Review by KT Sullivan
Kelly
Wilder Madison is a wealthy fifty-two year old widow. She loved her husband,
but got absorbed into his world. Now, she has her life back and is ready to
start over. After mistakenly stealing an apple from a grocery store, she
notices a dance studio in the strip mall. She has always wanted to learn how to
dance. On a whim, she signs up for lessons under her maiden name. The male
instructors, Nik and Anatoly, are from Russia and a bit standoffish. She meets
other students and realizes one’s husband worked with her husband. And the
woman is having an affair with Nik. Kelly also volunteers at the local hospice
center. Her patient, Carolina, is dying of cancer. Through her eyes, Kelly sees
what she missed. She wanted a family, but it never happened. Instead, she’s
been the doting aunt of her friend Elyse’s daughter. While reflecting on the
lost opportunities in her life, she remembers her first love, Daniel. She looks
him up on social media and decides to reconnect. Heartbreak and loss wear her
down, so she throws herself into the dance lessons. Elyse and Carolina would
love to see her perform. Kelly arranges to dance at the hospice Christmas party
as a last gift for Carolina. The drama at the dance studio threatens to close
it. Kelly decides to step in and solve the problems so she can continue to
dance.
It’s easy
to relate to Kelly, a life of missed chances and what ifs. Carolina’s death
puts Kelly’s life in perspective, there is still time to change and do what she
wants. To cheer Carolina up, Elyse and Kelly introduce her to old movies. One
of my favorites, Now, Voyager, is discussed. Bette Davis has a nervous
breakdown, regains her life, and falls in love. It inspires Kelly to move on
and be happy. I recommend the book and the movie.
Purchase
the book at:
About the Author:
Kim Wright is the author of Love in Mid Air and The
Unexpected Waltz and has been writing about travel, food, and wine for more
than twenty years for many magazines, including Wine Spectator, Self, Travel
& Leisure, and Vogue. She has twice won the Lowell Thomas Award for travel
writing. The Canterbury Sisters is her third novel, and she also ballroom
dances competitively. Kim lives in Charlotte, North Carolina.
Connect with the author at:
Simon & Schuster is giving 1 lucky winner a print copy of
The Unexpected Waltz
(US/Canada)
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