Title: If Ever
Author: Angie Stanton
Genre: Contemporary Romance
Release Date: August 21, 2017
Book Description:
Fiercely independent Chelsea Barnes has caught a rare break and been cast as the first non-celebrity on the hit show Celebrity Dance Off. Chelsea is coined ‘America’s Chance to Dance,’ but her partner planned on an A-lister, not a nobody.
Clashing with her partner, she’s ready to go home; but during an emotional dance, her heart-breaking past as an abandoned, homeless teen is revealed. Not only do the viewers fall in love with her, so does the flirty British guest singer, Broadway star Thomas Evan Oliver.
Tom is struck by this feisty girl who complicates his over-structured life, and pursues her in a romantic cross-country courtship until she’s voted off and joins him. Their sexy whirlwind love affair blossoms in New York as she navigates the big city and his exhausting eight shows a week, but most important, her scarred heart begins to heal. Perhaps happily ever after might be a possibility after all.
Buy Links:
99c for release day ONLY!
Available at other retailers soon
Our Review:
Reviewed by Donna ~ 4 stars
***ARC received for an honest review***
“There’s a fine line between
sexual tension and smelly farts.”
Angie Stanton is a new to me author and this one was chosen
because of two things…Strictly Come Dancing is my guilty pleasure…and I adore
this cover. It is funny what makes you pick up a book and this was one that I
was extremely glad I did. This was a quick, cute, romantic read where romance
doesn’t come from where you think.
The reality dancing TV show element was my absolute
favourite, I could picture myself behind the scenes of one of my favourite TV
shows, one that I spend all my winter weekends watching. If Ever gives you a bird’s
eye view of what really happens and it is as if Angie Stanton has actually been
a production crew member…maybe she has? I loved the warts and all storyline,
the training, the banter, jealousies and insecurities, but most of all, love,
love finding you when you least expect it and especially with whom.
Chelsea was the first non-celebrity to take part in
Celebrity Dance Off, Chelsea was dubbed “America’s Chance to Dance.” One
drunken audition had led her to this reality TV show and she was so far out of
her depth she was drowning. Chelsea had a lot of insecurities and
vulnerabilities and having the cameras pointed at her 24/7 was not helping.
Tom was a gorgeous Brit on Broadway, a singer/song-writer
and thespian. Tom oozed that British charm and when Chelsea and her dance
partner chose one of his songs to dance to, he instantly became enamoured.
“He’s like a mirage in a desert,
a handsome man with a beautiful heart.”
Chelsea was a great character, she was real, honest and relatable.
We often come across abandonment issues in books, but with Chelsea I actually
felt them. Angie Stanton does a great job with her character connection and
Chelsea is one of those heroines that you just want to give a big hug to and
try and support them in any way possible.
“You’ve just been knocked down a
lot. Every time you gain momentum, something happens. I curse all the bad luck
and dark bastards that have hurt you, but you’re letting your fears drive you
into making a terrible decision.”
The cast of secondary characters was fantastic, many
different personalities as you would expect with reality TV and each one had
their own part to play. As I said above, I lived this story and while I do feel
that some of the storyline could have been trimmed a little, I sincerely didn’t
care. I loved the chemistry between Chelsea and Tom, it was a flickering ember
in the beginning and Angie Stanton gave it the legs to grow. I loved the
journey that these two took, I was glad it wasn’t at all instant and that both
of them took their time in getting to know one and other, they helped each
other and were there for one and other. Overall, a cute romance that any
Dancing with the Stars / Strictly Come Dancing addict will devour with gusto,
but even if not, the characters hold their own and for me, I couldn’t put it
down.
About the Author:
Angie Stanton is a life-long daydreamer who grew up with her hands on a book and her head in the clouds. As an adult, she’s put her talent to use writing contemporary fiction about life, love, and the adventures that follow.
Angie is the bestselling author of nine novels. Her work has been translated into French, German, and Bulgarian. In her spare time, Angie sneaks off to New York City to enjoy the best live entertainment experience--Broadway. She is a contributing writer to Broadway World is currently working on another Broadway-themed book.
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