the Dance is a Contemporary Romance by Alison G Bailey published on May 11, 2016. It’s a second chance at love novel with several twists and turns.
My FOUR Star Review:
This is the first book I’ve read by Alison and I purchased this book on release day for just 99 cents which means it took me over 5 months to actually get to it in my TBR pile. I read a few reviews, which I don’t normally do, (yes I know that’s strange especially since I write them) and was shocked at the 1 star reviews. I’m going to tell you a little bit more then I normally would and I’ll do my best not to include any spoilers.
the Dance is a second chance at love novel and I’m not going to lie, I absolutely did not like Bryson Walker when I first met her and I also didn’t like Will Forsyth. But let me back up. The book starts with Bryson and Will at the end of their Senior year of High School. Bryson (the all American girl every parent wants for their son) and Will (the football hero and future CEO of the families construction company) have been together since 11th grade. During the Senior Prom Bryson has a brief encounter with bad boy Hart Mitchell. An encounter even after 6 years Bry hasn’t forgotten, however, this encounter did not alter her focus. Bryson’s entire focus is on Will, going to college where Will goes, becoming Mrs. William Forsyth, taking care of him, having children and growing old with Will. She has no other ambitions at all. (Some readers I believe didn’t like this about Bry.) Will on the other hand has been driven to go to business school, to run the family business, have the perfect wife, have a few kids and do what his family expects. Will does some pretty shitty things along the way which added to my dislike of him. But Alison’s character of Hart Mitchell, I loved from the moment I met him and I knew there was way more to him than the bad boy persona when he told Bryson, “You’re Lovely.” and “You’re unexpected.”
At the point where I wanted to shake Bryson and smack Will in the head with the stupid things that were happening, everything changed and I mean everything. Bryson began to “grow up” and realized it was okay to want more out of her life. Her character evolved and she became so much more then what she was at the beginning of the book. I liked this Bryson very much. Will changed as well but his changing was driven by an obstacle in his path but non-the less, he did change. Hart remained the amazing, intriguing character I met at the prom and will always have a special place in my heart.
There are a few hard issues in this book but it added dynamic to the story. The Dance is a story that’s meant to be read and I would highly recommend this book.
More About the Dance:
“Bryson Walker stumbled heart first into the steady rhythm of her life, never questioning whether other possibilities existed. She had been Will’s girl since their junior year in high school, followed him to college, and married him soon after graduation.
In every respect, they were a loving and successful couple, until a series of missteps shattered all of Bryson’s truths. Maybe their life was nothing more than smoke and mirrors. A performance that was never based in reality.
Hart was barely an acquaintance. He and Bryson shared one brief moment during senior prom, full of friction and heat that ignited a spark. But that night Bryson walked away and Hart let her go.
Years later, twisted fate brings Bryson and Hart together again, causing her to wonder if this is her second chance at once in a lifetime.”
Book Reviews - janisf & leisha 