One Enchanted Evening
The uplifting and charming Sunday Times Bestselling Debut by Anton Du Beke
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4.3 • 32 Ratings
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- £2.99
Publisher Description
The Sunday Times bestseller!
'Downton with dance, perfect!' Santa Montefiore
Prepare to be swept off your feet by the romantic and irresistible debut novel from Anton Du Beke
London, 1936.
Inside the spectacular Grand Ballroom of the exclusive Buckingham Hotel the rich and powerful, politicians, film stars, even royalty, rub shoulders with Raymond de Guise and his troupe of talented dancers from all around the world, who must enchant them, captivate them, and sweep away their cares. Accustomed to waltzing with the highest of society, Raymond knows a secret from his past could threaten all he holds dear.
Nancy Nettleton, new chambermaid at the Buckingham, finds hotel life a struggle after leaving her small hometown. She dreams of joining the dancers on the ballroom floor as she watches, unseen, from behind plush curtains and hidden doorways. She soon discovers everyone at the Buckingham - guests and staff alike - has something to hide . . .
The storm clouds of war are gathering, and beneath the glitz and glamour of the ballroom lurks an irresistible world of scandal and secrets.
Let's dance . . .
Customer Reviews
Delicious
All the romance of a past age, alongside the underbelly of a simmering working class revolt developing in those who still serve the ruling class.
The lead up to a Second World War and the anti-semitism, and colour prejudice by people who should have known better that fuelled the Mosley Black Shirts and Nazi sympathisers in this country.
Altogether an intelligent historical novel with a difference’.
I look forward to the sequel.
Best romance book to do with ballroom
I really enjoyed reading this book, not that I'm a Strictly Come Dancing Alan but I do love dancing. I found this novel very entertaining to read. I love how the characters intertwine beautifully with each other especially the romance between Raymond and Nancy. I was immediately absorbed and immersed into this glamorous world of extravagance, rich and elegance, the rich and powerful waited on by the less fortunate. Raymond was the Patrick Swayze of the ballroom during 1936 with similarities between them. I loved how Anton captured ballroom during that era and making the characters believable and relatable according to behaviour. It reminds me of Downton Abbey because of the difficulties and hardship that the characters go through and european political interests and reputations to uphold. I was impressed about the drug storyline for one of the characters and how it was dealt with. The description of the Buckingham Hotel and the characters were beautifully written. This book will make you fall in love with dancing and ballroom. I do hope Anton Du Beke will write another book about romance in a ballroom.