn takes control of her younger sister’s welfare, even joining the teaching staff at her new school. I found myself cheering for the success of the drama team at St Mede’s school.
Beddingfield introduced us to the rest of Robyn’s family and provided a clear understanding of her proud personality. She’d lived through a rather unconventional childhood and left her younger sister to the same fate. The more time we spent with them, the easier it became to understand the family dynamic and to feel the warmth that emanated from their relationships.
This is a terrific story and a glorious start to a new series. The characters are cleverly drawn, and it’s a credit to the author that I took Beddingfield to my heart. There’s a real honesty in the storytelling and a definite lean towards doing the right thing. No spoilers from me, but I hope you enjoy this terrific book.

The start of another very funny series from a favourite author!

Robyn Allen has worked long and hard at her career, and is finally beginning to feel as if she's made it as she dances in the hottest musical in town. One slip and her dreams disappear into the ether and she is left with no option but to limp back home to Yorkshire to her mother and sisters. It turns out that her older sister Jess is relieved to see her; teenager Sorrel has been playing up and she is almost at the end of her tether, happily handing over all responsibilty to Robyn. The first thing she has to do is get Sorrel enrolled in a new school but, with her history, it's not going to be so easy. However, the first choice is badly in need of a drama teacher and although Robyn is qualified she has sworn never to be in charge of a classroom again - but what will she do if it's a deal-breaker to getting Sorrel back into education?

There is a lot going on in this first in series and, as always with this author, I laughed and giggled my way through. I unfailingly swear to read Julie's books in small chunks but find myself racing through, chuckling all the way. Beautiful characterisation and well-written, this is one I urge everyone to read - it sparkles from first to last. 5*.

My thanks to the publisher for my copy via NetGalley; this is - as always - my honest, original and unbiased review.

Julie Houston's latest novel, set in a fictional Yorkshire village, is a delightful mix of love, family, and dreams. It’s a heartwarming and humorous story that keeps readers engaged. However, it includes a grooming storyline that may be triggering for some. The abrupt ending is a shame, but the overall charm and warmth of the book leave readers hoping for a sequel. Houston's knack for creating relatable characters and engaging plots shines through once again.

Thanks to the Publisher and Netgalley for an early review copy.

I thoroughly enjoyed reading this book.

Robyn’s life is just as she wanted it, she’s working in the job she’s dreamed about and in a relationship with Fabian, the man of her dreams.

But, when she’s had a bad accident doing her job, she’s heading back home, to her family to help her sister, whilst their mother is in hospital, to look after their younger sister Sorrell.

We read about the sisters’ lives and what their hopes and dreams are, their relationships with each other and new ones they form.

I can’t wait to see what comes next for these characters in the next book.

I highly recommend this book.

Ahhh, this was so good, I enjoyed it immensely. Not your usual Cinderella romance, it covered lots of relevant issues that affect many of us. Loved all of the main characters. You always know it’s a goody when you miss them when you’ve finished reading.

Robyn heads home after suffering a fall and possibly the end of her dancing career. She’s offered a teaching position at a local school. It’s the last thing she wants but it might help keep her younger sister in school.
This was a nice story with a lot going on. It did start a bit slow but did pick up. I did think it ended a little abruptly with several things left hanging.
It’s a good beach read

On the whole I enjoyed the storyline and the book was a pleasant read but I feel I wanted more from this. There was a raft of topical issues any one of which could have developed within the storyline . Good if the reader was looking for a love story but nothing new

I did find the book a little slow to start but once I got past this I enjoyed it more. I liked the story and the characters. I think other readers might like it.
💖 Thank you to netgalley, the publisher and author for my arc ebook copy of the book in exchange for an honest review.